What's the difference between onsite hotels and offsite?

[Cdaniels1987]

I'm taking my GF for a suprise trip in September, I originally wanted to stop in the hotel new York but after looking at prices the dream castle and hotel magic circus are both coming up around £600 cheaper for the 5 nights, I know you don't get park ticks but even then it will be a saving of around £300 possibly
more, is it worth spending the extra money on the hotel new York? I want it to be a nice hotel as it's a suprise for her birthday!

 

[lilacgems23]

Apart from EMH there is no real difference, you still get park tickets offsite if you book with disney, or at least we did. Im a HUGE fan of the dream castle it is pure luxury and Ive never stayed at HNY but after looking at photos of it the dream castle beats it hands down. Just HNY is right next to the village so a few mins walk as opposed to 5 mins on the free shuttle.

The Dream Castle will be a lovely surprise I loved it there so did my sister and we have VERY high expectations

 

[lilacgems23]

Oh forgot to add the onsite hotels also have meet and greets in the hotels in the morning but they have plenty of these in the parks too

 

[Cdaniels1987]

The dream castle sounds really nice, I know we won't be spending much time in the hotel but as it's a suprise for her birthday and we'll be celebrating 1 year together I want a nice hotel to come back too on the evenings, oh and is September a nice time to go?


Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[lilacgems23]

We stayed here when it was Sept, as we went midweek the park closed at 7pm so we went back to the pool etc

The beds are so comfortable and themeing is really nice. It isnt noisy either and if your room overlooks the gardens its a lovely view. Its quite romantic walking around the back at night with the fountain lit up

It has a pool, jacquizi, gym, restaurant, bar. It also has vending machines which are handy ( ive not seen them in other hotels) which sellselsewhere sandwiches, crisps, fruit, drinks, chocolate etc cheaper than elsewhere also once the village closes there is nowhere to get anything and even if it is open you dont want to trek back there if your pekish after a swim etc

 

[lilacgems23]

The dream castle sounds really nice, I know we won't be spending much time in the hotel but as it's a suprise for her birthday and we'll be celebrating 1 year together I want a nice hotel to come back too on the evenings, oh and is September a nice time to go?


Thanks so much for the advice!

Are you planning on asking her something ?

 

[Cdaniels1987]

Haha I am thinking about it actully, she Adores disney and so do I so it would be perfect

 

[lilacgems23]

Haha I am thinking about it actully, she Adores disney and so do I so it would be perfect

I cant think of anywhere more perfect

 

[DLPdaft]

I'm taking my GF for a suprise trip in September, I originally wanted to stop in the hotel new York but after looking at prices the dream castle and hotel magic circus are both coming up around £600 cheaper for the 5 nights, I know you don't get park ticks but even then it will be a saving of around £300 possibly
more, is it worth spending the extra money on the hotel new York? I want it to be a nice hotel as it's a suprise for her birthday!

I haven't stayed at the Dream Castle or the HNY, so can't comment about that.

For me, the main difference between onsite and offsite is that you can walk to the parks and the Village easily from any of the onsite hotels, offsite is a 10-minute further walk away from the Santa Fe, or you are relying on the shuttle buses. Although these are very regular (every 15-20 minutes all through the day and evening) I find when I'm staying offsite that I do have to be a bit more organised and mindful of the time, especially in the mornings when I want to be in the main park for EMH (if you miss an offsite bus by minutes, the time seems to go soooo slowly until the next one comes along ).

I've stayed at the Magic Circus, loved it, thought it was a really great hotel, and the room is definitely the best-appointed we've had at DLP. The pool is great too, and you have hot breakfast included in the price at the Magic Circus usually. I guess the HNY would be the best onsite comparison to the Magic Circus or Dream Castle hotels, as far as facilities go. Of course, if you're staying at the HNY, you wouldn't need to bother about the shuttle buses at all, as the lakeside entrance to the HNY is at one end of the Village, so literally 5 minutes walk through there, and you're at the entrance to the parks.

 

[lilacgems23]

Forgot to add Dream Castle has a hot breakfast too and was yummy also fresh fruit as opposed to tinned

I think the shuttle was every 15 mins

Altho I didnt know you could get EMH staying offsite?

 

[DLPdaft]

We had Dream APs then - but you can also get EMH access if you book a room at the L'Elysee Val d'Europe - its the only offsite hotel which gives you this.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I think the main difference, as others have said, is location. No need to wait for shuttle buses, and if you fancy a break during the day, it's easy to nip back to the room for a swim and then back out without it feeling like a trek.

We've not stayed offsite. I really love the feeling of everything being contained in one area, without having to think about transport.

Also, if you stay on-site, you will benefit from Extra Magic Hours, which provides access to the main park up to 2 hours before opening. We would do that from 8am and then head back to our hotel for breakfast at the Hotel New York about 9:30.

The Hotel New York is our favourite hotel, just next to the village and so handy for everything. Breakfast is good too, lots of hot items.

Good luck deciding

 

[lilacgems23]

On our last trip we chose the Cheyenne over the dream castle puely for the EMH as we were there a week but only got 1 day of EMH ! Going in Sept as its out of season it may well not be on every day

 

[DLPdaft]

OP if you're going in September, and you're not that bothered about EMH (its only certain rides in Fantasyland and Discovery land which are open in those early hours), then the shuttle bus issue isn't really a deal-breaker, in my opinion. In your shoes, I'd choose the Dream Castle I think, especially if its significantly cheaper than the HNY, when you factor in buying annual passes (if you're going into the parks for 4 days or more, its far better value buying a Fantasy annual pass than a park ticket).

 

[Cdaniels1987]

thanks so much for all the information guys, think im going to choose the Dream Castle, sounds like a nice romantic setting to come back to on the night , oh and whats this fantasy pass all about? out of the 6 days, 5 of those will probably be spent in the park and 1 day in paris as she really does love all things disney and we both like rides so would want to take it all in!

thanks in advance.

 

[DLPdaft]

Here is lots of very useful intormation about annual passes -

http://www.dlrpmagic.com/planning/booking/annual-passports/

You can buy them just like park tickets, when you arrive at DLP .

 

[janiebubble]

I've stayed at the Dream Castle and at the Sequoia Lodge and the Newport Bay on site - and wandered in and out of the New York.

I have to say that if money was no object I'd pick onsite anyday ... but the cost difference is huge ... and the Dream Castle was lovely, and the breakfast great. For the huge savings booking the Dream Castle the inconvenience of the pink bus is worth it!!!

 

[Jonjo]

I prefer to stay on site for the convenience of being able to walk back to your room when ever you want to. Being able to charge things to your room and have your souvenirs sent to your hotel so you don't have to carry loads of cash and your gifts around all day. But especially for Extra Magic Hours and Fantasyland Breakfasts.

 

[disney_princess_85]

We have APs so we don't "need" to stay onsite as we get EMH as well as many other advantages. Our offsite hotel of choice is Magic Circus, which is great: the rooms are large and very clean with new TVs and nice L'Occitane toiletries in the bathroom. Also, its location often affords great views of the surrounding countryside.

Saying that, we love staying onsite too! I've stayed at Sequoia Lodge, Newport Bay Club and Hotel Cheyenne. I'll always have a soft spot for SL as it was the first hotel I ever stayed in at DLP, but I think the Cheyenne is my current favourite.

 

[lilacgems23]

When we walked back to the Cheyenne it took us just as long as getting the bus to the dream castle