why disney hotels?

[minkzebell]

We have always stayed off site in villas or hotels, everyone seems to rate the disney hotels but have not really given any reasons.... i need some to persuade DH

 

[carolfoy]

firstly they are beautiful hotels, even the cheapo ones like All star movies have excellent theming, great little details like the 101 dalmatians around the ASMo, with little photo props.

secondly, the staff are 99.9% brilliant. I won't say they are the best ever in any hotel as I've stayed in a lot of very good hotels with better service but for a holiday resort they are excellent.

24 hour disney transport - you'll never be left behind at a theme park after hours, in fact you can dawdle to your hearts content and see the magic after hours

package delivery back to your resort saves you carrying everything
extra magic hours mean you can go in at busy times and ride loads before the crowds get there (I've never found EMH to be busy despite what it says in the guide books but I have never been at real peak time either!)

you can charge pretty much everything to your room, if you go to a water park take your room key and cossie and thats it.

behind the scenes magic, loads of the hotels have little extra things going on that you don't HAVE to be staying on site to enjoy but is easier

A never ending supply of mickey mouse soap and shampoo!

If you're really lucky a few towel animals - and yes, you can take them home!

litle extras like disney tv on screen for the kids to watch while you're checking in, priority at golf tee times, access to on site activity hire like the horse and carriage at POR or the water boats at GF

If I think of any more I'll let you know

 

[mrshindig]

When my parents used to take me to florida we always stayed offsite. The first time I went on my own with my girlfriend we decided to stay onsite.

Haven't stayed offsite since.

You rarely need to use you car..... sometimes never. So you have saved some pennies already.

The transportation around the resort "in my opinion" is amazing. You have the freedom to spend the night at DTD and not have a member of the party not being able to drink.

You get to enjoy ALL of disney ALOT easier than you would if you stayed offsite. Remember disney isn't just the parks! The grounds are beautiful too.

And best of all..... When you get back to your hotel, you bring a lil' of the magic back with you. But this all depends on which hotel you choose to stay at. I've only stayed at POP (coz i'm a big Kid) But i've visited all the other Hotels and the all have a different atmosphere!!

 

[minkzebell]

WOW, an endless supply of mickey soap!!!
that's just up my alley, DH might not be as impressed....but all the rest sounds pretty good to me

 

[UKDEB]

If you're really lucky a few towel animals - and yes, you can take them home!

So, looks as though we can add cleptomania to your list of talents!

 

[minkzebell]

so, what about the sleeping arrangements we have DD4 and DS6, do they have to share a double bed? thay might not be too happy about that!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Have only ever stayed in a DVC resort, the Boardwalk, if you have children and need that little extra room a few nights at a DVC resort plus the rest staying perhaps in a villa offers you the best of both worlds.

ALL the Disney hotels/resorts are different and unique so the choice is there to suit all tastes.
I am not sure the rooms are necessarily better than they would be at a good quality hotel, but you do perhaps pay for the 'disney experience'.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

so, what about the sleeping arrangements we have DD4 and DS6, do they have to share a double bed? thay might not be too happy about that!

We've requested a day bed for our two boys so one gets the bed the other the day bed. They have shared a bed in the past but at 11 and 14 think they are a bit old now, but having said that the 14 year old said he doesn't mind sharing if it means being at Disney.

 

[pixiepower04]

so, what about the sleeping arrangements we have DD4 and DS6, do they have to share a double bed? thay might not be too happy about that!

My DD was 6 and My DS was 4 when we went and they shared the same bed no problem, they're not tiny beds either so there was never a problem and they'll be sharing a bed when we go back next year too, let's face it, you really only stay in the room to sleep so it's not a problem.

I don't think I will ever stay offsite, ever, what's the point of missing out on all the Disney atmosphere, everyone there is feeling the same happy feelings you are and you can't help but smile at everything.

Also, the benefits of staying on site as already mentioned far outweigh staying off site especially the extra magic hours.

I've priced up staying in a villa for the same length of time and Disney always come out cheaper. If I need to go for a swim then I use the onsite pool.

I understand why people stay in a villa, home away from home etc but personally there is no attraction in that for us, the atmosphere, convenience and benefits are worth so much more than that, especially with younger children.

I think you should try it at least once and if you don't like it go back to what you usually do the next time.

 

[mushumadness]

we stay at Disney hotels for the ease of getting to the parks, especially when you want to bob back for a swim in the day, plus its a little extra magic to add to the holiday, you feel like your really at Disney when you stay there

 

[minkzebell]

thanks for your replies , what would be a good Disney hotel to try for the first time (middle budget) to get the most Disney magic....and to let my DH know what he has been missing?

 

[pixiepower04]

thanks for your replies , what would be a good Disney hotel to try for the first time (middle budget) to get the most Disney magic....and to let my DH know what he has been missing?

I appreciate you want to stay in a more upmarket hotel but as your children are so young I would highly recommend the All Star Hotels, the theming just sooooo good.

My DD6 and DS4 screamed with joy at seeing a 60ft Buzz Lightyear outside the hotel, all my kids ever do now is say "can we go back to the buzz hotel".

I can't suggest a middle hotel as i've never stayed in one.

 

[minkzebell]

A 60ft Buzz Lightyear has gotta be pretty impressive for any 6 and 4 year old ( and a 30 something year old!)

 

[UKDEB]

Even though I'm a DVC owner, I wouldn't choose to stay onsite for the entire trip. The WDW hotels are a bit homogenised for my taste, although I didn't always feel that way - at one time staying onsite seemed like an unrealisable dream. I agree that you should try to persuade dh to try it - maybe split your stay between onsite and a villa.

The onsite/offiste debate is one which will rumble on indefinitely (and it's a fun topic), but there's no right or wrong - just right or wrong for you. And, if you want to try it, that's as good a reason as any for doing so. We enjoy the best of both worlds. Staying onsite doesn't make me feel more special, or more part of the magic, but I do understand why it does for many people. There are several hotels in the area which I prefer, but I do enjoy the convenience of staying onsite. Charging to the room, package delivery, animal towels, Mickey toiletries, EMH, theming - the novelty wore off pretty quickly for me, BUT I did enjoy those things the first couple of times staying onsite. For me it's about proximity to the parks and the freedom it gives you. To stay at an Epcot resort and be able to wander into Epcot (and even better, to be able to stroll out after IllumiNations) gives Disney resorts their USP.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

A 60ft Buzz Lightyear has gotta be pretty impressive for any 6 and 4 year old ( and a 30 something year old!)

...and don't forget the 60 foot Pongo and Perdita over in the dalmations sector.

For a moderate hotel I would recommend the Port Orleans French Quarter. Very beautiful and preaceful. However, the little ones may not appreciate it. My DD (14) loves it and one of the big plusses for her is that it is not full of screaming kids

We've stayed at the AS Movies in the Dalmation sector and DD (when she was 8) absolutely adored it. Great theming.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

There are many reasons why over the years we have preferred a villa, many of them for Joshua's benefit - he just loves the private pool plus so many other things too.
However, these days we do prefer a split stay, with maybe 4 or 5 nights at somewhere like the Boardwalk and then perhaps the remainder of the stay in a villa.
More importantly though whilst we love WDW, our holiday is a Florida one more than anything and we like to explore and visit as many different areas as possible (well we we used to anyway! pre. Josh).
The Universal Studios hotels are equally appealing.

 

[carolfoy]

I lovd the ASmo as another poster said its really well themed perfect for little ones, we really loved Port Orleans french quarter last time but only because it was a lot quieter - its not immediately 'Disney' although the service and little touches are still there.

 

[Shazzie B]

My 2 kids shared a bed-no prob when they were younger. Now 12 & 14 so booked AKL as they have bunk-beds. Managed to persuade Hubby as the free DDP was on when we booked.

We stayed at All Star Movies for our first trip. Then off site for 3 times(to keep costs down). Definitely something 'magical' about staying on Disney though. So excited I'm boring evey-one with countdown-only 128 days until we go!

 

[stevechase]

Hi All

We atayed at ASM in 02 with the 2 girls and it was truely fantastic. The resort was spotless and it seemed to add a little something special to an already perfect holiday.

Our first morning there we went to the Virgin Cinema for the welcome meet and got chatting to a couple from the uk who had just spent their first night in a hotel on I-Drive, it was dirty, messy and the noise outside he said was ridiculous. I felt really sorry for him, he was trying to get a transfer to an onsite hotel, I kept thinking about how much they would have all looked forward to that holiday with their young kids and think about his siutation each time we book to go anywhere.

I know you are guarenteed nothing in this world, but I do feel that if you have a problem it is going to get sorted at WDW, they cant afford for it not too.

Another issue as well for me is the price, it is as cheap for us to stay on site as off to be honest and so on is going to win each time.

Have a great time, which ever way you choose

Steve

 

[wideeyes]

I choose a Disney Hotel as it is our first trip and we will be mostly doing Disney with only 3 days off site, no one in our holiday party drives so we will get free transport to the Disney parks and can get back to our hotel quicker for a rest. also we can get the DDP which is a plus as we will be spending most of our time at the Disney parks and eating there.