Worth the money?

[__disneygirl]

Is staying at an on-property hotel as worth it at Disneyland as it is at Disney World? We could get free rooms because DF is in the hotel business and we usually get free rooms anywhere we go, but when we go to WDW, we pay for rooms on-site instead. Is it worth going for the $205 a night for the DL Resort or the $165 a night for Paradise Pier? (The Grand Californian is a little but above our budget!) Thank you.

 

[rsschneck]

I think it depends. Those are good rates, when are you traveling? Any kids? Do you want to walk to your hotel? Slides for the swimming pools? A lot of the hotels across the street are marginal IMO. Hotels that require a shuttle to DL are a little nicer and usually more expensive. Are you wanting to eat, sleep and live DL during your stay?

We have stayed on and off sight. Love staying onsite, but sometimes it is just not in the budget.

 

[CalGal]

I love staying "on-site" at Disneyland, but it's not nearly as important as staying on-site at WDW. There are many other hotels that are as close as the DLH or PPH, and many many more that are closer than the moderate or budget resorts are to the Magic Kingdom at WDW . Also, I think the other benefits of staying onsite as WDW are greater. You get extra hour benefits every day, transportation and parking benefits, etc. At DL, staying on-site may gets you EE 4 days a week but you may get one EE anyway with your parkhopper. It's more "magical" to stay on-site, but not as much so as the nicer resorts at WDW.

Even though I usually stay onsite, I probably would not pay $165-$205+/night to stay on-site at DL if I could get a reasonably nice accomodation reasonably close for free.

 

[darph nader]

Even though 'I' have never been to WDW,my sister has. It's a heck of alot bigger .If you're going for the "Disney" experience(sp)stay on site. Some of the hotels across the street are acutally closer.(less expensive too)Just follow your 'heart' and your budget.

 

[Anewman]

We are long time Disneyland AP holders and we took our first trip to WDW last summer.

We do not live in Anaheim but, from my front door to Main street is still quiker than same at some of the ON SITE resorts at WDW. No matter what transportation you take.

You can stay OFF SITE at Disneyland and be in Main Street in about the same time that it would take to get to a BUS STOP at a WDW resort.

Some off sites are the same distance to the Disneylan entrance as the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier.

Dont let me give you the wrong idea, the DLR hotels are very nice but their locations even though they are closer than any/most WDW resorts are to parks. They are not as EXCLUSIVE in the time/distance to gate department.

 

[eduk8r26]

I'm cheap! LOL. So if I had the choice, considering how much time you probably spend in the hotel, I'd opt for the free room. I'd rather have the extra money to spend on other things, but then again, I've never stayed on-site.

 

[Caprice]

if you're looking for a entirely disney trip, then go and spend the money. But if you're not going to be in your hotel all that much or it doesn't really matter all that much, i'd say stay in a non-disney hotel. my last trip to DL i stayed at the Hilton, my first time not in a disney hotel, and it was great. If you stay there, get a room on the pool level, that way you walk right out to the patio from your room - instead of a terrace you get the pool deck and bar. when i went, in august, there were only a few peopl outside and they never came near our door or made any loud noise. There was a short walk across the street and across a small parkinglot to get to the tram that dropped us off by the DL entrance. So really, it's up to you. You can spend the money and go all out for something that really isnt much different from the hilton, or you can save the money, walk a TINY bit further to the tram, and buy more stuff that you really don't need but want anyways. have fun

 

[ploeb]

Is staying at an on-property hotel as worth it at Disneyland as it is at Disney World? We could get free rooms because DF is in the hotel business and we usually get free rooms anywhere we go, but when we go to WDW, we pay for rooms on-site instead. Is it worth going for the $205 a night for the DL Resort or the $165 a night for Paradise Pier? (The Grand Californian is a little but above our budget!) Thank you.

OK....first off ..Where did you find a rate of $165.00 per night?!?! I have been trying to get that rate for 9 months! I just called and asked at the hotel and the rates are still at the $194.00 rate. Please let me know where you got this.Thanks in advance.
Patty

 

[hlbtimes2]

We usually stay offsite. It fits our needs, and budget. We did stay on site last fall. I didn't feel that it added that much to our experience. We stayed at PP which is the furthest of the 3 onsite hotels. Its a longer walk then we typically have staying offsite. My husband just got back from a business trip, staying at the GC. I asked if it was worth it and if we should stay there next time. He said no. He said the Candy cane fits our needs just as well, and is much cheaper.

 

[Amy&Dan]

To me onsite is a real bonus when going to Disneyland but not a necessity. I love the pools/pool slides, Mickey wake up calls, charging privilidges, character meals that are right there, the Disney decorative touches, Early Entry each day its offered and the unbeatable customer service that I have experienced at my numerous stays at the DLH and PP. Even so, we don't stay onsite each time. It just gets so expensive and some times we couldn't go at all or would have to stay fewer nights to afford it so then we stay offsite, have a great time and don't worry about it. If I were you, I would take my free lodging but maybe treat myself to one or two nights at the Disneyland Hotel. That way you get to experience the magic of onsite but take advantage of free lodging which would be a shame to miss out on. And on the flip side I would never stay offsite at WDW even if it was free!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

OK....first off ..Where did you find a rate of $165.00 per night?!?! I have been trying to get that rate for 9 months! I just called and asked at the hotel and the rates are still at the $194.00 rate. Please let me know where you got this.Thanks in advance.
Patty

I saw that rate through Expedia...HTH!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We're going to stay onsite in September, and for several reasons:

1. It's our first trip, so we're splurging a bit!
2. We have 2 small children, and wanted to be close enough that we didn't have to worry about a car/parking/shuttle. We're planning to leave mid-day for naps and return later, so less hassle.
3. I'd heard in a customer service seminar years ago that the onsite hotels really try to continue the magic for their guests. The folks in Mousekeeping sometimes get creative in making your stay fun and special. (I've heard differing reports here, so not really expecting that level of service now, but it sure would be nice!)
4. It will be our first real vacation in 4 years, and our first with two kids, so I'm glad we're making the most of it. I think the DLH will have a lot to keep the boys' attention when we're at the hotel.

 

[__disneygirl]

OK....first off ..Where did you find a rate of $165.00 per night?!?! I have been trying to get that rate for 9 months! I just called and asked at the hotel and the rates are still at the $194.00 rate. Please let me know where you got this.Thanks in advance.
Patty

Expedia.com! But the rates change on weekends, they go up a LOT. So the $165 is during the week in November.


And also, thanks for all the responses, it's helped a lot!