View Full Version : Is it worth staying in a Disney hotel?
As the title says, is it worth staying in Disney hotel to get the extra magic hours?
Oh and can you give reasons either way please.
Many thanks
ely3857
22 May 08, 09:55 PM
Yes and no!
We stayed at Pop Century in 2006 and loved the perks, refillable mugs, emh, buses to the parks if you didn't want to drive but we also like home comforts of a villa which is what we're doing again this year.
It's something I am very glad i've done, and will def' stay in a Disney hotel again just not yet.
:grin:
Jodie
danny68
22 May 08, 09:58 PM
We wondered the same thing prior to booking. We are staying at a Disney hotel for the 1st time this year. We have been attracted by the EMH and the fact that you can do without a car which brings the price down.
Same here :) We're looking forward to the perks - free DDP, refillable mugs, purchases shipped back to your hotel, not having to drive, being able to drink.........However, I am a bit worried that we won't have enough space although I do think that the kids will have so much to do that we won't be spending too long in the room :)
We have only done it once to see what it was like. It was interesting and there were some good points, but we stayed at Pop Century and found it all too big and too busy. Much prefer a condo or a villa. But really glad we tried it.
I stayed off-site a few years ago in Kissimmee (in a hotel with fairly good free transport to Disney) BUT the night-time transfers were a complete nightmare! We had to wait between 1 and 2 hours for a bus to our hotel from the Transportation Centre at Disney IF we stayed until the parks closed.(in retrospect would've been better booking hotel off-site at the hotel boulevard Lake Buena Vista as closest to DTD and good transport)
Some nights we didn't go to the parks (too much hassle getting back to hotel and we were utterly exhausted after a full day at the parks) BUT there wasn't a great deal to keep us entertained in the hotel itself (more of a motel really).
The 'atmosphere' just wasn't the same-no buzz!!-no disney magic!!
This year,as there was not much difference in price between the 7 day ultimate park ticket and the 14 day ultimate park ticket, we decided to make full use of the 14 day one and stay onsite at the POP Century (followed by 5 days at Port Orleans French Q)
We don't drive BUT we took bus to Transportation Centre OR DTD and got taxis or transfers from there to the Premium Outlets etc so as we were NOT always onsite.
I'd DEF recommend a Disney Hotel to non-drivers provided they will spend most of their time in Disney. IF they don't want to spend a lot of time in Disney, consider carefully what parks you are likely to visit (it'll take at least 1 full day and possibly 2 or more to visit nearly everythiing at each park) and buy when you get there or on some of the online stores beforehand (if you can).
NB, EMH, refillable mugs (great idea),Fab transport to your hotel door in minutes!,great atmosphere,no need to rush and extra ride time with EMH,can go back to room for mid afternoon 'nap' if tired out AND still get back into parks again that evening, Disney Dining.
You could have a 2 centre holiday and stay off-site for 2nd part of holiday and get Universal passes too (they're cheaper).
For us, It's Disney all the way-we just absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!
Hope this helps
lam
I have stayed in WDW hotels in 4 out of 6 trips and never really taken full advantage of EMH!!
For me it is about being IN the magic, the convenience of the parks, the transport, the perks of being able to get purchases sent back to your room etc. We have always had a car even when staying in WDW to get to other parks - Seaworld, Busch etc and the malls.
The biggest plus for staying in WDW for me is the sheer bliss of being able to go back to your resort in the afternoon, swim and/or have a nap and then emerge refreshed to go to a park again for the evening
disney owl
22 May 08, 10:41 PM
Haven't tried it yet but hope to one day.
2 Disney hotel rooms is out of our budget & it's not my idea of an holiday to share my bedroom for 2 weeks with my kids! 1 or 2 nights I can cope with.
So will have to wait till it's just DH & I until then it's villa every time for us
We love staying at POR, but must admit it is nice to have a villa for all that extra room. I enjoy the extra magic hours, having goods charged to your room, etc. There are pro's and con's for both I think
Vabeth
22 May 08, 10:44 PM
For me it is about being IN the magic, the convenience of the parks, the transport, the perks of being able to get purchases sent back to your room etc.
The biggest plus for staying in WDW for me is the sheer bliss of being able to go back to your resort in the afternoon, swim and/or have a nap and then emerge refreshed to go to a park again for the evening
Totally agree! We've stayed onsite 4 out of our 5 trips and I can't imagine ever going again without staying 'in the magic'!
As well as echoing the points Sue made we always make full use of EMH's and, as non-drivers, it is so much easier for us to stay onsite as the Disney transportation system is so convenient! If we want to venture further afield to the other parks and malls we just jump on the public transport at DTD!
There is definately something special about staying in a Disney Resort! :wave:
wayneg
22 May 08, 10:49 PM
Stayed onsite once in 20 trips. Allstars Movies, no way would we go back to a value resort again, that was 8 years ago, this August our last 3 nights we are trying POR, hopeing for a better experience. It was too busy, rooms too small and under equipped, upto 1 hour for buses, glad we had a car after 1st 24 hours. didn't like food court. Never used EMH and not interested in refillable mugs.
Other people love values but they are not for us, much prefer offsite, larger room better equipped and very large car.
Would rather go in at opening on non EMH days, found that them quiter than EMH mornings.
disneyannie
22 May 08, 10:58 PM
Hi
We love staying in a moderate disney hotel - you can't beat it.
One year we stayed in a lovely huge villa with a private pool. It was all very nice, but not disney, we just didn't feel part of the action.
After trying all the moderates, we love POR and the relaxing free boat trip to DTD.
Stopping at Disney means if my DH fancies a morning in bed I am more than happy to use the disney buses with my daughter to get to a park - not sure I would fancy doing this off site.
We always have a car as well, but we love to shop almost as much as we love disney!!!!
Then there is the potential of coming back to your room and being greeted by some disney magic left by mousekeeping........always magical to see what they can do with a few hand towels or coming back to find all our cuddly toys in charge of the TV.
80 days and I can't wait. :wave:
Absolutely worth it to be in the middle of things. None of the individual benefits are greatly significant to me, but when they are all added together it's a compelling package.
Also consider the on-site Universal hotels for a few days - absolutely superb.
We have stayed on and off, but mainly on. I certainly would recommend it if you have young kids, you can not get enough of the Disney magic ;). If you have older kids, not quite so magical :(.
I would choose to stay on site every time if I could :thumbs-up.
Thank you so much, we have made our mind up and WILL be staying in a disney hotel. We are on a budget so will be staying at either pop century or all stars movies.
Alan & Poe
22 May 08, 11:53 PM
I just wanted to add another reason why you'll love it...the evening magic hours at MGM were great. The atmosphere with the music (including a band) in the dark was awesome. We went to the party in the Disney Playhouse(?) where Minnie Mouse danced with my DH & he hasn't shut up about his 'other woman' since.
Another fave is the magic hours at Epcot. Being able to wander thru from a Disney hotel & hang round till midnight in the dark was fantastic.
We stayed at Pop Century 2 years ago & loved it. In fact we loved it more than staying at a more expensive hotel last year.
Binky... Great decision you will love the Value's... Not bothered what anyone else says.... It's zip-a-dee-doo-dah all the way from walking into
reception... OK, not everyone's cup of tea.... But..!!!.. would recommend the All Stars..
Enjoy... and welcome to the dibb...
Dave..
Blondee
23 May 08, 12:50 AM
We are on our fourth trip next time and been on site for all. I can't comment on offsite but we just love the disney atmosphere of being onsite. that said, My DD18 says she dos'nt want to come if we are staying offsite.We have stayed deluxe and moderate and loved them both equally.
Without a shadow of a doubt....not least because you save a further$100 or so by getting free parking...the EMH were super too.
janeywaney
23 May 08, 05:42 AM
This is our 9th trip coming up in August, we have stayed off site twice and the rest onsite. We all love being in the middle of the magic, my DS's are 15 and 19 now and still love staying onsite. We have stayed in all of the All Star resorts and loved them, we have never had a bad experience.
We hire a car for a few days or a week depending what we fancy doing.
I am glad that you are going to give it a go and stay onsite I am sure the kids will love it.
Jane
Disney Posse
23 May 08, 05:58 AM
I'm for staying on site too. Used to stay in Kissimmee but once we did All Star we were hooked. Not just the EMH - don't always use them - but great to have. The refillable mugs save you a fortune. The hotels are spotless. Good security. Nice pools with extremely good provision of lifeguards. Good parking. Free parking at the Theme Parks- can save you a FORTUNE. You can buy in the parks and they'll transfer it back to your resorts gift shop. You can charge purchases to your room if you want to. The laundry is right next to the pool, so you can wash while you sunbathe - if you get me! Its the little things for the kids too. The towel figures the maids leave on the bed. The kids cuddly toys are always "doing" something different when we come back to the room - watching tv, drinking from a mug, colouring, in a hammock made in the net curtains - silly things, but nice touches. And the theming makes you feel like you are in kids bedroom - we're all kids, there to have fun aren't we! Wouldn't stay anywhere else than a Disney Hotel. Roll on Christmas!!!!:wavey:
Big_Mark
23 May 08, 06:35 AM
Binky... Great decision you will love the Value's... Not bothered what anyone else says.... It's zip-a-dee-doo-dah all the way from walking into
reception... OK, not everyone's cup of tea.... But..!!!.. would recommend the All Stars..
Enjoy... and welcome to the dibb...
Dave..
Love All Star Movies, we have stayed there 3 out of 3 trips so far, this year DW has big discounts as she is now a CM but we've still decided to stay at Movies.
We use the morning extra hours most days, you get a great head start on the rides.
We didn't use the evening hours that much.
The Disney transport is very good and easy to use, yes it gets very busy at park closing and late night at Downtown Disney but mostly its very reliable.
Last trip we stayed on I-Drive for 6 nights before going to Disney ut felt the magic wasn't there.
Nice pools with extremely good provision of lifeguards.
This latter point is often over-looked but an important one for those with younger kids. As much as I love the on-site Universal hotels, they are not a patch on the Disney hotels when it comes to pool lifeguarding.
At Disney there are quite a few guards at each pool. In fact it almost looks as though they are overstaffed. They spend most of their time on their feet walking about the pool perimeter making sure everyone is OK. One guard is often stationed at the slide exit, where there is one, as this can obviously be a danger point if people don't let others clear the water at the bottom first. Should anyone be 'naughty' the lifeguard would ensure they explained to you what you had done and why they didn't want you to do it again.
Contrast this with Universal where there was not many guards, they stayed seated throughout and would just blow their whistle occasionally and point. I almost got the impression their first priority was to pose and attract the opposite sex!
Mads like one of the Disney lifeguards so much she gave him the ultimate little-girl compliment - she told him that he could come to her party! I didn't dare tell her he'd be over 3000 miles away by the time her birthday came around.
Totally agree! We've stayed onsite 4 out of our 5 trips and I can't imagine ever going again without staying 'in the magic'!
As well as echoing the points Sue made we always make full use of EMH's and, as non-drivers, it is so much easier for us to stay onsite as the Disney transportation system is so convenient! If we want to venture further afield to the other parks and malls we just jump on the public transport at DTD!
There is definately something special about staying in a Disney Resort! :wave:
Me too :)
(Although I use taxis for going off site)
It's not for everyone, but staying onsite really is magical, the service in the Disney hotels is wonderful and all the hotels have great themes. I've stayed offsite once and although it was a lovely hotel, it just doesn't come close to staying onsite for me :)
TandCmum
23 May 08, 08:07 AM
we stayed onsite last time we went and loved it and are planning on staying onsite again this time, the perks are great and you never feel as though you are out of the magic. The rooms are spotless and the standard of customer service is exceptional just like the rest of disney. The pools are all wonderfully themed and the kids love them and the transport is very effecient and handy to have even if you have a car if you fancy a drink one night etc.
we also stay in the disney hotels when we go to DLP and they are great too, in fact DH won't go to disney and stay anywhere else as he says it just wouldn't be the same, and he likes being able to get up get ready and leave, and have nice made beds a clean room and fresh towels when we get back.
my only concern this time is being in one room with a 7 and 5 yr old for 3 weeks, but as we have no-one to go with us we would still not be able to have time to ourselves even in a villa, and if DH wants a lie in some morninga now the kids are older i am happy to take them down to the pool or off to park on the bus myself and let him join us later, and as they are older they can have a night in the kids club if we fancy a night to ourselves
Nicksgirl
23 May 08, 08:07 AM
Sorry but I prefer staying offsite. To me the whole experience is the best, but then I would absolutely hate to do Florida without a car, that would be my nightmare.
We have stayed onsite and though very good, it put me off staying onsite again.
I love the elegance of other hotels which I think I am sorry Disney, even their top hotels sadly lack, they just miss it somehow, before I get slated this is my opinion.
Also the food, there is soooo much better offsite - again we felt there was always something missing.
We could never put our finger on it.
Orlando to me is soo much more than Disney, I love all the other parks just as much and being able to get up in the morning and in about 5 mins in the car or a 2 min walk try a different restaurant for Breakfast, or a shop or mall to get all excited about.
What I hate now is the roads around Disney its like a bloomin maze and the amount of detours you have to do is silly.
Also sadly for us Downtown Disney has lost so much magic with the awful traffic and the sheer volume of people now due to clubs and bars etc...
Getting off point, for the extra hours I wouldn't pay the extra, when we stayed we never took advantage.
Hope whatever you do you have a great time.
We've booked a surprise trip for the last two weeks of August staying in All Stars Music -
can I ask if the pools are very busy? Will I be able to sit around the pool?
We normally stay in a villa and the pool is quite an important part of the holiday!
Many thanks
BarryandCaron
23 May 08, 08:16 AM
Definitely worth staying on site for us even though we have a car and don't use the Disney buses. We make use of the morning EMH as well.
Caron
We always have the best of both worlds. We staff off site for the beginning of our vacation and do the "other" things then move onsite for the remainder of the time. We love it on site. It is "very" Disney but that's what we like!!! The close proximity to EPCOT os what does it for us we love to wander in and out at will.
Treacle44
23 May 08, 08:36 AM
Yes i think so, the EMH, transportation and just being in the midst of it all is worth every penny.
x
It's a shame that you are booking now. We are going in October and staying the first week on-site and second week off. This is due to the fact that we have a timeshare and only had the points allocation for one week hence why we are staying at Disney the first week. As it's a "two centre" I'd have been able to tell you the differences we will see this time. We have one child so I don't think all of us being in one room will be too bad but then we have stayed in our timeshare at Cypress Pointe before and having that extra privacy is nice. It will be a suck it and see experience for us.
robpat
23 May 08, 10:12 AM
After staying four time off site we stayed on site for the first time last year and absolutely loved the experience.
Good points were DDP, free parking, very short trips to the parks, no 'housework' (making beds, washing towels like in a villa), total Disney immersion (sp?) which is great for the kids .... well mainly for me :blush: , Disney transport, Disney purchases delivered to your room/hotel. Can you tell we really enjoyed it?
We're going back again this year and staying on site again.
However with money getting ever tighter I don't think we could afford to keep staying at Disney or indeed keep returning to Florida. Staying off site was definitely cheaper.
shepherdypie
23 May 08, 10:24 AM
I suppose it is all personal preference. The first time we went we stayed off site on ID and since then we have stayed on site everytime. I love the fact that the buses run all the time and are very convenient. The EMH is a plus and I really love the theming at the hotels. It is all good!!!
NicolaFred
23 May 08, 12:41 PM
we went last yr for our first trip. I dont think we will ever be able to afford a disney hotel (as much as id love to try it), so for us its not on the cards, we stayed at the travelodge on international drive and found it to be very central for our holiday, we did alot of non-disney shopping and eating out. We will hopefully be staying in a family villa next june for our honeymoon funds permitting, otherwise we would stay on i-drive again.
We met a family late one evening who had been out to festival bay for dinner, they were staying on site and said they found it very caged in, it was costing them a fortune getting off site at night and found disney food to be expensive and not that good.
BevS97
23 May 08, 01:08 PM
We have tried all options, offsite hotel, villa (well apartment), and onsite at Disney. For us, it's about being 'in the magic' all the time. We (well I) love that buzz that I get when I am at Disney and leaving each night to go elsewhere is depressing. We still hire a car, I like to get out and about and go shopping and eat offsite, we aren't "trapped" in Disney - we just choose to spend most of our time there.
The perks aren't a big deal, we did really enjoy the evening EMH last year but we've never bothered in the past, shopping back to the hotel, refillable mugs etc, are not a big deal to me. What is a big deal is being insulated from the real world for 2 weeks - I love all that Disney cheesey happiness, some people say it irritates them but I just lap it up.
BevS97
23 May 08, 01:09 PM
We met a family late one evening who had been out to festival bay for dinner, they were staying on site and said they found it very caged in, it was costing them a fortune getting off site at night and found disney food to be expensive and not that good.
There is nothing to prevent a family staying onsite from hiring a car - you are only as caged in as you allow yourself to be.
wayneg
23 May 08, 01:24 PM
We have tried all options, offsite hotel, villa (well apartment), and onsite at Disney. For us, it's about being 'in the magic' all the time. We (well I) love that buzz that I get when I am at Disney and leaving each night to go elsewhere is depressing. We still hire a car, I like to get out and about and go shopping and eat offsite, we aren't "trapped" in Disney - we just choose to spend most of our time there.
The perks aren't a big deal, we did really enjoy the evening EMH last year but we've never bothered in the past, shopping back to the hotel, refillable mugs etc, are not a big deal to me. What is a big deal is being insulated from the real world for 2 weeks - I love all that Disney cheesey happiness, some people say it irritates them but I just lap it up.
We didn't feel trapped just too much Disney. Love the parks, just like to leave it at night. Weird because we love DCL which is Disney 24/7.
We are AP holders at all local(and Busch) parks so spend more time away from Disney than in Disney. Onsite was just too much.
Best thing to do is just go lots and try every option until you find your fave way, no right or wrong to any option.:grin:
We stayed at POFQ and loved it, when it was time to go back to the other hotel we were quite sad.
I didn't know you got free parking at the disney parks when staying at a disney hotel. I have read it right haven't I.
wayneg
23 May 08, 01:39 PM
We stayed at POFQ and loved it, when it was time to go back to the other hotel we were quite sad.
I didn't know you got free parking at the disney parks when staying at a disney hotel. I have read it right haven't I.
Yes free parking for onsite guests, we get it free with AP's.
Sarah71
23 May 08, 01:51 PM
I haven't read all replies - but I am going to say no. We never took advantage of the EMH - we were too tired. But - as wonderful as Disney is (and believe me it is, so well manicured) - I find staying on site dissapointing - from the attitude of staff, to lack of communication, to NO magic (we didn't tip daily so got no nice towels etc, we were going to tip at the end of the stay) - I'm looking forward to staying elsewhere next year.
However, I do think you should go, just so you can try it yourself.................. ;)
We like staying on site and taking advantage of the EMH especially in the morning but the so called perks are not that much - e.g.the so called free parking is costed into the stay.
Perhaps if WDW did the same as US and the approach to FOTL ie fastpasses for on site guests then.........
Bobbins
23 May 08, 04:51 PM
We like being in the DTD area and have stayed in all but one of the DTD hotels, but last year Royal Plaza was coming out dearer than POFQ (especially if you add in resort charges - Disney doesn't have them - and fridge hire - free in Disney moderate and above) so we moved to the other side of the lake and stayed onsite. We've just done the same this year too.
We didn't use EMH - parks not that busy in April/May, and we only spend a few hours at a time in the parks anyway. We did have a car - I wouldn't dream of not having one, even though it sat unused some days. I can imagine that people might feel trapped without a car, and you'd be largely stuck with fairly expensive Disney food.
It's also very handy to be able to nip to a park in 5-10 mins and park free without relying on the bus - it's really only MK where Disney buses are a significant advantage as you miss out the T&TC.
Thank you so much to everyone that has replied. Your posts really have helped with our decision. We like the cheese of diney, so it will defo be disney all the way!
Thanks again.
Alan & Poe
24 May 08, 04:20 PM
I think the end result of this thread is you're gonna have a bloody cracking time wherever you stay! Orlando is just bloody brilliant.
We always hire a car & have never felt trapped in Disney...mind you, if you're gonna be trapped anywhere I can't think of a better place, eh?
ShelTaylor
24 May 08, 04:57 PM
I am sooo glad we booked our first ever trip to florida at the pop century for our hols next september after reading this thread!
We have a little one, so she (and I) will love it!
Just a shame the countdown is sooooooo long :pgig:
Mind you, longer to get excited over it :tounge:
Well I may just see you there Shel! As we are going in Sept next year. Although we have been advised not to book until August/Sept this year as there may be a chance of free dining plan at disney. So that would be an extra bonus for us. :grin:
pinkypominnie
25 May 08, 10:40 AM
I have stayed offsite and on-site and for me, the best place I have ever stayed in my life was Disne Animal Kingdom Lodge!! It was absolutely stunning - truly spectacular!
However, I definintely wouldn't pay extra to stay in a Disney Value resort, we always have a car and could not imagine having to "bus it" on our holidays! Dont bother with EMH, as the parks are sooo much busier and prefer to go when its quieter, and didnt even know you could get refillable mugs! Lol!
So.....if I couldnt stay in a luxury resort (back at AKL) I would prefer to stay offsite, as its more central to all of orlando attractions :) xx
minnie5
25 May 08, 11:01 AM
we have stayed on site and off and we prefer offsite.Not that we didnt enjoy disney onsite,its just that we prefer to come and go as we please so we stay on Idrive and LBV we do the parks on the morning and then go back to our hotel and chill out before going back on the night.It just takes you away from all things disney(not that we dont love it!)but sometimes I think that you can feel a bit "theme parked out" .When you have a break away from it it makes you enjoy it more.Well thats just our opinion,Im sure there's people there who think different,but if we all thought the same it would be boring!!!:d:
We have tried all options, offsite hotel, villa (well apartment), and onsite at Disney. For us, it's about being 'in the magic' all the time. We (well I) love that buzz that I get when I am at Disney and leaving each night to go elsewhere is depressing. We still hire a car, I like to get out and about and go shopping and eat offsite, we aren't "trapped" in Disney - we just choose to spend most of our time there.
The perks aren't a big deal, we did really enjoy the evening EMH last year but we've never bothered in the past, shopping back to the hotel, refillable mugs etc, are not a big deal to me. What is a big deal is being insulated from the real world for 2 weeks - I love all that Disney cheesey happiness, some people say it irritates them but I just lap it up.
:wave: This is just how I feel, I couldn't imagine going and not staying at Disney, although we are also staying at Hard Rock Hotel for a few nights too.
Bobbins
25 May 08, 03:20 PM
Not that we didnt enjoy disney onsite,its just that we prefer to come and go as we please
You are to allowed to leave!! :pgig:
Do you mean if you don't have a car? I know there are different views about this, but I couldn't imagine a Florida holiday without a car, even though ours sat unused for much of the time we stayed onsite.
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