Come for the Magic!
Written: Oct 03 '04 (Updated Oct 04 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It's Magic!, great views, convenient location, friendly staff
Cons: It's Disney so you pay more!
The Bottom Line: Can't beat staying at the original!
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| sierrra's Full Review: DISNEYLAND HOTEL |
This is my second stay at DH after staying at the Grand Californian the last time. Staying back at DH confirmed what I felt about the Grand Californian. The Disney Hotel feels like Disneyland! We booked at last minute (1 1/2 weeks in advance) and were not hopefully of getting rooms but given current economy, had no problems. Got pool view in Sierra tower - definitely request this tower. It is closest to everything - monorail, pool, and lobby. Last time we stayed at DH, we were in Bonita tower because Sierra tower was being rennovated. It showed! Rooms are now larger and very nice. We had two queen beds, pull out sofa, marble bathroom and still lots of room. The bathroom was double sink with shower/tub. The toilet was at the end with its own door. The room comes with a mini fridge but no coffee maker or microwave. However, if you call, they will bring a coffee maker up to your room no problem (did not ask about microwave). They give you a parking pass to put in your car when you check in - we did not use it since we fly down and took the shuttle.
We have stayed at all three towers. The Bonita tower is slighter further away (about 3-4 minutes) but is the quietest. It has a nice lagoon with koi fish that you can feed several times a day. You can also step out onto your balcony and watch the Fantasy Water Show if you have a lagoon view room. The balconies at the Disneyland Hotel are very small - only big enough to step out on - not big enough for chairs and/or table. The Marina tower is the main tower where registration is located. The only time we stayed in that tower, our room was 2 queens and a chair - not a daybed. These rooms have less square footage than the 2 queens with daybed (about 50 sq ft less). They also don't seem as recently refurbished as the Sierra Tower.
We were meeting up with friends who were on Concierge level. We did go with them once (I know, not really allowed!!). Disney Hotel concierge is about half the size of Grand Californian - which we did stay at - so it was constantly crowded - that is probably about the only negative about the hotel. When I booked the rooms, the rep asked if I had AAA in order to offer me a discount! We arrived about 10 am - check in was fine - a few people in line but enough staff to handle it. They do have cartoons playing to entertain the kids will you check in. Our room was not ready (we did not expect it to be) so we had them hold our bags and went straight to the park. Came back each day for a few hours to enjoy the pool and escape the crowds at the park. Kids loved the slide but I did not notice as many lifeguards at this pool as at the Grand Californian - not sure why - but the pool is a little smaller.
The hotel as easy access to Monorail so you can get into park very quickly. Most of our meals were in the Park or Downtown Disney except dinner at Goofy's Kitchen - we always end up here at least once each visit and the kids still love it! Check out at Disney is express so they slip the bill under your door the night before so no waiting in lines. Overall, still my favorite Disney hotel although we will probably give the Grand Californian another try.
Oh, and if you stay here, don't forget to either leave your curtains open all day if it is sunny or turn on the lights for several hours before you go to sleep. The border at the top of the rooms are sprinkled with "pixie dust" and glow in the dark!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sierrra
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Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 0 members
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