Realistic Review of a Solid Choice Hotel for the Disney Land Experience with kids
Written: May 04 '07 (Updated May 04 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Rooms, grounds, cleanliness, variety of amenities, monorail into DLP, location to Downtown Disney.
Cons: Distance from actual park, limited restaurant hours, limited pool deck space when crowded.
The Bottom Line: A solid Hotel for the Disney Experience. Very nice with many added features. Farther from DLP but location to DD is a bonus.
|
|
|
| imaginetr's Full Review: DISNEYLAND HOTEL |
Room = A, Lobby = B , Elevators = A, Grounds = A, Restaurants = B, Pools = B, Location = B , Bathroom = B, Gift Shops = A, Check-in = A, Staff = A.
DLH = Disneyland Hotel, DLP = Disneyland Park, CAP = California Adventure Park, DD = Downtown Disney.
We stayed here April 19-22, Thurs thru Saturday night. Two adults, two girls, 6 & 3.
Main Hotel: When you arrive outside the main entrance, right away there is a Belle Hop desk where you can have your luggage unloaded if you choose or held if you're checking out soon. A large covered and tiled entry way with columns and large hanging lights lead up to the main glass automatic doors with "Disneyland Hotel" proudly displayed above just like in the photos. Nice clean and clear area.
Lobby: Upon entry through the doors the check-in is to the left, guest services to the right, elevators, restrooms, photo collection, gift shops and rear exit doors to the grounds straight ahead.
Check-in: We arrived on a Thursday at around 3:30 p.m. There was no line at all until just AFTER we got to the counter, then there were quite a number of new guests arriving. GOOFY was right there in the check-in area laying down watching TV. So, right away our kids and then others got a chance to see and hug Goofy. For our stay, even with the guests that arrived after us, it was not "crowded" however; the check-in area is somewhat narrow so I would imagine that during peak season, it may be very crowded.
Concierge Check-in: I planned to upgrade to "concierge" level after reading about special perks. While there was 'availability' for the 'service' of Concierge level, there were no other rooms so we'd stay in our regular room but get the benefit of "Concierge Level" service at ONLY $125/night more. Read about it here: http://www.mouseplanet.com/lani/concierge.htm
For Concierge level, there are specific rooms/floors for which one perk is the Concierge Lounge which gets you continental breakfast and snacks throughout the day and into the evening. In our case, we left the parks around 11:30 each night. Only one time did we come back during the day for a break where the kids napped. However during peak season and hot days maybe you'd return during mid day.
I now realize that we're there for the DLP and CAP. We did not spend really any spare time lounging around the hotel to warrant $125/night. So realistically I don't see the benefit or value in the extra cost.
Guest Services: Two desks both staffed each time I visited. They can arrange almost anything you need and answer questions. We arrange airport travel through them and inquired about Downtown Disney restaurants that were "kid friendly". I found them to be friendly and helpful.
Gift Shops: One small shop just inside the rear doors for sundries and small gift selection. The larger one near the front doors with a large selection from clothing, pins, luggage, dishes, jewelry and toys. We thought the selection was good and lots of space to move around in.
Grounds: The entire DLH resort essentially is square with 3 main towers, each sitting along one side of the square. On the fourth side sits a convention building with restaurants, lounge and event rooms. The two pools, a lounge, restaurant, snack bar, outdoor coin operated remote controlled model safari boats, water fall and open areas are in the center. The grounds in and around the resort are as you would expect, very well kept. All walkways are either tiled or paved and always clean. Landscape lighting all around the walkways at night. Grass and gardens are trimmed and clean. Almost every side of the inner compound, along the walk ways has a continuous stone bench so you could stop almost at any place to sit and rest, often in the shade if desired.
We stayed in the Bonita tower which is furthest from the Main lobby, pool, gift shop and restaurant. It is closer to "Hooks Pointe", "Lost Bar", Crocs Bits n Bites, Wine Cellar and "Tinks Treasures" none of which we visited. The Sierra Tower is where the Concierge Lounge is. I would suggest that might be the tower to request if you opt for Concierge Level service in addition to being closer to everything.
Our tower, the Bonita, was located just past "Horseshoe falls" and Koi ponds which, while at first are pleasant really are just landscaping. Actually, the falls and ponds are below ground level as you walk into the main entrance to the Bonita tower. There are paths then that walk down to and through these little falls. I'd estimate them to be maybe 12-14 ft. high in a semi-circle where the water then flows into ponds and slopes all done in a natural rock setting. Colored lights illuminate the falls at night. Keep in mind because it's water falling, it's not a place where you can sit and carry a normal conversation due to the noise caused by the falls. Still, it's pleasant and nice to look at.
The Bonita tower has a large entry lobby with a good sized seating area in the middle where groups could meet to start the day. There are conference rooms and banquet rooms that I noticed on the main floor as well as a vending area. In addition to the main entry there are rear and side doors.
While it may be the furthest from most of the hotel amenities, I don't think it's that much of an issue. It's actually closer than the Marina Tower to "Hooks Pointe" and the "Lost bar" and "Tinker Bell's Treasures" glass/gift shop. The Sierra Tower is closest to those areas and the Pool as well as the entrance to DD. But again, the Bonita Tower is maybe 1/2 block further. Not an issue for us.
One benefit of the Bonita is that there is a parking lot immediately behind the Tower. And still a larger one beyond that lot specifically for DD parking. You might get lucky and get a spot in the small lot immediately behind the Tower if you have a car.
Room: The room was good. I was pleased with it. We stayed in a standard, 2 queen bedroom. We wanted a 1 bed suite but it was unavailable but also $1,000 more if booked in our original package. With young children and spending the VAST majority of our time in the parks, all we needed was a place to shower, change and sleep. So it worked out fine. Maybe when the kids are older, we'll do the suite or probably adjoining rooms.
Our room was approximately 32'L x 16'W. Two queen beds, one sofa, one straight back chair, one desk with chair, one Media armoire with four drawers for clothes. One side of the Armoire had the TV ~ 32" and one side had a mini refrigerator and separate shelf.
Important to me at any hotel are Room darkening drapes which this DID have. It also had sheers for privacy but allow light. The sliding glass door is not an updated vinyl door. It appears to be older, aluminum and not very sound proof. The doors didn't actually close or seal tightly but they did lock. The balcony is only about 12-15" deep, enough to stand on and look around. I felt that the walls were somewhat thin as we could here another couple talking at some points.
View: We were on the 14th floor so noise was not a problem that high up and the view was very nice. We had a view of the entire DLH grounds. The pool was furtherest away but still visible. We also had a view of DD and in the distance the Matterhorn. Also in clear view was the "Wedding Gazebo" and garden area between the Bonita and Sierra towers.
Bathroom: Measured 5'W (standard tub width) x 8'L. Single handled faucet in the tub with good pressure and temp control. Shower curtain. Towel rack above the toilet next to the tub making for easy access to towels directly from the shower. Large (56") vanity with granite top with ample counter space. Large mirror with wall mounted lamps on each side with a "Mickey gloved hand", cute. Two mounted toilet paper rolls, tiled shower and floor, all clean. One problem: No exhaust fan control or visible fan so after a normal shower it's steamy. There is a retractable line in the shower to hang swim suits or whatever on.
T.V.: There are four designated Disney channels: Vacation Secrets, Welcome to DL Resort - Year of Dreams, DL Dining Channel and Disney Clips. All four channels were "snowy" the whole time we were there. The rest of the 'regular' TV channels were clear and include the major networks, local stations and major cable channels (cnn, msnbc etc.) Again we were not in the room much beyond getting ready in the morning, so not a lot of TV watching was done.
Climate Control: There is an easy to use thermostat on the wall. up/down arrows change the room temp as desired and I found it very responsive. However, this was Mid April so the demands on it probably were not what Peak season would be. But it was great for us. There is no wall mounted AC box or fan and no associated fan or furnace noise. If you like that kind of "white noise" it's not here.
Elevators: We used elevators in both the Bonita and Marina towers. I found them to be smooth, speedy, clean and roomy enough for a family of 5/6 with multiple luggage pieces or probably 8-10 adults without luggage. There were 4 elevators serving the Bonita tower.
Pools: One of the reasons I selected the DLH is for the Never land theme pool. It's very overrated. It does have a modest sized Pirate ship as part of the decor. It is NOT allowed for climbing, it's just decor. The pool measures 4ft deep all around with a very curvy shape as if it were an ocean with small coves . There is one short open 'log' water slide for smaller kids and a larger "log tunnel" water slide for bigger kids/adults. The big slide is located in a decorated area with concrete steps leading up to the top as if you were going to the top Never land island. Vertically it's probably 10ft high but the slide is elongated making for a little longer ride through the tunnel before coming out into the pool.
Mind you the pool is fine. Our 6 & 3 year old love the water but aren't old enough or qualified yet to run around on their own in the pool. But it is not a big pool. AND there is not much pool deck. In April, breezy 68-70 degrees the pool was not full but finding a spot next to the pool was difficult. I imagine during peak season, it's impossible to find any spot on the deck and the pool likely is packed. Potential disappointment there.
The "cove Pool" is closer to the Bonita tower and I only walked past it. It appears to be a pretty simple, no frills pool. No one was in it while we were there.
Location: The DLH is now furthest away from DLP. It is just across the street from DD which is a pedestrian mall with restaurants, stores and vendor booths. This pedestrian mall winds down to the entrance of DLP and CAP. We walked it often. It's clean and colorful with fountains and performers.
Monorail: The monorail is just about a block from the DLH just inside the DD district. This takes you directly into the DLP and puts you in "Tomorrow land". I'd say the distance from Tomorrow land to the CA entrance is the same distance if you walked through DD. So if you're going straight away to CAP, it's less crowded to go through DD.
Restaurants: We learned that during the day there really is no restaurant open at the DLH. Only "Crocs Bits n Bites", a snack bar is open. I think also the "Lost Bar" is open and has some appetizers but not the other major restaurants. Goofy's Kitchen is open for breakfast and dinner only. We did have a Character Breakfast there and it was great!
Character Breakfasts: We booked our first breakfast inside the DLP at the Plaza Inn considered "Minnie's breakfast". It is a terrific way to see many characters. The breakfast buffet was fine, typical buffet food, omelet bar, etc. Be ready to eat cold food because the characters keep you distracted.
On our last morning, we ate at Goofy's Kitchen at the DLH. This buffet was far greater than Minnie's. FAR GREATER selection of foods, more colorful atmosphere and great characters. Goofy seemed ever present and did little skits from time to time. Still, the food selection was much, much greater.
All in all I was most pleased with the DLH experience. I did research on other surrounding hotels and knew that we could book a different hotel for far less very near the Parks but we wanted the Full Disney experience. If you are a shopper, DD is a great place and staying at the DLH would be a plus. There's also an AMC Cineplex just inside DD if you were looking for other misc. activities nearby the DLH. And there are numerous restaurants in DD including ESPN End Zone, House of Blues, Jazz Kitchen, Naples Pizzeria to name a few.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
imaginetr
|
|
Location: Pacific Northwest, Washington
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Husband and father, born in Washington 1961, military brat and college grad.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.