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Post by Capt Kia on Aug 13, 2023 18:23:44 GMT -5
So Im going on Alaska cruise next July and trying to do Disneyland before we head to Seattle. We are no longer DVC owners so we can either rent VGC or save about $1200 and stay at the Clementine Suites 2br loft.
1. Anyone stay at Clementine?
2. If you had to rent, do you go for convenience/expensive or non disney/economical?
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Post by tomandrobin on Aug 14, 2023 7:19:26 GMT -5
We did our first Alaska Cruise this year, in May. It was one of our best vacations ever. So much nature to see, do and explore in every port. Any questions about that, please also ask.
So your question is tricky to answer. Saving money is always great, but sometimes its worth to spend a little more to get what you want or makes you happy. That said, you are comparing staying on property and walking into the Parks vs staying a few blocks away on the backside of the parks, to get to the park gates. Google shows its a 25 minute walk, or a 6 minute car ride....which means finding parking or uber. So there is the convenience factor. I am assuming you are looking to book a 2-bedroom unit at VGC also, so there is no advantage to either room. VGC will give you that Disney bubble. The length of your stay matters too. A short stay, means that your time matters so convenience for me would win out.
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Post by SuzanneSLO on Aug 14, 2023 8:22:43 GMT -5
I think I stayed at that location many years ago when it was a Residence Inn by Marriott. The location was fine. We could walk to the parks or, at that time, there was a shuttle bus operated by the hotel (generally no longer allowed). I stayed recently at the new Residence Inn, that is a bit farther to walk but with lots of others walking with you.
But Tom is right. It is a question of cost (GCV) v. convenience (Good Neighbor).
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Post by Capt Kia on Aug 14, 2023 10:25:17 GMT -5
We did our first Alaska Cruise this year, in May. It was one of our best vacations ever. So much nature to see, do and explore in every port. Any questions about that, please also ask. So your question is tricky to answer. Saving money is always great, but sometimes it’s worth to spend a little more to get what you want or makes you happy. That said, you are comparing staying on property and walking into the Parks vs staying a few blocks away on the backside of the parks, to get to the park gates. Google shows its a 25 minute walk, or a 6 minute car ride....which means finding parking or uber. So there is the convenience factor. I am assuming you are looking to book a 2-bedroom unit at VGC also, so there is no advantage to either room. VGC will give you that Disney bubble. The length of your stay matters too. A short stay, means that your time matters so convenience for me would win out. Thanks Tom, wife and I did Alaska in ‘06 on Norwegian. Loved it then. Kiddos want to go now so we are going on Quantum out of Alaska. I think I stayed at that location many years ago when it was a Residence Inn by Marriott. The location was fine. We could walk to the parks or, at that time, there was a shuttle bus operated by the hotel (generally no longer allowed). I stayed recently at the new Residence Inn, that is a bit farther to walk but with lots of others walking with you. But Tom is right. It is a question of cost (GCV) v. convenience (Good Neighbor). Thanks Suzanne. After some talking DW and I decided that it’s too much for DL, Seattle and cruise. Originally we were going to do DL and Kauai in ‘25 for my retirement. I thought maybe since we are on the west coast we could do DL and cruise but now we will just do as originally planned. Cruise only I. ‘24 and DL/Kauai in ‘25. As for my question, I think the on site convenience is worth the extra. I don’t really need the bubble per se. Thanks for both your input. |
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Post by tomandrobin on Aug 14, 2023 12:06:20 GMT -5
Thanks Tom, wife and I did Alaska in ‘06 on Norwegian. Loved it then. Kiddos want to go now so we are going on Quantum out of Alaska. After some talking DW and I decided that it’s too much for DL, Seattle and cruise. Originally we were going to do DL and Kauai in ‘25 for my retirement. I thought maybe since we are on the west coast we could do DL and cruise but now we will just do as originally planned. Cruise only I. ‘24 and DL/Kauai in ‘25. As for my question, I think the on site convenience is worth the extra. I don’t really need the bubble per se. Thanks for both your input. Our Alaskan cruise was on NCL Encore. Joey (Joeli) just sailed on RCCL Quantum in June, also had a great time. If you have some RCCL questions, he might be able to help.
We did a few days pre-cruise in Seattle and that great. First time we had visited the city and could have spent at least 3 more days exploring the city and area.
Robin had a client the did the Seattle/Alaska/DL trip. Overall they enjoyed the trip, but it was a lot of traveling. Afterwards, they said they would not do so much the next time.
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Post by a1000monkeys on Aug 14, 2023 14:31:05 GMT -5
I own VGC but have stayed offsite many times when I can't plan far enough ahead to stay at VGC. Whenever we stay offsite, I always wish we are on site. But as you said, it's very expensive compared to offsite hotels. the offsite hotels are generally fine and also very close to the park but some of the magic is lost, especially when walking out to Harbor Blvd to be accosted by the religion peddlers, other street vendors and homeless.
I have not stayed at the Clementine (I'm not even sure where it is, is it walking distance?). The Courtyard Marriott is nice and quite close. The absolute closest is the Best Western Inn and Suites. It's directly across the street from the gates. Most recently we stayed at the Hilton Home 2 Suites. It was fine. We are going again next summer and we will be staying at VGC.
If you're interested in VGC, I have points for rent.
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Post by Capt Kia on Aug 14, 2023 15:52:11 GMT -5
Thanks Tom, wife and I did Alaska in ‘06 on Norwegian. Loved it then. Kiddos want to go now so we are going on Quantum out of Alaska. After some talking DW and I decided that it’s too much for DL, Seattle and cruise. Originally we were going to do DL and Kauai in ‘25 for my retirement. I thought maybe since we are on the west coast we could do DL and cruise but now we will just do as originally planned. Cruise only I. ‘24 and DL/Kauai in ‘25. As for my question, I think the on site convenience is worth the extra. I don’t really need the bubble per se. Thanks for both your input. Our Alaskan cruise was on NCL Encore. Joey (Joeli) just sailed on RCCL Quantum in June, also had a great time. If you have some RCCL questions, he might be able to help.
We did a few days pre-cruise in Seattle and that great. First time we had visited the city and could have spent at least 3 more days exploring the city and area.
Robin had a client the did the Seattle/Alaska/DL trip. Overall they enjoyed the trip, but it was a lot of traveling. Afterwards, they said they would not do so much the next time.
Thanks Tom. Our cruise is Mon/Mon so the plan is fly up Friday and stay either near Pike's, Needle or airport (use light rail). Possibly rent a car and go to Rainer. |
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Post by Capt Kia on Aug 14, 2023 15:52:40 GMT -5
I own VGC but have stayed offsite many times when I can't plan far enough ahead to stay at VGC. Whenever we stay offsite, I always wish we are on site. But as you said, it's very expensive compared to offsite hotels. the offsite hotels are generally fine and also very close to the park but some of the magic is lost, especially when walking out to Harbor Blvd to be accosted by the religion peddlers, other street vendors and homeless. I have not stayed at the Clementine (I'm not even sure where it is, is it walking distance?). The Courtyard Marriott is nice and quite close. The absolute closest is the Best Western Inn and Suites. It's directly across the street from the gates. Most recently we stayed at the Hilton Home 2 Suites. It was fine. We are going again next summer and we will be staying at VGC. If you're interested in VGC, I have points for rent. I did send you a PM last week when I was in my planning stages. But I will definitely get in contact for summer of 2025. I'll make sure to touch base 14 months out. Thanks |
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Post by tomandrobin on Aug 14, 2023 19:20:25 GMT -5
Thanks Tom. Our cruise is Mon/Mon so the plan is fly up Friday and stay either near Pike's, Needle or airport (use light rail). Possibly rent a car and go to Rainer. We stayed at the Westin in Seattle. The location is a few blocks away from Pikes, 1 block away from the monorail that goes direct to the Space Needle. We took the monorail to the Space Needle and walked back to the Hotel.....its not too far of a walk. We did not rent a car for our few days in Seattle. |
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