All Out at DLH or HoJo?

[Jennafoo]

Okay, I'm going on a solo trip for my birthday (October 21-24). I originally was going to go all out: premium view room at DLH with concierge, the whole bit.

But the more I thought about it, the more I am doubting my plans. My touring plans really don't have me taking advantage of the EMH (I'm not a rope drop to close type of person) and on nights when the fireworks would be happening - a big reason for concierge - I'll be either in the parks (MHP and Fantasmic! dessert package) or celebrating my birthday at a nice dinner (Friday).

I have been researching Howard Johnson, and it sounds nice, especially if you get a deluxe room. I tend to close the curtains and make my room as dark as possible anyway, so the view would probably be lost on me. It also sounds like HoJo is closer.

I can AFFORD the blowout, and I know it's my birthday and all, but it seems like it would be a waste of about $2500. If I could be just as happy at HoJo, and the walk isn't horrible, I could afford ANOTHER trip to Disney! (I'll have an AP.)

Or I could just get extras without worrying about the cost.

Any feedback?

 

[rentayenta]

How about the DLH without concierge? You don't need concierge for EMH if you change your mind and you'll still have the magic of staying on property. I'll always opt for on property especially if funds allow; it just doesn't compare in my opinion. My resort time is as important as my park time. HoJo feels like a motel to me and there aren't any amenities; pool is just okay, no lounge or cool grounds, not Disney feeling. I know people love it and its fine but its not Disney and doesn't feel like Disney.

Good luck.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Kind of a bummer that you are going alone with all those splurges in mind. I guess for me, I would pick the resort you like, drop the $$ extras, and buy myself all the park merch that I wanted (which I never have a budget to do.) I'd rather have something to bring back, or buy a photo package, than have nothing else but a hotel room butler or something to show for it? But that's my take. I'd probably find a middle ground that wasn't completely HoJo, I'd plan several nice dinners, especially if they get you priority seating to shows (we did a Fantasmic dinner at DHS and it was the highlight of the trip!) I guess its awesome if you have the budget, but if you are going by yourself, you won't have anyone to enjoy it with. I'd pick a moderate on property and then I would buy whatever I wanted in the parks. Or tack on a Disney Cruise.

 

[Jennafoo]

Kind of a bummer that you are going alone with all those splurges in mind.

Oh, don't worry about me. I love to travel by myself, and have always dreamed of having Disney "to myself"...not having to worry about anyone else. This has been a big, busy year (daughter graduating college, meeting daughter's fiancé, brother getting married/having a baby, new job, popular new sports blog, published short story, etc.). I'm even going to Vegas with a friend to help him out on his blog.

So, I just need some time all to me.

But I think you're right. It's getting hard to justify and extra $2500-3000 (even if I have it) on just concierge when I probably won't even use it that much. I could get a massage, go to a show, take a tour, or even pay for two MHPs and be flexible about when I go.

 

[MommyLove]

That sounds fun!

Having stayed at both, I would definitely choose HoJo and save all that $$. It sounds like you already realize that the things that are some of the big reasons to stay at a Disneyland property are things you won't be taking advantage of, so all the more reason to go elsewhere. And I love the idea of using that saved money for extra fun/merchandise and even an extra trip!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Jennafoo, I agree with your change of heart! You can still enjoy the magic of the DLH but without the extra concierge charges and special views, which you will not utilize, and save a thousand dollars. Put that extra money to more MHP tickets, souvenirs, and other splurges and still leave with more money for future trips.

If you really want the experience, then stay at the DLH and have a great time. If you aren't feeling so much want and not totally psyched about the DLH, then take more time to decide if it's an experience worth the significantly extra cost.

 

[KCoconut]

DLH is great but for a little less expensive option try looking into paradise pier. It is a great hotel and imo closer to the gate than DHL. you have a special entrance to CA also. Goofy is almost always in the lobby also. It was magical staying here. If you feel like going back to your room early many of their rooms face World of Color and you can see it pretty well from the window without fighting the crazy crowds. They have a 'rooftop' pool also which is pretty interesting and lots of fun.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Since you say you like a room as dark as possible, word of caution about my (otherwise beloved) HoJo. The Deluxe Disney view rooms in building one include the top floor where all rooms have two large skylights. There is no way to block the light from coming through these skylights, so during the day your room will always be bright, and at night your room will never be pitch black. I don't mind it, but it took some getting used to when I first stayed there.

 

[crystal1313]

How about the DLH without concierge? You don't need concierge for EMH if you change your mind and you'll still have the magic of staying on property. I'll always opt for on property especially if funds allow; it just doesn't compare in my opinion. My resort time is as important as my park time. HoJo feels like a motel to me and there aren't any amenities; pool is just okay, no lounge or cool grounds, not Disney feeling. I know people love it and its fine but its not Disney and doesn't feel like Disney.

Good luck.

DLH is great but for a little less expensive option try looking into paradise pier. It is a great hotel and imo closer to the gate than DHL. you have a special entrance to CA also. Goofy is almost always in the lobby also. It was magical staying here. If you feel like going back to your room early many of their rooms face World of Color and you can see it pretty well from the window without fighting the crazy crowds. They have a 'rooftop' pool also which is pretty interesting and lots of fun.

Agree with the above

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Okay, I'm going on a solo trip for my birthday (October 21-24). I originally was going to go all out: premium view room at DLH with concierge, the whole bit.

But the more I thought about it, the more I am doubting my plans. My touring plans really don't have me taking advantage of the EMH (I'm not a rope drop to close type of person) and on nights when the fireworks would be happening - a big reason for concierge - I'll be either in the parks (MHP and Fantasmic! dessert package) or celebrating my birthday at a nice dinner (Friday).

I have been researching Howard Johnson, and it sounds nice, especially if you get a deluxe room. I tend to close the curtains and make my room as dark as possible anyway, so the view would probably be lost on me. It also sounds like HoJo is closer.

I can AFFORD the blowout, and I know it's my birthday and all, but it seems like it would be a waste of about $2500. If I could be just as happy at HoJo, and the walk isn't horrible, I could afford ANOTHER trip to Disney! (I'll have an AP.)

Or I could just get extras without worrying about the cost.

Any feedback?

The Hojo may physically be steps closer, but the minute you walk onto Harbor it's going to feel farther away. I would much prefer walking the other way though Downtown Disney to get back to my hotel, even if it means 2 or 3 extra minutes of walking time. The Hojo is a pretty good hotel, but if money was no object for me, I'd stay on Disney property every time. But if I were you, I would just choose a standard room. I think concierge service is overpriced anyway.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

When faced with this choice, I almost always choose Hojo. And then go back in a few months.

I'd rather have more trips than one stay at the DLH, but I did enjoy the DLH the one time I stayed there. If you can manage to stay at the DLH and still have enough money for a return trip, then that's the best of both worlds.

 

[DLFan123]

Hojo is awesome! Just be sure that if you book hojo, you book either building 2, or you ask NOT to be in one of the top floor rooms with the sky lights. They don't have drapes and you can't get the room really dark like you like. We have only stayed at hojo and just love it. The walk is about the same as from the dlh to Dca anyway. We walk back and forth a couple times each day without issue, and if you get tired, you can always take the art.

 

[zanzibar138]

I would stay at the DLH in a standard room. Why pay for views or concierge service that you're not going to use? You'd still get the magic and extra perks that come with staying onsite, but I bet you'd save a lot by ditching the concierge and view.

FWIW we very much enjoyed our stay at HoJo's in a premium view room (didn't notice the skylights that others have mentioned). It was a very short walk to DTD and the parks and it was clean and comfortable. But not Disney (because we couldn't afford it). I hope to one day be able to splurge on at least one night at the DLH

 

[mummabear]

I would do the Hojo plus another trip personally.

 

[allsaintsatx]

It's your birthday, go DLH.

You may not be a rope drop person, but the night ambiance at the DLH is pretty amazing. Trader Sam's may be worth the price bump alone! Don't forget the outdoor fire pit and the live Hawaiian band playing on the patio. Man I wish I was there right now just thinking about it!

To save a couple hundred bucks, just do the deluxe view. It's a slightly higher floor and you won't be facing the parking lot. We stayed deluxe our last trip and when they found out it was our wedding anniversary they bumped us up to a premium view room! So you could -ahem- politely inform them it IS your birthday trip and see if they sprinkle any magic on your reservation! You never know!

And I agree with a PP, the walk through Downtown Disney is unfathomably more magical than Harbor Blvd!!

 

[KatieJoy]

DLH, but don't do concierge or worry about a view. It's worth it, especially if you have the money. I would totally do a disney trip by myself, that would be an awesome birthday!!

 

[Jennafoo]

I actually find the Paradise Pier idea VERY interesting. I hadn't thought of that before. The rooms look nice, and the walk doesn't appear to be much further than HoJo except that it's through DD and/or GCH.

I can get a theme park view room (possibly with a view of WOC) AND concierge for the same price as a standard DLH room, and HALF of what I'd pay for DLH with concierge and view. It's still about twice as much as HoJo, but I'd stay within the "Disney bubble", still have EMHs if I chose to use them, and have access to the concierge lounge.

It seems like a good way to still splurge and have some options, without feeling like I'm just throwing a lot of money away.

Any thoughts? Are there negatives to PPH?

(BTW, I'm a big walker. I work in Downtown San Francisco and take the train in every day, so I easily walk 10-15 minutes to my office and walk all over the city all day. The walk doesn't scare me.)

 

[crystal1313]

I actually find the Paradise Pier idea VERY interesting. I hadn't thought of that before. The rooms look nice, and the walk doesn't appear to be much further than HoJo except that it's through DD and/or GCH.

I can get a theme park view room (possibly with a view of WOC) AND concierge for the same price as a standard DLH room, and HALF of what I'd pay for DLH with concierge and view. It's still about twice as much as HoJo, but I'd stay within the "Disney bubble", still have EMHs if I chose to use them, and have access to the concierge lounge.

It seems like a good way to still splurge and have some options, without feeling like I'm just throwing a lot of money away.

Any thoughts? Are there negatives to PPH?

(BTW, I'm a big walker. I work in Downtown San Francisco and take the train in every day, so I easily walk 10-15 minutes to my office and walk all over the city all day. The walk doesn't scare me.)

We LOVE PPH! It's our favorite place to stay at the DLR. The rooms are large and the view rooms are AMAZING!! Check out the PPH thread (page 19 blackjackdelta has some incredible view room photos):

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914395&highlight=pph&page=19

I've never done CL there. I'm pretty sure it closes early at PPH than it does at DLH and it's only on the 3rd floor, so no incredible views like at DLH. I've heard good things about though.

Most complaints about the PPH are for the elevators. But since you will have CL, you will have access to the glass elevator from your floor, which will be a bonus because regular floors cannot use the glass elevator to go down to the lobby. Anyone can take the glass elevator up, but only CL floors can take it down.

We are big walkers too and find the walk not bad at all! We go out the front entrance of the PPH, head to the left. Cross at the light and go through the GCH lobby and out to DTD. Simple and quick.

PPH is always our first choice to stay if we can afford it. The CMs there are so nice and helpful!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I'd stay at PPH in a minute if I could.

 

[GracieB]

I actually find the Paradise Pier idea VERY interesting. I hadn't thought of that before. The rooms look nice, and the walk doesn't appear to be much further than HoJo except that it's through DD and/or GCH.

I can get a theme park view room (possibly with a view of WOC) AND concierge for the same price as a standard DLH room, and HALF of what I'd pay for DLH with concierge and view. It's still about twice as much as HoJo, but I'd stay within the "Disney bubble", still have EMHs if I chose to use them, and have access to the concierge lounge.

It seems like a good way to still splurge and have some options, without feeling like I'm just throwing a lot of money away.

Any thoughts? Are there negatives to PPH?

(BTW, I'm a big walker. I work in Downtown San Francisco and take the train in every day, so I easily walk 10-15 minutes to my office and walk all over the city all day. The walk doesn't scare me.)

Howdy, Jenna! I live in the City. Nice to meet a fellow Disneyer