Few new questions.....
Is the Howard Johnson the closest good neighbor hotel?
Not at all, but a very large number of people on the DISboards prefer it. Customer service is generally good, the rooms are clean, and the walk is fine. If you get the Entertainment Rate ( see
http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14 ; you just need to get a valid Entertainment card) you can't beat the prices ($59/night for two full-size beds). We didn't book the Entertainment rate but it was only like $62/night for us without it.
All that said, some of the Disneyland hotel towers are much farther from the gates than the nearest hotels are!
Here's a map of places near Disneyland:
http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/Default.asp
Because wow for the prices of that compared to the Disneyland we could stay LONGER if we wanted...
Is that recommended? Do you think I would miss out on "Disney magic" by skipping a Disneyland hotel? I've never stayed onsite for Disneyland before so that was part of the idea....if it were up to you would you take the Disneyland hotel and a shorter trip or extend the trip and stay at Hojo?
Like I said, that is a personal question. For myself, yes, I'd rather save money and/or have a longer trip and stay off-site. For me this is especially true in December if crowds are lower and the weather is cooler. I'm quite a bit older than you but I still found that in the summer, we NEEDED to go back for a mid-day break because of the crowds/heat/exhaustion. In December, we did NOT take mid-day breaks, and still managed quite full days in the park. (It did rain on the weekend, so granted, that made the thought of trekking back ANYWHERE for a break less appealing.) You still might need to take breaks on the weekend, but maybe not weekdays with shorter hours.
Plus you can also use your cost savings to eat at fancy restaurants, do tours, get preferred seating for Fantasmic! or reserved space to view World of Color, etc.
If it were a summer trip when you'll need to take longer breaks, or a trip at any time when the crowds are heavier, I'd actually consider staying on-property to be more helpful. For our December trip it would have been pretty much a waste of money for us, because we were literally only in the rooms to shower, sleep, and one night, relax for like an hour before bed. The crowds were so light I don't think we would've taken any sort of break no matter how close or far our rooms were.
Obviously, other people consider staying on-site being part of the experience. For me, I'd only do that if money were no object. If money is an issue for you, you might have LESS walking if you stay off-site, believe it or not!
Does magical express service hojo?
Yes; I think they just service the Disney-owned hotels first.
You'll love the parks in December.
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