Changing from Hojo to BW Stovalls?

[blynn]

We used to stay at Priceline hotels when visiting Disneyland, but then I discovered the Disboards and read HydroGuy's tips and decided to stay within walking distance. Now that we have done that, we'll never drive again! Thank you, HydroGuy! We stayed at Paradise Pier a couple of times when they had some incredible low rates, and then stayed at Hojo a couple of times on their Retro Rates. We had decided to stay at Hojos from now on, but this coming December the Hojo doesn't have their new Super Family Saver rates available Dec 1-9, which is when we are going (I have received the emails from them). So I looked around and was able to book the BW Stovall's for $85 a night. When I look at a Google satellite map, Stovall's doesn't look like much further to walk from than Hojo, but the walk looks like it would be more fun from Stovalls (through the lobby of the GC and Downtown Disney). I have read a lot about Hojo on the boards and we would stay there again on the Super Saver rates, but not with the higher rates. I have read very little on the boards about Stovalls. Could any of you, especially if you have stayed at both places, let me know what you think about Stovalls (walking distance, quality of rooms and breakfast, etc.)? Thank you!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We've stayed at both, enjoy both. I'd go with whoever has the lower price.

 

[dcraytho]

I've never stayed at Hojo's, but I have stayed at Stovell's and I really like it there. The rooms are nice, but dark. They have a small breakfast, nothing to write home about though. The ART picks up right at the hotel, which is easier than walking sometimes.

 

[mrsmoku]

We've stayed at Stovall's twice and recommend it. It was maybe a 10 minute walk to the parks. If you cross the street and follow the little sidewalk path straight it will take you to the entrance of the Grand Californian hotel. Enter the hotel and from there you will can get to DTD or into DCA! We also sat in the pool area at night and could watch the fireworks and Ferris wheel light up. Theres not much to the hotel at all but I just wanted somewhere safe and clean. Theres also a store a block or so away with the basics.
Breakfast wasn't anything special but we had a fridge and microwave on te room so we could being other foods

 

[KalamityJane]

We have stayed at Stovall's - the walk is beautiful. The front desk is really great (especially Justin!) and the rooms are dark but clean. We have a double side by side stroller and were able to fit it in our room without collapsing it easily. The breakfasts are doughnuts and danishes, toast/bread with peanut butter and jelly and butter, apples and bananas, biscuits and gravy (meh), orange juice, coffee and hot chocolate and hard boiled eggs. There may be sausage too. Oh and pancakes. It got a little old by the end of the week but there was definitely plenty of food!

I just called the other day and they will accept grocery delivery and put it in your room for you including perishables. I don't know how the pool is because it was too cold to use it. I would ask for a room on the second floor above the breakfast room (sort of) because you can see DCA as you come out which is cool.

Denny's is just a short walk west down Katella if you get a craving late night. Coco's is next door but I don't know how their food is. There is a fridge and a micro in the room, so we got bread and sandwich fixings and brought lunch with some fruit from breakfast for snacks.

HTH!

 

[blynn]

Thank you for your input! I forgot to ask about the beds - how comfortable are they?

 

[KalamityJane]

Ok, I was recovering from 16 compression fractures in my spine and was about 3 months out from when I got them, and I thought their beds were great! They didn't hurt my back like the beds did in another hotel about 3 weeks before that (not DL).

 

[Sally_fan]

We have stayed at both & would stay at both again. We stay at the HoJo when we can get the Super Family Rate (formerly Ent Rate) but would definitely stay at the Stovall's Inn if the price was right. We found the walk to feel a bit longer but it is a beautiful walk! Lots of trees (all lit up) & cutting through the Grand Californian was great too!

 

[DisneytheKid]

We stayed at BW Stovalls and actually used the ART. Knowing what I do now, I would have definitely just walked! Stovalls is a great little hotel and well worth the $85. I'd stay there

 

[blynn]

Thank you for your responses! It looks like Stovalls will be a good place to stay. It's interesting to me that Stovalls doesn't get as much attention on these boards as Hojos, but perhaps that's because it's a bit further away? However, with the walk being so nice atmosphere wise, it may not seem that much farther.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I've stayed at both. The walk is a little shorter at the HOJO but not by much. Stovall's walk was fun to go through the Grand Californian. There seemed to be more outside food options around the HOJO though. I think the Stovall's has had some room renovations later from pictures I've seen.Honestly I would stay at either and probably go with the lowest price. Both were clean and had decent beds.

 

[philliplc]

It's interesting to me that Stovalls doesn't get as much attention on these boards as Hojos, but perhaps that's because it's a bit further away?

i'd guess it's mainly price. HOJO's gets a ton of attention on these boards mainly because its 50% off (formerly entertainment book) rates have been the best deal for a nice hotel anywhere near DL for years running. obviously if it didn't run those it wouldn't be nearly as popular.

stovall's while one of the better deals locally is more expensive than the HOJO discount rates, plus has an $8/day parking charge.

 

[Brady's Mom]

We have stayed at both and like them.

We like the HoJo for the comfy beds, free parking and spacious rooms.

We like Stovall's for the comfy beds, free breakfast and good regular price.

Both seem about the same distance to me, but I can tell you that walking up the slight incline to HoJo after a long day at the parks feels hard. Walking slightly downhill to go to Stovall's after a long day at the parks feels a little easier. I know it's not much of an incline, really, but it can get tiring, that's for sure.

We were able to see the fireworks really well from the 2nd floor last Feb. when we were at Stovall's - I also loved the view of Screamin and the Wheel of Death.

We liked it enough that we are staying there again when we go in Oct.

 

[blynn]

That makes sense that Hojos has gotten more attention because of the RetroRates they used to have. That's actually why we stayed there. We had a car one time so the free parking there was nice too. We're only going to rent a car for one day this time (to drive up to the Walt Disney exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Museum) and I've discovered that the car rental place is just a short distance away from Stovalls and much farther from Hojos so that's going to be good for us! We also won't need to park it overnight so we won't have to worry about the parking fee at Stovalls.

I'm going to look forward to the slight decline downhill instead of uphill at the end of the day! It's also good to know both places have comfy beds - my husband has back problems and loved the Hojo beds, so this is great!

And even though the breakfast at Stovalls might get a little old by the end of the week, it will be nice to not have to worry about ordering groceries like we did before. Plus it's free!

I'm glad to have learned about a place that has great regular prices for being within walking distance since we can't always plan around when/if Hojos will have a super discount rate. Thank you again for your replies that have helped me feel good about where we will be staying!

 

[sunny45]

I am sure Stovall's would waive the parking fee if you didn't have a car, right?
or any of the other hotels that charge one.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

HoJo's is great for the water feature, however in December I doubt you'll be using it. We have stayed at Stovalls and had a fantastic say. The pool was pretty good too. I would stay at either one, but in your case I'd go with the less expensive room!