Courtyard or HoJo - need help deciding

[Helene_C]

I'll be visiting Disneyland with my two kids, 2.5 and 7, in mid-August. They love splash playgrounds much more than pools, so I'm only looking at the HoJo and the Courtyard.
I'm currently booked at the HoJo, but I'm very tempted to upgrade to the Courtyard. Price difference for the four nights would be $450 (least expensive room at each). From what I've researched, the rooms at the Courtyard are bigger and newer, and some of the HoJo rooms can't be kept dark during daylight (an issue for us if we need early bedtime coming from the East Coast).
Are there any other differences I should know about? Noise insulation? Ease of using laundry room? Stroller friendliness? Any reason to pick the HoJo other than $$? We won't have a car so don't care about parking fees. Priorities are most fun splash park for young kids and convenience for me.

 

[geergirl]

We have never stayed at the HoJo, but loved the Courtyard. The room was really big so we had lots of room to spread out and organize our stuff. It didn't feel cramped at all. We had plenty of space for the double stroller and didn't have to fold it up and jam it in somewhere. Also, the bathroom was great. There is a shower and toilet in a separate room off the bathroom and the sink and tub/shower in the first part. It depends on how much that extra $450 will pinch. If it won't hurt too much I'd definitely go for the Courtyard.

 

[dmcdixie]

I have never stayed at HOJO but recently stayed at Courtyard with new 4 year old and 7 year old. We loved it. They were so friendly the room had a shower and separate tub. Also space right by the entrance for our stroller. We had a beautiful view of the 5 fwy and did not hear a thing. They also encouraged us to bring outside food and drink to the pool. We had door dash deliver directly to the pool one day. I used to stay on site and I never will again!

 

[Nevada Jen]

I have stayed at both and will never stay at HOJO again. It was full on miserable for my needs. (Which was basically to run a lawfirm from my hotel room when needed and into the wee hours of the morning). My husband and kids would gladly stay there again however. First, HOJO is a MOtel and Courtyard is a HOtel. That comes with a huge difference in amenities. Courtyard is much nicer and easier to vacation at. Its closer to the parks (by a little). there are public areas in the lobby and outside to sit and relax. THere is a coffee place with decent breakfast etc. . . Second, the rooms are MUCH nicer and bigger at Courtyard. The splash pad at the pool is great for kids the age of yours. Almost all the rooms are two queen bunk bed rooms. I could see this being a downside for some people. Your 7 year old will be perfectly fine on the top bunk.
Just an idea but if you are willing to spend the extra money for COurtyard, why not do a split stay between paradise pier and HOJO and end up with the same total cost as the whole time at Courtyard? THis would get you EMH and your check in and check out days from Paradise Pier. Being on east cost and with kids the age of yours, the extra hour would be put to good use.

 

[VandVsmama]

We stayed at Hojo last week and really enjoyed it. I used the guest laundry facilities, which were in Bldg 1 in the basement. You just get on the elevator down to the basement. It's $1.25 to wash, $1 to dry. You'll need quarters for that. no debit or credit cards.

My kids loved the Pirate Cove splash pad water play area. They have lifeguards there. And Hojo's plays Disney music in the splash pad area.

We found our room to be well insulated and we did not hear other guests at all during our stay. We were on the 2nd floor of Bldg 6, which is 1 of 4 two-story buildings. The 2-story buildings do not have an elevator, so just mention that you'll have a stroller so they don't put you on the 2nd floor in 1 of those buildings (in case your Hojo's reservation is for a 2-double-bed room).

We did have 1 of the 2-double-bed rooms and found it to be VERY spacious. There was a LOT of room for all of our bags and our stuff.

 

[VandVsmama]

I forgot to add...

In my opinion, it's not worth it to pay $450 extra to stay next door at the Courtyard. Use that money toward something else.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

I have never stayed at the HOJO, but just looking at the pics, I would hands down go with Courtyard (that is where we are staying this month). I'm picky though, and not a fan of the outdated decor of the HOJO rooms.

 

[lspst8]

My family was just deciding between these two hotels, and we went with the Courtyard. I love that it has bunk bed for the kids and is a newer hotel.

 

[ellamama]

We are also trying to decide between these 2 hotels for our trip this summer. We've previously stayed at HoJo and really enjoyed it, but are considering Courtyard to try something new. My kids were 3 & 6 last time when we stayed at HoJo. We had a 2 Queen Suite in Building 2 which was incredibly spacious - plenty of room for our stroller. There is laundry on the 1st floor of Building 2, and there was always a machine available when I needed it. No trouble keeping our room dark. Never waited long for an elevator. Kids loved the splash area.

 

[BippityBoop]

It all comes down to money. One is simpler and cheaper, one is nicer and more expensive.

I think everyone would choose Courtyard if budget wasn't an issue.

What could you spend $450 on at Disneyland over a nicer room? A guided tour? A World of Color dessert package?

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

It all comes down to money. One is simpler and cheaper, one is nicer and more expensive.

I think everyone would choose Courtyard if budget wasn't an issue.

What could you spend $450 on at Disneyland over a nicer room? A guided tour? A World of Color dessert package?

We looked at it for our trip too, but it's twice as much as the HoJo and you have to pay for parking. It wasn't that much cheaper than the PPH.

 

[Helene_C]

Thank you all for giving me more to think about. I can afford the $450, and with a 2.5 year old there aren't that many splurges that make sense (no guided tours, can't rely on him staying up late enough for night shows, etc), but a roomier room and nicer water park we can actually make use of. Then again, I could also use that money to hire a mother's helper, and THAT would be worth it. Hmmmm.

PPH does not appeal to me. I really want the big splash park rather than a pool.