Disney Hotels- worth it?

[Midnightred]

Of course we are coming from another state, Texas, but to us the HOJO has a very Disney feel to us. The colors are so bright and festive, very California with the orange and polka-dots. The grounds are beautiful to us because we live in the high desert, it's just so different. The gift shop is filled with Disney stuff. The pools are so fun, especially the pirate ship with all of the slides. We had a Kids Suite with the Pirates of The Carribbean decor and the bunk beds. My boys, husband and I took the ART bus the entire time, no problems. I have shelled out plenty of money for hotel rooms in the past, even paying as much as $1,000 a night for rooms in Hawaii and other places. Maybe we don't know what we are missing, but we have our room booked for next July already at the HOJO. We think it's the Shangra-la!

Midnightred

 

[hjgaus]

Just got back from our 4th of July stay @ Paradise Pier Hotel concierge level (1st time for us 2 experience concierge, used AP holder discount rate) & was SO WELL WORTH EVERY PENNY SPENT!!! They even upgraded us to a mini suite!!
It was ROOM 522 which was my version of NON VIEW ROOM ( front of hotel facing street - a totally great surprise thought we were getting a standard room ) but not missed due to we did the Grand Villa @ VGC last May so watching WOC was not needed for this trip. We did however see the DL fireworks show from the pool deck @ PP & was AWESOME!!! We checked in @ 6 am so we could do magical morning hour at California Adventure.
It took us about 10 - 15 minutes maybe a little less due to my husband's speed walk but arrived at the CA main gate by 6:30 am. We decided it might be shorter way to get to Carsland from that side rather than GC hotel entrance. Once they opened the gate EVERYONE booked for RSR ride as we did too. Glad we did cuz our 1st experience on this ride was WITHOUT THE 3 HOUR wait that most people experienced. We waited about 10 minutes in line then on ride & done by 7:35 AM. My husband stood in line for Fass Passes for about 40 minutes which we used at 10:15 PM also rode & off by 10:40 PM !!! LOVED THE FACT YOU CAN GO JUST BEFORE CLOSING WITHOUT ANY WORRIES! So staying on property was a no brainer for our 1st time to experience Carsland!!! All the CM's were just as wonderful as those of the other Disney hotels!! Since we are AP holders we didn't go to Disneyland at all so wasn't missed either. We actually stayed OFF property (Crowne Plaza- husband is a Platinum Priority Club member) the night before to make sure we had plenty off time to line up but it really wasn't needed after all. There seem to be less on property guests for MM hours than AP Holders from what some friends who went (as AP MM hours) last weekend had mentioned. Maybe because it was a holiday so only PAP holders OR Paid guest were there.
SORRY THIS WAS SO LONG WINDED BUT " YESSS ! STAYING ON DL PROPERTY IS ALWAYS WORTH IT!!! "

 

[aluckyduck]

Does your baby not nap in the stroller? We go every year with our now almost 3 year-old twins for a long weekend at the Resort. (We are locals). So our kids, especially as babies, always napped in the stroller. That is when we took our opportunities to do parent switch on rides, sit and people watch, even go back to the pool and sit by it and relax. Same with bedtimes. We'd change them into jammies and they'd knock out before the fireworks. They'd stay asleep through the walk back to the hotel and the transfer to the port-a-cribs.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Does your baby not nap in the stroller? We go every year with our now almost 3 year-old twins for a long weekend at the Resort. (We are locals). So our kids, especially as babies, always napped in the stroller. That is when we took our opportunities to do parent switch on rides, sit and people watch, even go back to the pool and sit by it and relax. Same with bedtimes. We'd change them into jammies and they'd knock out before the fireworks. They'd stay asleep through the walk back to the hotel and the transfer to the port-a-cribs.

AAAH....gotta love the stroller nap.

And Midnightred- we LOVE the HoJo too! It definitely feels different then most other nearby hotels/motels. And since this is where we stay time & time again, for DS it has become his "Disneyland Hotel". As far as he's concerned, there's only 1 hotel avail to stay at when visiting Disneyland and it's the HoJo.

We've created our own Disney "magic" by intentionally staying at the same hotel year after year. And I really love the history behind the HoJo, it is special and it feels special.

Perhaps when DS is a little older and has outgrown the pirate water park, we may try something new. But I highly doubt it. Both DH & DS hate change and they are both very happy at the HoJo. So why would I spend more for the same experience? I have a feeling we would just walk away disappointed.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

I prefer PPH over DLH. Not able to compare GC V either have not stayed at GC.

I like HOJO and Fairfield equal. With Fairfiled having a walk way instead of indoor halls for getting to and from room I tend to lean more to the HOJO if prices are over the roof at the Disney properties.

We tend to lean more for PP then DLH. PP is an easy walk to front of parks. Exit PP at the side door near the restaurant. You will be right across the street from the Grand. We then go in front entry at Grand, walking to the guest only entrance. Yes, this entrance is good for any quest staying on property. It is also a treat to have a late breakfast buffet at Storytellers then reenter at the guest only entrance. As long as you have eatten at Storytellers I have always been welcome to re-enter CA via the quest entrance even if not staying at a park hotel.

We walk over to the monorail for entry into the park when we want to start our day doing star tours, space mountian, and autopia. Since the monorail stops at back of park this method works out great.

Another new perk of staying on property is early entry either at DL or GC depending on what day it is.

At WDW staying on property is IMO a must they provide transportation to parks so you can drive to Orlando and never get in car until you are heading home. DL is not like that all. There are so many what I call MOM and POP hotels ( I count chain hotels in the mom and pop group). With a few having designated shuttle service that getting to and from is actually very close.

WE go back to room at evening -- well early evening for snakcs, naps, swim, and just being able to prop feet up and rest those little piggy's.

I used to be a in at daylight -- out at closing kind of Disneyland visitor. I have seen the errors of my way and now spend a week doing what I used to do in 3 days 2 nights. I have to say I enjoy my vacation more and actually do not need a vacation as soon as I get home.

Have fun-- I just love to watch the little ones meet and greet the characters. What is better then that.

 

[hootey]

We have stayed off site three times and on site five times. The DLH is our clear favorite. Yes, we use the monorail for going to and from disneyland. We use the Grand for entry and exit into DCA. Our favorite places to eat are Goofies and the cafe next to the DLH pool, both are at the DLH. Everyday at 1:30 we go back to the DLH to enjoy the pool area and take a break from the parks. The boys love the pool and waterslide area, the wife and I use the hot-tub.
At the end of the day it is so nice to simply get on the monorail for a short ride to the DTD monorail staion, then the short walk to the hotel. A great place to stay...

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

We are DVC, so we have a 1br at VGC, but the points are pretty high compared to a 1br at OKW or something at WDW. The split stay allows us to have a Disney trip and a SoCal trip with a budget that works for us.

We are doing the same thing. We are staying at VGC in December when the in a 1 bedroom when the point are very high for 3 nights and then staying another 3 off site (2 days prior to DL and one night after).

Having said that.....we have stayed onsite and off site both equally as fun, just depends on what you want from the trip. When we want all things Disney we stay onsite when we just need a Disney fix and plan to do other things or are on a budget we say off site.

 

[cgh]

For us, it is. I know last year (our fist visit as a family) I really really debated because it IS expensive. Ultimately, because of naps, we decided to do it. I know everyone says there are hotels that are physically closer, but I really like not having to cross busy streets to get back to the hotel. I like just being there at the resort. We also spend more time at the hotel then perhaps the average guest (maybe 16 hours a day). So, for us, the room was important to us too. The motels that are as close are motels-the hotels that we would be most interested in staying at were not really close.

But, I do think all of it is really relative and it depends on how you prioritize your experiences. If you are in the parks 7 am-11 pm or something, maybe all that doesn't matter as much? But going back during nap times for us, we want nice hotel close by.

We stayed at the DLH last year, riding the monorail a lot (DS LOVED that!) and are going back this year. You do need to collapse the stroller on the monorail which is a PITA, but we still enjoyed it.

 

[Monica D]

I think it's a different type of experience when you stay on property. We usually get a room at the DLH, and make more frequent trips back to the room (afternoon) to swim or rest. When we stay off property we tend to stay at the parks all day. Money being no issue, I would stay at one of the DLR properties every time. But that isn't always an option, which is why we're staying somewhere else this fall. It will still be a fun trip either way!

 

[Bungle]

For us it isn't worth it, yet. Budget has a lot to do with it. Usually we find by staying off site we can spend longer at disneyland, and for us that is a bonus. However it does always get tossed in there and I'm sure eventually we will end up there. If you can afford it I would give it a try.

 

[tiffjoy]

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

We decided to stay off site. We are going to the beach for four days at the end of the vacation and are getting a very nice hotel right on the ocean. so that's when we will splurge.

Also, we are going to DW in January and paying for my parents and younger brother to come. With that to consider, I think we will skip it this time. There just isn't enough of a difference
to make on site worth the money at DL.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I'm not the OP, but this thread had helped sway us to stay on-site. We were debating on-site vs the Hyatt suites. I'm thinking the DLH will be right for us. Now I just have to wait for the 2013 dates to be released.

I never knew that the DCA entrance at the GC was for any on-site guest. That's very helpful to know. Thanks!

 

[Dobie]

PPH is actually very close if you walk through the GCH. The Dobies love love love PPH!

 

[hootey]

We book all our stays through Disney Travel, they have the best DLR package deals that we have found. I highly recommend it. They take care of everything, DLH, park pass', character breakfasts, everything. They can answer all questions disney, as well as make suggestions about things to do...