Disneyland Virgin!

[Disbabe]

Made the leap and booked a 14 night vacation staying at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in a NQQ2 room facing the Garden Pool.
Having been to WDW 7 times now - this is our very 1st time to California!

Has anyone stayed at this hotel, in this particular type of room? What is it like? We almost plumped for the Staybridge Suites. I'm praying I made the right choice, although Trip Advisor has it higher in the popularity index.


As you can see - I'm from the UK and know nothing about this part of the USA. Can anyone point me to any websites I can look through for info.

Thanks

 

[Master Mason]

Are you planning more than just Disneyland when your here? I could certainly spend 2 weeks at WDW, but that's way too long for just DL.

 

[MinnieMouse73]

Yes, I agree - we are also in the UK and when we go to Florida it's for 3 weeks ... but much as we love it, even we would find 2 weeks at DL too long! We have been there twice - first time did 7 days in the parks, this year we had 6 days, and that was great.

Having said that, you could use happily fill up a 2 week holiday by visiting other places e.g. Hollywood, water parks (if you're going at the right time of year), beach, Universal ... in between the parks. I have to say that we didn't enjoy the drive up to Hollywood from Anaheim last time we were there (horrible traffic on the I5, took us forever to get there!), so this year we moved hotels and stayed nearer there for a couple of nights instead.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Yes, I agree with the others- if this is your fist time to California I would highly suggest San Diego (but you would probably want to go down there and stay for like 5 days, so you wouldn't want to be at the HOJO the whole time).

With that amount of time I would do 4 Disneyland days, a few days maybe going to Hollywood or Laguna Beach or Universal, and then go down to San Diego for at LEAST 5 days, there is sooo much to do down there.

I hope you have a great trip. I would start with the stickies on this board the Disneyland tips one etc. And yes, the hojo will be fine (but don't expect a WDW type resort, the hotels around Disneyland are more Motel-like.)

Enjoy your planning!

 

[GrandBob]

Love the NQQ2! That's the room type we always reserve. It's a large room, with plenty of space for the two very comfortable queen beds. Also a mini-refrigerator and microwave, a small table with two chairs, and a balcony overlooking the pool. You won't be disappointed with the room.

I agree with the others -- you won't want to spend 14 days at Disneyland. Probably a max of 6 days on your first visit. There are a lot of other things to do in the immediate area, including the beaches, Queen Mary, etc. You could go as far afield as Hollywood and downtown LA, though as a PP pointed out, it's more convenient to get a hotel in that area.

I would very much recommend, though, that you make time to go to San Diego. Lovely zoo, parks, beachfront, Sea World, etc. But you'll definitely want a hotel in San Diego -- it's too far to commute from Anaheim every day.

Enjoy your trip!

-Bob

 

[Disbabe]

We plan on spending 4/5 days at Disneyland, 1 day at Seaworld San Diego and 1 day Universal, perhaps a day at Knotts Berry Farm, perhaps a day at 6 flags and the rest of the time sightseeing around Hollywood and the beaches.

We looked at multi hotel stays, but to be honest it'll be a pain moving and we usually get up early anyway - after all we have travelled from Orlando to Tampa for a day at Busch Gardens and back, without a problem, so don't see a problem travelling down to Seaworld for a day. We don't plan on spending any other time in San Diego at this time.

As we're not governed by time we don't see much of an issue travelling into LA - I'm reading mixed reviews about travelling around LA. Any advice?

Its going to be a much more chilled holiday than going to WDW - and we've never stayed onsite there either.

 

[TashaJilek]

"As we're not governed by time we don't see much of an issue travelling into LA - I'm reading mixed reviews about travelling around LA. Any advice?"

Leave early and just leave yourself with lots of time and you should be fine. Print out a bunch of maps to have just in case or if you will be using a gps even better.

 

[DSNY4ever]

LA is not what you see on TV or what you think of when you think stereotypical "California." Those types of beautiful beaches and parks are found more in San Diego and Santa Barbara.

Just be aware that, yes, LA driving can be difficult and is full of traffic. The Hollywood area is sort of run down and sadly has lost it's glamour, but for many people it is still a Bucket list item that they must see before they die. I would suggest getting really good maps (or GPS in your car), and getting some really good guide books such as Fodors or Frommers (not sure if they sell those in the UK). The website Tripadvisor.com will be an invaluable tool as well.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We are on our way tomorrow to stay in one of those NQQ2 rooms -- they are our favorite! Love Hojos!

 

[HydroGuy]

Great hotel choice! Lots of folks around here are Hojo's fans. We stayed there once and it is a nice property and pretty close to DLR by foot.

I agree with others that 14 days at DLR will be too much. I would plan for 5-7 days at DLR if you are coming from the UK. Use your time as others have suggested. Lots to do in California!

 

[MAH4546]

First piece of advice: don't stay in Anaheim for two weeks.

Get a hotel in Los Angeles - downtown or Hollywood so you are on the subway line - for a few days. I suggest the Bonaventure (downtown) or Renaissance (Hollywood). There is a lot to do in LA for 4-5 days of sightseeing - Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios, Beverly Hills, Little Tokyo, a city tour, Mid-Wilshire museum district, Farmer's Market, dinner at a typical Korean BBQ place in Korea Town, WB studio tour, Malibu, Getty Villa, Getty Museum, just to name a few - but you sure as hell don't want to drive up from Anaheim everyday! That's an absolute nightmare!

 

[ORDisneyfans]

I highly reccomend seeing a professional baseball game! Dodgers or Angels are close! We scored dodgers tickets with the discount code Disney (ap holders) for 40% off. Great field level seats for about $40 each! Must have dodger dogs and garlic fries! I haven't been to an Angels game but others rave about them too! We are not even big sports fans! My girls 13 and 7 had a great time! Traffic did not seem bad to us and we live in a small town with one freeway! Plan ahead and don't drive during rush hour! Also the car pool lanes are great! After dark freeway was easy peasy! We love our GPS (we call her Dora!) Don't rent one you can buy one here for about $100. She has led us to many great adventures! Booked our rental car on hotwire got hertz full size for around $200 a week.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Angels are close.... Dodgers, not so much! You could always see a pro football game.... Oh Wait!!!

On another note..... 2 Weeks? WDW maybe... This is Disneyland!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I would say that 5 days is more than enough time to visit the parks without feeling rushed. I've stayed at HOJO's NQQQ2 room in Feb/09, and our family loved it. The only reason why I didn't book it for my solo trip in Oct, was that I didn't want to tie up a room that could have taken a family, and instead booked a PNK1 room instead. While I'm at the mouse will book our Feb/11 stay in DL with HOJO's at that time. Graylines has tours of LA, San DIego, and many other places, so it might be worth checking out.

 

[Disbabe]

I've changed my plan! I've booked 8 nights at HoJo Anaheim and then 6 nights in the Westwood region of LA - midway between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills at the Best Western Royal Palace Inn & Suites. So Here's my new plan:-

Sunday 31st July - Seaworld
Monday 1st August - Disneyland
Tuesday 2nd August - Disneyland
Wed’day 3rd August - Disneyland
Thursday 4th August - California Adventure
Friday 5th August - California Adventure
Saturday 6th August - Knotts Berry Farm
Sunday 7th August - Los Angeles City Tour & Movie Stars Homes (9.15am) & Santa Monica (changeover of hotel)
Monday 8th August - Six Flags Magic Mountain
Tuesday 9th August - Universal Studios
Wed’day 10th August - Starline Tours (9.30), Kodak Theatre Tour (11am), Red Line Tours (2pm)
Thursday 11th August - Paramount Studios Tour (10am) & Warner Bros. Studio Tours (2pm)
Friday 12th August - Madame Tussauds & Hollywood Museum - may possibly move one to 10th and the other to 11th if another day at Universal is required.

Does it look OK?

 

[keahgirl8]

That will be fun! I've done the Warner Bros. tour and it's really interesting.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I'd do everything else first then Disneyland! Save the best for last!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I'd do everything else first then Disneyland! Save the best for last!

Starting out in San Diego is good for logistics. However, I agree with Crazy Duck, after you do Disneyland you may be sorely disappointed in the studio tour and Knott's. You will spend the rest of your trip comparing DL to the other sites you visit.

 

[tkitty]

Wow! That's quite a busy trip! I don't think you've missed a thing. I tired just reading that!
I just stayed at HoJo NQQ2 2 weeks ago and loved it. The grandkids loved the Cove water play area, and the walk to DL was fine. (Even at 1am) We were on the end closest to the freeway, and there was too much noise with the balcony door open, but not a big deal. Didn't notice the noise otherwise.
Have a wonderful time.

 

[Funball]

Made the leap and booked a 14 night vacation staying at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in a NQQ2 room facing the Garden Pool.
Having been to WDW 7 times now - this is our very 1st time to California!

Has anyone stayed at this hotel, in this particular type of room? What is it like? We almost plumped for the Staybridge Suites. I'm praying I made the right choice, although Trip Advisor has it higher in the popularity index.


As you can see - I'm from the UK and know nothing about this part of the USA. Can anyone point me to any websites I can look through for info.

Thanks

Hojo is GREAT! I loved it!

Sounds like you need maps to the parks! And I just happen to be the map fairy! Please contact me. Or go to the link below in my signature line, and you can click on it and it will take you to my map thread, it has photos of the maps I have right now!

Anyhow back to the hojo- it’s a great hotel, given though I could not get my own DBF to stay there, but whatever, it’s still a great hotel!