Disney's Paradise Pier vs. Howard Johnson?

[brettb]

We enjoyed Paradise Pier quite a bit when we visited DL last summer and we're considering another California trip this year but things are a little tighter so I proposed the HoJo to my wife. Living in NJ, we've been to WDW far more often than DL and she's really a "Deluxe" hotel kinda gal. In fact, the Contemporary didn't meet her standards (dirty corridor and room, tacky design, hopefully the remodel well help). The Polynesian and the Grand Floridian are more her speed.

Anyway, how does the HoJo compare to the PP? The most important factor is probably cleanliness and the condition of the room, linens, and so forth. How do the mattresses compare? How about noise? I see that the back of the HoJo is next to the 5. (We did here a quite a few sirens in the night last year in our theme-park-view room at the Paradise Pier, though. We assumed there was a fire house or police station nearby.) Decor isn't too big of a deal so long as it's not bizarre.

Convenience is another important factor. I tried to estimate the walking distance from each hotel to the center of the esplanade using http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/. I think I did reasonably well for the HoJo, though I've never walked that and didn't know quite how to get from South Harbor into the esplanade. ( http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=182835 ) I don't think I did as well at all for the Paradise Pier. Last summer, we'd cut through the Grand Californian but I don't remember it very well and can't identify the areas of the building well enough from the satellite view to chart a good course, I think. ( http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=182846 ) I got about 0.56 miles for the HoJo and 0.48 for the Paradise Pier. If there are any DL experts that have better routes, I'd be much obliged.

The price difference is about $100/night (for a premium park view room at the hojo vs. a standard view at the PP) so it's a pretty significant difference. One thing I know we would miss is the "unlimited" fastpasses with a AAA package at the Paradise Pier. (Which might even tempt me to do 2 nights with 5-day passes at the PP and 4 nights at the HoJo. But that's $200 for the privilege....)

Thanks!
Brett

 

[SamIAm21]

Well brett, I'll be staying at the HoJo early next month and I can get back to you then, but honestly, after reading the reviews and looking at pictures, I would compare the HoJo to a Moderate at WDW. Given the separate buildings and lay out, it would probably be a close comparable to Port Orleans French Quarter.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I stayed at Howard Johnson in July of 2004, and Paradise Pier in July of 2005. Both are really clean. The mattresses seemed the same to me. The walking distance from HJO to the park isn't bad at all, and you can always ride the shuttle there. This may be just me, but after staying at a resort hotel I NEVER plan on staying off site again. It's totally worth it to stay on site. You probably know that resort hotel guests get their purchases in the park delivered to the hotel. That's a big plus! Whatever you decide to do, have a good time!

 

[EnnEss]

Stayed at the HoJo years ago, was decent. After staying at the PP though wouldn't go back now. Nothing wrong with the HoJO, just my preference. Going to give you a BIG HEADS UP THOUGH!!!

My parents were at HojO 4 weeks ago, it was undergoing major renovations, they had no plates or cups or anything, everything was disposable throughout the hotel. Styrofoam cups etc. They said the hotel was really really dusty as part of it was being torn apart, they still had fun and were only mildly disapointed, not upset at all. They were not notified of this ahead of time. I'd look into how long these renos are scheduled to take, for all I know though, they're already done!

 

[shoes99]

I'm from the East Coast and frequent WDW all the time. Last year we stayed at the DL Crown Plaza and liked it better than HoJo. We have also stayed at Residence Inn, Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier. I would pick PP over HoJo.
Some people say it is not a long walk, but to my 60 yo husband it was. We had a rental car and decided to drive. We had an AP so parking was free. We bought a DL AP right before the prices went up because we knew we would have two trips, the Chip & Dale pin event and the DL 50th Anniversary celebration with the NFFC club.
Again, I would pick on-site.
Michele

 

[MATTERHORN]

We have stayed at both and liked both for different reasons, but HOJO is a long hike with kids at the end of the day! I know they are similar as I have seen them mapped out before, but I guess it just seems shorter to walk through the Grand for some reason. Probably because I love it there! We were in the type of room you are considering at HOJO, and we didn't hear any freeway noise unless out on our balcony. The rooms were large and clean, but when I can afford it, I choose onsite every time! Have a great trip!


Andrea

Noted that you are going in the summer, both pools are really good!

 

[Amy&Dan]

The Howard Johnson's is a nice, older motel with some nice grounds, the only motel on Harbor that I know of that has grounds to speak of. However, it is nothing like Port Orleans or any other WDW moderate in feel or theming. It is located on the intersection of a busy street and highway. All of the motels on Harbor may have the pricing of a WDW moderate or value but there is no comparison because they are all older motels located within a large city. It does have a great location and is a nice property worth considering however. It has two pools, one with a kiddie spray jet area and another quiet pool. They are both just basic, square pools with no slide. They did have plenty of towels at the main pool when we were there. And a hottub which has a perfect view of the fireworks. You have to be careful, if you get a room located near (or rather practically on) the highway it can be very noisy so make sure you request a non freeway side room. Our bathroom was kind of old and the shower needed to be cleaned better. The rest of the room was super clean. It seemed like a further walk than the DLH and PP, I know its about the same but it just seems further. And you are walking up a busy, noisy street, past busstops, other motels and restaurants which seems less than magical. The rooms are spacious. Many of the rooms have round skylight type windows so if you don't like natural light to come into your room in the morning that could be a problem. The HoJo has a great staff and a nice little convenience store and arcade. Some of the buildings are two story and don't have elevators. You know your wife best but if she found the Contemporary to be less than stellar, I am not sure how she will like the HoJo! Personally for an offsite stay, we enjoyed the Tropicana more. It was basic but very clean. The rooms had been recently redone so it felt more updated. It was much closer than the HoJo, literally right at the crosswalk on Harbor. It didn't have the grounds the HoJo has but it had some nice landscaping touches. It had a free (but very minimal) breakfast. To me the biggest reason to stay offsite is to save money and be very close to the main gate. The Tropicana fit that bill for my family more than the HoJo so in the future if we stay offsite we'll head there or the Candy Cane (which I have yet to try). In fact, you may want to check out the Candy Cane, it consistently gets the highest reviews of an offsite motel and has a free breakfast and its own shuttle. Good luck!

 

[my3kids]

I didn't stay there, but did stop by the HJ and went into the check in area. I had considered either the HJ after seeing how much people liked it and I was so glad we went with the DLH. The check in area was just very motel like. I couldn't wait to get out of there and get to DL.

 

[hlbtimes2]

If she is really that picky about the hotel, I would go with the PP. The hojo's is fine if you are saving money, and arent in your room much- but if she is picky, I wouldnt chance it.

We stayed at PP last fall. It was a very nice hotel. Not the nicest we've stayed at, but the nicest in the Disney area (well, expect dh's trip for work this week, he's at the GC). But, we dont spend much time in our room. We are there to sleep and shower. Its not worth the cost for us to stay on site. We really like the candy cane. Its nicely decorated, great staff, wonderful shuttle- but, bottom line, its a motel. The doors all open in to the parking lot, not into a hallway. Its older, built not long after Disneyland.