DL hotel or Howard Johnsons???

[creampuff]

Just realized I didn't answer your original question. I remember walking back to hojo the evening of Leap day two years ago. College kids were smoking pot in their car. Others were drunk on harbor. So much for the Disney experience for my 5 and 7 year old

That wasn't the usual experience. Most of the time the walk is peaceful and really the kids are so beat they don't care if we are walking through DTD or Harbor.

I do remember one time 3 weeks before Christmas we were walking through the garden area and koi pond outside of DH. The morning before the gardener had let our daughter feed the koi so she wanted to see the koi again. There was something just peaceful and magical about that night esp with the Christmas music in background.

 

[bumbershoot]

We would much rather walk through DTD because it still feels like part of the DLR -- resort area. Walking out to Harbor Blvd. is going back to reality....loud traffic, traffic signals and cars everywhere, masses of people at the crosswalk and on the sidewalks. Boom! it's not DL anymore!

Walk on the park side of Harbor! Only cross over at Manchester. Avoid the crowds and driveways.




Koi...no more koi at Dlh.

 

[rentayenta]

I think this is said perfectly! I know it's not for everybody, but there is a feeling & magic that is just indescribable. We do use EMH every morning, but take afternoon breaks, so use our room/hotel as more than a place to sleep & shower. Our preference is the GCH, but they are all great.

Thank you. We use our hotel a lot too. We try to tack on a full resort day if time permits.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I am going to politely disagree on this point, I find the walk to the parks much easier from the Hojo than dealing with the mass crowds through DTD

I think this is another personal preference thing. I know many people, even those who like to stay onsite, who say they don't enjoy the walk through DTD. I am one who happens to like it. In the mornings it's near empty and there is something peaceful about it. And in the evenings, I don't mind walking at a slower place because there is stuff to look at & see. I like taking in the atmosphere - especially during the Holiday Time!

 

[mummabear]

Walk on the park side of Harbor! Only cross over at Manchester. Avoid the crowds and driveways.

This is the way we go, it is a really easy walk. Although yes you go past the bus stop and there is traffic...I just personally find this more relxing than the bumper to bumper crowds through DTD

 

[sweethannah]

In the end it is totally a personnel decision. It all boils down to how able and willing you are to pay for the 24/7 Disney experience. If I can get a good sale on a DLR hotel then I book there. If I can't then I book offsite, which is normally the Hojo. There is no right or wrong answer as every person and every trip is different. It's all about making the most magical trip for you and your family.

well said!

 

[DizMe]

Walk on the park side of Harbor! Only cross over at Manchester. Avoid the crowds and driveways.




Koi...no more koi at Dlh.

I will never do that again, at least at night. My daughter and I were taking that route on the way back from the parks one night and a guy jumped out of the bushes right next to us. He was a homeless person and didn't mean any harm, but we didn't know that and had no clue he was there. It scared me having someone suddenly jump right in front of me out of nowhere, and I don't like the idea that people could be hanging out right beside the path without you knowing. That guy turned out to be harmless, but those walking alone at night have to be more cautious than to put themselves in such a position. Lesson learned!

Put me in the camp that would prefer (many times over) to walk through DTD than to venture onto Harbor.

 

[Ratherbeatdisneyland]

I would absolutely stay at dlh given the chance. I still remember the one time we stayed there as a family years ago...but for us and our situation we can't justify the cost. 460/night for the very basic room at dlh and 134 at hojo. Every extra Dollar we spend on a hotel is a dollar less we get to spend in the parks...so I just can't justify it. We are doing 2 nights at hojo to play in the water and then moving over to the desert in and sweets for the rest of the days. Maybe someday down the road we can look at dlh...but I think there are many many families in similar situations as we are and just can't justify the cost.

 

[Phoenixrising]

I stayed at HOJO's on my solo trip in 2010 and never again. Simply for the walk back to the hotel at night. While on prev trips to DL with a family I had no problems, walking alone back to HOJO's I never felt safe. Hence booking BWPPI for my solo trip to DL in Nov/13 and I had a great stay there.

 

[Ratherbeatdisneyland]

I can totally see that. We stayed at the super 8 way down and around the corner and it was scary walking all that way. We will be driving and parking at the park so I'm not worried about it for us. But I don't know if I would do it if I was walking.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I will never do that again, at least at night. My daughter and I were taking that route on the way back from the parks one night and a guy jumped out of the bushes right next to us. He was a homeless person and didn't mean any harm, but we didn't know that and had no clue he was there. It scared me having someone suddenly jump right in front of me out of nowhere, and I don't like the idea that people could be hanging out right beside the path without you knowing. That guy turned out to be harmless, but those walking alone at night have to be more cautious than to put themselves in such a position. Lesson learned! Put me in the camp that would prefer (many times over) to walk through DTD than to venture onto Harbor.

Not quite as scary, but I happen to agree that it isn't the safest or most comfortable walk on that side. Two years ago we were walking back to the Hojo on that side and bike rider came flying by us going the opposite direction. The handle bar of his bike slammed into my mom's arm and not only cut it, but bruised it pretty bad. Now, I get that could happen anywhere, or even on the other side, but it was just such an unfortunate experience. And I was uncomfortable walking back that way with my mom and the kids at night - I would never do it on my own only because it's so dark and those bushes!

 

[rms123]

Walk on the park side of Harbor! Only cross over at Manchester. Avoid the crowds and driveways. Koi...no more koi at Dlh.

I walked back on that side once and never again. I did not feel safe - way too dark and no one else around.