DL hotel or Howard Johnsons???

[lizzard1035]

Im trying to decide if paying an extra $1500 is worth it to stay at DL hotel? What is the extra perk? One hour early entry every day for 5 days? Is that really worth $1500? What would you guys do?

 

[darph nader]

It's your $$. Being frugal,(cheap), I'd go with HoJos. But that's just me.

 

[Butterfly123]

We don't have an extra $1,500 laying around, so we always stay off site. That said, if money wasn't an issue I'd love to stay at DLH! But to us that money would be over half of another trip. And we don't spend a lot of time in the room, so it's off site for us.

 

[She Taz]

We've stayed at both the Hojo and Paradise Pier. While the Paradise Pier was nice we prefer the Hojo. Not only is it cheaper my daughter loves the waterpark.

 

[rentayenta]

Have you checked the difference between the Paradise Pier and HoJo? $300 a night is a lot but I think the HoJo is totally overrated. I know I'm in the minority as its got a lot fans. Nothing beats staying on property in my opioin but $1,500 is a heavy chunk of change. What about a split stay with the Hono being first? Or again, check out the rate for the Paradise Pier. We spend a fair amount of time at the resort and consider part of the vacation.

 

[SFMommy]

I don't think we will ever spend the money to stay at the DLH or the GC. We have stayed at Hojo's, Fairfield Inn and Paradise Pier Hotel.

If it is a quiet time of year or you don't care about the extra hour each day, then stay at Hojo's. We are going to stay at the PPH for Thanksgiving because we think those extra hours will really be worth it that time of year.

Our DD8 loved the water park at Hojo's, so maybe if we were going to be there when it's really hot, we would stay at Hojo's. FFI was a closer walk than Hojo's but just a basic pool.

Have fun either way!

 

[5forMickey]

If you go into it asking if paying $$$ is worth it or not or if it is a budget buster for you then you will probably be disappointed. The Hotels are expensive and if getting past that is a problem then the stay will not measure up to your expectations. We think it is worth it and I won't stay anywhere else, but the price of the room doesn't take away from me doing the other things I enjoy on our vacation. I'm not trading paying more for lodging and not getting to dine where I want. If you are going to be giving up other activities staying at the DLH then you might want to look at Howard's. If you are just wondering if the Hotel is worth it in comparison to what is around there then yes you will most likely enjoy it.

The two hotels/motels are not comparing apples to apples. Those of us that stay onsite and enjoy it do so because we are looking for more than just a place to sleep and shower. The rooms are very nice, the grounds are beautiful and the walk to the parks is enjoyable but it isn't one thing alone, it's the total of what we call the "disney bubble".

People get real touchy about the "is it worth it question" and there seem to be strong feelings on each side. I would ask, what type of lodging do you generally choose when vacationing? Do you typically stay at 2, 3, 4 or 5 star places? While I think Howard Johnsons is one of the nicer motels on Harbor, I also think that depending on where you typically stay, there are some people that wouldn't be happy with any of the motels on Harbor that are close to the park. Do you like to stay in upscale places but don't want to pay DLH prices? If so, there are some nice Hyatt's, Hilton's and Marriott's a bit further away. It all depends on what is most important to your trip. What are you looking for in a Hotel?

Good Luck

 

[Zbugz]

I've stayed at both. HoJo is my go-to IF I can get a decent price (under $110 per night). The HoJo has a super comfy beds, a nice pool area, free parking and a slightly shorter walk.

I was blessed once to get the DLH for under $200 per night. I loved it for the price. The DLH pool area is wonderful, the early morning hour is a great perk, and the rooms are very nice, but I would not enjoy it so much for $350 - 400 per night, because I am in the parks every day, and wouldn't be spending more than a couple of hours there in the afternoon.

If you stay at the HoJo, you have $1500 to spend on character meals, souvenirs or even towards your next trip.

 

[MinnieMom13]

My strategy has always been to stay in the nicest room within my budget (no more than $300/nt.). If the DL Hotel is within your budget then go for it! It has nice rooms (the separate toilet room is handy when jostling for bathroom space), lovely grounds, and great restaurant choices. My middle schoolers even enjoy the light-up musical headboard which I thought they would have outgrown by now. I appreciate the customer service. They'll pick up laundry from your room and deliver it back that evening (no need to go down to bell services or hang out in the laundry room), give you a number for a quick delivery service if you've forgotten an item not stocked in the gift shop, and quickly send security up to turn off the annoying alarm in the unoccupied room next to you. The EE / MM every day is great for park commandos like me. I love the walk to and from the park through DD. We use the package delivery every day as well so we don't have to carry our purchases.

That said, if it's out of your budget or will make you feel stress then by all means stay offsite. You can take the money you'd put toward the DL Hotel and get a suite at an offsite property or just have more money for other things you may value such as souvenirs, table service meals, or a tour. Like others have stated, most of the hotels on Harbor between HoJos and Katella are as close or closer than the DL Hotel, with some 4 star hotels just past Katella.

Sometimes the answer may be different for different trips. My kids will get up in time for a 8:00 EE/MM, but not by 7:00 making the early entry perk worthless on our next trip.

You'll get so many different responses to this question. It will come down to what you value most. Have a great vacation!

 

[DizMe]

When are you going? There's no need to spend that much more over Hojo if you have some flexibility with your planning. For instance, you could have gotten a standard room at DLH during this fall season (Annual Passholder Fall Package) for $266. You may still be able to get that; I haven't checked. It does require an annual pass, but you can upgrade one of your tickets to an ap when you're there and make it worthwhile, plus you'd get the dining and merchandise discounts. You can also go during the Dapper Day dates, when resort hotels are 50% off, no ap required (next one is March 1).

I have to agree with 5forMickey and MinnieMom. I almost always stay on site. Sometimes that means paying a lot more than if I stayed off site, but usually I take advantage of specials and the difference doesn't amount to that much. I used to stay at Hojo's sometimes when they had the $59 rooms, but if I were to stay off site now, I wouldn't choose Hojo as the price isn't low enough now to entice me to walk down there. My kids are now beyond the waterpark age, which could be an incentive for Hojo.

 

[lizzard1035]

Im looking at going Sept 27 thru Oct 3 of 2015, at wdw we usually stay value so I don't find myself being too picky on my resort! Im just wondering if the extra 1 hour in the morning is worth $1800?? It sounds silly to me, but will it be hard to ride the headliners without that extra hour? We are also going to spend a week in San Diego after DL so I will also take that into account!

 

[lizzard1035]

How much is an Ap? If Im already getting a 5 day PH ticket?

 

[5forMickey]

How much is an Ap? If Im already getting a 5 day PH ticket?

I'm not sure on all the different ones as I have never purchased one (but the others will know). However, when I made our ressies for Christmas this year the agent told me if I purchased the one that had no black out days (needed for our stay) which I think was $700.00 I would in turn receive 10% off our Hotel bill so by the time we took the 10% discount the AP was free Now it seems like during different times of the year they have even better rates as DizMe indicated.

I've never been to WDW so I still can't give you a good comparison on the Hotels but I'm confused about the $1800 difference -- does that mean $250.00 more a night? We love the early admissions which really do make a difference in our trips especially during busy times. We are there before they open the gates and then usually leave around 11:00 or 12:00 and don't return until evening but my family are all early risers which is another big reason that the "resort type" is more of what we look for. I suspect this trip that some of the kidos will stay at the parks without us sometimes which will make staying on site even more beneficial.

 

[DizMe]

How much is an Ap? If Im already getting a 5 day PH ticket?

A Deluxe Annual Pass is $519. You would pay the difference between that and the dollar amount on your 5-day hopper, which would be something like $180-200. You get 10% off dining and merchandise (note: I've often been given the premium discount).

A Premium Annual Pass is $699, which you wouldn't need unless you're going during a time that has block-out dates for the Deluxe. It does come with parking, 15% dining and 20% merchandise discount, so there are added perks along with not having block-out days, but only if you drive and/or make frequent trips.

If you've not yet purchased your PH, there are other ways to save on an AP sometimes. Also, if you live in CA you can buy it on the payment plan, which requires a down payment equal to a one-day, one-park ticket and divides the remainder into 12 monthly payments with no interest. ETA: you cannot upgrade a hopper to an annual pass on the payment plan; you must pay the difference in full.

 

[llump41]

If your hotel is only going to be a place to sleep go Hojo. If you want that truly DLR experience look into the PPH.

Purchasing 1 delux AP may be a good idea. For that extra $200 you do get those discounts.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

ETA: you cannot upgrade a hopper to an annual pass on the payment plan; you must pay the difference in full.

Unless something has changed since I did this in May, you can upgrade a hopper to an AP on the payment plan. That's exactly what I did. The value of my 5-day hopper was credited toward the Premium AP, and I have a small monthly payment for the difference.

 

[Butterfly123]

We usually go for four days, and have one Magic Morning to use at Disneyland. So we do that, and the rest of the time we start at the park that doesn't have early entry. We make sure to get in line early, and we have had zero trouble getting the headliners done, even during busy seasons.

What are the hours going to be during your visit? I know lots of people plan to use early entry every day, but it can be hard to get the family up and going early, especially if you had a late evening the night previous. I don't think I could get everyone in my family up early every day of our trip...I'd have a mutiny on my hands! Getting up at 6:00 to get to the gates before 7:00 every day after getting to bed after 11:00 is a little exhausting!

 

[DizMe]

Unless something has changed since I did this in May, you can upgrade a hopper to an AP on the payment plan. That's exactly what I did. The value of my 5-day hopper was credited toward the Premium AP, and I have a small monthly payment for the difference.

Maybe you got a CM that didn't know, or it was changed after you were there. The updated information below came out after your trip, so it very well may have changed since then. When I asked about it last month, I was told you could not do it, which I expected since I'd looked it up before I went.

From Disneyland's page:

Annual Passes – Frequently Asked Questions
Q.
What are the terms and conditions for an Annual Passport?
A.
Disneyland® Resort Annual Passport Terms and Conditions
Updated 7/2/2014



UPGRADES: A Guest wishing to upgrade to a Passport from another form of eligible Theme Park admission media must upgrade on the same day in which the original form of Theme Park admission media is valid. A Guest who chooses to upgrade to a Passport from another form of eligible Theme Park admission media must choose a Passport of equal or greater value than the original Theme Park admission media retail price, and the difference in prices shall be due on the day of the upgrade. If an upgrade to a Passport is made from a multi-day ticket, the Passport will be backdated to begin on the first day that such ticket was used; if an upgrade to a Passport is made from a lower level Passport, the new Passport will have the same expiration date as the original Passport. Each guest wishing to upgrade his/her ticket media to a Passport must be present at the time of the upgrade transaction. Fully used ticket media, complimentary ticket media (except for certain promotional tickets) and ticket media stating its ineligibility for an upgrade may not be upgraded to a Passport. Upgrades are subject to Passport availability. Downgrades are not allowed.

 

[Midnightred]

I agree with Butterfly123, my family could not get up that early everyday, they would kill me! I would totally get up that early though. To answer your question, no I would stay at the Hojo and save the extra $1,000 plus for table service meals, tours, and maybe the Fantasmic Desert package. I admit I have never stayed onsite, although I am seriously considering it. The only thing that would make me spend over $1,000 more would mean proximity to the parks, and that would mean staying at the Grand Californian. DLH is farther than some of the off-site hotels. I would stay at the DLH if I had a great deal though. It's hard to beat the Kid's Suite set up with the two bathrooms, and my two boys having their own quiet room to sleep in, and their own TV and couch.

Midnightred

 

[Kilale]

From what I can tell on this board having asked the same question myself, those who normally stay on site will recommend it, and those who normally don't stay on site will tell you not to

It really is that simple.. you have to do what is in YOUR budget. If you are there for a few days, the hotel is pretty feasible and you get that extra hour both days.. If you are there for a week then all of a sudden the cost really starts to add up.

But if you are stressing already about the extra money it will cost you then I would probably say you are better off staying off site and saving the cash. Screw the stress, use that money to fund the rest of your trip.

For us, being our honeymoon was a factor, but also the extra hour in the mornings was the decision maker. Our day typically starts when the gym opens at 5:00 AM, so 6 or 7 AM to get up for EE is actually sleeping in