DL hotel or Howard Johnsons???

[jescal75]

oops posted in wrong area

 

[JandD75]

Unless I win the lottery, I'll never stay on-site. (Not that I wouldn't love to! DH and I have dreamt about and discussed staying in the Hotel Disneyland. Problem is, everytime I start to plan a vacation, reality sets in when I price the hotel.) I work way too hard for my money, and would FAR rather take another vacation next year with that extra $1000 to $1500. So, we stay in the cheapest hotel we can find, put up with the drawbacks, and realize that this is what we must do in order to be able to go to DL and DCA and spend as much time as we like there. But, as the others have said, it's up to you.

 

[lizzard1035]

Thank you all for your responses!! If Im going Sept 27 thru Oct 3, is it even busy enough to worry about that extra hour every am?

 

[GatorChris]

We're in the same debate, though I think it's settled. We're staying in November at HoJo in a tower parkview room, and with taxes, we're paying $170/night for 7 nights (that's with AP discount). Not super cheap, but my kids love water parks. If we chose Paradise Pier, got a 20% discount with our AP, and were l lucky enough to get a $280 rate, we're still looking at over $80 more a night. $560 more without counting parking fees to stay at the least of Disney. At DLH, it's $180 more a night (again, if I'm lucky), around $1300 more. That's a lot of official merch I can buy with just half of that.

I stayed in PP last year, and I can't say it made me feel in the Disney Bubble like you do when you stay at a WDW resort. Maybe GC and DLH are different, and I'll find out at Dapper Days next year. But for now, I will not spend an extra $600 or $1300 or more for a hotel that I consider a place to sleep, shower, and swim. I think HoJo wins this time for me and you, too.

 

[Pheran]

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.

I find it interesting that everyone is treating the HoJo as a downgrade. Admittedly I spent more than what I would have on a standard HoJo room, but I'm expecting our kid's suite to trounce whatever I could have gotten at DLR for any price that wasn't astronomical. I love that my wife and I can have a separate room. This is the same reason I always stay at the Doubletree Guest Suites for WDW. Plus, the water park is a nice bonus for our daughter.

 

[5forMickey]

I find it interesting that everyone is treating the HoJo as a downgrade. Admittedly I spent more than what I would have on a standard HoJo room, but I'm expecting our kid's suite to trounce whatever I could have gotten at DLR for any price that wasn't astronomical. I love that my wife and I can have a separate room. This is the same reason I always stay at the Doubletree Guest Suites for WDW. Plus, the water park is a nice bonus for our daughter.

So if I understand you correctly, you are saying that if you paid $250.00 for a kids suite at HoJo's and a standard room for the same time at DLH is $250.00 you "expect HoJo's to trounce the DLH room"?

Again I'm sure it is a matter of taste but I'm just gonna say


I'm kind of glad you feel like that, it would make it easier for me to book my room if less people wanted to stay at the DLH......as it is now there are so many dang people booking/wanting to stay at DLH that it's difficult to get a reservation on short notice. I hope more people take your advice .....

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I find it interesting that everyone is treating the HoJo as a downgrade. Admittedly I spent more than what I would have on a standard HoJo room, but I'm expecting our kid's suite to trounce whatever I could have gotten at DLR for any price that wasn't astronomical. I love that my wife and I can have a separate room. This is the same reason I always stay at the Doubletree Guest Suites for WDW. Plus, the water park is a nice bonus for our daughter.

I like the Hojo a lot, but for us, it definitely was a down grade from onsite. The kids' suite is nice, but nothing hugely special and my kids found the bunks uncomfortable (and although I've been told it has been fixed, very loud/squeak).

 

[stardusty21]

My 18 year old daughter chooses HoJo over onsite when given a choice, and she is not thinking of the money. Makes the decision easy for me, as I AM thinking of the money!

 

[Pheran]

So if I understand you correctly, you are saying that if you paid $250.00 for a kids suite at HoJo's and a standard room for the same time at DLH is $250.00 you "expect HoJo's to trounce the DLH room"?

Again I'm sure it is a matter of taste but I'm just gonna say

I'm paying $200 (+tax) for the kids suite. From what I've seen you can't even get the lowest-end room at DLH for that. And you'll pay triple that for a suite. So yes, when I compare the suite room to a non-suite, I find the suite to be far better, especially when it costs less.

 

[DizMe]

I'm paying $200 (+tax) for the kids suite. From what I've seen you can't even get the lowest-end room at DLH for that. And you'll pay triple that for a suite. So yes, when I compare the suite room to a non-suite, I find the suite to be far better, especially when it costs less.

You are right about the costs, and the fact that a suite at DLH is going to cost you quite a lot more than Hojo's kids suite.

However, the size of the room is only one consideration. Many people choose DLH (or other DLR hotel) for reasons that go far beyond the square footage of the room. Hojo is a fine place and I've stayed there many times, but it isn't in the same league as DLH or GCH. That isn't important to some, it isn't as important as the cost savings for others, and it's a deal breaker for yet another type of guest. That's why the "is it worth it?" question is impossible to answer for someone else.

ETA: when I say I've stayed at Hojo many times, that might be an exaggeration. I've stayed there 6 times.

 

[5forMickey]

it isn't in the same league as DLH or GCH. That isn't important to some, it isn't as important as the cost savings for others, and it's a deal breaker for yet another type of guest. That's why the "is it worth it?" question is impossible to answer for someone else..

Very well said. I for one, wouldn't stay at Hojo's over DLH if Hojo's were free. It would ruin my vacation. i would rather pay twice as much and receive what "I"" value as twice as much!!!!

If everyone just stays where they are most comfortable then we all will be happy!!!!

 

[Pheran]

However, the size of the room is only one consideration. Many people choose DLH (or other DLR hotel) for reasons that go far beyond the square footage of the room. Hojo is a fine place and I've stayed there many times, but it isn't in the same league as DLH or GCH. That isn't important to some, it isn't as important as the cost savings for others, and it's a deal breaker for yet another type of guest. That's why the "is it worth it?" question is impossible to answer for someone else.

Oh, I totally agree. Everyone has different priorities, and your idea of value is going to be different than mine, so there's no right answer here. For me the HoJo made a lot more sense.

I have to admit that I am curious about what features of DLH attract people, beyond the obvious benefit of the EMH every morning?

 

[rentayenta]

Oh, I totally agree. Everyone has different priorities, and your idea of value is going to be different than mine, so there's no right answer here. For me the HoJo made a lot more sense. I have to admit that I am curious about what features of DLH attract people, beyond the obvious benefit of the EMH every morning?

We love the DLH. Nothing beats Disney service. I have found their rooms to be very clean and well maintained. The decor is so fun. The pixie dust light up headboard with music is great- pure magic. Sure, you can visit the hotel without staying in it but you don't have access to the pools. I think it's about our mindset. Our accommodations are part of our vacation. I like room service and a full service pool. I love being in the Disney bubble. Trader Sam's is a hoot. I don't want to schlep myself across Harbor after a few drinks. I like that when the kids want a break, they can hop the Monorail and be back to the room in no time.

Our first choice is always the GCV but when we can't get those, we choose the DLH.

There's no right or wrong and I'm glad there are enough options to fit everyone's needs. For us, the hotel is much more than a place to shower and sleep.

We rarely take advantage of EMH. While its a wonderful option, it's not what draws us.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We love the DLH. Nothing beats Disney service. I have found their rooms to be very clean and well maintained. The decor is so fun. The pixie dust light up headboard with music is great- pure magic. Sure, you can visit the hotel without staying in it but you don't have access to the pools. I think it's about our mindset. Our accommodations are part of our vacation. I like room service and a full service pool. I love being in the Disney bubble. Trader Sam's is a hoot. I don't want to schlep myself across Harbor after a few drinks. I like that when the kids want a break, they can hop the Monorail and be back to the room in no time. Our first choice is always the GCV but when we can't get those, we choose the DLH. There's no right or wrong and I'm glad there are enough options to fit everyone's needs. For us, the hotel is much more than a place to shower and sleep. We rarely take advantage of EMH. While its a wonderful option, it's not what draws us.

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.

 

[mummabear]

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"

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

 

[mummabear]

We did a split stay with Hojo at DLH on our last trip (sept). 6 nights at each.
It was our first time onsite at DLR (we stay onsite at WDW)

We enjoy Hojo, for the price I am really happy with the waterplay area, the size of the rooms, the room facilities (bath, fridge, microwave). It is a good distance from the parks, there are some closer but easy walking distance.

DLH has gorgeous rooms, I do love the pool area BUT it depends on the age of the kids, mine are 6 months, turned 3 during the trip and 4 (will be 5 in a week)-the waterplay area at Hojos was more suitable for them, as there are several rules around not co sliding or catching them at the bottom of the pool there was not alot for our middle one to do at DLH.
I did not enjoy the walk through DTD at the end of the night-it was packed and the monorail was always closed due to heat.
The rooms are also large with a bath and fridge. The little touches are cute but it is not as "Disney" as I expected compared to AOA at WDW.
We used the dapper day rate and I was happy with the value for that amount-I would not however spend $400 a night to stay here, I did not find the perks/differences were worth it.
At WDW you are so much closer to the parks compared to being off site, there is the evening EMH (with our time difference we never make AM ones), it saves you on parking, it gives you the magic express and first bookings for FP+, I feel the overall value is worth the extra $(which is also not as big of a difference as at DLR) where as at DLR I really enjoed it, I think it is lovely but giving me x amount of money to spend I would save the money on onsite and splurge elsewhere.

 

[goooof1]

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

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!

 

[She Taz]

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.

 

[GatorChris]

The little touches are cute but it is not as "Disney" as I expected compared to AOA at WDW.
We used the dapper day rate and I was happy with the value for that amount-I would not however spend $400 a night to stay here, I did not find the perks/differences were worth it.
At WDW you are so much closer to the parks compared to being off site, there is the evening EMH (with our time difference we never make AM ones), it saves you on parking, it gives you the magic express and first bookings for FP+, I feel the overall value is worth the extra $

I like this point as it goes along with some of my thinking. In order to get that Disney Bubble feeling, you have to stay at least at the DLH. $400/night (with tax) for 7 nights (what I consider a good Disney trip) is $2800. Add parking and you're over $2900. At WDW, I can stay at a moderate very-Disney resort for about $200/night (with tax, offseason). If they throw in Free Dining or a room discount, I can take the savings and fly to the whole family to FL. If I have a budget to accomodate either one of these options, I'm heading to Orlando everytime. I go to DLR because I can drive there, stay at nice Harbor Blvd hotel, and save $1K-2K per trip. It's about the money when we go to DLR. That's why we're staying at HoJo next month.

 

[creampuff]

We've stayed at hojos, dlh, GCH, marriot and Residence inn maingate and CCI
We tend to stay at GCH the most.

It's just a matter of how much you can afford to budget yourself for the trip. We have been fortunate in the past to get 30% discounts at GCH. It was worth it for us because it was still within our budget. If it had pushed beyond what we could afford or budgeted ourselves for then nope it wouldn't have been worth it.

We keep tempered expectations. We aren't going to a 5 star hotel. We stayed at the 4 seasons once before. We didn't expect a 4 seasons experience. But you do stay within the Disney bubble and that made it worth it to us.

I've seen people who could afford to pay more and have deep wallets spend a ton of money on their Disney stay and then try to save $10 on water by going all the way to ABC market on harbor. That makes no sense to me. They probably should splurge and stay on the DLR.

But some others work and save all year and staying at the DH may push their budget beyond really what they should be spending. The nreally staying at the DH probably isn't worth it.