DLH vs Hojos

[lattemomof3]

I've read many threads about the Dis love for Hojos. If a kid's suite was avail. for the dates we're going (Nov. 28-Dec. 2nd) we'd probably consider it (not one available). W/ out the very cool kid's suite, would you rather stay @ Hojos or DLH. Do you lose any "magic" by staying offsite? How would you compare the pools? We won't make it back to DLR for several years, so trying to decide if the extra cost is worth it for DLH.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I've read many threads about the Dis love for Hojos. If a kid's suite was avail. for the dates we're going (Nov. 28-Dec. 2nd) we'd probably consider it (not one available). W/ out the very cool kid's suite, would you rather stay @ Hojos or DLH. Do you lose any "magic" by staying offsite? How would you compare the pools? We won't make it back to DLR for several years, so trying to decide if the extra cost is worth it for DLH.

lattemom..if you had asked that question several years ago I would say DLH...but in recent years they have done away with so much of the "magic" that I personally would rather stay at Hojo...last Oct. I paid out the wazoo to stay at DLH (and that was on an AP rate) and I decided after that trip that unless DLH either brought back some old or added some new features to the hotel than this would be the last time I stayed there...the magic that I used to remember was music being piped in throughout the property 24/7...jazz band playing down by the pool area...people having stuff to do around the property that didnt just take them from one bldg to another...now none of that is there anymore...they used to have a water show ( I swear I will say this till the end of time...Bellagio STOLE that idea from DLH)and it was over in the back of the property, to the right of the waterfalls and Koi pond and that whole area is nothing and is just going to waste...I am really disappointed in the way the hotel is going now and to boot Im so short its hard to get up on the bedsI have to have someone push me up there...seriously!! Hojo is much more personable and comfortable and I can get up on the bed by myself

 

[bumbershoot]

HoJo has the same style bed as Starwood's Heavenly Beds (at least in MOST of the rooms by now, maybe even all).

The DLH pool is so pretty! And SO useless for little kids. You can't climb on, or even *touch* the big huge pirate ship. If they can't swim without a vest, they can't go down the big pool (and there might be a height requirement on top of that), and if they can swim but mentally need you to wait for them at the bottom of the slide, you cannot do that b/c the area has to be clear at all times.

So what does that big pool have left? A tiny little slide! Now, my 5 year old had FUN on that slide, but it took about 10 minutes of us ALL realizing that it could have been just any old pool, since the really snazzy stuff was off limits to him in one way or another.

That said, there's another pool over close to the laundry room that has a beachy area, so that's neat. I just...didn't realize it was open until the last few hours of our stay.

For playtime, HoJo's waterplay area is no doubt better for them. If they jsut want to swim, there's the Garden Pool, but if they want to play with water things, or hang in a toddler pool, etc etc, their pirate-themed waterplay area is IT.

Unless you are really lucky each day and don't run into lines at the monorail, and the monorail is running when you need it, and you are always going to or coming from Tomorrowland above Nemo, the walk from HoJo is almost certainly closer than from DLH. It's also much more straightforward. And...you don't have to walk through a mall, which was always torture for us b/c DS and DH wanted *everything*, and I couldn't provide *everything* for them (hubby works for the money but I manage it and budget our trips).

Yes, DLH gives you access to every Magic Morning that occurs during your stay (assuming you have valid admission for the day), including checkin and checkout days if a MM is on those days and if you get there early enough on check in day. And that's awesome, especially when you have an AP, b/c you don't get it any other way.

The remote control boats are so much fun! And available to everyone willing to plunk down a few bucks for a few turns.


I could go back and forth.

Perhaps...you could do both on this trip? We did our first big trip with a split stay...PPH for a few nights, then HoJo for a few nights. We loved it!

 

[Buttercup26]

I love the HoJo and Paradise Pier over DLH. I agree with Bumbershoot - DLH 10 years was great - now not so much.

If your kids are little the pool at HoJo is the way to go. If they are older the slide at PPH is very cool. The walk from PPH is very easy, if you go thru the Grand Californian.

I truly cannot say enough nice things about HoJo. Just really, really, enjoy it! PPH has the advantage of early entry (Magic Morning - whatever they call it now) and you don't ever have to walk along Harbor unless you are going to Mimi's or somewhere to eat. The one and only thing I don't like about HoJo is that I have to walk along noisy Harbor Blvd breathing in exhaust from the masses of slow moving traffic and buses.

 

[sherylcin]

We're planning our first trip to DL next year and I've been all over these boards reading info about hotels so I'm following this with great interest.

 

[DizMe]

Well, I'm a DLH fan. It's my very favorite. I find a huge difference between staying at Hojo's (which I also love) and DLH. For me, there *is* magic at DLH, whereas Hojo's is a nice place to stay with great rates when you can get the Ent. deal. My kids love the Hojo's water area, but they also love the DLH pool VERY much. They never really thought about climbing on the pirate ship, but maybe it's because they're all girls

Advantages to DLH:
*you don't have to leave the resort--no walking on Harbor, crossing streets, etc.
*you can use MM any day it's offered
*your room key works as a cc throughout the resort (which may be a disadvantage, depending upon your perspective)
*you can have purchases made at the parks sent back to your hotel
*free coffee with cream in the lobby of each tower
*Goofy and sometimes other characters roam the property
*character meals and great restaurants onsite
*lots of cool Disney touches
*gorgeous property that includes 2 pools, waterfalls, koi ponds, mini Jungle Cruise boats, wedding gazebo
*nice shops
*leads directly into DTD
*close to RFC and Compass Bookstore
*very close to monorail

Advantages of Hojo's:
*price, at times (I can sometimes get an ap rate for DLH that is only slightly more than Hojo's regular rate). I love to get the $59 Ent. rate room!
*Pirate's Cove water play area--my kids love it! I think it's very cool but wish it was next to the adult pool. In fall/winter, we don't use it but we do use the pool at DLH. Well, the kids do!
*Wonderful staff!!
*Nice, big, clean rooms. Basic motel amenities but nice beds.
*Nice low-cost dining alternatives nearby
*Free parking and no resort fee
*No reservation deposit required

I find the walks completely different. I love the walk to/from DLH, but I HATE the walk to/from Hojos. I love being within the resort at all times. I very much dislike Harbor Blvd. DLH offers me a more special vacation feel. I am willing to pay more for that, but there is a limit to how much more

 

[Amy&Dan]

I agree completely with DizMe. Especially about the walk. Walking up Harbor Blvd is a mood killer for me. Its not a bad walk or a long walk, but its a busy city street and when you have to pass panhandlers and hear all the traffic, well give me DTD anyday. But for sure the distances are even give or take a bit.

To me, its apples and oranges, but I have stayed onsite enough times at DL not to mention WDW, that I will always try my very best to make it happen! Do I have a great trip when I stay offsite? Of course. But I can't lie, its not quite the same to me. I do miss the old Fantasy Water show (think thats what its called) at the DLH but not enough to really think much about it unless it gets mentioned on this board. I do wish they'd bring it back, it was very cool. But I love the koi ponds and fountains and those are still lovely. To me the DLH is a lot of details that add up. And once those new rooms are done, it will be really cool. THey look incredible.

Its an individual choice. You can't really make a bad choice. But the answer to the question from my viewpoint is that the DLH wins over HOJO if price is not a concern.

As for the useless pool, I still think the ambiance of the pirate theme is fun for kids. I have never even seen a kid try to climb on that thing nor have I seen anything but delighted kids splashing in that pool. My kids have been going since age 6 and my nieces since age 3 and they have all loved it. And every resort I have been to, whether its Disney or not, if it has a feature pool, many of those features are not suited for young kids. Who are generally content to splash in anything. Some of the newer pools do have the splash zones which is great for little kids. And Hojo has that. But my two kids hate those type areas (CBR in WDW is ruined for us now because of this very thing) because they are too kiddie. They don't want to splash, they want to swim and have a cool slide. And the Cove Pool quite pool at the DLH is wonderful and seldom crowded so that's nice too.

 

[KCmike]

DLH hotel and pool hands down.

Why?
I don't like the walk to HOJO. I know the walk to DL hotel is longer but I rather walk through Downtown Disney than suck on the bus fumes, pass the homeless, and fight the hordes trying to cross Harbor.

DLH pool is by far superior. I know they upgraded at Hojo but it still doesn't compare to DL's. You can't beat the DLH slide, hot tub, quiet pool, koi ponds, and waterfalls.

You can catch the monorail and take it straight into DL from DD.

Disney nostalgia inside the hotel. I love the old pictures of Walt and the wall of past artifacts.

Some rooms at Hojos have too much freeway noise.

I actually prefer the Fairfield Inn as my first choice for offsite.

 

[lattemomof3]

Ok, DLH it is! We have been saving up for this trip & won't be back for a few years, so I think we'll splurge and do DLH. We love downtown disney, and in the evenings, one of us can stay in the room or at the pool w/ a kid or 2 while a few of us can meander through DTD. Thanks for the pool advice, while dd3 would LOVE Hojo's, my other 2 for sure will prefer the slide and bigger swimming area @ DLH. DS will go gaga over the remote control boats, too. We will be coming from Legoland on Fri, and will roll into town around 8pm, so that 1st night we will stay @ Embassy suites (have a Hilton card & free night) to save a bit, and will fill up the tummies w/ the big free breakfast before hitting the parks! Then the next 4 nights will be DLH!

 

[DizMe]

Ok, DLH it is! We have been saving up for this trip & won't be back for a few years, so I think we'll splurge and do DLH. We love downtown disney, and in the evenings, one of us can stay in the room or at the pool w/ a kid or 2 while a few of us can meander through DTD. Thanks for the pool advice, while dd3 would LOVE Hojo's, my other 2 for sure will prefer the slide and bigger swimming area @ DLH. DS will go gaga over the remote control boats, too. We will be coming from Legoland on Fri, and will roll into town around 8pm, so that 1st night we will stay @ Embassy suites (have a Hilton card & free night) to save a bit, and will fill up the tummies w/ the big free breakfast before hitting the parks! Then the next 4 nights will be DLH!

Hope you have a blast!!! Sure sounds like you will!!