Having a tough time deciding, plz help

[Shell4624]

What would you do...

opt 1) HoJo "off-site", well within budget and we will be able to also incorporate a day at universal studio's and have a fair share of spending money, plus allow for character dining etc.. without so much of a strain on the budget

opt 2) Paradise Pier Hotel - "on-site" makes the budget tight, we may not be able to do universal studios and have a chuck of spending money so it will be either or...

About us - family of 4, me, DH, dd 3 and dd 8... Both love princesses, never been to Disneyland and will want to get the most out of the experience

What's important... the ability to get back and forth to the room without much hassle in case our youngest gets restless and cranky. Also I really wanted to be onsite at a Disney property just because.... no real reason except I felt like it would give us MORE of a Disneyland family vacation experience. What would you do/think? Why?

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Well, I am completely biased, so take this advice with a grain of salt.
We stayed offsite last year, and will again this year. Our littlest was 18 months old, and we returned to the hotel each afternoon for naptime, to maintain an agreeable disposition for all of us! We stayed at the Camelot, which is a little bit closer than the Hojo, but it really didn't seem that much farther a walk than to some of the onsite hotels. For us, that extra spending money made for a much more well-rounded experience - we did a lot of character meals and splurged at the Lego store at DTD and on souveneirs and such.
But really, you will get opinions for both onsite and offsite. Basically it comes down to what is important for you and your family. I've been told that the onsite hotels do offer a more immersive DL experience, so if that is what you are after, then it might be hard to "settle" for offsite.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[DangerMouse]

I've stayed at both, and would choose the HoJo. It's about the same walking distance to both, and I actually think the pool areas at the HoJo are nicer and if you get a deluxe or premium room, you get a microwave and a fridge.

The only benefit to staying on site for me is getting MM each day it is offered. But honestly, I would rather have the extra room in the budget than an extra MM day (and I really love my MM's).

 

[Shell4624]

Mommy, thanks for the input. A DL vacation is very important to us and I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts! I haven't looked into the hotel you mentioned but I just might. Also I wonder why those that perfer an "on-site" stay, determine that on-site staying is more immersive? Is it because of all the special "disney touches' that off-site hotels don't provide?

 

[Shell4624]

Danger, that makes 2 for off site... pretty interesting! Thanks for sharing.

Also the only day we'd really be able to use a MM pass is on Tuesday. We are planning on going from Sun Mar 29th to Tuesday Mar 31st... and I've heard off site if you book through Getawaytoday we'd get 1 MM to use...

 

[QueenDoOver]

I have stayed at Paradise Pier, and I have stayed off site. We stayed at PP when my yougest was just 3, and then also when he was 5. This time he is 6.5 and we are staying at Howard Johnson. It is absolutely more "magical" for a first trip to stay on site. Personally, I would skip Universal with that age kids unless it is an absolute must do for you and your husband. Some souvenirs are a must, but a lot of them you can get at the outlet mall down the street for much less. By the way our favorite souvenir turned out to be a $7.00 soft back book that we basically wore out from looking at after our first trip. (I later bought several copies at a local warehouse sale and used them in my scrapbook).

Benefits to PP: Quick in and out at GC entrance. We spent a lot of time in Bugsland with my little one. Also, we did not do Fantasyland rides because he was scared of them, but he loved toontown and Gadget Go coaster. Also Mark Twain and Pirates Lair. Basically anyplace he could run around and explore. At age 5, he had expanded to enjoying the bigger rides and we did get to enjoy Splash, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, etc. Still did not want to go on the Matterhorn again (because of Yetti), didn't want to do Haunted Mansion (but I made him), Pirates (He hid his face) and still wouldn't do fantasyland.
So, where was I ...we love the WhiteWater Snacks in GC, and ate there at least once per day. It was always quiet and the staff friendly and easy to manage kids in.
If you are doing Character meals (and you should), it was really nice to be in such close proximity to all of them.

PP has a great room service breakfast (great american?) which we ordered everyday, and it fed the entire family, provided coffee for us, cocoa for the kids and in general got us off to a great start.

The pool is great for kids with the little slide, the toddler pool and also the bigger pool. I like that they have life jackets on site for your use, so you can relax a little bit more.

Also, my kids go to bed early, especially after a long day at the parks, even if we have napped. So I loved that PP has the music piped into the pool area to view the fireworks.

Well, regardless of what you decide, you will have a wonderful time I am sure. Be sure to write a trip report when you get back!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

My vote is for HOJO's. Take that day trip to Universal and the kids will LOVE the character breakfast.

 

[daneenm]

Also I wonder why those that perfer an "on-site" stay, determine that on-site staying is more immersive? Is it because of all the special "disney touches' that off-site hotels don't provide?

I'll give you my two cents. In your situation, I would stay off-site. There is no point in adding the stress of not having extra spending money to your vacation when you want to just be having fun.

As you can see from my sig, I grew up going to DL and staying off-site. I always had a GREAT time! It is only recently that we have started staying on-site. We are at a point in our lives right now where we are able to do a more expensive vacation on occasion, and really love the GCH, so we have chosen to stay there. We like the separate entrance to DCA, EE, etc. We did DLH the first time we visited with our daughter for the convenience of the monorail back tot he hotel. Now, it is not quite as convenient, in my opinion.

There are a lot of really nice off-site hotels very close by. I have not stayed at HoJo, but it gets great reviews here. My favorite of the off-site places we stayed was the Candy Cane Inn.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I think one consideration is How much time do you really plan on spending in your motel/hotel?? Most trips we take, we use the motel for sleeping & showering....so no need to spend lots of money here. If you think that part of your experience will be at the motels, then you need to consider that & pick one that has the extras, etc. you want.
Last trip, we took our 2 yr old & she napped in the stroller, everyday like clock work....we never went back to the motel. If we wanted to give the kids some time for running, away from the crowds...we actually sat between the 2 parks & the kids ran circles around the monorail beams. Some of our best memories from that trip were relaxing & watching them be kids!!
Hope that helps. I too, have always wanted to stay on property for the experience but budget wise couldn't afford it. My hubby & I are doing it this trip for 2 nights & then moving to the Tropicana which is across from the pedestrian crossing. (only because it will be just the 2 of us & I could budget a little extra for that).
Good luck & have fun planning!!

 

[Queenbillabong]

... and I've heard off site if you book through Getawaytoday we'd get 1 MM to use...

You do get one MM if you get three day or more park hoppers through GAT or through Disney.

FWIW, I have stayed onsite and offsite and enjoyed both. Truthfully, the walk is about the same. We stayed at the Grand Californian and the room itself was just a basic hotel room with some Mickey touches, etc., but not truthfully "immersive" - and you can check out the hotel lobby (which is beautiful) without staying there.

If money would be easier to stay off-site, I would stay off-site. You won't be spending much time there anyway, except afternoon breaks and sleeping, so personally, I would rather have the money to do the character meals, maybe Ariel's Princess lunch, etc. which would be a more Disney holiday.

Whichever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great time. You're going to Disneyland

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

I haven't looked into the hotel you mentioned but I just might.

Shell,
The reason we stay at this hotel is because the room configuration and size suit us. We have 3 little ones, ages 5, 3 and 2, who all nap in the afternoon and have early bedtimes. For dh and myself, cramming all 5 of us into a single room is not a happy vacation! The Camelot has a family suite, which has basically 2 adjoining rooms with one bathroom - a separate room for us and the kids, wich is ideal. A little more pricey, but absolutely essential to me that they can nap while I can plan the day, watch TV or download the 400 pics I took that morning to the laptop.

as for the "immersive experience", having never stayed onsite, I can't comment, but I can't imagine anything being more perfect than our last vacation, so once again, I am biased.

Best of luck deciding...

 

[avalon451]

I'd stay at HoJo. Not only cheaper (especially if you can get the Entertainment book rate for your dates) but the water play area next to the hot tub is just awesome for little kids.

Also, HoJo is actually the same distance to the main gates in the Esplanade as Paradise Pier. See "How Far Is It?" : http://www.mouseplanet.com/7280/How_Far_Is_It That's if you take the shortcut through the Grand Californian. Otherwise, it's farther!

 

[dmked]

We love Hojo! But then again I would always rather spend my $ on other stuff rather than a hotel I am just going to sleep in. Of course I want a clean and comfy bed but that's about all I need! And with the entertainment rate, it's a no-brainer for me!

 

[silence]

We would totally stay at HoJo over PP.

We have stayed at PP. I dunno, it really didn't feel like being onsite IMHO, at least not compared to the Disneyland Hotel.

The walk feels the same. HoJo's beds are more comfy. Like someone else said, you get the fridge and microwave. Plus, you pass by a lot more food options that are budget friendly than you would walking back to PP.

I would also consider passing in Universal though. The last time we took both kiddos, neither really had a good time. My poor DD could hardly ride on anything either. Now, at the time, the character interaction was worth it, because she loves Dora and Spongebob and she got to see both.

 

[Leofoenget]

Save money enjoy the new water playground. Staying onsite at Disneyland isn't nearly as important as staying onsite at Disneyworld

 

[Shell4624]

'nuff said! Off-site, save money it is. Thank you all so much for chiming in! This board rocks!

 

[DisDancerina]

I think you should do Hojo. I mean, they may say PP is more "immensive", but really, when are you at your hotel and not sleeping? If you do Hojo, you can do some character meals, where you're spending more time there anyways. The meals are really fun and the kids'll love it! I think you might wanna skip Studios though. Number one, it's a little overwhelming to visit two different theme parks in one visit. Number two, maybe bring them back once they're older to experience the roller coasters and such?
I think Disneyland will be so much fun! I hope you have a great trip

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I see you chose the HoJo - for your family, this trip, I think that is a good choice. You will be able to be more flexible in things you want to do because you will have more of a budget for it.

Also, your children will most likely really have fun at the water fun area they have at the hotel.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[BC Disney Lover]

My choice would be off-site. We've stayed at the Camelot, Carousel and Hojo's with the kids and I really don't think they're missing out. With all the little things you get at Dollar Stores you could have Disney touches for the kids. We brought Disney tattoos, Disney socks and I made some special T-shirts. And the kids all brought they're Disney fleece blankets so we even had Disney bedding

The only time I really wish we were in an on-site hotel is when I get drenched on Grizzly River Run and I see the GCH entrance right there

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyloverinWA]

Paradise Pier is not as close as some of the other hotels. One perk staying at the Disney property is that you can make purchases and have them sent to the hotels.

We always want to stay onsite, but when we compare prices we would rather have the extra money to stay in the park and end up staying offsite....good luck with your choice!