Hojo or Disney hotel?

[jenpace]

We stayed at the GC 3 years ago, and had a room with two queen beds, and unfortunately the rooms are not large enough to have a day bed or rollaway bed, all they will provide is a sleeping bag, yes a sleeping bag, lol, to sleep in on the floor - that didn't quite fit in with the deluxe feel of this hotel, such a shame they didn't make the rooms a little larger.

You can request a 2Q + daybed room which is larger than the rooms w/out the daybed

 

[disney4metoo]

We stayed at the GC 3 years ago, and had a room with two queen beds, and unfortunately the rooms are not large enough to have a day bed or rollaway bed, all they will provide is a sleeping bag, yes a sleeping bag, lol, to sleep in on the floor - that didn't quite fit in with the deluxe feel of this hotel, such a shame they didn't make the rooms a little larger.

It is true they provide a "Land's End" sleeping bag and a air pad.

 

[Mich123]

yes a sleeping bag, lol, to sleep in on the floor - that didn't quite fit in with the deluxe feel of this hotel, such a shame they didn't make the rooms a little larger.

It is true they provide a "Land's End" sleeping bag and a air pad.

Oh the horror! Not what I'd expect from Disney...

You can request a 2Q + daybed room which is larger than the rooms w/out the daybed

We will definitely be requesting the daybed!

Thanks, All!

 

[DizMe]

The daybed rooms are limited and are all, or so I've been told by 2 CMs, above the lobby. The advantage to that location is that they are close to the elevators. I'd much rather have one of those rooms than a view room 2 corridors away from the elevators! However, be aware that they are often hard to come by and you can't guarantee a room type (other than view).

 

[ktlm]

In checking prices for next summer and including all taxes, Hojo (disney view) would be $142 a night while DLH (resort/pool lower level view) would be $328 a night. Does everyone who thought DLH was worth the extra, still think so at that price difference? I sure like the sound of walking through Downtown Disney with the 4 year old and not having to worry about traffic and those renovated rooms look really nice. It is a big price difference though. (We stay deluxe at WDW, but I'm used to bouncebacks, discounts and codes, so this is more than we paid for either the Polynesian or the Wilderness Lodge at WDW). (If I book DLH, I will definitely keep my eye open for any discounts and rebook if anything comes up)

 

[SaraK]

However, the ET rate is already 50% off rack rates. Their rooms and lovely property are an incredible value when you get that rate.

How does someone get this discount? Do you have to "join" something or be a member, or is it just the rate that comes up with a search on entertainment.com?

 

[Karebear]

In checking prices for next summer and including all taxes, Hojo (disney view) would be $142 a night while DLH (resort/pool lower level view) would be $328 a night. Does everyone who thought DLH was worth the extra, still think so at that price difference? I sure like the sound of walking through Downtown Disney with the 4 year old and not having to worry about traffic and those renovated rooms look really nice. It is a big price difference though. (We stay deluxe at WDW, but I'm used to bouncebacks, discounts and codes, so this is more than we paid for either the Polynesian or the Wilderness Lodge at WDW). (If I book DLH, I will definitely keep my eye open for any discounts and rebook if anything comes up)

We stayed with our children (DS 6 and DD 4) at the DLH in Sept. While I LOVED our experience there and the use of MM, I think that $328 is a bit steep. I would book the Hojo and keep an eye out for a better rate at the DLH.

 

[CrazyDuck]

In checking prices for next summer and including all taxes, Hojo (disney view) would be $142 a night while DLH (resort/pool lower level view) would be $328 a night. Does everyone who thought DLH was worth the extra, still think so at that price difference? I sure like the sound of walking through Downtown Disney with the 4 year old and not having to worry about traffic and those renovated rooms look really nice. It is a big price difference though. (We stay deluxe at WDW, but I'm used to bouncebacks, discounts and codes, so this is more than we paid for either the Polynesian or the Wilderness Lodge at WDW). (If I book DLH, I will definitely keep my eye open for any discounts and rebook if anything comes up)

Well that really depends on what $186 is worth to you. For some people $186 is a lot of money. For others it is pocket change. Since you always stay "Deluxe" at WDW I don't think you will be happy with anything less than GCH. In my eyes (and just my opinion) GCH is the only "Deluxe"! DLH and PPH would be "Moderates", and Harbor and everything else would be the "Value Resorts". Again... Just my opinion!

 

[DizMe]

In checking prices for next summer and including all taxes, Hojo (disney view) would be $142 a night while DLH (resort/pool lower level view) would be $328 a night. Does everyone who thought DLH was worth the extra, still think so at that price difference? I sure like the sound of walking through Downtown Disney with the 4 year old and not having to worry about traffic and those renovated rooms look really nice. It is a big price difference though. (We stay deluxe at WDW, but I'm used to bouncebacks, discounts and codes, so this is more than we paid for either the Polynesian or the Wilderness Lodge at WDW). (If I book DLH, I will definitely keep my eye open for any discounts and rebook if anything comes up)

Yes, I agree with KareBear. Book Hojo's (Kid suites are nice! 2 bathrooms!) for now and then check back on DLH. Unfortunately, they don't usually offer their good deals very far in advance so you have to either book at the higher rate and then switch it over when a deal comes along or just wait and see. The bad thing about booking DLH now at the rack rate would be the fact that you have to pay the first night's deposit, which is immediately charged to your cc.

I can't remember when you said your trip was (March?) but it may be in the "spring break" zone when they don't offer as good a discount. We went in Feb. last year and were able to get DLH concierge for ~$200 (AP rate), but it went way up the week after our trip and kind of yo-yo'd around after that. Sometimes it's worth upgrading one person to an AP if the rates are good enough. That's what we did the first time and you only need to do that with one family member to get the discount. You can book a room at the ap rate without having an ap, but you'll need it at check in (or you can include it with your room reservation).

Just reread your post and noticed you said next summer. We got a good rate for end of July last summer (AP) but you never know what they'll do anymore.

 

[ktlm]

Since you always stay "Deluxe" at WDW I don't think you will be happy with anything less than GCH.

You make me sound like a room snob! Really, I'm not. I've stayed at POR at WDW too several years back and I loved it. I'm sure I'd be fine with a value on property at WDW too, although we've never stayed at one. I'm happy as long as I'm at Disney! I've stayed at a lot of nice places both at WDW and other places, but it is because I'm a bargain shopper and get on mailing lists for discounts. We got the Bellagio in Vegas for $99 a night- cheaper than the Hojo!

Dizme the AP thing never crossed my mind- I'll have to keep my eye on that.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I've stayed at both HOJOs and DLH. Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed with HOJOs. Yes it's close, if we were there in the summer I'm sure the water area would be great, and you can't beat the price (ET rate). But I didn't think it was anything special. I had a lower resort view room at DLH in the Wonder tower....it was amazing! If you can afford it I would definitely do DLH or GCH....I'm hoping for GCH some time this year!!

 

[GrandBob]

How does someone get this discount? Do you have to "join" something or be a member, or is it just the rate that comes up with a search on entertainment.com?

Keep watching this page to see if your dates come up. They've only posted dates through April at this time. They frequently add dates as the time gets closer, if they discover that they have empty rooms.

To book the entertainment rate, simply call in-house reservations and ask for it. Make sure to verify that you're talking to in-house reservations. Call during business hours (8-5 M-F). At other times, the direct number typically rolls over to the corporate 800 number. They know nothing about the ENT rates, and will steer you wrong.

I'd recommend that you reserve your date anyway, at the best discount you can get (you can get 15% off by mentioning DISboards to in-house reservations; if you're an AP holder, you get 20%). Then, if your date later shows up for the ENT rate, you can call back and get the ENT discount applied.

You can reserve the ENT rate by just calling, as mentioned. But when you check in, you have to show an Entertainment card. Any currently valid Entertainment card from any region will do.

HTH,
Bob

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

We're planning a trip to DL in the spring and this thread has been really helpful. We're debating which hotel to stay at this time. We stayed at GC last time and want to try something new. DD is 5, so we want that magical experience for her.

Can anyone tell me what MM stands for? I mean besides Mickey Mouse

 

[DizMe]

We're planning a trip to DL in the spring and this thread has been really helpful. We're debating which hotel to stay at this time. We stayed at GC last time and want to try something new. DD is 5, so we want that magical experience for her.

Can anyone tell me what MM stands for? I mean besides Mickey Mouse

MM = Magic Morning; used to be referred to as Early Entry (EE) where you get to go in an hour early on days that begin with 'T' and 'S'. If you stay in a resort hotel you get to go in on all MM days. If you're staying off site, with a hopper ticket, you get 1 MM during your trip and with an AP you don't get any at all, which is why staying onsite is cool for us APers.

 

[Golfing Goofy]

We're planning a trip to DL in the spring and this thread has been really helpful. We're debating which hotel to stay at this time. We stayed at GC last time and want to try something new. DD is 5, so we want that magical experience for her.

Can anyone tell me what MM stands for? I mean besides Mickey Mouse

Well, here is another view, if it helps....

We have normally stayed at the GC or DLH. Our kids really loved the DLH when we have stayed there. It was just magical for them. I think our youngest was 6 or 7 the first time we stayed at the DLH. The grounds and the pool area are terrific. It has always been a great experience and we have never encountered any problems. Our rooms have been nice and clean and the Service has aways been good. It just feels like Disney everywhere we look at the DLH. All the little touches are nice.

My DH prefers the GC. My DH is not all that crazy about Disney , so when he does come with us, we stay at the GC. I think he likes it because it is not all Disney all the time at the GC.... It is quiet and low key so he can get some work done while the kids and I are out and about at the park.

We have friends that always stay at HOJO and they LOVE it! Especially the new pool area.
Our other friends love the hotel right across Harbor Blvd. (I think it is the Camelot or the Tropicana???? I can't recall). They were closer to the entrance than we were when we stayed at DLH. They beat us everyday, and never let us forget the fact that they were closer than us....lol... But the funny thing is that they never went back to their rooms to rest mid-day....they always would come to our room at the DLH and hang out there. They said it kept the magic going....

Have fun planning.

 

[pigby]

Keep watching this page to see if your dates come up. They've only posted dates through April at this time. They frequently add dates as the time gets closer, if they discover that they have empty rooms.

To book the entertainment rate, simply call in-house reservations and ask for it. Make sure to verify that you're talking to in-house reservations. Call during business hours (8-5 M-F). At other times, the direct number typically rolls over to the corporate 800 number. They know nothing about the ENT rates, and will steer you wrong.

I'd recommend that you reserve your date anyway, at the best discount you can get (you can get 15% off by mentioning DISboards to in-house reservations; if you're an AP holder, you get 20%). Then, if your date later shows up for the ENT rate, you can call back and get the ENT discount applied.

You can reserve the ENT rate by just calling, as mentioned. But when you check in, you have to show an Entertainment card. Any currently valid Entertainment card from any region will do.

HTH,
Bob

Thanks for the info - we are really hoping for Entertainment rates here in July. Would love to stay at a Disney hotel (as we always have done in Florida) but for 14 days the cost for a totally Disney immersed vacation is going to be way too high.

If July rates do come available and I ring to apply the Entertainment rates for a few dates in our vacation (that these special rates are available) , will we pay the rack rate for the other dates or would they give us the 15% DIS rate for the other dates maybe?

Also if we ring to apply the discount and then MORE dates come available, would we have to ring again or would the Entertainment rates just kick in automatically?

Can anyone remember if there were a few dates in July last year to which the Entertainment rate applied? Is there an old link/list perhaps/

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

The Grand! Best location. Can't get closer to the magic. Carrying a sleeping four year old a very short distance to your room is very magical. Good beds. Spectacular Great Room (lobby). I love the warm Arts and Crafts decor. Great service. Sometimes We will stay at PP, but it is always a let down when we are not at the Grand.

 

[mareed]

Thanks for the info - we are really hoping for Entertainment rates here in July. Would love to stay at a Disney hotel (as we always have done in Florida) but for 14 days the cost for a totally Disney immersed vacation is going to be way too high.

If July rates do come available and I ring to apply the Entertainment rates for a few dates in our vacation (that these special rates are available) , will we pay the rack rate for the other dates or would they give us the 15% DIS rate for the other dates maybe?

Also if we ring to apply the discount and then MORE dates come available, would we have to ring again or would the Entertainment rates just kick in automatically?

Can anyone remember if there were a few dates in July last year to which the Entertainment rate applied? Is there an old link/list perhaps/

I recommend making your original HoJo reservation with the 15% DIS rate. Then, if any dates come available for the Entertainment rate, you can call in-house reservations and they'll change those specific dates to the lower Entertainment rate and the other dates will stay at your 15% DIS rate.

If more dates with the Ent rate become available, you'll need to call yourself and have those dates adjusted to the lower rate. HoJo won't do that automatically for you.

We just got home from the HoJo and ended up adjusting our reservation twice as dates with Ent rate became available. Apparently they just make notes on the reservation and it may default the other nights to the current rack rate which is likely higher than what you originally booked at. The 2nd time I had rates adjusted for Ent they said to bring my email showing the nightly rate and they'd need to adjust it manually when I checked in. This did require a manager, but it was corrected just fine.

I hope this makes sense! Ask again if you have questions.

 

[blackjackdelta]

The Grand! Best location. Can't get closer to the magic. Carrying a sleeping four year old a very short distance to your room is very magical. Good beds. Spectacular Great Room (lobby). I love the warm Arts and Crafts decor. Great service. Sometimes We will stay at PP, but it is always a let down when we are not at the Grand.

Absolutely love the Grand but the wallet does not. Stayed there for a week last August but it looks like unless we get some great rates it will be somewhere else this year.

Jack

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

MM = Magic Morning; used to be referred to as Early Entry (EE) where you get to go in an hour early on days that begin with 'T' and 'S'. If you stay in a resort hotel you get to go in on all MM days. If you're staying off site, with a hopper ticket, you get 1 MM during your trip and with an AP you don't get any at all, which is why staying onsite is cool for us APers.

Thank you!