Hotel Advice

[Palendat]

Hi all you knowledgable people!!! Hoping for some advice. We will be going for our first Disneyland trip in forever (we are WDW vets), and am not at all familiar personally with on-site vs off-site. We stayed at Disneyland Hotel about 10 years ago, and really just felt like it was like any other hotel. (We went in winter, no pool, etc.) We will again be there in the winter so swimming is probably not in the equation. So my question? 3 adults and 2 kids, one room - Paradise Pier at $162/night standard room or Hojo at $69/night for a standard 2 queen bed room - NO BREAKFAST. Where will 5 be more comfortable, any other pros or cons? Early entry is not too big of a plus since we don't like to rush in the mornings. Thanks!

 

[yoyoyo]

I can't speak for Paradise Pier, but 5 people in a HOJO room is a bit tight. Or that may be because I like to have my own space, lol

 

[Malcon10t]

Hojo and Paradise Pier hotel rooms are about the same size. I would go for Hojos. Walks are about the same. But Hojos has Mimi's close by, and McDonalds, and the staff is very friendly (and free parking.)

 

[Palendat]

Thanks for the advice. I think we'll probably go with Hojo's since the price difference will pay for 2 character meals. Does anyone know if Hojo's has a pull out couch or do you just ask for a cot?

 

[yoyoyo]

You have to ask for a cot. I don't recall any of the rooms I've stayed at in HOJO's having a couch.

 

[Eeee-va]

In 2009, I think it was, there was a rollaway bed (no couch) in the closet in our room in the back tower of Hojo. (I forget what they're called; they're the middle-price rooms, I think--$69 with Entertainment rate, so maybe what you've booked.) It was $10/night to use it, though.

I disagree about the walk--I do think the Paradise Pier is closer. Maybe about the same is right for Disneyland (though the walk is much more pleasant), but DCA is SO much closer from the PPH. And to walk back from Disneyland for a mid-afternoon break, you could cut through DCA, ride Soarin', and then head on back to the room.

Besides the walk, there are a other advantages to staying on-site, but the big advantage is the early entry, which you've said you're not interested in. I'm not sure when you're going; you could maybe get 2 FPs per party member if you're going in the spring. But personally, even if you would use your Magic Mornings, I don't think it's worth almost $100 more per night to stay at the PPH.

 

[Palendat]

I called the hotel, and there is a $15 fee for a cot, but with free parking, this is a wash. I weighed the pros and cons, and booked the Hojo. Since it is non-refundable (entertainment rate), I guess my choice is made. Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.

 

[Eeee-va]

You got a good deal, and for the price savings at the Hojo, you can easily have a special meal at the parks and have a lot of savings left over.

(Did they change it, or is it just that one day is non-refundable? So if you canceled you'd be out $69? That's a great reason not to cancel, but I thought worst case you COULD?)

Have a great trip!

 

[Malcon10t]

I disagree about the walk--I do think the Paradise Pier is closer.

If you use http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/, you can measure the distance. From the center of the esplanade, it is .45 miles to the PPH, and .47 to the Hojos, so PPH is slightly closer. I use the center of the esplanade since we do prefer entering DL first, and we prefer it to the monorail.

 

[ranman1973]

It might be worth trying to find a hotel that includes free continental breakfast. Many travel sites have a filter option so you can find one that includes breakfast.

Also, most hotels don't allow 5 people in a single room.

 

[Malcon10t]

Also, most hotels don't allow 5 people in a single room.

Actually, most do. Candy Cane Inn allows 5 in their deluxe and premium rooms, but only 4 in the standard rooms. Most other hotels in the area allow 5.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

You got a good deal, and for the price savings at the Hojo, you can easily have a special meal at the parks and have a lot of savings left over.

(Did they change it, or is it just that one day is non-refundable? So if you canceled you'd be out $69? That's a great reason not to cancel, but I thought worst case you COULD?)

Have a great trip!

Here is our cancelation policy just to clear things up =)
Due to the high demand of our "Retro Discount" we have implemented a non cancelable policy on these reservations to prevent "date hoarding" by making multiple tentative reservations.

-Retro Discount room reservations are charged at checkout.
-RD reservations cancelled prior to the arrival date will be charged 1 night's charge.
-If you add or subtract nights from a reservation (changes) we will not charge a fee.
-Mixed rate reservations will revert to the standard 48 hour cancellation policy
-Additional RD days may be added as they become available.

It might be worth trying to find a hotel that includes free continental breakfast. Many travel sites have a filter option so you can find one that includes breakfast.

Also, most hotels don't allow 5 people in a single room.

Most of our rooms have 2 beds in them, if you wanted an extra bed for the 5th person, you can certainly request one to be sent to your room for $15.00 + 17% tax each night.

Hope this helps!
-Kriss