How far in advance to book hotel?

[Mackie Mouse]

WDW vet here planning her first DLR trip! We will be traveling there with friends during The Dreaded Spring Break Week (what can I say, I'm a teacher) in 2013. We'll be four adults - two married couples. Right now were looking to get there on Sunday evening, March 24 and leave on Friday, March 29. Even with the hubhub of Carsland and added perks of staying on-site, we're pretty set on picking out a Good Neighbor Hotel to save money. Like any good WDW vet, I'm all set to plan this stay as far in advance as I can.

When would you recommend getting a hotel booked? Are there particular websites or deals (e.g. priceline, hotwire) that I should be paying attention to?

Right now I'm thinking about the Candy Cane Inn or the Best Western Park Place as specific hotelf of interest...but I'm open to other ideas. I'm a big fan of free breakfast and kids roaming the outdoor waterpark isn't ideal for this adult-only trip, so I'm thinking the Hojo might not be our best bet.

Advice appreciated!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always book as soon as dates are released for where we want to stay, than can always be changed and so may the rates so we watch.

Jack

 

[SomeDude78]

We always book as soon as dates are released for where we want to stay, than can always be changed and so may the rates so we watch.

Jack

Same here. For trips that I plan far enough in advance, I always book a hotel first, then watch rates both at the same hotel and other candidates to see what happens. They fluctuate based on forecasted demand and since it's a long time until your trip, you'll have plenty of time to decide if whatever you book now is the best deal or if you want to do something else.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

When would you recommend getting a hotel booked? Are there particular websites or deals (e.g. priceline, hotwire) that I should be paying attention to?


yes!! if you go with DL north 3.5 *'s...then you will typically get either Hyatt or Hilton or Crowne Plaza...all of them are nice places...closest to park would be hilton but you can get shuttle to the park...and the rates for that time of year are usually around $52-$60 per night...

as far as BWPPI, CCI, and hojo you can book them now...may not be the greatest rate yet but at least its an in and then if you find something cheaper later then you change it...me personally, I wouldnt wait past Dec. to book....

right now I'm thinking about the Candy Cane Inn or the Best Western Park Place as specific hotelf of interest...but I'm open to other ideas. I'm a big fan of free breakfast and kids roaming the outdoor waterpark isn't ideal for this adult-only trip, so I'm thinking the Hojo might not be our best bet.

Advice appreciated!

Hojo's is a favorite around here and if you or your friends have the entertainment card you could probably get a room during that time for around $59-69 per night....currently there are no rates out for march but if you keep an eye out on this link http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14 when the dates come out you will know...CCI is a nice place but frankly i always have thought it too expensive..theres times when CCI prices are the same as on property PP hotel...BWPPI is a great one too and right across from the walkway into DL entrance

 

[Mackie Mouse]

yes!! if you go with DL north 3.5 *'s...then you will typically get either Hyatt or Hilton or Crowne Plaza...all of them are nice places...closest to park would be hilton but you can get shuttle to the park...and the rates for that time of year are usually around $52-$60 per night...

How big a pain is the shuttle? Are we talking a hotel shuttle, or the ART? I am used to using WDW buses...but let's face it, part of the fun of DLR is not having to rely on public transportation options so heavily....that said, $60 per night?! WAHOO!

Hojo's is a favorite around here and if you or your friends have the entertainment card you could probably get a room during that time for around $59-69 per night....currently there are no rates out for march but if you keep an eye out on this link http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14 when the dates come out you will know...CCI is a nice place but frankly i always have thought it too expensive..theres times when CCI prices are the same as on property PP hotel...BWPPI is a great one too and right across from the walkway into DL entrance

Some perspective...DH and I have stayed at the All-Star Sports in WDW and would frankly never do a value resort again, maybe unless we had kids of our own. Too much noise, too much chaos, too many kids just running rampant for our yuppie adult taste at the moment. Let me know if Hojo's would annoy me similarly...I am sure its an *awesome* hotel for some families, but I'm worried it just won't fit with us at this time.

Incidentally, though - what do the Entertainment memberships usually cost nowadays? Clearly I would need to be both a 2012 and 2013 member to take advantage of any possible discount that would come out...

Keep the advice a-comin'! I do have a AAA membership, and assumed that the $126 rate I was seeing at the Best Western might be a decent one. Now I'm thinking maybe not so much..?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

How big a pain is the shuttle? Are we talking a hotel shuttle, or the ART? I am used to using WDW buses...but let's face it, part of the fun of DLR is not having to rely on public transportation options so heavily....that said, $60 per night?! WAHOO!



Some perspective...DH and I have stayed at the All-Star Sports in WDW and would frankly never do a value resort again, maybe unless we had kids of our own. Too much noise, too much chaos, too many kids just running rampant for our yuppie adult taste at the moment. Let me know if Hojo's would annoy me similarly...I am sure its an *awesome* hotel for some families, but I'm worried it just won't fit with us at this time.

Incidentally, though - what do the Entertainment memberships usually cost nowadays? Clearly I would need to be both a 2012 and 2013 member to take advantage of any possible discount that would come out...

Keep the advice a-comin'! I do have a AAA membership, and assumed that the $126 rate I was seeing at the Best Western might be a decent one. Now I'm thinking maybe not so much..?

We love Hojo and stay there most times when we visit Disneyland. We prefer Hojo because we know what we're going to get: interior corridors, clean rooms, walkable distance (although not the closest). We have two sons, so they have enjoyed the water play area in the past and are now at the age where swimming in the pool is more interesting. Hojo does seem to court families with children more than other demographics though, so reading your comments, I would say it may not suit your current needs. In all fairness, my sixty-something year old parents stayed at Hojo when they visited Disneyland on their own, no children or grandchildren, and said it was perfect for them, clean, pleasant, and quiet. It just sounds like you may be looking for more amenities and activities geared to adults, factors that weren't important to my parents or to my DH and me when we travel with our children.

If it was just DH and me, I would probably pick Candy Cane Inn, a nice "boutique" motel within walking distance that also has a private shuttle. I have heard that some people without children like Hotel Menage, but I haven't tried it myself and it wouldn't suit my DH and me. If you feel like a real splurge, you can stay at one of the onsite hotels and be in the midst of things. Otherwise, I might look further away from the park for a higher end hotel and just deal with the shuttle.

 

[Mackie Mouse]

If it was just DH and me, I would probably pick Candy Cane Inn, a nice "boutique" motel within walking distance that also has a private shuttle. I have heard that some people without children like Hotel Menage, but I haven't tried it myself and it wouldn't suit my DH and me. If you feel like a real splurge, you can stay at one of the onsite hotels and be in the midst of things. Otherwise, I might look further away from the park for a higher end hotel and just deal with the shuttle.

The "high-end" aspect is not a big deal...mainly just noise and not getting kicked or jumped on by kids while taking a break at the pool (read: the first few days of my honeymoon - ouch! If your parents loved the Hojo, then maybe it will be OK for us! Mainly I am a big "bang for your buck" kind of gal - staying on-site at DLR is definitely not worth the premium price to me, but being able to walk to the parks and maximize my time not waiting for transportation WDW-style is! For comparison, on our last WDW I nailed a great teacher rate at the Dolphin and paid less to walk to Epcot from there than I could have to ride the bus from Port Orleans. Could I have still paid slightly less and picked a different, maybe more low-key value resort? Sure...but I wanted a big bang for my buck.

Priorities are a comfy place to sleep, a pool to take a dip in during afternoon breaks, and a cheap or free spot to get a light breakfast in the morning.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

The "high-end" aspect is not a big deal...mainly just noise and not getting kicked or jumped on by kids while taking a break at the pool (read: the first few days of my honeymoon - ouch! If your parents loved the Hojo, then maybe it will be OK for us! Mainly I am a big "bang for your buck" kind of gal - staying on-site at DLR is definitely not worth the premium price to me, but being able to walk to the parks and maximize my time not waiting for transportation WDW-style is! For comparison, on our last WDW I nailed a great teacher rate at the Dolphin and paid less to walk to Epcot from there than I could have to ride the bus from Port Orleans. Could I have still paid slightly less and picked a different, maybe more low-key value resort? Sure...but I wanted a big bang for my buck.

Priorities are a comfy place to sleep, a pool to take a dip in during afternoon breaks, and a cheap or free spot to get a light breakfast in the morning.

I find Hojo comfy and the pool is a decent size. There is no free breakfast. There is the chain restaurant Mimi's right at the corner across from Hojo and a McDonald's a few more feet down the street so that gives you a range of cheap breakfast options.

Candy Cane Inn is also clean but has a very tiny pool. They are about the same distance away as Hojo but the other direction on Harbor and on the Disneyland side of the street so you never actually have to cross Harbor. Candy Cane has an ok continental breakfast: cereal, toast, bagels, donuts, yogurt, milk, coffee, juice. There is also the free shuttle which we don't go out of our way to wait for but will use if our timing is good.


For some of my recent peak time dates, I have noticed that Hojo and Candy Cane Inn prices have been coming into closer alignment. You can often get a $10 per night discount at Candy Cane with a AAA card; the online booking code is "DIS" or ask for the AAA rate when booking by phone. Hojo gives a 15% discount if you have an Entertainment card. I believe they also offer the same discount if you ask for the Disboards rate. The time of year you want to go you are unlikely to find the great retro rates at Hojo. It's not impossible; it's just that those dates tend to be dependent on how full the property is and spring break is a busy time. I don't remember there being retro rates the week before Easter this year, but there were a few nights the week after Easter. I'm not saying to completely rule it out; just don't count on it. If the retro rate does come up, you don't have to have the entertainment card in hand to book or to switch to that rate for an already made reservation; you can obtain one after booking. You will be asked to show the card at check-in. Since you are going March 2013, you would need the 2013 entertainment card/book if you use an entertainment or retro rate. The 2013 books will start being sold around August/September of this year and be good through Nov. 1, 2013. You do not want the 2012 book/card that is currently available as it will expire on Nov. 1 of this year. You can buy the discount book for your area; it is not necessary to buy the one for Anaheim. I think the books with card cost around $25-$45 each depending on what city/region they are for. I have heard that people sometimes just buy the card, but since I usually just buy the book I haven't tried this and don't know how that works.

 

[Paulakoala]

Incidentally, though - what do the Entertainment memberships usually cost nowadays? Clearly I would need to be both a 2012 and 2013 member to take advantage of any possible discount that would come out...

Keep an eye on entertainment.com for book deals. I bought the current Anaheim/Orange County and the current Vegas book a couple months ago for $34 total, free shipping.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

How big a pain is the shuttle? Are we talking a hotel shuttle, or the ART? I am used to using WDW buses...but let's face it, part of the fun of DLR is not having to rely on public transportation options so heavily....that said, $60 per night?! WAHOO!

i dont think its a huge pain at all...yes Im talking mainly about the ART but they come so frequent and they all drop off at the same location..whether they are public or direct from property

Some perspective...DH and I have stayed at the All-Star Sports in WDW and would frankly never do a value resort again, maybe unless we had kids of our own. Too much noise, too much chaos, too many kids just running rampant for our yuppie adult taste at the moment. Let me know if Hojo's would annoy me similarly...I am sure its an *awesome* hotel for some families, but I'm worried it just won't fit with us at this time.

lord have mercy, i wouldnt stay at All-Star Sports myself ...imo, hojo is not a typical wdw value resort..its in between that and a mod...but heres thing...there are 4 bldgs and bldg #1 is mostly where the noise is a factor...its right by the kids water park area...my favorite bldg is #2...its way in the back of the property and not alot of traffic...the pool is more the mellow pool and even though there are kids, its not as wild as up front...and theres a mimi's right across the street and imo its the best one ive been too...just a couple places down is McDonalds and you are right across the street from the Matterhorn...hojo is really close to the entrance

Incidentally, though - what do the Entertainment memberships usually cost nowadays? Clearly I would need to be both a 2012 and 2013 member to take advantage of any possible discount that would come out...

let me tell you how i get mine...every year i go on ebay and can buy them for about $5-$10 or so...doesnt come with a book but i mainly use it for hotel reservations anyways...saves me about $20-$30 a year

Keep the advice a-comin'! I do have a AAA membership, and assumed that the $126 rate I was seeing at the Best Western might be a decent one. Now I'm thinking maybe not so much..?

The time of year you want to go you are unlikely to find the great retro rates at Hojo. It's not impossible; it's just that those dates tend to be dependent on how full the property is and spring break is a busy time. I don't remember there being retro rates the week before Easter this year, but there were a few nights the week after Easter. I'm not saying to completely rule it out; just don't count on it. If the retro rate does come up, you don't have to have the entertainment card in hand to book or to switch to that rate for an already made reservation; you can obtain one after booking. You will be asked to show the card at check-in. Since you are going March 2013, you would need the 2013 entertainment card/book if you use an entertainment or retro rate. The 2013 books will start being sold around August/September of this year and be good through Nov. 1, 2013. You do not want the 2012 book/card that is currently available as it will expire on Nov. 1 of this year.

yep thats a good summary disneylurker...and like it was said, not sure if you will be able to get the retro rates or not but thats why I posted that link so you could check when they come out...you could make a reservation and then if they come up, just have them change it to the retro rate

 

[Mackie Mouse]

The time of year you want to go you are unlikely to find the great retro rates at Hojo. It's not impossible; it's just that those dates tend to be dependent on how full the property is and spring break is a busy time. I don't remember there being retro rates the week before Easter this year, but there were a few nights the week after Easter. I'm not saying to completely rule it out; just don't count on it. If the retro rate does come up, you don't have to have the entertainment card in hand to book or to switch to that rate for an already made reservation; you can obtain one after booking. You will be asked to show the card at check-in.

This makes total sense. Note that I was in disbelief last night thinking there was a good chance that rate would be available during Easter week...

Since we are staying with friends, I think the plan is going to be to pick someplace that has a decent rate on Wed. and just book it...and then do some discount hunting over the next 9 months to see if we can get something better. Right now that looks like $126/night with a AAA and/or Disboards discount at the Best Western or the Hojo. I did find a rate of $111 at the Ramada Maingate if anyone wants to comment on that...

 

[disneegrl4eva]

This makes total sense. Note that I was in disbelief last night thinking there was a good chance that rate would be available during Easter week...

Since we are staying with friends, I think the plan is going to be to pick someplace that has a decent rate on Wed. and just book it...and then do some discount hunting over the next 9 months to see if we can get something better. Right now that looks like $126/night with a AAA and/or Disboards discount at the Best Western or the Hojo. I did find a rate of $111 at the Ramada Maingate if anyone wants to comment on that...

well if you were going soon I would say steer clear of Ramada Maingate..mainly because they are currently renovating all the rooms and they still have ones they arent done with but are allowing guests to still stay in them...the rooms are very dingy and well i wont stay in them..now you can ask them to get one of the new rooms but the bottom line is if other people get there before you they are going to get those rooms and they still have to utilize the old rooms...personally i would say offer them at an EXTREME discount but who am i???? so for $111 on a new room then for sure but if its one of the old rooms then no way...however, in your favor is that by the time you go Im sure the renovations will be completed (hopefully...you could call and ask), it is truly within walking distance, they offer a breakfast to guests by the pool and the hotel staff is seriously nice...now if they arent going to be done with the renovations then i would strongly suggest what i originally did and that was to get a priceline hotel...one thing i didnt say was there is another hotel on a 3.5 * level and that is a little bit farther than the Ramada ..its the Red Lion Hotel and its really really nice..we got it last Dec. for about $69 a night....now the only bad thing about priceline hotels is that if you are driving then you have to pay a seriously ridiculous parking fee but even if it costs $80 per night, parking included..thats still a steal

 

[DisneytheKid]

We always book as soon as dates are released for where we want to stay, than can always be changed and so may the rates so we watch.

Jack

Ditto

 

[Thundergod]

at least 4 years.. you're welcome

 

[disneegrl4eva]

at least 4 years.. you're welcome

 

[BlueBayou]

I have stayed in all three of the hotels you mentioned (as well as GCH, DLH PPH, Desert Inn and Suites and Tropicana).

Of the three you mentioned - I really like the CCI for the feel of the place. The shuttle is great - operating like clockwork every half hour. We planned to walk some but never did.

I know the breakfast should not be a deciding factor - but with kids, being able to get "free" food in them right off is wonderful. As our children went from toddler age to kid age - we moved from HOJOs to hotels with the breakfast offerings. It is just such a time saver.

Room wise I would say the BWPPI is our least favorite - but not bad at all.

I would not hesitate to stay in any of them again.