If you usually stay onsite... if you have to stay offsite where do you go?

[Disneyland1084]

We just got back from DL today, after being there 5 days. I've stayed at the resort hotels, but can't justify the after pandemic costs to stay there anymore, lol. There are plenty of nice Good Neighbor hotels. Hojo is a good alternate to the DL hotel. I've stayed at Park Vue Inn and BW Park Place Inn in recent years and would stay there again. This trip we stayed at the Desert Inn and Suites. The staff was nice, but I won't be staying there again. The continental breakfast had a small, lousy selection. Their pool is indoors, I prefer outdoor pools. The only reason we stayed there is we needed a 2 bedroom suite and it was the only one with a decent price within walking distance.

 

[Pluto468]

Yep, that's it exactly!

A long time ago, they used to have these special rates that included an "Entertainment Rate" (remember those Entertainment books that had categories for savings?), an AP rate, and I believe there was a DIS rate as well. I used to be able to get Hojo for $49/night back then, and sometimes it was $29 (if you were ok with the smaller rooms with the "eyebrow" windows). Those beds were small, but it was such a great price!

However, I got older, my kids grew up, and the Hojo rates continued to escalate. I didn't have to watch my budget as much and I stopped choosing Hojo.

We stayed there when it was $59 for a nice big room next to the garden pool. That rate was impossible to resist lol. But the walk was awful, especially at the end of the night. Everyone says it's 8 minutes away, but it sure wasn't that for us.

 

[monkeypat83]

We stayed there when it was $59 for a nice big room next to the garden pool. That rate was impossible to resist lol. But the walk was awful, especially at the end of the night. Everyone says it's 8 minutes away, but it sure wasn't that for us.

I think the 8 minutes is only if there are no kids walking. I did the walk in less than 8 when I hit the signal right outside the hotel just right but my kids are little so I was pushing them in a stroller. If they were walking it would have been longer. If I don't have my kids with me I don't stay there because I can usually get Park Vue Inn for about the same price and it is sooo much closer but my kids do love the pool and I actually don't think the walk is too bad but ask me again when my oldest is no longer in a stroller and she has to walk back at the end of the night. Hojo does still have a AP (magic key whatever) discount that is I think 15% off so that does help. The code is not super easy on the internet to find but it is 1000025935 in case anyone needs it.

 

[RunnerMom71]

Just came back from my first trip off site. Stayed at the JW Marriott. Easy walk, quiet and off the main drag. Great hotel - but yes we really did miss the GCH.

 

[Pluto468]

Just came back from my first trip off site. Stayed at the JW Marriott. Easy walk, quite and off the main drag. Great hotel - but yes we really did miss the GCH.

What was the route? Did you go through DTD? Next time we stay offsite I'm avoiding Harbor.

 

[RunnerMom71]

From the 2nd floor of the hotel (which is where reception is) you walk through the doors to their garden. Out their gate and then keep going straight out via the Anaheim Garden Walk. You exit onto Disney Way. Take a right hand turn onto Harbor. Kind of no way to avoid Harbor honestly. Leaving we crossed Harbor so didn't have to deal w/ all the people trying to get their Uber/Lyft ride.

When we got to security I went as far left as possible w/out much of a wait to get through (we went for rope drop).

 

[StarlitNight05]

What was the route? Did you go through DTD? Next time we stay offsite I'm avoiding Harbor.

The Westin may be a good one for you to try for the next off-site visit.

 

[jimmymc]

The Howard Johnson has been popular for a long time, even before influencers were a thing. I've never stayed there, but it still consistently gets good reviews.

I tend to stick with Marriott properties. The Courtyard right next to the HOJO is a great hotel but can be pricey compared to its neighbors. The Fairfield Inn has a prime location, but the rooms (and especially the bathrooms) are small. You'll fit 4 people in there, but they may not all be able to walk around each other.

The Best Western Plus also gets good reviews, however they can be inconsistent with management. But for the right price, I would try it.

The Residence Inn is a further walk, but amazing because you can get a one bedroom with a kitchen for about the same price as regular rooms at neighboring hotels. I say further walk, but it's still about the same distance as the further rooms in the Disneyland Hotel or Pixar Pier.

 

[Carolwoodpr]

We always stay at Fairfield Inn, but I do want to do the courtyard next time we are off site.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We like Hojo because we prefer the interior corridors and hotel feel. The rooms are also a nice size and always clean. The onsite staff is great.

 

[SpaceMan5]

Yep, that's it exactly!

A long time ago, they used to have these special rates that included an "Entertainment Rate" (remember those Entertainment books that had categories for savings?), an AP rate, and I believe there was a DIS rate as well. I used to be able to get Hojo for $49/night back then, and sometimes it was $29 (if you were ok with the smaller rooms with the "eyebrow" windows). Those beds were small, but it was such a great price!

However, I got older, my kids grew up, and the Hojo rates continued to escalate. I didn't have to watch my budget as much and I stopped choosing Hojo.

 

[SpaceMan5]

Yep, that's it exactly!

A long time ago, they used to have these special rates that included an "Entertainment Rate" (remember those Entertainment books that had categories for savings?), an AP rate, and I believe there was a DIS rate as well. I used to be able to get Hojo for $49/night back then, and sometimes it was $29 (if you were ok with the smaller rooms with the "eyebrow" windows). Those beds were small, but it was such a great price!

However, I got older, my kids grew up, and the Hojo rates continued to escalate. I didn't have to watch my budget as much and I stopped choosing Hojo.

Oh man! That is how we booked our HOJO stay many moons ago. That was such a great deal....and never to be seen again

 

[Charm6]

I agree with the others saying HOJO is too far! We stayed long ago when our girls were little and the water park was new, with the entertainment discount. That was the only time we stayed. Liked the hotel, but that walk was too long for us.
We stayed at the Tropicana the next time, it was so much closer, had good prices, and was recommended by a friend who worked as a travel agent. They offer military discount, so that makes it reasonable for us. They also have an extended stay discount for 5 or more nights that comes to about the same price, if we stay that long. It's clean and comfortable. I chose it again for our last trip, and our upcoming trip later this year.

 

[crystal1313]

If they are used to the DLR hotels, I would say westin would be the closest in quality. They can take ART or take an Uber to the parks if the walk is too long. hope that helps!

 

[gardenrooms]

I find the hotels right cross the street are a little "basic" for my taste, even though I don't spend much time there. My (adult) kids like the cheaper price, bit you get what you pay for. Before they started picking the hotel, we used to always go to the Candy Cane Inn, though we haven't been there since the remodel so I don't know how it stacks up now. The price always used to be reasonable, pleasant grounds, not a bad walk and you can steer clear of most of the street people but has a shuttle also, and friendly staff, though don't know if they were all able to come back after Covid shut-down. Plus nice breakfast spread you can eat out by the pool. Very pleasant. (Before Candy Cane, we stayed at HoJos, which used to have good deals (and free parking) but those seem to be a thing of the past and the walk is a bit far.

 

[redleader74]

here's my .35 cents....

Over the years (and they are many), I've stayed at a variety of options. Waaaay back in the early 80's or family would stay at a place called the Waikiki Motel. That place is long, long gone but it's where the Desert Palms Hotel currently is. As I child, I found the walk from there to the entrance unbearable, especially in the summer heat, but then again, the entrance was in a comletely different place back then and there was a still a parking lot in front of the park. So yeah, walking distances and small children is a big deal. In recent years, we've stayed at either of the two BW's across the street and the BWPPPI, I feel, is truly the shortest distance from hotel room door to turnstiles, with the exception of possibl the GC. I've also stayed at the DLH a handful of years ago and yes the distance from hotel room door to turnstiles is much further than BWPPI, depending on the tower you're in, but also, having to navigate the crowds in DTD adds to the walk. Granted, if I could afford it I'd love to stay with our young daughter there at least once to give her the fully immersive Disney experience.

I did stay at the Park Vue Inn once (back in 1995!) and I remember being able to clearly see the fireworks from the second floor terrace.