My name is Jess, and I am a spoiled brat.

[Briarmom]

OK, I have Hojos booked for our Mon 30-June 2 stay. I am sure it will be fine. I know it will be fine. I want to stay at GCH!!!
I think part of it is that I want my ds6 to have his most magical trip (which I need to get a grip, because the best laid plans...) and part of that magic would be staying at the GC.
Can I afford it? Probably. It will be tight, but I could do it. We have stayed at the DLH a few times and loved it.
OK, now tell me I am a spoiled brat and I need to get over it. Tell me the magic can transfer to Hojo. Remind me how expensive it is. Oh, and don't forget to tell me the truth about how great the GCH would be, too

 

[thatgirl'smom]

We just stayed at the GCH last week and it was fabulous. We've never been to DL or any of the hotels and I think the GCH definitely spoiled us for any others. It was just ridiculously easy to walk out of the parks to the hotel and back and forth. I really loved it there.

That said, I hear and read great things about HoJo's! Your son's birthday will be magical because he will be spending quality time with you and that's what matters most, not the accomodations.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[crazymomof 4]

I have tried so hard to be as brave as you! I just haven't been able to do it yet! I do know that my friends love the HOJO and they come out of it a lot less out of pocket than we do! Good Luck!

 

[Briarmom]

Thanks for supporting my spoiled-bratism!

 

[zukeeper]

I stayed at the GCH with our family of 5 and I have to admit that there is a bit of magic in staying onsite, and we really enjoyed relaxing on the lanai even though we didn't have a park view. I can't imagine how great that would have been. The kids loved the elevator and I personally felt like the guests were "nicer" overall than when I stayed off-site (at the Desert Inn). There I encountered suspicious smells (drugs?), trash and overflowing ashtrays, lots of noise, dingy room, etc. I remember wishing I was back at the GC.

BUT - at the GC
*the rooms are quite small considering what you spend
*no microwave for reheating or fixing snacks and you will spend a fortune on on-site food (although you can request a fridge)
*it really isn't much closer than hotels on Harbor Blvd except for the DCA access which we rarely used because of closing and opening times
*I wasn't overly impressed with the pool and I hear Hojo's is nice

I am staying at the PP Hotel this summer (I need 2 rooms now with 6 people), but only because I'm getting 4th night free and it ends up being under $150/nt per room. Those are my thoughts, I hope they help!

 

[cstraub]

I stayed at the HOJO once and I won't do it again. That does not mean you have to stay at GCH though! There are other cheaper options. If you had good luck at DLH why not try there again. I though it was better than the HOJO. You really do lose alot of the "magic" walking from the HOJO to DL. If you were to stay outside of the park I would chose somewhere other than HOJO. I did alot of homework at the time about which hotel was closest to the entrance of DL and HOJO is what I came up with. It is not the closest and I can't remember which hotlel is. I was not yet on the DIS when planning that trip or I would have asked here.
Once you have stayed at GCH or DLH you are spoiled for the rest. If it was a money thing I would still take my chances at PPH or another hotel closer to the DL entrance. HOJO was just too unmagical for me comparitively. I vowed that I would not stay outside of the park again.
We have to fly to California from Ohio and tehn buy our hoppers. I don't want to spend all of that money and then be in a 2nd rate hotel and have to walk with the masses to get to the park. You never really get to ride the monorail either. I don't think you are a spoiled brat! You are in search, like the rest of us, for the most magical trip you can get. If you can afford it I would go for a Disney property for sure!!!! Hope this helps!!

 

[Amberle3]

I've stayed at several of the area hotels and the HoJo is one of my favourites. Staff is good, rooms are clean and comfortable. Grounds are really nice. I like it so much that we'll be staying there again in July.

 

[CalGal]

Sometimes the rates drop a few weeks out when the hotels aren't booked up, and that can make the Disney Hotels even more tempting. Checking Expedia, it looks like you can get some low rates at DLH for 5/30-5/31($129/night); it's pretty pricy for 6/1; GC only looks like it has availability on 5/30 and 5/31 at $265 with no availability for 6/1. You could split your stay (1 night at HoJos to try it out, 2 nights at the DLH at this great rate).

 

[wide awake]

We've stayed at the CandyCane which was fine. That said, our October trip will be at DLH...the three nights, get one free. I feel about GC what I feel about WL at WDW...this is a knock off of Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone...where you can stay for $144/night in high season...that was the price when we were there last year anyway. I picked DLH because it is the original Disney hotel...am hoping it will be great. That said I don't think you're a spoiled brat for wanting the best trip possible...but sometimes that doesn't equate with spending the most money...sort of like housing tracts...have you ever noticed that the 3rd of 4 houses will always be the best...not the most expensive, but the nicest ?

 

[Briarmom]

OK, I booked the DLH. I got the AP rate of 159. I tried to only book it on 6/1 and book Expedia for the other two nights, but I couldn't get an AP rate for only one night, so here we are. I cancelled Hojo, and hope my dh will understand. We just prefer to stay on site.
Thanks for all the other 'spoileds' who came out in support. I'll send you a bill

 

[Dobie]

Dear Briarmom, I don't think you are a brat at all! And if you can't spoil yourself, then phooey.

 

[crazymomof 4]

You did the right thing. When you start to second guess than you know it's not right for you! Good luck we stayed at the DL hotel last year and I will say they have the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in and I was squashed between a 2 year old a 3 week old and my husband! Have fun!

 

[lntsmom]

When you come back, let's go head-to-head as to who had the better experience.

I will speak up for most of the single moms and lots of other folks in the world...I can't justify spending a penny more than I have to. I'd love to be in a position where I could say that I can "afford" anything...but that we are taking this trip at all is a splurge.

I'll stay with the not-so-nice people in the off-site hotel, and try to keep my perspective about the fact that we're lucky to be able to afford a Disney trip at all. When I was a kid, vacation consisted of going to Minnesota to spend a week with my aunts. I'm sure there are many people in that position today.

I've said this here before, but when I went to WDW in '99 we stayed at Movies. The only family who griped was a group who went yearly and had been used to staying at the Contemporary. I decided then that it all depends on your expectations. I don't expect my hotel to prop up my ego or convince me that I deserve to be pampered...I just want it to give me a clean, quiet room where my kids and I can rest up and get ready for another day in the parks!

 

[Briarmom]

When you come back, let's go head-to-head as to who had the better experience.

I will speak up for most of the single moms and lots of other folks in the world...I can't justify spending a penny more than I have to. I'd love to be in a position where I could say that I can "afford" anything...but that we are taking this trip at all is a splurge.

I'll stay with the not-so-nice people in the off-site hotel, and try to keep my perspective about the fact that we're lucky to be able to afford a Disney trip at all. When I was a kid, vacation consisted of going to Minnesota to spend a week with my aunts. I'm sure there are many people in that position today.

I've said this here before, but when I went to WDW in '99 we stayed at Movies. The only family who griped was a group who went yearly and had been used to staying at the Contemporary. I decided then that it all depends on your expectations. I don't expect my hotel to prop up my ego or convince me that I deserve to be pampered...I just want it to give me a clean, quiet room where my kids and I can rest up and get ready for another day in the parks!

Gosh, I didn't mean to make anyone upset. We didn't even go as far as Minnesota when I was a kid, so I wasn't raised in any lap of luxury considering Minnesota was a 5 hour car ride away. I was raised by a single mother who worked constantly, so I know all about that.
Before you continue to pass judgement on me, please realize that I live VERY close to Disneyland (5 hours away) so I don't have to buy plane tickets. I drive a tiny little car (not driving a gas-guzzler there on this trip), and only have to buy two tickets to DL, one of which I will get at a military discount as my dh is in the military (proof that we are cash-poor).
When we go to WDW we stay wherever they have a military rate. Usually the same price as a value resort. Never have stayed anywhere fancy, just the Military hotel, and once even a Hojo's (gasp).
Sorry you feel the need to be so defensive. I don't think my hotel will boost my ego. I also will not be 'pampered' at the DLH.
I'm sure you will have a great time on your trip, and I hope to have one on mine as well. No need for competetion.

 

[abby]

My DD who is almost 5 and I went in Mid-April, we stayed at the DLH. At first I wondered why, then realized we did because I wanted a magical experience. I loved the walk through Downtown Disney to the parks or the monorail ride.
We are planning to go back, and although I know off site would be cheaper, we will stay on site again.
I realize my DD may not care, but I do, and it was great. If you can afford it I say go for it, and if not, you will have a great trip regardless.

 

[lntsmom]

the posts you've gotten in response!