# of days? & HoJo or Staybridge?

[DisFam95]

Couple of questions for the pros...

We're going to DL in the fall w/ the family for the first time. Wondering how any days is good. We're just doing DL. Is 4 full days plenty..too much..not enough? We ca do a 5th but that seems like a lot for DL - we're used to WDW.

Also hotel -

I've stayed at HoJo on a brief trip to anaheim w/ a friend and it was nice to walk over to the park for a day. Another friend speaks highly of the Staybridge Suites. A travel site reviews gives mixed or mostly negative reviews of the ART transport that it uses. Seems way too far to walk (w/ a 6yr old).

Of course DH wants to stay at Disney Californian but I'm having a hard dropping that much $$ on a "cheap weekend trip"

Any opinions??

Thanks!!

 

[alivingxerox]

I would skip the staybridge, we stayed there a couple of years ago and the ART is really a pain. One night we waited forever for it to come back to pick us up at the hotel and we almost missed our dinner reservation. I would also agree that it is too far too walk.

 

[SnowWhite09]

I have never stayed at Staybridge Suites, but I have stayed at Hojos and it was great. 8 to 10 minute walk to the parks, extra comfy bed, clean rooms and helpful staff. If you can get the Retro/Entertainment rate that is even better!

Have a great trip!

 

[skiingfast]

I'd really suggest staying close.

4 or 5 days? It will take more time with family, and there will be almost as much to do in the parks as in WDW. When in the Fall are you going? This will help answer that question a lot.

 

[DisFam95]

We're going the first weekend in October over Columbus day weekend. It's our schools long 4day weekend.

I've been reading about some of the motels just across the street like the hojo (which I've been to briefly) and the park view or something like that

It's my dh who is sort of the travel snob and wants the Californian. But I think I can find a better use for $2000! He's a fan of wdw and I'm pushing the dl trip because I think it's better for a short weekend trip. I don't want to end up in a dive and have him hate the experience. I'm ok staying wherever (as long as its clean!).

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I like Hojo. Personally, I won't stay anywhere further away than that anymore. If your DH is real insistent on a Disney hotel, you might want to check out the DLH or even Paradise Pier as less expensive alternatives to the Grand.

You will probably want the four days in Disneyland. I might even go for five if I wanted to be able to relax some at the pool, linger over meals, take in the small details, and just generally have a more slow-paced trip. Columbus Day weekend is busy but not terrible. When we went that weekend a couple years ago, I would have compared it to a summer day in terms of crowds (and heat that year too as it turned out!).

 

[skiingfast]

You will probably want the four days in Disneyland. I might even go for five if I wanted to be able to relax some at the pool, linger over meals, take in the small details, and just generally have a more slow-paced trip. Columbus Day weekend is busy but not terrible. When we went that weekend a couple years ago, I would have compared it to a summer day in terms of crowds (and heat that year too as it turned out!).

That is a good way to put it. It's a busy weekend, not terrible but a little more than a usual weekend.

4 days would really help to get true weekday in, but it also presents a problem. Their may be a Halloween problem on each end, causing a Friday with a very busy evening, or and a Tuesday with a slightly elevated day and busy evening.

It's my dh who is sort of the travel snob and wants the Californian. But I think I can find a better use for $2000! He's a fan of wdw and I'm pushing the dl trip because I think it's better for a short weekend trip. I don't want to end up in a dive and have him hate the experience. I'm ok staying wherever (as long as its clean!).

This is always a tricky part. I'd really push that you can save so much TIME, staying within walking distance rather than using an hour plus a day to stay in a premium locations offsite. Time is valuable especially at DLR on a weekend. You want to spend hours in the park not on the ART shuttles.

I like the suggestion for the DLH as an alternative to the GCH.

You also may consider the Fairfield Inn, it's brand recognition might be pleasing to you husband. Fair warning, it's the worst Fairfield Inn I know of. It's clean, it's well managed but the building itself is simply wierd for the chain.

I'd also consider that many off the hotels on Harbor have nice suites, that tend to have nicer furnishings or linens than there other rooms.

 

[DisFam95]

Well dh is finally on board w/ the money saving aspect as we're hoping for a really big west coast Canada trip the following year so he sees the benefit of saving money for that (his trip)

Now I need to find the right one!!

 

[I❤MICKEY]

We are currently staying at the Staybridge (12/30-1/7). Honestly I'm less than impressed. The rate was great and the rooms are clean but very small. The front desk staff was so-so. When we arrived I had asked about directions for other sightseeing places. I was the only person at the desk and there were 3 employees. They said when I was ready to go they could help me. I explained that I wanted to plan everything for the week. The employee huffed, opened a binder and had to make me photo copies. Apparently he had better things to do that night. The beds are tiny (DH and I are actually sleeping in separate beds) and there isn't room to put our pack-n-play in the bedroom. We ended up moving the beds to make room. They have light housekeeping service which means they make the bed and bring towels. No vacuum, wipe down of sinks, etc. I like having the breakfast. It is exactly what you expect for a hotel breakfast (waffles, fresh fruit, cereal, powdered eggs, bagels, toast, meat). Having a fridge in the room is great. Especially with little ones.

As for the ART I have no complaints. It has been a great experience. The longest we've waited was 5 minutes. The last three nights when we've walked out of the park the bus was actually waiting for us. One time my DH stood but the kids and I always had a place to sit. It makes one stop on the way to the park and one stop on the way back. I would say 10 minutes tops door to door. I would never hesitate to stay at a hotel that only has the ART as an option. IMO the biggest flaw with the ART is user error. I can't tell you how many people get on and want to pay with cash or think it's free. I think in part that is a hotel issue. They don't do a very good job of explaining. When we arrived and I asked about it they were very short yes and no answers with little explanation.