PPH Concierge Qs (specs, Expedia purchase, etc)

[RainyDayPixie]

I'm having buyers remorse with my hotel for later this month... So far I'm staying at Hojo's, but I'll be alone with two little kiddos and I'd love to be closer. I have lots of random Qs:

1) Is PPH an easier walk than Hojo?

2) Has anyone bought a concierge room via Expedia. They have one for my dates for $263/night ($100/night less expensive than Disney AP rate). That seems reasonable for concierge and for this close to my trip. I'm wondering if PPH is obligated to honor that room type if purchased through 3rd party?

3) Is there a concierge exclusive elevator? Or are available elevators a problem?

4) What floors are concierge rooms on?

5) What would you do... stay at Hojo for $100/night or PPH for $263? (Note: I have an AP, so the MM would be nice the Thursday of our Tues-Fri stay)

Thanks everyone! I hate questioning my plans!!!

 

[sonnyjane]

I'd stick with HoJo with that price difference no question. PPH is not really close despite being "on-site". That just means it's an official Disney hotel. Even using the shortcut through the Grand it's still just under half a mile away.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

I'd stick with HoJo with that price difference no question. PPH is not really close despite being "on-site". That just means it's an official Disney hotel. Even using the shortcut through the Grand it's still just under half a mile away.

Thanks for your quick response!

Am I right that DLH is even a bit further away than PPH? I'd love to stay at GC, but at over $350/night, I just can't stomach it!

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks for your quick response!

Am I right that DLH is even a bit further away than PPH? I'd love to stay at GC, but at over $350/night, I just can't stomach it!

Just marginally. If memory serves me correctly, PPH is like .42 miles and DLH is .47 to the esplanade. For comparison, Park Vue Inn is .21 miles. I'd look up HoJo but I'm on my phone. Bottom line is if distance is a main criteria, stick with HoJo at just $100 a night!

 

[Echie]

I've never stayed at Hojo so I can't comment on that but we just stayed PPH Concierge... imo it's not really worth it and we agreed we'd rather save the extra money spent on concierge, and eat our own breakfasts in our room and just buy the snacks we want

We didn't like that the concierge lounge closed at 8pm. Also the snacks throughout the day (from 10-5) were pretty minimal and that was the time when we were most likely to want to go for a snack in the lounge... And then we found we weren't really ever able to make it back for the 5-7 appetizers or 7-8 sweets... But maybe since you're going with two little kids it might work better for you and the concierge staff in the lounge are very helpful - we watched them really be very helpful to parents who were there with kids by themselves, so that's nice...

We were on the 14th floor overlooking the pool/parking lot - but we just paid for a standard room (not a view room).

There's not elevator specifically for concierge but if you use the glass elevator it's way faster than the regular elevators. We went in January when it wasn't busy and in the morning it was a nightmare to make it down to the lobby in the regular elevators (it stopped on every floor), we only did that once and then always used the glass elevator.

What we DID like is that check in and out was a breeze and very relaxing in the lounge, that was probably the biggest perk for us staying concierge. Turn down service was nice too, but not enough for us to justify staying concierge again here.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

Thanks for your great feedback! I always second guess myself!!!!

I just looked and I can now book Hojo at the Retro rate. A Deluxe room there for 3 nights would be less than 1 night at PPH. I'd probably be happier using the extra $500 for character meals and other special things!

 

[leazel]

This really helped me, I've been on the fence about possibly upgrading to concierge but, with my 3 boys I can already see them, not being satisfied with whats available and still want $$ for the vending machines. Plus, I'm not much of a scheduler and don't see myself trying to make it back to the hotel just for certain refreshment/food perks.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

There will always be those posters that chime in and say that staying on property is not worth it--and then you have posters like me who say it is worth it if you can at all afford it. I have stayed at all 3 of the DLR properties several times. and really liked our stay at the Paradise Pier. Disneyland Hotel is typically our favorite, but not with the construction. Now that it is getting wrapped up, we will go back soon.

What really surprised me about the Paradise Pier was how close it was. As long as you don't follow the signs that they post (a weird round about way to go) and instead just cross the street and go thru the Grand Californian--it is just about as close as the Grand Californian. So if you think the Grand Californian plus one small crosswalk is far.....well, I guess you would think the Paradise Pier is far. We actually marveled at how close it was. When we stayed there last time we stayed concierge, and we loved it. It was me and my two girls, and I think it ended up saving us money, as breakfast and dinner was covered. We had snacks in the park (like ice cream for fireworks or popcorn)--but other than that we just ate at the concierge. I loved the simplicity of eating there, and concierge lounge was very clean and comfortable. It was nothing like the free breakfast we were offered but chose not to eat at one motel we stayed at on Harbor (we didn't want food poisoning!).

I LOVE staying on property and feel like it makes all the difference, but we can't always afford it. We leave will be staying at Hojos for our next trip (on Friday!)--and we have stayed there before. It is a perfectly clean, safe, indoor corridor hotel. I think it is a good low cost alternative, but it isn't like staying at one of the DLR hotels.

You are sort of comparing apples and oranges between the two.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[skiingfast]

5) What would you do... stay at Hojo for $100/night or PPH for $263? (Note: I have an AP, so the MM would be nice the Thursday of our Tues-Fri stay)

To piggy back on what Lisa said. When are you going? Is this soon or over summer? The onsite perks may be better this summer with DCA's changing operations. Also if you possibly get a Carsland preview in the late Spring.


Also did you book/check both with a AP price? Hojo will give the entertainment rate with an AP if it's available or a small discount if it's not.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

To piggy back on what Lisa said. When are you going? Is this soon or over summer? The onsite perks may be better this summer with DCA's changing operations. Also if you possibly get a Carsland preview in the late Spring.


Also did you book/check both with a AP price? Hojo will give the entertainment rate with an AP if it's available or a small discount if it's not.

Per the original post, they're going later this month.