Quick Hotel Help!

[shruley]

So we had planned an early Nov. trip to DL, partly because my cousin lives in Brea and we had planned to stay with her a majority of our trip. Well, change of plans, she is now moving in a month! So I'm quick reading and would like to make a decision quickly on what hotel to book.

I have 3 kids, ages 2 (just turned), 7 and 10. I gather from reading that we want somewhere we can walk from, and the 3 hotels that seemed to be most recommended were Fairfield, HoJo, and BWPPI. BWPPI seems to be sold out for our dates. I was able to get a good deal on the Hojo through Expedia and the like. About $2000 total (standard room) if I booked my air and hotel together. That was for a non-stop on a good airline. It was maybe $200 more for the Fairfield. My girls do like to swim, and we're from MN, in teh past we've routinely swam at night in FL in Dec and Jan as long as the pool is heated.

Any thoughts? I think I'm leaning towards the HoJo, but is the walk do-able? Does the Fairfield save me a lot of walking time, or just a couple minutes? Anything else I should know about either hotel before I book? Is the HoJo kid suite worth it?

 

[GracieB]

I've not stayed at that particular Fairfield, but I hear it has a plain pool. HoJo has the kids mini water play area plus a regular pool. It is a longer walk, but is not far. I would pick it over Fairfield due to the pool.

 

[daannzzz]

The HoJo is just across a street form the Fairfield. You walk would be a couple minutes more from the HoJo.

 

[luulu1999]

Were staying at Park Vue Inn and it is right across the street from the entrance, free breakfast parking and wifi..there is a pool of course it's not the fancy play area like the HOJO but its right across the street, we got a queen room with bunk beds for $150 a night

 

[Brudette]

We're going in September and also chose Park Vue Inn. For some reason, it's not often recommended on these boards, but it gets glowing reviews on TripAdvisor and they just barely renovated the rooms. And as the PP mentioned, free parking, wifi, and a hot (not just continental) breakfast. We haven't been on our trip yet, so I can't say personally how it is yet, but it looked good to us.

 

[shruley]

Thanks for the info! I will check out the Park Vue Inn and prices.

 

[kirstie101]

We are big Hojo's fans. My kids are 7 and 3 and we've been staying there for a couple years now. The pool is always a hit with them. We have gotten lucky with the weather and they have used it in November and January. Though one December it was too cold and they didn't get to use it that trip. The walk difference btwn Hojo and Fairfield is going to be only about 1-2 minutes. It takes our family less than 10 minutes to walk from Hojo to the parks. The rooms are clean, the beds are super comfortable, staff have gone above and beyond for us. Keurig coffee makers in all the rooms. Noise has never been an issue for us. Their little store is well stocked. You can see the fireworks from their pool area or from the rooms that face Disneyland. Mimi's restaurant is right across the street. Also, parking is still free! Most of the hotels on Harbor charge for parking now.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Do you have to book your flight and hotel together? All of the hotels you listed would be fairly inexpensive but I like to know exactly what I'm paying for each part of my trip, so "$200 more" would be too vague for me!
Last Minute Travel often has a good price for the Fairfield. Also some have had luck using Marriott's price guarantee to save even more. If you compare a HoJo room close to the lobby/crosswalk and a room at Fairfield that is at the back of that hotel, I bet they are exactly the same distance from DL. I would not make a decision between those two based on which is closer.
Have you called BWPPI or checked the BW site for availability? BWPPI and BW Anaheim Inn seem to have fewer rooms on travel sites when I'm searching but I can always get a room booking direct.
With 3 kiddos and 1 being tiny, BWPPI would be my pick, but HoJo's pool is tough to beat!
I can't bring myself to stay at Park Vue again though our only stay 8 yrs ago was fine. There is just something about the staff attitude when I have called to book, ask questions, and cancel reservations that makes me feel like they wouldn't help or care if there was a problem during our stay. I get great service at BW and HoJo so why chance it?

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

The HoJo is a 10-minute walk to the front gate of either park, including passing through the Esplanade bag check. I've made if fast-walking in 8 minutes. With kids and a stroller, I'm sure you could make it in 15 at a leisurely pace. You pass a 24-hour McDonalds on the way, which may be useful to your family (or not.) The ART bus also stops directly in front of the hotel, so you don't even have to walk if you don't want to.

Like PPers, I also wonder if you can get a better deal not doing a travel package. I would look at rates booking directly with HoJo, and with discount carriers like Southwest. In my experience traveling from Chicago, Southwest and direct booking with HoJo has always been cheaper, and is more flexible as well.

 

[DisneyAZfam]

We have stayed at the Desert Inn and Suites that is literally right across the crosswalk from the park. Its nothing terribly fancy but comfortable and very reasonably priced. We had 2 adults, a 5 year old, and a 2 year old in a pack and play and still plenty of room. It was so nice not to have to think about lugging tired kids for 10-15 minutes at the end of the night!

 

[mabdallah]

I can say I love the HOJO that is why we go back year after year. We usually spend about $1000.00 for 7 days at the HOJO(Disney view room)! But that is booking way in advance and I look for deals on the site.
In 2012 I booked our vacation through Disney Travel Co, we bought a package through them, and you can only choose a standard room. I then emailed the HOJO directly and asked for an upgrade, which was I think around $90.00 for the week. When it came time to check out they did not charge me anything, I asked them why because I thought we owed for the upgrade, they told me it was a little bit of Disney magic. Love the customer service there, top notch!!
The little store there is helpful, and the rooms at least the Disney rooms are fairly big. The walk is not that bad, there is free parking and the no breakfast does not bug me too much(we are not big breakfast people).
We are planning a trip next June and that is where I will book.

 

[Baxhappyplace]

This map shows you where the hotels are.

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp