Staying on site vs off

[hoodoodesigns]

I'm really torn, we want a amazing vacation but I just can't decide if we should stay right in Disneyland or off site at the Hojo. Who's done both and which did you prefer?

 

[Dot2Vegas]

Ive never stayed on property. Our trips are short, a day or two, a few times per year. We stay off property. We like the Candy Cane Inn. It works for us and the price is right.
That being said...what are you looking for in a hotel? Total Disney immersion? Just a place to sleep? Is this a once in a lifetime type of trip or will you be returning frequently/semi frequently?
If its your only trip to Disneyland or only trip for a long while then I say go for on n property! If your hotel is just for sleeping and showering then I wouldn't bother. Either way you'll have a great time!

 

[familymemories]

Our family always stay off site due to the very high cost of the onsite hotels. We use our disney visa points every other year and purchases AP's. So, we try cut costs where we can.

 

[larina]

I've stayed offsite and on site. Honestly, I prefer on site when I can afford it, but that's the key. If it's going to take away from other parts of the trip (like less days in the park, not getting hoppers, or skipping character meals you would do if you saved money staying offsite), then stay offsite.

 

[ehrawn]

Here you go: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17150206&postcount=9

Of course, as someone who has only stayed at DLH twice, sometimes "time" is not the only factor that weighs into your decsion.

 

[lalasmama]

I've stayed offsite and on site. Honestly, I prefer on site when I can afford it, but that's the key. If it's going to take away from other parts of the trip (like less days in the park, not getting hoppers, or skipping character meals you would do if you saved money staying offsite), then stay offsite.

"Yes!" to the above post!

Personally, we haven't stayed on-site, because as Larina points out, with our family, staying on-site would mean we're cutting corners somewhere else... We'd be staying 2 nights instead of 4, or we'd be eating a lot of hot dogs instead of our dinners at Carthay Circle and wherever else sounds appetizing, we'd be drinking water instead of something a little more fun each evening, we'd be saying "no" to getting that fun souvenir, etc. We stay across the street at Park Vue Inn (or Desert Inn and Suites, depending on who's attending the trip and what kind of budget we're looking at), making trips back to the hotel just as quick, or even quicker than if we stayed at Paradise Pier! For about $100-200 less per night (Park Vue vs Paradise Pier), we could get... 20(!!) more Dole Whips each day, or 20 more churros, or stay extra days, or have a nice meal... and we're talking about an every day savings, not just that amount over the course of the trip. In that case, I (personally) don't see the "value" of staying on-site. I'm not willing to pay $100 for the Disney bubble, early entry, and having my packages taken back to my room!

 

[tiffanymink]

I'm really torn, we want a amazing vacation but I just can't decide if we should stay right in Disneyland or off site at the Hojo. Who's done both and which did you prefer?

Unless you plan to actually spend time in the hotel and full take advantage of the space, I would recommend off-site. It's far more affordable and frees up funds for more magic inside the parks. You still get free transportation or just as close of a walking distance.

However, I've stayed at multiple Disney properties and can't begin to express how amazing Disney hospitality always is. The nice thing, too, about the Anaheim properties, as opposed to WDW ones, is they are far more accessible to the parks. You step right outside of the Disneyland Hotel and there's the monorail to drop you off in Tomorrowland- or the Grand Californian with it's special entrance into DCA. It should be noted, though, that though those entrances seem convenient, at park opening they can be insanely crowded. Only 2 people for bag check and a few people to scan tickets for entry. Those lines can get long. But if you have a family with younger guests who could benefit from that quick access to the room, it may be something to consider.

How you have an awesome vacation!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Value is so subjective, it really is up to you and what you want to get out of it for your family. We have stayed at each onsite property once and that is enough for us. All three times were really great stays, but the value is just not there for us to do it again.

Staying offsite means two trips versus one for us, but we are relatively close. It might be very different for someone who only gets to the park once a year or once every couple of years. It might be a lot more valuable in that type of scenario, where you have extra down time to really make the most of a resort stay.

We are fortunate that we get to travel a bit and I have no issues with paying GCH prices a night for a hotel facing the ocean because I know I will spend some time in the room just enjoying the view. I cannot say the same at DL, I would not spend a few hours of my trip looking out of my window at CA or DTD. Hard to justify for us. DL is really about the parks for us, we don't view it as a "vacation" type stay, but that is just us.

There are a lot of really decent places right across the street for a fraction of the cost for the onsite hotels. Some say it is a pain, but you might want to think about a split stay if you are there for 4 or more days. Get a decent place across the street at the beginning of your trip and spend the last few days onsite.

 

[Tardisblue]

We're just beginning to consider a trip sometime next summer to DL after taking our 2 DDs to WDW 4 times already. I'm glad to have come across this thread. As much as I'd like to stay onsite, I can't justify spending $300, $400, or $500 per night for the experience. It's not a good value prop in my opinion.

 

[Kristina4109]

This is one of the major differences, for me, between DL and WDW. If my family can't afford to stay onsite at WDW, we delay our vacation until we can. If we can't afford to stay onsite at DL, we shrug and book off property and still have a blast.

Our onsite stays have been when we've wanted to celebrate something big. My 43rd birthday was at the Disneyland Hotel. Our daughter's 2nd birthday trip was at the Grand Californian. Her 8th birthday trip was at the Paradise Pier. All those trips were fantastic. Exceptional service, great views (even when we booked and paid for a standard view - I think we just got lucky), excellent pools, fun shopping and good restaurants. Not to mention that special Disney theming. And Early Entry!

Our last trip was at the Best Western Plus Park Place and Mini Suites, mostly because we knew we'd be spending every waking moment in the parks. We weren't going to break for a nap or a dip in the pool. We weren't going to have a sit down lunch. We just needed a quiet, clean, reasonably priced place to sleep and shower. It fit the bill perfectly!

Incidentally, we've stayed at the HoJo and liked it a lot. The grounds are pretty and the pool is really fun. If you want more of a resort feel but can't splurge for an on property hotel, it's a good choice.

 

[chinablessings]

We can afford to stay at one of the resorts and we are opting for off property for our next trip. We stayed at Paradise Pier and while it was a great stay, we just weren't in the room much and I don't need Mickey soaps, shampoo's or our towels folded like cute animals. This trip we are more interested in a FREE full belly when we hit the park and a good nights rest in a clean room.

We have a room booked at Best Western Anaheim Inn because its close, it has a free hot breakfast and clean rooms, (read several reviews) the only down fall to this hotel is double beds instead of queens. My other option was for Candy Cane Inn but they don't have a hot breakfast.

 

[GoBears 1980]

Not sure if the original poster has been and is back yet or what, but the question is valid any time.

You can not compare a full service 4*+ hotel with a 3* hotel like HoJos or a 2* like the Park Vue.

The DLH & GCH both have multiple restaurants and bars, room service, full business centers, q spa at the GCH, business centers, fitness centers, concierge services, etc. All the amenities you expect in luxury hotels.

HoJo is a nice, standard 3* hotel with a water play area good for ages 9 or so and under. It would bore teens.

Consider what you are looking for and used to in a hotel and go from there.

There isn't a "need" to stay on site the same way there is in FL.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

We're staying at the PP (first time onsite) next week, but have stayed at HoJo and the Ramada Maingate. The only reason it's not at the Hojo this year is because they're doing a pool refurb.

For little kids, really, I would stay at the Hojo. Cute pool and waterslides. If the kids were older or if it was an adult's only trip, I would look at the onsite hotels. There doesn't seem to be anything particularly "special" about the Disney hotels in California, compared to something like Animal Kingdom at WDW.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

Just as an update to my post (and it killed the thread anyway, but for anyone who comes across this): I really regret the PPH. I should have just stayed at the Hojo. Paradise Pier is not worth the extra cash, there were plumbing issues, no wifi, a 20 minute wait for the elevator in the mornings, etc. So utterly disappointed.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Oh I'm sad to read that! That's the hotel we're staying at in October. Hopefully kinks will be worked out by then. We're going club level. Perhaps I should ask for a poolside room so we're only 3 flights up and can take stairs? I've heard about the plumbing - was it the water pressure in the shower?

Did you complain? Did they offer compensation?

 

[mamaofthree]

We tried PPH in the past and were disappointed as well. I wouldn't go back. The elevator issue was reason enough, but the service wasn't impressive and the walls were thin and we had noisy neighbors. We did not have a park view room, but I've heard its amazing and if you are staying CL I'm sure that would make it much more enjoyable as well. We've stayed off site at Hojo and Fairfield multiple times, but our last trip we decided we weren't staying on Harbor anymore, even if it means we have to take less trips. The hotels themselves are great. Nice, clean, Mimi's nearby- I just do not like that walk on Harbor. Not the distance, but the overall view and experience. I'm surprised more people aren't put off by it. Next trip scheduled will be at the GCH. We may try CCI or another Katella hotel in the future. Or even the Hilton on a winter trip when we generally stay at the park open to close because hours are shorter. Taking ART wouldn't be a big deal in that instance. It really does boil down to ones personal priorities and expectations when choosing a hotel.

 

[Geemo]

Oh I'm sad to read that! That's the hotel we're staying at in October. Hopefully kinks will be worked out by then. We're going club level. Perhaps I should ask for a poolside room so we're only 3 flights up and can take stairs? I've heard about the plumbing - was it the water pressure in the shower?

Did you complain? Did they offer compensation?

The "KINKS" seem to be an ongoing issue for many that have stayed at PPH. The only perk would be EE to the parks.

We won't stay there again. There are places on Harbor for way less money that we enjoy so much more.

If we stay on site it's the GCH or DLH. Each time we have stayed at one of these it has been great! If I have 5 or less in the travel group, then I try to budget for GCH or DLH. Once I hit 6+ in the group we have to look for a place on Harbor.

Geemo

 

[MommyJKM]

Oh I'm sad to read that! That's the hotel we're staying at in October. Hopefully kinks will be worked out by then. We're going club level. Perhaps I should ask for a poolside room so we're only 3 flights up and can take stairs?

I've never stayed at PP, But I've also never heard anyone I know RAVE about staying there. It seems you can upgrade to Concierge Level in early October (I looked at your countdown clock) for about $100 more a night.
You could also change to the Disneyland Hotel (which is always a good bet) for about $75 more a night for a standard room and the rooms are larger - and $300 more a night for CL at the DLH.
My choice is always GCH. But once you stay there you won't want to stay anywhere else To me it's worth it to stay at GCH- and during the days you are there it's only $150 more a night to stay there in a standard room.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

We're booked at the PPH at concierge level, so with luck we'll have a decent room. Plus, if I let them know we're celebrating 2 birthdays (and mine the week after), maybe some pixie dust will come our way and we'll get a park view.