Waterparks - Courtyard Marriott vs Howard Johnson

[oilergirl]

Which is the more teen-friendly hotel waterpark - Courtyard Marriott or Howard Johnson Anaheim? Are both waterparks more geared towards just younger children or would teens (14 - 17) enjoy it as well? Which is more "grown up"...or neither of them?

Thank you!!!

 

[Angrose]

I have only stayed at Hojo's and their waterpark is definitely not teen-friendly. It is best for kids 10 and under. I have seen a lot of pics of the Courtyard waterpark and it definitely looks more exciting but I'm not sure that the teen set would find it very thrilling. Hopefully some other folks who have stayed there can chime in with their opinions. It might be a good idea to read the reviews on Tripadvisor too. Good luck!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Courtyard will be nice to be in a new hotel. :$

 

[azdisneylover]

There is a new Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark that has just opened close to Disneyland. They have a special you can save up to 20% when you book by March 6! You can book dates through the end of the year with this deal. It is located at 12681 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92840.

 

[serenitygr]

Following

 

[mamapenguin]

There is a new Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark that has just opened close to Disneyland. They have a special you can save up to 20% when you book by March 6! You can book dates through the end of the year with this deal. It is located at 12681 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92840.

I took my kids to Great Wolf Lodge in Washington, they thought it was just okay. They were 9,17 & 22 at the time. Part of the problem is that we've been to Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard at DW & there is no comparison. It was a couple of cool water slides and a wave pool, the one with the family raft was the best thing they had, plus you really can't beat real sunshine. If you must have a waterpark, I would vote Courtyard. When we are at Disney location is everything and any pool will do. Good luck

 

[sherilaine]

I think teens would like the Courtyard better. But we like the Hojo as their garden pool is on the opposite end of the property to Castaway Cove. So you can relax there without listening to screaming kids or at least not as many. The thing about the Courtyard is its all in one place for the play/slide area and the swimming pool. Now that our kids are older we have no reason to listen to smaller kids squeal!!

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

I showed my DS12 pictures of the Courtyard waterpark and he wasn't impressed with how tiny the pool is. He had no interest in staying there; said he'd rather stay at Hojo for the larger garden pool.

 

[Whistlebee]

We've stayed at the Marriott Courtyard. It's a great hotel but the watermark is definitely geared to younger kids. The pool is tiny and I think teens would feel a little too old for the "scene" there, lol. I think they'd be happier at a hotel with a nicer pool and no water park.

 

[sherilaine]

My kids saw the big slides there as we walked by, they are 12 and 13, the slides at HOJO are tiny. Guess it depends on the kids and their priorities.

 

[dotfurio]

The Hojo is definitely geared for little kids. I haven't been to Courtyard, but when I priced them for a trip the rate was actually a little higher than Paradise Pier when you factor in parking. IDK if Paradise Pier would be more interesting to teens as I haven't stayed there either, but it might be worth looking into.

 

[Eswift]

Neither are going to cut it for that age teens, choose on other criteria or you'll be let down when either way they aren't thrilled with the water park.

 

[ADLFAN]

I would also say that they are geared towards younger kids.

The Monorail slides at the Disneyland Hotel are frequently used by teens and adults, and they might be entertaining for your teens. The pool area is also very beautiful and has fun jungle book music playing and a bar/restaurant right next door. Much more of a resort feel, not a splash park in Bugs Land feel!

Maybe it's worth splurging for?

Have fun planning!

 

[figment_jii]

I haven't stayed at the Hojo, but I think the Courtyard Waterpark was probably geared towards the pre-teen and younger crowds. There are two "big" slides, which are fun for all ages, but they aren't the level of what you'd find at a full scale water park (e.g., Blizzard Beach at WDW). I saw plenty of pre-teen on the slide, but they are tame enough that the three year old I was with really had fun. Then there is a water play area (think water cannons, tipping buckets, etc.), which really seems geared towards little ones. There is a narrow pool for more swimming or lounging, but nothing really for swimming laps.

 

[agamble]

HOJO's water area is definitely not for teens. There is a double slide not much bigger than the ones you'd see at a regular playground for toddlers. Then there is a longer slide, again the slide itself is about the same length as a regular park slide for bigger kids. There's a giant bucket that dumps water and some pipes, etc. There's also a toddler zero entry pool that's only a foot or so deep. It's a fun place for kids, but not really a great place for teens. The hot tub is in that area too, so to relax in the hot tub you have to be in the same area as the noisy kids.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I stayed at the new Courtyard earlier this year. Here's a link to some pictures and the podcast where I talked about it.

DIS Unplugged: Disneyland Edition 01/17/16

 

[mad hatter fan]

Is it just me that thinks it is a stretch to call what either of these hotels have a waterpark? I guess being within driving distance to Wisconsin Dells makes me think the term waterpark means something much larger.