Originally Posted By TinkerbellPatten It's as simple as this: Some of us here are big spenders and proud of it. Some of us here are thrifty and proud of it. It's all a matter of your personality. If you're a big spender: the Grand is great. If you're thrifty, Hojo's is great. (Especially using the Entertainment rate if it's available then, makes it even more thrifty and therefore even better.) You know what type of person you are so make your pick. I don't believe you can go wrong with either hotel.
Originally Posted By TinkerbellPatten And of course it depends on your financial situation too. I guess I gave an oversimplification above, sorry... Personally, I am a Big Spender personality that is trapped in the Thrifty category due to financial situation. Therefore I can relate to both. If I could stay at the Grand, I'm sure I'd love it. When I stay at the Hojos, I have a lovely stay and am proud of all the money I'm saving. If I could stay in the Grand, I'd love to. But right now, for our family, we can do two Disney trips a year if we stay at Hojos instead. So it's a no brainer. And I have been thoroughly impressed with Hojos. It's close enough to feel like you're right on the edge of Tomorrowland which makes it special too if you're looking for Disney magic. Conclusion: I agree with everyone here that has posted. So apparently I would be a great politician.
Originally Posted By travellerandquilter I am staying 4 nights at GC and then 6 nights at Hojos in 12 days time. Yes it will be a bit of a hassle to move but I could not pay the AP rate for 10 nights but am happy to do it for 4. I am a bit like the above poster. Could afford it but my thrifty side comes to the fore and I see how much I am saving by staying at the Hojo. Thats why 4 nights for DD and myself is a little treat then it is back to saving reality and the Hojo. I am using the savings to do character meals and Blue Bayou ressies.
Originally Posted By Ursula ^ I think that is a great plan. I like them both. I do like the views of the Grand, the rate and room size of Hojo's. Blue Bayou, however, is another topic! (great atmosphere, but the price for the level of food and service has a lot to be desired). Try to at least get a water view.
Originally Posted By serendipityaey We stayed at HoJo's in September and GCH in December, two completely different vacations. (September was spur of the moment need to save money, December was our planned big vacation). The GCH was amazing and felt so magical. HoJo's felt like every other good hotel I've stayed in, and the walk felt very, very long at the end of the day. No walk from GCH ever bothered me at all, I think because we were still in Disney. Things to take into consideration - at hojo's we had a room in the very back, as far away from Disney as possible, and a corner room with no balcony. At GCH we got the best AP rate, and when we got there, found out we were upgraded to a parkview. Our room was 5th floor, directly over the entrance to DCA. It just doesn't get better than that. So, I'm really biased at this point . We might stay at hojo's again, we might not.
Originally Posted By avromark Either way however you will be at Disneyland, either way you have a hotel that many people seem to agree is above average for the area, enough said. Be happy either way.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sorry if I misles, post 20 was in response to post 19. I prefer the Grand Cal to WDW's resorts. As for the HOJO, I cannot comment as I have not stayed there for over 25 years.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Thank you so much for your comparison info., davewasbaloo! I really appreciate it, and that's exactly the info. I was looking for. I've only stayed at the value resorts at WDW, but have toured all of the more expensive properties.
Originally Posted By mater4 If you choose Hojo's the theme park view rooms are great and have a balcony. I have to agree that the GC is a great hotel however like most of you I will not pay the full price for several reasons. My first stay there was when my DH had a discount and we paid just over $100 a night with resort fees included.
Originally Posted By grrrrcat We stayed at the Grand in Oct. 2001 for $129 or $139 a night. My Mom was a nervous wreck because of the bomb threats. She kept calling us and telling us to come home. I would wake up early (7 a.m.) and go sit in the hot tub and read a book, my boys and husband sound asleep, the only person out usually was a man repositioning chairs and sweeping. It was so wonderful to come back through the gates and be in the hotel with it's Arts and Crafts decor and the quietness after being in the park all day, or to change my little ones clothes after he got wet from playing in the creek. (We weirdo's do spend a lot of time in C.A.) I agree with SuzieQ about the relaxing part, I came away from that trip rejuvinated and now look longingly at the hotel when in the park or making reservations. I am sure glad the rooms ARE small and my boys tall and active- that makes the part about not being able to afford it much easier! LOL.
Originally Posted By grrrrcat I'm calling my family weird! Not anybody else weird. We spend time where ever there isn't a line, and often that's C.A. and my older son isn't the kind of guy who like rides with drops so we hang out in the Animation studio and the Adventure place that I can never remember the name of... the place right next to the Grand, so I can look up and sigh longingly every once in awhile
