Anyone with HOJO experience?

[camidges]

I am very thankful for all of your input -

I did try to book a suite, but there is no availability for my dates in early May - although I will keep checking to see if anything opens up.

We are pretty sure that we would still like to stay at HOJO because of the great reviews, the closeness, and the pool area and Free Wi-Fi/Parking. The rooms look really clean and the beds sound great! Plus, the prices are really decent!

I think my next course of action is to give them a call and let them know my reasons for needing a connecting room, and see what they say. If there is a really good chance we can get the connecting rooms, then it may be good enough for us.

I am getting so excited! Just want to get all the details worked out!

Again, thanks for all of the input, and if you have any more info, please keep it coming!

Sarah

 

[captsparrowslady]

yes, i saw that, and i do too, i have a few issues but i still walk comfortably and even my toddler walks that distance fine, i just figure if someone can walk through the parks all day, medical issues, pregnant, kids, then the walk for hojo is CAKE. i think it depends on the person but most ppl dont find the walk bad. and yeah, i understand like i said thats great you have good experiences at your hotel, but i felt that the poster asked about hojo and they should get hojo answers...meant no harm just say it as its seen =)

Actually, Tink2dw is my mom, and the last time we went to Disneyland (I was 22 at the time), all three of us (me, my mom, & my dad) rented ECV Scooters from Alan's Wheelchair and Medical. They delivered the EVC Scooters to Desert Inn and Suites and they were really great about allowing us to keep all three scooters in the lobby and charge the batteries over night there in the lobby. In the mornings, we'd get dressed, eat breakfast, then walk to the lobby, hop on our scooters and then just scoot across the crosswalk and right into the park and then at Park Closing, we'd just scoot back across the crosswalk and into the lobby to plug in our scooters so they were ready and charged for the next day.

(And just FYI, the reason I rented a scooter at 22 years old, is because I have a bad knee. I fell face first off an 8ft. platform and down a set of stairs we [the theatre students] built in my college theatre. My ankle hit the first stair, my knee hit the third and last stair, then I twisted in the air and landed on my back. So I *needed* that scooter to get around. I have problems getting around the local Walmart superstore without a motorized scooter, so I knew I would need one at Disney.)

And in regard to my mom suggesting the Desert Inn and Suites, as an alternitive to HoJo, I think it was perfectly fine and acceptable. The OP expressed concern about HoJo not guaranteeing connecting rooms, because she did not want her *9yr old* son in a room alone, without a connecting door. Staying in a Suite would be a good alternative to two connecting rooms and we have had good experiance with Desert Inn and Suites.

 

[ashpinoza]

I am very thankful for all of your input -

I did try to book a suite, but there is no availability for my dates in early May - although I will keep checking to see if anything opens up.

We are pretty sure that we would still like to stay at HOJO because of the great reviews, the closeness, and the pool area and Free Wi-Fi/Parking. The rooms look really clean and the beds sound great! Plus, the prices are really decent!

I think my next course of action is to give them a call and let them know my reasons for needing a connecting room, and see what they say. If there is a really good chance we can get the connecting rooms, then it may be good enough for us.

I am getting so excited! Just want to get all the details worked out!

Again, thanks for all of the input, and if you have any more info, please keep it coming!

Sarah

they are honestly great there....speak to in house reservations and if need be ask for loreal and she will set you up im sure, shes very helpful!

 

[ashpinoza]

Actually, Tink2dw is my mom, and the last time we went to Disneyland (I was 22 at the time), all three of us (me, my mom, & my dad) rented ECV Scooters from Alan's Wheelchair and Medical. They delivered the EVC Scooters to Desert Inn and Suites and they were really great about allowing us to keep all three scooters in the lobby and charge the batteries over night there in the lobby. In the mornings, we'd get dressed, eat breakfast, then walk to the lobby, hop on our scooters and then just scoot across the crosswalk and right into the park and then at Park Closing, we'd just scoot back across the crosswalk and into the lobby to plug in our scooters so they were ready and charged for the next day.

(And just FYI, the reason I rented a scooter at 22 years old, is because I have a bad knee. I fell face first off an 8ft. platform and down a set of stairs we [the theatre students] built in my college theatre. My ankle hit the first stair, my knee hit the third and last stair, then I twisted in the air and landed on my back. So I *needed* that scooter to get around. I have problems getting around the local Walmart superstore without a motorized scooter, so I knew I would need one at Disney.)

And in regard to my mom suggesting the Desert Inn and Suites, as an alternitive to HoJo, I think it was perfectly fine and acceptable. The OP expressed concern about HoJo not guaranteeing connecting rooms, because she did not want her *9yr old* son in a room alone, without a connecting door. Staying in a Suite would be a good alternative to two connecting rooms and we have had good experiance with Desert Inn and Suites.

glad you like desert inn, i just believed poster wanted hojo info, as they again previously stated. give the people what they ask for, good moto and yes, the hotel should allow the scooters to charge as per handicap rules...sorry to hear about your knee...i have a bad ankle for a horse accident and a bad back from a FEW car accidents, and a tumor in my head that creates issues with dizzy spells and what not so i understand where your coming from. i just try and sit if i need to often, and rest, and im usually able to stick things out no problem but i do understand. just keeping it real with the posters request. i just prefer to lay stats out in regards to the feedback and ratings of hotels, and also explained my mothers experience. i suppose its being a hotel snob, especially my mother but desert was too dingy and dirty for us. all entitled to their own standards tho and glad you have a place you like, as do i.

 

[DizFan13]

We asked for connecting rooms with the Disney view (and we reserved months in advance).....we ended up with side by side rooms but not connecting.....so not all the rooms are equipped to do this.

We had the same experience. If they can help you, they will, but we reserved far in advance and requested adjoining rooms, and ended up with rooms that were separated by three rooms...not convenient, but we made it work.

 

[captsparrowslady]

glad you like desert inn, i just believed poster wanted hojo info, as they again previously stated. give the people what they ask for, good moto and yes, the hotel should allow the scooters to charge as per handicap rules...sorry to hear about your knee...i have a bad ankle for a horse accident and a bad back from a FEW car accidents, and a tumor in my head that creates issues with dizzy spells and what not so i understand where your coming from. i just try and sit if i need to often, and rest, and im usually able to stick things out no problem but i do understand. just keeping it real with the posters request. i just prefer to lay stats out in regards to the feedback and ratings of hotels, and also explained my mothers experience. i suppose its being a hotel snob, especially my mother but desert was too dingy and dirty for us. all entitled to their own standards tho and glad you have a place you like, as do i.

yeah, my mom has a calcified brain tumor as well (medical miracle the doctors call it), and she has seizures because of it. She also is a diabetic and has bad knees, so I know how that goes.

My motto is to listen to what people's needs are and then make your suggestions for what has worked for you and what might work for them too. Perhaps the OP did not know about the Desert Inn? I didn't know about it until my parents stayed there when they went by themselves. I guess maybe I got that from working in retail for a year and a half. I always prided myself on providing customer service above and beyond my job description and that was the #1 thing I was always complimented on... so I guess I still have that in me. It had sounded like maybe the HoJo wasn't the best option for her situation, and I think it's good to offer alternative solutions, if it seems like the first solution isn't going to work (IE not knowing if they will have a connecting room or not for their 9yr old son). And it doesn't *have* to be the Desert Inn and Suites, it could be another hotel along Harbor that offers Suites... but we don't have experiance with the other hotels, so we used Desert Inn as an example and provided our reveiw of the place.

 

[ashpinoza]

yeah, my mom has a calcified brain tumor as well (medical miracle the doctors call it), and she has seizures because of it. She also is a diabetic and has bad knees, so I know how that goes.

My motto is to listen to what people's needs are and then make your suggestions for what has worked for you and what might work for them too. Perhaps the OP did not know about the Desert Inn? I didn't know about it until my parents stayed there when they went by themselves. I guess maybe I got that from working in retail for a year and a half. I always prided myself on providing customer service above and beyond my job description and that was the #1 thing I was always complimented on... so I guess I still have that in me. It had sounded like maybe the HoJo wasn't the best option for her situation, and I think it's good to offer alternative solutions, if it seems like the first solution isn't going to work (IE not knowing if they will have a connecting room or not for their 9yr old son). And it doesn't *have* to be the Desert Inn and Suites, it could be another hotel along Harbor that offers Suites... but we don't have experiance with the other hotels, so we used Desert Inn as an example and provided our reveiw of the place.

well as i said i am glad you guys enjoy it, its not for me, but i get really snobby about hotel perks and frills lol. and sorry to hear that about your mother i understand all of that terribly to well, im glad shes allright if you ever do get the courage to try hojos it also is a great place. if you stick with deserts than you are a loyal customer and good your comfy there

 

[kiwitravel]

I fail to understand the passion some have for their favourite hotels... I have been to DL 5 times in total and stayed at four different hotels. I go for the best deal that is as close as possible at the time and have found that it is normally a different hotel each time. Blind faith in a hotel will come at a cost, we saved nearly $1000 on our last trip by shopping around and negotiating the best deal...

HoJos is great value at the Ent rate but if not available there is far better value for the same length walk... The big plus for Hojos is the pool for younger kids. From Hojo reception to DL gate is 1/2 mile so unless you can walk at 6 miles per hour and have no wait at the crosswalk then it is going to be between 12 and 15 minutes walk Hotel room to gate... I think Desert Inn has an internal pool so was a no brainer for us in summer and not even considered...

 

[nana50]

I have "love" for hotels when they are really special like GCH or even DL but not for HOJO's. I have stayed there and found it kind of tired and old looking. It reminded me of motels in the 1960's, not a good time for architecture. To each their own I suppose. I find the lobby sad and forlorn, the rooms were o.k. some of the grounds were pretty, the spa was too tiny. Also if your kids want to play in the play pool, you are stuck there without a "real" pool, which is what I prefer. I just don't get all the love for it. Maybe because we had a really bad experience with the spa and pirate cove area it has colored my opinion.

 

[ashpinoza]

I have "love" for hotels when they are really special like GCH or even DL but not for HOJO's. I have stayed there and found it kind of tired and old looking. It reminded me of motels in the 1960's, not a good time for architecture. To each their own I suppose. I find the lobby sad and forlorn, the rooms were o.k. some of the grounds were pretty, the spa was too tiny. Also if your kids want to play in the play pool, you are stuck there without a "real" pool, which is what I prefer. I just don't get all the love for it. Maybe because we had a really bad experience with the spa and pirate cove area it has colored my opinion.

i can definitely say people have varied opinions, i think the rooms are fresh and beautiful and LOVE the architecture of it, i like the dlr hotels but they are high priced so its only on rare occasions to be able to stay at one...but i do feel hojo has the freshest rooms of any other hotel in the area. i think it depends alot on the age of the person and their frills preferences!

 

[ashpinoza]

I fail to understand the passion some have for their favourite hotels... I have been to DL 5 times in total and stayed at four different hotels. I go for the best deal that is as close as possible at the time and have found that it is normally a different hotel each time. Blind faith in a hotel will come at a cost, we saved nearly $1000 on our last trip by shopping around and negotiating the best deal...

HoJos is great value at the Ent rate but if not available there is far better value for the same length walk... The big plus for Hojos is the pool for younger kids. From Hojo reception to DL gate is 1/2 mile so unless you can walk at 6 miles per hour and have no wait at the crosswalk then it is going to be between 12 and 15 minutes walk Hotel room to gate... I think Desert Inn has an internal pool so was a no brainer for us in summer and not even considered...

even without the ET rate hojo is a no brainer...its like when someone gets attached to disneyland instead of universal or disneyworld even...it becomes your go to happy place, and a hotel can become your go to happy hotel, some people i suppose can feel good anywhere then there are others that have to feel HOMEY in their hotel which is how hojos makes us feel. ive never felt that at any other DL area hotel sadly. the walk took us only 7 minutes with a toddler. to the gate. we timed, and the way back was 9, but we were wiped! lol. depends on how fast the person walks i guess i dont find it to be bad

 

[rune_74]

even without the ET rate hojo is a no brainer...its like when someone gets attached to disneyland instead of universal or disneyworld even...it becomes your go to happy place, and a hotel can become your go to happy hotel, some people i suppose can feel good anywhere then there are others that have to feel HOMEY in their hotel which is how hojos makes us feel. ive never felt that at any other DL area hotel sadly. the walk took us only 7 minutes with a toddler. to the gate. we timed, and the way back was 9, but we were wiped! lol. depends on how fast the person walks i guess i dont find it to be bad

I totally agree my wife said she wanted to stay at HOJO's when we went back, we thought we couldn't get the rate and were bummed but we did.

Having Mimi's next door is a bonus. Seriously, if you can't make the extra 3 minute walk from hojo's to the crosswalk then I pitty the rest of your day in the park.

 

[kiwitravel]

even without the ET rate hojo is a no brainer...its like when someone gets attached to disneyland instead of universal or disneyworld even...it becomes your go to happy place, and a hotel can become your go to happy hotel, some people i suppose can feel good anywhere then there are others that have to feel HOMEY in their hotel which is how hojos makes us feel. ive never felt that at any other DL area hotel sadly. the walk took us only 7 minutes with a toddler. to the gate. we timed, and the way back was 9, but we were wiped! lol. depends on how fast the person walks i guess i dont find it to be bad

Fair enough but I have seen similar passion for Candy Cane as well and I just don't get it... As for the walk did you time from Hotel door to Security check? I had people tell me forcefully that CCI was only a 5 minute walk to the DL gate (it too is 1/2 a mile) so I timed it as we had to go past it every day this stay... Yes it was 5 minutes but from the street to the resort sign on Harbor and only if we fluked the crosswalk and even then we had to walk fast... The security check was another 3 minutes further and the hotel is so long you could easily be another 3 minutes from the street and how often do you fluke the crosswalk...

Walk times are all subjective....For me if I would only stay at Hojos for the pirate pool (if my kids were that young) or if I could get the ent rate for my entire stay otherwise if you are going to walk that distance stay at one of the cheaper Katella hotels and save the big dollars to enjoy elsewhere at the resort, our $1000 cheaper room was a one bedroom suite and ended up the best stay for all our trips... If money is no object then stay at the DL or GC, their pools are much better than Hojos...

 

[chrissiecutie]

For my DS, pulling into the parking lot at Hojo's signifies that "we have arrived" and it's the "official" start to our Disney vacation.

When I was little, we always stayed with family in the SoCal area, so when visiting DL, it was the old sign that you would see upon arrival that meant "you are here". That amazing feeling that you get when you know you are FINALLY at your happy place...at least my happy place. As a child, that feeling is a huge part of your Disney experience. And for my son, pulling into the parking lot at HoJo's is now part of the Disney experience for him.

As far as hotels go...there are just so many in the area and certainly ones that are closer to the main gates. But the HoJo's with small children at the ET rate, just can't be beat, IMO.

And I don't care who you are and what fitness level you are...the walk "home" after an exhausting and fun filled day at Disney, will tire anyone out!

I can certainly see, as DS gets older (he's 5 now), that we will most likely switch to a closer hotel. But for now, we are most definately hotel loyal...like I said, for DS it signifies the beginning of our Disney trip and that feeling is priceless!

And to the OP...I'm a former hotel front desk manager and I would suggest (as another poster did) that you call HoJo's and tell them your situation. They will do everything they can to make it happen but it still isn't a guarantee. Typically, rooms are assigned that morning that you are scheduled for check in. They assign those with "requests" first and then go down the list. So if you say you have a medical reason that requires you to have connecting rooms, they will probably start by assigning your room first. I would also suggest, that you tell them you would prefer connecting rooms over any other preferences you have, ie. top floor, balcony, premium view rooms etc. Let them know what your most important request is and they will start there....good luck!

 

[ashpinoza]

I totally agree my wife said she wanted to stay at HOJO's when we went back, we thought we couldn't get the rate and were bummed but we did.

Having Mimi's next door is a bonus. Seriously, if you can't make the extra 3 minute walk from hojo's to the crosswalk then I pitty the rest of your day in the park.

yes, i am very loyal with hojos, as ive stayed at MANY other are hotels, they all feel more like MOTELS to me, and with hojo, the little store and YES mimi's is wonderful as are the pools. the property wins my heart =) i would take them if it was 150 a nigh and others were 90 lol

 

[captsparrowslady]

With my family, I *need* to have a seperate bedroom space from my parents because they snore so loudly, but we cannot afford to have two hotel rooms with a connecting door. It makes it too expensive (because it's a full rate for both hotel rooms, Ent rate or not). So our solution was to find a hotel with Suites. Also we're not too big on the frills. As long as it has a microwave, and a mini fridge, and comfortable beds and lots of pillows for my mom, we're good. I slept on the pull out couch in the 'living room' and it was surprisingly comfortable.

Seriously, if you can't make the extra 3 minute walk from hojo's to the crosswalk then I pitty the rest of your day in the park.

That's what ECV scooters are for! Rent off site from Alan's and it's not a problem because you keep your scooter in the hotel lobby and just ride it across the crosswalk, and straight into the park!

For the OP, think of the money that might be saved if she could find a hotel with suites? Instead of *three* rooms at the full ent rate, she would only need *two* rooms. And Desert Inn has never been very expensive in our experiance. They offer AAA discount rates. I think for the suite we had it cost around $69-79 a night. And you don't have to worry about the hit and miss of having 'connecting rooms' because it is a suite.

 

[ashpinoza]

we always book FAR in advance and always get the ET rate for kids suite at hojos =) lil boy LOVES the decor and bunk beds lol. i like the frills, especially the flat screens and cute pirate theming.