Back from 8 days at DL - stayed at HOJO Kids Suite

[drinkme]

How long was the walk from your hotel to the crosswalk? (not to the actually DLR gate).

 

[wvnative]

How long was the walk from your hotel to the crosswalk? (not to the actually DLR gate).

I want to say it's about 5 minutes. It's really not a bad walk at all especially when you walk on the DL side of Harbor. We cut through the taxi area and never had to go up to the cross walk.


OP- I'm glad to hear you had such a good time. I'm also glad to hear another glowing review for GK as we plan to try it for the first time on our next trip. We did AG in May of 07 and we thought our food, although way too expensive, was pretty good. The kid actually asked to go back until she read the new menu. She's a picky eater and it doesn't sound appetizing to her so we won't be going back for a while I guess. That's o.k. though. It's good to try some new places.

 

[teatime]

Where is the food pictures we need stimulation !!

 

[disney-super-mom]

How did you find the noise level from the traffic side of the building? What floor did you stay on? Was there any sort of interesting view? How early was Mimi's open for breakfast?

I would like to know about the traffic noise and view as well.

 

[50sjayne]

It's so funny how two different families can have such different experiences at the same place! I love Goofy's Kitchen and always have - for exactly the reasons you stated, Kauinohea- and I am so glad you had a wonderful time there, but another family just returned from DLR also and ate at Goofy's and didn't like it at all, didn't like the food, didn't like the character interacton, etc. but they loved Minnie & Friends!! I always find that so funny that people can have two totally opposing opinions of the same experience. Like I always say, I think it all boils down to personal taste and preferences! But I am glad that Goofy's went over well for you.

I wish you had taken the time to wait in line for Toy Story in the 8 days you were there!! It would have been so worth it! Last year, I was reluctant about the line at first too, but it moves quickly (like when it says 40 minutes for a wait, it never takes 40 minutes to get on the ride) and it is now my absolute FAVORITE ride in DCA, and probably my favorite ride in DLR in general at the present moment. I can't go to DLR and NOT ride TSMM. If I only had time to ride 2 rides in a day at DLR, TSMM would be one of them. It is addictive, and I think you all would have loved it.

I also love Rain Forest Cafe!

Glad to hear you had such a wonderful time overall!

Well it's been 12-3 years or so but I took my daughter to Goofy's once. We got there late (got an unexpected 'windfall' of money and they let us in even though they were taking the food in. Belle spent the entire breakfast with my daughter, talking to her as we were some of the last people there- it was totally worth it.
And Toy Story.. I flinched a little when I read you didn't do it...it is so AWESOME. Anyway, next time right?

 

[Kauinohea]

We were on the fifth floor, room 1507. The view was a clear view of the freeway. The noise level was not bad at all as long as the sliding door was shut. Once you open it - WHOA - it is loud. Sometimes at night you could hear a faint sound of the freeway but it really was no big deal.

Man....now I can't wait to go back to ride TSMM. We actually opended CA a coulple of days and should have ran over to TSMM, but my daughters just loved Grizzly and could not get enough of it. I mean, one morning we went on three times in a row with no line then got a FP on top of that!

I really suggest that you cross at Manchester and walk on the DL side. I highly recommend it. It saves a lot of time. The you don;t have to cross at the main crosswalk with the 100s of people. Oh, forgot to mention that I loved wearing my newbalace shoes in the day then crocs (criss cross sandle style) at night. Every night before bed I would rub on Hylands leg cramp lotion just in case.... Its warm and minty. I never got cramps or too tired legs.

Mimi's opens at 7:00. I called at 6:55 for takeout and it was ready at 7:15. The Honey Bran Muffins are to die for!

I seriously don't know if I can wait till 2011. AND so glad that we got pics of the CALIFORNIA sign before its taken down. I miss DL so much!

 

[Sherry E]

Well it's been 12-3 years or so but I took my daughter to Goofy's once. We got there late (got an unexpected 'windfall' of money and they let us in even though they were taking the food in. Belle spent the entire breakfast with my daughter, talking to her as we were some of the last people there- it was totally worth it.
And Toy Story.. I flinched a little when I read you didn't do it...it is so AWESOME. Anyway, next time right?

Oh, that is so sweet about Belle spending the entire time with your daughter at Goofy's! How precious! Hopefully you got some good food even though they were taking it in! I really like to hear about happy times and positive experiences at Goofy's because it has really brought me so much joy and been such a big part of my overall DLR enjoyment for many, many years! It always bums me out to hear that some folks have bad times there, even though I know it happens now and again! I want everyone else to love it there too! But Goofy's has some stiff competition from Minnie & Friends lately, so they need to keep up the quality and the characters.

Yes, TSMM is AWESOME. I totally agree. Worth the wait in line.

...Man....now I can't wait to go back to ride TSMM. We actually opended CA a coulple of days and should have ran over to TSMM, but my daughters just loved Grizzly and could not get enough of it. I mean, one morning we went on three times in a row with no line then got a FP on top of that!.....Oh, forgot to mention that I loved wearing my newbalace shoes in the day then crocs (criss cross sandle style) at night. Every night before bed I would rub on Hylands leg cramp lotion just in case.... Its warm and minty. I never got cramps or too tired legs.......I seriously don't know if I can wait till 2011. AND so glad that we got pics of the CALIFORNIA sign before its taken down. I miss DL so much!

Wow - no line for Grizzly? I can see why you took advantage of that. I think your daughters will find that they love TSMM when they get on it. It really IS addictive. It is hard to only ride it once. Do they enjoy Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters? TSMM is 100 times better than that! One of the best rides at DLR! 2011 will get here very soon, so you will have TSMM, Little Mermaid AND World of Color to look forward to. It will be weird to see DCA without the California sign in front, and the entrance will be moved out to where the sign sat, so the walk from the gates of DL across the esplanade to DCA will be even shorter!

Ooooh - you caught my attention with the New Balance mention. I also wear New Balance walking shoes (best ones to wear for plantar fasciitis, supposedly) and I love them. They are very durable and last a long time and my feet do not act up as much when I wear them regularly. But I do occasionally get horrible leg cramps (not very often, but every once in a great while). Both legs cramp up at the exact same time, and my toes lock up and it is horrible. I have to ride it out until it goes away on its own or the spasming stops. Nothing seems to help - not muscle relaxers, not Motrin, nothing. I just keep guzzling water and eating bananas, hoping that will help! If Hylands helps, I will get that in a heartbeat! I know it is not sold everywhere because I have not seen it in my grocery store, but pharmacies and natural food stores sometimes carry it. Which specific Hylands do you get, Kauinohea? Is it actually called leg cramp lotion? I just had a terrible leg cramp episode a couple of weeks ago, so I need to keep something on hand just in case!!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I do think Goofy's is a must try for me. There have been far too many people saying they love it lately!

I loved Minnie's but I think like any restaurant..it's not always gonna be the same. Esp with buffets I think. (odd that I loved Minnie's..cuz Buffets make me gag LOL)

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

We were on the fifth floor, room 1507. The view was a clear view of the freeway. The noise level was not bad at all as long as the sliding door was shut. Once you open it - WHOA - it is loud. Sometimes at night you could hear a faint sound of the freeway but it really was no big deal.

Thanks so much for the feedback! I've been torn between the Hojo's Kid Suites and a Disney view room at the Fairfield for our December visit. I had been leaning Hojo's, then heard a bunch of great things about the location of the Fairfield Inn and started leaning that direction, and now I'm back to leaning towards Hojo's! I think we'll be happy either way (though I'd still love for the DLH rates to drop to a reasonable price!) and I'll just keep reading the awesome feedback on these boards.

 

[Kauinohea]

Thanks so much for the feedback! I've been torn between the Hojo's Kid Suites and a Disney view room at the Fairfield for our December visit. I had been leaning Hojo's, then heard a bunch of great things about the location of the Fairfield Inn and started leaning that direction, and now I'm back to leaning towards Hojo's! I think we'll be happy either way (though I'd still love for the DLH rates to drop to a reasonable price!) and I'll just keep reading the awesome feedback on these boards.

I've stayed at both Fairfield (although 4 years ago) and Hojo. Fairlield is also nice and clean...but if you have kids, HOJO is the place to be because of the suites and Priates cove. HOJO is right next to Fairfield. We def will be at HOJO for our next trip. Happy planning. Where ever you stay will be fine...as long as it is clean and secure as both Fairfield and Hojo are