Candy Cane Inn or Ho Jos? Newbie Here...

[DisneyMommy403]

DisneyMomma- I think you'll really enjoy the Hojo!

As for it being a block...well, I don't know the exact measurement, but if it's only a block then its one VERY, LONG block. It takes about 5-10 minutes of moderate walking to get to the enterance for Disney and then another 3-5 minutes to actually get to the gates. So depending on how fast you walk...I'm super slow....it will take you 10-15 minutes.

You can see the fireworks from many of the rooms. My best tip is to go to the quiet pool and if you're at the very far end you can actually watch the fireworks from the pool. DH & I LOVE doing this! And almost no one knows about it (well now they do!) so it's usually empty and nice & quiet!

Wow, thank you for letting me know that... everyone I heard from said the walk was minor... with my kids in tow, I may be having to call Disney back and have them add on the Anaheim Resort Transit to my package. When they asked if I wanted it, I told them "No" cause everyone else had said it was a short walk. Thank you for the heads up!

Also, that suggestion sounds amazing! Thank you! I'll be sure to remember that one!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Wow, thank you for letting me know that... everyone I heard from said the walk was minor... with my kids in tow, I may be having to call Disney back and have them add on the Anaheim Resort Transit to my package. When they asked if I wanted it, I told them "No" cause everyone else had said it was a short walk. Thank you for the heads up!

Also, that suggestion sounds amazing! Thank you! I'll be sure to remember that one!

The walk is not that long. My kids could easily do it at very young ages. The only person that I can imagine not being able to do the walk is someone with mobility issues. But it is great to have the option to take ART if you really need it, right? You can easily buy a one day or three day ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) ticket if you try the the walk the first day and feel like it will be too far for your kids to walk. The tickets are 4.00 for adults per day, and less for kids (I am not sure how much). They sell the ART tickets every where in the area, including at Disneyland.

When we stay at Hojos we walk to and from the park each day--and this includes a break mid-day. The walk takes about 8 minutes. Here is a video of the walk down Harbor from Hojos:

http://youtu.be/Wbuzqrvf3f4

 

[nannyz]

I definitely prefer HoJo over any other place I've stayed through the years.
The walk is longer, but in the morning no one minds because everybody is excited about getting to DL; and in the evening we're all talking about our day, so the walk seems to go fast.
And with kids, I feel much safer in a hotel with interior doors.
The one time that we stayed at Desert Inn & Suites, I could hear people walking past our door all hours of the night, which made me very nervous.

 

[HydroGuy]

The walk is not that long. My kids could easily do it at very young ages. The only person that I can imagine not being able to do the walk is someone with mobility issues.

Or someone with exhausted kids! In 2003 my four youngsters were so tired I had to hire a taxi for $10 to give us a ride from DLR to Hojo's.

 

[SnowMaryBelle]

I stayed at the HoJo's four years ago and found it to be very clean and quiet. The walk to the park wasn't bad, in fact I have fond memories of park anticipation during the walk. (The walk back from the park must not have been bad either because I barely remember it at all. lol, must have been the full day of park excitement staying with me.) As stated above it's very easy to cross the street with the other hordes of people going to the parks.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Wow, thanks everyone.... Now I still can't decide, LOL!

The shuttle at CCI is certainly appealing.... But the hotel itself is more of a motel and I prefer hotels, which apparently the HoJos is.

Oh what to do!! I had no idea they were so different. Are any of the slides at the HoJos waterpark for teens?
Is there another hotel you would recommend? We are going in August so those retro rates at HoJos aren't available that month, correct?

No the slides at the Hojo aren't for teens. In fact that whole water playground is very much themed to much younger kids. The hot tub is in that area, other than that its a little kid playground. However, in the back of the property is the garden pool which we love as do our two teenagers. Its a very pretty pool, deeper and usually very quiet.

We love the Hojo, I would still rate it more in the motel category vs. hotel category. But its a larger property with multiple buildings and some very lovely landscaping and grounds.

We have decided our next stay we will try the Candy Cane. The free breakfast would be nice and for our peak season trips, the retro rate is not available. Which for our dates in July means the CCI is cheaper than the Hojo and when you factor in the free breakfast, that also saves us money. We are currently booked at the CCI for July, but I'll probably be cancelling that in the next few days since we plan to take the financial plunge and go with the DLH. I really waffled back and forth on this since we do love the Hojo, but without a retro rate, I was paying around $169 a night which is hard to swallow since last time I paid $59! The free breakfast at CCI was also a big deciding factor since I have two teens who can eat their weight in contiental breakfasts! But again, for us its moot since we are going to go with the DLH (after all my going back and forth and driving myself crazy lol).

To me the pros of the Hojo are: Larger rooms, many have balconies, nice gift shop that is also like a convenience store, retro rates, two pool areas, next door to Mimi's and also close to McDonald's, theme park views in some rooms and a good view of the fireworks from the water park area.

Pros of the Candy Cane from what I can tell are: lovely, smaller property that is family owned, shuttle to DL, free breakfast, nearer to City walk with its dining options.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Or someone with exhausted kids! In 2003 my four youngsters were so tired I had to hire a taxi for $10 to give us a ride from DLR to Hojo's.

Trey, that was us too when we stayed there the first time in 2004. It was fine in the morning, fine when we went back midday to swim but at night when we were leaving DL at midnight it was not so fine. We did the ART a couple of times which was agggravating since it would drive right by the Hojo then loop back around before actually stopping there.

We stayed there again a few years later when our kids were older (and it wasn't broiling hot summer) and it was fine.

But for sure that walk can feel very long at the end of a long day. Not undoable, but not as easy as it was a few hours earlier.

Of course that is true when we walk back to the DLH or PPH at the end of the day!

 

[chrissiecutie]

Trey, that was us too when we stayed there the first time in 2004. It was fine in the morning, fine when we went back midday to swim but at night when we were leaving DL at midnight it was not so fine. We did the ART a couple of times which was agggravating since it would drive right by the Hojo then loop back around before actually stopping there.

We stayed there again a few years later when our kids were older (and it wasn't broiling hot summer) and it was fine.

But for sure that walk can feel very long at the end of a long day. Not undoable, but not as easy as it was a few hours earlier.

Of course that is true when we walk back to the DLH or PPH at the end of the day!

Yes, definately! As I said before it's about a 10-15 min walk, depending on how fast you move. I move slow (I have a heart condition and I'm super short- so I'm going nowhere fast) but it's usually 15 mins max for my family to get to the front gates. As others have said, the AM walk is easy breezy. The PM...not so much! And this is double if you have small kiddos!

OP- I think your kids, since they are older, would not be interested in the water park. However, the "quiet" pool is very nice and super big. This is the pool that you can watch the fireworks from.

 

[chrissiecutie]

There are two places with crosswalks and signals. The one at Manchester is right at HoJo's, and results in a slightly shorter walk. Or you can walk down Harbor, where you'll encounter the main crosswalk in front of IHOP and ParkVue. That's the one that nearly everyone uses, and typically has huge hoards crossing when the light turns.

-Bob

IMO- I think it's much faster to cross at the light that has MiMi's on the corner. Then walk down to the main enterance. You do have to walk past the bus stop and there can be some "questionable" characters here but almost no one walks on this side. So it's much less crowded and thus you can move faster. I really don't know why everyone walks on the side with all the restaurants?? Pack mentality?? My only suggestion is when walking back this way at night, don't do it alone. If you are alone and walking back to the HoJo, safety first and go with the crowds. If you're hubby is a freakin linebacker like mine, then by all means...go the quick route.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

We stayed at the HoJo our last two trips and I have to say the walk back at night does not scare me at all. Now there is always the two of us and we just quietly walk by the people at the bus stop and smile and nod. My husband has knee problems so if someone wanted to jump / hurt us, it would be quite easy for them! We have never even had anyone ask us for money I would not worry about staying at the HoJo, the walk is fast, and IMO safe.

 

[dnamertz]

There are traffic signals and crosswalks.



The hojo "retro rate" is hojos promotional room rate to fill their rooms. details can be found here. HoJo retro rate

I'm always hearing about how great the entertainment rate is, but looking at the link you provided, it's almost never offered unless your there on those select dates in those couple months.

I would consider staying there for $59, but the rate is almost never available.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

For our last trip down, I waited until about 10 days before and I was lucky that our nights became available with the redo rate! Now waiting until the last minute I knew I may have ended up staying somewhere where I would of needed to drive to the parks to get a good rate, but it was a chance I was willing to take!

 

[Katems]

How early and late does the shuttle at Candy Cane run?? We plan to be at the park gates before it opens and to stay at the parks right up to closing...will we miss the shuttle if we do this??

Also, I just read on another thread that the AP black out dates are lifted the exact same day we plan to go there, August 20th....am I totally doomed with crowds?? I had no idea...I thought the later in the summer the better, with southern schools being back in session in August.

 

[HydroGuy]

How early and late does the shuttle at Candy Cane run?? We plan to be at the park gates before it opens and to stay at the parks right up to closing...will we miss the shuttle if we do this??

Also, I just read on another thread that the AP black out dates are lifted the exact same day we plan to go there, August 20th....am I totally doomed with crowds?? I had no idea...I thought the later in the summer the better, with southern schools being back in session in August.

CCI runs until after the parks close. No worries. Worst case if you miss it is a 10 minute walk.

Regarding crowds, I just responded to you here:

Doomed? LOL, no. Will it be busy? Yes, but mostly concentrated around CarsLand and the new areas of DCA. The other parts of DLR I suspect will be a bit busier as well, but nothing like grid lock - except for maybe Cars Land.

I suggest you stop worrying about it since you are locked into dates and just learn how to have the best trip possible. It will still be a great trip but make sure to learn everything you can about touring and especially afternoon breaks and FP.

This advice might help:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[GrandBob]

I'm always hearing about how great the entertainment rate is, but looking at the link you provided, it's almost never offered unless your there on those select dates in those couple months.

I would consider staying there for $59, but the rate is almost never available.

Yeah, HoJo's has really cut back on the retro rates in the last year or two. It used to be relatively easy to find one, as long as you stayed away from high season and had flexibility to move your dates a few days. Not so any more. Sigh. Their normal rates are a bit high, though you can still get 20% with an AP or 15% with the DisBoards rate. Still, I now find myself checking out alternatives a lot more, and wonder if we're gonna be back at HoJo's in the forseeable future.

-Bob

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I'm always hearing about how great the entertainment rate is, but looking at the link you provided, it's almost never offered unless your there on those select dates in those couple months.

I would consider staying there for $59, but the rate is almost never available.

I always find the "never available" comment kind of amusing because clearly just from reading comments on these boards alone someone is getting these rates. I think getting this rate is just a matter of diligence and reasonable expectations. Hojo says it's for "low season" so you're not going to find it for Christmas or New Year's. That being said though I have gotten the rate for at least some of my days for 12 out of 17 stays over the last four years. That included spring break, Thanksgiving President's Day, and some summer days. Now to get the rate, I have to have a general idea of when I want to go and check the website regularly starting at least six to eight months before my actual dates right up until we go (and sometimes even after we're there already). I also tend to book as soon as I know my dates even if the rate isn't available since I'm likely to stay at Hojo in any case. This style of planning certainly isn't for everyone, but it works for me because I am comfortable enough at Hojo that I feel motivated to go to this kind of trouble. Some kinds of deal hunting out there that others swear by wouldn't appeal to me though. To each their own. For those that my Hojo method doesn't work for, I'm sure they have their ways of finding locations and deals that suit them.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Yeah, HoJo's has really cut back on the retro rates in the last year or two. It used to be relatively easy to find one, as long as you stayed away from high season and had flexibility to move your dates a few days. Not so any more. Sigh. Their normal rates are a bit high, though you can still get 20% with an AP or 15% with the DisBoards rate. Still, I now find myself checking out alternatives a lot more, and wonder if we're gonna be back at HoJo's in the forseeable future.

-Bob

I'm with you on checking alternatives, but I have still ended up back at Hojo more often than not. Maybe I have just gotten lucky with finding retro rates or other acceptable rates. I do agree that their normal rates have gotten rather high compared to year's past, but I feel that the other hotels' rates have been climbing as well.

 

[chrissiecutie]

I'm always hearing about how great the entertainment rate is, but looking at the link you provided, it's almost never offered unless your there on those select dates in those couple months.

I would consider staying there for $59, but the rate is almost never available.

I would have to disagree with you here on this one...

There's definately a trick to getting the ET rate. You need to start looking easily 6 months out. And if you're dates are a little flexible, then it's super easy to score this rate!

If you look at the dates avail now, you will see lots for Jan/Feb. Wait a few months and more dates will most likely open up for March-May. I can also tell you that they do post new avail dates last minute. For example, a month ago there was NO availabilty in June but 2 weeks ago I saw several dates listed on their website/discussion board. Many were for THIS week. And of course now, 2 weeks later, these dates are all gone.

It does also really depend upon what time of the year you are looking to visit. I can't imagine they would have much availability for Christmas. But if you're flexible- you might be able to find some in early Dec or even go after the holiday when they have plenty of dates in Jan.

Personally...I start thinking of "timing" for our next Disney trip shortly after we've returned. I know lots of folks who like to go roughly the same time each year, so that makes it super easy. If you know approx when you would like to visit, just keep your eye on the HoJo board and be sure and call ASAP! Because the ET rate can save us LOTS of money, we also plan around getting these dates. If that means that I have to change my vacation to a week earlier to score the ET rate (this assumes your dates are flexible) then really...it's no big deal and IMO, totally worth it!

Also, they may not have all your dates avail at the ET rate when you call to make your reservation. But keep checking back because they do add new dates all the time. Its very easy to call the in-house reservation desk and just change the rate.

So I guess the moral of my LONG story...is to just start looking way ahead of time, be flexible and check back often!

 

[chrissiecutie]

I'm with you on checking alternatives, but I have still ended up back at Hojo more often than not. Maybe I have just gotten lucky with finding retro rates or other acceptable rates. I do agree that their normal rates have gotten rather high compared to year's past, but I feel that the other hotels' rates have been climbing as well.

I agree!

While I still think they have alot of ET rates avail, I am disappointed in the price increase. When booking my reservation for a King room at the ET rate, I learned that they changed our normal preference for a King room in bldg 2 to a "deluxe" category and increased the rate by $20. So now if I want the ET rate of $59- I have to stay in bldg 1 facing the freeway- which is NOT my preference.

They've also really increased their normal rates. I used to be able to get a "best available" rate of $89 and get the 15% ET discount on top of that. I did this all the time when not all of my dates were avail for the ET $59 rate. However, now...it seems that no matter what time of year you're planning on going, the "best avail" rate is now $126 or $149. Eek! Obviously,this is a HUGE increase!

While we love the HoJo's....I can easily see us looking for alternatives when DS is a little older. For DS, no Disney trip would be complete without the HoJo pirate water park. But eventually he will outgrow it and most likely, when that happens, we may look elsewhere for lower rates. I just can't imagine paying $150+ for a basic hotel- which is what HoJo's really is.

 

[dnamertz]

I would have to disagree with you here on this one...

There's definately a trick to getting the ET rate. You need to start looking easily 6 months out. And if you're dates are a little flexible, then it's super easy to score this rate!

If you look at the dates avail now, you will see lots for Jan/Feb. Wait a few months and more dates will most likely open up for March-May. I can also tell you that they do post new avail dates last minute. For example, a month ago there was NO availabilty in June but 2 weeks ago I saw several dates listed on their website/discussion board. Many were for THIS week. And of course now, 2 weeks later, these dates are all gone.

It does also really depend upon what time of the year you are looking to visit. I can't imagine they would have much availability for Christmas. But if you're flexible- you might be able to find some in early Dec or even go after the holiday when they have plenty of dates in Jan.

Personally...I start thinking of "timing" for our next Disney trip shortly after we've returned. I know lots of folks who like to go roughly the same time each year, so that makes it super easy. If you know approx when you would like to visit, just keep your eye on the HoJo board and be sure and call ASAP! Because the ET rate can save us LOTS of money, we also plan around getting these dates. If that means that I have to change my vacation to a week earlier to score the ET rate (this assumes your dates are flexible) then really...it's no big deal and IMO, totally worth it!

Also, they may not have all your dates avail at the ET rate when you call to make your reservation. But keep checking back because they do add new dates all the time. Its very easy to call the in-house reservation desk and just change the rate.

So I guess the moral of my LONG story...is to just start looking way ahead of time, be flexible and check back often!

I didn't realize they add more dates as those months get closer. I thought "N/A" meant they wouldn't be offered on those dates...I'll definitely keep checking.

What do I need to get these rates? We recently bought the Entertainment book for our local area. Is it the card in that book that gets you the lower rate? Does it need to be the Entertainmnet book for the Anaheim area, or does it matter what part of the country my book is for?