Disneyland off property hotels - esp HoJos

[JeannieNM]

Hi we are going to DL this July. I am a full time wheelchair user who does not stand or walk. I have been many times before so the park is not a problem for me. We are considering economizing and staying off property. Does anyone know if the HoJo rooms are accessible for a para. Can you recommend any of the other hotels for 4* accessibility?

Thanks
Jean

 

[BillSears]

I just stayed at the Howard Johnson Anaheim over the weekend. I'm a T8 Para and other then the bed being about 4 inches higher then my preferred transfer point and not much counterspace at the bathroom sink I had no problem with the room at all. It had a roll in shower, I could fit under the sink easily, there was plenty of room in the bathroom, I didn't have any problems with the toilet... Overall I had a pleasant stay there.

I'm sorry but I didn't take any pictures or measurements. I've been on the road for 3 weeks now(I'm taking a 6 week solo cross-country road trip, see my sig for my journal) and I have been sleeping in a lot of hotel rooms. So I haven't been documenting each one.

Also I had no problems with the walk back and forth to the parks from the HoJo. I walked on the sidewalk on the same side as DL and it was almost always empty. That made it much nicer then walking on the hotels side. There's a light and a cross-walk right at the HoJo.

 

[JeannieNM]

Thanks for the input on the HoJos. I am more concerned as I am traveling without my husband and do not want to get into any situations that would take away from the trip. I am a T5 para. I just do not want to spend the extra for the Grand Californian which I have stayed before.

 

[toocherie]

I just stayed at the Howard Johnson Anaheim over the weekend. I'm a T8 Para and other then the bed being about 4 inches higher then my preferred transfer point and not much counterspace at the bathroom sink I had no problem with the room at all. It had a roll in shower, I could fit under the sink easily, there was plenty of room in the bathroom, I didn't have any problems with the toilet... Overall I had a pleasant stay there.

I'm sorry but I didn't take any pictures or measurements. I've been on the road for 3 weeks now(I'm taking a 6 week solo cross-country road trip, see my sig for my journal) and I have been sleeping in a lot of hotel rooms. So I haven't been documenting each one.

Also I had no problems with the walk back and forth to the parks from the HoJo. I walked on the sidewalk on the same side as DL and it was almost always empty. That made it much nicer then walking on the hotels side. There's a light and a cross-walk right at the HoJo.

Bill--did you have any trouble maneuvering your wheelchair on that side of Harbor? I remember the one time I used an ECV on that side I had trouble because of a lamppost or something.

Thanks for the input on the HoJos. I am more concerned as I am traveling without my husband and do not want to get into any situations that would take away from the trip. I am a T5 para. I just do not want to spend the extra for the Grand Californian which I have stayed before.

Hojo's is great--I've never stayed in an accessible room there, but they are very accommodating. However, keep in mind that there are two other Disneyland-owned hotels--the Disneyland hotel and the Paradise Pier--so you wouldn't necessarily have to pay the high GC price to stay on-site.

 

[JeannieNM]

However, keep in mind that there are two other Disneyland-owned hotels--the Disneyland hotel and the Paradise Pier--so you wouldn't necessarily have to pay the high GC price to stay on-site.

It is not staying at a Disney hotel that is my reason for staying at GC, it is that I know it and have stayed there so I know it meets my accessibility needs. I have stayed in the Disneyland hotel but it was back when they did not have roll in showers and I would not chance it. It is only $300 less then GC but HoJos is $700 less which to me is significant. (though my fear of the unkown is kicking up too.)

 

[toocherie]

Well, I would suspect that any of the Disney hotels would have similar accessible hotel rooms at this point--you might want to call and talk to someone at the front desk.

 

[toocherie]

One more thought--if it's applicable--if you or a member of your party is over 60 years old there is a 30% senior's discount you can get at any of the DL hotels which may make the price difference more palatable.

 

[BillSears]

Thanks for the input on the HoJos. I am more concerned as I am traveling without my husband and do not want to get into any situations that would take away from the trip. I am a T5 para. I just do not want to spend the extra for the Grand Californian which I have stayed before.

I found it to be about the same accessibility as an average Disney WDW accessible hotel room. Some WDW rooms have a lower bed and some don't. My biggest problem was the bed and it really wasn't too bad. Hopefully you're good at transfers and you will be able to get in and out fine.

Bill--did you have any trouble maneuvering your wheelchair on that side of Harbor? I remember the one time I used an ECV on that side I had trouble because of a lamppost or something.

Yep there are lampposts but they were no problem at all for me. Wheelchairs are a lot more maneuverable, especially if you're a full time user.

 

[BillSears]

Thinking about it a bit more makes me wonder. I've been on the road for 3 weeks and haven't seen a single roll-in shower seat that was the wrong height for a transfer. Almost all of the toilets are easy transfers. Whey the heck do they think the bed needs to be 4-8 inches higher then the shower seat? They know what height is right for transfers but seem to ignore it for beds.

 

[JeannieNM]

Bill, I am glad to hear that the roll in shower seats have worked. I have had some wild experiences where they think a little backless stool is a shower chair.

I hear you about the beds. We were at the Bellagio in Vegas for our 50th bday. We had a Penthouse suite as we were entertaining in our room. Long story short the bed was 18 inches higher then standard, I needed an elevator to get into it. I called and had them take it off part of the frame. They would not do it at first but I mumble about the Four Seasons in Maui doing it and they did. I would just like to avoid those hassles esp since my DH will not be with us.

I am going to call next week and request photos of the bathroom and bed. I have been doing this with hotels in Southeast Asia so why not here.

Quick question since you are traveling alone- after you transfer to a bath bench how do you get your wheelchair out of waters way and then back to where you need it to transfer back into it?

Thanks for your help.

Jean

 

[JeannieNM]

Yep there are lampposts but they were no problem at all for me. Wheelchairs are a lot more maneuverable, especially if you're a full time user.

I hope it does not take popping up and back to the street. I am going to be taking care of a 4 year old great niece. My DD always rode on my lap but I am a bit out of shape on watching a 4 year old, DD is almost 14.

Thanks again

 

[BillSears]

Quick question since you are traveling alone- after you transfer to a bath bench how do you get your wheelchair out of waters way and then back to where you need it to transfer back into it?

I usually just unlock one wheel and spin it to the side but still within arms reach. Then I close the shower curtain. When I'm done I open the curtain a bit and spin the chair back into position. Remember to put a towel on your seat so the cushion doesn't get wet when you transfer back and also put a towel for drying off in your seat too.

I hope it does not take popping up and back to the street. I am going to be taking care of a 4 year old great niece. My DD always rode on my lap but I am a bit out of shape on watching a 4 year old, DD is almost 14.

Thanks again

Nope no up and down curbs. There was at least 3 feet of clear space around the lamppost on the non street side and about 2 1/2 on the street side. I tended to just go around the lamppost on the non street side just to be safe.