HOJO, Camelot or Tropicana - Recent reviews?

[Beck & the Beast]

Glad to be back on the boards and planning another trip to my favourite place!

We’ve stayed at the HOJO about 7 or 8 times over the past 20 years (4 stays in the past 3 years or so) and have really enjoyed the water playground and park view balcony watching fireworks after my DD has gone to bed. We are now returning in April and are debating to stay there or somewhere else...

My daughter is now 9 and I know won’t be as into the splash park and the garden pool is currently closed. Also as she’s now older, I’m hoping for more park time and less time in the room.

Looking at some other Harbor options as we want a close walk, and enjoy Mimi’s, Panera and Pizza Press. I’ve found what look to be good room options at Camelot Inn (in a renovated room) and Tropicana. Both seems to have fridge & micro (which we like as we tend to do in-room breakfast).

Any thoughts or recommendations? For reference, HOJO $1750, Camelot $1450, Tropicana $1200

Thanks!

 

[mamapenguin]

I would do Tropicana. I have heard good things, it’s the closest to the parks and the least expensive.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Is the HOJO price with the Disboards discount? HOJO is my go-to and my favorite down there, but I also appreciate being able to save money. If you could get the HOJO price a bit closer to the Camelot price, I would pick HOJO. It's been a number of years since I have stayed at the Tropicana, and I found the experience only so-so.

 

[Beck & the Beast]

Is the HOJO price with the Disboards discount? HOJO is my go-to and my favorite down there, but I also appreciate being able to save money. If you could get the HOJO price a bit closer to the Camelot price, I would pick HOJO. It's been a number of years since I have stayed at the Tropicana, and I found the experience only so-so.

Yes, the HOJO price is including the disboards discount. I do really like it there & am always happy with our experience, but the price difference could pay for a couple nice meals.

 

[Beck & the Beast]

I would do Tropicana. I have heard good things, it’s the closest to the parks and the least expensive.

That’s what I’m leaning towards too. Was hoping maybe someone had stayed recently and could comment on beds, cleanliness etc. Online reviews seem good though

 

[Nickobi]

I like the Tropicana, especially since the remodel. It really is the closest to the Park. I do like to try others, especially when it's a better rate. I'll be staying at HOJO for the first time; Thursday to Monday this week.

 

[Nickobi]

Camelot is blah, stayed there once. It was fine, just prefer Tropicana; feels "cleaner"

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Yes, the HOJO price is including the disboards discount. I do really like it there & am always happy with our experience, but the price difference could pay for a couple nice meals.

Yeah, I hear you. I love HOJO, but I also love having extra money for food and souvenirs!

 

[Butterfly123]

I think Camelot is remodeling. They might be finished now, but if not there may be some noise.

 

[Nickobi]

I think Camelot is remodeling. They might be finished now, but if not there may be some noise.

That's good, they needed it for what they're trying to charge.

 

[pharmama]

We really liked the Tropicana and its the closest of your three options (though admittedly not a huge difference between the three distance-wise, especially Trop and Camelot). Since It's also the cheapest I'd go there. The mini-mart (Cove Market) and little coffee bar at the Tropicana also has a better selection for your breakfast in the room than the mini market at the Hojo, IMO.

One other piece- will you have a rental car with you? If so, make sure you factor in parking costs since Trop and I believe Camelot (same company) charge for parking but Hojo does not.

 

[RogueX]

I stayed in Tropicana early last year. I found it to be clean, nothing fancy, but location wise was great. The Cove Marketplace was great for grabbing a yogurt parfait and coffee in the morning before hitting the parks.

 

[lunaland]

Remember that Hojo is the only hotel with indoor corridors. While we love Hojo for many reasons that was always one of the most important considerations. Especially if you plan to come back late at night. Harbor has gotten a little 'iffy' for us lately and we have started to stay elsewhere.

 

[AuntieMe3]

We love the Tropicana and stay often for a night or two since we are semi-local. The rooms are very nice since the remodel, very clean, and the beds are comfy. Love microwave and fridge in the room too.

 

[Beck & the Beast]

Thank you for the replies! We won’t have a rental car so don’t have to worry about the parking costs. Love that all 3 have fridge & micro. We do breakfast in the room most days so that is nice to have.

Looks like the Camelot is doing room renovations and the photos of new rooms and reviews they are getting seem really good. Sounds like it was in need of a refresh. I think we’ll try Tropicana or Camelot this trip. Will make a reservation at both and maybe try to follow reviews for another month or for before making our final decision.

 

[Amunet]

I think we’ll try Tropicana or Camelot this trip. Will make a reservation at both and maybe try to follow reviews for another month or for before making our final decision.

We are going to be staying at Tropicana in a few weeks for the first time. We are arriving the Wednesday after the new ride opens and booked the hotel in ... the first few days of November? Yeah. There was tons of availability. One night, I found a decrease in rate for our exact dates and room, so I emailed Tropicana with screenshots of the cheaper rate along with our reservation and asked if I could have the cheaper rate. That was the weekend, on Monday, I got a reply back and they honored the cheaper rate! Got a new confirmation and everything.
After Rise of the Resistance opened at WDW, the availability quickly diminished and, looking at the current calendar, are booked up most of that weekend with lots of sold out dates.
That is my experience so far

 

[smiley_face2]

We stayed many times at Hojos over decades especially when our kids were young, then we stayed again with our grandkids 7 years ago, so we had a lot of sentimental attachment. But as we got older and the walk got harder, and Hojos prices climbed, we tried a few different places there. Best western park place inn, park vue inn, the now demolished carousel inn, and xmas b4 last was Tropicana in the remodelled rooms. We really liked it a lot! Very clean and comfortable beds, the Cove store has amazing coffee and muffins, and you can not beat that short walk right across the street! This time we are going to be in Grand Legacy at the Park! I wish money were no object and we could stay at the Disneyland hotel everytime! Lol have only managed to stay there 3 times.

 

[Beck & the Beast]

We are going to be staying at Tropicana in a few weeks for the first time. We are arriving the Wednesday after the new ride opens and booked the hotel in ... the first few days of November? Yeah. There was tons of availability. One night, I found a decrease in rate for our exact dates and room, so I emailed Tropicana with screenshots of the cheaper rate along with our reservation and asked if I could have the cheaper rate. That was the weekend, on Monday, I got a reply back and they honored the cheaper rate! Got a new confirmation and everything.
After Rise of the Resistance opened at WDW, the availability quickly diminished and, looking at the current calendar, are booked up most of that weekend with lots of sold out dates.
That is my experience so far

Thanks for sharing your experience of their customer service so far, that often says a lot. I hope you have a great trip!

If you don’t mind, let me know your thoughts after your stay. Our trip isn’t until mid-April.

 

[Beck & the Beast]

We stayed many times at Hojos over decades especially when our kids were young, then we stayed again with our grandkids 7 years ago, so we had a lot of sentimental attachment. But as we got older and the walk got harder, and Hojos prices climbed, we tried a few different places there. Best western park place inn, park vue inn, the now demolished carousel inn, and xmas b4 last was Tropicana in the remodelled rooms. We really liked it a lot! Very clean and comfortable beds, the Cove store has amazing coffee and muffins, and you can not beat that short walk right across the street! This time we are going to be in Grand Legacy at the Park! I wish money were no object and we could stay at the Disneyland hotel everytime! Lol have only managed to stay there 3 times.

Thank you for sharing. I have had the same sentimental ties to HOJO. Always know what to expect. Last year we also stayed Easter weekend for the same # of nights and this year’s price is over $500 more. The garden pool & Building 2 are closed which has probably put more demand on their other rooms & higher prices due to popularity. I understand, but always think what I could spend the extra $ on.

I’ve always had the DL or GCH on my list, so maybe some year... I’d like to try a split stay on a future trip (we often go for a week at a time as are from Canada). Planning to upgrade our PH to AP when we’re there so hopefully can get an AP rate for Oct or Dec.

 

[Aurora0427]

Glad to be back on the boards and planning another trip to my favourite place!

We’ve stayed at the HOJO about 7 or 8 times over the past 20 years (4 stays in the past 3 years or so) and have really enjoyed the water playground and park view balcony watching fireworks after my DD has gone to bed. We are now returning in April and are debating to stay there or somewhere else...

My daughter is now 9 and I know won’t be as into the splash park and the garden pool is currently closed. Also as she’s now older, I’m hoping for more park time and less time in the room.

Looking at some other Harbor options as we want a close walk, and enjoy Mimi’s, Panera and Pizza Press. I’ve found what look to be good room options at Camelot Inn (in a renovated room) and Tropicana. Both seems to have fridge & micro (which we like as we tend to do in-room breakfast).

Any thoughts or recommendations? For reference, HOJO $1750, Camelot $1450, Tropicana $1200

Thanks!

Have you considered Park Vue Inn? Free parking, the entire facility has been recently remodeled within the last year, free continental breakfast, rooms have microwave and refrigerator, and it’s technically even closer than Tropicana. We’ve stayed there 4 times since June and we are going twice this month. Their service is excellent. We love it for a parks trip.