HOJO Hints & Tips

[Kalice]

Hi, I signed up on the Vons website, using the HOJO's address as my home address. I got at least two free delivery offers via email in the first two weeks of signing up. My delivery came whilst we were out, the staff put all the milk etc. in the fridge.

 

[SaraK]

We just got back today from staying at HoJo's and here is my two cents worth (we were in the kids suite, building 1).

Bring earplugs. The traffic noise was terrible. I hardly slept at all the first night. Slept fine the other nights because I was deathly ill most of the time and took Nyquil. My DH slept ok, not great, but ok. DS (age 5) wasn't bothered at all.

I didn't notice hooks on the door.

Yes, we had a microwave.

Four K-cups per day and cups. I thought it was kind of gross and didn't drink much, however, as I said above, I was really sick most of the time and didn't eat or drink much anyway.

Yes, the milk in the little bottles is crazy. Bring a half-gallon if you can.

For some odd reason the store didn't carry Sierra Mist/Sprite/7Up (just diet 7 up). I thought that was weird.

The closet is small with just a bar with hangers.

You keep your clothes in the desk drawers. There is no dresser. I thought that was weird as well.

The pool area was closed from 2:30 - 3:00ish one day. Not a big deal. At night I believe it was closing at 6:00 or so and it was open this morning at 10:00.

Yes, cross at the first light. If you don't the walk isn't bad, but it's better if you cross.

Consider taking the ART. We walked back the first night (after travelling a lot that day) and at 10:00 at night DS's little feet were TIRED. We bought two 3 day adult ART passes and three kids passes for $23 and it worked out great. We still ended up walking a couple of times but it sure was nice to have those passes when we wanted to use them. The front desk sells them and their is a kiosk at the Disney entrance.

This site has some coupons (including the McD's): http://www.anaheimoc.org/Articles/Archive/Webpage10153.asp


That's all I can think of for now.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Consider taking the ART. We walked back the first night (after travelling a lot that day) and at 10:00 at night DS's little feet were TIRED. We bought two 3 day adult ART passes and three kids passes for $23 and it worked out great. We still ended up walking a couple of times but it sure was nice to have those passes when we wanted to use them. The front desk sells them and their is a kiosk at the Disney entrance.

So, when coming home on ART how long was it actually?
Wifi, was it up and working?
ps. thanks for your report!! Very helpful!!

 

[SaraK]

Coming home it was probably around 15 minutes. I didn't really clock it so that's just a guess. Maybe 20.

Didn't use the WiFi.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Thanks for the estimate. That's not bad at all!! Good to know you can buy the tickets at the hotel! That helps!

 

[SaraK]

Going there in the morning is only about a 5 minute ride.

 

[smiley_face2]

Great info...thanks so much! I was hoping to get one of the rooms closer to the street...call me crazy!! We don't mind noise or light...so no biggie!! Maybe I should call and request (I know not guarenteed) being close to Harbor!

Thanks to all who mentioned that Mimi's was good for take out! I just thought if I had the fruit, cereal, milk, etc. that I could run over and grab some eggs and bacon Perfect! I'll have to put their number in my phone!

Lovin' the Wifi..hope it's up and running but if not we'll be fine!!

Thanks everyone

Then we are crazy too.... because the sun early in the am and sound of water from the playground make us happy!! the other good thing about being at the front of building 4 (rooms 4211, 4209, 4207, 4205, 4203, 4201) (the even numbers are on the other side of the hall facing the courtyard area) is the super quick hop over to Mimi's so your plan of running over to grab eggs etc. would work super! 4211 is at the very end, closest to Harbor and directly above the hot tub. Early in the am, before the water play area got running, we would open the balcony door and drapes and sit at the table to have breakfast. You could hear the sounds of Disneyland coming over, the train, the monorail etc. then some of the music...it made for a very exciting start to the day! Here are some pictures of the view toward the door, and off the balcony.

loved the bougainvillea growing up the side here...

our grand daughter having breakfast, they stayed on the ground floor because they had a 1 year old in a stroller...these 2 story buildings have no elevator, only stairs so that's something to think about if you do have a stroller.

 

[smiley_face2]

Make sure to buy the multiday ticket for the Art, it works out to be quite a bit cheaper than buying day by day. The time for the ride back varies with how many people need dropping off. It can be as little as 10 minutes, or as much as close to 20. Still worth it though at the end of a long day when your feet and back hurt from walking miles and miles!!
Hojo's also sells the multiday park hopper tickets at the discounted price, quite a bit cheaper than buying them at the gate!!
If you use travellers checks, they will cash them at the desk for you. Seems to me ours were all 100's and we had no problem cashing one every day!
There is an interac/instateller/cashpoint.... at the hotel directly across the street from Hojo's, but it will only dish out I think $100. at a time, maybe $200 can't remember for sure, but I know it was less than what I wanted...(probably a good thing!! )
the gift shop gave me change for the laundry and gave me a good deal on bananas when we ran out and bought them there...she said they were small and gave me 3 for the price of 2
the large bottles of water they sell in the giftshop, I think they are about half gallon size, are actually not a bad price...don't remember exactly, but bought quite a few.
We have stayed now in buildings 1, 2, and 4. 3 and 6 are the same as 4. I don't think I can pick a favorite, they are all good, but hubby likes 4 the best. I just know I like the top floor with the skylights! in July we are in building 1 again because those were the only rooms left available. Oh how we will suffer in a premium room... our daughter is happy though because she will have the stroller for the baby and there is an elevator.

 

[50sjayne]

Those that have had balcony's...how have you used them? Storage? Extended living space with some chairs? Don't use them?
At the Grand last year we barely used ours at all!!

I think we're going to try the Euclid Farmers Market on Sunday and a stop to the Von's down Harbor and over the freeway. I want to head over there anyway and stop at the Character Warehouse!

We liked the Food for Less that was really close--great prices!
We loved our balcony- I really enjoyed drinking a glass of good wine out there with our disneyland view. Also we brought our small foreman and did those premade gourmet hamburger patties out there--mmm!

Does anyone remember if there's a hook on the inside of the bathroom door? Kind of silly, I know -- but we use an organizer for our bathroom stuff, and will bring our own over-the-door hook if there isn't one. Thanks!

Someone gave the tip to use the ironing board for a shelf in the bathroom. It works out great as the bathroom is huge compared to most hotel rooms. I just set it up against the wall.

 

[Mom2Joce]

That was seriously the best post!! Thanks so much for sharing!! I seriously didn't realize how close the water area and building 4 was to the corner of Harbor!

Like you guys that location and room type would be ideal!! LOVE IT! I'm calling today to have them mark it on our reservation!

Thanks so much for sharing!!
ps. your grand daughter is totally adorable!

 

[jernysgirl]

There is no elevators in the hotel?

 

[emacat]

The large buildings do have elevators, however, the two sotry buildings do not. If this is a problem, you can call in-house reservations, and they will do their best to put you on the ground floor, or in a building with elevators. (put in by Nichole!)

 

[DizNee Luver]

We're staying in Bldg 1, Disney facing premium room at the end of July!!! This will be our first visit to HoJo.......does anyone have opinions about these rooms?? We're very excited & actually are upgrading our Disney Travel package to these rooms. Thanx!!

 

[jernysgirl]

The large buildings do have elevators, however, the two sotry buildings do not. If this is a problem, you can call in-house reservations, and they will do their best to put you on the ground floor, or in a building with elevators. (put in by Nichole!)

Good to know, thanks for clarifying!

 

[HeatherSue]

What a great thread! We'll be at HoJo's May 24-30 and I love reading all the tips! If anyone has any more pictures, I'd love to see them!!

 

[Raine88]

We are going to be in a room that said : Two queen beds, balcony, disney view.

Anyone know what building that would be / if it's a good room?

 

[cutedisneygirly]

I love all these tips. We are staying at HOJO in a premium room forthe first time May 2-6!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Oh I have pictures of our rooms that we've stayed in.

The beds in Building 2.

The TV and desk.

This cool thing that you put your luggage on.

Microwave, fridge, coffee maker.

Desk and chairs.

Castaway Cove signage.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

And this is when we stayed in Building 1 in the premium rooms.

The balcony.

Our view was fantastic.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

We are going to be in a room that said : Two queen beds, balcony, disney view.

Anyone know what building that would be / if it's a good room?

All the Disney view rooms are in Building 1. They're great rooms.