Hojo vs. CCI - help!

[COscrapper]

I decided I'd post this as a new thread, since my original thread was getting kind of long. We have reservations at both the Hojo and Candy Cane Inn for Sept. 16-20, because originally Hojo said we'd have to switch rooms our last night and we didn't want to do that - CCI was our backup plan. Well I spoke to Hojo yesterday and they've had a cancellation so we CAN have the room we want for our entire stay! Great, right? I hung up the phone, started dialing the CCI to cancel our reservations there, and my husband says, "Are you sure you want to do that?" He thinks maybe we should save money and stay at the CCI, plus maybe we won't have much time for the pool at Hojo anyway. Both hotels have given me the exact same total price, but I think Hojo's did not include tax. Also, CCI has a free breakfast AND a free shuttle to the park. But, the reason I originally wanted Hojo was for the pool - my 4-year-old would LOVE it. Now I don't know which one to cancel. Will we really save a significant amount of money with the free shuttle and breakfast at CCI (I know it's just continental, but that's still something - plus we could probably grab some fruit to take with us). What can you tell me about the ART shuttle that Hojo uses? Cost? Reliable??? Shuttle is definitely important to us since I will be 7 months pregnant and our son will probably be passed out when we leave the park each night.

I would love it if someone could help me decide! Thanks so much...

 

[LuLusApple]

I have stayed at both and have never used the CCI shuttle or ART at HoJo I didn't know ART even went there lol to me both are so close a shuttle isn't needed, so I don't pay attention. But for you I can see you'd want one. First are you sure ART goes to HoJo? If it does then I would say HoJo. I like it better than CCI for a couple reasons even tho CCI has a brekki. Hojo has interior corridors and is a hotel. While CCI is nice it's a motel with your door outside and it's 2 stories high. Looks like an old travel lodge or super 8. 2nd Hojo has new comfy beds coffee pots and the kids pirate pool. You can even see the fireworks from a good vantage point of their hot tub and pool area
are you saying CCI is less expensive per night or because the shuttle and brekki? Whenever I use ART I buy the multi day ticket and it's way less expensive like 3$ a day and under 2 or 3 sorry I can't remember are free.
We just keep fruit and cereal in the room for our brekki. I don't like the free ones and I want to eat when I want too lol
so my vote is hojo for sure if ART goes there hth
either way have a great vacation

 

[MyMonkies]

I've never stayed at CCI but with the HOJO we never had the need for a shuttle. My kids walked other than my 2 y.o. being in a stroller. The HOJO had a microwave & fridge in the room & we usually did cereal or fruit & granola bars in the mornings.

Anyway, I don't have any experience with CCI but do know we were happy with HOJO & will stay there again for our next trip

 

[disney-super-mom]

The ART definitely goes to HOJO just in case anyone was wondering.

Although I LOVE the HOJO, if having a shuttle is the most important thing for you, I would probably stay at the CCI because they have a private shuttle......no stopping at other hotels. And of course having a continental breakfast is convenient, although it wouldn't be a deciding factor for us when it comes to choosing a hotel.

But if you want larger rooms and a water play area for your four year old, then the HOJO is your best bet. And of course they are serviced by ART, so if you don't want to walk then you can just take the ART to and from the parks. I'm not sure where the HOJO falls on the hotel stop schedule, but most likely you will stop at another hotel or two on your way to/from the parks.

Is the savings worth it? Hmmmmmm, I don't know. Lets say staying at the CCI saves you $65 total (the cost of a few muffins/cereal/juice or whatever, and what you would pay for the ART for the length your stay). For some, saving any amount, no matter how little, is worth it. For others, who look at the total cost of their vacation, $65 is negligible.

Both hotels get great reviews, so it really comes down to what "perk" is most important to you.

HOJO - bigger rooms, water play area
CCI - private shuttle, continental breakfast

No matter which you choose, I hope you all have a magical vacation!

 

[colbybug]

I have stayed at both several times and LOVE them both. I have a 7 yr old boy who by the end of the night is DRAGGING! Our last two stays were at the HoJo's and as we left, we walked past the Candy Cane Inn bus wishing we could just plop ourselves inside it. At the end of a long day of walking, it is heaven to not have to walk home ~ especially if any of the kids decides to fall asleep! Somehow they seem so much heavier when they are asleep! My boy loves the pirate play area but he also loves the pool at the Candy Cane too. Both properties are beautiful (with the edge going to the Candy Cane for me!) We are staying at the Candy Cane in October.

HOWEVER, if your deciding factor is the shuttle, you do not want to go with HoJo's because the ART shuttle is unfortunately backwards in its route to DL (for me!) I checked on this for our last stay which was in June of this year. If you are staying at HoJo's you are the last stop before DL, so more than likely the shuttle will be FULL by the time it gets to HoJo's. And, the HoJo's is the last drop off when leaving DL so you have to ride it around to all of the other hotel/motel properties first, before you finally get to the HoJo's. When this is one of the last stops of the night, the ART shuttle is quite full and you may or may not get on until the next one and then you will have a wait while it drops off everyone else. Just something to think about. That's my two cents. Hope it helps!

Kathy

P.S. it's also nice to be able to leave during the middle of the day for a break without having to walk back and forth... if you time it right, this can save you time as well as ones tired aching feet. The Candy Cane shuttle leaves DL twice an hour and returns to the motel. And it runs all day. The other nice thing is that it will also get you there early for magic mornings. Some shuttles don't run until the park actually opens.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe thet HOJOs is one of the last stops on that particular ART route.

I have stayed at both hotels as well. I love the Candy Cane. The shuttle is great and the breakfast is nice in the morning so we don't have to get it in the park. Candy Cane has a heated pool, it just isn't as big or themed like HOJOs water park.

I dont' think you can go wrong with either.

 

[bumbershoot]

Regarding the breakfast..I would make sure what time it starts. Because if it starts just as you would want to be at the gates each morning...then you're losing valuable early park time just for the breakfast.

And of course you'd want to find out what time the shuttle starts for the same reason.


As far as I know...the only "pool" in the waterplay area is a toddler pool. If that's the pool your son is looking forward to, yay. Otherwise, the proper pool is in the "garden" area, is not themed (though it's lovely IMO). The waterplay area is pirate themed, with water cannons and such, and the toddler pool and a hot tub if I recall correctly. I just think it's important to not expect a normal pool in the pirate themed area.

(and on looking at the hojo site, it almost seems they are using an OLD picture from when they DID have two pools! hmm)

 

[Hound 109]

Regarding the breakfast..I would make sure what time it starts. Because if it starts just as you would want to be at the gates each morning...then you're losing valuable early park time just for the breakfast.

And of course you'd want to find out what time the shuttle starts for the same reason.


As far as I know...the only "pool" in the waterplay area is a toddler pool. If that's the pool your son is looking forward to, yay. Otherwise, the proper pool is in the "garden" area, is not themed (though it's lovely IMO). The waterplay area is pirate themed, with water cannons and such, and the toddler pool and a hot tub if I recall correctly. I just think it's important to not expect a normal pool in the pirate themed area.

(and on looking at the hojo site, it almost seems they are using an OLD picture from when they DID have two pools! hmm)

Bumber brings up a good point on what time the Shuttle "starts". For us the morning shuttle (at CCI) didn't work since it left 30 minutes before rope drop & we wanted to be AT security 40 min. before rope drop. (So we made the 9 min. walk each morning so we'd get to Security at :20am instead of :35am).

BUT....what hasn't been mentioned is the mid day break (& with a 4 y/o i recommend one.....heck for a 52 y/o i recommend one. ). That dedicated shuttle is VERY nice & always empty for the mid day break (going & coming)....& also at your days end (as long as it's not immediatly after the fireworks or at DL closing time). And if you're not a "be first in line at the turnstile" geek like me, it will work well in the early AM as well.

If "the shuttle" is an important item for you, I'd opt for the CCI's dedicated shuttle (over the hojo ART bus) & consider the breakfast as icing on the cake. (& the pool is fine for a 4 y/o).

 

[pixiewings71]

I've stayed at both and the deciding factor for me is rates. When I can get the HoJo at the Ent Rate we stay there, if it's not available and the rates are the same at CCI we stay there. We love the free breakfast, it's a very good free breakfast!! And we LOVE the free shuttle!!! Especially for the end of the night when your feet are hurting from walking all day, it's really nice to catch that shuttle. The walk is slightly farther from CCI but not much, a minute or two so that doesn't matter to us. But when we can't get the Ent Rate we do check the CCI. Friends of mine stayed at the CCI in June, they loved it!!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

7 months pregnant is the perfect time to be a little "selfish" and chose CCI since it would physically be easiest for you. Next time you can go to HoJos and have it be for the kids.

 

[COscrapper]

THANK YOU for all the advice; I am still really struggling with this and I need to make a decision in the next couple days! There seems to be some negative opinions on the ART system...is it really that bad? Who has actually used it from the Hojo? Normally we wouldn't even CARE about the shuttle, but with me pregnant and our son most likely passed out/cranky at the end of the day - the shuttle IS important, unfortunately. However, so is a bigger room, comfy bed, and a spacious bathroom. Throw in the pirate waterpark and that's a LOT to give up just for the direct shuttle (who wants to trek back to the hotel for a midday nap when the room is so small it's uncomfortable anyway?). Not too concerned about the continental breakfast - we can keep the same stuff in our room to eat on our own in the mornings.

I honestly don't mind having to make a few stops on the shuttle, but waiting over 30 min. to be able to catch a bus because they're all full might bother me when we're all wiped out at night. Someone also said it can be difficult to catch one of the ART buses midday, and we definitely want to be able to go back to the hotel for an afternoon nap if necessary.

Anyone have any experience actually RIDING the ART bus to/from Hojo? Is it that much of a nightmare?

 

[pixiewings71]

Nope, I would never take ART back to the HoJo or from there because it just doesn't make sense to me. For us it's like taking ART from the BWPPI or Tropicana. LOL We have used ART tho and we HATED it!!!! So no, I don't recommend it at all if you can avoid it. Another thought is to walk in the morning and then when you're done for the day take a taxi back to your room, that shouldn't cost too much but again, we walk so I don't know.

 

[NVDisMom]

We've stayed at both and we love both. Rates are also a deciding factor for us. Ent. Rate at Hojo's wins every time, but with the free continental bfast and shuttle CCI wins when HOJO ent rate isn't available. Being 7 months pregnant would tip the scales to CCI for me. You will be tired enough at the end of the day that the shuttle will be a very welcome relief. And I know from experience, lugging a sleeping child from fireworks back to the hotel sucks! My girls loved the CCI pool and still do. At 4 they appreciate water in any form, even a big box! Did I mention the bfast is the best hotel continental I've ever had? Better than what we'd eat at home on a grab and go basis.

 

[colbybug]

Me again..... we have taken the ART but not from HoJo's and it wasn't an awful experience but it wasn't great either....too much waiting around either coming or going. Walking to DL from HoJo's is about the same distance as from the Candy Cane Inn and both are very doable. It isn't that bad on your way in ~ it's just the middle of the day break and late at night that you wish you had a shuttle. And also I don't think that the rooms at the Candy Cane Inn are that much smaller than the standard ones at HoJo's and the bathrooms were actually bigger than HoJo's but not by a great deal. To me, HoJo's seems a little more "retro" as in older and a little more worn. Lastly, I thought both beds were comparable (both were great!). We have always booked just a standard room at both properties but I know that at either place you can get a bigger or more deluxe room - you just have to pay for it!!!

As other posters have said, the final decision for me is the price. If I can get the Entertainment Rate, we stay at HoJo's. If not, it's the Candy Cane Inn. I also like the Candy Cane's pool area for two reasons. First, because the water is warm. HoJo's is freezing - not heated at all. I guess they can't because of the pirates play area but even the "garden pool" was really cold the two times we have been there this year. Secondly, because we can all be together in one area. The Candy Cane's pool, hot tub, and toddler pool are all in the same area. At HoJo's, in the pirates playground, there is not a water area for adults other than the hot tub which you can only take for so long and the other pool is not that close. Does that make sense? Really I think you'd be happy at either place. Both properties have its positives and negatives.... you'll just have to make two trips! to find out which you like best! Best of luck with your decision making!

Kathy

 

[zukeeper]

We just got back from an amazing stay at Hojo. We stocked for breakfast and also ate cheap at McDonalds occasionally. But we walked/strollered and I would not even consider the ART. I've done pregnant and walked to/from GCH. I was so beat.

You could rent an ECV to ride to/from Hojo and park it once you get to Disneyland. No one would look twice at you with your pregnancy. My mom rented from Deckerts and it was very reasonable. But if it comes down to a question of Candy Cane shuttle vs ART, there is no question that you should go Candy Cane shuttle IMO.