Hojo WTHeck!

[californiamomof4grls]

I am so upset! I have stayed at the Hojo for the past 3 years. They have always allowed a family of 6 to stay in the Disney view room. We spoke to them in on the phone the first year we went stating that there were 6 of us and there were no issues. Always used the entertainment rate. I called this morning saying I knew they were pretty full. That I wanted to book April or May my check in on a Monday for 4 nights. She didn't have that available she said she had a Tuesday for 4 nights I said ok. That when she told me it was the kids suite. I got 15% off for being a disboard member and then each other night was 173 a night! My total was about $700!!!
I said I don't have to stay in a kids suite a prefer the rooms with the Disney view she said I couldn't stay there because there are too many of us. Fire codes. I said I have stayed there for 3 years and been honest. It's not like I hid a few of my kids or something! She said I don't know why they would have let you....long pause. I said I'm not paying that much. I'm done. I might as well pay the 250 more at this point and stay on site! UGH!

I have always stayed at the Hojo for about $400! What is going on that I can't stay in the Disney view rooms anymore? What is up with all of the availability being gone for ET rates? Anyone know?

 

[Hojoanaheim]

Californiamomof4grls:

I'm sorry you're frustrated with this situation! I checked our availability throughout April and May arriving on a Tuesday, and I found that we're nearly booked throughout both of these months already! The Kids Suite on 4/12 is the only open room that fits your needs (and it's the only room type available for 4 nights). While our rooms are spacious, they're really not set up to accomodate parties of 6 Guests, and we do not allow two rollaway beds in our rooms.

I hope this helps clarfy things!

Jonathan - GM

 

[blackjackdelta]

Just for your info, the fire rules(Anaheim fire codes) have been in effect for a long time. My brother was removed from a hotel because he stayed in a room with to many people. Sounds like some one have may let you skate by and prices have changed over the years. If unhappy, it is time to find a different place to stay to meet your expectations for the trip. Disney is for fun.

Jack

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I'm really surprised you were allowed to stay not once but multiple times in one of those rooms with six people. I know I have heard from both the hotel and many people's accounts on these boards and elsewhere that the limit is 5 people for the standard, deluxe, and premium rooms at Hojo due to fire codes. Many other hotels in Anaheim have a 5-person limit for their rooms for fire code reasons, and larger families often find they need to book multiple rooms or a suite for this reason. There are plenty of choices out there. I hope you find something that suits your needs. Also, FWIW, I've always thought part of the reason ET/AP rates exist is to bolster occupancy during slower (or at least projected slower) times. If the hotel is mostly booked, there is little incentive for them to offer special rates. Pretty much the whole month of April is spring break time and draws heavy crowds to Disneyland. It is not surprising that area hotels might already be nearing capacity for April bookings. Why May is so busy, I don't know, but May will have the Pirates movie premiere, Grad nights, and Memorial Day holiday, so any of those could be contributing factors to why crowds might descend on the parks and hotels.

 

[TiggerCat]

Six people in a room? Ouch! I wouldn't want to be in a room next to or below you. I think the HoJo did the right thing in not allowing this to happen. Perhaps you can book two rooms or find another hotel with a suite that will legally hold six individuals.

Also, kudos to Jonathon for taking the time to respond so quickly.

TC.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I might as well pay the 250 more at this point and stay on site! UGH!

Just saw this part! I don't think you can have 6 to a regular room onsite either. I think PP, DLH, and GCH would all require you to book 2 rooms or a suite. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[cccdisney]

Just saw this part! I don't think you can have 6 to a regular room onsite either. I think PP, DLH, and GCH would all require you to book 2 rooms or a suite. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

You are correct. OP, I also have four children and unfortunately need to either book two rooms or a suite at any of the Disney hotels, as well as the HOJO.

I'm also surprised you were able to do it in the past. Was your youngest an infant on past trips? Not sure if that would matter, but maybe.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have 4 kids myself, and really, honestly, 6 in a room is too many. When the kids get older, even 5 is too many, IMHO. (unless you have 2 bathrooms in a room). We did one trip with 3 of the kids, when they were older, to Cedar Point, and we stayed in one room. We STILL laugh about that trip, 5 of us in one room, trying to sleep at the same time, and the bathroom situation..... the older boys would take the elevator to the lobby when the bathroom was "occupied", in desperation.

And it gets really expensive to travel with 4 kids because of this, I know. It is one of the reasons we bought DVC, because we always had to book 2 rooms anyway. Sounds like HoJo made the right call.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

In my experience, standard/deluxe rooms in Anaheim hold up to five people. Standard rooms at Candy Cane hold four people. You need to get a suite or two rooms for more than six people. The Best Western Park Place Inn has mini suites that hold up to six people.

Despite the fact that you were able to stay at the Hojo in the past with six in your room the reservationist was right in telling you that they can only hold up to five. Also agreeing with the pp's that the Disney hotels have the same constraints.

It's worse in Europe. We're trying to find a room for four people in Madrid, and THAT is a challenge! lol

 

[DahliaRW]

I don't know any hotels that allow 6 to a standard room. It is against firecode. I think anywhere you'll need a suite or two rooms. What bothers me is when they don't allow 5, however. We've run into that a bit, but not at DLR fortunately!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I don't know any hotels that allow 6 to a standard room. It is against firecode. I think anywhere you'll need a suite or two rooms. What bothers me is when they don't allow 5, however. We've run into that a bit, but not at DLR fortunately!

To me it would be either a sq ft issue or another way to extract money. Many BW hotels allow 4, there is an extra charge for the extra person. Fire codes do vary from city to city.

Jack

 

[ladeedeb]

Hi, don't know if this will fit the bill for you, but try Anaheim Desert Inn & Suites. It's right across the street & they have several options for 6 at pretty reasonable rates. For example, to go during that busy spring break time the week before Easter, there is 1 room left at $127-139 depending on how many days you book. They have several configurations and their site has floor plans. You may want to look into that. Also, the Carousel hotel is just a few doors up & sleeps 6, although it may be a bit more than Desert I & S. Just a few ideas. Good Luck!

 

[mommaU4]

I feel your pain. It is not easy to find rooms for larger families. We have four kids as well so I know from experience. We usually have to either book two regular rooms or a suite. Both of which can really add up dollar wise.

We have stayed at hotels before using one regular room but that was with two beds and a sofa sleeper. It's hard to even do that now that my older two are teenagers. They don't want to share a bed and I don't blame them.

For our upcoming San Diego vacation the only way we could swing it was to book through my aunt's timeshare, and we got a large 2-bedroom unit with a full kitchen, two bathrooms and room for up to 8.

I found a website called Six Suitcase Travel, which focuses on places for large families to stay. http://sixsuitcasetravel.com/index.html
You can go on there and search by state and see what they have listed not only for your DL trip, but also any upcoming trips as I can tell you this will always be an issue when you travel. I know it is for us.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll find something that works for you!

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Were one or more of the children under the age of 3 previously? Perhaps that's why you were allowed to have everyone in one room. Even Disney resorts will let 5 in a room if one of the occupants is a child under the age of 3, perhaps they've aged you out of that loophole.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Were one or more of the children under the age of 3 previously? Perhaps that's why you were allowed to have everyone in one room. Even Disney resorts will let 5 in a room if one of the occupants is a child under the age of 3, perhaps they've aged you out of that loophole.

The issue is not 5 it is six. Disney does let 5 stay to the room. We have traveled with 6 for a number of years and it has been very expensive and difficult, but we have always played by the rules. As stated my brother tried to get by and got booted and #6 was 6 month's.

Jack

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Payton my youngest daughter at the time was 3. We don't stay in our hotel we are at the park all day and only come home to sleep get up really early and leave again. I guarantee you you wouldn't have noticed my family in the room beside or below you. I teach my children to respect the people around us.

I had checked the their message boards right around the time that they changed their policy about cancellations. I saw then that were plenty of dates available for Spring and October. We are coming for sure the week of October 24th but I didn't want to book until March. So that I was sure that I would need to cancel. I thought that perhaps they just weren't posting their dates online since they are subject to change. I understand that dates change at the Hojo's will. I was just disappointed with the change. The point is that for a family my size I need a really good deal to choose "that" hotel. We love the Hojo and I of course went that route first. I had no idea what they really charged for their rooms having always used the ET rate. I have since calmed down from my disappointment.

I have decided to go with DI&S they are a little bit closer and offer a continental breakfast. I have to pay for parking but I am getting two queens and a pull out sofa for $79 a night. With taxes and fees it's about $532. We also get a continental breakfast which is one less meal to pay for while in the park. I think that this will best fit the needs of our family.

Who ever said Disney was about fun was right. Why sweat the small stuff when my family will get to see Disney at Halloween time! I can't wait for the Trick or Treat party! Thanks for all of your suggestions and ideas! : )

 

[Queenbillabong]

[ I have decided to go with DI&S they are a little bit closer and offer a continental breakfast. I have to pay for parking but I am getting two queens and a pull out sofa for $79 a night. With taxes and fees it's about $532. We also get a continental breakfast which is one less meal to pay for while in the park. I think that this will best fit the needs of our family.

Who ever said Disney was about fun was right. Why sweat the small stuff when my family will get to see Disney at Halloween time! I can't wait for the Trick or Treat party! Thanks for all of your suggestions and ideas! : )[/FONT]

I'm glad you found something that will work for your family, both in size and price I'm sure you will have a great stay and Disney at Halloween is fantastic!

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Thanks we're super excited!! We can't wait!

 

[TiggerCat]

I had checked the their message boards right around the time that they changed their policy about cancellations. I saw then that were plenty of dates available for Spring and October. We are coming for sure the week of October 24th but I didn't want to book until March. So that I was sure that I would need to cancel. I thought that perhaps they just weren't posting their dates online since they are subject to change. I understand that dates change at the Hojo's will. I was just disappointed with the change. The point is that for a family my size I need a really good deal to choose "that" hotel. We love the Hojo and I of course went that route first. I had no idea what they really charged for their rooms having always used the ET rate. I have since calmed down from my disappointment.

I've seen a number of posters who state that they wouldn't stay at HoJos without the Ent rate. I don't get it. Is the hotel only worth $59 per night? Or is this a case of people who know that the HoJo offers cheaper rates and outright refuse to pay more even if that means staying somewhere else?

TC.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I've seen a number of posters who state that they wouldn't stay at HoJos without the Ent rate. I don't get it. Is the hotel only worth $59 per night? Or is this a case of people who know that the HoJo offers cheaper rates and outright refuse to pay more even if that means staying somewhere else?

TC.

I asked this a few month's back and really got no answers, I will be curious to see what shakes out.

Jack