Howard Johnson Vs Candy Cane Inn

[nkhan1]

I made reservations a few weeks ago for Candy Cane Inn, because Howard Johnson was totally booked.

Then, I checked Howard Johnson again today (on impulse) and they had rooms available, so I booked that too (with some days having entertainment rate!).

Now I am trying to decide which reservation to keep.

Does anyone have a preference of one over the other?
Which one has the easier walk to main gate?
Which one has comfier/better rooms?

Howard Johnson pros:
1) Pirates Cove - children's water play area.
2) slightly cheaper

Candy Cane Inn pros:
1) breakfast included
2) shuttle service

Thanks for all your help. You guys are the best!

 

[QueenDoOver]

Well, I have stayed at both, and we are a family of 4. We did the premium rooms at Candy Cane so had our choice of breakfast delivered. While we did enjoy our stay, the room was very small! The breakfast was pretty typical bagel, cereal, fruit stuff.

I much prefer HOJO just for the room size alone. Even the smaller rooms at HOJO are bigger than Candy Cane's rooms. The walks are probably fairly comparable in distance, but I prefer the HOJO walk, as it seems the sidewalk is further away from the street, and feels shorter with the shortcut. Plus, we really liked the MIMI's option next door, and McDonalds really close too. Kept the kids happy. The pool at HOJO's is really nice and big too.

 

[jakoky]

hi there, we stayed at the CCI 3 years ago and the HOJO 1 1/2 years ago....we are leaving next friday for 10 nights at the HOJO...How many of you are there...we are a family of 5...my kids were not little during the trips (first trip at CCI youngest was 10)

CCI is VERY nice, we loved it..

-small pool area (not a problem though, as sometimes we had it to ourselves)
-pretty good continental breakfast
-shuttle was handy the few times we used it
-my kids think the CCI walk is shorter, i say the same BUT CCI seems so far away from the restaurants ( it really isnt but it seems like more a walk)
-staff was nice
-pricier
HOJO is AWESOME...
-great pool area
-NO continental
-closer to restaurants (especially mimis-mmm)
-the staff was incredible
-better rates (this trip we got our room at $55 for 9 of our 10 nights)

We chose HOJOs again because we loved it BUT there is no reason not to choose CCI either, it really was great...but for HOJO wins out (if your kids are younger-then i do highly recommend HOJO)

sharon

 

[disneypharm]

The walks are probably fairly comparable in distance, but I prefer the HOJO walk, as it seems the sidewalk is further away from the street, and feels shorter with the shortcut.

I'm curious about the shortcut? Please tell me more. Is it viewable from an aerial map?

Thanks

 

[redsox721]

I also had this question for our trip next week. I booked both the Candy Cane Inn and the HOJO. We ended up keeping the Candy Cane Inn reservations. It is just myself and DH since we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. We looked closely at both hotels and read suggestions but went with the Candy Cane for the following reasons--

smaller hotel (less rooms total)
continental breakfast
pool not geared towards children (nothing against kids, we have 2. they're now grown but this is our first trip alone)
seems more romantic
exclusive Disneyland shuttle

I am sure whatever your choice is you will be happy. If you have small kids, I would go with the HOJO for the pool area.

 

[jemilah]

I did the same too but canceled CCI , the boys will enjoy the pool , we always seem to go when its cold and for the over $60.00 we are saving we can buy our own b-fast . I think for the adult only option CCI makes more sense.

 

[Feistygirl916]

If you got the entertainment card rate, take it! Especially in May as they have no dates listed for the entire month~!!! I have also stayed at both, and with or without kids, if you get the Ent card rate, stay at the HOJO. Stay at the CCI when there are no Ent card rates... It works out to about the same amount anyways. Both are absolutely fabulous!!!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I'm curious about the shortcut? Please tell me more. Is it viewable from an aerial map?

Thanks

For the HoJo shortcut, you cross Harbor Blvd. at Manchester Ave.

This link shows the shortcut:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=88663

Here are Molly’s (bumbershoot’s) posts about the HoJo Shortcut:

Shortcut: HoJo to DL/DCA Entrance (Crossing Harbor Blvd. at Manchester Ave.):
Starting with the 4th photo. (The first 3 photos were taken in the DL/DCA Entrance area.)
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25469423&postcount=122

Longer way: HoJo to DL/DCA Entrance (Crossing Harbor Blvd. at “the crosswalk”):
Part 1: HoJo to Camelot Inn
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25577947&postcount=145
Part 2: Camelot Inn to "the crosswalk"
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25577995&postcount=146

HTH

 

[Sally_fan]

We've stayed at both the CCI (did the premium room, loved the breakfast delivered in the AM, the shuttle was nice although we only used it once, the staff was awesome as were the grounds) & the HoJo (loved our Disney View room, the kids loved Pirates Cove, the staff was great, nice to be so close to Mimis). We really liked both & would stay at both again. If I was able to get the Ent Rate, I would go with the HoJo. No matter which of the 2 you chose, you really can't go wrong!
Oh & another for the HoJo shortcut!!! We really appreciated that information while staying there.

 

[silence]

Here are my thoughts from our last trip, where we stayed at both locations the same trip (during spring break).
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2145491

Not sure if the link works, so I will paste:

For our trip last week we stayed at HoJo’s and Candy Cane Inn. We are HoJo’s fans, having stayed here numerous times, and this was our first experience at Candy Cane Inn. Here are my thoughts comparing the two hotels.


HoJo’s:

The Good
Entertainment Rate
Wonderful comfy beds
Pool/Water play area for kids
Gift Shop with everything
Wonderful Staff
Microwaves in room

The Drawbacks
Walk to and from park
Location of our “premium room” (at end of hall, closest view room next to freeway) and thus the freeway noise
Outdated A/C unit in room
Room kind of feels outdated


Candy Cane Inn

The Good
Room very clean/modern
SHUTTLE!
Continental Breakfast
7-11/Convenience store right next to property

The Drawbacks
Pool is way too small for the amount of guests that use it. WAY too small
No microwave in room
Front Desk Staff was either not trained properly or just plain rude at check in
Beds were not all that comfortable


NOTES:
We usually stay in building 2 at HoJo. This trip we were with a large group and got premium rooms. Never have we heard freeway noise until this trip. It was all about the location of the room unfortunately. Also, we much prefer the floor plan of the rooms in Building 2, with the larger bathroom (both sinks in the bathroom) than those of the premium rooms. The other rooms also feel more updated than the room we were in. This trip we stayed at two locations as my mom has a blood clot and has to really watch how much walking she does and the swelling in her leg. We decided to give Candy Cane Inn a try because of their shuttle. The day I checked in, either the girl was not properly trained or just rude. I was there early, did not expect to get a room (almost noon). When I got there, the first thing she said was “Well, you are just over 3 hours early to check in”….and looked at me for a response. I said, “that’s fine, I’d like to check in and we can come back later for the room if that is ok”. She didn’t give me any info on the shuttle, I had to ask about it, she didn’t give me any info about the breakfast or anything. It was just kind of irritating I suppose.

The pool at Candy Cane was VERY warm and always super crowded. The HoJo pool is much larger and there is the play area for the kids, so it easily wins the “pool” competition. The beds were better at HoJo by far. The rooms felt cleaner at Candy Cane, but no microwave kind of sucked.

So, even with the shuttle being a huge hit, we will book HoJo over Candy Cane when it comes down to it

 

[smiley_face2]

I also had this question for our trip next week. I booked both the Candy Cane Inn and the HOJO. We ended up keeping the Candy Cane Inn reservations. It is just myself and DH since we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. We looked closely at both hotels and read suggestions but went with the Candy Cane for the following reasons--

smaller hotel (less rooms total)
continental breakfast
pool not geared towards children (nothing against kids, we have 2. they're now grown but this is our first trip alone)
seems more romantic
exclusive Disneyland shuttle

I am sure whatever your choice is you will be happy. If you have small kids, I would go with the HOJO for the pool area.

Completely agree 100% here! we are/did the same!