I just made reservations for Howard Johnson’s

[Jodi1980]

for March 2006. I can't imagine what the area is like near Disneyland - Do you just walk over to the park if your hotel is that close? I've only been to WDW and I guess it's not like that where you need to drive into the park?

I also once heard that it's not a very safe area outside the park. I hope that's not true anymore.

 

[LucyKate]

We stayed at the Howard Johnson and walked back to the hotel at night and never felt remotely threatened.

You walk out of the park plaza, cross at the traffic lights and turn left, and 10 minutes later you are at the hotel. The entire walk is along one street - Harbor Boulevarde which is a busy 6 lane road, very well lit, and as you walk you pass one hotel after another and restaurants like McDonalds.

It is very safe and there are always lots of people like your self doing the same thing - no threat whatsoever.

You definitely do NOT need to drive. You can catch a shuttle, but even our 6 year old found it a very easy walk.

Please pm or email me if you want any further information.

 

[Amy&Dan]

It is very safe and I actually think driving would be a bigger pain and take longer than walking. As LucyKate said, there always tons of people around doing the same thing, walking to and from Disneyland. The only thing I ever heard that was negative was from someone who was catching the bus at 3:00 a.m. long after the parks had closed and people had returned to their hotels and yet too early to have any traffic/activity out and about. This person just saw some strange teenagers approaching but then the bus pulled up. As long as you are walking up the street at a time that is when the parks are open or about to or have just recently closed you will have no problems. I wouldn't recommend a 4:00 a.m. jog but I wouldn't do that here at home either! Also, the HOJO has security staff that walk around the grounds at night and it is very well lit. I know you will enjoy your stay there!

 

[lntsmom]

you can always catch a ride to or from the park. I'd suggest buying a pass even if you don't think you'll need it...for the price, it's a nice little insurance policy!

We walked most of the time- and even tho I'm old and fat, it didn't take us 10 minutes. The walk from the front gate to Harbor Blvd is almost as far as from that corner to the hotel!

The hotel is well lighted at night. We came back one night after midnight and I wasn't concerned. To be honest, I'd be more concerned once you get into the hotel complex itself than I would out on the street. However, they close off the back entrance to the parking lot late in the evening, so even then I wasn't concerned!

You'll have a great time!

 

[dlboy]

Great choice of hotel really close to walk the area is very safe we stayed there last year walked all the time even later at night. Plenty of resturants around the HoJo Mimi's is really great just across the roda from the HoJo also atony roma's macdonalds dennys Ihop Millies at the fairfield inn ( we used to really like millies wasn't to good last year ) We would be staying there this but happened to get a great deal at another hotel