July 2010 Check-In

[Mazzy]

Hi Bella, could you please change my departure date, we are now leaving on 17th July to spend out last night in Hollywood. Thank you!

 

[Belle Ella]

Hi Bella, could you please change my departure date, we are now leaving on 17th July to spend out last night in Hollywood. Thank you!

You've got it It'll be reflected in the OP in the next couple of minutes. What things do you think you'll be doing in Hollywood? Sounds like fun!

 

[Mazzy]

You've got it It'll be reflected in the OP in the next couple of minutes. What things do you think you'll be doing in Hollywood? Sounds like fun!

We'll be doing the Madame Tussauds, because it will probably be my only chance in my life to get a photo with my Top Three Hotties, Bruce Willis, Tom Cruise and Hugh Jackman - yes I like the action man type!

We will also be doing the Movie Stars Home Tour, that's DD's choice, hope it's not too boring, lol, and also going to the Farmers Market and the Grove shopping center. Oh and definitely going to visit the Disney Soda Fountain for a yummy ice cream!

 

[Belle Ella]

We'll be doing the Madame Tussauds, because it will probably be my only chance in my life to get a photo with my Top Three Hotties, Bruce Willis, Tom Cruise and Hugh Jackman - yes I like the action man type!

We will also be doing the Movie Stars Home Tour, that's DD's choice, hope it's not too boring, lol, and also going to the Farmers Market and the Grove shopping center. Oh and definitely going to visit the Disney Soda Fountain for a yummy ice cream!

Cool! I've only done the Soda Fountain before and that was so much fun! And it's right by Madame Tussauds, I remember walking by as we got out of the parking structure on our way to the Soda Fountain. I would have loved to spend more time in Hollywood, rather than just a couple of hours which was enough time to eat and then check out the stars and the hand/footprints at the Chinese Theatre before we had to go home.

 

[erinbharris]

Our dates have changed...but are a definite now--airfare booked!

July 27-August 7th

Still deciding...Hyatt or Hojos...same price for both.

 

[Belle Ella]

Our dates have changed...but are a definite now--airfare booked!

July 27-August 7th

Still deciding...Hyatt or Hojos...same price for both.

The airfare being booked really does make it definite, doesn't it?!

Hmm. Would the possibility of the Ent. rate popping up be a possible deciding factor in which you end up staying at? I'm keeping my fingers crossed we'll be able to get it. Still no July dates.

 

[erinbharris]

I think the Ent. Rate would make a difference...I said the rate was the same, but actually right now the Hyatt is $1375 for 6 nights with passes...and the Hojo is just over $1000 plus park passes--so that's $600...so Hyatt is about $200 cheaper.

I just don't know if I chance it and hope that the Ent. Rate comes out for the Hojo? On the kids suite that would be $99 a night, right?

I feel like my head is going to burst deciding!!

Tonight my Aunt called and said "You're doing San Diego first? You should do Disney first." So now I'm second guessing that too.......

 

[Belle Ella]

I haven't ever booked anything anywhere else but the HoJo and I'm honestly scared too so I don't know if I'd be much help on what to do. How do you feel about putting down a deposit? Di you know the Hyatt's cancellation fee? What I love about the HoJo is that I don't have to pay anything until I check out. Which gives me plenty of time to reserve my room, wait for the Ent. rate, and then cancel at the last minute if I have to (I can't remember exactly how many days in advance it has to be by, but it's completely reasonable).

And eh, pay no mind to your aunt. Either way you'll be at Disneyland and San Diego. Relish in the fact you've got your flights booked and you're going!!

 

[erinbharris]

You made me smile--thank you!

For the Hyatt it's one of the Disney packages...so can cancel 31 days out with a $50 fee (I think...$100? have to check).

What do you love about Hojo?

My husband thinks the walk at the end of the night, even being only 10 minutes, will be too long...I'm not sure. I'm worried about freeway noise.

But yes...so excited...and I *can* switch it around--would you do the busy (Disney) first and save San Diego for last?

 

[Belle Ella]

I think something that really gets me about a place is the people that work there. I can't recall any hotel that I have stayed at anywhere where the staff was as nice as at the HoJo. That is a great deal why I love it there. They were nice, friendly, persnable, and it really makes the stay that much more enjoyable.

I don't know what building you would be staying in, I'll have to try and remember where we were but I never heard any freeway noise and even when we were smack dab next too and facing the pirate themed pool I still didn't hear any noise. But I'm not as sensitive about that stuff as some people. The kicker is that like most hotels the AC unit isn't the quietest thing in the world (it's not super loud either, but you get a good humming) and for me it blocks out enough of the outside noise and when it's constantly on like in the summer if just becomes white noise for me.

I never had a problem with the walk, even at the end of a long day. I just look at it like possibly spending another 10 minutes in the park. We're on our feet all day, a couple extra minutes isn't ging to kill us and you have the option to look into ART if you think that would be a good move. I can usually do the walk in about 7 minutes (I'm kind of a power-walker, I speed through things).

There are other things that I like about the HoJo and would love to get into them but I gotta get ready to go pick up Toy Story!

 

[erinbharris]

Thanks so much...I appreciate all of your thoughts!

 

[Belle Ella]

I'm glad to help when I can. I'm not near the 'expert' that some are, but I like to do my part.

OH! If it's a selling point for you -- I know I'm super excited about it -- HoJo will have free WiFi by the time our trips roll around. They already have free internet but you're pretty tied down to the nightstand, lol. Lorealle just posted about it on Facebook yesterday I think.

Did you ever see this thread? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2414806&highlight=hojo+reviews It's one of quite a few that has reasons why a lot of DIS'ers prefer the HoJo.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Just checking in ~

We now fly in on 7/2 - our 1st two nights are at the DLH (7/2 & 7/3) and our last two nights *for now* we'll be at Motel 6 (7/4 & 7/5)

 

[Belle Ella]

Just checking in ~

We now fly in on 7/2 - our 1st two nights are at the DLH (7/2 & 7/3) and our last two nights *for now* we'll be at Motel 6 (7/4 & 7/5)

Ooh! That's exciting! I'll get you info edited!

 

[deedeetoo]

We changed hotels. We got the 40% discount at the GCH so we had to go for it. I'm so excited about staying there.

 

[pigby]

I don't know what building you would be staying in, I'll have to try and remember where we were but I never heard any freeway noise and even when we were smack dab next too and facing the pirate themed pool I still didn't hear any noise. But I'm not as sensitive about that stuff as some people. The kicker is that like most hotels the AC unit isn't the quietest thing in the world (it's not super loud either, but you get a good humming) and for me it blocks out enough of the outside noise and when it's constantly on like in the summer if just becomes white noise for me.

Ahhhg - I don't do AC noise or 'white noise' - I need no noise - might be a problem then. Over here in the UK we aren't used to AC units - rarely hot enough!!! Stayed in a WDW hotel once which was pretty bad for AC noise (Port Orleans) and I didnt sleep at all. Most of the WDW hotels have been OK however.

 

[Belle Ella]

I can understand that! I grew up with a swamp cooler in my room and had to deal with it running all night. Oh, that was horrible. When at the HoJo though I usually blast it during the day while I'm out of the room and then leave it off at night and it's usually OK. My friend was the one who wanted it on all night.

 

[pigby]

I can understand that! I grew up with a swamp cooler in my room and had to deal with it running all night. Oh, that was horrible. When at the HoJo though I usually blast it during the day while I'm out of the room and then leave it off at night and it's usually OK. My friend was the one who wanted it on all night.

Thanks - I am comparing DLR with WDW again - I suppose it gets a little cooler at night in California in July compared with Florida? On some of our Orlando trips it has been almost as hot and humid at night as in the daytime (we have mostly been in the height of summer) and there would have been no way we could have switched off the AC at night without sweltering to death

 

[Belle Ella]

It's been a long time since I've done a Florida summer but I was in Texas this summer and OME!! I about died at night. That heat and humidity combination was dreadful and even with fans and AC the nights were not good. It's also been a while since I've done SoCal in the summer. I know where I live if I leave air going through my room on all day I'm comfortable at night if I leave it off. But I am used to California heat. HM. I'm trying to remember just how loud it was, but in all honesty I'm so tired from a long day at Disneyland that I'm usually more ready to go to sleep than I am at home. Nights are definitely warm, no doubt, but I don't know just how warm.

 

[Belle Ella]

Bumping for fun.