Report on HOJO pirate kid suite

[zukeeper]

So, would you recommend a certain floor/room #?

One more random question... can you fit a gallon jug of milk in those fridges? or 2 half-gallons?

There are Family suites on both ends of Bldg 1 on each floor. The suite closest to the elevator is the lower room number on each floor and the other end is the higher number (by the ice machine). For example 1702 and 1720. I was told that the higher you go, the quieter it is. I would stick with the ice machine end to eliminate hallway noise. The AC/fan is really noisy, much noisier than the freeway imo, and totally cover the freeway noise.

I didn't feel like you could have the sofabed pulled out AND have a rollaway. I didn't stay in the suite though, just looked at it. Also, keep in mind that the capacity is max 5, so if you ask for a rollaway, they may question the number you have in the room.

The fridges we used held a gallon of milk. I know the fridges in the family suites are new, so there could be a change in the setup, but they looked the same on the outside.

Our family of 6 stayed in 2 connecting 2 queen rooms. That way we had 2 mini fridges which helped a lot. Ent rate is not a whole lot more, just make sure to get delx or premium room for microwave. We saved LOTS of money on food. Spent our food budget on churros and more churros!

 

[disney-super-mom]

A couple of questions: 1) Would you opt to stay on a lower, middle, or higher floor next time you stay? And, 2) Are the cool pillows on the bed covered with a washable cover or are they more in the way of being cushions?

1 - I would stay on any level except the top floor. We stayed on the top floor once (the rooms with the vaulted ceilings and half-circle side lights/windows), and although some people claim to love these rooms, I didn't like them. I could really hear the freeway noise and the traffic noise from Harbor Blvd through the side lights/windows, and there's no way to block out the light either, so from the Harbor side we had street lights coming in all night, and from the freeway side we had the early morning sunrise coming in. However, I'm a light sleeper. None of those issues I mentioned seemed to bother my husband at all, so as I said, some people love those rooms. Just not me.

2 - The big decorative pillows you see on the beds are HUGE and rather HARD, so not something you would want to sleep with......I wouldn't think. They look cool, and I suppose kids could sit on them on the floor as a cushion if they wanted. I think, if I remember correctly, the covers do come off for washing, but I'm not positive.

So I don't have kids, so sorry if I sound like a nut here...

What is the age limit for the "kids" in the kids suite? I'm a youth leader and DH and were planning a possible trip in the future and that seems like a great set up (most of these kids can fit in twin beds). I'm just wondering, from those with older kids, if hotels charge extra, or charge them as an adult. I can't imagine they're like Disney with kids being adults once they're 10!

Well I know that the HOJO doesn't charge an extra adult fee for kids who are 10, LOL. Actually I'm not even sure if the HOJO charges for more than two adults in a room. Hmmmmmm......that would be a question for Lorealle.

There are Family suites on both ends of Bldg 1 on each floor. The suite closest to the elevator is the lower room number on each floor and the other end is the higher number (by the ice machine). For example 1702 and 1720. I was told that the higher you go, the quieter it is. I would stick with the ice machine end to eliminate hallway noise. The AC/fan is really noisy, much noisier than the freeway imo, and totally cover the freeway noise.

I didn't feel like you could have the sofabed pulled out AND have a rollaway. I didn't stay in the suite though, just looked at it. Also, keep in mind that the capacity is max 5, so if you ask for a rollaway, they may question the number you have in the room.

The higher the room number, the closer the room is to the freeway. (The freeway goes by the property at an angle, which is why one end of the building is closer than the other.) I'm not sure it really makes a difference in freeway noise though. Like I said before, and like you said, the AC fan is rather noisy and works well as a white noise machine to drown out the freeway noise, but a little traffic noise can still be heard. It's not bad though. Also, with the suites at the ends of the building, you wouldn't get much hallway noise. We were closest to the elevators, and no one walk by our door since we were at the end, so we never heard any hallway noise.

I know you said you didn't stay in a suite, but to address your statement about room for a rollaway: I just want to let people know that there is PLENTY of room in there (on the bunkbed side) for both a rollaway and the twin sofabed. Plenty.

However, there really isn't enough room for a rollaway on the king bed side of the suite.

 

[mareed]

There are Family suites on both ends of Bldg 1 on each floor. The suite closest to the elevator is the lower room number on each floor and the other end is the higher number (by the ice machine).

We have the Pirate Suite reserved for Dec and Mar trips and put our standard request of "quiet location away from elevator & ice machine"! LOL! Guess that won't be possible!

Thanks for all of the useful information. Add me to the list who thinks it's odd that the door to the outside hallway is on the kids' side of the room. I assume that these rooms used to be 2 connecting king rooms, so I guess they built a wall where one of the doors used to be. Maybe I'm wrong about what these room were before... The rooms do look to be mirror images as far as the basic floor plan so it seems like it would have been easy to switch the furniture so the adult room had the outside door.

Are there balconies on both sides of the room?

 

[snickerboo]

Thanks for the pics! Looks exactly like the HOJO pics and that's good to know. there's nothing worse than booking a hotel by it's pictures and finding out your room is nothing like the pics!

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks so much for telling us about your stay - I'd been looking forward to hearing from you and seeing your photos.

It's a bit disappointing that there isn't room for a rollaway in with the king bed, as that was where we planned to put it. So it can't be done, even if you moved the table or something like that, what do you think?

Also, for the sofa bed, did it just flop onto the floor ie was it just cushion-type, or did it have an actual metal base with springs and then a mattress on top? If so, how thick would you say the mattress was?

Thanks once again for your report - great stuff!

 

[disney-super-mom]

We have the Pirate Suite reserved for Dec and Mar trips and put our standard request of "quiet location away from elevator & ice machine"! LOL! Guess that won't be possible!

Are there balconies on both sides of the room?

The end rooms, if indeed all of the suites are at the ends of the building, won't get any foot traffic going by the doorways, so other than traffic noise coming from the freeway, you shouldn't have a problem. We were in a room next to the elevators, and never heard any people or elevator noise from the hallway outside our door.

And yes, both sides of the room has balconies, so if you have little ones, make sure they don't go out onto the balcony unsupervised because, well, you just never know what could happen.

Thanks so much for telling us about your stay - I'd been looking forward to hearing from you and seeing your photos.

It's a bit disappointing that there isn't room for a rollaway in with the king bed, as that was where we planned to put it. So it can't be done, even if you moved the table or something like that, what do you think?

Also, for the sofa bed, did it just flop onto the floor ie was it just cushion-type, or did it have an actual metal base with springs and then a mattress on top? If so, how thick would you say the mattress was?

Thanks once again for your report - great stuff!

I suppose it could be possible to squeeze a rollaway into the king bed side of the suite if you slide the king bed closer to the table/chairs and closet area, and then put the rollaway next to the shared wall with the bathroom, but it would be tight. Since there really wouldn't be any walking space between the beds, you'd all have to get on and off the beds (the king bed and the rollaway bed) by crawling in and out from the end of the beds.

If the bed is in a fixed position (like on a pedestal) and can't be moved (I'm sorry, I didn't check this out), then the only other place that you maybe could squeeze in a rollaway would be between the end of the king bed and the desk/dresser, but whomever slept on the side of the king bed closest to the table and chairs would be kinda trapped over there during the night from the bathroom (unless he/she crawled over someone).

Both scenerios sound a little like camp - LOL. But oh well, you're all family, so somehow you can make it work.

I can't answer your questions about the fold out twin. All I did was make sure it was a true twin like the bunkbeds. I didn't think to check out what kind of fold out it was, and now I can't remember. That was dumb of me......darn.....I should've taken a picture of it when folded out. Shoot, I'm sorry about that.

 

[mareed]

The end rooms, if indeed all of the suites are at the ends of the building, won't get any foot traffic going by the doorways, so other than traffic noise coming from the freeway, you shouldn't have a problem. We were in a room next to the elevators, and never heard any people or elevator noise from the hallway outside our door.

And yes, both sides of the room has balconies, so if you have little ones, make sure they don't go out onto the balcony unsupervised because, well, you just never know what could happen.

Thanks for the info! I emailed Lorealle asking her to modify our room request to be by the elevator on a lower floor. We definitely don't want the top floor with the skylight windows.

I'm also glad to hear that the highway noise can be covered up pretty well with white noise (from the A/C fan). We have a white noise machine that we use at home and always take it travelling with us too so it sounds like it should cover up the highway noise and we'll feel right at home! I suspect the highway noise is most bothersome for people who are used to sleeping in a quiet room.

We've stayed at HoJo many times but usually in the Disney view room in building 1 and once in building 2, so this will be our first time with the highway facing room and I was concerned about the noise. We're really looking forward to the kid suite with separate rooms & 2 bathrooms though, so we'll just have to live without fireworks from our balcony!

 

[Mazzy]

I suppose it could be possible to squeeze a rollaway into the king bed side of the suite if you slide the king bed closer to the table/chairs and closet area, and then put the rollaway next to the shared wall with the bathroom, but it would be tight. Since there really wouldn't be any walking space between the beds, you'd all have to get on and off the beds (the king bed and the rollaway bed) by crawling in and out from the end of the beds.

If the bed is in a fixed position (like on a pedestal) and can't be moved (I'm sorry, I didn't check this out), then the only other place that you maybe could squeeze in a rollaway would be between the end of the king bed and the desk/dresser, but whomever slept on the side of the king bed closest to the table and chairs would be kinda trapped over there during the night from the bathroom (unless he/she crawled over someone).

Both scenerios sound a little like camp - LOL. But oh well, you're all family, so somehow you can make it work.

I can't answer your questions about the fold out twin. All I did was make sure it was a true twin like the bunkbeds. I didn't think to check out what kind of fold out it was, and now I can't remember. That was dumb of me......darn.....I should've taken a picture of it when folded out. Shoot, I'm sorry about that.

Thanks for all your suggestions, I'm sure once we get into the suite we'll work something out, as you say - there's always a way!

LOL, please don't worry about examining the fold out bed, you were at Disney after all, much better and more exciting things to do with your time than inspect fold out sofas! I'm sure at some point someone will post a photo but it doesn't really matter, I'm just too nosey for my own good!

Thanks again for your report, and so glad you enjoyed your stay at the HOJO!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Capri, were there DVD players in the rooms? I don't know that we will have much television watching time, but if there are some in the rooms, we'll probably bring a couple of Disney movies for the kids. Thank you for all the details you're providing for all of us!

 

[haley's mom]

A little off subject, but could you fit 5 in a queen room with a rollaway bed, or is this a better option?

 

[disney-super-mom]

Capri, were there DVD players in the rooms? I don't know that we will have much television watching time, but if there are some in the rooms, we'll probably bring a couple of Disney movies for the kids. Thank you for all the details you're providing for all of us!

Oh shoot, I'm sorry I didn't see and answer this question sooner. I'm sure you probably know this by now, but no, the HOJO does not provide DVD players in their rooms.

A little off subject, but could you fit 5 in a queen room with a rollaway bed, or is this a better option?

Yes, you could fit 5 in a queen room with a rollaway. The deluxe or premium queen rooms have the most square footage and would be more comfortable with that many people and a rollaway. You'll have to crunch the numbers to determine and how much more you would pay for a kid suite compared to a deluxe or premium queen room with a rollaway, and if having two bathrooms and more square footage in a pirate kid suite is worth any extra cost to you. (Once you crunch the numbers, the pirate kid suite may not cost much more than a queen with a rollaway. Also, try to get the Entertainment rate for your dates. That will save you quite a bit.)

 

[haley's mom]

How do you find the entertainment rate for July 2010? We are looking July 6th through the 13th.

I found a micechat dicsount of $131 per night for the kids suite. Is this good? Could I find better?

 

[jescal75]

how is the walk to the park from there. I keep going back and fourth on getting a place across the st from the main entrance and staying at the HOJO.. We have a 5 and 3 yr old..

 

[disney-super-mom]

How do you find the entertainment rate for July 2010? We are looking July 6th through the 13th.

I found a micechat dicsount of $131 per night for the kids suite. Is this good? Could I find better?

Hi Haley's mom,

The Entertainment Rate dates for July 2010 haven't been released yet, but here is the link/webpage you will want to keep checking for when they do get released.

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14

how is the walk to the park from there. I keep going back and fourth on getting a place across the st from the main entrance and staying at the HOJO.. We have a 5 and 3 yr old..

In all honesty, the walk isn't THAT bad. I mean, really, it's only about a 10 minute walk. It's just that by the end of a long day at the parks, you're so tired of walking that the 10 minute walk back to the HOJO can feel more like a death march - LOL.

But the longer walk is worth it to us. The HOJO's rooms and property is much more light and bright, with a happy vibe and pretty landscaping. The hotels across the street, like the Best Western Park Place Inn and Suites (we stayed there once), has no landscaping, is completely surrounded by hardscape, and the rooms just feel dark and gloomy.

 

[jescal75]

Thank you for your input.. I am so nervous about picking the wrong place.. we stayed at Portofino for 1 night and my husband hated it.. the last 2 times we stayed at GC and of course we loved it but I don't want to spend as much this time.. and after seeing your pics of the pirate suite for the kids I am in
my husband just doesnt want it to be
1. far from the park
2.dirty
3.uncomfortable beds (he has a bad back)

I am the one pushing for an off resort hotel so I feel like its all on me if the place sucks you know...

 

[disney-super-mom]

Thank you for your input.. I am so nervous about picking the wrong place.. we stayed at Portofino for 1 night and my husband hated it.. the last 2 times we stayed at GC and of course we loved it but I don't want to spend as much this time.. and after seeing your pics of the pirate suite for the kids I am in
my husband just doesnt want it to be
1. far from the park
2.dirty
3.uncomfortable beds (he has a bad back)

I am the one pushing for an off resort hotel so I feel like its all on me if the place sucks you know...

Well, the HOJO isn't really that far from the parks, but nothing compares to the "can't be beat, middle of the action" location of the GC.

I can assure you, the rooms at the HOJO are clean and the beds.....well, the beds are soooooo comfortable! I mean, they are COMFORTABLE! But they have all brand new pillow top beds and new pillows.....love them. :cloud9

However, when my family and I REALLY want to stay onsite, but we have a limited budget, we also love staying at the Paradise Pier hotel.....large clean rooms, nice bathrooms, super service, a really fun water slide and nice pool area (easy to keep an eye on your kids there), and you have those extra Disney touches. Also, if you get an upper themepark view room, I swear, those views have to be some of the best out of any of the Disneyland hotels. Plus, you get to at least walk through the Grand Californian Hotel to and from the parks everyday when you stay at the Paradise Pier.

(I have pictures I could post if you're interested.)

 

[jescal75]

I have one more quick question.. I saw on the HOJO forum something about a chest in the kids room do you know anything about that? Is it something for the kids?

Thanks..

BTW don't know if you saw my update but I reserved the kids suite for our stay

 

[disney-super-mom]

I have one more quick question.. I saw on the HOJO forum something about a chest in the kids room do you know anything about that? Is it something for the kids?

Thanks..

BTW don't know if you saw my update but I reserved the kids suite for our stay

Yay for booking the kid suite!

I don't believe there are doing the treasure chest of goodies in the kid suites anymore. They stopped doing them shortly after they first opened their kid suites. When we were there in early September, they were no longer doing that, and as far as I know, I don't think they started again, but perhaps I'm wrong.