Scooters at HoJo?

[SKFamily]

I've booked (or will today) a scooter rental for the week we're at Disneyland. The company will drop it off and pick it up at Howard Johnson's - nice touch. But then I got thinking - what the heck do I do with it at the hotel??? Inside the hotel I should be okay walking with my cane, or with dh, ds or pushing the stroller. (we did the rental to make sure I have one since I won't be able to handle the walking/standing at the parks. Renting one for the week gives dh and I some peace of mind in that respect)

Is there sufficient space in the rooms to keep a scooter in there? A couple of hotels I've been in there would be, but in a lot there wouldn't with 4 people using the room...

 

[FoodLover]

Have you talked with HoJo's about accessibility? I was just there a few weeks ago and the property was not yet wheelchair/scooter accessible due to stairs. A staff member told me they are planning to remove the stairs near the lobby to make it accessible, but I'm not sure when that's happening.

Unless there was an entrance I missed, right now you cannot "roll" your way from the parking lot to the rooms.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[SKFamily]

Uh oh, in this day and age at a hotel that close to an attraction like Disneyland I hadn't considered that it might not be completely accessible. I don't need it to get around the hotel, but I need somewhere to store it.

 

[year2late]

I took my mom on a trip (we brought her personal scooter) and we stayed at Candy Cane Inn. Although the rooms are not huge, there was plenty of room to park. I have heard others say that they could park and recharge in the office. It was a good location as there are no super busy streets to cross (ie Harbor)

Earlier that year we stayed at Grand Californian she felt the hallways to narrow and elevators too crowded - caused frustration. We stayed at CCI the next time and she enjoyed the trip more.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Amberle3]

While I think that the rooms themselves would be large enough to accommodate the scooter, the hotel is not wheelchair accessible. Just called them and verified.

However, they do have an outdoor storage shed for luggage, it's fairly spacious (I've used it before with an early arrival). Perhaps you could arrange to leave the scooter there at night?

 

[SKFamily]

Thanks Amber. I was just about to call them about this. I'm floored, really - they just spent how much $$ renovating, and didn't do anything to make themselves handicapped accessible?? I'll ask about the storage shed - hopefully they're willing to work with us on this, or we have a dilemma. I don't want to switch hotels at this point, and that scooter is a must - if I have to do ONE day at DL without a scooter or wheelchair, my vacation is finished. I'll sit in the hotel while dh and the kids are at the park. Very upsetting - in my mind, this will show just how far they are willing to go with customer service. I've even e-mailed them and asked about elevators etc. and just realized I never got a response.

 

[SKFamily]

Well, this whole issue just put a huge dampner on my enthusiasm. The best HoJo's could offer? Stay at another hotel.. there "might be some" that are accessible. Or, apparently other people with scooters have used the ramp for luggage, but it's steep and could be dangerous. So now I don't know what to do... we could change hotels (what a pain) or rent a wheelchair and hopefully dh could carry it up the 4 stairs in the lobby. And dh and ds would have to push a stroller and a wheelchair. Or take our chances on renting one at the park, but that could be taking a huge chance. The standing in line to get a wheelchair could be enough for me...and then if we can't get one my day is finished.

Maybe Air Canada will go bankrupt -- and I'll plan another vacation with fewer complications.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

As mentioned during a previous post, our property is not currently very accessible. We do have access onto the property around Building 1 without any ramps or stairs. Our rooms are generally quite large, and many guests have stored their powered scooters in their room. In addition, we do have an indoor luggage storage room which would certainly accomodate your scooter as well.

We will be doing major parking lot renovations during the off season after summer which will include ramping throughout the property. Aslo, our fully equipped ADA rooms should be finished in about another month or so.

If you'd like to contact me I can make sure that your are reserved for a convenient location.

j.w@hojoanaheim.com

 

[SKFamily]

Just wanted to update here. I spoke to the Manager today and everything is under control. We will be able to stay at HoJo's with no hassles with the scooter. There is a way to get in without stairs or a ramp, and it can be stored on the first floor. I have to say here that I am very impressed and HoJo's and Mr. Whitehead deserve cudos for this. What could have been a major concern for me has been handled very effectively. And, now I can go back to being way too hyper about our trip!!

 

[year2late]

Originally posted by SKFamily
Well, this whole issue just put a huge dampner on my enthusiasm. The best HoJo's could offer? Stay at another hotel.

Candy Cane Inn

I know you are dissappointed and frustrated. I would encourage you to give this motel a try. Two motels on the DL websites have very loyal followings (almost obnoxiously so ). One is HoJos, the other is Candy Cane.

If you call them directly, you will be able to make sure that you get a room to suit your needs, They have been over the top accomadating with us, We got one of the deluxe rooms with a microwave and a small fridge and VCR. The service is very personal. Their breakfast buffet (continental) is quite good. The pool is small, but very clean. Access is easy with your scooter. The motel is on the same side of the street as DLR, so you don't have to cross Harbor.

Although we kept the scooter in the room, another poster stated she was allowed to keep it in the office - I cannot confirm that.

If your family uses the shuttle, it is the most dependable one around. CCI is one of the few that operates their own. We rarely used the shuttle becasue the walk was easy.


No matter what you do, I hope all goes well.


Sue

 

[year2late]

I am glad it all worked out!!!!