Second guessing HOJO's for July Trip

[metta4]

ok..I am totally second guessing HOJO's after reading this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2715769

Turns out my mom has to have hip replacement surgery this month and may need to take breaks and go back to the hotel in July to rest. I am wondering what hotels closer to the park are clean, safe and not a fortune? I was really excited about the pool at HOJO's but to be honest this post has me concerned. I do like the idea of a closer walk for the kids too.

editted to add:

Some of the posts in the link above have me concerned about safety of the walk from HOJO to the park. Has anyone had an issues. We will be traveling with my 5 yr old son. 7 yr old son with high functioning autism and my 9 yr old son..oh yeah DH and my mom too..hehehe.

Has anyone also stayed at HOJO recently and had a good experience?

 

[Judy from Boise]

Both the Sheraton and Candy Cane Inn have private shuttles that might be a good option. No walking at all off property.

 

[metta4]

Both the Sheraton and Candy Cane Inn have private shuttles that might be a good option. No walking at all off property.

Thanks for the ideas...Is it the Shearton Park Hotel?
Anyone stayed at these...

 

[skiingfast]

You might look at a closer hotel, but I think there is a better option.

Maybe you will want to use a wheel chair or ECV. Either can be rented from Disney but not taken off property.

Also Scooter Village ph# (714) 956-5633

 

[nancy drew]

Thanks for the ideas...Is it the Shearton Park Hotel?
Anyone stayed at these...

The Sheraton Anaheim (Anaheim Sheraton?) is the one with the shuttle, not the Park.

The Hyatt also has a dedicated free shuttle.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Thanks for the ideas...Is it the Shearton Park Hotel?
Anyone stayed at these...

No, the Sheraton Anahiem

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=995

 

[metta4]

You might look at a closer hotel, but I think there is a better option.

Maybe you will want to use a wheel chair or ECV. Either can be rented from Disney but not taken off property.

Also Scooter Village ph# (714) 956-5633

I do plan on renting her a scooter too but the experience the last person had to HOJOs last week is a little concerning. I am wondering if there are other good options closer. Thanks for the scooter info

 

[jory29]

Keep in mind bed quality as well for your Mom - if she took the ART to Hojo's she could really enjoy their heavenly beds, and they are VERY heavenly! I worry a bed that is too hard will be uncomfortable for her, yet at the same time, I see your dilemma with not wanting her to walk. At this point I am agreeing with the others, some type of rental for transportation may be required. Good luck!! If she has a scooter rental she wouldn't need ART I suppose...

Remember too, one satisified customer will likely tell a handful of friends. An un-satisfied one for whatever reason, may choose to post it on a public forum. Overall, I think you will find more people on the DISboards satisfied with Hojo's, than not.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We've never had any issues with the walk. You can find skeezy people anywhere. If you are worried about the walk you can use ART. It drops off and picks up right in front of the hotel.

 

[BrizMarc]

I am currently staying at the Tropicana which is straight across the street from the Park entry, (alot closer than HOJO). YOu can request a ground floor room if needed and its in a very well lit and busy area. The rooms are very clean and nice too.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We didn't have any issues with "unfavorable" people on our walks to & from HoJo's. We made multiple trips daily. The walk could be an issue if you're not able to get a wheelchair for her. We found the walk fine by staying on the park side & then crossing back over at the motel/Mimi's intersection. Less people & quick without trying to manuever around everyone else.

We loved our stay at the HoJo's & can't wait to get back!!!

(our family trip last summer had ages 75, 48, 47, 25, 23, 21, 9, 5, & twin 3's)

 

[Shimmer]

There are other options which are closer. Whether they are "better" is hard to say because it is so subjective. However, we love the HOJO.

We haven't had ANY problems with the walk along Harbor. Just like a previous poster said you *might* run into a strange person anywhere. (Just go to the post office...that's where they seem to be around here!) I will walk it with my kids at night w/o my dh no problem. Remember, in July, it will be light very late into the evening as well. And, there are lots of street lights and traffic on the road---it's well-lit. There is a lot of foot traffic in the area going to/from the parks. You'll be in good company.

The walk is not long. Really. If your kids aren't great walkers yet you can start taking evening walks as a family to get prepared. Probably good to do no matter where you stay because there is a lot of walking inside the parks.

ART is a great option and their multi-day pass is the way to go for return trips. The whole family wouldn't need one if they aren't walking, just your mom. We used it 2 weeks ago from the Embassy Suites and it was easy.

Your boys will LOVE the pirate play water area. My kids think this is as fun as Disneyland. We can't wait to go back to Disneyland and chose HOJO as our first choice. For my kids it wouldn't be Disneyland w/o the HOJO.

 

[skiingfast]

I do plan on renting her a scooter too but the experience the last person had to HOJOs last week is a little concerning. I am wondering if there are other good options closer. Thanks for the scooter info

Scooter Village will deliver the scooter and it's usuallly suggested when people ask about ECVs, since you mention the medical condition I wanted to mention it.

As for the Hojo, It really seems that it's managment has declined, leading to threads like the one you saw. And like I posted in that thread, unless you get thier great Entertainment rate, and want to make a lot of use of their great kids pool, it's nothing special and appears to be in a downward spiral. A lot of people have had great stays there, but it seems like a lot have not in the last 6 months.

I think of the other hotels near the park, they are all ok. Some have some nice things, but they are generally just ok hotels with great location. I think the worst thing for those other hotels is people pay high rates (because of the location) go in expecting a Hilton like experience. The unreal expectation isn't met and people complain about them. There is a lot of demand on those hotel rooms that keep the prices high, just like the onsite hotels.

As far as walking on Harbor drive, that thread seems to note an exceptional experience, but not a common experience.

 

[Bungle]

I was there the same time the person that started that thread was and had an entirely different experience. We had a great room and found the staff to be really helpful and friendly. It is NOT a newer hotel so it is showing its age but we really enjoyed it. The beds are great.

We walked that same street the very same nights and felt very safe. Maybe they left the parks at a different time and ran into a different crowd?

Overall I would just compare prices and your needs and see what fits you best. Seems like you have too many people for a single room in most hotels? Maybe a place that offered suites or connected rooms would be a good fit for your family? I'm sure you will have a great time where ever you stay

 

[metta4]

I was there the same time the person that started that thread was and had an entirely different experience. We had a great room and found the staff to be really helpful and friendly. It is NOT a newer hotel so it is showing its age but we really enjoyed it. The beds are great.

We walked that same street the very same nights and felt very safe. Maybe they left the parks at a different time and ran into a different crowd?

Overall I would just compare prices and your needs and see what fits you best. Seems like you have too many people for a single room in most hotels? Maybe a place that offered suites or connected rooms would be a good fit for your family? I'm sure you will have a great time where ever you stay

thanks for letting me know you had a recent great stay there! That eases my mind that maybe they have not gone downhill totally! I have requested that our 2 rooms at least be on the same floor and we are getting 2 rooms..one for us and the kids and one for mom.

 

[metta4]

Scooter Village will deliver the scooter and it's usuallly suggested when people ask about ECVs, since you mention the medical condition I wanted to mention it.

As for the Hojo, It really seems that it's managment has declined, leading to threads like the one you saw. And like I posted in that thread, unless you get thier great Entertainment rate, and want to make a lot of use of their great kids pool, it's nothing special and appears to be in a downward spiral. A lot of people have had great stays there, but it seems like a lot have not in the last 6 months.

I think of the other hotels near the park, they are all ok. Some have some nice things, but they are generally just ok hotels with great location. I think the worst thing for those other hotels is people pay high rates (because of the location) go in expecting a Hilton like experience. The unreal expectation isn't met and people complain about them. There is a lot of demand on those hotel rooms that keep the prices high, just like the onsite hotels.

As far as walking on Harbor drive, that thread seems to note an exceptional experience, but not a common experience.

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I appreciate that this is not the common experience. May I ask what a "ECV" is?

 

[metta4]

We didn't have any issues with "unfavorable" people on our walks to & from HoJo's. We made multiple trips daily. The walk could be an issue if you're not able to get a wheelchair for her. We found the walk fine by staying on the park side & then crossing back over at the motel/Mimi's intersection. Less people & quick without trying to manuever around everyone else.

We loved our stay at the HoJo's & can't wait to get back!!!

(our family trip last summer had ages 75, 48, 47, 25, 23, 21, 9, 5, & twin 3's)

Thanks for your experience. We do plan on getting her a scooter to use so that will help her with the distance. My kids won't have an issue walking...they are used to long walking days. I will remember the idea of walking on the park side and crossing at Mimi's!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I appreciate that this is not the common experience. May I ask what a "ECV" is?

Electric Convayence Vehicle m= scooter chair or similiar. Not sure I spelled things correctly. This phone does not have spell check.

Jack

 

[GrandBob]

Yep, a motorized wheelchair or scooter.

People on this forum have also recommended Deckerts and Orange County Medical Supply. Check out this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2182599

 

[nana50]

The Sheraton Anaheim (Anaheim Sheraton?) is the one with the shuttle, not the Park.

The Hyatt also has a dedicated free shuttle.

I LOVE the Sheraton. Great shuttle, beautiful hotel.