<Sorry> Another where to stay question...

[ykmom]

I have not stayed at the Fairfield, but really did enjoy HOJO's particularly since we have a 5 year old daughter who LOVED the water park. I would recommend HOJO's fpr young childred, but I'm not sure if an 11 year old would enjoy the waterpark play area. The hot tub is in with the waterplay area and the other pool is apparently very cold, so you may want to consider those factors. Perhaps someone with older children would know better.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have stayed at FFI and it was nothing special....the rooms are really no better then a Super 8 or Motel 6 type. I have no idea if HOJO's rooms are better but their pool area looks fantastic!

Sorry, I have to disagree about them being comparable with Motel 6 or Super 8. Also, the pool area at Hojos is not really a pool. It's a waterplay area for kids, and the jacuzzi is in the same area. So if you don't have young kids and don't care to be around that, it's a little difficult to get away from it. The other pool is in the back by building 2, and it's ice cold.
I've only stayed in the Premium DL facing rooms, and I can tell you it's worth it if you can get it for the Ent rate. The premium DL facing rooms are comparable with FFI in size. The bathroom at hojos is slightly larger than the FFI. FFI has one sink, but not all DL premium rooms have 2 sinks as we found out in January. The FFI bathrooms were immaculate. You could eat off that tub. Hojos bathroom was clean as well. The decor/bedding (comforter) in Hojos is a little dated looking even though they just finished renovating all the rooms last year. They no longer have a desk in the rooms so you have to sit on the bed if you're planning on using the internet. I loved having the desk at FFI, and since it was free wireless, I could sit anywhere in the room and access it if I wanted to.

I'm in the same situation as you. I was booked at hojo for 9 nights but now that FI has dropped the rate to 87.00 that will save me 200.00.
Only difference in the room is FI doesn't have microwave. I looked at hotels.com and it looks like you can cancel if you book using them. I just don't normaly like to pay up front for a hotel just incase something happens and I can't go.
Does anybody know how the parking is at FI? I read that it can be hard to find a parking spot sometimes.

I had no problems with parking at FFI and we left a lot to drive down to San Diego, Knotts and other places. We literally got back at all hours of the day, night and the wee early hours of the morning. We always found parking. I had heard the same about the parking and when we inquired upon check in we were told that if we had problems to ask the security guards and they would help us find a stall or make one for us. When we asked the security guards just to be sure, they also said the same thing. We always found a stall. We were there during the crazy busy days in mid June when they had the signs up that the parks were full.

Try this one: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxoc-fairfield-inn-anaheim-disneyland-resort
No, I didn't put any special code in but, it did pop up as 5 night stay promotion so, you have to stay 5 nights....
Thanks, for all the replies but, of course I still don't know what to do. The information on hotels.com is extremely helpful. I'm just afraid if I book FFI that the Entertainment rate will come out for the rest of my dates. Then HOJO will be dirt cheap.

If the Ent rate comes out then you can cancel the FFI ressie. That's exactly what I was worried about when I was planning my trip. I'm so glad that I booked both and decided NOT to go with Hojos. We are diehard Hojos fans. We've stayed there many many times and even paid full price to stay there -- that's how much my DH likes Hojos & the staff. So for us to like FFI speaks volumes. It was good to experience somewhere different. If you can get FFI for $87/night including taxes, that's a steal. Hojo Ent rate for the premium rooms is $79 and doesn't include the 15% tax in that price.

I have not stayed at the Fairfield, but really did enjoy HOJO's particularly since we have a 5 year old daughter who LOVED the water park. I would recommend HOJO's fpr young childred, but I'm not sure if an 11 year old would enjoy the waterpark play area. The hot tub is in with the waterplay area and the other pool is apparently very cold, so you may want to consider those factors. Perhaps someone with older children would know better.

I agree with you on this. The jacuzzi is not somewhere that someone without kids or in my case, with adult kids, would enjoy hanging out. The other pool area is cold.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Hojo also has the nice grounds, nice pools and the walk to it vs. FFI is so not that much more, I wouldn't even put that into the deciding.

Now, if the FFI was a lot cheaper (like the $200 someone on this thread saved by switching) and it was a refundable reservation, that would be different. Because I am all about saving money!

The difference in walking distance doesn't appear to be that great from a visual perspective, but it sure made a huge difference to us at the end of the day! Everyone in my family was so happy that we only had to walk to FFI, and kept commenting on how much of a difference it was at the end of the day. That alone make us want to stay at FFI more than Hojos and we've been long term diehard Hojos fans. We've only stayed at Hojos since 2000. Both properties had excellent staff and excellent customer service. You can't go wrong booking at either, imo, and especially if one can get the Ent rate at Hojos, it's great. Unfortunately, the rate isn't always available...
I think we've found a new home at FFI. Their prices were cheaper than at Hojos on my last trip and the closer proximity to the parks, in addition the fact that they have Room service if you want it, Seattle's Best and Pizza Hut if you want it and all the other amenities, makes us want to stay there again...

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

You guys are making it very hard....I think I will book FFI and cancel if the Entertainment Rate becomes available. I know it's only about a five minute difference but, at the end of the day I'm sure it will make a difference.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

You guys are making it very hard....I think I will book FFI and cancel if the Entertainment Rate becomes available. I know it's only about a five minute difference but, at the end of the day I'm sure it will make a difference.

That sounds like a great plan! And the extra few minutes walking does make a difference at the end of the day. Good luck!

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

Thanks for all the input....the clock is ticking only 24 days

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

Any additional recommendations??? Now, that my current rate at FFI is cheaper than HOJO....

 

[labattblue]

I just changed from a 3 night stay at FFI to a 4 night prepaid stay and it is costing me $10 less for the entire stay.

Combined with the fact that I am now staying one less night in SD at the Homewood Suites at roughly $190 a night including taxes, I am saving about $200 on hotels.

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

I just changed from a 3 night stay at FFI to a 4 night prepaid stay and it is costing me $10 less for the entire stay.

Combined with the fact that I am now staying one less night in SD at the Homewood Suites at roughly $190 a night including taxes, I am saving about $200 on hotels.

That's awesome....how did you book your stay? If you didn't use a coupon I have a $10 a night discount code for expedia. I used it on my reservation so, it saved me an additional $50 compared to the Marriott website. Also, I can cancel it seeing as how I am undecided.

I'm waiting to the last minute to decide and it's driving me bonkers. The Entertainment Rate came out for an additional 2 nights making the total on HOJO $416.65 vs. $453.85 FFI....so, I'm waiting to see if the Entertainment Rate comes out for the additional 2 nights. Then definitely I will go with HOJO but, as of now I'm still leaning toward FFI (closer).

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Any additional recommendations??? Now, that my current rate at FFI is cheaper than HOJO....

Relax and have a great time! You're in a great hotel, you've saved some money and you're going to DLR!

I just changed from a 3 night stay at FFI to a 4 night prepaid stay and it is costing me $10 less for the entire stay.
Combined with the fact that I am now staying one less night in SD at the Homewood Suites at roughly $190 a night including taxes, I am saving about $200 on hotels.

Whoohoo! That's how you do it! Have a great trip!

Come back and post pictures on the hotel pictures thread and some reviews too, that would help others in planning as FFI is kind of treated like the ugly stepchild, is often neglected and almost never mentioned. Here's the link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1745747

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

That's awesome....how did you book your stay? If you didn't use a coupon I have a $10 a night discount code for expedia. I used it on my reservation so, it saved me an additional $50 compared to the Marriott website. Also, I can cancel it seeing as how I am undecided.

I'm waiting to the last minute to decide and it's driving me bonkers. The Entertainment Rate came out for an additional 2 nights making the total on HOJO $416.65 vs. $453.85 FFI....so, I'm waiting to see if the Entertainment Rate comes out for the additional 2 nights. Then definitely I will go with HOJO but, as of now I'm still leaning toward FFI (closer).

Did you look into Marriott's best rate guarantee? They have a deal where they honor the best rate you get anywhere else online and then discount that rate by an additional 25%. I believe it's 25%. Check into that. If you have a res at Marriott, and then you find another cheaper rate for that same hotel/room type there are directions on the Marriott website on how to get the additional best rate discount from them.

 

[labattblue]

That's awesome....how did you book your stay? If you didn't use a coupon I have a $10 a night discount code for expedia. I used it on my reservation so, it saved me an additional $50 compared to the Marriott website. Also, I can cancel it seeing as how I am undecided.

I'm waiting to the last minute to decide and it's driving me bonkers. The Entertainment Rate came out for an additional 2 nights making the total on HOJO $416.65 vs. $453.85 FFI....so, I'm waiting to see if the Entertainment Rate comes out for the additional 2 nights. Then definitely I will go with HOJO but, as of now I'm still leaning toward FFI (closer).

Booked directly from the marriott website yesterday. Stay is prepaid & non-refundable.