The Annabella Hotel - v- HoJo -- Round 1 Fight!

[VelvetGloves]

So, I posted on here a while back to get some feedback about the Disneyland resort. Everyone was helpful and made me feel pretty good about going there, rather than Walt Disney World this year.

We got a pretty good package deal with airfare and a concierge level room at the Annabella hotel. Now, for a bit of background, I am all about Disney hotels. When we go to WDW, we stay at POR. I don't know that last time we stayed off property; I can't remember it.

After looking at the DLR hotels, I know I am not going to be able to afford them. Traveling from Pa to Ca is expensive enough. We've booked the Annabella, which I am probably misspelling, and looked at pictures. It seems fine, especially the concierge rooms. Unfortunately, the reports I have read make me wary. I'm already freaked out that I can't stay at a Disney hotel.

Now, I have heard excellent feedback regarding HoJo. Has anyone stayed at both? Has anyone on here stayed in the concierge rooms at the Annabella? I guess I'm looking for someone to make me feel better about our current choice or to shove me into changing my mind. I think I'm already leaning towards changing, but I would prefer the opinions of some people that have actually been there.

I know some people are concerned about the almost 20 minute walk from the Annabella, but I feel I walked easily that much when going from any of the WDW parks to the bus stop, where we would wait, then to our hotel then to our room. I guess I'm saying a bit of a walk doesn't scare me. Famous last words, right?

Anyway, I appreciate all the help in advance, and thanks for the assuring words back in May. As always, the Dis rocks.

VelvetGloves

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I can't offer any assistance on the hotel front, but the only time I've ever stayed on Disneyland property was at the DLH in 1978 when I was two years old. There are plenty of nice off property locations in Anaheim that are closer to Disneyland than the Grand Floridian is to the MK in WDW. So don't worry about being offsite. You'll be fine.

 

[toocherie]

I recently stayed at the Hojo and it was very nice. If I could not stay in a DLR property I would stay there. I feel like Hojo is more accessible than the Anabella--the Anabella is on the south side of the Disney block--Hojo is along Harbor Blvd. It is about a one block walk to the light and then across the street directly into the entrance into the resort.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've stayed at both, but not in concierge.

The walk from HoJo is shorter and more direct.

The walk from the Anabella, providing you don't have children that need to be carried (if you have littles, be sure to bring your own stroller for that walk), isn't horrid, and is very pretty, much prettier than the walk from HoJo.

You cross Katella and walk towards Paradise Pier Hotel. Walk along a giant hidden Mickey (well, half of it, as it encompasses the pathway along and across the street from PPH) under palm trees and by (when I was there) Birds of Paradise flowers. When you get to the Grand Californian, go in their lovely front door, down a hallway, outside onto an outdoor path, and go into DownTown Disney between Sephora and Libby Lu. Walk to the security area (I feel that bag check on the DTD side has longer lines than the Harbor side, personally) and into the esplanade to make your choice of DL vs DCA.

Anabella is a motel, in that it has a main entrance for checkin, but the doors to the rooms are outside. HoJo is a hotel, in that the doors are inside the buildings.

HoJo's checkin area is really cool in a retro way; Anabella's is warm and Spanish style (to my eyes) with a big comfy couch or two for waiting on shuttles. The staff at both were very kind, but I saw more of Anabella's, b/c our room position required that we walk through the main area to get to and from the parks, and the staff always opened the doors for us, greeted or wished us a good day, etc. At HoJo, staying back in building 2, I never saw an employee unless I went looking for one.

The restaurant at Anabella seems nice, and they were kind enough to let us walk in to order "to go" food, rather than insisting we order it through the more expensive (and menu-limited) room service option. They even let hubby go and buy a boozey drink for me, which he carried to the hotel room, without incurring room service charges.

It's near CoCo's, which I found to be a good place for a veggie burger.

On the other hand, you have several restaurants along the walk from HoJo, if you stay on that side of the street (walking on the DL side gives you a less populated, slightly shorter, walk).

Assuming the price was the same for both and I had a stroller for my son to get to and from the parks, I would be quite likely to stay at Anabella. Since you have a package, you can't try to get the terrific and special HoJo Anaheim Entertainment Card rate, so the prices are very likely to be similar.

A member of another board is (or perhaps was, I haven't seem them posting for awhile) an employee of the Concierge service at Anabella, and he always seemed to be very helpful to his guests.


Hope that helps!

 

[IndyBride]

I've always liked the Annabella. But, I've only stayed there and on property. I like the walk, the rooms are clean- not huge, and nice. Comfy beds and lots of pillows.

 

[VelvetGloves]

We don't have any little ones yet. It's just myself and my husband. We got married at WDW at the Poly, and our honeymoon wasn't just us. We spent the week with my family, spending not time alone together. We're angling to just have an "us" trip. I don't know why I am so incredibly paranoid.

We rarely take trip insurance, but we did this time. So, if we want to change accomodations, we can. When we checked into swapping to Hojo, it was $100 more for the entire stay. It would be swapping from a concierge room at Anna to a regular room at Hojo.

Thanks so much for the immediate responses. You guys are awesome!

VelvetGloves

 

[**Tinker*Bell*7**]

I've only stayed at the Anabella but I really liked it. Was hoping to stay there on our trip this Oct. but unfortunately the good rates disappeared before I had enough $ to book it.
Will be trying out the Holiday Inn & Suites this time.

The walk isn't bad but the ART trolley stops right in front of the Anabella. Also Tiffy's restaurant is right next door & has really yummy food for good prices.

Don't stress. Enjoy your trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

We don't have any little ones yet. It's just myself and my husband. We got married at WDW at the Poly, and our honeymoon wasn't just us. We spent the week with my family, spending not time alone together. We're angling to just have an "us" trip. I don't know why I am so incredibly paranoid.

Well then you'll be fine! Don't be paranoid, it's nice. You can see a little bit of the walk (if you do not choose to use ART or drive in) in my December trip report, and I might have taken pictures of the room, too.

 

[ter-moo]

If you usually stay at POR, you might like the Candy Cane Inn, too, if you can get a good package with that. It's closer than Anabella (actually walkable), has a free shuttle every half-hour and a free continental breakfast. The rooms are kinda similar to POR in feel and the grounds are pretty.

 

[brenda1966]

Velvetgloves, first off let me say I want to hear more about POR. I am set to stay there this October. Last time we stayed at CBR and really loved it, so I'm a bit hesitant to try a new resort. Previously I have only stayed at Pop Century, I'm a budget kind of gal.

Now, as for your DL accomodations. Since you can't afford the Onsite hotels, you need to just put that out of your mind. It is what it is and you'll be staying offsite and you will be fine. Will you love the offsite hotels as much as you love POR? I doubt it, so I wouldn't count on it. These are not "resorts". These are hotels and motels. ANd they are old although many have been refurbed, they are still old style motels.

Now, to me, the style of CBR and POR AB is "motel" because the doors open to the outside and I personally love that. I even consider Hojo's a "motel" even though it has hallways because it just feels old style motel to me. Swimming pools are small, there are not "resort like" accomodations.

So, I would just urge you to remember that DL is a far different vacation than WDW. I think either hotel choice will be fine for you, just don't expect it to be like a WDW resort. Remember this is in the heart of the city, so it's all small and compact. But also remember that this is Walt's park. He worked here. I'm sure you'll feel the magic!

 

[VelvetGloves]

It is amazing how great you guys make me feel about my trip. I'm excited to be going and just keep having these crazy doubts, but you make it all better! Years and years ago, when my family started staying on property, my parents had always booked us at CBR. One year, they decided to give POR a shot. Needless to say, we were all aghast at the idea! How dare they switch from our staple hotel?? Now, we are all die hard POR people. Before we actually stayed there but after my mom had booked it, she had this terrible nightmare that the hotel was unfinished and very "redneck". She dreamt that the hotel had dirt floors. We have not let her live this down to this day. To add to the weirdness, I had a dream the other day that the DL trip was happening and the hotel was all moldy, dirty, and small. I'm thinking maybe it will be the same as it was with my mom. Let's hope so anyway.

So, after much rambling, I want to thank you guys again. I almost had myself talked into switching, but I feel confident in our choice once again!

You guys are great.

VelvetGloves

 

[Disney_rider]

I've always liked the Annabella. I like the walk, the rooms are clean- not huge, and nice. Comfy beds and lots of pillows.

I have to agree Little rooms but the bed is AWESOME!!!! Nice and Fluffy my stay at the Annabella was in the king suite which i guess was an upgrade cause we had a big flat screen. But I hate that for the price you don't get breakfast.... I've now started staying at the Ramada Maingate why...Breakfast,great pool, resturant and coffee house on property.and is a Value catagory. LOVE IT.