Traveling with kids...w/o spouse. Needing hotel advise!

[abent]

I want to say "Thanks" to everyone who posts here, because I have learned so much lurking around for over 1 year. I am making arrangements to travel to Disneyland this Oct. with my 2 boys...with out my husband. I am so nervous, and I have made reservations at Ho JO, but really want to be very close to the gates. The thought of walking back and forth is making me worried. My boys are 11 & 12, so we can handle the walk, but being the 3 of us makes me nervous!! I really cannot figure out where to stay! Any suggestions are welcome!!

 

[BillyFan]

Hojos really is our favorite place to stay. The walk is not bad at all, especially with the ages of your kids. The pool area is great, the staff is so nice, the rooms are super clean.
However, if you want to be closesr to the park, I guess I would suggest Dessert Inn and Suites. It's definitely not as nice, but it is closer.

 

[spacemermaid]

HoJo's is safe; they have interior corridors (unlike most nearby hotels), and the walk is not scary at all. I'm assuming that you don't want to stay on Disney property, so the closest hotels would be Desert Inn and Park Place Inn. Both are right across the street, you literally walk across the crosswalk and you're on Park property. However, neither of those hotels (in my opinion, anyhow) are as nice as HoJo's. HoJo's has the kids' pool area, and super-comfortable beds, and a nicely landscaped grounds. Also, if you can get the Entertainment Book rate, HoJo's is much cheaper!

If you're uncomfortable with the walk to/from HoJo's, though, it may be worth it to you to stay in one of the hotels directly across the street.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[StitchFanZ]

I was there with just my 2 kids last year. They were 12 and 13 and it was a blast. They were old enough to help map out the day and everything. The oldest one kept a spare cell phone in their pocket which really helped my peace of mind. We stayed at the Park Vue Inn as it was so close to the park. It was clean and met our needs as we spend no time at the hotel so didn't need large rooms or any amenities.
If you kids might want to swim, stick with HoJos as the pool at the Park Vue is in the middle of the parking lot and didn't even tempt my kids to want to swim. We also had a room away from the breakfast room which is perfect with older kids that like to sleep in as much as possible. They also do not have interior hallways which might be a concern to you. I had a second floor room so it didn't bother me too much.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

My DS (13) and I went alone in Dec. and stayed at Hojos. Before that trip, we always stayed right across the street from the entrance, so I was also a little concerned about just the two of us walking to and from Hojos esp. at night. It was no problem at all and I felt very safe. We stayed until the park closed on weekends and even though it was very late, we were never the only ones around and I never felt unsafe at all. My DS loved the pool and the water play area, so it was worth the little extra walk to be there for that. We loved that the rooms were inside the corridors and that added to the "safe" feeling too.

 

[Feistygirl916]

My 6 yr old and I stay at the HoJo 3-4 times a year and walk to and from everyday, with no issues... Even at midnight! If you feel a tad uncomfortable and like "safety in numbers" try walking with the majority of the people crossing at the main crosswalk right outside the Disney gates. In my opinion, I don't like walking with the crowds, I would rather have room to walk, and most often chose to walk on the same side as DL... But if safety is a concern, try the opposite side of Harbor. There will be a ton of people regardless of what time you are headed back "home" to the HoJo. Enjoy!

 

[LuLusApple]

I just got back sat from 3 nights at hojo with my Dd12 and DGD1
There are many people that walk that way and restaurants, it is well lit.
You'll be fine. Just walk with purpose be confident!
The hotel is wonderful with interior corridors. People around all the time, coming and going. You'll love it.

 

[avalon451]

DD13 and I stayed there by ourselves last October, and loved it. I think it's totally worth the extra 4 minutes' walk from BWPPI or Desert Inn, etc. because of the pool/hot tub/water play areas, the very large and comfortable rooms, the Entertainment rate, the great service, and the security of the inside corridors.

We also walked back anywhere from 9 p.m. till midnight, on the west (Disney) side of the street to avoid the crowds, and felt quite safe. It's well lit and there are always several other families around.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[macfam5]

I just returned from DL w/o my spouse and I had 4 kids with me (my DS brought a friend). We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel because of the convenience to the parks. We usually stay at the Hojo so my vote would be for the Hojo or DL hotel if you want a Disney theme I think your kids are old enough they will be fine with the walk from either hotel

 

[BlueBayou]

I would not be too worried about the walk.

We have stayed at HOJO -2, Desert Inn - 2, Camelot - 2, BW Park Inn, and Tropicana. I have walked alone and with small children from the Desert Inn, Tropicana and BW to McDonalds at night. As long as the park is still open there is a ton of tourist foot traffic.

There was one night I took a sleepy, crabby kid (4) back to the the Camelot Inn alone while my husband stayed with my then 6 year old watch fireworks. Come to think of it the next day I stayed in the park with my oldest and my husband took little Miss Crabby back to the motel.

While I am from a small town - I have lived in a major city for 10+ years. I don't stop for panhandlers, never take fliers etc. I have never felt uncomfortable on Harbor.

 

[pixiewings71]

I've done the HoJo a few times with just me and the girls. I have always felt very safe staying there, the staff is great, the walk is fine. Never have I had a problem or felt unsafe while staying at the HoJo.

 

[teatime]

Ive been going with my little ones for years and never feared. we always get a motel by the front gates and know there is nothing to fear. we are staying at the fairfield this year ( down from the hojo's closer to the park) there is always lots of folks walking back and forth to the motels, worry is not needed all is well when staying across the street. I have been a single gramma for years and take my little ones every year.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to chime in and add that we also now have an electrical keycard system in place that automatically locks the main entry doors to all six of our buildings from 10p-6a every single day. That means that in order to even gain entrance to those buildings, you must be a registered guest with an active/valid Room Key. Additionally, we have added an entry/exit gate to our parking lot that requires your Room Key to gain entrance. This also is active from 10p-6a, daily.

Your family's safety is a priority for us!
Lorealle

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

i have never felt unsafe walking on harbor either. I have never stayed at Hojo but I hear it is fantastic!

 

[teatime]

I would have stayed at hojo's but they were not doing the 2 free when you do for 5 nights . also could not get a special rate a lot pf people talk about but the fairfield is supposed to be comparable so we shall see.

 

[bumbershoot]

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to chime in and add that we also now have an electrical keycard system in place that automatically locks the main entry doors to all six of our buildings from 10p-6a every single day. That means that in order to even gain entrance to those buildings, you must be a registered guest with an active/valid Room Key. Additionally, we have added an entry/exit gate to our parking lot that requires your Room Key to gain entrance. This also is active from 10p-6a, daily.

Your family's safety is a priority for us!
Lorealle

VERY nice. Thanks!

I would have stayed at hojo's but they were not doing the 2 free when you do for 5 nights . also could not get a special rate a lot pf people talk about but the fairfield is supposed to be comparable so we shall see.

Just in case you aren't locked in (but I think you are b/c you're doing a package), they add dates all the time...if you're not locked into Fairfield (a fine Motel), keep checking for the ent rate at HoJo's Hotel, it might come up for you!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We stayed at HoJo this past Dec. We were with my mom & Gma (but they were in a separate room) I felt very safe and love the place! Our past two trips it's been just me and the kids and we've stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Garden Grove (got the place both times through Priceline.com) it's a lovely place.