Ugh! Hojo's pulled a bunch of Retro Rate days!

[Ingrid0382]

I'm so bummed out! My family was planning a meet up at Disneyland from 2/12-2/14. This morning I checked to make sure there wasn't "limited availability" on the dates we were looking for at HoJo's because I had to wait and find out if my husband would have a problem getting the days off we we wanted to be there.

I found out when he got home from work that we were in the clear and went to book the room at 7pm, only to find that the retro rate had been pulled for the days we were going and for all of March

I am so appreciative that this rate is even offered at all and hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, but is it common for them to pull days off like this? We stayed at this hotel the last time we were at Disney and wanted this to be our go-to hotel, we just loved it so much and our son can't wait to get back into the water play area.

The in-house reservation people had gone home by the time I called. Do you think it's worth calling back tomorrow to see if they will make an exception? Again, I don't want to come across as pushy or entitled and I REALLY appreciate the retro rate being offered at all on any date. I'm just so disappointed that it was gone in a matter of hours.

If I'm out of luck, could one of you amazing board members recommend something similar to the retro-rate price range that is comparable? We checked out Park Vue and BWPPI, but it's still a bit pricier than what we thought we'd be paying. We have AAA and my husband is a government employee, if this helps.

Most importantly, I just want to get the word out that dates are being pulled. I would feel awful if another family found themselves in our predicament. Check those dates!

 

[sonnyjane]

They only offer a certain number of rooms at the retro rate. Once they are sold out, they are sold out and they take them down. Being that it's Valentine's Day (and not very far away from today's date), they probably sold out quicker than some of the other dates still available. March is also the prime Spring Break season, so I'm not surprised those went quickly as well.

 

[Ingrid0382]

That's what I figured. I guess it was silly of me to think that just because it didn't say "limited availability" for those dates it meant for the rates as well. Honestly, I'm more frustrated with myself. HoJo offered us wonderful service and a great experience. It's not their fault I'm a little numb sometimes.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

That is what I was going to say--I think they only have a certain percentage of rooms that they rent at this rate. They don't pull dates down because they change their minds--they just sell out the number of rooms they have available at this rate.

You can still get a discounted rate--but it isn't the 50% off like the retro rate. You can get like 15-20 percent off using a Dis board, Yelp or AP code.

 

[Ingrid0382]

Maybe I should edit the title (once I figure out how!). I don't want people to think I'm upset with HoJo.

Thank you both for the information. I guess the question I should be asking is if there is something comparable nearby that compares at all to what we know and love!

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Sorry that happened to you. On their website page above the dates that the entertainment rate is available, they have this disclaimer:

"Please note that these rates are subject to availability and may open or close without notice."

As others have mentioned, they only have a certain number of rooms available at that special rate. Once those rooms are filled, they remove those dates from the list.

 

[Faith and Trust]

I think it is worth calling and asking about the dates you want. I have been lucky before in asking for dates that were not posted and getting the retro rate. Good luck!

 

[Ingrid0382]

I just got off the phone with in-house reservations. The rep said a ton of dates were pulled yesterday and she isn't really sure why. The best rate I could get was $111 per night, which is good for the property but not exactly what we had budgeted for this quick trip.

I booked it since it's a refundable rate, but I've been comparing hotels all morning. I'm beginning to think that if I'm going to be paying that much per night, I should at least look at properties with free breakfast. Park Vue is enticing with free breakfast and the light dinner, but the lowest rate I saw was $126, I think. I'm considering Ramada Maingate as well for $89. No dinner, but a lower rate and continental breakfast. It's a pre-pay rate though, so if I take it and HoJo ends up putting the retro rate dates back up (which the rep said was a possibility) I'm stuck with the room.

I can't really complain if this is the biggest decision I have to make today I appreciate the feedback.

 

[pixiewings71]

Calling today I would bet you got the 800 reservation line and not in house at the anaheim property. I would call back on Monday, see if anyone can help you then.

 

[Ingrid0382]

It was definitely in-house. I spoke with the 1-800 people, too. No one was able to make an exception, which I understand.

Making sure you speak to someone in the in-house reservation center is always a good tip though. They're usually friendlier and a little more knowledgeable when it comes to current rates being offered at this specific location.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Calling today I would bet you got the 800 reservation line and not in house at the anaheim property. I would call back on Monday, see if anyone can help you then.

Hojo's in-house reservations definitely are open on Saturdays; I just don't remember the exact hours. They are closed Sundays though.

 

[bumbershoot]

It was definitely in-house. I spoke with the 1-800 people, too. No one was able to make an exception, which I understand.

I'm sure you really did, but...I have had the 800# people flat out LIE to me until I really pressed them. Had to ask, very specifically, if they were actually sitting there, at the hotel, IN Anaheim, before she admitted she wasn't. (this was during west coast business hours, but it seems I called around lunch, and I knew something was weird b/c of the number of times it rang, and the click before it was answered)

 

[Ingrid0382]

That's awful. In this case, I'm 100% positive the person I spoke to was in-house. It was after speaking to someone at the 1-800 number and there was definitely a difference.

 

[GrandBob]

I'm sure you really did, but...I have had the 800# people flat out LIE to me until I really pressed them. Had to ask, very specifically, if they were actually sitting there, at the hotel, IN Anaheim, before she admitted she wasn't.

I've had that happen to me, too. It's very, very annoying, and presents the HoJo brand in a bad light. I love HoJo Anaheim, but am disinclined to stay in any other HoJo.

-Bob

 

[SunsetsOnTheBeach]

In house reservations are open 9am-1pm Saturdays I only know this because I wanted to book the retro rate last Saturday, and was calling Friday night. They told me to call back at 9am, but I was nervous about not getting a room since it was THAT NIGHT. So I kept calling earlier, and sure enough, they really did not pick up in-house until 9am But I got my room!

 

[Hojoanaheim]

Hi everyone, hope you are all having a great day, it’s raining here in Anaheim but hopefully it will clear up soon! Our “retro” rates are only for a limited time, and once a certain amount of rooms are booked at the lower rate, the rates are pulled. If you wanted, you can reserve rooms for the dates you are looking at, even at a higher rate, then if you see that the “retro” rates become available for those dates, give our in-house reservations a call and they’ll be happy to change it for you. They are open Monday- Friday 9-5 PST and Saturdays 9-1 PST. You know you are speaking to someone in in-house reservations if you are speaking to a Kriss, Kim, or Jessica. HTH

-Kriss

 

[Ingrid0382]

Kim and Jessica have both been very gracious about fielding my calls to see if the retro rates have been brought back for our dates. No luck yet, but I'm going to keep checking

Thanks for offering such wonderful accommodations for a great price! We love our HoJo stays!