HoJo HoJo HoJo... yes I'm asking MORE Hotel Questions

[Carina]

I'm Sorry guys I have MORE hotel questions for you... specifically about your beloved HoJo

I didn't think it would work for us on a 5 day trip before so I dismissed it from the options - was looking for a suite with a fridge/micro and free breaky

But the rates at most other places we just off the wall OR the reviews were hit and miss.. whereas your beloved hojo has fantasic reviews.

So if I get the Ent Card rate - it puts it where I need to be budget wise. Also I just found out the Deluxe 2 Queen rooms are included in the Ent Rate AND they have a Mircrowave and a teeny weeny fridge. Which means although there is no free breaky we can still eat out of the room most of the week - besides a box of cereal and some milk isn't that expensive...

So HoJo is looking real good all of a sudden... Plus I know the pool area will be a HUGE hit with my kids.... so thats another pro.

Ok now for the obessive questions...

I dont want to rent a roll away as we will have bedding in our van, can I throw a blow-up mattress on the floor for the 3rd kid? $7 a night for 6 nights thats over $40 saved if I dont need to go that route.

Some reviews call it a motel - does building #2 ( the only building with deluxe 2 queens) have interior corridors?

The Ent. Card.... Does one come with my name on it, if I were to buy a book to share with my MIL (I don't have all that much use for the coupons) do I have to make sure the book was bought in my name. If another family member already has a book can I borrow their card? ( hee hee if the answer is yes but you don't want the world to know it just PM me)

One review said the parking is sparse - is that your experience???? If we drove to the parkade and grocery store every day are we going to have to worry about getting a spot when we get back?
I have no intention of walking all the way back to the hotel just to hop into the van to drive to Vons, our AAA tix give us free parking and my family all loved the tram so parking for the week and not moving the van is not an option...

What else can you tell me aout HoJos?

I know I dont need an EntCard till I get there, and I found a link that has a $5 off the book special, so thats a $30 cost to me. And with all that time I can keep my eyes peeled for more deals

The next cheapest hotel ( that fits our needs) is $100 more over the 6 nights - it has 3 beds but not as good reviews on tripadvisor and no cool pool area, but a free breaky - I'm so torn - the 3rd bed would be nice but if the blowup mattress is OK my 9 year old son will be fine with that - can't barely keep him off the floor at home.. hee hee

Also the $100 saved also saves $15 in taxes but I have to buy the book for which I have no use so its about $85 saved.

Soory for being so long winded - and thanks in advance for all the replies

Now I just have to wait and see if the dates released match my dates in may!

[Malcon10t]

I dont want to rent a roll away as we will have bedding in our van, can I throw a blow-up mattress on the floor for the 3rd kid? $7 a night for 6 nights thats over $40 saved if I dont need to go that route.

Yes, we do this. We just move the air mattress to the side of the bed during the day. Also, the balconies are really nice.

Some reviews call it a motel - does building #2 ( the only building with deluxe 2 queens) have interior corridors?

It is a hotel. Interior corridors.

The Ent. Card.... Does one come with my name on it,

There is no name on the card.

One review said the parking is sparse - is that your experience???? If we drove to the parkade and grocery store every day are we going to have to worry about getting a spot when we get back?

No, we had 2 cars, and one day even 3 cars and no problem. Parking was very easy.

I have no intention of walking all the way back to the hotel just to hop into the van to drive to Vons, our AAA tix give us free parking and my family all loved the tram so parking for the week and not moving the van is not an option...

For us, it takes longer to get to the tram, then to the parking structure, get the car, and drive back to Hojo's. To me, it is more hassle to park at the structure. Probably costs at least 15-20 minutes MORE in time than walking.

[jeffat2]

My understanding is that you can book 2 rooms with 1 card. You might look on ebay for the entertainment card .They have just the card for $5.99 .I have purchased a card that way with no problems .I didnt need or want the book. Have fun Jeff

[Carina]

Did you "pre - register" the card online? Saw a place on the site for that and wondered if it was required

[Malcon10t]

Did you "pre - register" the card online? Saw a place on the site for that and wondered if it was required

No, you don't need to register it online, but they send you offers if you do.

[anniedg]

Yay - I think you'll really like Hojos. Our experience has been the same as Malcon10t's. We've stayed in building one and also used an air bed. There was room for it near the balcony door and we just kept it set up there the whole trip. We were there in June and had no parking troubles whatsoever. We did just as you're thinking, ate a simple breakfast in the room and also had snacks on hand. They have a small convenience store on site if you run low on milk or juice or cereal.

[Lehua]

Our family of four (me, husband, 3.5 yr old & 1 yr old) have stayed at HoJo's five times this year and heading there again tomorrow. We've stayed in Bldg 4 twice (Deluxe Q/NQQ2 Non-Disney view) and Bldg 6 three times (see map below). Despite Bldg 6 having double sized beds (vs Queen in Bldg 2), we much preferred Bldg 6 to Bldg 4. It seemed quieter (fwy noise wasn't as loud) and with the kids napping in the afternoon, that mattered to us. Also, the beds in Bldg 2, which I think are new beds, are too mushy for us. (Minor quibbles and nothing that would prevent us from booking in Bldg 2, if that was all they had available.)

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/assets/pdf/propertymap.pdf

The latest we've ever arrived at HoJo is around 6pm and there were plenty of spaces in the lot. (We park the van and don't move it again until we leave at the end of our stay.)

We usually do one Minnie & friends character breakfast during each trip and on the other mornings we just eat muffins, fruit, cereal, yogurt in the room, which we bring from home.

And even though every room comes with a mini-fridge, we always bring a medium sized cooler, just in case we need the extra room. Usually, it ends up holding my husband's diet coke, but occasionally we've needed it for restaurant leftovers or milk, so I like bringing it just in case.

Also, totally minor but it's something we love - they have Disneyland's 10th Anniversary Celebration looped 24 hours on one of their TV channels:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJV7obSf0A8

I also love how helpful the on-site reservation staff have always been when I call to make or change our reservations. They're always friendly and patient with me.

Have fun on your trip!

[DisneylandMom]

This is a lot of good information. We've never stayed at HOJO's. But, we're thinking about giving it a try. I am a bit concerned about the walk back in the evening. (When everyone is tired and grouchy.)

Question... Does the ART have a pick up at the HOJO's and has anyone utilized that transportation?

[genericeric]

We stayed at the HoJo's and the walk back in the afternoon for a break, and at the end of the night was no problem at all. It was ten minutes tops from the gate to the hotel room door. Not sure why people give the impression it is far, its only 1 block further than the hotels directly across from the main gate. Walk is no problem at all.

My wife has perpera, her ankles and feet were hugely swollen so much that we had to get a wheelchair for the days at Disney, and she had no problem limping back to the hotel after riding in style all day.

To gie a point of reference, Hojo's is directly across harbor from Autotopia, so its close.

[Malcon10t]

There is ART pickup for Hojos. However, we always found it faster to just walk. We had a 4 and 6yo in tow (no strollers.)

[kitkat1]

It will be faster to walk than use transportation. It's just a 10 minute walk, so no problem.

[jazzysmom]

HoJo's is one of my favortie properties in the USA! Great for budget families. Out of the hundreds of people I have stay there every year, I have only had 1 complaint! Most of the times, families on a tight budget initally request a free breakfast, but usually after I price out the properties that include that, suddenly HoJo's is sounding pretty good again! Plus it gives you an excuse to eat next door at Mimi's Cafe with is yummo! Have a great trip. You will be happy there.

[shanbri]

We just got back from our trip and stayed at the HOJO. It was great as always. The new water slides for the kids are great. My 6 year old would be there for 2 hours at a time. He said it was the highlight of his trip.

[Carina]

A TON of spring dates were jsut released on the SD50 code today! INCLUDING MY DATES whooop whoop whoop!

THe hojo ananheim forum has the SD50 rate days listed and remember if you need a date thats not discounted dont include it in your search or you wont get the rate for any days

sounds like most people make 2 seperate reservations or maybe they phone their reservations I'm not sure because I booked my vacation ONLY on discounted dates

[wvnative]

I just called and made mine. Only one of my nights was available at that rate but the 15% off the other two is still a good deal.

You can check here to see what dates that rate is/was offered. Looks like they are listing through about mid June currently.

[reasonenough]

A TON of spring dates were jsut released on the SD50 code today! INCLUDING MY DATES whooop whoop whoop!

THe hojo ananheim forum has the SD50 rate days listed and remember if you need a date thats not discounted dont include it in your search or you wont get the rate for any days

sounds like most people make 2 seperate reservations or maybe they phone their reservations I'm not sure because I booked my vacation ONLY on discounted dates

I wonder if you make two separate reservation if they will try to keep you in the same room, or if you'll have to switch halfway through. If I buy an Entertainment Book it'll easily save me $500!! Does anyone know if I buy one in Canada if it will still be valid in the USA when I go down for my trip? Or do you think that I should just bite the bullet (be safe rather than sorry) and buy the one from Orange County?

[candles71]

I wonder if you make two separate reservation if they will try to keep you in the same room, or if you'll have to switch halfway through. If I buy an Entertainment Book it'll easily save me $500!! Does anyone know if I buy one in Canada if it will still be valid in the USA when I go down for my trip? Or do you think that I should just bite the bullet (be safe rather than sorry) and buy the one from Orange County?

your local book is just fine (whichever city is closest to you in Canada)

[Malcon10t]

I book 2 reservations, then call and ask to put the reservations together. Not a problem.

[Carina]

I was having trouble with the webpage telling me it was not availble even though it was on the list of dates that were just released that day. ( listed on the Hojo Message boards)

I phoned the 1-800# and they got me in with that code over the phone no prob!

[reasonenough]

I book 2 reservations, then call and ask to put the reservations together. Not a problem.

Sorry about all the questions - you don't need to show the card until you get there? Or do they want your card number when you book?