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.

[genericeric]

Hojos is AWESOME, the staff actually cares and will do everything in thier power to make it a memorable trip. There are washing machines and dryers on site for washing clothes, LOTS of parking and its free. The fridge will hold Milk, a 2 liter of soda and lots of other small stuff, the freezer is tiny though.

They didnt have a Microwave when we went so thats just a bonus. It has hallways in all the buidings I remember, but not 100% sure on every building.

You are gonna love it, they make the Disney experience that much more magical (TBH I think they do a better job than the Paradise pier, but thats just my personal opinion).

Can't wait to hear your trip report

[adriennek]

It has hallways in all the buidings I remember, but not 100% sure on every building.

Every building has interior corridors. We've stayed in 2, 1 and in the short building closest to what's now the pirates pool. I prefer Building 2 given the choice but I haven't ever been disappointed in a room. I probably wouldn't want one of the upper floor rooms with the funky windows that don't have curtains on them, though...

Adrienne

[LOZZYPOP]

We stayed at the HoJo last April and recommend it highly.

There always seemed to be lots of parking so I wouldn't worry about that part of the equation.

If you get the Entertainment card, make sure you get the one for 2009. You might see a good deal advertised for the 2008 book but that won't help you next year.

[disneyscootergal]

Every building has interior corridors. We've stayed in 2, 1 and in the short building closest to what's now the pirates pool. I prefer Building 2 given the choice but I haven't ever been disappointed in a room. I probably wouldn't want one of the upper floor rooms with the funky windows that don't have curtains on them, though...

Adrienne

I had one of these rooms the last time I went, and I LOVED it! That window just made the room, IMO; of course, I can nap in full daylight with no problem, and I know that's why some people don't want a room that can't be darkened.

[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!

[wisegal]

I have never stayed at HoJo's but I have used someone eles entertainment card at a hotel without any problems. Have a great time on your trip.

[kitkat1]

We just got back and I just wrote a trip report with comments about Hojo that hopefully will be posted later.

All in all we really liked the place (I wrote of our few misgivings, but our issues shouldn't apply to all). There was plenty of parking, no problem there at all. I'll have to ask my husband what our building number was, but we were right by the freeway and had a room that overlooked the rear garden pool. There was no freeway noise with the slider balcony door closed, so that was fine. We had 2 queens, plenty of table/bureau space for things, a microwave, the small fridge (and the little freezer area is inside the fridge, bread loaf sized, and beware of turning the fridge to it's coldest setting as it froze our water bottles the first night), plenty of floor room. An air mattress would have absolutely fit alongside the bed , perhaps against the slider door if you moved the little table and chairs a bit.

Great in-room safes. Plenty of towels and soap.

We didn't use the pools, but there were plenty of people in the garden pool later in the evening so it must have been warm enough. You can find a luggage cart to drag your stuff to your room, probably outside along one side of the lobby.

My small issue (which was a sort of big annoyance to me) was about the modem and outlet not being near a table and having to work on the bed (as I had work I had to do despite being on vacation), and ESPN channel not working for my husband. We also weren't use to being so far from the park, but it was only about a 10 minute walk, so no big deal! Well, at night when your feet are hurting, to our minds it appeared quite far, but really we could easily walk the extra 10 minutes to save the $1000 over the Disneyland Hotel that we saved.

We didn't use the Ent Book, but booked a special rate through our work.

[Mickey Mojo]

Kitkat I agree with you about the modem thing. Next time I know to bring my own (much longer) Ethernet cable!!

[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.

[tonytone]

Kitkat I agree with you about the modem thing. Next time I know to bring my own (much longer) Ethernet cable!!

LOL--during one of our HoJo stays, we were in Building 1 on the third floor...which apparently was close enough to the ground floor for my laptop to pick up HoJo's wireless internet, so no wired Ethernet issues for me...but agree that they could have picked a more-practical spot to place the wired LAN connection.

[underthesea1987]

Okay so potentially dumb question-
To get the entertainment rate you buy the book for the orange country area, and use the card and then book on the days that they are offering it?
If you use that can you get also get a AAA discount and/or the discount for using mouseplanet/mousepad?

Sorry, I know that this is all over the message boards but I keep confusing myself.

[underthesea1987]

Okay so potentially dumb question-
To get the entertainment rate you buy the book for the orange country area, and use the card and then book on the days that they are offering it?
If you use that can you get also get a AAA discount and/or the discount for using mouseplanet/mousepad?

Sorry, I know that this is all over the message boards but I keep confusing myself.

[Eighty8Keys]

Okay so potentially dumb question-
To get the entertainment rate you buy the book for the orange country area, and use the card and then book on the days that they are offering it?
If you use that can you get also get a AAA discount and/or the discount for using mouseplanet/mousepad?

Sorry, I know that this is all over the message boards but I keep confusing myself.

Actually, you can purchase the Ent. Book for any area, not just the Orange Country area. We live in Portland, Oregon, so that's the book we buy. They'll even accept the card for books purchased in other countries. It's my understanding that you can't combine discounts.

[anniedg]

Eighty8Keys is right - you can't combine discounts. Also, definitely get the Entertainment book for your home area. It comes with lots and lots of local coupons in addition to the hotel and restaurant discounts.