Welcome! I'm a mom of four, navigating family life in beautiful Folsom, California, and sharing our favorite local spots, events, and family adventures to help other families discover the endless fun our community has to offer.
HOJO - Walk to Disneyland
HoJo Anaheim: The Perfect Family-Friendly Hotel for Your Disneyland Adventure
When a hotel claims to be "family-friendly," I've learned to manage my expectations. Usually, it means they'll provide a crib or have a kids' menu at the restaurant. But the Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground (affectionately known as the HoJo Anaheim) completely redefines what family-friendly accommodation can be.
As a family of six with four kids, finding comfortable lodging can be challenging. During our recent Disneyland vacation, we stayed in connecting rooms (1717 and 1719) with two queen beds each, which gave us plenty of space. The icing on the cake? Our rooms faced Disneyland, treating us to magical fireworks displays each night without having to brave the park crowds.
Location, Location, Location
What makes the HoJo truly irresistible is its unbeatable location. The hotel boasts being "steps away" from Disneyland, and they're not exaggerating! It took us less than 8 minutes from our hotel room door to the Disneyland entrance. For families with young children, this proximity is priceless—especially when you need a mid-day break for naps or when little legs get tired after a full day of Disney magic.
Room Options for Every Family
The HoJo's rooms are spread across six buildings, with Buildings 1 and 2 recently renovated with a charming retro vibe (definitely request these if available). The hotel offers various room configurations that can accommodate up to 5 guests:
- Standard Rooms: 1 King ADA or 2 Doubles in Buildings 3-6
- Deluxe Rooms: 2 Queens ADA in Building 2, 1 King, 1 Queen/Junior Bunk, 2 Queens in Building 1, and 2 Queens in Building 2
- Premium Rooms: 1 Queen/Bunk ADA, 2 Queens, and 2 Queen/2 Room Bundle
- Suites: House of the Future Queen Suite, a King Suite, and a Kids Suite
Every room comes equipped with a microwave, mini-fridge, Keurig coffee maker, and a breakfast nook—perfect for quick meals before heading to the parks. The rooms also feature premium TV channels like HBO, Disney Channel, and Nick Jr, plus streaming options including Netflix and Hulu. And yes, there's FREE Wi-Fi throughout the property!
The thoughtful kid-friendly touches impressed me most. The Kids Suite features two bathrooms (parents, you know how valuable this is!) and children even receive a rubber ducky to take home. For families with nappers, the HoJo offers a special cleaning service that ensures your room is refreshed and ready by 1 pm so little ones can return for their afternoon rest.
Castaway Cove: A Water Playground Paradise
While Disneyland is obviously the main attraction, the HoJo's pirate-themed water playground "Castaway Cove" might become your kids' second favorite place. It features water slides, water cannons, and an exciting 200-gallon drench bucket that delighted my children for hours. For toddlers, there's a separate wading pool area with gentle spraying fountains.
Although Castaway Cove isn't a traditional swimming pool, the hotel has that covered too—there's a standard pool on the other side of the property for those who prefer traditional swimming or want to relax in the hot tub.
Dining Options and Amenities
While the HoJo doesn't serve breakfast, they've ensured you have plenty of options:
- In-Room Meals: With a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee maker in each room, preparing simple meals is easy.
- Main Street Market: Located in Building 1, this well-stocked convenience store offers snacks, fruits, ice cream, and even Disney souvenirs (often cheaper than park prices!).
- Mimi's Café: Located next door to the hotel, open 7 am to 10 pm daily with affordable breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
- Nearby Options: On your walk to Disneyland, you'll pass Panera Bread and McDonald's. Plus, there's a Walmart within a mile radius—perfect for stocking up on breakfast items and snacks.
Other family-friendly amenities include:
- Coin-operated laundromat
- Conveniently located vending machines
- Video game arcade
- 24-hour front desk that can assist with scooter and stroller rentals
- Parking throughout the property ($25 + tax nightly charge, one car per room)
The HoJo Experience
From the moment we checked in—where my kids received balloon animals and chocolate coins—to the convenience of watching Disneyland fireworks from our room, the HoJo consistently exceeded our expectations.
The hotel recognizes what families actually need: space to spread out, convenient food options, entertainment for downtime, and special touches that make children feel welcomed. For a Disneyland vacation, it offers the perfect balance of convenience, comfort, and kid-friendly fun without breaking the bank.
Special Discount Offer
If you are reading this far, I hope I have convinced you to book your next Disneyland family vacation at the HoJo. You can take advantage of these special discount codes:
All you have to do is go to this link and use the appropriate codes below:
- 15% off for everyone: Corp code 1000022077
- 20% off for Disneyland Magic Key holders: Corp code 1000025935
Have you stayed at the HoJo Anaheim? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments below!
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