Just got home yesterday from a 7 night stay at Howard Johnsons. We checked in on the 24th at 11am out on the 31st at 8:30am, entertainment rate of $74 a night. They had one room ready so we unloaded all of our stuff into it. We were in rooms 1709 and 1711 on the 7th floor, Disney views. We were offered another room that was ready on the 3rd floor but we wanted to stay together on the same floor, so decided to wait. My nephew and his family were in the suite on the 7th floor starting the next day.We decided to go to Downtown Disney. We had lunch at Rainforest which seems to be alot more expensive this year. One steak meal, two hamburger meals and two drinks in fancy glasses came to $94.00 for three of us. Walked around the Disneyland Hotel and back through Downtown Disney, bought candles at Illuminations (going out of business). Headed back to the hotel to check in the other room.
My sister went to get the keys to the new room and was given keys to the room we already had, did not know until she got back up to the 7th floor. We were so tired from the 8 hour drive and walk through Downtown Disney so I called the front desk and they apologized and brought her the right keys. I went in to see her room and when I went back to my room my keys had been deactivated during the switch, so instead of calling again my sister went down and got me new keys. I went back to my room and my remote for the TV did not work. So called the front desk again and they sent someone up and he couldn't figure out why it didn't work so he went and got a new one which did work, Later on the old one started working so I had two! Every one was very nice that we encountered or spoke to.
My sister's toilet would not flush so she had to have it fixed. My toilet would not stop running, I asked it to be fixed but it continued to run throughout our stay. Both rooms had low shower pressure. The water did stay nice and hot for a bath though.
The rooms we had are so spacious and I had a great view of the Matterhorn in room 1709. One thing I found strange which did not affect my stay was the shears were extremely wrinkled in my room, really wrinkled, no idea why.
I rarely used Housekeeping as I was alone in the room, except for sharing the shower with my nephew's family once in awhile. They missed some trash once in my room and in my sisters, but otherwise was fine, left plenty of towels, supplies, etc. I asked for a blanket and was brought one up right away.
I did not sleep as well this trip no idea why but everyone else did and loved the beds.
One night I freaked out because there was a cricket on my bed, my sister came and took care of it. I have a problem with bugs. She said they had some small centipede like bugs in their room, which I didn't care to hear about. All harmless, I just don't like bugs. This was on our last nights stay.
One night when returning from the parks we were so cold and the temperature would not go above 68 degrees. So that was a drawback as we have had issues with those rooms before and being cold and not being able to control the temperature. So now you can control it to a certain point, we did not complain or call so that is our own fault. I warmed up ok but my sister stayed cold that night. I think that was the only night we had a problem.
We really like the Howard Johnsons, had all nice staff, grounds are beautiful, view was great.
I think next time though we will go back to building two. Better water pressure and heater control. The rooms are just as nice and we really were not in our rooms enough to enjoy the balcony or view, no fireworks this trip.
The walk we took alot was walking the opposite side of the street, did really seem to cut our time a small bit. It was scarey walking past the bus stop at night on that side. The other side really has a lot more of the time share people out and they were annoying, first time we have encountered that. three or four of them at two different spots.
The walk wasn't too bad but long enough that I stayed in the parks instead of going back to the room for a break. My nephew and his family loved going back to swim, take breaks, but they are a bit younger..... The loved the play area.
Disneyland/DCA was fun, we did encounter a couple of rude/grouchy CM's at Disneyland and some great ones at DCA. Roz sang hapopy birthday to my nephew on his birthday on Monster's Ride.
Loved Toy Story Mania. Liked Nemo. Got soaked on Spash and Grizzley, even with a phoncho.
Got a vinylmation, Matterhorn guy, can't think of his name!
More crowded than we would have liked and when it wasn't they were only running rides partly so still lines. Weather was great, no rain, warm during the day and cool at nights. Mimi's was great! Millies so so...Jennifer and Lorealle were great in helping with our reservations!
So until another year....
Carrie