Trees, be gone!

[twindaddy]

Hi Lorealle and co,
I very much look forward to seeing the Hojo in a week and a half.

In my research, scouring the net, I have found pretty much only one thing that concerns me. BTW, We have booked Disney View, Floor 3-7, requesting high floor.

I have seen some complaints on trip advisor and mouseplanet about paying the extra $$$ for the Disney View, and getting a delighful view of...redwood trees.

I am sure the trees are great at keeping the rooms cool from the afternoon sun, but they would seem to be an issue with the view rooms. Other sources around these boards have heard the trees will soon be coming down.

Can we have a tree update? And why not just cut the things down? I realize they HUGE, and cutting them down would cost a few bucks, but selling a view room then covering it with a tree seem a bit shady (pun!).

Thanks Lorealle! I will see if I can find you during my stay to say hi.

Charles

[SaskMouse]

I, for one, hope that common sense prevails and NO trees are cut down. The trees are beautiful and I really enjoyed looking at the park thru their beauty. FYI we stayed in 1711. Awesome room. Awesome view WITH the trees.

[WestWind]

I have stayed in the Disney view rooms several times and I think the trees add to the view, not block it. The trees were pruned years ago to remove many branches. The trees are close to the building and looking out at the view, especially from the balcony, can feel like you are in the tree. When you take photos of the view, use a part of the tree to add something to the foreground of the photo to give it depth or partly frame the view. Wait 'til you get a sunset photo with a branch of the tree along the bottom as a silhouette.

They are beautiful trees and I agree with SaskMouse, the trees do not block the view and should stay where they are, as they are.

[WestWind]

Something like this ...

[WestWind]

Update:
I must update my previous post which was based on my last stay at HoJos about 18 months ago. I am currently at HoJos in a Disney View room and those trees have really grown and filled in since their last pruning! They are beautiful trees but I must now agree that they are blocking the view. A thorough pruning is in order. I also notice that 4 of the trees (about half) are marked - perhaps for removal?? This may be for the best.

[HoJo Helper]

Hey Everybody!

Thank you so much for your patience! I just wanted to let you all know that this has been a topic of hot debate here at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Anaheim, but it looks like we've finally reached a compromise that I think everyone will be happy with!

We're planning on removing the trees that directly obscure the Disney Views, and leaving [but trimming back!] the trees the ones that don't. This will leave about four trees directly in front of the Tower Building. I'm very keen on this idea for a lot of reasons!

1. The trees were planted by our owner and his father when the property was first built almost 50 years ago, and we are all pretty sentimental about them. It's really nice to know that at least a few of them will remain and continue to grow alongside the hotel as they have since the beginning!
2. The 'offending trees' will be removed and those that pay for a great Premium Disney View Room will be able to get that great view!
3. The architecture of the five original buildings and the Lobby are really beautiful! William Pereira was truly a master, and with fewer trees crowding the top of Building 1, that architecture will get a chance to be shown off and highlighted the way that he intended it should be.

Here is a picture of how we expect it to look once the trees have been removed:


The plan is to take the trees down after the Winter Holidays are over. There is not a set date yet, but as soon as I get one, I will let you guys know!

Thanks again for all of your patience and feedback! We couldn't do this without you!
Lorealle