With D23 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event gearing up to rock the Anaheim Convention Center this year, you’re going to want to start looking for a solid place to call home for the extended weekend. The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground (or HOJO Anaheim for short) should be a strong contender on your consideration list.
MouseInfo has been partnered with the HOJO Anaheim for many years and this is hosted content but there’s plenty of great things to say about this property.
The MouseInfo Discount
As part of our long-running partnership with the HOJO Anaheim, MouseInfo is happy to offer all readers up to 15% off of their room reservations using our exclusive reservation code (1000023840) at check out when booking direct! We DON’T get a share of this commission, this is just our exclusive code for you to save a little more cash (that you can spend while you’re at D23).
MORE INFO: Visit mouseinfo.com/hojo to secure your MouseInfo special rates
But WHY STAY at the HOJO Anaheim? Lot’s of reasons. Let’s dive into it…
About the Hotel
It’s easy for us to honestly and wholeheartedly recommend this place. If you’ve never been, the whole property just chirps with a retro mid-century vibe. Many of the super roomy accommodations feature upgraded amenities including microwave, fridge, iron, Keurig coffee maker, and even an adorable rubber ducky in the bathroom to add to the quirky charm.
The hotel also boasts a fantastic Castaway Cove waterplay area (with a hot tub) as well as a separate Garden Pool which both offer relaxing ways to unwind from the chaos of the day.
The Location
The location is also a worthy call out. It’s only an 8-minute walk to get to Disneyland (a little longer for slow walkers like us) and that’s about a third of the way to the Anaheim Convention Center. To put it in terms for our Disney peeps, the full walk to D23 would approximately be the distance from Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland to the Incredicoaster in Disney California Adventure (or about a mile in normal speak).
Along the way, you can stop for your morning boost at Panera Bread, McDonalds, Calaca Mamas, IHOP, Starbucks, and many other locations that you will pass on your way to (and from) the Anaheim Convention Center. There’s even a Walgreens for any last minute supplies including band-aids, pain meds, or shoe inserts.
To minimize your time on foot on your way into D23, you can opt to pay to park at the Anaheim Convention Center or take public transit — the 05 – Grand Plaza Line on ART will be your best bet. Of course, short of any surge pricing, the short distance also makes rideshare apps an appealing choice.
Cosplay Friendly
One of the most exciting parts of any convention are all the fans putting their dedication and talents on display with amazing costumes, cosplays, and Disney Bounds. If part of your time during D23 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is going to be dedicated to making sure the your ‘fit is right, you’ll find helpful accommodations in most rooms will help make getting ready easy.
The rooms are all pretty spacious — especially if you’re used to staying on property at the official Disney hotels — so this gives you plenty of room to spread out. Despite a lot of hotels of late removing desks and tables, you can still find these here and they are super helpful when you’re trying to layout your lightsabers, costume pieces, and wigs. Each room also comes equipped with hair dryers, ironing boards, and irons for any last minute adjustments.
Plus, once you’re dressed and ready, the property has a bunch of outdoor spaces — including a small grass lawn with this oversized beach chair and a fountain — which you can use to snap some pics before you even make it to the Convention Center.
The Clock is Ticking
With D23 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event taking place from August 9-11, 2024, there’s no time like the present to start getting your plans settled if you aim to visit during the blockbuster weekend. Fans from across the globe are expected to ascend on Orange County for their chance to see the latest offerings and announcements from the House of Mouse.
Hotels all around the area are sure to fill up quickly the closer we get to the event in August. That’s why, as we gear up for the melee of Disney fandom, we’re happy to be calling the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground our official D23 headquarters this summer. Let’s call it the MI D23 HQ at HOJOA — ok, maybe let’s a mouthful but for that weekend, we’re calling the HOJO Anaheim: HOME!
In full disclosure, MouseInfo is being provided a room for this visit at no charge.
See it for Yourself!
HOJO Anaheim is currently accepting reservations for stays during D23 — The Ultimate Disney Fan Event or for any time between now and then!
Don’t forget, you can save up to 15% when you use our exclusive MouseInfo Special Rate — use code 1000023840 at check out!
MORE INFO: Visit mouseinfo.com/hojo to secure your MouseInfo special rates
