Update: Special Howard Johnson rates for MouseInfo readers

[jands]

I was so surprised and disappointed to not receive ANY discount! I made my reservations through HOJOs site and then used the mouseinfo form here to email the hotel. After I made the reservations, I found a little better price on another website but because I was so sure I would get a discount here that I didn't follow through with their "best rate guarantee" that you have to do within 24 hours with HOJOs site. It says "If you find a rate lower than Howardjohnson.com's best available rate that is viewable and bookable on another web site for the same hotel, same room type, same number of guests and for the same dates, in the same currency, and advise Howard Johnson within 24 hours after booking your room on Howardjohnson.com, Howard Johnson will honor the competing rate plus give you an additional 10% discount off that rate. " Granted the difference is not all that great but technically I could have gotten the additional 10% off too and we are staying for 5 nights so it does add up! I feel foolish and just wanted to mention this so that others do not make the same mistake. We usually use Travelax that someone here told me about and I wish I had just stuck with it! I was emailed back by Susan at HoJos saying that we would get an upgrade but no details about that so I did email her back asking more about the room at least hoping it will be nice like the home office so I'll post back if she responds. It is still 2 months away so there is time but still, I am not all that happy.

[Mortimer]

Did you wait for Hojo's response after you emailed the form back to them? They usually respond within 24 hours.

[stedim]

Hi stedmin,

Using the link or using Willie's e-mail will get you the same rate. We have the link instead of Willie's e-mail to hand out because of the high volume of requests our readers have, so either one will work for you.

Have a great day!

Thanks Michael. I will use the link and see what happens. This site has been great.

[jands]

Did you wait for Hojo's response after you emailed the form back to them? They usually respond within 24 hours.

I did and they responded promply within the 24 hours but by then it was too late to go back to HOJOs website to get the additional 10% off. Really, it was my own fault because I was so sure I'd get some discount using the mouseinfo form that I didn't pursue the other discount but I wanted to let others here know just in case they do the same thing! I never heard of anyone here not getting some discount, even if it was just $5, did you? Susan's email was pleasant enough and did promise an upgrade but I was shocked not to receive the discount.

[Mortimer]

We did receive a discount and were so happy with our stay in December, we are going back in May. Anyway, good luck with your trip!

[jands]

We did receive a discount and were so happy with our stay in December, we are going back in May. Anyway, good luck with your trip!

I wonder why most people got a discount and we didn't? Maybe because we are AAA members and that is all the discount they could give. What was your room like? I am glad to hear you liked it! We spend the whole time in the park anyway but when we get back to the room, it is nice to have some space since we have a 4 year old and a 9 year old. Since we are never in the room except for sleeping at night, we decided that it is not worth staying on property. We never really did use the pool or anything else except we did go once to the dancing waters show and the kids liked it. They are good little troopers though since I drag them there when it opens and we stay til it closes-lol! I just get a stroller when they get tired.

[CoasterNut]

I wonder why most people got a discount and we didn't? Maybe because we are AAA members and that is all the discount they could give. What was your room like? I am glad to hear you liked it! We spend the whole time in the park anyway but when we get back to the room, it is nice to have some space since we have a 4 year old and a 9 year old. Since we are never in the room except for sleeping at night, we decided that it is not worth staying on property. We never really did use the pool or anything else except we did go once to the dancing waters show and the kids liked it. They are good little troopers though since I drag them there when it opens and we stay til it closes-lol! I just get a stroller when they get tired.

If you're a AAA member and use the discount, don't expect to get a lower rate because the AAA discount rate is usually the lowest. When we stayed there, we used the AAA discount, did not get a discounted MI rate, but got a great room. It's worth it.

[jands]

If you're a AAA member and use the discount, don't expect to get a lower rate because the AAA discount rate is usually the lowest. When we stayed there, we used the AAA discount, did not get a discounted MI rate, but got a great room. It's worth it.

Thank you for your reply! I did just get another email from Matt at Hojos and he said he would match the other price and told me all about the room. It will be the home office room everyone here has raved about so I am very excited and happy. They certainly are nice people to deal with and they did respond within 24 hours each time I emailed them. The best part of all is we will be able to see the fireworks from the balcony and that is so great because both of my kids are afraid of the noise so we never get to watch them and are usually running away from dl or hiding in a shop or something. We've tried everything, even earplugs but nothing has worked so I think this will be a real treat! Who knows, if they can tolerate it this time maybe I can slowly work them up to fantasmic from the balcony with dessert! It is killing me not to be able to do that-lol.

[CoasterNut]

Thank you for your reply! I did just get another email from Matt at Hojos and he said he would match the other price and told me all about the room. It will be the home office room everyone here has raved about so I am very excited and happy. They certainly are nice people to deal with and they did respond within 24 hours each time I emailed them. The best part of all is we will be able to see the fireworks from the balcony and that is so great because both of my kids are afraid of the noise so we never get to watch them and are usually running away from dl or hiding in a shop or something. We've tried everything, even earplugs but nothing has worked so I think this will be a real treat! Who knows, if they can tolerate it this time maybe I can slowly work them up to fantasmic from the balcony with dessert! It is killing me not to be able to do that-lol.

Glad to hear everything worked out ok, have fun!

[TEACUPS FAN]

I booked a 3 night stay in mid July at the HOJO on Monday after reading the good reviews here and on the Tripadviser site. I sent the form (enquiring about possible discounts, upgrades as directed) off on Monday after I got a confimation no. and have heard nothing from them at all. I checked with the main booking people that it was a valid booking and re-sent the form on Thursday but still no word from the hotel itself. Anything more I should do?
TCF