1st timer with ?? for the DL experts--please help make my anniversary trip magical!!

[kadaten]

Well, DH and I have decided to spend our 10th anniversary at DL! We've been to WDW many, many times (former and future FL residents) but have never ventured to Walt's original park so planning this one is all new to me.

1--I was just cruising some of the hotel info pages on the Disney site and a few others and haven't seen any mention of discount codes. Do they do discount codes like WDW or are discounts there limited to AP holders? If there are codes, how good are the discounts usually? How about AP discounts? I couldn't seem to check room-only prices on the Disney site...can they be gotten? Anyone know of the least expensive way to go? We're having to do airfare for this one and we usually don't have to budget for that, so I'm looking to save whereever I can! Hoping for the Grand Californian if budgets allow....or maybe concierge if I can manage to save a little extra...here's hopin'!! (We usually do mods or SOG at WDW so that would make this trip REALLY special!!)

2--Our anniversary is the first week of August but we may delay a bit because we'll just have moved in June and will be getting the kids settled into new schools, etc., so it may be September or even October before we can go. Anyone suggest any of those three months over the others?

3--Any special events in August, September, or October that we should definitely try to see or try to avoid? We love the special events at WDW like the F&W festival, Christmas holidays, etc. so if anything special is running then I'd love to know!

4--Your favorite DisneyLand specific planning site? DH bought Birnbaum's DL book to start with but hasn't put it down yet so I'm doing online research while I wait my turn for the book

5--We're thinking at least 4 days for parks. Does that sound reasonable? At WDW, we rarely if ever stray from WDW property since we really love to be immersed in it. But if we end up having more days, would you suggest any of the local attractions or just more days in DL?

6--Anything we should look into to make our anniversary trip magical?

Thanks in advance for all your help! Guess I'll be a regular on this board now, too!! I can't wait to go!!

 

[iceskatejen]

1. Can't help with discount codes as I only day trip to DL.

2. I would wait at least until September or October--better (cooler) weather, smaller crowds. Haunted Mansion will probably be closed throughout September to get ready for the holiday version, so that might make you want to wait until October. In October (usually reopens in the early part of October) the Haunted Mansion Holiday starts running. It's absolutely adorable (and I love Dl's HM with it's regular decor). The only thing is then Small World is down so it can get ready for it's holiday version (which generally opens in early November--usually the first or second weekend).

3. Like I said--in October (through the Christmas season) Haunted Mansion Holiday is running and it's adorable and something I think shouldn't be missed. In early November all the Christmas stuff is up and whichever weekend It's a Small World Holiday opens up (usually in the early part), all the other Christmas stuff (parades/holiday fireworks shows) should be up and running also. DL at Christmas is pure magic.

4. Since I usually just day trip it, I generally just use the dinseyland.com site for park hours, show times, and to find out which rides are down for refurb. It's much better than the WDW site because it does give more complete schedules. Plus there's video of some of the rides (largely DCA rides) which might help you decide whether to ride or not (in the case of the thrill rides).

5. 4 days should let you see everything plus have a little down time. If you have more time, I'd suggest Knott's (it's pretty close to DL). If you are renting a car, a trip down to San Juan Capistrano might be fun and educational. There's the mission and a lot of fun shops around it, a train station (another way to get there--Anaheim has a train station next to Anaheim Stadium), and across the tracks are more shops and a little farm with a petting zoo and a little train.

6. How about dinner for 2 at a waterside table at the Blue Bayou? I can't think of anything more romantic (I'm sure the DL hotels have some sort of kids club type program to keep them occupied while you're eating). Also, the Vinyard room at DCA has a special dinner where wines are paired with each course and I think there's quite a few courses--this would be more expensive.

 

[kadaten]

Thanks for all the tips iceskatejen! Anyone else?

 

[Amberle3]

I'm going to try this again - last time I tried to reply I had a power outage!

Hotel discounts - I've never stayed onsite at DL and don't usually have clients who request it, but other than AP discounts I've never seen any significant discounts or codes. Remember that there are only 3 Disney-owned hotels there, and dozens of hotels that are literally right across the street. Many of those are Disney "good neighbour" hotels that they book people into on packages.

When - I recommend early/mid September. Weather is still very nice, crowds are smaller and the park hours are usually longer than later in the fall. DL also does refurbishments in the fall and those usually don't start until later in September.

Other things to do in the area:
- Queen Mary
- Catalina Island
- Universal
- Wine country! I'm sure there are companies that do day trips, otherwise PM me and I'll see if I can dig up the route we took a couple of years ago. We also went to a little town called Solvang, which was lovely and a great place to stop for lunch enroute.

Romantic things to do:
- Napa Rose at the Grand Californian
- Fantasmic dessert buffet
- the wine cellar underneath Hook's Pointe at the DL hotel
- sitting and enjoying a relaxing mint julep in New Orleans Square

I'm sure I had other things last time I tried to post this, if I remember more later I'll add them.

 

[Blackunicorn]

I've been doing research for our 15th anniversary next year, and not coming up with much. However, one thing I did come up with was that the GC has a kid's program available to all of the GC guests. It's also available to guest at the DL and PP hotels, but they can only call for availability on the day that they're interested in, not in advance like the GC guests. I believe it's called Pinocchio's Workshop.

 

[JIMINOCCHIO]

California has wineries all over the state. The closest to DLR with the most wineries to do tasting would be in Temecula. It's about 90 minutes or so away and is a fun and easy day trip from Disneyland. Well worth it if you enjoy good wine. Going to the Napa Valley in northern California you would need to allow at least 3 days for travel to an fro and touring the area.

 

[ohanafamily]

Hi [COLOR=CC0033]kadaten[/COLOR],

We went last year, and we called the 800#, and did our best deal... We then transferred it to Dis-Savers, and got the kick-back...

(800)225-2024 - DTA for Calif
We did the Resort Magic with the unlimitted Fast-Pass.
I think AAA has a good rate too, and so does Disney Visa...but I think you have to use the credit card.....
You might also qualify for Military Discounts.....
Call them and ask.....they will tell you...
I don't think they offer n entertainment rate, but that is another to ask for.....

We stayed in the Grand Californian from (concierge) 10/30 to 11/03 for $1700 (less the Dis-Savers)
We also had the best view of the park...We drank our fill of water.
We paid extra for the special fast-pass tickets...

Also, Balcony seating for fantasmic is a must.....

 

[ibouncetoo]

Hi [COLOR=CC0033]kadaten[/COLOR]!

...saw the message you left at HOME and popped right over!

You are getting some good hints already.....but you know what? I think we should just talk on the phone if that's OK with you. You can PM me your # and I'll call you on my dime....or if you are not comfortable with that I'll give you my number.

FOR SURE, do the Fantasmic dessert package if it's offered when you go.

FOR SURE, do your best to find a good rate at the Grand Californian. We stayed off site last weekend and decided next trip must be at the GC...we want the whole 'resort' feel, and it's sooooo convenient to run back to your room to change when you get DRENCHED at Grizzler River!

I'm home now and will be here all night.....I'll keep the computer up and check for PM's periodically.

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

I just did another post since we just got back from our Anniversary trip and now we are moving, LOL. We left the kids at home and had a wonderful anniversary.

We got an AP just for the hotel discounts. But AAA has an incredible deal for Sept -OCt with 4th night free at the disney hotels and a free chracter breakfast. Works out to abt 95.00 a nt at the Paradise Pier Hotel which we loved! And we mentioned our anniversary and got upgraded to an 11th floor theme park view!

We did Fantasmic balcony seating- very romantic and worth it. Book it exactly 30 days in advance at 8am pacific time.

Also had a waterside lunch at Blue Bayou- do it! book 60 days in advance 9am pacific time.

Our best memory though is something my husband didnt want to do- we volunteered for the parade. It was awesome! He tells everyone about it. We'll never forget this anniversary!

 

[kadaten]

So that's 3 votes for Fantasmic balcony seating with the dessert buffet, so that sounds like a must-do!!

Blue Bayou sounds like something we'd do, too.

Napa Rose--anyone eat there that doesn't do much fancy food? I like and will try most anything, but DH is more into "regular" type foods....if it's got funny sauces or unusual ingredients he probably won't try it. Would he be able to find something there to please his palate? Anyone know of a site posting the menus for DL restaurants?

DisneyDreamer2 That AAA special you mention....4th night free....is that for this year or next?

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

That special is for this fall. Just go to the AAA website and put in your travel dates. September had the best rates and free breakfast plus the special fastpass feature. Standard view at PPH rates were incredible- best rates I've ever seen w/o an AP.

 

[ibouncetoo]

DisneyDreamer2 isn't being in the parade wonderful? I've done it twice (the second time we deliberately sought out the 'cloud overalls' CM's because we had a 10 year old 'show biz' kid with us! What amazed me both times was the reluctant fathers who were dragged along and ended up having the best time (even though they were wearing tutus).

So, [COLOR=CC00CC]Kismetdreams[/COLOR], or anyone else who thinks the parade might be fun....look for cast members in light blue overalls with white clouds on them. They are the ones who recruit people to participate in the parades. Just check which direction your particular parade is going so you'll know where to look for them (at the starting end of the park).

The current AAA deals go through this Oct....with a slightly different package through Dec 23. For example, the Grand Californian Hotel, four days/three nights $1029, includes a fourth night free, 2 adult park hopper tickets for 5 days (a value of $368) and two free character breakfasts (that's ONE breakfast for TWO people....or....TWO for you and your hubby can sleep in ) This is the most expensive package, as it's the most expensive resort, but it can give you a guideline for planning purposes.