$381 per night at Disneyland Hotel, REALLY???

[krash2501]

Arriving on 12/2/2011 for 3 nights; 2 Adults and 2 Children
$1,145.00
Room Type:Standard View Room
Package: None
Tickets:None
Add Park Tickets

Can a standard view room really cost $381 per night??? That seems outrages to me. And PPH is not that much cheaper. I stayed at PPH in September ’09 and didn’t pay near that amount. If DLH is charging almost $400 per night what is GCH charging these days?

I will have a DAP in Dec but won’t be getting that until our Sept. trip. Can some one look up what the AP rates will be for the dates I listed?

Thanks

 

[sonnyjane]

December AP rates aren't listed yet. Those rates are usually available about 3 months out.

 

[DisMike]

Arriving on 12/2/2011 for 3 nights; 2 Adults and 2 Children
$1,145.00
Room Type:Standard View Room
Package: None
Tickets:None
Add Park Tickets

Can a standard view room really cost $381 per night??? That seems outrages to me. And PPH is not that much cheaper. I stayed at PPH in September ’09 and didn’t pay near that amount. If DLH is charging almost $400 per night what is GCH charging these days?

Thanks

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Disney! They charge that much because they can. You would too.

I love Disney but frankly the cost of everything just irks me sometimes. However, you can't blame them for wanting to maximize profits. It also keeps attendance down enough so that there isn't a 3 hour wait for everything.

I'd love to take the family on a Disney cruise for example but with the airfare, cost of the cruise, etc. it would run around $5,000 and that's if we only took the two young kids.

P.S. I know that Disney has a kids sail free for Mexico in November and December. Don't want to go there.

 

[MinnieMama09]

We went close to that time frame last year, booked room-only early and then waited for a special--I think it was 25 or 30% off (around $200 if I remember correctly for DLH). They will probably have a special coming out later for that time frame (at least they did last year before Christmas break starts).

 

[disneydreamer74]

Yes, I am sure there will be a special for early December. I wish DLR would offer rooms for the same rates that WDW does. ( The moderates and value resorts that is )

 

[helenb]

P.S. I know that Disney has a kids sail free for Mexico in November and December. Don't want to go there.

Pssst... the best part about a Disney cruise is not getting off the boat while in port! Let everyone else get off the ship and you can enjoy the fabulous facilities all by yourself! Seriously, if you get an awesome price on a Disney cruise, snap it up! Even if you never get off the ship you'll have a great time!

To the OP, Disney usually runs seasonal specials, and it's reasonably likely there would be something for early December. My advice is to book the room now at full price (they'll charge a deposit, but it's fully refundable) and then wait for a discount package to be released. You may have to wait until Fall for this.

Also, it's not much, but if you're a member of AAA you can get a AAA room only discount, which will help out a little.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Disney! They charge that much because they can. You would too.

I love Disney but frankly the cost of everything just irks me sometimes. However, you can't blame them for wanting to maximize profits. It also keeps attendance down enough so that there isn't a 3 hour wait for everything.

I'd love to take the family on a Disney cruise for example but with the airfare, cost of the cruise, etc. it would run around $5,000 and that's if we only took the two young kids.

P.S. I know that Disney has a kids sail free for Mexico in November and December. Don't want to go there.

I am not sure it keeps attendance down or it doed not seem that way when I am there also DLR is doing fairly well with their earnings. Everytime we visit we are told the GCH is sold out so i wonder what the other resort holtels are doing.

Jack

 

[KCmike]

The weird thing about Disneyland is its better to book closer to your vacation than it is further out. Usually its the opposite way with everything else but we found it to be this way. DL usually doesn't show their discounts till a month or two from the date you want to go. Strange.

Typically a discounted room for DLH is in the neighborhood of $220.

 

[nunzia]

three words..
Disney.......Vacation.....Club

 

[Sherry E]

Yes, all 3 of the DLR hotels are expensive but I'm sure there will be some sorts of discounts - either by PIN code offer or by AP rate - which will come out much closer to the time. There may be a PIN offer that comes out at the end of Summer. DLR may put up some sort of discount on its main website. And there may be AP rates.

The 'good' AP hotel rates did not come out 3 months in advance of December last year...nor did they come out 2 months in advance...nor even one month in advance! I had a December reservation and I checked the AP hotel calendar regularly. In fact, IF they released any good AP rates for December at all last year, it was not until after mid-November, which is around when I gave up and stopped checking the calendar daily. (And in 2009, the October AP rates were not released until about mid-September!) The PIN code offer that I got last year for the PPH ended up actually being a little bit cheaper than the last AP rate I had used to stay onsite a couple of years prior.

The great AP rates like AP9 or AP8, etc., used to be released at about the 3-months out point for all months, but that has begun to change in some cases. In my opinion, I suspect DLR is holding out as long as possible to let the general public book the regular rack rates for incredibly popular times like the holiday season (and even Halloween Time), so they no longer put out good rates for AP holders that far in advance. They probably figure that the AP holders can get a 10% discount on hotels year-round, so there's not as much of a need to release the good rates way in advance - and hold a certain block of rooms for AP holders only - when certain seasons have gotten tremendously busy and they can make more money on the rack rates.

DLR probably figures: Halloween season, more popular, more people willing to visit the parks at this time. Christmas season, more popular, even more people willing to make holiday visits to DLR. More popular = more opportunities for guests to book rooms at the regular prices...which probably then translates to fewer rooms available for AP holders (especially way in advance) at the really great rates. And as long as AP holders get 10% off the hotels year-round, DLR can say it is fulfilling that part of the AP perks.

 

[lovebug33]

That is why I liked WDW better. We have never been able to afford the Disneyland hotels (and, living so close, DH makes us bring our trailer). We got the Pop Century for 100 bucks a night over Spring Break this year. It was so cool to stay on property. We leave tomorrow and get to stay in a hotel because it's a quick trip and we are paying 100 bucks a night at the Ramada. However, DL is a whole different animal and they can charge whatever they want when they only have three hotels!

 

[oumagic]

Can someone explain "PIN codes" to me? I have seen it mentioned a few times in various threads. Do you get put on a mailing list by being an AP holder? I recently asked for a planning DVD and maybe there will be a code there or something?

 

[OrcaPotter]

With the new pool and stuff at the DLH, I wouldn't be surprised if any discounts during high seasons will be non-existent. People are willing to pay for new and cool (i.e. DCL's new ships) and Disney will bank on that. I was hoping at least the Paradise Pier would offer a bone this summer for my first trip, but alas, no. Even at 25% off, I just can't afford over $200 a night.

 

[Sherry E]

Can someone explain "PIN codes" to me? I have seen it mentioned a few times in various threads. Do you get put on a mailing list by being an AP holder? I recently asked for a planning DVD and maybe there will be a code there or something?

oumagic - That's the basic idea, but it's kind of a mystery as to how the PIN recipients end up on the database that dispatches such offers. PIN codes usually offer anywhere from a 25% discount to a 35% discount. Sometimes for the GCH it may be 40% off.

PIN codes are sent out randomly to people - sometimes there is a mass mailing of them and you will see a bunch of DIS-folk talking about receiving these PIN offers at the same time. I think Disney pulls names and addresses from various mailing lists in the Disney family.

Sometimes - as was the case with me on my PPH stay this past December - I received a PIN which was not sent out to a lot of people. In fact, it seemed to only go out to people who had been on the DLR website and plugged in their dates and rates, ultimately "saving" those offers in the "Saved Offers" section of the My Disneyland account.

When DLR saw that we were not booking anything at the rates we saved in their system, they sent out PIN codes with better rates. And each PIN code is attached to the person's name/address to which it is sent, so DLR can check their database and look up your name for any offers you have received. The PIN code I got by doing the "Saved Offers" trick for the PPH was $163 per night - better than the $179 or whatever it was that I paid with an AP rate in the past. It was a 35% discount.

Even though there is no clear answer on what we have to do to receive PIN offers, what I always tell people is that Disney has to know about us in order to send us any offers. Many people say, "Well, I signed up with X, Y and Z and didn't get anything." And that's true - you may sign up with various Disney sites and not receive one single offer. Or you may not get one for years. Or you may end up getting 5 offers in the course of a year. You just never know.

But if Disney were to ever send a PIN offer, they would have to know you exist!

So....sign up with any and every Disney mailing list that you can think of. Ordering the DVD was a good start. Getting in the AP holders system is a good idea too. Get in the database for the Cruise Line, for WDW, for the Walt Disney Travel Company, for DLR, for Disney Family, for the Disney Store, for ABC or any local ABC affiliate, for ESPN and anything else under the Disney umbrella (or the "FOS" - the family of sites/services). Just sign up with any and all Disney-family websites, send e-mails to Disney Destinations/Guest Communications, request DVD's or brochures, enter contests, ask for info to be mailed, go onto the DLR site and plug in rates & dates and save them in the Saved Offers, etc.

 

[Magalex]

The prices for DLH make me sad. We are WDW vets but we are planning our first trip to DL in July 2012. All the new renovation photos of DLH keep drawing me in but I think it will be out of our price range. Then I think we should just go for it. Our DS will be 11 next year so I think SoCAL will be an one & only trip to to the West Coast for us. I was looking at the Candy Cane Inn & I know the small motel gets great reviews.

 

[rbbs]

$103.20 per night at HoJo's Total for 5 nights = $603.72.....deflation in my case as in 2009 we paid $630.72 for 5 nights Just a place to sleep and by the end of the day that is all we are going to want to do

 

[helenb]

That is why I liked WDW better. We have never been able to afford the Disneyland hotels (and, living so close, DH makes us bring our trailer). We got the Pop Century for 100 bucks a night over Spring Break this year. It was so cool to stay on property. We leave tomorrow and get to stay in a hotel because it's a quick trip and we are paying 100 bucks a night at the Ramada. However, DL is a whole different animal and they can charge whatever they want when they only have three hotels!

but keep in mind that at WDW, at any of the value or moderate resorts, you need a car. You have to take time in the morning to get to the parks. In a few of the deluxe resorts you can walk to a theme park (or get on a quick boat ride) but you still need to commute to the other parks.

DL only has 3 hotels, but they are all within walking distances of the 2 parks that WDW people can only dream about. I've stayed at the Contemporary at WDW (the only resort where you can walk to MK) and the Yacht Club at WDW (were you can walk to the 'back door' of Epcot) and in both cases it was more difficult to get to the parks (ANY of the parks) than it is at DL.

 

[Sherry E]

oumagic - That's the basic idea, but it's kind of a mystery as to how the PIN recipients end up on the database that dispatches such offers. PIN codes usually offer anywhere from a 25% discount to a 35% discount. Sometimes for the GCH it may be 40% off.

PIN codes are sent out randomly to people - sometimes there is a mass mailing of them and you will see a bunch of DIS-folk talking about receiving these PIN offers at the same time. I think Disney pulls names and addresses from various mailing lists in the Disney family.

Sometimes - as was the case with me on my PPH stay this past December - I received a PIN which was not sent out to a lot of people. In fact, it seemed to only go out to people who had been on the DLR website and plugged in their dates and rates, ultimately "saving" those offers in the "Saved Offers" section of the My Disneyland account.

When DLR saw that we were not booking anything at the rates we saved in their system, they sent out PIN codes with better rates. And each PIN code is attached to the person's name/address to which it is sent, so DLR can check their database and look up your name for any offers you have received. The PIN code I got by doing the "Saved Offers" trick for the PPH was $163 per night - better than the $179 or whatever it was that I paid with an AP rate in the past. It was a 35% discount.

Even though there is no clear answer on what we have to do to receive PIN offers, what I always tell people is that Disney has to know about us in order to send us any offers. Many people say, "Well, I signed up with X, Y and Z and didn't get anything." And that's true - you may sign up with various Disney sites and not receive one single offer. Or you may not get one for years. Or you may end up getting 5 offers in the course of a year. You just never know.

But if Disney were to ever send a PIN offer, they would have to know you exist!

So....sign up with any and every Disney mailing list that you can think of. Ordering the DVD was a good start. Getting in the AP holders system is a good idea too. Get in the database for the Cruise Line, for WDW, for the Walt Disney Travel Company, for DLR, for Disney Family, for the Disney Store, for ABC or any local ABC affiliate, for ESPN and anything else under the Disney umbrella (or the "FOS" - the family of sites/services). Just sign up with any and all Disney-family websites, send e-mails to Disney Destinations/Guest Communications, request DVD's or brochures, enter contests, ask for info to be mailed, go onto the DLR site and plug in rates & dates and save them in the Saved Offers, etc.

Something I forgot to mention above^^ about the PIN codes is that if you have stayed onsite once in the past, that seems to be a point in one's favor as well. DLR seems to keep their past guests' names handy for future offers - not everyone who has stayed onsite gets one, but that is yet another way to expand the possibilities.

Also, because the PIN codes are specifically for the designated recipient, if they send a PIN code to your address with another person's name on it, which happens from time to time, then unless that person is in your family and going to be with you at DLR, you won't be able to use it.

I've seen people say that they received PIN codes, when actually an offer was sent to their address, in care of the previous resident. The PIN codes have to be in your name, or at least addressed to someone you will be going to DLR with, who may live at your address.

For example, I have received PIN codes at my address, addressed to my friend...who does not live with me and never has. She was a guest in my GCH room (which was under my account) a few years back and Disney locked her name in their system, occasionally send offers to my house or my e-mail address in care of her. I CAN use those...as long as she is with me when I go. If she is not with me, then I cannot use the PIN because it's technically addressed to her.

 

[lovebug33]

but keep in mind that at WDW, at any of the value or moderate resorts, you need a car. You have to take time in the morning to get to the parks. In a few of the deluxe resorts you can walk to a theme park (or get on a quick boat ride) but you still need to commute to the other parks.

DL only has 3 hotels, but they are all within walking distances of the 2 parks that WDW people can only dream about. I've stayed at the Contemporary at WDW (the only resort where you can walk to MK) and the Yacht Club at WDW (were you can walk to the 'back door' of Epcot) and in both cases it was more difficult to get to the parks (ANY of the parks) than it is at DL.

You don't need a car. We were at the furthest from the parks, I think, and we took the buses. I do agree that it is easier to get around DL and CA, though!

 

[TeddiBarra]

To the OP:

You should really rethink dates. That weekend, is the Candle Light vigil weekend. The rates at all three hotels are at peak/premium pricing (for friday and saturday). so actually the rate for the first two nights of your dates are probably higher than $381. Unless you were wanting to the Candlelight... then I guess you are stuck with those dates ...

Now, there WILL be fall offers/promos that come out, but they won't be out til October (maybe end part of September). The dates for the fall offer should end on the 18th. However, Thanksgiving week will likely be excluded. Candlelight dates may also be excluded. I would think you could reasonably hope for 25% off their rates (go to expedia.com and plug in dates, they will have regular rates shown). It could be more- in 2009 we did their promo which had rates of $100 for Paradise Pier when you stayed at least 4 night. We had a rate of $125 for Disneyland hotel. I have not seen anything so comparable to that this year, and the rumors were that they were going to scale back from the 2008/2009 offers w/the economy picking up a bit. But there should be SOME kind of decent offer.

If you could do the next week- your rates will be cheaper off the bat, and would actually be the cheapest they have for weekend rates (sun- thurs are weekdays, fri/sat are weekends).