Ahh, why is it so expensive

[kailuagirl]

Prices have been increasing each year, no doubt, and with the expansion of EMH they bumped the prices even more. I guess I'm most curious how the OP was able to get a comparable package last year for $1600. There were virtually no deals at all last year with the opening of Carsland.

It wasn't for last year that price, Sorry if it came off that way, it was for the first time.. One time we did have a pin, another there was a promo of 20% off or something, and the others were just the price. It's gone up a bit every year, and I totally get that, but this year is just crazy expensive. Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, and we love it there, just darn on site hotel prices

 

[kailuagirl]

We keep thinking about DVC, but would probably want to do the aulani since it's close to home. Thanks for the suggestion no such!

 

[Nonsuch]

We keep thinking about DVC, but would probably want to do the aulani since it's close to home.

You might still want to consider owning at VGC. This will allow you to plan your visits to California 11 months in advance. Aulani has many more villas, so the 7 month (non-owner) booking window will be less of an issue.

Be warned: Once you stay in a 1-bedroom villa, it will be very difficult to downsize to a studio or regular hotel room
Essentially owning a VGC has not saved me money, but I get a 1-bedroom villa for the price of a standard room

 

[DarthMole]

It wasn't for last year that price, Sorry if it came off that way, it was for the first time.. One time we did have a pin, another there was a promo of 20% off or something, and the others were just the price. It's gone up a bit every year, and I totally get that, but this year is just crazy expensive. Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, and we love it there, just darn on site hotel prices

Oh, ok. I should have realized that. I really think Carsland and more so the expansion of EMH to every day and to include both parks (new last year), has turned into a gold mine for the Disney hotels. Probably more than they ever imagined.

Our DLH stay in December will be the most I've ever spent on a room ever and that's after a very good discount. I hope this isn't one of those trips that spoils us to the point where we can't head back to Harbor, but even those prices are getting out of hand.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I really think Carsland and more so the expansion of EMH to every day and to include both parks (new last year), has turned into a gold mine for the Disney hotels. Probably more than they ever imagined.

A MiceChat article, earlier this month, had a similar comment:

...it is now quite obvious that not only did the DCA plan work, but, right out of the gate in 2012, it surpassed the most optimistic of projections for key analytics like annual attendance, per capita guest spending, and hotel room occupancy levels.

As a result, it seems big onsite hotel discounts have become part of YesterLand

 

[whoever]

Each trip we take to DLR costs an extra thousand bucks over the last. This last trip was between $3k and $4k for 3 nights at the GCH, 4 days of park hoppers for 2 adults and 2 children, parking, tips, food (we did eat at BB, CS, and C33), minor souvenirs, a few ride pics, and fuel.

The room rates are getting rediculous, and much like you, I remember low 200s/night just back in 2010. 2011 was more expensive, and 2013 was astronomical. I don't think we can afford the GCH anymore.

 

[Disney Dudette]

Next time, maybe you could plan for Dapper Day times (early Sept and Feb). That way you could take advantage of their rates (there is no event or conference you have to attend) and the rates are really good--$210/night for GCH. We used to always go in October but with the crowds and the prices we have changed our pattern. Dapper Day is just about dressing up, and most people choose a retro look, so it's fun if you do decide to participate!

Does it usually take place around the same time in February every year? Just curious for a rough idea of dates for 2014. Also, how are the crowds during Dapper Day times? Thanks for sharing!

 

[merrysmom]

In our early planning stages, I priced a package at GC. Now, bear in mind I have five kiddos (the baby still sleeps with me!) so I knew we would be looking at needing a suite. But I still almost fell off the chair when the price for 6 nights and 5 day PH tickets came in at $9,875!!! For a frame of reference, we purchased tickets and made reservations on Harbor for around $2,800.

Honestly, with 5 kids, there are SOOOOO many better places to put that extra $7,000. (Assuming we had the extra $7,000 in the first place!) But my kids are awesome, and staying in any hotel is a grand adventure for them, so we are quite happy with the arrangements we made.

(NOW... I am planning on a lovely on-site stay for just DH and I to cheer me up when the last of my sweet kiddos moves out to go to college!)

 

[whoever]

In our early planning stages, I priced a package at GC. Now, bear in mind I have five kiddos (the baby still sleeps with me!) so I knew we would be looking at needing a suite. But I still almost fell off the chair when the price for 6 nights and 5 day PH tickets came in at $9,875!!! For a frame of reference, we purchased tickets and made reservations on Harbor for around $2,800.

Honestly, with 5 kids, there are SOOOOO many better places to put that extra $7,000. (Assuming we had the extra $7,000 in the first place!) But my kids are awesome, and staying in any hotel is a grand adventure for them, so we are quite happy with the arrangements we made.

(NOW... I am planning on a lovely on-site stay for just DH and I to cheer me up when the last of my sweet kiddos moves out to go to college!)

That definitely makes buying a DVC seem attractive. Would pay for itself in short order needing that much.

 

[merrysmom]

That definitely makes buying a DVC seem attractive. Would pay for itself in short order needing that much.

Don't think I haven't had that in the back of my head for awhile! Ha, ha! Next time I find my husband in a really great mood, he may end up a DVC owner! I need to break him of his nasty habit of suggesting we vacation somewhere other than Disneyland first...

 

[luv2sleep]

I was going to mention VGC too. You can buy VGC points and stay at Aulani with them and vice versa. VGC only has less than 200 units so it's hard to get into unless you book at 11 months most of the time. Aulani though has about 700 units which would make a 7 month or later booking easier. Since you are local you can also go there for weekends in the off season. I'd say if you are planning on staying at the Grand Californian Hotel (GCH) yearly or every other year, buy Villas at the Grand Californian (VGC) points.

The other option is to stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel. They are very nice, close, and with the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) bus you can get everywhere easily. I am a So Cal local and have stayed in them many times. I've also stayed at the PPH which is really close because you walk straight through the GCH and into CA. We are about to stay at the GCH using our DVC points (reservations points so I am not in a VGC villa but I don't care!). I own Aulani points. That's a wonderful place too!

Btw, I envy you living in Hawaii. It's my favorite place in the world!

 

[Nonsuch]

...VGC only has less than 200 units so it's hard to get into unless you book at 11 months most of the time.

Way less than 200, there are only 71 villas
Even more reason that the OP might want to consider owning at VGC even though Aulani is close to home.

The small size of VGC and the increasingly expensive onsite hotel rates is driving up the resale prices. It's quite amazing to see resale listings at $130/point

 

[luv2sleep]

Way less than 200, there are only 71 villas
Even more reason that the OP might want to consider owning at VGC even though Aulani is close to home.

The small size of VGC and the increasingly expensive onsite hotel rates is driving up the resale prices. It's quite amazing to see resale listings at $130/point

Ah yes I knew it was a small number! I think I was thinking of VWL which has I think 170 or so.

 

[boscoj]

Hey Kailua Girl,
I would also strongly recommend u look into purchasing at VGC if u guys r going the DVC route. We own at BWV and have had no problems booking weekend stays at Aulani up to 3-4 months in advance except for the really busy holiday weekends. VGC on the other hand has been a challenge although we've lucked out when booking the fall break in October so far...

But since even that has been getting more difficult we recently added on more points at VGC.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Staying off property isn't that bad. I'm a WDW vet and always stay on Disney property there, so when I first planned my DL vacation I of course looked into staying onsite. But it was expensive then for me and that was in 2007, and the prices haven't gone down. We just went in June and stayed at the BW Anaheim Inn and it was almost right across the street from DL and we stayed there for 5 nights for basically $200 over the cost of one night at the Grand Californian. I didn't feel I missed out on the magic at all. Sometimes it comes down to the budget and if I want to go or not.

 

[Iceman93]

I didn't feel I missed out on the magic at all.

I'm really glad you had such a great vacation, but it's only natural you wouldn't feel like you missed out on the magic at all--you don't have anything to compare it to! Next time try staying on property and see if you feel the same way, then you will be able to make an apples-to-apples comparison and choice for future visits.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

I'm really glad you had such a great vacation, but it's only natural you wouldn't feel like you missed out on the magic at all--you don't have anything to compare it to! Next time try staying on property and see if you feel the same way, then you will be able to make an apples-to-apples comparison and choice for future visits.

I have never stayed at a Disney property either. We definitely don't feel like we are missing any of the magic. For us the magic is in the parks and the hotel is our place to sleep. I definitely don't need to spend an excessive amount of money on a room to feel the magic! Sometimes we don't have the money to stay at a Disney hotel and other times we would just prefer to spend that money on other Disney things!

 

[BlueBayou]

I don't feel like we are missing out on the magic when we don't stay on property. We are considering one this time around because my mobility challenged mother is coming along - but frankly the only thing that we have ever felt was really helpful while staying at a DL hotel was getting Halloween party tickets from Guest Services when it was listed as sold out online.

With the exception of GCH - it's not like WDW where you feel transported to another time/place. DLH and PPH are just nice hotels.

We loved GCH (got it for around $200 soon after 9-11), really liked PPH and were just okay with DLH. We are part of a rare breed that prefers PPH over DLH.

Other hotels we have stayed at HOJO (x2), Camelot (x2), Desert Inn and Suites (x2), BWPPI, Tropicana, CCI, and Clarion.

I think it is important for our kids to know that you can still have a great vacation without having to stay at the 'best' hotel.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

[QUOTE="BlueBayou]

I think it is important for our kids to know that you can still have a great vacation without having to stay at the 'best' hotel.[/QUOTE]

Agreed! Some of our best trips to Disney have been our more budget friendly trips. We try to teach our kids that 1.) Taking several Disney trips per year is an incredible gift that their dad works very hard for and that many kids never get a chance to go at all. 2.) You don't have to do the best or fanciest stuff to have the best time while there! They have never done BBB. We explain that extras like that or Disney hotels are great but unnecessary. And one trip with all of those things would mean one trip per year instead of four! They want to buy more souvenirs on our next trip so they are learning to save for them and they are beginning to appreciate how much all of this costs!

 

[MillauFr]

I don't feel like we are missing out on the magic when we don't stay on property.

We only view the hotel as a place to sleep. We usually stay at the CCI. We leave in the morning at 7:30a and come back about 11:00p. Not sure why I spend $400+ to stay at the Grand Californian when all I am going to do there is sleep. If we spent a big chunk of the day in the hotel I would feel differently.