Backstage Magic/Disneyland post-night question

[jillinastoria]

Hello! We are booked for a trip in April 2025 and are so excited!

If I'm reading the description correctly, there's only a breakfast on day 6, but the Disneyland passes you get last through the end of that day. I'm curious if many people end up doing a post-night at the Grand Californian and flying back the morning after (the equivalent of day 7)? Or am I not reading/understanding this correctly?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sayhello]

Hello! We are booked for a trip in April 2025 and are so excited!

If I'm reading the description correctly, there's only a breakfast on day 6, but the Disneyland passes you get last through the end of that day. I'm curious if many people end up doing a post-night at the Grand Californian and flying back the morning after (the equivalent of day 7)? Or am I not reading/understanding this correctly?

Thanks in advance!

You're reading it correctly. I do think a lot of people do the additional night at the Grand Californian, so they can take advantage of the last day in the Parks (but that's just a guess on my part, based on things I've heard). It just depends on if you feel the extra money for an extra night at the Grand Californian is worth it or not. Depending on how many are in your party, the cost of the extra night could be way more than the value of the extra day of pass(es). As a solo traveler, I'm struggling with that one. I definitely don't want to change hotels or anything like that.

Which April trip are you doing? I'm on the April 20th trip.

Sayhello

 

[jillinastoria]

You're reading it correctly. I do think a lot of people do the additional night at the Grand Californian, so they can take advantage of the last day in the Parks (but that's just a guess on my part, based on things I've heard). It just depends on if you feel the extra money for an extra night at the Grand Californian is worth it or not. Depending on how many are in your party, the cost of the extra night could be way more than the value of the extra day of pass(es). As a solo traveler, I'm struggling with that one. I definitely don't want to change hotels or anything like that.

Which April trip are you doing? I'm on the April 20th trip.

Sayhello

We're on the April 13th trip (my son's spring break)--sorry to miss you, and only by a week!

There will be three of us, my son has never been to Disneyland, and we live on the east coast, so we want to squeeze in all the park days we can. But I'm guessing the extra night will be around $1,000, and that's a lot! But I believe one plus is that we'd get airport transportation on that Saturday if we do the post-night via AbD, does that also sound correct?

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm curious if many people end up doing a post-night at the Grand Californian and flying back the morning after (the equivalent of day 7)?

This is very common. If you can book your return flight for late in the day you can get a bit of park time in before your ride to the airport. If you would prefer a full day, then yes you can usually book a post-night at the Grand. Alternatively, consider booking a much cheaper hotel near the airport for that night.

 

[sayhello]

We're on the April 13th trip (my son's spring break)--sorry to miss you, and only by a week!

There will be three of us, my son has never been to Disneyland, and we live on the east coast, so we want to squeeze in all the park days we can. But I'm guessing the extra night will be around $1,000, and that's a lot! But I believe one plus is that we'd get airport transportation on that Saturday if we do the post-night via AbD, does that also sound correct?

Ah, sorry to miss you, too!

I haven't priced out the post-night yet (still haven't done this year's ABD yet!) but given that it's spring break, and the cost of booking the hotel directly, I would think $1000 is probably close.

But yes, if you book the post-night through ABD, you definitely do get the airport transportation on Saturday still included.

You might also want to check with ABD whether, if you booked the post-day at the Grand Californian yourself, would you still get the transportation? There's a possibility, since it's a Disney property, they might. You *might* be able to book it directly for less, but again, I just don't know for this trip. But it's worth asking! The website says it's not included, but sometimes it's a case of "it depends". I'm sure if any has experience with this, they'll chime in here.

Sayhello

 

[jillinastoria]

This is very common. If you can book your return flight for late in the day you can get a bit of park time in before your ride to the airport. If you would prefer a full day, then yes you can usually book a post-night at the Grand. Alternatively, consider booking a much cheaper hotel near the airport for that night.

Yes, that's a great idea ... booking right near LAX, since we'll probably fly out relatively early in the AM. Thank you as well!

 

[jimmymc]

You're correct. The ticket is good for the last day of the trip, but breakfast is the only scheduled activity. On my trip, about 2/3rds of the guests had a postnight booked to maximize their ticket. Some of them moved to the Disneyland hotel, but almost everyone stayed at Grand Cal. I remember the quoted price for postnights seemed very low for Friday night in Disneyland, but I'm not sure if they offer a special rate for AbD trips. I think it's worth asking about for the convenience.

 

[AquaDame]

It has been awhile since we were on this trip (2015, yikes where has the time gone?) but it was not rack rate; maybe convention? Still expensive, but less than had we booked on our own and so we ended up staying a couple extra days thinking we'd never afford it again. I'd reach out and ask for a quote!

 

[jillinastoria]

It has been awhile since we were on this trip (2015, yikes where has the time gone?) but it was not rack rate; maybe convention? Still expensive, but less than had we booked on our own and so we ended up staying a couple extra days thinking we'd never afford it again. I'd reach out and ask for a quote!

Thank you, that's very helpful!

 

[jimmymc]

Just checked, last year a Friday and Saturday night in August cost $620 each after tax. Not cheap, but lower than typical Grand Cal rates.

 

[jillinastoria]

Thanks again for everyone's advice and input! I ended up booking the post-night and it was only about $580, which seems GREAT for Easter weekend. So I'm really thrilled in the end!

 

[Mathmagicland]

Thanks again for everyone's advice and input! I ended up booking the post-night and it was only about $580, which seems GREAT for Easter weekend. So I'm really thrilled in the end!

Thst is an excellent price there for a holiday weekend!

 

[Eeyore's the Best]

We booked 4 post nights at the GC through ABD, the rate is cheaper than is advertised and you still get transportation. This is for November 2024.

 

[jimmymc]

Thanks again for everyone's advice and input! I ended up booking the post-night and it was only about $580, which seems GREAT for Easter weekend. So I'm really thrilled in the end!

I would've done the same thing. Have fun!

 

[floribr1]

Which April trip are you doing? I'm on the April 20th trip.

Sayhello

So you're finally doing this ABD?? I think I remember you saying that this was one you had never done (despite having done many others), probably because you lived too close to Disneyland. lol

I think you are really going to enjoy it. My husband is originally from Southern CA, lived for a time in LA and even worked at Disneyland as a Dapper Dan before moving to NY, where we met. Before we left for this trip (in May 2023), he was kind of "ho-hum" about the idea of the Hollywood portion, but in the end LOVED it! The whole thing is just brilliant, Disney storytelling.

Have fun!

 

[sayhello]

So you're finally doing this ABD?? I think I remember you saying that this was one you had never done (despite having done many others), probably because you lived too close to Disneyland. lol

I think you are really going to enjoy it. My husband is originally from Southern CA, lived for a time in LA and even worked at Disneyland as a Dapper Dan before moving to NY, where we met. Before we left for this trip (in May 2023), he was kind of "ho-hum" about the idea of the Hollywood portion, but in the end LOVED it! The whole thing is just brilliant, Disney storytelling.

Have fun!

I grew up in Southern CA, and still have family there, so had a hard time justifying going there just for the ABD. But I've visited my family there *multiple* times over the last couple of years (including next month) so I don't *have* to visit them this time. And honestly, it just wasn't high on the priority list.

But the main reason I finally pulled the trigger is because @Grifdog22 and his DW, who I was *supposed* to travel with in May of 2020 (yep, we all know what happened) are doing this ABD in April. It just felt like the right time!

Sayhello

 

[peppers]

Thanks again for everyone's advice and input! I ended up booking the post-night and it was only about $580, which seems GREAT for Easter weekend. So I'm really thrilled in the end!

Wow! That is a great price; my dad and I just did the trip earlier this month, and we were told it would be $750 for another night at the Grand Californian. We ended up changing hotels and went to stay at the Candy Cane Inn. It's possible the prices were so high due to D23 happening around the same time. Hope you and your family have a WONDERFUL time!

 

[jillinastoria]

Wow! That is a great price; my dad and I just did the trip earlier this month, and we were told it would be $750 for another night at the Grand Californian. We ended up changing hotels and went to stay at the Candy Cane Inn. It's possible the prices were so high due to D23 happening around the same time. Hope you and your family have a WONDERFUL time!

Thank you!!