Best time to book onsite (first timers)

[ChipnDaleRule]

As my ticker shows we're way off booking, but this is our EPIC Disneyland/WDW trip of a life time (one week DL,two weeks WDW) and planning how many $$ we'll need is key. Im trying to get an idea of prices for GC and DL Hotels,so can anyone tell me when historically has been the best time book with room discounts ETC. I plan to track and note prices so i kind of know when to book come 2016.We've done WDW many times but i think DL is a whole different ball game!
We will be arriving early July

 

[Fireflyblue]

Typically Disney does not offer as many discounts as Disney world. If you are wanting to save money, but still stay on property at Disneyland then I would recommend the Disneyland Hotel or the Paradise Pier Hotel. The GC is around $379 a night and that is off season, so not summertime or holidays, spring break etc. DL is around $329 and Paradise Pier is around $259. I have personally stayed in the good neighbor hotels. They are off property, but most are within a mile walk to the property. I have found them to be around $110 a night or less. If you desire more help, then please personal message me. I am in the process of becoming an independent contractor to help people book and plan their vacations. I would love to help you. If this is a once in a lifetime vacation then I would save enough to stay in the Grand Californian. I personally have never stayed there, but it is a magnificent hotel and very nice. If I am visiting downtown disney I go to the Storytellers cafe and get their dinner buffet. It is well worth it. You can also personal message me if you have any other questions about Disneyland in general. I have been there many times and it is my favorite Disney Park.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Thanks for replying. Our main objective at the moment is pricing hotels and flights,so interesting to know that discounts don't really exist especially in summer time. It seems to be GC or DL hotel at the moment.Flying from the UK flights can cost as much as $7500 for 4 adults
I will definitely be picking everyones brains nearer the time about dining as we've been spoilt with free dining at WDW for 10 years

 

[Angrose]

I would also advise checking Orbitz on a regular basis, or signing up for their emails. They typically run 15% off hotel deals that include Disney hotels. It's worth signing up for their emails because occasionally they will run a special that's even more, like 20% off for a very limited time. Last year I was literally checking their site almost every day and out of the blue they sent me a 30% coupon. It was the only way we were able to stay at the DLH.

We really enjoyed our stay at DLH. I would definitely stay there over GCH in the summer time because their pools are really nice. They look more fun than GCH. Unfortunately we were not able to take advantage of them since we went in November and forgot to bring our swimsuits, but I will be there again in May and will definitely take some afternoon breaks to enjoy the pools!

I hear ya about the flights. My husband is from London and we go every summer to visit his family. There are 3 of us and the cost of those flights KILL us!

Good luck with your planning. Feel free to PM me as well if you have any other Disneyland questions!