Booked through Costco for early December!

[MrsPinup]

Happy Dance over here! So fill me on on the info I should know I am a Disney vet, but this is our first time at this hotel and booking through Costco. My family of 5 (2 adults, 2 kids, 1 baby) will be going.

We are staying at the BW Anaheim Inn (across the street). How is the hotel? What are the breakfast buffet options?

What gets you the best value for the meal vouchers?

Did anyone use the ESPN credit? What is it good on?

 

[aroseinwintr]

I book our trips through Costco every year....
We are not much into the Character meals as it is just us grown ups.
Last year we used our vouchers for the Blue Bayou and loved it so much we are doing it again next Thursday!!!! The food is great and where else can you eat a meal in a Disney ride!

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

Just wanted to share a thread that is all about that time of year.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3215593

The Espn credit is good on games upstairs as far as I remember.

I have gone through Costco before and had no issues. I use them a lot currently for the car rentals.

 

[MrsPinup]

Thanks We have been a few times around Christmas - it is so magical there! I am really hoping for some cool weather!

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

Thanks We have been a few times around Christmas - it is so magical there! I am really hoping for some cool weather!

Yeah I am hopping for cooler weather also. Although I think I am in the minority that is also hoping for rain as well. I love that the rain clears the park out as well as the fact that California really needs it.

 

[WTFetus]

Sorry for hijacking. Thinking about cancelling my Marriot reservation and booking through Costco as well, but I'm asking for opinions.

I'll be there for 3 nights, 2 days in the park no hopper.

As I understand it, through Costco, I'll also get $43 credit for Character Dining per person, $10 ESPN credit per room, and 1 free ride photo, right?

Those sound good, but I'm still thinking about it because I'm not really saving much.

Through Costco: total cost for a 2 person room would be $1,043.06 (pre-tax?)
Through my individual planning: $619.83 after tax for our stay, plus another $360ish for tickets?
Do I really get all those extras from Costco, and is the Character Dining worth it? 2 adults by the way.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Sorry for hijacking. Thinking about cancelling my Marriot reservation and booking through Costco as well, but I'm asking for opinions.

I'll be there for 3 nights, 2 days in the park no hopper.

As I understand it, through Costco, I'll also get $43 credit for Character Dining per person, $10 ESPN credit per room, and 1 free ride photo, right?

Those sound good, but I'm still thinking about it because I'm not really saving much.

Through Costco: total cost for a 2 person room would be $1,043.06 (pre-tax?)
Through my individual planning: $619.83 after tax for our stay, plus another $360ish for tickets?
Do I really get all those extras from Costco, and is the Character Dining worth it? 2 adults by the way.

It seems like this would be about $63 more to do the package, so if you do the math on the extras, even with just the dining vouchers, you should be ahead. Remember that you can also use the dining vouchers at face value at other restaurants. So I think it's worth it.

 

[WTFetus]

It seems like this would be about $63 more to do the package, so if you do the math on the extras, even with just the dining vouchers, you should be ahead. Remember that you can also use the dining vouchers at face value at other restaurants. So I think it's worth it.

Thanks. Leaning towards that as well; plus the free ride photo is cool since those are pretty pricey.

For the dining voucher, does that mean I can kinda use it as a gift card for like counter service restaurants or other places in DTD?
I thought it was just an up to $43 meal per person at specific places (Goofy's Kitchen, Ariel's Grotto, Minnie & Friends, Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends, or Chip 'n Dale Critter).

Sorry about being a Costco newbie! I usually just book separately at the Marriot and buy tickets at that shop in front of the Ramada.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Thanks. Leaning towards that as well; plus the free ride photo is cool since those are pretty pricey.

For the dining voucher, does that mean I can kinda use it as a gift card for like counter service restaurants or other places in DTD?
I thought it was just an up to $43 meal per person at specific places (Goofy's Kitchen, Ariel's Grotto, Minnie & Friends, Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends, or Chip 'n Dale Critter).

Sorry about being a Costco newbie! I usually just book separately at the Marriot and buy tickets at that shop in front of the Ramada.

No worries! You do have to use a single voucher at one place (i.e., they won't give you "change"), but you could easily rack up at least a $43 bill at some restaurants between the two of you - Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, BB, etc! We used our vouchers this way as our kids were no longer into the character meal thing.

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

On one of my past trips, I booked a trip for 4 through Costco. We decided to use one voucher each day on one meal. Since the counter service places are about $10 per meal (x4 = $40 total), it worked out perfectly and we had one "free" meal each day.

 

[WTFetus]

No worries! You do have to use a single voucher at one place (i.e., they won't give you "change"), but you could easily rack up at least a $43 bill at some restaurants between the two of you - Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, BB, etc! We used our vouchers this way as our kids were no longer into the character meal thing.

Awesome. Any recommendations on a table service restaurant in DCA?
I'd definitely use it on BB, but I'm only in DL for one day and rather not have to wait for food. DCA was never a full day park for us though anyway.

On one of my past trips, I booked a trip for 4 through Costco. We decided to use one voucher each day on one meal. Since the counter service places are about $10 per meal (x4 = $40 total), it worked out perfectly and we had one "free" meal each day.

Oh man, that's a great idea too. We'll have 4 adults total, booking separately as a pair. That's like a free lunch and dinner both days for counter service!

 

[NewbieMouse]

Awesome. Any recommendations on a table service restaurant in DCA?
I'd definitely use it on BB, but I'm only in DL for one day and rather not have to wait for food. DCA was never a full day park for us though anyway.

I've only done Ariel's, and the food was good but the princesses might get up your nose a bit My favourite in DCA is the broccoli cheddar soup at Pacific Wharf - that may be $43 for the four of you. I'm sure the food thread has some great ideas! I just love Carnation Cafe's baked potato soup and those fries at Cafe Orleans, so those are my 'go to' recommendations for table service. But you could even do Steakhouse 55 in DTD...

 

[MrsPinup]

Yeah I am hopping for cooler weather also. Although I think I am in the minority that is also hoping for rain as well. I love that the rain clears the park out as well as the fact that California really needs it.

I love rain in the parks too!

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

Awesome. Any recommendations on a table service restaurant in DCA?

Wine Country Trattoria