Bummed out and I shouldn't be...

[tinksdreamwishes]

Hello everyone! Happy New year! My DH and I are celebrating our 7th ann next weekend, and I really want to go to Disneyland! We normally celebrate this in June/July and combine it with our birthdays. So this year-I know for a fact we will visit once Little Mermaid is open, but I also need a Disney fix now! So here is my bummed out part- we are pretty broke, BUT... I just came into an extra $700. now most people would save it our pay a bill or something..... but not me. Too me $700 is a quick fix Disney trip! Does anyone agree? LOL. I live about 5-6 hours away from DL. So driving is no big deal- this time we might just rent a car.
Now here was my idea and help me choose which one will make me the happiest! Ready?
Ok plan 1) Go to the park for just one day- next Sat- stay onsite, and get MM. We would drive all night Fri- check in Sat Morn, drop off luggage, go to MM and have Minnie Character breakfast at the Plaza at around 10 am. Jump on over to CA do that for awhile, then back over to DL, have lunch at New Orleans- I need my fix- share with DH Monte Cristo, Pommes Fritas Fries, and Mickey Beignets. ( I prolly just spelled that all wrong). Back to the hotel for nap time and refresh. Dinner at the mexican rest in DL- I think Its called Rancho Del something... but I know where it is! They have the best Veg Tostadas and pretty cheap too! Then off to Fireworks and rides till the park closes. Sleep in and check out and drive home next morn. I talked too "Jack" from Disney Reservations- (he is soo nice) and he was helping me with prices. I wanted to keep my hotel price down to under $200. I gave him my pin code and the best we could do- was $257 inc tax for PP with a theme view! And $243 for Disneyland Hotel with an Anaheim view but a new refurbished room. Soo ... gas would be around $200,tix for 2 adult 1 day hoppers- $201, and the hotel say $250= $650 and then the cost of food..... would be around $130. So this is duable... but damn thats alot for a Hotel last min, even though I get the MM and all the disney Magic!

Ok OPTION 2, When I think about paying that much for a 1 night stay my tummy gets instantly ill. Even though I know its a good deal. And it is our anniversary.... did I mention we are bringing our 2 year old son too? This will be his 6th visit and I know he will love it! ok so plan #2... I found my weekend dates avail at drum roll please.... HOJO's for the entertainment rate of a standard king for $59! I called and talked to Kimberly and now I am booked for both Fri and Sat night for next week for a grand total of $135! Which is really awesome! I mean really that price ... last minute.... for 2 nights is not even half the price compared to staying onsite for 1 night! Plus I get a microwave in my room! LOL. We have stayed here before, last July, and the room was great. However, there is still a big gap between Hojo's and the Grand! we also stayed at the Grand last summer and that was one of my best trips ever! Ok back to the story- so If I stay at Hojo's a part of my magic is gone from missing my MM and some extra Disney Onsite Magic. But thats ok right? Plus this way- I get to make up for it because I will be staying 2 nights and then I get (this is where crazy comes in) 2day park hoppers for the price of $322 for both me and DH. But...... if I pay an extra $20 I can get the special they have offering 3 days for I think its like $169 a tix. So $340 instead of $320. so now my new total would be- $200 gas, $135 hotel, and $340 tix = $675. (plus I would still get a MM)

Ok confused yet? hehe.... my point is- would it be better to stay onsite for a total of $650 for one night, one day.... or option 2- stay 2 nights at Hojo's and park hop for 3 days? This plan is $675. Well 2 and a half because we have to leave DL to drive home at around 4 pm. Plus I still have to buy an Entertainment Card ROFL. So what would make you guys happier? Plan 1 or plan 2? Just curious.... Thanks for helping!

 

[sonnyjane]

For me, it's without a doubt better to stay for longer at HOJO's than one whirlwind day on-site.

 

[pixiewings71]

Ok if you're set on going I would stay at the Hojo for sure!! I'd get 2 day hoppers, go on Friday and go into the parks both Sat & Sun. That's what I would do...actually I'd try to swing it to get into the parks Fri, Sat & Sun, then you'd have a 3 day hopper and you'd get a MM, thus negating the *need* to stay onsite. Take breakfast, take snacks, take water bottles. I can tell you that there were many times that we did quick trips a lot over the past couple of years.....and I can tell you that many times we paid around $500 for our whole trip.

 

[ironpig70]

Lived in Lodi so I know the drive.

I would do the Hojo with 3 day hoppers. There will be more magic this way. Yeah you are not in the hotel but how much time will you actually spend in your room?

 

[Lynzer Torte]

I say plan #2. The more time at Disneyland, the better!

Save the Grand for another, longer trip.

 

[jenniferrose]

I would also stay at Hojo and have longer there. Especially with a 2 year old. Your perfect plan for a one day whirlwind trip can quickly change with a 2 year old in tow.

 

[skiingfast]

I'd stay offsite. Get the three day so you get a little more than two days in the park.

If you stay onsite for a rushed one day. You make much use of the hotel you paid so much to stay at.

 

[pinner33]

I love the grand cali so much that last april we bought into the villas and have ten day coming in three weeks.But if i was in your position i would take the two days in the park over the one night in the grand californian.I don't know if i would enjoy the park as much with driving that far and going to the park right away don't get me wrong it will still be a blast but better with a little rest

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Wow so many replys already! Thatnk you! So I will stick with plan 2 and I just bought my first ever ent card- thanks again to the post regarding entertainment rates and dates" they had a cool link that took me right to ebay- so I got one on a buy now option. Cost- with shipping $1.98! Now I hope it comes in time! Mon is a holiday- and they estimated shipping to be for Thurs and Fri! Cross my fingers and hope it comes Thurs!!! Gosh now I am getting excited! I better go make my breakfast reservations!

 

[CrazyDuck]

I'd go with option #3, Save the money and use it towards staying onsite and longer in June/July!

 

[starshine514]

I'd go with option 2. I love the quick trips (well, we do Sea World quick trips - we have annual passes) and I think it sounds awesome. I hope your Ent book arrives in time!

 

[dalepool]

Not sure if this is part of the question but you did state you are like most people these days shorter on cash then usual.

Let me ask you a question or two. No answers needed to to be put on boards.

Do you owe family, a friend any money. With economy the way it is if I was owed money to people that were going to Disneyland I might feel hurt. This is of course unless you are making regular payments with interest back to anyone you owe money to.

If there are small bills you can pay that charge you interest figure out how much spending that 700 now REALLY costs you.

You stated you would rent a car for the drive that is a good idea when going long distance -- or is car actually might not make it both ways. That would then make that 700 pretty handy should your car need work and parts.

I hate to be a party poop.

I am on a fixed income and I still worry about finances.

One way to get your DL fix is -- plan for your trip later in they year. Let's hope the economy picks up and more people go back to work and that more don't lose jobs.

I would stay home. Plan for later trip, pay family or friend debt and some small bills, save a bit for rainy day.

Just MY opinion. No Flames please

Patty

 

[JadeDarkstar]

id deff go with hojos. I get money once a year from dads death an stuff. yep im short on money all year but for one week i get to have fun with my son an not worry. i do that at this rate once every three years now because this ecconmy. if i had 700 id deff go to hojo an be like wee go me an stuff so ya have fun its not long at all an 7years is long time happy Annv.

Yes i know fixed incomes suck an i cancled two years in a row because of it but this eyar im going.

 

[tzeitel]

I agree with CrazyDuck and Patty - save the money for a longer trip or pay some bills. You would be so much more relaxed if you went on vacation with one less bill to worry about. A last minute trip for just one or two days just feels so rushed, I rather go and take my time

 

[pixiewings71]

Wow so many replys already! Thatnk you! So I will stick with plan 2 and I just bought my first ever ent card- thanks again to the post regarding entertainment rates and dates" they had a cool link that took me right to ebay- so I got one on a buy now option. Cost- with shipping $1.98! Now I hope it comes in time! Mon is a holiday- and they estimated shipping to be for Thurs and Fri! Cross my fingers and hope it comes Thurs!!! Gosh now I am getting excited! I better go make my breakfast reservations!

Send the seller a message, let them know you need it for a trip and to please let you know when it ships out. Be polite, thank them profusely, they should reply and let you know when they've shipped it.

 

[nana50]

I'm for option 3. Save it and have a really fun time later on this year. Or use it to pay bills. I'm an old stick in the mud I know. I go to DL 3 or 4 times a year. I like staying at hotels when I drive up from San Diego, so I always wait until I can afford it. I hate one day quickie visits. I just did one with my daughter and 2 year old grandsons. So much time wasted driving, parking, taking shuttles, going back before traffic, no thanks. I'm waiting until Little Mermaid is open and I can spend a night or two.

 

[dalepool]

My final thought---


HAVE A GREAT TIME--NO WORRIES---SENDING YOU LOADS OF PIXIE DUST FOR A FUN VACATION. AND BEST OF ALLLLLL

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

PATTY

 

[smiley_face2]

No disrespect to anyone, but the OP asked about 2 options regarding where to stay and how long, not for a moral opinion on how to spend her money!

Tinksdreamwishes....one thing I noticed is that you have a king standard, and are bringing your 2 year old. I know that you can only have 2 people in the king room no matter how big or small they are. There are the standard double double rooms that can fit a crib as well, but of course if you are planning on having your child share your bed that's not an issue, except for the fact that there is not allowed to be 3 persons in the king room. You will have to make the choice to not mention your son being with you upon check in. I'm suprised that the person booking the room did not mention this, unless they did not know about the child coming? Anyway...... the entertainment rate is still showing for next weekend so on monday (they are not there on the weekend) you may want to contact Kimberly and have you change the room to the other one. Not trying to tell you what you should be doing, just mentioning it because if you didn't know and had difficulty at check in!
We have done a lot of trips too, and some have been as cheap as we can possibley make it and still go....others have been the deluxe stay on site type. I would sooner go on the cheap than not at all!! so I'm for option 2!!
Life is short (see my signature) the one thing I DO NOT regret, is any money we've ever spent on any Disneyland family vacation we ever did!!
Is gas really going to cost that much? we drive down from BC in Canada which is almost 2600 miles, and the gas for the return trip is only about $300. Seems to me you could shave a little off that?
Have you signed up for Mimi's email club? when you do they give you a coupon for one free breakfast when you buy one! it's such a good deal! you and hubby could each sign up and have 2 coupons to use on different days (can't use more than 1 coupon per table at a time) the meals there are so good and huge!! there would be plenty to share with your child, and you get their awesome banana bread to take with you for a snack (we can never eat everything when we eat there!) once on their email list you will get regular special deals from them for buy one get one free meals, free appis with meals etc.
Happy Anniversary in advance! We had to cancel our 30th anniversary trip this past Christmas due to getting my diagnosis 3 days before we were going to leave, but are now planning a giant whole family trip for the fall, all the kids and grand kids. Yes we could put the money away for their university education, but the memories they and we will have will make them and us happy for the rest of their and our lives, you just can't put a price on that!