Disney hotel discounts

[Bennettsmommy]

We are planning a trip to Disneyland the end of October. I want to stay in the Disneyland hotel so bad but can't afford it without a room discount. I know WDW offers 30 percent of rooms frequently. I've never paid attention if Disneyland does this because we have always stayed offsite. Is October a time they usually offer discounts? When are the discounts usually offered? Thanks!

 

[mcgraws]

haha we posted almost the same question at the same time. Here's hoping we get some answers!

 

[figment_jii]

I don't know if there is a site that tracks the historic release dates for DLR hotel discounts. I know there is one for WDW, but there doesn't appear to be a comparable site for the DLR hotels.

In general, my sense is that DLR offers fewer (and often less) discounts than WDW. They do offer things like AP, AAA, Disney Visa discounts so it's always worth asking to see if any of these are applicable during your stay. Also, the level of the discount can vary by day of the week (e.g., weekend discount is less than a weekday discount). My instinctive answer is that Fall discounts will be announced in late-summer.

 

[Bennettsmommy]

I hate waiting so long to book my trip, I'm afraid no rooms will be left by then!

 

[figment_jii]

I hate waiting so long to book my trip, I'm afraid no rooms will be left by then!

I understand wanting to stay on site, but unlike WDW, staying onsite is not as necessary at DLR. You could always book one of the good neighbor hotels near DLR and then wait to see if an on-site hotel discount comes out. At least that way, you have a room (perhaps not at your most ideal hotel) no matter what happens.

When I go to WDW, I always stay on site, but when I go to DLR, I stay at one the nearby motels because most motels on Harbor between Katella and Ball Roads are all within walking distance of DLR's entrance.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

I hate waiting so long to book my trip, I'm afraid no rooms will be left by then!

You actually do not have to wait to book!

Go ahead and book now, and then watch the rates consistently, to see if/when discounts are released.

At that time, simply call and have your rate adjusted to the cheaper rate---for room only, you can change up until five days before arrival, with NO penalty!

We book the on property hotels many months ahead all.the.time., and have been able to change to the lower rates(when offered) with absolutely no problem, whatsoever!

 

[Bennettsmommy]

Thank you for the info! Does anyone know if you stay on site if you can use any of the pools at the other disney hotels? Staying at paradise pier would save us a ton! I really want to go to the pool at the disneyland hotel though.

 

[figment_jii]

Thank you for the info! Does anyone know if you stay on site if you can use any of the pools at the other disney hotels? Staying at paradise pier would save us a ton! I really want to go to the pool at the disneyland hotel though.

According to this thread from earlier in the month, pool hopping is generally not allowed.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3272104

 

[Nonsuch]

...I want to stay in the Disneyland hotel so bad but can't afford it without a room discount...

Disney officially supports some "unofficial" events with excellent onsite hotel rates, essentially giving public access to convention rates
Gay Days is always the first weekend of October.
Dapper Day is generally February and September.

 

[figment_jii]

I thought about the Gay Day rates, but they're meeting at the start of October and the OP said they're going at the end of October. I couldn't think of any conventions/events happening at the end of October.

 

[SMD]

Disney officially supports some "unofficial" events with excellent onsite hotel rates, essentially giving public access to convention rates

Due to non-attendees abusing this loophole, Gay Days now requires you to register through their site to get the hotel rate.

 

[DarthMole]

Due to non-attendees abusing this loophole, Gay Days now requires you to register through their site to get the hotel rate.

Abusing a loophole? Gay Days organizers were openly inviting all to attend and claimed Disney was fully aware of their intent to make the discounts open to all. It was not setup as a formal convention so there was no clear definition of who was an "attendee".

Looking at their site today, the main page instructs people to call Disney's main line and ask for the "Gay Days" rate. If you want access to the online reservation or ticketing portal, you do need to register for a username and password on their website. To be honest, that is hardly a safeguard to keep a "non-attendee" from booking the discounted rates. Registering for a user/pass on a website is certainly not the same as registering for a convention. It's just one extra step of the process and a way for the organizers to gain your email address since that is all the personal info that is required.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

I am confused on the group rate etiquette. We are staying in September at DLH with the Dapper Day rate, but we are actually attending Dapper Day. If one will be there in October during Gay Days, but are not actually attending their events, can you still use the group discount? We are going next October, so I am curious.