Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #3!- HOLIDAYS BEGIN 11/12/13!!

[Elk Grove Chris]

It is a fairly new thing. If I recall - and anyone please correct me if I'm wrong - I think the gingerbread aroma just started wafting through the air during the snow in the last couple of years. I want to say that 2011 was the first holiday season for it, but I could be mistaken. I know that I read about the aroma before actually smelling it, but where I read about it escapes me. I did not smell it in December 2010.

At one point I happened to catch a little bit of the aroma as I was walking to or from somewhere via Main Street and I thought, "Oh wow! That's the smell I read about!" Again, I'm not sure if the gingerbread wafts through the air in NOS and back by IASWH too.

Also, it doesn't smell exactly like gingerbread - it was more like a slightly askew gingerbread aroma - but I guess that's what it's supposed to be!

I think you are right about it being fairly recent. Very strong gingerbread smell last year when we were in NOS, a lot of "snow" too, we actually got a little wet in some spots. I do not recall the scent in 2010, nor that much snow (we did the Fantasmic dessert package both trips, same seats).

 

[Pesky]

any advice about when to look to buy tickets? I've heard it's about a $12 price increase anticipated for park hoppers. We're already locked into VGC.

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you for posting pictures. Do you have any idea if the Electric night time parade still exists at Disneyland during Christmas? Hope you can help.

vbmom40 -

Welcome to the thread!

There is no more Electrical Parade at Disneyland Resort (for the time being). It was held in California Adventure in its last run. Hopefully it will return one day!

OK--so it looks like I belong here in this thread. My son's 7th birthday is November 30, and having just gotten back from his first trip ever this past week, he is requesting to spend his birthday at DLR. Fine by me!!!! But I have just realized that is Thanksgiving weekend. Oh no!!! My original plan was to arrive Friday 11/29 and stay through Tuesday 12/3. Is it going to be insane crowded? I don't want insane crowded, I wanted first week of December not crowded. Should I change to arrive Sunday night and have our 3-4 days in the park be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday? Or arrive Saturday night, on his birthday, and do Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in the park? Or would I be okay with my original plan, arrive Friday, and yes Saturday and Sunday will be busy, but we will still have Monday and Tuesday that will be less crowded? His actual birthday is the Saturday. What to do???

Welcome, zoeandjacks!

I'm glad you found the Superthread and I hope it will help you to plan out your December trip! If you haven't done so already, if you have time feel free to skim down Page 1 for info on all aspects of the holiday season at DLR.

About the dates and when it is busier than others - keep in mind that if this ends up being the first year for a paid Christmas party, that could impact crowds in a variety of ways on party days and non-party days.

But, possible parties aside for the moment, I think your planned dates will be fine. I think the weekend days will be more crowded as weekends always are, but the rest of the days should be okay.

From my own experience, having gone to DLR in early December - in either the first or second week - for the last few years, I find the crowds to be relatively substantial because it is a very popular season, but not overwhelmingly so and not bad in comparison to what it will be like in the second half of December. Mondays in early December seem to be great in terms of noticeably lower crowds.

So, either way, if you keep your planned dates or go a few days later, I don't think it will be insane crowded. I think you'll have a wonderful trip!

I think you are right about it being fairly recent. Very strong gingerbread smell last year when we were in NOS, a lot of "snow" too, we actually got a little wet in some spots. I do not recall the scent in 2010, nor that much snow (we did the Fantasmic dessert package both trips, same seats).

Elk Grove Chris -

You're right - the snow has increased a bit. Now that you mention it, I am thinking back to the snow I saw last year in comparison to the snow I saw in other years and there was definitely more of it. In the past it had been barely detectable, but last year it was much more noticeable!

So there is a gingerbread aroma in NOS too (and not just on Main Street)? That's good to know. I couldn't recall if anyone ever mentioned smelling it in NOS or by IASWH.

 

[Sherry E]

any advice about when to look to buy tickets? I've heard it's about a $12 price increase anticipated for park hoppers. We're already locked into VGC.

Hi, Pesky!

I knew the Hoppers would go up in price this year, sometime before summer, but I hadn't been keeping up on the possible price hikes (yet). (I feared what the prices of the AP's would be after last year's enormous price increases, however.)

Unless you've heard/read differently, I think the Hoppers will go up in price by early May. I don't think Disney will wait until June, when their summer season officially starts. Last year the prices went up in May. And when prices do go up, we only seem to find out about it 2 or 3 days in advance -- with little time to prepare.

So I would suggest getting the tickets before May or at least by early May, if at all possible, if you don't want to deal with that price increase.

I'm so glad you locked down the VGC! The whole GCH property is a great place to be during the holiday season. I like to go and hang out there to soak in the atmosphere, even though I am usually not staying there!

 

[sweetlovin']

Hello,

I am new to the thread and just booked VGC for Nov 17-20. I am so hoping that the decorations will be up by then, but Thanksgiving is later this year. I am also headed there towards the end of Sept. I would be very lucky to catch both the Halloween and Christmas decorations

I was thinking an AP might be the best way for me to go.

 

[sweetlovin']

Every year I threaten that we won't go back because of the ticket price increases, but Sherry's enthusiasm wears me down and I've booked us again to go back this year! We will be going a bit later (Dec 17-19) because of when DH's conference is, so I'm a bit nervous about that. This past year it was nice and quiet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed again for one of those elusive PIN codes to stay at GCH.

We are also going to do a surprise stop in July at Disneyland Paris for 1 day when we are in Europe (1 day is all DH would consider, as he thinks the whole idea is crazy). But I'm pumped!

Disneyland Paris has my favorite ride to date of all the Disneys. (I will let you know this summer if that still holds true as I am hitting the Asia Disneys.)

You have to ride crush's coaster because it is such a different ride and I truly felt as though I was riding a wave. Loved it!!

 

[raniroo]

I'm joining in on this thread. I'm heading to DLR the week of Thanksgiving and being an Aussie I'm looking forward to celebrating a US holiday IN the US.

This will be my 4th DLR visit and my second visit during Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to the holiday decorations and hoping that there will be a Christmas Party...any idea (if it happens) when it would be announced and tickets on sale?

 

[Sherry E]

Hello,

I am new to the thread and just booked VGC for Nov 17-20. I am so hoping that the decorations will be up by then, but Thanksgiving is later this year. I am also headed there towards the end of Sept. I would be very lucky to catch both the Halloween and Christmas decorations

I was thinking an AP might be the best way for me to go.

Hello and welcome, sweetlovin'! Thank you for joining in.

You will definitely catch Halloween Time at the end of September - though I'm not certain yet if Mickey's Halloween Party will have begun on 9/27 - and you will catch at least some level of holiday merriment! At the very least, the holiday season will have officially begun in the parks by the time your November trip takes place, but as you indicated, we can't be sure about the GCH and the other hotels' decor.

You are absolutely correct - this year Thanksgiving is really late. It's only 2 days from the end of November, and it also takes place on the first day of Hanukkah (if I recall my calendar's notation correctly) - which seems to be an infrequent occurrence.

Because of Thanksgiving happening so late in November this time around, I am inclined to think that Disney would want to get the hotels decorated a little earlier than their usual post-Thanksgiving schedule. To me it seems like they'd want to put the trees up before Thanksgiving begins this year. I'm not sure if Santa and the carolers would be at the hotels until post-Thanksgiving, but I would be really surprised if they waited until November 29th to start decorating the hotels.

In any case, the good news is that the GCH will get decorated first, then the DLH and then the PPH. So if any one of the hotels is destined to be decorated before your trip ends, it would be the GCH!

 

[Sherry E]

I'm joining in on this thread. I'm heading to DLR the week of Thanksgiving and being an Aussie I'm looking forward to celebrating a US holiday IN the US.

This will be my 4th DLR visit and my second visit during Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to the holiday decorations and hoping that there will be a Christmas Party...any idea (if it happens) when it would be announced and tickets on sale?

Welcome, raniroo!

When was your last DLR Thanksgiving visit? Was it before California Adventure's makeover was complete? If so, you've got many new things to see, many new decorations to enjoy, etc.!

My guess - and, of course, it's only a guess - is that Team Disney Anaheim is currently in the throes of mapping out their holiday plans, and IF there is to be a party I would think they'd want to do an early press release on Disneyland News, as well as various articles or Disney Parks Blogs about it, to let everyone know way ahead of time. They'd really want to promote the party, I think, because it would be a big, new event. IF there is going to be a party, we could hear about it in the next few months.

I would have to assume that if a party takes place, the tickets would probably go on sale by late August or early September. They put the Halloween party tickets on sale a couple of months before the party starts, so if a Christmas party were to start in November I can't see that they'd begin to sell tickets any later than September.

TDA has to get everything figured out way in advance, and they don't have all-new lands opening this year so they can focus more on Halloween Time and the holiday season! They would have to work out how and when exactly to have a party, and how it would affect all of the other seasonal entertainment. They also have to decide what to do with the Candlelight Ceremony/Processional, because if it stays in Disneyland then they probably would not have a party in Disneyland too. If they move the CP to DCA, then a party could likely happen in Disneyland.

But...that may be too much change happening at one time, so I wonder if Disney might do one thing at a time, i.e., move the CP to DCA this year and then start a party in DL next year, or start a party in DCA this year and then move the CP over to DCA next year?

 

[sweetlovin']

Hello and welcome, sweetlovin'! Thank you for joining in.

You will definitely catch Halloween Time at the end of September - though I'm not certain yet if Mickey's Halloween Party will have begun on 9/27 - and you will catch at least some level of holiday merriment! At the very least, the holiday season will have officially begun in the parks by the time your November trip takes place, but as you indicated, we can't be sure about the GCH and the other hotels' decor.

You are absolutely correct - this year Thanksgiving is really late. It's only 2 days from the end of November, and it also takes place on the first day of Hanukkah (if I recall my calendar's notation correctly) - which seems to be an infrequent occurrence.

Because of Thanksgiving happening so late in November this time around, I am inclined to think that Disney would want to get the hotels decorated a little earlier than their usual post-Thanksgiving schedule. To me it seems like they'd want to put the trees up before Thanksgiving begins this year. I'm not sure if Santa and the carolers would be at the hotels until post-Thanksgiving, but I would be really surprised if they waited until November 29th to start decorating the hotels.

In any case, the good news is that the GCH will get decorated first, then the DLH and then the PPH. So if any one of the hotels is destined to be decorated before your trip ends, it would be the GCH!

In 2014, Thanksgiving is on the 27th, another late year. I celebrate St Nicholas Day Dec 6th, so I prefer Thanksgiving earlier rather than later. I also book or plan trips ridiculously far in advance which is why I know it is late in 2014 as well.

 

[raniroo]

Welcome, raniroo!

When was your last DLR Thanksgiving visit? Was it before California Adventure's makeover was complete? If so, you've got many new things to see, many new decorations to enjoy, etc.!............

My first thanksgiving visit was 1996, way before California Adventure Park was open. I did visit again in 2004 when CAP was opened but not during a special event/season.

I'm really looking forward to the decorations, Cars Land and all the holiday treats! Expect lots of Disney food photos from me!

I'll keep my mickey ears out for info on the party...fingers crossed it happens!

 

[mrs.ariel]

Hi all, we are SO excited for our first holday trip to Disney
Our last trip was last year in May- Just before Carsland opened, so we are really excited about that, too!!!

I've looked a bit through this thread, looking forward to reading more of it- Thanks for putting it together

I am wondering about a potential Christmas party...I know nothing is known yet, but if they do introduce a party, how does it work?
I would need to buy tickets for a certain night in addition to my parkhopper? And how late is the party? My kids are 3 and 8 when we will be there, so they don't stay up too late....

We are going the first weekend of December- Friday-Monday- after Thanksgiving.

thanks for any info

 

[Phoenixrising]

This is purely guessing on my part, based on my experiences with going to the MHP in 2010 and 2011. If they do decide to have a Christmas party this year, my guess they would start letting guests in 3 hrs prior to the event starting then close the parks to non paying guests for the event. You would need to buy a ticket for the event. If you wanted to go to the parks during the day before the party then you would have to get a park hopper for the day of the event. I think with your 3 yr old child it would be too much to go to the parks during the day, then attend the party later that evening. Once again this is purely guesswork on my part, and we really don't know if they are going to hold a party until they release the Christmas time info, hopefully in late July/early Aug. If they were to host a party, I hope that it will be in CA, as to not disrupt the CP and other special things that are done in DL during Christmas time in the parks that make it special. Hopefully TDA will start releasing some info in the next couple of months, but can't see them releasing any info until after they've announced what they are doing for Halloween this year. JMHO, and hopefully will learn some more info in the coming months. Hope this helps. Personally I'm on the fence if they do hold a party this year if I'd want to go or not. I'll make that decision if they do decide to host one.

 

[Sherry E]

In 2014, Thanksgiving is on the 27th, another late year. I celebrate St Nicholas Day Dec 6th, so I prefer Thanksgiving earlier rather than later. I also book or plan trips ridiculously far in advance which is why I know it is late in 2014 as well.

It's odd how one week can make a difference in how late Thanksgiving seems, isn't it? Sometimes Thanksgiving has been on 11/22. That seemed on the early side, but acceptable. An 11/28 Thanksgiving seems way too late in the month!

I should mention, too, that the holiday season at DLR hasn't always begun as early in November as it begins now. Back in 2008 or so is the last time I recall the season beginning on the Friday right before Thanksgiving, instead of 2 Fridays before Thanksgiving. Ever since then it has begun about a week earlier. I think that Halloween Time also had a later start in 2008 as well.

I was actually kind of wondering if the holidays at DLR might have another 'late' start this year simply because Thanksgiving is happening at the end of the month. But I think the season has become so popular that 11/15 seems like a much more reasonable start date than 11/22 (and 11/15 would be the the latest - the season could possibly start on Veterans Day or on 11/12, the day after).

My first thanksgiving visit was 1996, way before California Adventure Park was open. I did visit again in 2004 when CAP was opened but not during a special event/season.

I'm really looking forward to the decorations, Cars Land and all the holiday treats! Expect lots of Disney food photos from me!

I'll keep my mickey ears out for info on the party...fingers crossed it happens!

We love Disney food photos, so take lots of them - actually, we love photos in general in this thread (stay tuned for the popular Theme Week Countdown to the Holiday Season, starting in either late July or early August!), so any Disneyland holiday photos you want to share will be welcome!

Oh wow! Yes, the holiday season has most definitely changed since 1996! Back then there was no Grand Californian Hotel or Paradise Pier Hotel (I mention those 2 hotels because they have the best Christmas trees!). So many things have come and gone from the holiday repertoire over the years.

You're in for quite a welcome surprise in California Adventure! Even before Cars Land and Buena Vista Street opened last year, that park had changed quite a bit from 2007 (when I first saw it) through 2011. It used to be a fairly empty park compared to Disneyland. The crowds started picking up when things were added in here and there.

Hi all, we are SO excited for our first holday trip to Disney
Our last trip was last year in May- Just before Carsland opened, so we are really excited about that, too!!!

I've looked a bit through this thread, looking forward to reading more of it- Thanks for putting it together

I am wondering about a potential Christmas party...I know nothing is known yet, but if they do introduce a party, how does it work?
I would need to buy tickets for a certain night in addition to my parkhopper? And how late is the party? My kids are 3 and 8 when we will be there, so they don't stay up too late....

We are going the first weekend of December- Friday-Monday- after Thanksgiving.

thanks for any info

Hello and welcome, mrs.ariel!

As Trish/Phoenixrising explained, it's all purely guessing.

I don't know if we are, for sure, having a party this year - and if we have one, it may or may not put a big dent in the existing roster of holiday entertainment, which could affect schedules, park hours, crowds and things.

One thing we can be sure of is that everyone would need to buy a separate ticket to attend the party.

But, as I've mentioned before, I think that if Disney decided to start a party this year they would want to tell people about it early on, to start building excitement, because it would be a major new part of the holiday season. So if there is going to be a party I wouldn't be surprised if there is some mention of it in either the Disney Parks Blog or on Disneyland News sometime in the next few months, even if tickets are not on sale yet.

This is purely guessing on my part, based on my experiences with going to the MHP in 2010 and 2011. If they do decide to have a Christmas party this year, my guess they would start letting guests in 3 hrs prior to the event starting then close the parks to non paying guests for the event. You would need to buy a ticket for the event. If you wanted to go to the parks during the day before the party then you would have to get a park hopper for the day of the event. I think with your 3 yr old child it would be too much to go to the parks during the day, then attend the party later that evening. Once again this is purely guesswork on my part, and we really don't know if they are going to hold a party until they release the Christmas time info, hopefully in late July/early Aug. If they were to host a party, I hope that it will be in CA, as to not disrupt the CP and other special things that are done in DL during Christmas time in the parks that make it special. Hopefully TDA will start releasing some info in the next couple of months, but can't see them releasing any info until after they've announced what they are doing for Halloween this year. JMHO, and hopefully will learn some more info in the coming months. Hope this helps. Personally I'm on the fence if they do hold a party this year if I'd want to go or not. I'll make that decision if they do decide to host one.

I tend to agree that any Halloween info would come first, before holiday info, but the thing is that if Halloween Time is going to be 'business as usual' this year - with no major additions or changes - and if there is going to be a Christmas party, they could tell us about the Christmas party really early on to start getting people used to the idea and excited for it.

When the Halloween party moved from DCA to DL, the Parks Blog announced that 4 months before Halloween Time began.

Last year, when the announcement about the Candlelight Ceremony's 20-night run came out, it was in August. This is why I think we would hear about a Christmas party by July or early August at the very latest, even if we have not heard anything substantial about Halloween Time by that point.

It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds!

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

Hello! New here and planning our first DL trip this year 11/30-12/4 with Sun/Mon/Tue in the parks. This board and this thread have been very useful as I have been to WDW twice and I'm surprised by all the differences in operation. We are so excited to see the original park and especially with all the holiday bonuses I haven't booked anything yet as I'm still sorting through hotel options and debating 3day vs 4 day PHs or possibly a party ticket for the Saturday night we arrive (if the party happens - I would just hate to buy a PH but then not be able to use it...

Intros: I've been to WDW once in college with roommates (stayed off property/more thrill rides and party type trip) and then last year with family (BWV with my mom, aunt, DH and 2 kids - fell in love with the total disney experience). Growing up we traveled around the country quite a bit but never did Disney. We live in the central US so we don't get to travel to disney as much as I would like. I love all the animated classics from Snow White to Princess and the Frog.
DH went to DL once before he could remember and his family seldom traveled out if state. He complains about me needing to travel but always likes it once we do it. Last year made him love WDW. He loves the Disney live action movies he watched with his dad. He does not like a the singing in my movies or rides with heights or drops.
DS will be 5y at the time of our trip (skipping 3 days of preK). He loved WDW while we were there but doesn't remember a lot outside of pictures and stories. He really got into meeting the characters even if he didn't know who they were. He loves Disney Jr and likes the animated movies I've subjected them too.
DD will be almost 2y for this trip so we are kinda celebrating her birthday. She likes cartoons but wanders off so I can't say she has favorites yet. She also just hated meeting the Easter Bunny so we'll see if character M&G are even possible.

I've read the links in the beginning of this post and the intros to DL links, but that is a lot of info to process... I will try to avoid too many basic questions, but my main one is where to stay. DH wants suite with a bedroom so the kids can sleep and he can watch tv, etc. I want immediately across the street from DL. Free breakfast would be great. On property is too expensive for us right now. Park Vue looked good on the website, but it is not a Good Neighbor Hotel, is this a big deal? From what I can tell on the DL website is that the MM is associated with the 3 day+ PH pass and not the hotel. I'm not worried about character calls and that seemed to be the only other perk on the DL website... Am I missing something? I've read other posts saying its cheaper to book through a hotels website rather than DL website anyway...
Thanks for your help! With this question and all the info and pics available

 

[Sherry E]

Hello! New here and planning our first DL trip this year 11/30-12/4 with Sun/Mon/Tue in the parks. This board and this thread have been very useful as I have been to WDW twice and I'm surprised by all the differences in operation. We are so excited to see the original park and especially with all the holiday bonuses I haven't booked anything yet as I'm still sorting through hotel options and debating 3day vs 4 day PHs or possibly a party ticket for the Saturday night we arrive (if the party happens - I would just hate to buy a PH but then not be able to use it...

Intros: I've been to WDW once in college with roommates (stayed off property/more thrill rides and party type trip) and then last year with family (BWV with my mom, aunt, DH and 2 kids - fell in love with the total disney experience). Growing up we traveled around the country quite a bit but never did Disney. We live in the central US so we don't get to travel to disney as much as I would like. I love all the animated classics from Snow White to Princess and the Frog.
DH went to DL once before he could remember and his family seldom traveled out if state. He complains about me needing to travel but always likes it once we do it. Last year made him love WDW. He loves the Disney live action movies he watched with his dad. He does not like a the singing in my movies or rides with heights or drops.
DS will be 5y at the time of our trip (skipping 3 days of preK). He loved WDW while we were there but doesn't remember a lot outside of pictures and stories. He really got into meeting the characters even if he didn't know who they were. He loves Disney Jr and likes the animated movies I've subjected them too.
DD will be almost 2y for this trip so we are kinda celebrating her birthday. She likes cartoons but wanders off so I can't say she has favorites yet. She also just hated meeting the Easter Bunny so we'll see if character M&G are even possible.

I've read the links in the beginning of this post and the intros to DL links, but that is a lot of info to process... I will try to avoid too many basic questions, but my main one is where to stay. DH wants suite with a bedroom so the kids can sleep and he can watch tv, etc. I want immediately across the street from DL. Free breakfast would be great. On property is too expensive for us right now. Park Vue looked good on the website, but it is not a Good Neighbor Hotel, is this a big deal? From what I can tell on the DL website is that the MM is associated with the 3 day+ PH pass and not the hotel. I'm not worried about character calls and that seemed to be the only other perk on the DL website... Am I missing something? I've read other posts saying its cheaper to book through a hotels website rather than DL website anyway...
Thanks for your help! With this question and all the info and pics available

woodynjessiesmomma -

Hello, hello, hello! Welcome! I'm so glad that you found us!

Your family sounds wonderful, and I think you all will have a great time. The good thing is that Disneyland Resort is much, much smaller and easier to manage than WDW because you can walk everywhere (and yet, it is packed with rides and lots of holiday cheer!). You can easily walk from park to park. You can walk from the parks to the 3 Disney hotels (like if you wanted to eat at one of the hotel restaurants or meet one of the hotels' Santas). You can walk from the parks to Downtown Disney and from Downtown Disney to the hotels. Everything is right there. No buses to catch.

A 3-day Hopper wouldn't be bad, but if possible I would recommend choosing the 4-day Hopper. I'm actually not sure if a Christmas party would happen on a Saturday night. IF we get a party this year and IF it unfolds in the way that the Halloween parties do at Disneyland, the event could possibly be held on Fridays and on some other early weekday. It's really a mystery at this point how Disney will choose to stage this Christmas party in Disneyland if and when it happens. It is possible that if a party takes place, it could happen on your final day.

I don't know much about the off-property and/or Good Neighbor hotels from personal experience. The onsite hotels I know about.

However, from what I've read, the Park Vue has gotten some negative reviews here on the DIS (blackjackdelta, are you out there following along??). I don't know if their service has improved. I know one of the problems involved insects - ick!

Lots of people like Howard Johnson's/HoJo's. I've heard some decent things about the Candy Cane Inn. Desert Inn and Suites gets pretty good reviews. Which hotel is it that Bret/mvf-m11c stays at? (Bret, are you out there??) I am blanking out. It's Best Western, I think.

Hopefully someone else will jump in and speak about their off-property hotel choices!

The 3-day Hoppers include one morning of early entry, no matter where you get the Hopper or where you stay.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

Thanks Sherry! I don't like the sound of insects...

 

[mvf-m11c]

I have stayed at a lot of different hotels off-site at the DLR. you are correct Sherry that I have stayed at Best Western hotels across the street. I have stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn which is the closest off-site hotel. I like the hotel for its location and the rooms are very nice. If also has a continental breakfast which is nice to have a quick breakfast before you enter the park. BWPPI has a two queen suite where it has a sofa bed which is good to have more people in the room.

I have stayed at Best Western Anaheim Inn which is a couple of buildings down from BWPPI. It is a nice hotel which is a little cheaper over BWPPI and it doesn't have a continental breakfast.

Both BW hotels don't have big pools like the other hotels around the area. If u don't care about the pool and want a close hotel to the park, these are good places to stay.

 

[Phoenixrising]

If you are considering HOJO's, their mini suites fill up fast, so if you are serious about booking there, I'd do it by the end of May at the latest. Their family suites are limited, and that's the reason why they sell out fast. I've stayed in building 2 in a 2 Queen bed suite and found their rooms roomy. They do have a discount for DIS members, which is I think LNDB. This code gives you 15% off the rack rate. I'm staying at the BWPPI for my trip the end of Nov. I'm staying there, as I've heard alot of good reviews from the board, and the fact it's right across from the parks. I'm running away from home (going solo) on this trip and wanted something closer to the parks. The BWPPI has mini suites and they do have a discount for AAA members. Hope this helps you out. The CCI also has had tons of good reviews, but I don't know if they have a family suite, which is something that you also may want to check out.

 

[Pesky]

Hi, Pesky!

So I would suggest getting the tickets before May or at least by early May, if at all possible, if you don't want to deal with that price increase.

I'm so glad you locked down the VGC! The whole GCH property is a great place to be during the holiday season. I like to go and hang out there to soak in the atmosphere, even though I am usually not staying there!

Thanks for the advice about when to buy -- that's when I am thinking. Thankfully, I have a Disney store nearby and already have some Disney GCs put away for this so I can run over and grab them. Have to say that I do love paying for things bit by bit through the year as it does help soften the financial blow!

Yes, I am SO excited to stay there! It's more than I'd like to spend but it wasn't hard to convince me given my FIL will likely be spending only 2 days at the parks with us and hanging out at the GC the rest of the time. I know he will probably have a permanent chair in the lobby with his name on it by the time we are done!