Disneyland help please

[robynv]

I have been to WDW many times and love it. However we wern't planning on going any time soon due lack of money for it. ( Hubby decided the morgage and food was more important) However. . .

He emailed me something that may have changed his mind. He is active duty AF and it seems we can have some very discounted tickets. I'm pretty sure I can't make WDW work with airfare etc. . but we haven't been to Disneyland for nearly 10 years and have never been to california Adventure. We live in Colorado now and i think we could drive it in under 2 days. So I guess I don't know where to start. I know the ins and outs of WDW but have no idea what to do here. there are 5 of us total. we have 3 kids, 15, 13, 12 looking to go for fall break maybe 1st week of October?

Staying on site worth the extra $$? We have stayed at the DL hotel in the past (it was 2000 I think) we liked it, are the other 2 comparable? Anyone prefer one over the other and why?

I see a dining plan it as good as the other in Florida?

And is this a good time to go?

Sorry for the long post but i feel like a newbie even though I've been there before (it was 9 years ago though!)

Thanks very much!

 

[DangerMouse]

I thought the military specials were only good through June 12, 2009??


Disney's Armed Forces Salute

Through June 12, 2009, each active or retired member of the US military can receive one FREE 3-Day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" Park Hopper ticket valid for admission to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure parks.

During the offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel also may make a one-time purchase of an adult or child 3-Day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" Park Hopper ticket for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends for $69 per ticket.

How to Get the Tickets

Please see a participating US military base ticket office for an exchange certificate for the complimentary "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket for the Disneyland Resort. The exchange certificate will need to be redeemed for such ticket by the active or retired military personnel at a Main Entrance theme park ticket window (maximum of one such complimentary ticket per service member).

"Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort can be purchased only at participating US military base ticket offices.

Rules

Complimentary "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" tickets may be obtained only by active or retired US military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard. Spouses are not eligible.

"Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for family members and friends may be purchased only by active or retired US military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard (or, in each case, their spouses, but not both).

The military personnel (or spouse) will be required to present valid military identification (which, for activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, also includes orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) for all ticket transactions. A valid ID may also be required for admission.

"Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets are limited to five per service member (regardless of place of purchase and whether purchased by service member or spouse) and all five must be purchased at the same time. Accordingly, no service member (or spouse) will be permitted to activate, and/or to redeem exchange certificates for, more than a total of five "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort (regardless of whether activated or exchanged by the service member or spouse).

First day of use of "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" complimentary tickets and "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets at the Disneyland Resort must be no later than June 12, 2009, and tickets expire 13 days after the first day of use or June 25, 2009, whichever occurs first.

Tickets must be used by the same person on any and all days. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" complimentary tickets may be used only by the service members to whom they are issued. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets may be used only by the friends and family members for whom they are purchased.

This offer may not be combined with any other offer.

 

[MommyLove]

Definitely check out:

A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

Lots of great info for you there. Be sure to ask if that doesn't answer your questions!

 

[splash5]

Don't even purchase a dining plan at DL unless you just want to pay for food ahead of time. It isn't the same as the one at WDW. The parks are much easier to navigate than at WDW. There are several really good hotels right across the street, so unless you want to pay extra $$$ for the Disney hotels, that may be a better bet for you.

 

[robynv]

Ahh... shoot. I don't know if we can come up with the cash by then. I guess I mixed up the dates. serious bummer.