Disneyland Hotel - best way to book

[twinmommyks]

We are in the early planning stages for a trip for our family to DL for June 2006. Tentative Plans are to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. Does some experienced Disneyer have any recommendations on how I can get the best price for this hotel? We will be flying there, 2 adults & 3 children (9, 4, 4) and will stay for probably 5 nights.

Should I book on-line, if so, what site has the best rates usually? Should I book everything separately or go with a package? Where is the best place to purchase tickets? Is the meal plan add-on a good deal?

We want to have a nice vacation, but, of course, I am all for saving as much money as possible - that way we have more spending money. We will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary during this trip so it is not only a vacation, but we will be returning to the place we went on our honeymoon back in 1996. Back then (before Internet, we booked a package with our travel agent for everything and really didn't have to do any planning).

Any experienced travelers who want to point me in the right direction would be great and I appreciate any one's opinions. I've read about AAA discounts, AP's, Disney Visa discounts, but don't know enough to utilize any of those discounts. We currently aren't AAA members and don't have the Disney Visa, but if it's worth it to get these things, I can.

As you can see, I am lost. Please help!!!!!

Bren
_____________
WDW - Animal Kingdom Lodge - 2005
Disneyland (1986 - off-site)

 

[quartz7]

Hi

We are going this december for 4 nights. We found the best deal online, through Disneyland's website. We are getting the 4th night free and some other perks. I think your best bet is to check the website. When we called, the hotel, they definitely didn't have the best deal, almost 400 dollars more.


The AAA discount for us from colorado was only 10.00. Not worth it for us. Don't need AAA.

The AP's didn't help either, we aren't staying enough days to make it economical.

The Visa, well we don't have it.

Hope this helps

Janelle

 

[fristbytte21]

im going in jan and waiting for the prices to go online, they def have a more dicounted price and deals. but does anyone know when they will b posting 2006 rates?

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have never been able to get an AP rate at the DLH, probably because I didn't call often enough or at the right times to nab one. When we had AP's I usually booked through Expedia because all I needed was room nights and they always had pretty good deals and I liked the ease of booking on their site. I got the "stay 4 nights, get one free" deal many times through Expedia, you don't have to necessarily book through Disney to get that. However, if I needed tickets too, I might really consider booking through AAA since they have the unlimited fastpass option. You have to book thru AAA and it has to be a package staying at one of the onsite hotels as I understand it. With going in June that unlimited fastpass thing would be very nice! Just make sure you verify with AAA that this is what you are getting. I talked with one AAA agent once who had no idea what I was talking about so I knew that if I was going to pursue that route (which I didn't since we decided to get an AP instead since we were taking multiple trips) I was going to have to find an AAA agent who knew their Disney packages. I would also get quotes from Disney, AAA and Expedia and compare prices of packages and doing it all separately. I know with WDW sometimes packages aren't that great of a deal. Not sure if Disneyland is that way because we have typically had AP's and not needed a package. I have found that if you book a package through Expedia and book your airfare and possibly a rental car in addition to park tickets and hotel you can really save some money. You just have to do some research and see what fits your trip needs best. Good luck!

 

[LuvTigger]

Travelocity and Expedia have been known for low rates, BUT, you will probably only be able to get a standard room and rates might only be available a few months ahead of time.

I am a strong believer in Dreams Unlimited (as you can see by my tag -- and I don't work there, nor do I know anyone personally who works for DU!). The rates they offer are no more than you would get on the Disneyland site, and they check for discounts periodically. Several times I have come across discounts on my own and have asked DU to see if they can apply it to my reservation, and they have always been able to.

I generally like the Disneyland packages (at WDW, I usually book separately), but research all your options before you book. Also, if you frequent WDW, keep in mind that Disneyland resorts don't have the same kinds of "codes" that you can find at WDW, so it's harder to get a big discount (other than thru Expedia and Travelocity). What I like about packages (and esp. with DU since I can do everything online) is that I just had to put a $200 deposit upon booking, and I've been paying periodically along the way. Packages have to be paid in full by 30 days prior to arrival. For me, it helps me to budget and I like the peace of mind of having everything paid in full before I get there.

 

[zukeeper]

I would recommend AAA since they are quite competitive and offer the unlimited fastpass when staying on-site. For a package rate, you will probably find magicforless.com a little cheaper for the package, but you will lose the AAA perks. Since you are going in June, you will not be able to get the 4th night free and would probably not find any AP rates either, so you may as well book the package through an agent. I worry about "special internet rates" when booking separately anyway. There is usually no choice on room and you have to prepay with no refund for cancellation.

You will also get a couple of additional perks when reserving with a Disney Visa (special seating at shows, a pin, and a totebag) in addition to the free stroller rental and free pictures once you're on vacation. You will get a toll-free number to make PS arrangements. You also get a discount at certain restaurants and stores with the Visa, so it's probably cheaper to pass on the pre-paid dining. The only benefit for the dining that I've heard of is having that portion of your trip already paid for in advance.

I personally like to reserve my airfare and transfer separately from the package. I like the freedom of looking at different rates for different days and airports (look at Expedia's flexible dates option). I fly Alaska since I have miles with them, and they guarantee the lowest rate and I get to pick my seating when I book the flight. Also, for my family of six, a limo works out better than the Shuttle (Alternative Transportation, Ardell 1-877-870-9381 was who we used).

One more note about the DLH - it has been said that you should call 2 days before arrival to confirm your room arrangements. Maybe it's a case of "the greasy wheel gets the best room"? The Sierra and Marina towers are the closest to the monorail, so those are usually the more requested locations. The Bonita is the farthest, but some people like it as well.

Have fun planning!

 

[BrerMama]

Well, I'm looking at June 2006, too. I went back and last year, October 1 was when 2006 rates were available on the website. In Sept., people were able to call and get the rates, but they weren't online until Oct. 1.

We're a mess right now... trying to decide DL vs. WDW (with part of me leaning towards WDW just because the rates are out!) and if we go DL, we're trying to decide AAA & onsite vs. offsite. It's hard to overlook the benefits of Enchanted Fastpass and Early Entry for DLR guests, especially when going in June.