Disneyland in January- a newby question

[Crackajac]

Hi everyone

I have been reading with so much excitement about our upcoming trip in January 2013. There is the 5 of us coming over from Sydney. My husband, me and three girls 2,5 and 7 yrs old.

I just have a few questions that I can't find the answers to.

I was told that they have really good discounts on hotel only packages and I was wondering when they come out for January or does anyone have any idea on what they will be?

We also wanted to stay concierge at the grand but it is almost $2500 more expensive- ouch. Do the prices come down at all?

Also thinking about maybe getting an annual passport for one of us for the discounts as I have also read that that is worth it. Is it? And also does anyone know or where can I find out what the discount for hotels will be for jan 13-19th 2013

Thanks

Jac
Xxx

 

[miss.potatohead]

Welcome!
Come over to the Australian/New Zealand board (under 'Other Lands'), we won't bite!

January is a good time to visit IMO. Less crowds but you run risk of some repairs/maintenance on some of the attractions, as well as less fireworks/shows. I went in January last year and was definitely glad we went!

There may be discounts on onsite hotels but they are usually announced closer to the date. I can't be certain when the discounts are announced but they are from memory up to 30% off. Concierge may or may not be worth it. Will you eat breakfast each morning there? Will you make use of the little dinner snacks?

You'll be there over MLK weekend (16th January) which I hate to say will make crowds a little bit busier. Also - this may mean that any discounts (even with an AP) will be little to none during this period. Depending on what level of AP you get, you may experience blackout days which mean you can't enter the parks. I can't be 100% with that though because I haven't had that experience before.

Also, there are plenty of off site hotels that are VERY close to the entry to DLR. Some are even closer than the on-site hotels. Have a look at the Good Neighbour hotels along Harbor. They may save you a few extra $$. But I do agree, the Grand is lovely and I'd love to stay there (oneday!)

Enjoy your trip!

 

[zaccy]

Yes Jac come on over and pay everyone a visit in the Australia section in the 'Other Lands' forum.

Lots of great people to answer questions from an Aussie point of view - it can be hard planning a trip from so far away!!

We have stayed at the Grand and yes it is lovely but we found the rooms a little small and we actually prefer the Paradise Pier Hotel (we stayed concierge), we have not stayed at the Disneyland hotel so can't comment on that.

Have not had an annual pass but know there are some who hang out on the Australian Section who have and they would be happy to comment on that. Did you know there are 14 day passes available for Australians/New Zealanders?

Happy planning

 

[Aust]

Hi, another one from the Australia section,

My husband and I have both got annual passes for our upcoming trip - depending on how long you are staying for and especially if you are staying at one of the Disney hotels, it can be worth it. We're staying for 2 weeks at Paradise Pier concierge, and have estimated that with the hotel discount (between 10% - 30% per day for the time we're there), Halloween ticket discounts and estimated food/merchandise discounts, we'll be approx. $1,300 ahead. We got 14 day passes for the kids.

With the AP you'll get a minimum 10% off the hotel. Higher discounts may or may not be available, they're usually announced a couple of months ahead I think? and may be just for AP holders or else could be for the general public, sometimes both. You can book at any time and then keep an eye on the website for discounts, call back and they will apply the discounted rate to your booking.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Hi and welcome. I have a few thoughts I wanted to share.

Hotel discounts have been a bit stingy since the opening of Carsland. Not saying you won't find any, but you may want to jump on whatever looks good when it does come available.

If you go the AP route, no need to worry about block outs in January. The deluxe has no January block outs, even over Martin Luther King weekend.

Are your dates set in stone? MLK weekend is usually just a busy holiday weekend, not as busy as some of the other holiday weekends I have experienced but busier than a typical off-season weekend. The new factor this year is that Disneyland is hosting the Tinker Bell half-marathon that weekend, so that is going to increase crowds, decrease hotel vacancies (make hotels probably more expensive), and affect park hours a little bit over the weekend. Also, I heard that following the MLK weekend, there's a big convention in town, so that may also make it harder to find good hotel deals.

I have never stayed at the Grand, but I know several families that have. While they all rave about the location, some of them, especially families of five, have complained that the rooms seem a bit small. I have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel once since the remodel, and it was a wonderful experience. The room was spacious and very Disney-ish. It is a longer hike though which doesn't bother our family but might be a factor for you. Our family has also stayed at the Paradise Pier and enjoyed that experience as well, but if money wasn't too much of a factor I would pick DLH over PP.

Since you are visiting off-season, expect some ride closures and decreased entertainment. There will still be more than enough to do though. If you stick with your planned dates, Haunted Mansion will most likely be closed for the removal of its holiday overlay, but Small World will still be running with its holiday decorations. One major ride may possibly be closed for extended maintenance; there are rumors floating around but no official announcement on what ride, when, or how long (it's just not uncommon for a big ride to be closed at this time of year since it's off-season). Fantasmic and/or fireworks will most likely be weekends only if they are running.

Enjoy the planning and have a great trip.

 

[Lucille1963]

We LOOOOVVVVVEEEEE Disneyland in January.

Another factor for considering hotel availability and prices is the NAMM show, which is Jan 24-27.

Depending on the timing of your trip, most likely either Haunted Mansion or Small World will be closed to remove the holiday decorations.

Though the park hours are shorter, so are the lines. We love not having to get up too early to make it to park opening or stay later than we'd like to get every available moment out of the park day. It really makes for a great vacation.

 

[Geemo]

We generally try to go in the off season. Avoiding the holidays like MLK, Presidents day and Valentines.

In the past we have always booked packages through Disney. I would book 6 or more months in advance. Then as the specials came out I'd call back and update the reservation with the new special.

From what I remember, Winter Specials come out around the first of November. With more coming out possibly the first of December.

They make about a $200 to $400 difference in the package price.

My grandkids all want to go and it puts us over the 5 person limit of Disney Hotels. For our trip in January 2013, we are doing our own reservations and staying off site for the first time.

Shorter hours and possible ride closures has never been an issue for us. There are so many things to do. We try to go for at least five days in the parks.

The only bad thing about flying in January for us is weather. The Pacific NW has been know to have winter storms close the airports.

 

[Crackajac]

Thank you so much for getting back to me you helped a lot. I will definitely check out the Aussie boards as well. So much to look at and research.

Jac
Xxx