Disneyland March/April 2011

[AussieDisneyNut]

Hi, I'm new to the boards, so I hope that I am posting in the right place .

We are planning our "maybe once in a lifetime" family holiday to California and I've got lots of questions. We are planning on 6 nights in Anaheim and are looking at staying at the Grand Californian Hotel .... my questions are:
1. Is it better to book with an Australian travel agent or go directly to the hotels or an American agent? Any agent recommendations?
2. Does anyone know when Disney will release any specials on accommodation for March/April 2011?
3. Has anyone from Australia used Vons Supermarkets to deliver groceries etc to their hotel? Was it successful?

Thanks for any help with these questions. I'm a planner too ... it is definitely half the fun of the trip!

 

[DVCAustralia]

1. Is it better to book with an Australian travel agent or go directly to the hotels or an American agent? Any agent recommendations?

It is never better to book with an Australian travel agent for Disney accomodation, either book direct with Disney or use an American agent (others on this board have personal experiences and recommendations). Even better if you are staying at the Grand Californian Hotel is to rent DVC points and stay in the DVC villa section. You get all the benefits of this great hotel for a better price with more space, and depending on size a kitchenette or kitchen/laundry. If you want more specific information send me an e-mail or PM.

2. Does anyone know when Disney will release any specials on accommodation for March/April 2011?

I am not sure, maybe try checking the Disneyland board or even posting this question there.

3. Has anyone from Australia used Vons Supermarkets to deliver groceries etc to their hotel? Was it successful?

We have not used grocery delivery as we love to go to American supermarkets too much.

I hope you have a great trip.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I can highly recommend Bob at www.mousetalestravel.com. He has been amazing for my upcoming trip and even when I make major changes he handles them quickly and happily.

Not sure about your other questions but wanted to say for your upcoming trip.

 

[aussietravellers]

Firstly, to the boards

1. Is it better to book with an Australian travel agent or go directly to the hotels or an American agent? Any agent recommendations?
Oh do not use an Australian TA for your Disney accommodation or package, they are SO expensive, for the Grand Californian you will likely pay over double to stay there by booking through an Aussie TA rather than direct or a US Disney TA specialist. We had a theme park view for around $300 a night in December, a standard room through an Aussie TA was going to be around $700
I use Magical Journeys (www.yourmagicaljourneys.com) but there are many good TA's out there (the Disboards sponsor, Dreams Unlimited I have heard is very good too) and booking direct is fine also. The advantage of using a TA is that they will look for the specials for you and let you know when they come out and you don't have to keep calling Disney, you just email your TA in the US

2. Does anyone know when Disney will release any specials on accommodation for March/April 2011?
No sorry

3. Has anyone from Australia used Vons Supermarkets to deliver groceries etc to their hotel? Was it successful?
Yes we used Vons and it was great I ordered online a few days before we left. I registered firstly and received the coupon for free delivery When registering put the hotel address as your address. I booked a delivery time that I thought we would be at the hotel, but we ended up going out for lunch. I stopped by Bell Services (at Grand Californian) to let them know the delivery was coming. The told me not to rush, they would accept delivery, which they did and when we came back we had it delivered to the room (we had ordered water, so it was too heavy to carry). We did have to tip the bell services guy when he made the delivery but did not have to tip the vons delivery person. If you picked your groceries up from Bell Service then you wouldn't need to tip then I don't think.

But everything we ordered was there, it was all good quality and I would use them again

Thanks for any help with these questions. I'm a planner too ... it is definitely half the fun of the trip!

We have stayed twice now at GCH and absolutely loved it.

 

[OzCath]

Hi and welcome. One other thing you might need to be aware of is US spring break, that's if you want to avoid crowds. I think the spring breaks vary, but I believe a lot of schools have a break prior to Easter. Of course totally up to you and when you can travel, but just so you are aware. Just post a question in the Disneyland section and perhaps some of the Americans can help you out.

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

Thank you everyone for all your quick replies ! We do realise that our trip may clash with some spring breaks, but we are hoping for the best with a late Easter next year. I think I will do some research into the US travel agents, so I welcome any more recommendations. Can't wait for our trip next year, I have been planning this for years and now with our flights booked, Hawaii booked, the only bit left to organise is Anaheim! Had originally planned on staying at the Disneyland Hotel as we wanted the full child-friendly Disney-immersive experience ... however with all their reno's and quite a few bad reviews on Trip Advisor I have decided to stretch our budget and look into GCH .... I'd better stop waffling on now, I'm just so excited ! Thanks again!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Welcome to the Boards! And I hope we'll see you around a bit sharing your plans and planning thoughts.

I've used Carrie from Small World Vacations and she was fabulous. I see that there are rumours being 'officially' posted on the DisBoard about Disney Discounts for 2011 - I haven't checked them but assumed that this was for WDW. You might like to have a look and see if they also apply to DLR...just remember that they are rumours.

 

[Oz-kateer]

Hi - can recommend the US based Dreams Unlimited Travel.

Have used them twice and have recommended them on to friedn who have used them and they are very good. Best thing about booking with them (apart from their agents who are all Disney specialists and will answer any question you have) is that if, after you book, a special comes up they can apply the special to your booking. You're not locked in and you don't miss out, so you can book anytime and not have to play the "will they announce a special or won't they"" lottery.

They can book you hotels on or off Disney property. They can book you just tickets, or just accomodation, or packages, dining, transport - whatever you want.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

Hi DVCAustralia ... as I am so new to the boards I can't PM yet oh well ... I love the look of the Villas at GCH, but I didn't think they were in our price range. We are a party of 7, so would need a 2BR. What sort of points would be needed to book one? I am not at all familiar with the DVC and have been trying to research it a bit, but still very confused !

Thanks to everyone else who has given recommendations for travel agents .. I will have to get in contact with them and see what they have to offer.

 

[Kalice]

We are planning our "maybe once in a lifetime" family holiday to California and I've got lots of questions. We are planning on 6 nights in Anaheim and are looking at staying at the Grand Californian Hotel .... my questions are:
1. Is it better to book with an Australian travel agent or go directly to the hotels or an American agent? Any agent recommendations?
We booked direct with hotel (HOJO's) got a great deal with the 'entertainment book' special. We booked first, then applied the discount when it came up. We had interconnecting rooms, with a disney view. great fireworks at night.
2. Does anyone know when Disney will release any specials on accommodation for March/April 2011?
Sorry don't know this one
3. Has anyone from Australia used Vons Supermarkets to deliver groceries etc to their hotel? Was it successful?
We used Vons, did register first, go the free delivery. I took some plastic bowls and spoons and the kids had cereal. Also got fruit (grapes, apples, bananas), granola bars, sultanas, juice, milk, juice boxes, yoghurt and some baby carrots. The delivery time was spot on, we weren't as jetlagged as we though we'd be and were at the parks, but the staff put the perishables in the fridge.
Thanks for any help with these questions. I'm a planner too ... it is definitely half the fun of the trip!

 

[BrizMarc]

Hi - can recommend the US based Dreams Unlimited Travel.

Have used them twice and have recommended them on to friedn who have used them and they are very good. Best thing about booking with them (apart from their agents who are all Disney specialists and will answer any question you have) is that if, after you book, a special comes up they can apply the special to your booking. You're not locked in and you don't miss out, so you can book anytime and not have to play the "will they announce a special or won't they"" lottery.

They can book you hotels on or off Disney property. They can book you just tickets, or just accomodation, or packages, dining, transport - whatever you want.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/

x2, I have used Dreams Unlimited for my current trips that is coming. Great service and they get you the cheapest rates and can book all your Dinning and Tours without you having to call the USA or do a thing. Best thing is they are FREE!!

 

[DizOz]

x2, I have used Dreams Unlimited for my current trips that is coming. Great service and they get you the cheapest rates and can book all your Dinning and Tours without you having to call the USA or do a thing. Best thing is they are FREE!!

Make it X3 we used them for our upcoming trip to DL, WDW and DCL. Greta thing is they can book everythign for you and they update your bookings when specials get released. For example our DL booking at GCH we ended up savings over $600 from the initial price and WDW we saved from memory over $1500.

We communicated by email and usually had a response to any question within 24 hours even on weekends.

Compared to Australia TA's booking direct or with a USA TA will save you a lot of money.

Oh yeah and welcome to the board.

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

Thanks everyone for your advice ... we finally booked GCH with Dreams unlimited. Loved their quick and friendly service. Can't wait for our holiday of a lifetime now! I'm just so excited