Disneyland on DVC points Sept-Nov 2009

[walter]

My wife and I are thinking of traveling to visit Disneyland for the first time in 2009. Some questions we would like to ask and any help any of you can give us would be greatly appreciated:
1) Is the end of Sept to Nov a good time to visit (weather, crowds, etc.)
2) Anyone stay at the Californian on DVC points? What kind of accommodations, fees. etc should we anticipate?
3) Do you think a three night stay is adequate (we will be traveling to Newport Beach after our visit)?
4) Does anyone know of any just ticket packages that are available?
5) Southwest flies into several airports out there. What one do you think is best (crowds, car rentals, etc.)

Thanks!

 

[mikayla73]

My wife and I are thinking of traveling to visit Disneyland for the first time in 2009. Some questions we would like to ask and any help any of you can give us would be greatly appreciated:
1) Is the end of Sept to Nov a good time to visit (weather, crowds, etc.)
2) Anyone stay at the Californian on DVC points? What kind of accommodations, fees. etc should we anticipate?
3) Do you think a three night stay is adequate (we will be traveling to Newport Beach after our visit)?
4) Does anyone know of any just ticket packages that are available?
5) Southwest flies into several airports out there. What one do you think is best (crowds, car rentals, etc.)

Thanks!

1. We went last year to DL in Sept and Nov, both were great months. We timed our visits to see DL all decked out for Halloween and Christmas. We went the last week of Sept and the 2nd week of Nov. The crowds weren't bad and the weather was great!

2. We stayed on points at the GCH (when we went in May). We had a standard room. It was on the 2nd floor, facing the front of the hotel. The monorail was right outside our balcony. It was great! We didn't charge anything to our room, so the "bill" that was left under our door on the last night had a grand total of $0.00! And that was wonderful. We didn't pay any fees when we made our reservations, so the stay at the GC cost us nothing out of pocket ... for the hotel anyway

3. A three night stay should be fine for the two of you. I always prefer to stay longer, but three days for 2 adults should be good, especially in Sept/Nov. We always go to Newport Beach when we go to DL, but we stay at DL and drive over to Newport.

4. We usually get an AP, but if you buy the tickets before you go, it's usually cheaper. There is discount ticket info on the DIS, mousesavers.com is another good place to go to get discount ticket info.

5. When we fly into OC, we always go to John Wayne (SNA). It is small, convenient and pretty close to DL.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! Have a great trip and happy planning!

 

[mikayla73]

Here's a couple pics of our room and view

Looking left

looking right

Standard room