Disneyland- September 2008

[rentayenta]

Hi all. There is a moderate chance I will be taking a trip to Disneyland this September. It's been ages since we have been to Disneyland and even being 100x as a child my memory is failing me with regard to crowds etc.....My questions are:

1. Crowd levels. We'll be there sometime between 9/08 and 9/14. We are thinking 4-5 day Hoppers.

2. Refurbs during that time?

3. Anything else I should know; entertainment, new restaurants, etc...

4. Off site hotels. The PPH is my favorite OP hotel but I am trying to do this on the cheaper side. It will be my DD (9), DS (7), and possibly my friend and her DD (4).


Any other advice and tips are much appreciated!

DangerMouse.....................where are you?

 

[DangerMouse]

Hi Jenny!

So September, huh? A great time to go IMO.

The refurbs aren't up yet for that period, but count on IASW still being down (you knew that though, didn't you?) And I bet HM will go down while you are there for the holiday installation.

New things? Well. . . they just introduced the Pixar Play Parade in DCA which took the place of Block Party Bash. It includes a lot more Pixar characters, i.e., Ratatouille, Nemo, Cars) and is a wet parade where you get squirted with water from many of the floats.

Also, Toy Story Midway Mania is opening this summer over in DCA, so that will be the newest kid on the block while you're there.

As far as a place to stay, well my recommendation is obvious. You know I'm a HoJo girl. I'm 99% sure they will have the entertainment rates available while you are there, and they are putting in a new Pirate Themed pool area with slide early this summer. It should be complete by your trip. Also, they just upgraded all their beds to Simmons pillowtops and have put microwaves in all their premium rooms! It's even better than before!! You really oughtta stay there, save some money, and have more money to spend on fun stuff in the parks!

Any more questions? Ask away. Oh, btw, I canceled my DCL trip, cause we're going to Maui in September instead. Gawrsh, are we indecisive or what?

Edited to add: Just checked, and the Entertainment Rate IS available. You can get a premium room for $74 a night. I think that's a pretty great deal!

 

[scrappychar]

Danger - I was wondering - how does one go about getting an entertainment book? Anyone else know? I am just trying to figure that out as part of the reservation process

C

 

[rentayenta]

Hi Jenny!

So September, huh? A great time to go IMO.

The refurbs aren't up yet for that period, but count on IASW still being down (you knew that though, didn't you?) And I bet HM will go down while you are there for the holiday installation.

New things? Well. . . they just introduced the Pixar Play Parade in DCA which took the place of Block Party Bash. It includes a lot more Pixar characters, i.e., Ratatouille, Nemo, Cars) and is a wet parade where you get squirted with water from many of the floats.

Also, Toy Story Midway Mania is opening this summer over in DCA, so that will be the newest kid on the block while you're there.

As far as a place to stay, well my recommendation is obvious. You know I'm a HoJo girl. I'm 99% sure they will have the entertainment rates available while you are there, and they are putting in a new Pirate Themed pool area with slide early this summer. It should be complete by your trip. Also, they just upgraded all their beds to Simmons pillowtops and have put microwaves in all their premium rooms! It's even better than before!! You really oughtta stay there, save some money, and have more money to spend on fun stuff in the parks!

Any more questions? Ask away. Oh, btw, I canceled my DCL trip, cause we're going to Maui in September instead. Gawrsh, are we indecisive or what?

Edited to add: Just checked, and the Entertainment Rate IS available. You can get a premium room for $74 a night. I think that's a pretty great deal!

Yay on the Entertainment rate!!!! How can I get a So Cal Entertainment book? Can I reserve the room before I get the book? I was totally thinking about the HoJo. I loved it the one time we stayed there. The staff was total Disney quality for sure. Our room was clean too. I'd like the same building we had before. The one facing DL near the pool and lobby.



IASW will be closed? I didn't know that. That was one of the things I was most looking forward too! That seriously bums me out.


Toy Story Midway Mania? Midway games with a TS theme I am guessing.


The Pixar Play Parade sounds cute. BPB needed a face lift.



Maui!!!!!!!!! VERY cool. I would totally do that over a Disney Cruise any day! I do need more details though!

Danger - I was wondering - how does one go about getting an entertainment book? Anyone else know? I am just trying to figure that out as part of the reservation process

C

Same question for meeeeeee.

 

[DangerMouse]

Danger - I was wondering - how does one go about getting an entertainment book? Anyone else know? I am just trying to figure that out as part of the reservation process

C

You can get them half-price right now at www.entertainment.com. The 2008 books are valid through Nov 1, 2008.

 

[rentayenta]

You can get them half-price right now at www.entertainment.com. The 2008 books are valid through Nov 1, 2008.

You are the best!!!!! I am guessing you have a HoJo contact as well? And can I book without the book and show the card when I check in?

 

[DangerMouse]

Yay on the Entertainment rate!!!! How can I get a So Cal Entertainment book? Can I reserve the room before I get the book? I was totally thinking about the HoJo. I loved it the one time we stayed there. The staff was total Disney quality for sure. Our room was clean too. I'd like the same building we had before. The one facing DL near the pool and lobby.



IASW will be closed? I didn't know that. That was one of the things I was most looking forward too! That seriously bums me out.


Toy Story Midway Mania? Midway games with a TS theme I am guessing.


The Pixar Play Parade sounds cute. BPB needed a face lift.



Maui!!!!!!!!! VERY cool. I would totally do that over a Disney Cruise any day! I do need more details though!









Same question for meeeeeee.

Jenny, you don't need the OC book. Get one for the area you live near (SLC, right?) The only thing you need is the card from the front of the book. You do NOT need the book or card in order to make the ressie. Just go ahead and book your dates -- you can use promotion code SD50 online at hojoanaheim.com. Jenny, you will want to request a NQQ1 room, that puts you in Bldg. 1, with a Premium Disney view, two queen beds and a micro & fridge.

IASW -- wow, you have been out of the loop, eh? It is closed for 10 months undergoing a major refurb to make the canal deeper and new lightweight boats are being brought in. There have been rumors of added disney touches in some of the scenes which have Disney purists in quite an uproar.

Toy Story Mania -- Oh, it's much more than midway games. Think the Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters on steriods. It's going to be really, REALLY cool!

Maui - well, we will be there the same time you are in DLR. We found a KILLER deal on a condo in Kihei, and are spending 9 days there. It will be the first time for dh and the kids to go anywhere tropical. They're super excited!

 

[rentayenta]

Jenny, you don't need the OC book. Get one for the area you live near (SLC, right?) The only thing you need is the card from the front of the book. You do NOT need the book or card in order to make the ressie. Just go ahead and book your dates -- you can use promotion code SD50 online at hojoanaheim.com. Jenny, you will want to request a NQQ1 room, that puts you in Bldg. 1, with a Premium Disney view, two queen beds and a micro & fridge.

IASW -- wow, you have been out of the loop, eh? It is closed for 10 months undergoing a major refurb to make the canal deeper and new lightweight boats are being brought in. There have been rumors of added disney touches in some of the scenes which have Disney purists in quite an uproar.

Toy Story Mania -- Oh, it's much more than midway games. Think the Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters on steriods. It's going to be really, REALLY cool!

Maui - well, we will be there the same time you are in DLR. We found a KILLER deal on a condo in Kihei, and are spending 9 days there. It will be the first time for dh and the kids to go anywhere tropical. They're super excited!

Your Maui trip will be amazing!!!! I have never been to Hawaii; have you? DH and I just got back from a week in Mexico and it was fabulous! We ditched the kiddies for that trip but this trip to Disneyland will be just me, Joshua, and Chloe. DH is going to D.C. with Gabby for a school trip. I can only swing this if we stay off property and because I have two less people to pay for.


I knew NOTHING about the IASW refurb; when did it start? Any others I should know about? If POTC is down I may have to rethink the whole thing. WDW's POTC sucks in comparison so I need a real POTC fix.

TS Mania sounds awesome! DS loves TS!!!!


for the HoJo info!!!!!! I am booking as you read this.

 

[rentayenta]

Callie, the $74 rate doesn't come up. The cheapest for that room configuration is $119.

 

[DangerMouse]

Callie, the $74 rate doesn't come up. The cheapest for that room configuration is $119.

Ok, then contact Lorealle (she posts regularly here), at the HoJo at 714-776-6120 or email her at lorealle.bishop@hojoanaheim.com and request your dates. She should be able to help you get that $74 rate.

 

[rentayenta]

Ok, then contact Lorealle (she posts regularly here), at the HoJo at 714-776-6120 or email her at lorealle.bishop@hojoanaheim.com and request your dates. She should be able to help you get that $74 rate.

Email sent!!! Thank you! Too bad you won't be there at the same time. But between us, I'd do Maui too! I bet your hubby and kids are so excited to finally go tropical!

 

[DLR29]

I knew NOTHING about the IASW refurb; when did it start? Any others I should know about? If POTC is down I may have to rethink the whole thing. WDW's POTC sucks in comparison so I need a real POTC fix.

TS Mania sounds awesome! DS loves TS!!!!

The IASW refurb began in late January this year and is supposed to end in November; however recent reports say that the opening might be delayed to next January (a full year). Other ride refurbs won't be available until summer time. Disney won't release the rides down for refurb yet. It's too early.

I am soooo excited about Toy Story Midway Mania too. There might be a little bit of early construction on the new DCA entrance. Also Paradise Pier will be in the process of being rethemed.

 

[rentayenta]

The IASW refurb began in late January this year and is supposed to end in November; however recent reports say that the opening might be delayed to next January (a full year). Other ride refurbs won't be available until summer time. Disney won't release the rides down for refurb yet. It's too early.

I am soooo excited about Toy Story Midway Mania too. There might be a little bit of early construction on the new DCA entrance. Also Paradise Pier will be in the process of being rethemed.

I cannot imagine being at Disneyland without having IASW for the holidays. That is the most magical place on this Earth! A few years ago we did Disneyland at Christmas and it was unreal. I will miss it for sure in September and hopefully the refurb list will appear soon.


They are retheming Paradise Pier? I am so out of the loop.

 

[DangerMouse]

They are retheming Paradise Pier? I am so out of the loop.

Jenny, do you ever read Al Lutz' column on MiceAge? You are aware of the Billion dollar re-do going on at DCA over the next few years, right? It's ok sweetie, I'll hold your hand through this. Start here to catch up a bit.

http://miceage.com/allutz/al010808a.htm

 

[rentayenta]

Jenny, do you ever read Al Lutz' column on MiceAge? You are aware of the Billion dollar re-do going on at DCA over the next few years, right? It's ok sweetie, I'll hold your hand through this. Start here to catch up a bit.

http://miceage.com/allutz/al010808a.htm

I am so not worthy! Clinking link now, will be back with questions.............................

 

[rentayenta]

Little Mermaid ride, Cars Land, World of Color!!!! Holy Hannah, how cool is Car's Land going to be??????????? DH loves DCA, I think to bug me, but whatever because the more in DCA the better chance I have of making subsequent trips.

 

[rentayenta]

I just spoke with Lorealle and got the Entertainment rate! $425 total for 5 nights!

​

Now if the refurb and park hours would come out!

 

[DangerMouse]

I just spoke with Lorealle and got the Entertainment rate! $425 total for 5 nights!

​

Now if the refurb and park hours would come out!

Yay Jenny! I'm so happy for you! Don't expect park hours until closer to July. If you want to see historically what's up during September as far as entertainment, check out here: http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200709.asp

Looks like RDCT is only on Fri and Sat nights.

 

[rentayenta]

Yay Jenny! I'm so happy for you! Don't expect park hours until closer to July. If you want to see historically what's up during September as far as entertainment, check out here: http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200709.asp

Looks like RDCT is only on Fri and Sat nights.

That's cool and for the link! I am guessing I have 0 chance of the MSEP.

 

[DangerMouse]

That's cool and for the link! I am guessing I have 0 chance of the MSEP.

Yep, and equally as much of a chance of the DEP