Disneyland

[MMcCarthy]

My husband & I are thinking of going to Disneyland in March/April 2005. I have not seen many posts on that park. I did visit the Disneyland forum but was interested if any DVC had used their points there and what they thought of the park. We will either be staying at the Disneyland hotel or the Grand Californian. The other hotel had a lot of negative feedbacks on the other forum. Thanks

 

[Mooobooks]

All three hotels are fine, however only The Grand Californian has the "feel" of one of the themed hotels in Orlando. The Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotels are very nice, but both are older hotels with minimal theming.
The cost of using points to stay at any of the three hotels in Disneyland is outrageous.
Depending upon the length of your trip, you could be much better off buying a Disneyland Premium AP ($279). Their AP gives you a huge number of discounts all over the parks (EVERY RESTAURANT AND SHOP), plus large discounts off the hotels. I have stayed at the Grand Californian for as little as $169 dollars a night, and the Disneyland hotel for $125 a night.

 

[PhilUK]

If you can put your vacation off for a couple of months all the 50th Anniversary Celebrations start from May 9th at Disneyland !


Phil & Julia

 

[Beca]

GC is the MOST beautiful hotel!!! This is my FAVORITE Disney hotel ever!!! It is like WL...but, a WL that Frank Lloyd Wright might have designed. It is VERY 1920 "chic" woodsy...it is GORGEOUS!!! And, you MUST eat at Storytellers Cafe for lunch!! The chicken cheddar melt with Achiote sauce is melt-in-your-mouth heavenly!!!

I also agree that you might want to TRY getting an AP discount (just buy ONE AP if you don't think you will use it)...but, I would be a little nervous about whether they will be given out that close to the 50th birthday! I was there last year during So. Cal's spring break...OMG!! That park was WAY too crowded!!!! SOMEONE in Cal is on spring break the ENTIRE month of March...so, just be careful!!! But, if the park hours show 8-12...there is a reason for the extended hours....be careful!!! Also, GC was running almost $400 per night during this time (they peak out at about $550 per night for a standard room).

If you have never been to DL...well, just remember that park is TEENY compared to MK, and a LOT more "locals" tend to use it frequently!!! I think with it's proximity to L.A., and the differening demographics from FL...it strikes me a "something to do" on a weekend afternoon for families with younger children, and a "babysitter" for families with older children. I have noticed a LOT of teenagers and pre-teens taking the city buses to the park without parents. And, then there is DTD...there is NO PI...so, the streets of DTD can become the PI for locals who want a cheap "club" to get into. It's weird...I went into the "World of Disney" shop and spent over $300 on costumes and toys for DD...came out and asked to get my receipt stamped so I would not have to pay for parking (we were over our 3 hrs), and was told, "Only if you have eaten at a fine restaurant or seen a movie". I laughed, and said, "For what I just spent, I SHOULD'VE seen a movie....it would've been a LOT cheaper.!!!"

Even a "semi-crowded" day at DL can be a nightmare in adventureland!!! I am NOT trying to discourage you...but, prepare you. I came to DL after going to WDW many times...now, although I "like" DL...it's kind of like owning a CZ rather than a diamond..you like your ring, but inside you KNOW it's not the real thing. I know that sounds strange...but, that is the feeling of most people I have spoken to who have been to WDW first.

That being said...there are some things that DL EXCELLS at...like the use of space...esp around the POC ride (oh, and if you love seafood, and feel like splurging, eat at the Blue Bayou...the ambience is the BEST!!)...the use of what little space they have is AMAZING!! Plus, I know that Cinderella's castle is grand and beautiful, but there really is something SOOO sweet about Sleeping Beauty's....I have never been able to put my finger on why...but, I really like it better...it's just perfect!

In all of our MANY travels to DL (we're just so darn close, being in Phx), we have never "splurged" and stayed at the GC...we just plan to eat lunch there at LEAST once during our trip. And, I ALWAYS say, "Next time.....", but we never seem to "splurge" and do it. There are just SOOO many hotels across the street that you can walk to from the park that go SOO cheaply, and we already have a car...it doesn't make sense, somehow. But, I promise you....someday!!!! Maybe if I liked DL more, or if I got more into the "magic"....but, then again...staying at GC would certainly give me more of the "magic"...I don't know. DL is just a different "breed" all of its own!!!

But, if you are going to choose one...DEFINITELY spend the extra money and go to GC...it is the most magical place on property!!!



Beca

 

[AFMom]

We love DL!!!! Went there innumerable times before ever going to WDW. The parks are right next to each other with DTD in between - no having to ride busses everywhere! Fantasmic is better at DL in my family's opinion - The music is different, and instead of Pocohontas - there is a pirate ship with PeterPan. It may only be 2 parks, but they've managed to get almost all of the best rides at WDW in them! It is very crowded at peak times, but otherwise, I didn't see any difference in crowds from WDW and DL. As far as the hotles go - the GC is absolutely gorgeuos - and DH had a wonderful Peter Pan themed pool. We really enjoyed WDW and will probably be going there from now on because of where we are living, but will always have a lot of loyalty to DL! Have fun!

 

[dcfromva]

MMcCarthy,
We used points for a visit to the Grand Californian this past June. I thought it was an excellant deal. (Points were 29 per night S-Th night). (Link to cost break down)
We discovered that there seemed to be a separate room inventory between cash and points. Where my sister could not find all nights available on a AP or regular (cash) rate, there was availablity using points. (Link to story)
We love staying at the Grand Californian. It is so convenient to the parks and Downtown Disney.
-DC

 

[FreeTime]

We are considering going next year for the end of May and have not been able to find any discounts yet. I guess maybe it is too early for them? So, we will probably we using points as even if we rented ours out for $10 or so, they wouldn't cover the cost of the room. Also, I think I would prefer to use points because there is not any hassle with renting them. Have fun!

 

[Mooobooks]

AP discounts are not posted until about eight to twelve weeks before booking dates.

 

[ceejay13]

We also love DL. Have stayed at the GC 4 times, once on points. It is also my favorite Disney hotel (not in the same category as our DVC resort which are still my favorite). If you can avoid DL during the weekends, spring break, Christmas week, etc., it is highly recommended. We never go on a Saturday at any time of year. Otherwise the crowds are very manageable and you will avoid many of the locals. I have tried twice in the last couple of months to get a reasonable ressie at the GC for May and June and there are few if any discounts. We are staying one night before the 14 night cruise and are paying almost $400 for that night with a theme park view. Mind you we have paid as little as $175 for that same view during slower times. In the past we have gotten one PAP and taken advantage of the discounts and the room discounts alone paid for the PAP. The amount of discounts throughout the parks are much more prevalent than at WDW. Any purchase over $10 and almost all restaurants at DL, DCA and DD are all at least 10% off. I'm not sure if they will still offer as much with the 50th anniversary. They certainly aren't discounting the rooms as much. If you can afford it, I would recommend a theme park view as it is the only Disney hotel in the US that affords you a view of a theme park. It was wonderful people watching during the day and incredibly peaceful at night. The only reason we've only used points once is that we tend to use them all at WDW. It is a great park and one with a lot of history. If you like tours, I would recommend the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour". The Blue Bayou restaurant is also highly recommended as it is on the waters of the Pirates of the Carribbean attraction. We are DL fans and as much as I love WDW and DVC, we try and make DL a stop yearly or every other year if we can.