DLR hotel advice?

[callmeblissful]

I am the only member of my family with an annual pass. We booked two rooms at the Grand Californian for a night in late July with a really great rate ($279 per room before tax and resort fees).

We just learned that my aunt and her three kids will be coming to Disneyland with us those two days. Now, that's great, but my annual pass only accounts for two rooms per night, correct? And I hear you have to show it at check-in. I assume I have to be there, but I'm not sure. We need to get a good rate for my aunt, so what should I do?

My friend has an annual pass that she won't be using, but would she have to be there at check-in to receive the discount? That wouldn't work.

The rest of my family got summer fun passes (3 day park-hopper for $99). One of these could be upgraded to an annual pass, but the two cheapest types of annual passes would be blocked out on the days we will be going...

Anyone have any ideas? So far, all paths seem to lead to the same price.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Have you called and talked to the DL folks yet? They could very well take pitty on you and see what they could do for you, seeing as how you have last minute "additional baggage"....

It's worth a shot at least.

 

[callmeblissful]

Thanks for the response!!! I think it probably is worth a shot. I do think she deserves the pity vote for going alone with her three kids (ages 4, 2, and 3 months). If she can't afford the rates at the Grand Californian, there are rooms available at Paradise Pier for the same price...how much longer of a walk is that though?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

It's literally right across the street. Less than half a block. The PP is right next to the GCH self-parking lot, which is behind the AMC theater in DTD.

So much easier than WDW...

 

[callmeblissful]

That's what I thought!! Right across the street. So it would be possible to use the GCH entrance and everything?

It's not ideal, of course, but it could work...thank you!

 

[callmeblissful]

I've never been to Walt Disney World, but I bet the distances are worth it...

 

[Sherry E]

I think the PPH gets a bad reputation because of its lonely location across the street, so many folks end up thinking it is way farther away than it actually is!! If it were on the same side of the street rather than directly across, it woudn't be the red-headed stepchild of the DLR hotel family! You literally will walk out the gorgeous front doors of the GCH, turn to the left a bit, follow the short GCH path to the crosswalk and then cross the street to PPH. And do the same thing in reverse from the PPH back to the GCH. You will see when you get there how close everything is. Anyone who stays at the PPH will get the same onsite perks you get at the GCH - including the MM on the days it is offered, purchases in the park shipped back to the hotel, Key to the Magic (room key) with charging privileges, which you will also need to use the MM hour AND to access the GCH entrance into DCA in the morning (and yes, all DLR hotel guests can use that entrance - just make sure you have your Room Key with you). Your aunt and cousins can come and join you in the GCH to soak in the atmosphere and the hop back across the street to the PPH.

WIll there be any seniors in your group? Another option is to use a AAA discount or senior discount on the third hotel room - but the senior would have to show his or herself to the Front desk at some point to validate the discount. And yes, whoever holds the AP and uses that for a discount would have to present it upon check-in at whichever hotels are booked.

 

[Sherry E]

I just had another thought. I will PM you.