DLR hotel in Jan - how far in adv to book?

[kermit116]

I'm considering taking a trip to DLR for a long-weekend in January 2013 with some friends (not MLK weekend). We did the same thing last year, and I tried to book a DLR hotel room for Saturday night only about 2 months in advance. All the DLR hotels were booked when I tried - although I'm guessing the fact I was looking for only a Saturday night stay may have impacted the availability. I've only every stayed on-property at WDW (not DLR), so I'm really not sure how far in advance things book up, especially during a low season like mid-January when it's not a holiday weekend.

I've never stayed at any of the DLR resort hotels, but I think it'd be a fun treat for this short trip. I think I'd prefer the Disneyland Hotel based on reviews I've heard on the Dis Podcast, but the idea of staying in Grand Californian is appealing mostly because I LOVE the idea you can walk straight out of your hotel and into the DCA theme park.

So, with all that info as a preface, my questions are:

(1) How far in advance should I plan to book a one-night (Saturday night) stay at one of the DLR hotels for a January non-holiday weekend? Also, how far in advance does Disney release the rates for January 2013? (I remember having the same problem looking up January rates for WDW - it seemed like they released the rates very late in the year)

(2) Is the convenience of the Grand California worthwhile over the classic charm of the Disneyland Hotel?

(3) If I book the hotel really far in advance and then have to change the date or cancel, would I have to put down any deposit and would I lose the deposit?

Any advice you all can give would be great!

 

[ValpoCory]

Well, if you renting DVC points for a stay at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian, do it now. 7 months out is January 13th, and I expect it's all sold out until then.

We are renting DVC points there for 1/26-2/1/2013 for $10/point. $178.33 per night average for 6 nights. This close to the 7 month cutoff, you'll likely have to settle for $12 or $12.50 per point (individual/dvc rental store), or even $13 (Dave's). Cancellation policies vary but in general are not very lenient, so if your dates can't be made firm, renting DVC points may not be for you.

 

[DizMe]

Usually it's not a problem to book a DLR hotel within a short span of time in the off season, but I'm guessing you went during the NAMM conference last year. Check your dates and book early if you are wanting to go again when NAMM is in town. It's a huge conference and most of the hotels book up and raise their rates at that time.

I just checked and NAMM is scheduled for Jan 24-27 in 2013.

 

[ValpoCory]

Usually it's not a problem to book a DLR hotel within a short span of time in the off season, but I'm guessing you went during the NAMM conference last year. Check your dates and book early if you are wanting to go again when NAMM is in town. It's a huge conference and most of the hotels book up and raise their rates at that time.

I just checked and NAMM is scheduled for Jan 24-27 in 2013.

In case anyone hadn't heard of NAMM ...

What does NAMM stand for?

Definition: If you're a working musician or audio engineer, chances are you've heard about the NAMM show.

Once upon a time, NAMM stood for "National Association of Music Merchants". That's where the name comes from, but over time, NAMM evolved from a United States-centered association of music stores to an organization representing the international music technology industry.

Twice annually, NAMM puts on the NAMM show (the winter show is held in Anaheim, CA; the summer show in Nashville, TN). This is a very important event for the music technology industry, and brings thousands of industry professionals together to get hands-on with the latest equipment for recording, live sound, and playing music.

The NAMM show is an industry-only event; only representatives from NAMM member companies and invited industry professionals and media can attend.

NAMM is important for several reasons; first, it's the showcase of the latest gear, giving industry professionals (and media) a chance to get up-to-date on the "latest and greatest". Further, it offers an extremely valuable chance for industry professionals and media to meet and network.

http://homerecording.about.com/od/2009nammshowcoverage/g/what_is_NAMM.htm

 

[DizMe]

Great info, ValpoCory!

One thing to add: although it brings in tons of people and ties up traffic, hotels, and restaurants, it really doesn't seem to impact the parks too much. I talked to several NAMM members in the shuttle from the airport and not one of them had any plans to visit DLR, even though they were staying across the street. I think they have too much going on at their conference to have much time to spare for the parks.

But man! Can you imagine staying across the street and not going to DL????

 

[kermit116]

Got it - that makes sense. I did hear rumors there was some sort of convention in town the last time I was there.

I'd love to go the DVC option, but I don't think that'll be an option since I can't nail down my travel dates yet.

Any idea how much a standard room at Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel would cost for a Saturday night mid-January?

 

[ValpoCory]

Got it - that makes sense. I did hear rumors there was some sort of convention in town the last time I was there.

I'd love to go the DVC option, but I don't think that'll be an option since I can't nail down my travel dates yet.

Any idea how much a standard room at Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel would cost for a Saturday night mid-January?

For the Grand, rack rate is at least $400 per night after taxes and fees, although getawaytoday has a slight discount. I'd head there to price it out.

For a Saturday night in early November (similar rate type to January), Paradise Pier Hotel is $330 and up, Disneyland Hotel is $437 and up, and the Grand Californian is $540 and up. You can see the benefit of renting DVC points.

 

[Susie63]

We paid around $240. There will be good rates in January. I would book the night that you want and then when a special comes along, you can have that applied to your booking ....hotel only.....not a package

 

[ValpoCory]

We paid around $240. There will be good rates in January. I would book the night that you want and then when a special comes along, you can have that applied to your booking ....hotel only.....not a package

$240 is a great deal for a DLR hotel. For reference, was that for the Disneyland Hotel in February 2010?

 

[DizMe]

In January, the rates are pretty low. $240 is about what I've paid for GCH, too. Be warned, though, that the NAMM convention jacks that up significantly if you wait until the last minute. Last year, Hojo, BWPPI and some of the other Harbor hotels were charging up to $400! We stayed at PPH during NAMM because I got a cheap expedia rate of $120/night, which I booked in late Nov. I was going to switch over to one of the other resort hotels later on but by the time I decided to do it, they were totally booked.

I usually go about that time every year because it's my birthday treat to myself Disney got me started on that with the get-in-free-on-your-birthday promotion and I've been doing it ever since!

 

[ValpoCory]

In January, the rates are pretty low. $240 is about what I've paid for GCH, too. Be warned, though, that the NAMM convention jacks that up significantly if you wait until the last minute. Last year, Hojo, BWPPI and some of the other Harbor hotels were charging up to $400! We stayed at PPH during NAMM because I got a cheap expedia rate of $120/night, which I booked in late Nov. I was going to switch over to one of the other resort hotels later on but by the time I decided to do it, they were totally booked.

I usually go about that time every year because it's my birthday treat to myself Disney got me started on that with the get-in-free-on-your-birthday promotion and I've been doing it ever since!

$120/night for a DLR room is awesome. What a deal. I'll have to check expedia in the future. January 2013 is not being sold yet, but I see the cheapest for early November weekday is $250 right now.

 

[DizMe]

$120/night for a DLR room is awesome. What a deal. I'll have to check expedia in the future. January 2013 is not being sold yet, but I see the cheapest for early November weekday is $250 right now.

Yeah, the trouble with most of those good rates is that they come along at odd times, and never (in my experience) at a time that allows for long-term planning. The best rates at the resort hotels are nearly always within 2-3 months of the trip. That's why a lot of people book the room and then just keep checking for deals. You can almost always switch over to a cheaper rate but you can't know for sure that there will be a room available if you wait too long.

The best rate I ever got was $189/night for GCH concierge. It was a great rate to begin with, but was supposed to be for DLH concierge. They were doing some work on their lounge, though, and moved us over. That was about 3 years ago, before the DLH remodel.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

When does Disney normally release January DLR hotel rates? I'm used to WDW so am surprised we can't book a stay at the DL hotel yet.

 

[Shananana]

I just signed up for the Tinkerbell half marathon, so if you're interested in going the 18-19-20... it's going to be busy because of all of us runners.

 

[TeddiBarra]

For a Saturday night in early November (similar rate type to January), Paradise Pier Hotel is $330 and up, Disneyland Hotel is $437 and up, and the Grand Californian is $540 and up. You can see the benefit of renting DVC points.

Actually, Nov rates are higher than what Jan-Feb should be. True off-season rates are after labor day weekend, til end of September (or last Thursday of the month, generally) and again in Jan- end of Feb or even first week of March (EXCEPT: holidays like MLK and Presidents). Right now those rates are $355 for the Grand. And yes like others said 2-3 months before is a good time for discounts. I do not know about NAMM rate bump ups, I've never priced knowingly during that convention. You are likely to be able to get 25-30% off above rate (although, each year they do up the base prices about $10-$15, sometimes more). Keep your eyes open as soon as Holiday time is over- by January 10th (give or take a few days) new winter promos should be released. Check both DL website and Expedia.

In 2009 we had some rockin' promos- it was stay 4 nights and our room rates on certain nights was $100-125 for PP and $160 fro DLH. Kickin' myself for NOT doing part of the stay at the Grand when rates were not much over $200.

 

[iilly]

I was planning a trip in January and planning on being in the parks on the 14th through the 17th. Do you think that the marathon will cause an increase in crowds on those days? I can always move out trip a week forward if possible.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Actually, Nov rates are higher than what Jan-Feb should be.

In 2009 we had some rockin' promos- it was stay 4 nights and our room rates on certain nights was $100-125 for PP and $160 fro DLH. Kickin' myself for NOT doing part of the stay at the Grand when rates were not much over $200.

thats very true...nov. has vet. day weekend, thanksgiving leading into the holidays...jan. has NY but thats all part of the holiday timeframe...prices and crowds drop significantly after the 1st week in jan. but you also have to be prepared for rain and lots of refurbs....

and i totally remember that deal in 09...I got the $160 a night at DLH...started out with PPH because they sold out QUICK...but luckily for me some dates became available because i called every single stinking day...that was a great deal...

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I was planning a trip in January and planning on being in the parks on the 14th through the 17th. Do you think that the marathon will cause an increase in crowds on those days? I can always move out trip a week forward if possible.

i honestly dont know about the marathon...i would think it would, especially now that CL is open but if you move it up a week you are going to deal with what Dizme said and the NAMM conference

 

[iilly]

i honestly dont know about the marathon...i would think it would, especially now that CL is open but if you move it up a week you are going to deal with what Dizme said and the NAMM conference

Thank you for responding You are right, I wouldn't want to go the week after during the NAMN conference. I actually meant the week before, but my fingers typed something else! So the alternative would be in the parks the 7-10th (Mon-Thu). I wasn't sure when the Holday decorations came down so that wasn't my first choice week but looks like that is when we will end up going.