Doing Disneyland a little different this year...

[FourOrchards]

A little back ground...

We have been going to Disney pretty much every year since my oldest was 3. He's 16 now. At that time we didn't have a lot of money and we pretty saved up all year to go. We typically went near Christmas time. We stayed at HoJo's, Fairfield Inn, Tropicana, and the Park Place Inn. Packed up the backpacks and strollers and hauled ourselves into the park. Most of the time we'd haul ourselves back sometime during the day to unwind only to pack it up again to go back and spend the evening at the park.

We had another little one and did the same with her for the next several years. Shortly after Sept 11th the rates dropped drastically for the Disneyland hotels. Enough so that we could afford to stay at the Paradise Pier hotel. Much closer but still a walk. We did the PP several more years then decided to splurge and stay at the Grand Californian! Wow! Talk about being spoiled. I can't believe now that our kids are 16 and 13, fully able to walk those long walks we did when they were little, we were staying just steps out our door! Historically we continued to go at Christmas time. So magical then, and it kicks off the holiday season for us.

Well, prices have continued to rise and the price of our stay continues to become farther out of our reach. This year we have decided to try something different. We are booked at the Marriott by the Convention Center. Hope they have a shuttle! We do have conciser level so that will help with snacks, drinks, etc. But the biggest difference is that we are not going at Christmas time. We will be going Sept 7-11th! We were getting to tired of battling the holiday crowds. I sure hope that is time we have chose will give us some reprieve from that.

So...I'm hoping it will be a special trip for all of us, even if we are not staying at the GCH this year. I'll sure miss it but if the crowds will be less then it might just be!

 

[Hoku]

Sometimes when we don't have enough money to make things perfect, like we hope for, it makes the occassion all the more special. When you and your family are at the more modest Marriott, it'll almost be like camping (almost), where you're huddled in your cozy group on a fun adventure and glad to have each other.

Disneyland isn't the same if it isn't Christmas, true, but it will help give you persepective on what the park is like normally, and how special it really is during the holidays.

I can relate to you being a little sad, but I know you'll have a great time! New memories and new experiences that will make you even more of an expert than you already are!

 

[D23Ry]

This year we have decided to try something different. We are booked at the Marriott by the Convention Center. Hope they have a shuttle!

I just stayed at the Marriott last weekend near the convention center. Its a nice hotel, nothing spectacular, but clean and safe. They do not have a shuttle, but there is a bus that stops in front of all the hotels on the street. I believe it is $4 a whole day to take the bus to and from the park.

Nice thing about Marriott is they have a starbucks close to the elevators so you can get breakfast quick and cheap compared to the parks

 

[Dizneydaz]

Disneyland in Sept. is one of my favorite months. The park is beautiful and the weather is still pretty nice. Though it can still be very hot during the day-watch out for the Santa Ana winds.

Have fun.

 

[aristocat65]

I'm sure you'll have a lovely trip. Marriott Concierge Level is hardly roughing it after all. Disneyland is always special and you'll enjoy really low crowds in early September when everyone's back at school. Good for you for having the sense to stay within your budget

 

[farmgirljen]

You will have a great time! Make a note to read about the refurbs that will be starting after labor day to avoid dissapointment, but you guys will have a blast I am sure!

 

[rentayenta]

I'm sure your trip will be amazing.

 

[marciemouse]

We'll be there at the same time, and it's also our first ever September trip! And we've stayed at that Marriott several times, having had great experiences there. Ask for a room with a fireworks view! And the shuttle isn't free (it's ART) but it is consistent. You can also snag the shuttle that drops at the Hilton directly across the driveway. Easy to do, and nice to have two bus options in case you miss one by a couple minutes. We're trying a more budget hotel this time, Ramada Maingate. Have fun!