First time poster with hotel menage & DL budgeting/planning questions!

[pdxJolene]

Helloooooo everyone! I am new here, and currently planning a trip to fabulous Disneyland!! I am planning on going with my roommate from April 15-18th. We're from Portland, OR and would be flying down. I seem to have found the best possible deals already but you guys are the experts and any more money saving tips I can get would be great. So far our plan is...

From expedia I found 3 nights hotel & airfare for 320 each (640 total). We would be staying at Hotel Menage, where I stayed last time I was there in 08. I had a GREAT experience at this hotel, and the room service happy hour saved us a ton of money. Has anyone stayed there recently, and do they still have a fabulous happy hour?

I really wish we could find a killer deal on airfare alone, because I found a deal that would come out to 306 each for hotel and 4 day PH passes, but flights are 200+ each so it would be cheaper to do the hotel/flight and buy the passes seperate. Any insight on a solution to this?

As far as while were at the park, dining is the other thing were trying to save money on. Our plan is to have one sit down meal per day and then mcdonalds/snacks were bringing/happy hour for the rest of our meals. We decided that we have to go to the blue bayou, because neither of us have been there. What are some other can't miss places inside DL?

And for my LASSSST question (I promise) I'm going to be putting together a trip planning binder, and just out of curiousity what do you put in yours? How do you section it out, etc... Any insight would be great!

Well, I look forward to getting to know everyone here... I'm so glad theres a place for a disney-nut like me!

 

[Eeee-va]

Welcome! I've never stayed at the Hotel Menage and luckily, I generally get to drive instead of fly, so I can't help you with those. And I'm SO not a binder person (I'm just better with electronic data than paper).

For dining, I feel like one of the better values is the Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland--a skewer of meat costs in the ballpark of what a box of popcorn costs, and it's so good! The "tiger tail" breadsticks are expensive though--I heard a great tip, to buy some bread in the bakery at DCA and bring it over to the Bengal Barbecue. Much cheaper! Even if you don't feel like doing the bread thing, you might keep it in mind if you're getting hungry but haven't headed back for happy hour yet. (As delicious as popcorn and churros are, protein keeps me going better!)

I do like to save money, but I always have an eye for "value." I don't mind paying a couple bucks (literally ) more for something in the park than it would cost to buy the same thing from a regular restaurant. But I hate to buy a regular hamburger in the park, knowing it's not that much different than something I could get at Burger King for a couple bucks. In that sense, you are wise to consider sit-down meals (most of which are priced in the ballpark of what you'd pay for a sit-down meal outside the parks). There are some Quick Service values if you look, though.

I've only eaten at Cafe Orleans once but it was just divine, and the prices weren't THAT much higher than you'd pay at a regular sit-down restaurant. There is some overlap in their menu and the lunch menu at the Blue Bayou, though. Given your limited time you may not want to do both restaurants. Carnation Cafe was the other place I wanted to try but didn't get around to. (They close if it's pouring rain, as it was through much of our trip.)

I thought the Mexican Food place in Frontierland was pretty good and fairly priced. In a pinch you could share one of those meals and then perhaps get a snack later. Of course, they had some meals there that were cheaper than 3 popcorns, so sometimes snacking isn't the most cost effective idea.

If you can, a great money-saving tip is to avoid drinking soda. Soda for two comes to, what, $6? You can get ice water for free (though they come in tiny cups now ). If you must have a Mint Julep, I'd try getting it at BB--I think they have free refills on it there?

If you don't care for plain water there are the flavor packets (Crystal Light/etc.) you can put in. They work great for water bottles too.

I have heard you can get free hot water for the asking, as well, so you could bring your own tea bags (or if you're super-cheap, cups o' ramen ).

If you want to save money at BB, you can split plates. There's a rather high split plate charge (which gives you each one salad/soup), or you can just ask for plates so you can "split the plate" yourself.

Have a delightful trip!

 

[cinder-ellah]

Greetings and welcome from a fellow Oregonian.

The Hotel Menage looks lovely and affordable !

You can get FREE coffee refills for the day at Market House on Main ST, if you
keep your cup and receipt and show them to the Cast Member for refills. (I was told you didn't have to keep your cup, but double check).

 

[cirquelovers]

Hello from another Oregonian!

My suggestion for airfare is to check out flying into different airports. There are a few in the area. We always try the airline websites directly or travelocity. Sometimes playing with your dates can help lower the price too.

For dining I love Carnation Cafe. Their potato soup and half a sandwich is very filling, delicious and a good deal. At DCA we always end up at Test Pilots because they have a burger toppings bar and my husband seems to love it.

I think you should make a PS for BB, especially since you're going on the weekend. That way you know you'll have seat.

Have a great trip!

 

[Sjwillia]

I am taking 4 grandkids and their parents to DL this fall so with 7 airline tickets to buy I too needed tickets under $200. Try JetBlue in to LGB. I have not flown into that airport previously but have heard good things about it and that it is only 10 more minutes to Disneyland than from SNA.

 

[splash5]

We are from Southern Washington. Airfares are running high this year. Luckily you are going after most of the spring breaks. It probably won't go much below $189 pp.

 

[splash5]

I am taking 4 grandkids and their parents to DL this fall so with 7 airline tickets to buy I too needed tickets under $200. Try JetBlue in to LGB. I have not flown into that airport previously but have heard good things about it and that it is only 10 more minutes to Disneyland than from SNA.

Actually, it only takes about 15-20 minutes to get to Disneyland from LGB. It is the closest airport.

 

[HydroGuy]

Here are some links for tight budgets

http://www.mousesavers.com/

http://themouseforless.com/

 

[pdxJolene]

Thanks everyone for all the great tips!!

 

[50sjayne]

Download Southwest's Ding. Every once in awhile PDX to Anaheim, LAX, Burbank comes up under a $100 each way. We ate at Hometown Buffet on Katella the first day and didn't feel the urge to eat any more that day. I would think you could do the same thing at the new all you can eat bbq place in frontier land Also I loved the nachos at whitewater snacks in the Grand Californian. I think the prices just went up there though. You could pack some snacks to bring in to the park. If you get a flight through southwest you can bring 2 suitcases no charge per person.

 

[DizFan13]

Helloooooo everyone! I am new here, and currently planning a trip to fabulous Disneyland!! I am planning on going with my roommate from April 15-18th. We're from Portland, OR and would be flying down. I seem to have found the best possible deals already but you guys are the experts and any more money saving tips I can get would be great. So far our plan is...

From expedia I found 3 nights hotel & airfare for 320 each (640 total). We would be staying at Hotel Menage, where I stayed last time I was there in 08. I had a GREAT experience at this hotel, and the room service happy hour saved us a ton of money. Has anyone stayed there recently, and do they still have a fabulous happy hour?

I really wish we could find a killer deal on airfare alone, because I found a deal that would come out to 306 each for hotel and 4 day PH passes, but flights are 200+ each so it would be cheaper to do the hotel/flight and buy the passes seperate. Any insight on a solution to this?

As far as while were at the park, dining is the other thing were trying to save money on. Our plan is to have one sit down meal per day and then mcdonalds/snacks were bringing/happy hour for the rest of our meals. We decided that we have to go to the blue bayou, because neither of us have been there. What are some other can't miss places inside DL?

And for my LASSSST question (I promise) I'm going to be putting together a trip planning binder, and just out of curiousity what do you put in yours? How do you section it out, etc... Any insight would be great!

Well, I look forward to getting to know everyone here... I'm so glad theres a place for a disney-nut like me!

I am right across the river, in SWWA....so hi, neighbor! We like to visit the parks as often as we can, and we don't have a huge amount of money to spare, so for us it is all about the budget! We usually find that Jetblue has the best fare, and we stay at the HoJo during entertainment rate days whenever possible, but it sounds like you already have plane and hotel squared away.

I love binders! I make one for every trip. We keep them and they are on our souvenir shelf. We decorate them with pictures and leftover FP's and little scrapbook items after we get home.

I always divide things up into sections; I have travel plans with all confirmation and rez info, along with transportation detail; itineraries, along with maps; park info, such as phone numbers; a projected budget page, and I include a section on dining with ADR's and menus. The whole family goes through it before we go, looking at the plans and thinking it out ahead of time. It's exciting when one of the DS's pipes up "Wait, Mom, we were supposed to cut behind BTMRR!" They know where we are going to eat, and so that isn't an issue. Plus, lol, it is just fun to plan!!!

For dining, I feel like one of the better values is the Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland--a skewer of meat costs in the ballpark of what a box of popcorn costs, and it's so good!

I've only eaten at Cafe Orleans once but it was just divine, and the prices weren't THAT much higher than you'd pay at a regular sit-down restaurant. There is some overlap in their menu and the lunch menu at the Blue Bayou, though.

If you can, a great money-saving tip is to avoid drinking soda.

Second vote for Bengal BBQ!! The bacon wrapped asparagus is so good! I would recommend going during an off time, if possible. It can get really backed up because it is such a small area.

We actually prefer Cafe Orleans to BB. The portions are large enough to share, and it is SOO much cheaper. Even so, BB is an experience everyone should have once! We have been known to have dinner at Cafe Orleans and then jump over to BB for desert to enjoy the atmosphere! Carnation Cafe also has large portions that we share.

Just as Eeee-va, the great money saver is no drinks in the park! We figured this out long ago. We bring in a frozen water bottle or two, packed with either more water bottles and some CL packets, or a couple cans of soda, that we paid normal prices for.

At DCA we always end up at Test Pilots because they have a burger toppings bar and my husband seems to love it.

A great thing about the toppings bar is that you can put together a nice little salad to go along with it. DH and I will split an entree and share a salad there.

Actually, it only takes about 15-20 minutes to get to Disneyland from LGB. It is the closest airport.

Really? What route do you take? We fly into LGB, and it has always taken us at least 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic. I always though SNA was actually the closest?

 

[HydroGuy]

Actually, it only takes about 15-20 minutes to get to Disneyland from LGB. It is the closest airport.

This link "Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 says it is 19.4 miles from LGB to DLR. You must be a fast driver to make it under 20 minutes!

 

[50sjayne]

Ding has one way to LAX and back to Portland $85 today.$85 each way.

 

[DizFan13]

Jetblue PDX to LGB ( a little closer to DL than LAX ) is $89 each way.