From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 2

[Tracyvp]

So it will just be DH an myself on this cruise. It will be totally different for us because we don't know anyone. It's a good thing DH and I get along so well!

Sure you know people! You know all of us!!!

Speaking of which, has there been any talk of "pre-cruise" Southern California meets? Or maybe they've already happened and we just missed them...

Or for that matter, "pre-cruise" meets in January at WDW? I know it's early, but hey, planning is half the fun!

 

[Tracyvp]

I sleep so well on the ship, but I am thinking after all that it really wouldn't be worth the money to stay onboard for that short time. I won't want to get off though.

Last time they had to practically DRAG me off! I'm sure I'd love the chance to stay 2 more nights, but since I live 15 minutes from the port it would be a little hard to justify.....and by then MAYBE I'll be ready to see my kitties again and sleep in my own bed...

 

[granmaz]

Last time they had to practically DRAG me off! I'm sure I'd love the chance to stay 2 more nights, but since I live 15 minutes from the port it would be a little hard to justify.....and by then MAYBE I'll be ready to see my kitties again and sleep in my own bed...

Oh if we had kitties we would want to get home too!!! We were originally going to stay on for a month, probably going to Arizona for most of it, but now John has to be home to fly off to an exhibition in Amsterdam on the 29th January. I was a little miffed, but I said that was ok as long as we could go to the US again in the May!!!

 

[granmaz]

Wow, how neat is this? Just found it, hadn't seen it before.

http://www.wonderpanama2011.com/decks.php

Is it Tigfanjeff who has done the site? Thanks for the hard work.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Sure you know people! You know all of us!!!

Speaking of which, has there been any talk of "pre-cruise" Southern California meets? Or maybe they've already happened and we just missed them...

Or for that matter, "pre-cruise" meets in January at WDW? I know it's early, but hey, planning is half the fun!

Happy to get together whenever you want..I only live about 30 minutes from you if that....

As for WDW.. we will be there only the day before so I am not sure.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Last time they had to practically DRAG me off! I'm sure I'd love the chance to stay 2 more nights, but since I live 15 minutes from the port it would be a little hard to justify.....and by then MAYBE I'll be ready to see my kitties again and sleep in my own bed...

We have 3 kitties and a puppy so I want to see them but can't pass up the chance to spend my birthday on the ship. But I completely understand wantin gto get home...I probably will too..the nice thing is I live so close to the port I will probably bring some of my luggage home and just bring a small bag back!

 

[cardidog]

I wish we could stay on-board after the PC cruise to go on the mini-cruise---but we've never been to Disneyland so that is what we are doing afterwards. For the people who stay on the boat, you will probably get to purchase Disney PC items at a discount! When we were on the 5-night cruise just after the last PC cruise, I purchased a whole bunch of PC items for 1/2 price---never thinking that we would actually get to go on a PC cruise!

I am sitting here in MD, typing with one hand because the other one is holding ice up to my jaw----my tooth came out as scheduled yesterday but the implant didn't go in---I have to grow bone for the next 3 months and now the procedure is more expensive. Sigh. And to top it all off I received a letter in the mail today saying that my primary-care doctor is moving to Duke University and Tom and I have to find a new doctor---that stinks!

Oh, I finished David McCullough's book The Path Between The Seas today and I really enjoyed it! We don't need to get shots for this cruise---right?

I hope that you all are well---better than me at any rate!

 

[disfaninca]

Sure you know people! You know all of us!!!

Speaking of which, has there been any talk of "pre-cruise" Southern California meets? Or maybe they've already happened and we just missed them...

Or for that matter, "pre-cruise" meets in January at WDW? I know it's early, but hey, planning is half the fun!

That is so true, and I am looking forward to getting to know you all even better!!

I would love a pre-cruise Southern California meet. I only live about 40 miles away from DL. I don't think anyone has gotten together yet. You are so right, planning is half the fun!!

 

[JenKatt]

Wow, how neat is this? Just found it, hadn't seen it before.

http://www.wonderpanama2011.com/decks.php

Is it Tigfanjeff who has done the site? Thanks for the hard work.

Yeah, Jeff did that too. He's very proud of it!

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

That is so true, and I am looking forward to getting to know you all even better!!

I would love a pre-cruise Southern California meet. I only live about 40 miles away from DL. I don't think anyone has gotten together yet. You are so right, planning is half the fun!!

I would be happy to plan one... how far in advance does everyone want? I am busy most Saturdays in May/June with the exception of Saturday the 8th of May. I have some Sundays available.

Let me know your thoughts..would love to meet up!

 

[disfaninca]

I wish we could stay on-board after the PC cruise to go on the mini-cruise---but we've never been to Disneyland so that is what we are doing afterwards. For the people who stay on the boat, you will probably get to purchase Disney PC items at a discount! When we were on the 5-night cruise just after the last PC cruise, I purchased a whole bunch of PC items for 1/2 price---never thinking that we would actually get to go on a PC cruise!

I am sitting here in MD, typing with one hand because the other one is holding ice up to my jaw----my tooth came out as scheduled yesterday but the implant didn't go in---I have to grow bone for the next 3 months and now the procedure is more expensive. Sigh. And to top it all off I received a letter in the mail today saying that my primary-care doctor is moving to Duke University and Tom and I have to find a new doctor---that stinks!

Oh, I finished David McCullough's book The Path Between The Seas today and I really enjoyed it! We don't need to get shots for this cruise---right?

I hope that you all are well---better than me at any rate!

Oh no, I hope you feel better soon!! That does not sound like any fun!

We bought that book too! We haven't started reading it yet.

 

[disfaninca]

I would be happy to plan one... how far in advance does everyone want? I am busy most Saturdays in May/June with the exception of Saturday the 8th of May. I have some Sundays available.

Let me know your thoughts..would love to meet up!

Where would be a good place to meet? Sundays are usually not a good day for us.
Any other day would work.

 

[#1Yepod]

I have a question for the LA people. We are planning to go to DL for a few days after the cruise. Should we stay on property or at one of the good neighbor hotels? I read info on the DL boards, but am still confused, so many differing opinions. I thought maybe a smaller group of people answering my question might help me make a better decision. Thanks.

 

[aan1701]

I have a question for the LA people. We are planning to go to DL for a few days after the cruise. Should we stay on property or at one of the good neighbor hotels? I read info on the DL boards, but am still confused, so many differing opinions. I thought maybe a smaller group of people answering my question might help me make a better decision. Thanks.

I say it all depends on your budget. Pretty much all three of the DL hotels will cost more per night than the surounding hotels. There may be a few exceptions.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

I say it all depends on your budget. Pretty much all three of the DL hotels will cost more per night than the surounding hotels. There may be a few exceptions.

I agree with Alan, it totally depends on budget, and also I think it depends on how much "Disney" you want your vacation there to be. I have done good neighbor hotels around DL lots of time when I was just doing short, budget weekend trips there when I lived in San Diego, but I have also done the Disneyland Hotel and most recently the Grand Californian Hotel in November and those experiences were wonderful. They cost a lot more, but we wanted to treat ourselves to not having to leave the property, and have the Disney atmosphere and touch around us. IMO, staying at a Disney property is not nearly as important in DLR as it is in WDW, but if you have the money and love that Disney touch and convenience of being right there, it is worth to splurge to stay there.

This trip I am going to stay at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel since I've stayed at the other 2 already and figured I could try something new this time, cant wait!

 

[ChipperMerlin]

I agree with Alan, it totally depends on budget, and also I think it depends on how much "Disney" you want your vacation there to be. I have done good neighbor hotels around DL lots of time when I was just doing short, budget weekend trips there when I lived in San Diego, but I have also done the Disneyland Hotel and most recently the Grand Californian Hotel in November and those experiences were wonderful. They cost a lot more, but we wanted to treat ourselves to not having to leave the property, and have the Disney atmosphere and touch around us. IMO, staying at a Disney property is not nearly as important in DLR as it is in WDW, but if you have the money and love that Disney touch and convenience of being right there, it is worth to splurge to stay there.

This trip I am going to stay at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel since I've stayed at the other 2 already and figured I could try something new this time, cant wait!

We've stayed at all three of the Disney resorts and the Disneyland Hotel is my least favorite. I actually prefer Paradise Pier. Stayed there on 6 different trips last year, and once already this year. We have three more stays booked there - August, September and November. It's about half the price of the Grand Californian, and you can just walk across the street to sit in the GC lobby if you want. Do make a reservation for Storyteller's Cafe at the GC, though - we try to have breakfast there at least once each trip. Another fave breakfast place is Minnie & Friends, inside Disneyland. I'm not fond of the breakfast at Ariel's Grotto, though.

There are some good motels across the street on the other side of Disneyland - check with your local AAA office for a guidebook. The prices vary widely. If you don't have a car, look for a place right near the Park. The hotels like the Marriott and the Hilton use a "trolley shuttle" which stops outside about every half hour - and you pay for a daily ticket. This is one reason why we stay on property - besides for the Disney experience.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

I have a question for the LA people. We are planning to go to DL for a few days after the cruise. Should we stay on property or at one of the good neighbor hotels? I read info on the DL boards, but am still confused, so many differing opinions. I thought maybe a smaller group of people answering my question might help me make a better decision. Thanks.

If my clients prefer a neighboring hotel, I usually put them in the Howard Johnson's across the street. If you need tickets too, you can have it booked as a package and Disney still offers the early entry morning and such as part of thier Good Neighbor Hotel package.

It's a nice simple hotel with a fun water area for the kids.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

Where would be a good place to meet? Sundays are usually not a good day for us.
Any other day would work.

We have Saturday May 8th available if you want to meet up soon. Otherwise..we have June 12th also.

Once we have a date - we can pick a place!

 

[#1Yepod]

Oops, I left out important information. We are two adults, no kids and I budgeted to stay on property. It was after I started researching that I got confused about where to stay. I guess what I am really asking is do you think it is worth the money to stay on property. Are the rooms better? Do you get any extra perks? I'm sorry to sound so confused, but I really want to know your preferences. Thanks for putting up with me.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

We've stayed at all three of the Disney resorts and the Disneyland Hotel is my least favorite. I actually prefer Paradise Pier. Stayed there on 6 different trips last year, and once already this year. We have three more stays booked there - August, September and November. It's about half the price of the Grand Californian, and you can just walk across the street to sit in the GC lobby if you want. Do make a reservation for Storyteller's Cafe at the GC, though - we try to have breakfast there at least once each trip. Another fave breakfast place is Minnie & Friends, inside Disneyland. I'm not fond of the breakfast at Ariel's Grotto, though.

There are some good motels across the street on the other side of Disneyland - check with your local AAA office for a guidebook. The prices vary widely. If you don't have a car, look for a place right near the Park. The hotels like the Marriott and the Hilton use a "trolley shuttle" which stops outside about every half hour - and you pay for a daily ticket. This is one reason why we stay on property - besides for the Disney experience.

I loved Storytellers Cafe when we went in November! Great buffet and great characters. I also like Goofy's Kitchen at the DH although that is more of a "frenzied" character breakfast than Storytellers. I'm looking forward to getting the kitchen sink sundae at the place in the PPH, we get it at Beaches & Cream every year when we stay at the Yacht Club in WDW and love it! I'm glad to hear you like PPH so much- I've heard that from a few people now including my TA, so I'm really looking forward to it. I agree with you, the DH wasn't all that great- I am glad that I stayed there once to be in the "original" Disneyland hotel, but I loved the GCH for luxury and loved my DTD view room there. You also make a good point about if you are staying at a Good Neighbor, to keep in mind the shuttles. In my experience they don't run frequently enough for my level of patience, and I felt like I wasted valuable time commuting back and forth to the resort. Walking is an option, although the area around DLR isn't the greatest, so I don't recommend that.

Oops, I left out important information. We are two adults, no kids and I budgeted to stay on property. It was after I started researching that I got confused about where to stay. I guess what I am really asking is do you think it is worth the money to stay on property. Are the rooms better? Do you get any extra perks? I'm sorry to sound so confused, but I really want to know your preferences. Thanks for putting up with me.

I remember when we stayed on-site with a package, we got lanyards, pins, early entry on select days, and Mickey's Toontown Madness passes which got you into TT an hour early on select days for more character time. Those were the only real perks we got in November 2009, and I'm not sure if any or all are also available with Good Neighbor hotels, so maybe someone can confirm that. To answer your question about whether it is "worth it" to stay on property, it really depends IMO if you want to be "right there", wasting no time on transportation, and/or want that added Disney touch. The rooms are not better than rooms of a comparable level hotel outside the property- you could have the same type room outside Disney for less money because you are paying the premium to be inside. I've stayed at top resorts around the country like Four Seasons, Fairmont, etc for the same price as we pay for a deluxe room at Disney (the Yacht Club in WDW), and the rooms and amenities are WAY better at places like Four Seasons. You pay a huge premium for Disney. So it really is up to the individual if you think it is worth it to stay inside Disney property at DLR--its not as essential as at WDW, where the travel time to get inside the resort could be much longer, and you are actually "outside the enclosed world", whereas DLR is not an enclosed resort area- its literally steps away from bus stops, Holiday Inns, and fast foods.