Help me nail down when to go? UPD#6, #11 - now which hotel?

[KalamityJane]

I have been lurking on here for a long time, since we planned our trip to DL in Nov last year. You guys are a wealth of amazing info! Our first trip went so well that we are planning a second trip for this fall -therein lies the problem! I am trying to choose sometime in Oct- Nov.

I just can't nail down when to go. If I give you all the things that are important to us, would you help me figure out when would fit us the best?

- DH does NOT like huge crowds. We went from Nov 11-18 last year and it was perfect, though getting busy at the end.

- I loved the Christmas decor! DD (3yo at the time) was obsessed with IASW.

- DH and DD both really love Jack Skellington and Nightmare before Christmas. They thought HMH was awesome.

- We stayed at Best Western Stovall's last and really thought the walk was beautiful though somewhat inconvenient. We had a double stroller and so the kids didn't mind but DH and I got a little tired - we did the walk there and back twice a day (came back to rest in the afternoon).

- We did not get to see any of the parades and I think that seeing at least one would be awesome.

- Weatherwise, it was too cold to swim when we went, we thought about Hojo, but glad we didn't because of the weather. If we went earlier (Oct?) would it be warm enough to swim? We are from the PNW so the kids will swim in 75 deg weather easily.

- MHP - is it worth the crowds? I can guarantee DD is not going to be super into getting the characters to sign things and not very into long lines.


Ok, I think that is everything! Help?

 

[Sherry E]

Welcome!!!


I would have just suggested that you try a Halloween trip this year and go to the MHP because you've already been there for the holidays, but I think that now that California Adventure's makeover is complete, the holiday season will be even bigger and better. Most likely (not confirmed yet) there will be new decorations in Cars Land and on Buena Vista Street. The California Adventure Christmas tree will probably be situated in a new location.

And...you already know that IASW Holiday is a big hit with your family.

The holiday season at Disneyland Resort does not officially begin (this year) until 11/12. I would expect IASW Holiday to soft open probably a couple of days before that - more than likely, it will not open any earlier than 11/9, but it may open on 11/10 or 11/11, and that is not 100% guaranteed. The Christmas Fantasy Parade will probably begin over that same weekend. If you want to be sure to see IASW Holiday, I would time the trip so that you're there when the season begins. Otherwise, IASW will be closed from sometime in mid-to-late October until that November weekend as it receives its holiday overlay.

Going earlier in October will probably mean warmer weather, if swimming is important.

If the characters are not a big deal, the reasons for going to the MHP are to collect candy, see the mini-parade (Cavalcade) and see the Halloween Screams Fireworks (with Jack Skellington as "Master of Scareamonies"). Also, the lines for many of the rides are shorter. I think it's a good thing to experience at least once, but would I make it the sole reason for going during Halloween Time over the holiday season? No.

Haunted Mansion Holiday will be open from September 14 through January 6, 2013, so you will not miss that no matter what you choose.

 

[Rhonna]

You are going to have to prioritize what is more important to you from your list.

The slowest crowds will probably be the beginning of Nov. but you won't have the x-mas decor all up then.

You will deal with crowds in Oct. because of all the Halloween parties but you will have warm enough weather to swim.

The HM overlay is there during all of both months so that isn't an issue for you. Same with daily parades, they usually run daily.

It sounds like the time frame you picked last year worked well for you, with the exception of the weather not being warm enough for swimming.

Although you mentioned hotels you didn't really say if you are asking specific questions about them.

 

[Girimama33]

It's all about what you want to see...Halloween or Christmas. Like Sherry suggested...perhaps choose Halloween since you have seen Xmas.
This will be our first Halloween party, so I can't really comment on the crowds. We opted for a Tues MHP in hopes of fewer crowds.
Hotels that are in close proximity are the Marriott Fairfield Inn, BW Park Place Inn, HOJO. For others, check out the hotels on Harbor Blvd across from the DLR entrance.
Have fun deciding and planning.

 

[KalamityJane]

Thanks so much! I think we are going to be going the week of Nov 11-17! For the life of me I can't remember if they only did the holiday parade (the big one at DL) on weekends or if it was during the week as well. Anyone know? That could change the dates a little (coming and leaving earlier).

Also, I have BWPPI booked right now for 109/nt, I can get FFI for 93/nt and I can get Stovall's for 83/nt. I am torn between the 3 of those.

Stovall's:
Pros -
Free breakfast that was ok
Pretty walk, especially at night
Close to DLH if we do Goofy's Kitchen
Beds were soft
Rooms were clean and decent
Cheap

Cons:
Long walk (BIG con)

FFI:
Pros:
Close to entrance
Near McDs and other restaurants
Disney decor
Seems like a nicer hotel

Cons:
No breakfast
Harbor is not a pretty walk

BWPPI:
Pros:
Close to entrance
Free breakfast

Cons:
Price

We are flying in, so no parking. Out of the 3, which would you choose?

 

[KalamityJane]

Ok - decided! We are going during Gay Days - can't beat the onsite rates and the ticket prices! Booked for the PPH - HERE WE COME!!

 

[sechelt]

Congratulations!

To answer your question, for next time, I'd choose BWPPI. You can't beat how close it is to the parks, even closer than PPH.

 

[KalamityJane]

Thanks! Good to know, I know we are going to try and make it again before April 2014 when DS turns 3 and we have to pay *tear*. We would never have been able to afford staying on site otherwise so I am pretty excited about PPH

 

[Sherry E]

I was reading your posts and just about to say that I thought you made the right choice by deciding on 11/11 - 11-17...until then I got to the one about going during Gay Days!

Just keep in mind - although it's nothing to worry too much about - the Gay Days time frame is often quite a bit more crowded. (I've been there during Gay Days before.) You said your DH is not fond of big crowds. I'm not trying to scare you - just making sure you're aware that you may run into some big crowds.

One reason why the November time frame would have been better - other than the fact that the parks are much more decorated for the holidays than they are for Halloween - is that the November time frame probably would have been less crowded than the Gay Days time frame. That November block is in between the Halloween Time season and Thanksgiving, so a lot of people have gone home and/or are still at work and school and can't travel until Thanksgiving.

In any case, you'll have a great time!! Come join us over in our Halloween at DLR Superthread, which you may have seen floating around the forum. We're doing a different "Theme Week" every Friday as part of a countdown to the start of Halloween Time on September 14. I announce a theme and everyone shares their photos of that theme. One week ago yesterday I started Haunted Mansion Holiday/Nightmare Before Christmas Theme Week. Yesterday I started the Halloween Round-Up theme week. Next Friday...it's a surprise!

Also, I've stayed at the PPH many, many times (the most recent time being in December 2011). I love it. I love the other 2 hotels as well, for different reasons, but I think the PPH is great. Be sure to take the "short cut" from the PPH through the Grand Californian Hotel lobby to get to Downtown Disney and the parks - don't follow the signs on the PPH property to get to the parks or it will feel like you're walking to New York. The short cut is much better - and it's always a treat to visit the lovely GCH lobby!

 

[julieheyer]

Lol! I'm going to be at DL/DCA Nov 15-16, so you're question applied to me! We're meeting our BFFs from PA for the trio, so our dates aren't flexible.

I'm super excited that all the Christmas decor will be up!! Hope that Friday won't be a total zoo, thinking Thurs will be ok. Wish the hours were longer, but hope the lower crowd offsets the shorter hours!!

Since we'll only have 2 days, we're trying to choose btw WOC and F! or fireworks. There will be 8 or us, and I'm hoping they'll be peppy enough to make the late show of F! (if they even offer one) on Friday. Thurs we'll be in DCA so seeing carsland during WOC may be a strategy. Suggestions? Thx!

 

[KalamityJane]

We saw WOC a couple of times last year - it was ok but honestly we were in the back and it was very hard to see and hear what was going on. I haven't seen Fantasmic so it may be better? The fireworks over the castle were AMAZING! And you MUST see the Christmas fantasy parade!

As to crowds - DH will deal. I have been to WDW/MK in the summer when the wait time for Splash Mountain was over 2 hours and it was CROWDED so I can't imagine it would be that bad If we can escape to the hotel during the afternoon, he does ok.

I booked the DLH as well since it was only 10 bucks more than PPH a night. We did Goofy's Kitchen last year and it was great and DLH was beautiful. So now I am wondering if maybe we should go with DLH over PPH? I have been reading all the comparison threads and a lot bring up the price as a deciding point between DLH and PPH - but since that really isn't a big deal in this case... now I am stuck again!

We generally go first thing in the morning to around lunch, come back to the hotel for a few hours and then head out to the parks until closing. We more than likely will not be in the room for fireworks and I only have a standard (non park view) room booked at the PPH.

I am looking for the hotel with the most Disney magic out of the 2. Walking is not that big of a deal, we walked from Stovall's every day before so either hotel will be shorter. We do have a double side by side stroller - how will that work with the monorail? Would it need to be folded down?

Also, we will be in the pool a lot. We will have a 4 year old who somewhat swims but not underwater and a 17mo who is a daredevil and thinks he can swim or climb anything (he also hates those baby raft thingys). Which pool would be better for the kids?

Right now I am leaning toward DLH for fitting us the best.

 

[Sherry E]

The DLH as a singular hotel is more magical in the Disney way that we all want/expect - and it's much larger - than the PPH, but I don't think you'd be disappointed if you stayed at the PPH. (I'm a big Goofy's Kitchen fan, but everyone raves about the character interaction at the Surf's Up meal at PPH and a lot of people prefer it over Goofy's.)

However, if the price difference between the two hotels is very minimal, go with the DLH, for sure! They have glowy-twinkly headboards and such in the rooms!

The Monorail station is in Downtown Disney, so you could either just walk from DLH to the Monorail and then wait a while to board, or you could walk through Downtown Disney to the front gates of the parks, which may be faster.

I think the Monorail-themed pool at the DLH would be a lot of fun for kids!

Good luck, and have a great time!

 

[Eeee-va]

For that tiny price difference, I think you'll be happiest in DLH too.

That said, I understand if you get a VIEW ROOM at PPH, it's quite magical, looking out at Paradise Pier at night. You can even see World of Color (far away) from a view room, and you can turn to a channel on your TV that pipes in the music! I also love walking through the GCH to get to DCA, which is the best way in from the Paradise Pier.

Of course, some other people feel like it's just a tease to walk through the GCH, but it doesn't bother me. You also have to cross a street to get to the parks...doesn't bother me in the least but some parents don't like that idea.

Reviews on the PPH pool are mixed (I didn't visit it and don't have kids), but the monorail pool LOOKS a lot more fun and "Disney"fied.

Anyway, for that small price difference, I wouldn't even THINK about a standard room at the PPH. If a PPH view room and a DLH room were the same price, then I would have to do some thinking. But I love walking through the GCH every day, the seaside resorts theme, and Paradise Pier as a whole, so I'm a bit of an unusual case.

For the KIDS, though, the DLH is probably the way to go.

Have a great trip!

 

[Sherry E]

....But I love walking through the GCH every day, the seaside resorts theme, and Paradise Pier as a whole, so I'm a bit of an unusual case.

For the KIDS, though, the DLH is probably the way to go.

Have a great trip!

You're not unusual to me, Eeee-va! I love PPH as a whole too. I actually really enjoy that short cut walk from the PPH, through the GCH. I have not only grown accustomed to it, but I look forward to it now! It's perfect for me because I can get a little taste of the GCH, a little taste of Downtown Disney, and then go onward to the parks.

The view rooms at PPH are amazing - I always gravitate towards the window to look out at DCA.

But, yes, I agree - for the OP and for kids, and because the price difference is small, I think the DLH is a better fit.

 

[KalamityJane]

I do know what you mean about the walk! Isn't it gorgeous? When we stayed at Stovall's, we walked in through DTD and back out through GCH. It was magical at night! Plus, the kids frequently fell asleep in the stroller because it was nice and quiet.

If I could guarantee a park view room in PPH, I would do it. Like I mentioned, we did Goofy's Kitchen before so maybe we will go for Surf's Up at the PPH this time. DD is obsessed with Leroy and Stitch and Lilo!

OR - would it be a huge hassle to move and stay in both? We are going to be there 7 nights, so 4 nights one place, 3 nights the other? If we scored with a good room at the first place, I could cancel the second place because it would be within the 3 day window... hrmm. I currently have both scheduled for the whole stay.

ETA - this is also my 30th birthday trip - so I am looking for extra magic!