Honeymoon

[dischick4778]

Any suggestions for a wonderful Disneyland honeymoon? I am planning for next August and can use all the advice I can get.

Can't wait!

 

[lap3]

Visit these boards as well as www,mousesavers.com frequently for any deals to be had. Since it's your honeymoon, I say open up the wallet. Try one of the Disney property hotels. You can save money by staying at hotels off site but it's not the same. I haven't stayed at the PP but my family and I love the GC or the DLH. Both are very nicely decorated and have many amenities to enjoy. They can be expensive but well worth it, IMO. During the month of August, we can get into some hotspells like we're experiencing now. But at least we don't have to deal with humidity. When going to DL or DCA, try to go during the week instead of the weekend to avoid the crowds. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know...

 

[JC Butterfly]

Since I am celebrating my one year anniversary, my advice is make a budget. there are a billion things that will want your money right now and you get to prioritize what you want.

Have either of you been to Disneyland before?

Are you the real active don't like to sit around types?

Or the sleep til noon, move about a couple hours, enjoy some drinks by the pool types?

If money were no issue whatsoever, then staying right in the middle of the action at the Grand Californian with concierge service would be the ultimate in relaxation and pampering.

If you'd like a very posh experience but don't want to spend over $400 a night to get it, you might look into the Hilton or the Sheraton. They are a bit farther away but are very luxurious hotels that offer shuttle service.

If you stay onsite, you're right near Downtown Disney too with lots of entertainment options.

Are you planning on driving around to see San Diego or Hollywood too so that staying near Disneyland is more like your "home base"?

BEST of LUCK towards your upcoming marriage!

 

[dischick4778]

Thanks so much for all the advice. I have been to Disneyland only once for 1 day. It was nice, but I didn't get to see everything or explore the resorts. We want to stay in one of the Disney resorts and are willing to spend more than a regular vacation. This is actually only part of our honeymoon. We plan on staying at Disneyland for 4 days and then going on to Hawaii. So we want to make the best of the 4 days and probably won't leave the Disney area. We are definitely the active type - up early & ready to take on the world (or land in this case).

Of the three resorts you think GC is the best? Are they all within walking distance to tha parks?

Thanks again! I can't wait.

 

[lap3]

Yes, all 3 are within walking distances of both parks with GC being the closest. I haven't heard too many good responses on PP so I would probably put this one at the bottom of the list. With either the DLH or GC, you should have a pleasant stay.

 

[JC Butterfly]

The Grand Californian is the one that is right in the middle of the action. If you were willing to pay for a theme park view you could actually overlook the Califonia Adventure theme park. Walking into that park would take you like 3 minutes from your room and Disneyland is probably like a 5 minute walk (estimating). This resort is the most "themed" and if you've been to Disney World it very much reminds me of the Wilderness Lodge. Although I've never stayed here, I sure enjoyed admiring it and the reviews on this board say that Disney uses some amazing windows that completely block out the noise.

The Disneyland hotel probably has the most "character" and by that I mean a pool area themed like Peter Pan, the bedrooms having Tinkerbell's pixie dust sprinkled across the ceiling, etc. This one is closest to Downtown Disney but a little farther walk to the parks. It has the most number of rooms and an area with waterfalls etc, so I imagine that this could be quite romantic too.

The Paradise Pier, just really doesn't excite me personally much. Just looks like a big bland tower. granted I haven't been there since they renovated to the beach theme, but it just isn't my idea of "romantic".

Of course, you'll create your own romance, especially with a trip to Hawaii as part of the grand plan, sounds just wonderful!

If you go to the Disneyland website they have some awesome pictures of the resorts that might help you to decide.

 

[dischick4778]

I just found out about the 50th anniversary celebration. Do you think the DL hotels are going to book fast? Would January be too late to get a good room for August? I'm excited that I will be there for this special time, but do not want to miss out because I waited too long.

 

[cjsmom5]

Just returned from Paradise Pier ... I wouldn't even put it on my list -- especially for a honeymoon. Nothing spectacular. I did a review in an earlier post.

We like both the Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel. The concierge at DL hotel was very nice. Great lounge with a wonderful view. The cast members were very helpful. If you stay at the Disneyland Hotel you should request the Sierra Tower if you want to be closest to the Parks. The view of downtown disney is also very nice and you can see the fireworks, especially from the higher floors -- floors 8-11.

We also like the Grand Californian. Reminds us of the Pacific Northwest. Very majestic and nice. The lobby is gorgeous. However, we felt it lacked the "Disney" feel for our DS 6 and for that reason, only, go back to the DL. For a honeymoon, it would be fine though unless you really want the disney feel. For us if Hawaii was afterwards I would go for the Disney feel at the DL on the concierge and then move on to Hawaii. If money is an object than you could do it without the concierge ... the rooms are the same.

 

[dischick4778]

Thanks for the great advice. From your review I think staying at the Disneyland hotel might be best. I truly appreciate it.

 

[cjsmom5]

Be sure to have them note on your reservation that it is your honeymoon. One never knows ... sometimes they do nice things when they know. Have fun! And, remember if you want to be closest to the parks and downtown disney, the Sierra Towers is the best. If you want to be more secluded one of the other towers would probably be better -- but on that one I'm not sure.