How soon do I need to book?

[Nancyvv]

We are planning our first trip to Disneyland in Early February. We would like to stay onsite - probably Paradise Pier because of price. My question is: how soon should I book? We are planning on 5 nights. Do I need to book as soon as possible or should I wait until after the first of the year to see if they offer any deals?

 

[aristocat65]

We are planning our first trip to Disneyland in Early February. We would like to stay onsite - probably Paradise Pier because of price. My question is: how soon should I book? We are planning on 5 nights. Do I need to book as soon as possible or should I wait until after the first of the year to see if they offer any deals?

I am also planning a trip (onsite) for February. I'm waiting to see the next round of promotions before I book though. The current promotions close for booking December 1, so I'm kind of thinking that by then something should be out for the new year.

Some people will recommend booking now, and then you can call in and apply any promotional prices announced at a later date, so you could do that. I actually think it is better to wait because if we all book now, they won't need to discount, will they.

Make sure you register on the disneyland website for any promotional emails and even order a DVD. This will "MAYBE" get on the list for a PIN (special promotional code that only you can use). Nobody's sure how these things are generated, but this could help.

 

[Nancyvv]

Thank you! I was thinking I should wait to see if they have new offers after the ones out now expire. I have ordered the disneyland dvd but I have not gotten it yet. We are so excited to see Disneyland-- we have been to Disneyworld 4 times and love it. We have never stayed on site- we have always stay at vacation home rentals through Florida Sundshine - and we loved it - but since we are not familiar with California we thought it would be best to stay onsite for our first trip.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We book as early as possible and then if deals come along we cancel one and book another if rates change, combo deals improve, etc.

Jack

 

[aristocat65]

Very exciting! You will love Disneyland. Be sure to check out Hydroguy's thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

There is a lot of helpful info there. Keep in mind that Disneyland is much smaller than WDW in area and as a result some of the offsite hotels are closer than Paradise Pier. Howard Johnson's is a favorite on this Forum. We have stayed at Candy Cane Inn before and it is a 10 minute walk.

I am excited to stay onsite this time as we've never done so at DLR. We love the feeling of immersion we get WDW staying onsite and are hoping to have that this time at DLR.

 

[Nancyvv]

I know the hotels onsite can be a bit of a walk- I was assuming we could take the monorail- is a walk to get to that too from Paradise Pier? What would the pros and cons be of depending on the monorail to get us to and from the parks?

 

[sonnyjane]

I know the hotels onsite can be a bit of a walk- I was assuming we could take the monorail- is a walk to get to that too from Paradise Pier? What would the pros and cons be of depending on the monorail to get us to and from the parks?

The monorail does not stop at any of the Disneyland hotels. It has a station in Downtown Disney, but it is still a bit of a walk to get to that. It's only a few more minutes to just walk to the main entrance. One huge con is that the monorail doesn't start operating until the parks officially open, and even then can be a few minutes late, so you are at a disadvantage if you wanted to make it into the park early. For example, if the official park opening is at 10:00 AM, the gates usually open around 9:30, so people can stream in and line up at the end of Main Street for the rope drop, but the monorail wouldn't start running until at LEAST 10, so by the time you got on the monorail and rode it into Tomorrowland, all of those people that entered the parks early will probably beat you to your destination. Also, since you'd be staying on-site, you'd be entitled to each Magic Morning (Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun), which begins an hour before the official park opening, but the monorail is not operating at that time, so you'd have to use the main gate anyway to use that perk.

A lot of people on the boards suggest using the main entrance to enter the parks, but then taking the monorail to Downtown Disney when they are heading back to their hotel to save some time and energy.

 

[mom2dzb]

I know the hotels onsite can be a bit of a walk- I was assuming we could take the monorail- is a walk to get to that too from Paradise Pier? What would the pros and cons be of depending on the monorail to get us to and from the parks?

I do not consider the onsite hotels to be very far from the parks. When we stay at Paradise Pier, we usually walk through the Grand Californian, which makes it a bit closer.

 

[Nancyvv]

Ooooh the monorail does not seem like a very good means of getting to the parks then. How far is it to walk from Paradise Pier to Disneyland? Is it more than 10 minutes? The walk won't bother me as long as it is not very hot. But we have an 18 year old son with autism and a walk that is longer than 10 minutes might be rough- especially after a long day at the park.

 

[DahliaRW]

I would book a room only reservation now. Then at least you are guaranteed a room, and you can call later and have the rate changed if it goes down or have them apply a discount.

You also will want to keep an eye out on special AP rates. It may make sense to purchase one annual pass for someone in your party if the discount you get on your room is enough to cover the additional cost + some.

 

[DLtorgo]

PP is a little walk about 10-15 minutes for us. You go through the Grand Californian and then through Downtown Disney so there is fun stuff to see.

 

[skiingfast]

Ooooh the monorail does not seem like a very good means of getting to the parks then. How far is it to walk from Paradise Pier to Disneyland? Is it more than 10 minutes? The walk won't bother me as long as it is not very hot. But we have an 18 year old son with autism and a walk that is longer than 10 minutes might be rough- especially after a long day at the park.

Nancy the monorial is a bit of a catch 22. It's fine for going to DL since it stops in Tomorrowland. However if you wanted to go to Splash Mountain first thing in the Indy first thing in the morning you are only saving about 75 yards of walking from PPH. Also it doesn't goto DCA so if you start or finish a day there it's no benefit.

 

[nemofans]

We stayed at PP our 1st visit & I felt the walk was a little long. I didn't like having to walk thru DTD to get to DL. I did use the monorail once & it was a pain b/c I was by myself w/my 6 mos old. The monorail isn't as big as WDW's where I can roll the stroller right onto the monorail. At DL, I had to take my baby out of the stroller & fold it up while holding the baby & diaper bag, then try to squeeze us in there w/stroller. I didn't use the monorail again.
The walk to DCA is quicker b/c we cut thru Grand Calif to the back entrance.