How would April 16 - 23 2005 in CA/Disneyland?

[beattyfamily]

Hi all,

I'm really considering going to Disneyland CA next April 2005 for the first time.

Would this be a good time to visit CA?

We've never been to CA or Disneyland CA. Any advice or tips?

I'm DVC member so I would probably use my points for a hotel at Disneyland.

Would I need a car for transport to and from the airport and maybe a visit to LA?

I would love to go for a week but spend 3 days at Disneyland and the rest sightseeing. If I do that, where should I stay for the non-Disney nights? Any ideas?

Thanks for any help!

 

[kimkatmom]

Hi beattyfamily:

April is a great time to visit southern California. We go to DL at least once, most of the time twice a year [we live in the Napa Valley, so its only 6 hours to drive]. Any excuse will do for us -- like the premier of the Pirates movie last July.

A really great place to stay is the Disneyland Hotel. There, again, it depends on what you want to spend, but if you watch the boards, they run specials all the time. Watch particularly mousesavers.com, they even run specials that only show up in the southern California newspapers. I don't think I would use my DVC points to go there just simply because they are more valuable than spending them on the Disney Hotels.

I have stayed in Paradise Pier once, the night before DCA opened and that was only because we couldn't get any place else on property. I don't think I will stay there again. The Grand California is just that, Grand. It can get pretty pricy. The location is great, but for the dollar not that great. In my opinion the DH has a better pool -- it just fits better.

DO NOT, HOWEVER, MISS Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian. Very special place to eat -- buffet and/or menu.
DO NOT miss the Blue Bayou in DL - have a monte christo!

If you fly into LAX, you can take a bus to the resort. If you fly into John Wayne, you can take a shuttle or taxi. Watch your air fares -- you can really get some good deals.

Where to say for your non-Disney nights? All depends on what you want to see. There are a lot of timeshare properties that are deluxe and you can rent them for however many nights you want. Further, sometimes renting them for a week is less than an each night charge. You don't have to stay for the entire week. Plan what you want to see and then try to stay pretty near. It's so much easier than trying to negotiate your way around. The highways in So.Cal. are brutal.

Have a great time -- it's not too early to plan.

Leslye

 

[beattyfamily]

Wow, thanks so much for the detailed reply!

I think I'd want to see Hollywood...the stars...Rodeo drive and those kinds of things.

Maybe spend a day at Universal too.

I really appreciate your advice!

Thanks again!

 

[CalGal]

Spring is a wonderful time to visit (but then, most times of the year are nice in California). Something to keep in mind is that kids go on spring break anywhere between mid March and late April, and lots of families go to DL on their spring break. The good thing is that many of the schools go on spring break at different times, so while you are likely to encounter some added crowds due to spring break, it shouldn't be too bad. Don't let that discourage you though--most schools take their break in late March. Also, the parks are opened a little later when larger crowds are expected.

(My school district is scheduled for spring break the week of April 18th next year, but then we tend to always be later than most).

 

[MATTERHORN]

Just one other opinion, do not use your points to stay at the Disneyland hotels. It is a waste of point value! Instead, I told my friend who spent 200 points for 5 days there to rent out her points on the board, for 200 you would get about $10 a point, or $2000.00. That would pay for 5 nights hotel x $200.00 per night, that's $1000.00. You could then use the leftover money for tickets and spending. JMO, but it workes out really well for my friend. I hope this makes sense. Then her points paid for her entire vacation instead of just the room. Good Luck and I hope you have a great time!


Andrea

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I agree. April is a great time to visit California. Right now we're in the mid 70's, kind of cool nights, but not cold, and warm mid-days.

I think that renting a car depends on how long you plan on spending at the Disneyland Resort, and if you're planning on visiting other theme parks, or just the Hollywood area.

If you plan on spending most of the time at the DL Resort, then you might want to take a shuttle from the airport, and then go to the Walt Disney Travel Company Guest Services office in Downtown Disney and rent a car for the day or two that you'll want to sightsee.

Any of the three Disney hotels is great. The Paradise Pier is undergoing a total refurbishment, and I'm looking forward to seeing the new rooms and pool layout. I've seen some pics, and the rooms look great. The Disneyland Hotel is fun and so California with its three towers and landscaped grounds. The Grand Californian has a more luxurious, pampered feel to it, and you can't beat the close location to the parks.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

I went in April once, and the crowds were pretty heavy and it was too hot for my Northwest Washington self. I much prefer February...it's not unnearably hot and there are no lines, even for major attractions!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by MATTERHORN
Just one other opinion, do not use your points to stay at the Disneyland hotels. It is a waste of point value! Instead, I told my friend who spent 200 points for 5 days there to rent out her points on the board, for 200 you would get about $10 a point, or $2000.00. That would pay for 5 nights hotel x $200.00 per night, that's $1000.00. You could then use the leftover money for tickets and spending. JMO, but it workes out really well for my friend. I hope this makes sense. Then her points paid for her entire vacation instead of just the room. Good Luck and I hope you have a great time!

Andrea

Thanks everyone for the great tips and advice!!

I'm a bit nervous about renting out my points.

I'm planning on going April (spring break) and i'm afraid the Grand Californian will be very expensive then (over $200) or even booked up. Four nights with points is 140pts. So that's approx $1400 if I rent my points out instead of using them.

If the resort is $250 a night that's $1000. for 4 nights so I'd make $400 toward the vacation but I have a feeling April will be more than $250. a night. Some dates I plugged in were coming up $310 (this april) and $308 (May). That's a lot of money per night. If that's the price per night next April, it may not be worth the hassle of renting. I'm such a worry wart, I'd get all stressed about the renting!

When can you book Disneyland resorts? The website won't let me check past January 2005.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Yeah it's not a good idea if you are a nervous person, but the AP/newspaper rates at the resort for April / May were around $169 a night at the GC and only around $129 at the Disneyland hotel. Also found on Expedia prices for $127 at the DH next week and $187 at the GC. But if you want to book totally in advance, then you can lose out on a couple hundred for the security, which is nice also. If you think about it, even at $250 per night, if it takes 36 points or so, it's $360 per night. That's $110 per night more. Oh well, like I said it's a personal choice and not right for everyone. Just wanted you to know all your options. Hope you have a great time. Also they say after the May announcement you should be able to book for 2005!


Andrea

 

[ceejay13]

I absolutely agree with paying cash and not using points. We are DVC members also, and are going next Friday for a week. I just left a detailed reply on the DL for a WDW family about tickets, etc.

 

[kimkatmom]

Call Disney reservations -- ask them when they will start taking reservations for April. Most people don' plan out that far in advance. We always do, but it is difficult to get reservations any more than a year in advance. You shouldn't have too much trouble. We have even gone so far as to call down as we are driving to Disneyland and get a room reservation. You know, just got the bug to go, hopped in the car and called. If we got in great -- if not, we would find somewhere to lay our heads. We got in and we got a great price. There's no need to pay any more than $200 a night at the DLH.

I don't know where to stay in Hollywood, but I will tell you that you should look at the Pantages Theatre for Broadway shows. Also, I understand that the Disney Music Theatre [or whatever it's called, I'll get back to you on that] is amazing. The architecture is worth just going to see. Don't forget to walk down Hollywood Boulevard, but don't stray too much -- I would stay on Hollywood Boulevard. It's a lot of fun looking at all the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can go to the Kodak Theatre where they hold the Academy Awards. And I understand that "Pinks" has the best hotdogs in the world, but I've never been there.

I'll get back to you when I find out what that building is called -- my brain doesn't usually work this late at night, you know, had a hard day shopping for my next vacation to WDW and Disney Cruise.

 

[kimkatmom]

I know, you thought this thread was dead. However ---

Just got a phone call from my youngest daughter. She just made reservations at the Grand Californian starting on Sunday, May 16th for four night at the rate of $169!!! She called central reservations.

One catch, however, this is the rate for a premium pass holder. But --- only one of you needs to be a premium pass holder. Believe me, the cost of the premium pass is much less than paying $300+ for those rooms. One night's savings would pay for the difference between a regular pass and a premium annual pass. And the discounts in the park are great.

Go for it -- it's worth it.

Only 29 more days.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by kimkatmom
I know, you thought this thread was dead. However ---

Just got a phone call from my youngest daughter. She just made reservations at the Grand Californian starting on Sunday, May 16th for four night at the rate of $169!!! She called central reservations.

One catch, however, this is the rate for a premium pass holder. But --- only one of you needs to be a premium pass holder. Believe me, the cost of the premium pass is much less than paying $300+ for those rooms. One night's savings would pay for the difference between a regular pass and a premium annual pass. And the discounts in the park are great.

Go for it -- it's worth it.

Only 29 more days.

Thank you very much! I don't need to have the pass now to book it right?

Also do you mean Disneyland's Central Reservations? Not WDW CRO, right? I know a dumb question but Disneyland CA is all new to me!

Thanks again!