I can't believe what I just did!

[J. Thornhill]

I don't know what came over me, but tonight immediately after cancelling my Polynesian reservation for 9/2-9/6, I called Jetblue, changed our flight from MCO to Long Beach CA, and booked the Disneyland Hotel. Strangely, the whole affair didn't take very long at all, and there was little price difference. I suppose I wasn't going to let Frances stop us from getting our Disney fix!

I realize this may not be everyone's solution, but I thought I'd share for anyone who might wish to consider this option.

Naturally, I wished the Disney CM with whom I spoke the very best of luck, as I do everyone who might find themselves in Frances' path.

J.-

 

[rcraw45425]

TOO FUNNY! Guess when you need a fix you do what you have to. Just curious, how much is airfare?

 

[J. Thornhill]

Airfare was about $350 with the minimal price difference.
I was able to leave at the same time tomorrow (well I guess that's actually today since it's after midnight) and return on the redeye on Sunday night. This way, I'll get a day of rest before going back to work on Tuesday.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I must say, that is the best plan I've heard of yet. Have a great time at Disneyland!

 

[dpic]

Make sure we get a good trip report. I'm interested about their resorts. Size, diversity, and how they compare to WDW.

Have a great time.

 

[YCFAN]

Great idea. We stayed at The Disneyland Hotel on the concierge floor in the building closest to Downtown Disney. We really loved it. I want to go back and stay at the Grand Californian. Take a walk through there if you have time and tell us how it is! Have a great trip.

 

[AdventurerKat]

Great idea. I thought about it but a large portion of my Disney fix comes from going to the Adventurers Club. I rescheduled to October 8th for a long weekend. Of course I am going October 24th too, but that's o.k.

 

[aero99]

We did the same thing although we decided to stay off-site. Got get my disney fix somehow!

Melissa

 

[Maryjane1]

Good for you hope you enjoy your trip We will do anything for a Disney trip

 

[LvsTnk]

Loved the idea! We have stayed at the DL and Hotel and the GC, you will have a great time!!!

 

[DMRick]

hmm..I want more information. An idea is blooming. I'm sure I can find the info..but if you have it handy (anyone) what is the name of the hotel, and what airport do you fly into, and do they have a national EA? Is car rental similar in Price? How about their hotels?
Thanks

 

[Jen D]

Great idea! Enjoy your trip.

 

[LisaZoe]

DMRick,

The closest airport is SNA (which seems to go by various names Orange County Airport, John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana airport) with LAX not really too much farther and can be less expensive. A 3rd option, further away, is Burbank airport (can't remember the code).

Disney has three hotels - Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian. Of the 3, the GC seems to be the best location although I have not stayed at any of them. To be honest, for DLR I really don't see that there is as much advantage to staying onsite as at WDW mostly because DLR is smaller and some of the offsite hotels are literally across the street. When DD and I went last year, it took maybe 10 minutes to walk from our room to the entrance of either Disneyland or CA and not much further to DTD. Even then, sometimes it was less if we caught the crosswalk light just right Also, with such close availability of very reasonably priced hotels/motels, I felt the higher price of the Disney hotels couldn't be justified - but certainly feel differently about WDW resorts.

I can't say for sure but I would imagine either SNA or LAX would have the National EA since they are large airports. Pricing is also something I can't be postive on but from what I recall, I think it is higher for that area than in Orlando.

 

[DMRick]

Thanks Lisa..I did some looking tonight. I don't think I can pull this off with my limited time. I do have some free SW tics, so I could fly last minute, but I feel like I'm in a fog, since I have no sense of where anything is. I haven't been able to find real prices for the Dis hotels. Since it would only be four nights, I would stay on site, just because I know nothing (wow, did that just come out of my mouth? LOL)

 

[LisaZoe]

I'm not sure what you mean by "real" Disney hotel prices but I'm assuming that might refer to discounted. While I can't be positive, I'm pretty sure that those hotels don't offer nearly the number or reductions of rates as WDW does. One would think they would since they are in more direct competition with offsite hotels. In fact, mousesavers recommends trying Expedia as that site often has the best rates for last minute travel. Mousesavers also lists some codes but those rates don't seem to be big savings off rack rate.

The hotel we stayed at last year was called the Carousel Inn Suites. It was located directly across from the "Maingate" and there were about at least 10-12 other motels within a few blocks. I'm sure we payed under $70 per night for a very decent room with fridge, microwave and 2 queen beds and that included a free "continental breakfast". The best price I see listed for Disney hotels on Expedia is almost 2 times that rate.

BTW - One nice thing about DLR is that because there are only 2 parks, the park hopper tickets are a lot less than at WDW for the same number of days.

 

[Leota]

Great Idea! Have a Magical DL trip!

I love that you can get such cheap rooms in walking distance to DL - I was researching a possible trip there myself & came up with loads of nice looking places within a 10 minute walk.
Last 2 times I went to DL, I had rooms under $50 a night - not the best places, but good enough to sleep in. That was before the clean-up tho -

 

[aero99]

We got great last minute airfare through delta. We are staying at the Embassy suites closest to the parks. We really like Embassy's cook to order breakfast and their free drinks at night. I know it isn't disney but since we were supposed to stay at the Dolphin to begin with, I don't think we are loosing too much.

Melissa

 

[Terry S]

I read that someone was doing this on another thread and I think this is a great alternative! I would do this in a heart beat if it were me! (Well, if I had thought of it that is)

 

[LvsTnk]

I have done it twice. Both times flew into LAX and used the EA.

It is amazing how close everything is even when staying off site.

We liked the DL resort, but absolutely LOVED the GC and California Adventure has an entrance that hotel guests use. Paradise Pier has one as well. You can check out mouseplanet.com for more info. I think mousesavers has a deal posted that sounds really good through expedia.

Also we went to Huntington Beach which was only about 25 min. away, very nice.

 

[Jen D]

I wanted to say again what a great idea this is--- but also wanted to remind those considering it who may have not been to DL before-- Disneyland is under a lot of rehab in preparation for the Fiftieth Celebration. I think I read the castle is covered now? Is this right? Andor course Space Mountain is closed.

Not meant to discourage everyone, I love DLR, but it is always good to be prepared.