Is 5 days obsessive?

[1Disneylandfan]

Was it the partial view rooms at the GCH that were connected -- they have to be the same view right & type right? It would be our 15 yr old & 5 yr old in the other one and would love to get at least 2 bed or a pull down sofa... in the one. I am wondering if this is the type of time do to the 'phantom' kids on the reservations. They could share a bed but TBH would at that price like them to not. Our son wouldnt complain, but I want him to have his own bed lol If we did do that I am pretty sure it might save around $400-600 a night but not 100%

I would love to split my trip between the 2 like you did but I was worried about moving stuff between the 2... my husband thinks it will be a big hassle. I was even playing with for awhile doing the DHL 1 bedroom suite(actually way cheaper still) or even 2 rooms for 2 night and GCH for the rest. I would love to spend Christmas through NYE at Disneyland if I could and probably why I keep hitting the refresh on the reservation site

Not sure if connecting rooms need to be in the same category or not. Disney will transfer your luggage from one hotel to the next just set it up with concierge and they will let you know what time and where you need to leave your luggage. So it's easier than you think.

 

[1Disneylandfan]

Also another option, is have you considered staying at the new DVC tower at the DLH. It has availability for your dates and a 1 bedroom. Hop on it fast cuz I doubt it will be available long considering it's brand new. Its called "The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel".

 

[Disneysince82]

Not sure if connecting rooms need to be in the same category or not. Disney will transfer your luggage from one hotel to the next just set it up with concierge and they will let you know what time and where you need to leave your luggage. So it's easier than you think.

Im actually on the phone right now with the reservations!! Thanks to you(and that awesome post breaking it down) I think we just might be able to do our dream vacation(both places) split and are going to be saving a good amount of money! I'll update when I am done -- I am just so happy I could cry!!

 

[Disneysince82]

Also another option, is have you considered staying at the new DVC tower at the DLH. It has availability for your dates and a 1 bedroom. Hop on it fast cuz I doubt it will be available long considering it's brand new. Its called "The Villas at the Disneyland Hotel".

Im actually on the phone right now with the reservations!! Thanks to you(and that awesome post breaking it down) I think we just might be able to do our dream vacation(both places) split and are going to be saving a good amount of money! I'll update when I am done -- I am just so happy I could cry!!

OK!! The refreshing totally paid off(I think!) I was looking at connecting rooms like you recommended, and when I was refreshing, I noticed they had the 1 bedroom suite GHC(not a 2nd wheelchair accessible) — I felt really bad booking on of those in case someone needed it. I was looking for the regular ruins but it looks like I might only be saving $200 a night so I can go back and look but I’m not positive.

I got a new phone and spoke to the amazing CM who was beyond helpful, patient, knowledge, and kind— if anyone knows another way to give him thumbs up other than the survey, please let me know!

I have always wanted to spend a Christmas in DL like I did as a very young girl. My earliest memory of Disney and maybe one of my earliest memories is of Toy Tinkers & kicked off a life long Chip n Dale love.

He was able to switch my to the 1 bedroom suite CGH 12/24 - 12/28 I should probably be a little ashamed, but I almost got teary-eyed OK I DID get teary-eyed when I realized I was going to be able to spend Christmas at DL!

He also notated that it was our kids first visit, that I hadn’t been there since the 50th, that it was our anniversary, and I preferably would like one of the highest floor(hoping I can still get one with a table for 4 on the balcony)if possible, 1 King bed in the room and wanted to do club access. I didn’t ask him to do that and he told me at the end he did.

This is where he really went out of his way to REALLY shine. I told him that I was also considering booking the 1 bedroom family suite at the DLH for the 12/28 - 1/1 that I thought it would be awesome to spend all the Christmas Eve - New Years. He told me other one with available and we’re starting the booking and then I asked him have you ever spent New Year’s Eve at DL?

He then gave a very honest and thorough explanation of his experience a few yrs back pre Covid — mentioning it could be different because of the reservation process.

I had mentioned that I knew it was going to be packed and I was a little bit worried about our 5 & 15 kids & a husband that also dislikes body to body crowds. He told me that when he went, it was body to body and that it was hard to move, but still a very magical experience That we could always try to go to the east coast countdown and maybe it would be a little bit better, and then go back to the room etc. then he tells me something I didn’t even realize it was an option!!! That he was going to do a courtesy hold until Monday on 1 1 bd family at the DHL. Do you think about it chat with my husband I just see what’s best for us.

So now I’m thinking maybe we should just fly in the 23rd at 7 AM maybe take our five year olds the tide pools in Laguna Beach because she’s never seen the real ocean. then just stay at a run-of-the-mill hotel and surprise him Christmas Eve morning at the DL! Right now to do the full day as I was planning on the 28th switching over to DHL so I could extend it another night at GCH which seems to still be available or just check out and go to a hotel across the street & fly back 29th

Any suggestions are totally open!

 

[WonkaKid]

I have been told by a few people that 5 days Disneyland is obsessive. Should I be cutting it down to 3-4 days?

I’ll say this much: one day at Disneyland… isn’t enough.

Two days at Disneyland… is just about right.

Three days at Disneyland… is a bit too much.

Four days at Disneyland… is way too much.

Five days at Disneyland… isn’t nearly enough ;-).

 

[1Disneylandfan]

OK!! The refreshing totally paid off(I think!) I was looking at connecting rooms like you recommended, and when I was refreshing, I noticed they had the 1 bedroom suite GHC(not a 2nd wheelchair accessible) — I felt really bad booking on of those in case someone needed it. I was looking for the regular ruins but it looks like I might only be saving $200 a night so I can go back and look but I’m not positive.

I got a new phone and spoke to the amazing CM who was beyond helpful, patient, knowledge, and kind— if anyone knows another way to give him thumbs up other than the survey, please let me know!

I have always wanted to spend a Christmas in DL like I did as a very young girl. My earliest memory of Disney and maybe one of my earliest memories is of Toy Tinkers & kicked off a life long Chip n Dale love.

He was able to switch my to the 1 bedroom suite CGH 12/24 - 12/28 I should probably be a little ashamed, but I almost got teary-eyed OK I DID get teary-eyed when I realized I was going to be able to spend Christmas at DL!

He also notated that it was our kids first visit, that I hadn’t been there since the 50th, that it was our anniversary, and I preferably would like one of the highest floor(hoping I can still get one with a table for 4 on the balcony)if possible, 1 King bed in the room and wanted to do club access. I didn’t ask him to do that and he told me at the end he did.

This is where he really went out of his way to REALLY shine. I told him that I was also considering booking the 1 bedroom family suite at the DLH for the 12/28 - 1/1 that I thought it would be awesome to spend all the Christmas Eve - New Years. He told me other one with available and we’re starting the booking and then I asked him have you ever spent New Year’s Eve at DL?

He then gave a very honest and thorough explanation of his experience a few yrs back pre Covid — mentioning it could be different because of the reservation process.

I had mentioned that I knew it was going to be packed and I was a little bit worried about our 5 & 15 kids & a husband that also dislikes body to body crowds. He told me that when he went, it was body to body and that it was hard to move, but still a very magical experience That we could always try to go to the east coast countdown and maybe it would be a little bit better, and then go back to the room etc. then he tells me something I didn’t even realize it was an option!!! That he was going to do a courtesy hold until Monday on 1 1 bd family at the DHL. Do you think about it chat with my husband I just see what’s best for us.

So now I’m thinking maybe we should just fly in the 23rd at 7 AM maybe take our five year olds the tide pools in Laguna Beach because she’s never seen the real ocean. then just stay at a run-of-the-mill hotel and surprise him Christmas Eve morning at the DL! Right now to do the full day as I was planning on the 28th switching over to DHL so I could extend it another night at GCH which seems to still be available or just check out and go to a hotel across the street & fly back 29th

Any suggestions are totally open!

If I got this right, your flying in on the 23rd and flying back home on the 29th. If that is the case and if availability is there at each hotel, I would stay 3 nights in each. You can experience the lobby and whatever else you want at the GCH without being a guest, you just can't access the rooms or the pool. Same thing for the DLH. I sit in the lobby at the GCH on most of my trips, and if it's during winter I make sure to sit by the fire, the chairs are so comfy.

If GCH is what you would really want the whole time, I would just add the extra night on the end. You will not want to stay offsite for just one night when its at the end of the trip. Trust me, you won't want to leave the "Disney bubble" to do it. If you need to stay offsite, as part of your stay always do it at the beginning, and end the trip with staying on property.

Also just a side note, you can request an early check in. 5 days prior to checking in you can do the check in on the app and it'll ask you what time you plan on arriving, you can enter whatever time. I was accommodated both times and I want to say the GCH had my room ready at 9:30am in the morning. Even if your room isn't ready, you can still go check in at reception and they will hold all your luggage for you. They will also bring it up to room for you whenever your ready, you just need to be in your room for them to deliver it.

I've been to the resort during Christmas time but it was the day after Christmas and only for a few days. And yes it is the busiest time of the year. However if you go there with the mindset that it will be wall to wall people and don't have any expectations, you'll be fine. Even if you don't get on as many rides as you would like, the atmosphere will make up for it.

 

[Disneysince82]

If I got this right, your flying in on the 23rd and flying back home on the 29th. If that is the case and if availability is there at each hotel, I would stay 3 nights in each. You can experience the lobby and whatever else you want at the GCH without being a guest, you just can't access the rooms or the pool. Same thing for the DLH. I sit in the lobby at the GCH on most of my trips, and if it's during winter I make sure to sit by the fire, the chairs are so comfy.

If GCH is what you would really want the whole time, I would just add the extra night on the end. You will not want to stay offsite for just one night when its at the end of the trip. Trust me, you won't want to leave the "Disney bubble" to do it. If you need to stay offsite, as part of your stay always do it at the beginning, and end the trip with staying on property.

Also just a side note, you can request an early check in. 5 days prior to checking in you can do the check in on the app and it'll ask you what time you plan on arriving, you can enter whatever time. I was accommodated both times and I want to say the GCH had my room ready at 9:30am in the morning. Even if your room isn't ready, you can still go check in at reception and they will hold all your luggage for you. They will also bring it up to room for you whenever your ready, you just need to be in your room for them to deliver it.

I've been to the resort during Christmas time but it was the day after Christmas and only for a few days. And yes it is the busiest time of the year. However if you go there with the mindset that it will be wall to wall people and don't have any expectations, you'll be fine. Even if you don't get on as many rides as you would like, the atmosphere will make up for it.

You are awesome!! When it comes to flying in and out we really have A LOT when it comes to flying in and out -- I havent purchased the tickets yet, but am hoping to this next week.

When it comes to which hotel it is funny because when we started planning DLH was the places we were going to be at because of the pool & really thought it would the cherry on top almost for the kids. The GCH it might it be a little bit of FOMO if I am being 100% With that said I have never heard anyone say they didnt love it & the holidays were amazing. I love the idea of splitting the visits if possible just to do both.

You hit the nail on the head... I am FULLY prepared for it to be super busy. With that said the idea of being at DL during Christmas makes me smile just thinking about it. I figure with 5 days there we should be able to hit all the rides we want & even if we dont I doubt anyone will think it was a bad time.

Ive heard that about early check in!! Is it true with early check in that if you do that they wont do room request? We will be getting into town 730-9AM no matter the day we fly in so having our luggage at the front desk will be huge.

 

[1Disneylandfan]

You are awesome!! When it comes to flying in and out we really have A LOT when it comes to flying in and out -- I havent purchased the tickets yet, but am hoping to this next week.

When it comes to which hotel it is funny because when we started planning DLH was the places we were going to be at because of the pool & really thought it would the cherry on top almost for the kids. The GCH it might it be a little bit of FOMO if I am being 100% With that said I have never heard anyone say they didnt love it & the holidays were amazing. I love the idea of splitting the visits if possible just to do both.

You hit the nail on the head... I am FULLY prepared for it to be super busy. With that said the idea of being at DL during Christmas makes me smile just thinking about it. I figure with 5 days there we should be able to hit all the rides we want & even if we dont I doubt anyone will think it was a bad time.

Ive heard that about early check in!! Is it true with early check in that if you do that they wont do room request? We will be getting into town 730-9AM no matter the day we fly in so having our luggage at the front desk will be huge.

You'll enjoy the split stays between the hotels, just to be able to experience both. That way you also won't have FOMO about either hotel.

You can also choose to purchase genie plus on any of the days your there once you enter the parks. Although with 5 days, I don't think you need it. Correct you won't have a bad time, the onsite property stay with its atmosphere is going to make up for anything you didn't get to ride. And it's an excuse to come back to California.

My experience with early check-in is this:

• 1st priority now became getting you an available room for that time frame, although it could be along with the other room requests you made. You just never know.

So this is what I did last summer:

• Check-in at 5 days out on the app and requested an early check-in (you tell it a specific time frame).
• On the day of check-in they will text you when your room is ready or you can also look in the app and you will see a room number assigned.
• Once my room was ready, I still went to reception and asked if what I just currently got assigned included my requests, and you may need to mention to them your requests noted on your reservations.
• At DLH I wanted Adventure Tower (they have 3 different ones), to accommodate my early check-in they assigned me Fantasy Tower, so I spoke with reception and they looked and said if you want to wait a couple hours we can get you into the original tower you requested, so I did that.

Like I said even if your room isn't ready they will hold all your luggage. It's happens frequently, their used to it. Also if you want to use the pool, you can begin using it in the morning on day of check-in. You can also use it on day of check out, they will just re-code your keys so that you can only access the pool area and not your room anymore.

 

[Jane VanTassel]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!! If you can swing more days, the better. This will give you and your family time to breath without having/or feeling like you need to run here and there. You can take breaks during the day/nap/swim/shop in DTD etc: then go back for the evening fun. I have found it's amazing to be at rope drop and go go going all day: yet with the luxury of staying an extra day or two, you can also chill a bit.