It's our first time doing a "serious" Disney trip, suggestions? (Long)

[JessGWisc]

Sadly, I have gone to Disneyland twice before, and really didn't go out of my way to do anything special.

I'm going November 2nd-5th with a friend of mine for a nice long girls weekend, far far away from our home in Wisconsin. We're both 20 and are looking forward to escaping the cold weather for a Southern California Adventure!

We're looking for some opinions and information from Disney vets.

First, we're planning on staying at the Alpine Inn on West Katella. We got a steal for $70/night, and on Tripadvisor we were told not to expect anything special (which we aren't!) The unanimous opinion seems to be that it's nothing more than a clean place to sleep with positively no frills, which is what we're looking for. Has anyone stayed here before or heard anything about it? Does anyone have any other hotels that might be slightly closer in walking distance for a similar rate?

Along the same lines, we were thinking of indulging ourselves for one night with a Stay at the Grand Californian. The lowest rate we can find for our stay is $375 pre-tax. I was shocked, although maybe I shouldn't be, that they don't offer a discount for travel agents. Is the experience of the Grand Californian really all its cracked up to be? Or will having dinner at Napa Rose satisfy our curiosity enough and for a lot less?

We are planning on doing one really nice over indulgent dinner as well. Should we spring for Napa Rose or Blue Bayou? Or are both a must do?

For tickets, we found a great rate through the gay days website. Do you have to attend Gay Days to purchase these tickets? We won't be there until almost a month later. Will our tickets still be useful? Is the only restriction with these tickets that they don't offer early entry? We plan on being in the Parks 3.5 days, buying 4 day hoppers. Is early entry worth the extra money?

And lastly, if you could only choose one Disney experience (I know I'm being mean!), what would you choose and why?

P.S., when I was in the park for half a day last summer people were talking about an "electrical parade". Is it something they still do at the park? I cant find anything about it on the Disney website.

 

[DangerMouse]

Gosh, that is a lot of questions. I'll answer what I can. . .

Alpine Inn: I've actually heard really good things about it. It offers large rooms and is clean.

Gay Days tickets: Yes, you can use them even if you aren't attending the convention. They are good through Dec 13th, and do not offer EE. Otherwise, they are a great deal on parkhoppers. For the time you are going, I don't think EE will pay off as much as the discount will. You shouldn't find the parks too terribly crowded.

The Disneyland Electrical Parade will not be showing while you are there. It is only offered during peak periods.

I would make sure you catch both Fantasmic! and Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks while you are there. They are incredible shows and are not to be missed!

HTH!

 

[CoolPool]

Would you consider the Disneyland Hotel instead of the Grand Cal? You can get a theme park view room for about $255 or so. The rooms are large. The Neverland pool (if useable in Nov) is very nice. Its a great location too - just a little further walk. My advice is to keep your eye on Expedia too - they will throw out cheap rates every now and again for any of the Disney hotel.

Probably one of my nicest Disney experiences ever (here or at WDW) was ordering up dinner and champagne just in time to settle in to watch fireworks from a theme park view room at DLH.

 

[brenda1966]

The one Disney experience I would choose would be to see the fireworks from the hub. That's a defining kind of event and not to be missed.

As for spending $$$ to stay in a Disney hotel for one night? I really wouldn't bother. What do you think you'd get out of it? Pool time? A great view? I'd rather spend my time in the parks, in the thick of things. And the time it takes to check out of one hotel, check into another, see if they even have your room ready, lug around luggage, etc. It just doesn't seem worth the effort to me. I'd put the extra money toward a Fantasmic dessert seating, a nice sit down meal, or a Keys to the Kingdom tour if that interests you at all. Or I'd spend it in the gift shop!

There are many cheap hotels on Harbor, within walking distance, but I'm not sure you'll find them cheaper than $70 a night. For me, I'm determined to only stay within walking distance so i've stayed at Camelot Inn, Carousel Inn, and Howard Johnsons.

Have fun!

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

I wouldn't spend the $ for a Disney hotel with so many close choices for less. We enjoyed Blue Bayou for lunch; but the menu is pretty narrow and no booze. You could always go to the bar at the Grand Californian and have a glass of wine and share an appetizer for something different. If you have a chance to see Fantasmic during your trip, it is not to be missed. Same goes for seeing the fireworks inside the park near enough that you can see the castle. Magic!

 

[flyinshirer]

I have to agree on the hotel thing. I wouldn't want to use up my time packing up my stuff and moving around. You are going to loose valuable time in the parks just to sleep somewhere.

Be sure to make reservations ahead of time if you are going to BB. They fill up very quickly!! It's really cool to eat there. I've not been to Napa Rose but we do like BB and are going to eat there next month.

Good luck and welcome to Cali!!

 

[tinkermell]

My highlight of Disneyland, are the fireworks! Make sure you watch them from the hub on the right side or the middle facing the Castle. I learned that if you are on the left side, trees get in the way.
Also make sure you watch them the first night you can, cuz they will get cancelled if the winds are too strong. Hate for you to wait, and do it the last night you're there, then they're cancelled.

Another highlight is the musical Alladin over in DCA. The best show Disney has I think.

Haven't done Napa Rose so can't comment on that, but have done the Blue Bayou. The atmosphere is great, and the food was too.

 

[XTinabell]

I agree with Tinkermell about the fireworks, they're my favorite thing at disneyland.

The hotel...I haven't heard anything good or bad about the hotel you're staying in so I can't offer any help there but I think I'm going to have to agree with everyone else and say to just stay where you are. I know it would be lovely to spend your last night there in a disneyhotel for some last minute magic but if you're concerned about the price (it IS expensive isn't it?) then I'd spend the money on something you'll feel really good about spending it on. And who knows, maybe you'll win the dream to say in the Mickey Penthouse for your last night.

I have never eaten at Napa Rose but plan to try it in November, unfortunately my trip is after yours so I won't be able to tell you how good it is. I have however been to BB and loved it. I thought the food was delicious and honestly the atmosphere was great but I barely noticed it because my food was so yummy. I also asked a question about Napa Rose on the boards but wasn't able to find anyone to help me so I just searched google for Napa Rose reviews and found many so I'd suggest you try that as well.

And the last question I'm able to answer is about the electrical parade, they do still offer it however not in off season. So it won't be showing when you're there. If you haven't already you should go to the disney site and check out the calender and events calender for the days you'll be there. It gives you a listing of shows that will be shown and times as well as rides that will be down for refurbishment.

 

[Master Mason]

I wouldn't spend the $ for a Disney hotel with so many close choices for less. We enjoyed Blue Bayou for lunch; but the menu is pretty narrow and no booze. You could always go to the bar at the Grand Californian and have a glass of wine and share an appetizer for something different. If you have a chance to see Fantasmic during your trip, it is not to be missed. Same goes for seeing the fireworks inside the park near enough that you can see the castle. Magic!

the OP said she was 20, so booze isn't an issue

 

[darph nader]

A family friend stayed at the Alpine Inn last Sept,she thought it was alright.I'm staying there in Oct,so I'll have better first hand knowlege and get back to you.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Along the same lines, we were thinking of indulging ourselves for one night with a Stay at the Grand Californian. The lowest rate we can find for our stay is $375 pre-tax. I was shocked, although maybe I shouldn't be, that they don't offer a discount for travel agents. Is the experience of the Grand Californian really all its cracked up to be? Or will having dinner at Napa Rose satisfy our curiosity enough and for a lot less?

We are planning on doing one really nice over indulgent dinner as well. Should we spring for Napa Rose or Blue Bayou? Or are both a must do?

For tickets, we found a great rate through the gay days website. Do you have to attend Gay Days to purchase these tickets? We won't be there until almost a month later. Will our tickets still be useful? Is the only restriction with these tickets that they don't offer early entry? We plan on being in the Parks 3.5 days, buying 4 day hoppers. Is early entry worth the extra money?

Napa Rose is an excellent diner especially if you do the "Chef's Table", BB is a not to miss dining experience. You could do both by not doing GC which I think is over rated for the price.
EE is great for those days when it is extremely busy.

Jack

 

[blackjackdelta]

By the way..WELCOME TO THE BOARDS.

Jack

 

[Perfectenemy123]

You can find much better deals on priceline than $70 dollars a night, especially during off season. For $70 you could have stayed at the double tree or hyatt.

But you also need to consider that when you take a trip to DL, DL is what your going to see. All you need is somewhere to crash when you get back.

 

[kelmac284]

I agree with pretty much everything everyone has said. Napa Rose probably has the best meal as does the Vineyard room inside DCA but Blue Bayou by far has the best atmosphere so you would have to decide what is more important. I wouldn't do both unless you want to spend that kind of cash.

I agree I wouldn't waste the money for the room at GCH OR DLH. You can go and hang out at those hotels all you want in the lobbies or the restaurants and shops to soak up the atmosphere.

As far as a cheap hotel right on Harbor the Del Sol you can get for 80 bucks a night on Getaway today. That is only 10 bucks more and it is RIGHT across the street. Can't get much closer. We are staying there next month.

I have seen the Apline and haven't stayed there but the outside always looked iffy to me.

Anyway otherwise I agree about the rest. DEF the fireworks, Fantasmic and Aladdin as must dos!

Good luck and have fun!!