Labor day weekend 2011

[BiggFam8]

My DW and I are going to DL for the first time the weekend of Labor Day (09/01 - 09/05). I know it will be crazy crowded but also wondered how crowded (as compared to Christmas week, for example) also weather, transportation (car rental, maybe?) and we are very confused on the DDP. As you can tell by the bottom of this post, we are seasoned WDW travelers but realize the DL experience will be different. This might be the only time we go so we don't want to mess it up! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dwwlmw]

My family and I will be there that same weekend for the half marathon. We have done this before and didn't find it anymore crowded than other times we've visited in the summer. I've never been at Christmas but I don't think it will be close to those crowds. The year we were there the weather was in the mid 70's to 80's during the day but would get a little chilly at night.

You didn't say where you were staying but if you're staying on site you won't need a car. If you stay offsite there are some hotels within walking distance or you can use the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) for a fee. When we fly into LAX we like to have a car just to have more control over when we go to the airport since it is further away. When we fly into Orange County we use the super shuttle.

I wouldn't do the Dining plan at Disneyland. It is very different from WDW and in my opinion not a good deal. Dining is not as big a deal at DL as it is at WDW. I tend to make ADR's for Character meals but everything else we just do while we are there. Even the Character meals we have been able to walk into but I like to have a set time for those.

 

[BiggFam8]

Staying at DLR on the 1,2 & 4. Having trouble getting room for the third! Calling every couple of days trying to see if there has been a cancellation.

 

[kim3339]

Staying at DLR on the 1,2 & 4. Having trouble getting room for the third! Calling every couple of days trying to see if there has been a cancellation.

My suggestion would be to look at another hotel for that night. My guess is that there isn't going to be a cancellation, b/c of the race Sunday morning. People try to stay there b/c it's where the race expo is and right next to the parking lot for the race starting staging area and finish line. I would look at other hotels for Saturday night just as a backup. I know it sounds like a hassel, but it's better to have a room somewhere before the other hotels sell out and not have at least another place to stay just in case. If you want to stay at a DLR, you could also try Paradise Pier. I do know that the travel company that provides hotel rooms for the 1/2 has had all 3 DLR hotels as sold out for at least a month.

Good luck with the hotel search!!

 

[dwwlmw]

I just booked a vacation package this morning for September 1-5 at the Disneyland hotel. I didn't have any problems with availability. I booked through Disney.

 

[BiggFam8]

I just booked a vacation package this morning for September 1-5 at the Disneyland hotel. I didn't have any problems with availability. I booked through Disney.

We are going there on our vacation points so there is limited availablity. I have a room at the Ramada across the street for Saturday night. I was told that I could pay cash for Saturday night at DLH if I needed to but outside rooms are cheaper.

Thanks everyone for the room info. How about weather and crowds? Anyone got info on these?

 

[lapdwife]

We are going there on our vacation points so there is limited availablity. I have a room at the Ramada across the street for Saturday night. I was told that I could pay cash for Saturday night at DLH if I needed to but outside rooms are cheaper.

Thanks everyone for the room info. How about weather and crowds? Anyone got info on these?

We're staying on points too, but I booked 7 months out so didn't have much of a problem (other than GCH being full already). That weekend is usually pretty busy, at the hotels, DTD, and the park. The hotel pools will be packed. We usually have beautiful weather that time of year.

 

[BiggFam8]

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[kim3339]

Just remembered a tip for you! Not sure what your plans are with the hotel thing and parks first thing in the morning on Saturday, but if you're going to go to the park 1st thing when it opens Sat., you might want to take the Monorail as opposed to walking down DTD to the Main Gate. The 5k race map isn't out yet, but in the past we've gone across the concourse from either DCA to DL or DL to DCA. Last year, we did DL to DCA and finished in DCA. We exited by Soarin and right near the security tables, but they weren't allowing anyone into the concourse until the cleared the course and made sure everything was done. The lines of people waiting, b/w the runners and spectators and people trying to get into the parks were absolutely insane!!! The monorail seems like it would be the easiest way to get into the park w/o all the craziness. So you might want to keep your eye out that weekend or on the DL 1/2 website to check and see which will be easier for you!

 

[BiggFam8]

Great tip! Thanks.

 

[johde]

We're staying on points too, but I booked 7 months out so didn't have much of a problem (other than GCH being full already). That weekend is usually pretty busy, at the hotels, DTD, and the park. The hotel pools will be packed. We usually have beautiful weather that time of year.

Another person staying on points here for the Marathon. I booked DGC for the following week starting Monday. Right now, I'm staying off property Saturday night and Sunday night. I'm currently on the wait list for those nights. It's my first trip to Disneyland.

 

[BiggFam8]

Finally got in DL for Saturday night! Will probably have to move twice but at least we are in! Thanks for all the help and keep the tips coming!

 

[BiggFam8]

Anniversary....can't wait!