Last minute trip to Disney-need the quick and dirty

[azcater]

We just decided to go to Disneyland this coming weekend (Veteran's Day long weekend) I need the quick and dirty on where the best values are, I belong to Costco and that's it as far as places I might get a discount. We'll need 2 day disneyland tickets, but we won't be doing anything else. We'll be staying 3 nights, fri,sat,sun. We've never done Disneyland before, I just did a quick search on the internet and I'm overwhelmed with all the option but of course I need to get a great deal too. We'd like a room with a separate bedroom so that our 14 month old can go to sleep early and we'll be able to stay up in the living room. But we'll do what we have to do..

Like, I don't know.. should we get a dining plan? Do we stay at a hotel on property and pay the HIGH rates? Is parking at Disney a nightmare?
Should I even bother trying to book a trip this last minute?

My head is spinning!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much in advance!

 

[bumbershoot]

Last minute trip sounds like fun!

Map for you. http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html Gives you a visual of where the hotels are (and how many of the "off site" motels are actually closer than Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotel), and they are links to the motels, too. Could also check out orbitz and sites like that!

Don't do the dining plan, it's really only good for a version of pre-paying for your meals. You get vouchers worth $, but you don't get change for them if you buy under the voucher's value, so you might lose money by losing that change, or buying MORE than the voucher's value (and paying out of pocket).

It's going to be busy! Be prepared to stay in the park on the actual holiday, as I have read it hit capacity in previous years on Vet's Day.

I don't think Costco does packages under 3 days worth of tickets, and they charge extra for last minute packages. Even if you belonged to AAA special hotel rates might be gone by now.

If you stay over on Harbor, the ones closer in, there's no need to park at Disneyland, just walk (or take ART- Anaheim Regional Transit, or something like that, LOL).

 

[Vanvmom]

Ditto what azcater posted. The meal plan is not something I would bother with. Ditto as well about the parking issue. The parking garage is massive, so finding space would not be an issue, but if you can stay somewhere close enough to walk or use transit... it makes things a lot more simple. There are certainly plenty of good neighbor hotels that are a closer walking distance to the entrance of the parks than PP or DLH are.

 

[PeterPansPixie]

You could always use Priceline or Hotwire for your hotel, especially if you will be driving. Of course, you never know which hotel you are going to get but you can get some really great rates.

 

[nurse.darcy]

1. Do NOT get a dining plan. . .

2. Check out Hotwire, Hotels.com, Expedia, or Travelocity for great room deals.

3. Buy your tix online at Disneyland.com and save over box office prices.

4. Have LOADS of fun.

 

[scanmom]

you're going to have a blast!! I love spur of the moment trips!!! Do not bother with the dining plan... it's a waste at DL, not at all like the plan at WDW. And be sure to see all the things at DL that WDW doesn't have. We went last minute in 2001 (right after 9-11), and had great results with www.getawaytoday.com They are super, and can get your vouchers and info to you quickly if need be. Have fun!!!