Natural Products Expo in Anaheim

[EmJ]

I've been planning on a Disneyland vacation next March 2-7, 2020. I've been poking around on some hotel websites to get an idea of rates, and noticed that the week before and after have lower rates than that specific week. On Camelot Inn and Suites you can actually see their daily rates every month, and that one particular week in March spikes to $339 per night. So I poked around online and SUPRISE! The Natural Products Expo is being held the same week. I have to believe that's the reason, as I cannot find any other events going on that would consume hotel rooms in the first week of March (any more than the second or third weeks, anyway).

Does anyone know anything about this expo? It looks like it was also held in Anaheim during the first week of March 2019. Other than making my hotel room far more expensive, any idea on measurable impacts in the parks?

ETA: If I'm going to be paying $339 anyway, I'd rather stay at Paradise Pier and at least get EMH for my money. I can't imagine many convention goers are staying *in* the parks. Right? Please tell me I'm right....

 

[Cal-Pie]

I've been several times during that time frame. The expo has very little impact on the parks, but a HUGE impact on hotel rates and availability. It also has a very large impact on traffic around the convention center, I would avoid the hotels in the convention area for that reason.

 

[EmJ]

I've been several times during that time frame. The expo has very little impact on the parks, but a HUGE impact on hotel rates and availability. It also has a very large impact on traffic around the convention center, I would avoid the hotels in the convention area for that reason.

This is awesome, thanks.

Truth be told... I've been looking for a colorable excuse to spend the extra money to stay at one of the resort hotels. Looks like I may have just found it

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I've been several times during that time frame. The expo has very little impact on the parks, but a HUGE impact on hotel rates and availability. It also has a very large impact on traffic around the convention center, I would avoid the hotels in the convention area for that reason.

This. The streets are crazy from all the Expo attendees. It’s a very large convention.

 

[EmJ]

This. The streets are crazy from all the Expo attendees. It’s a very large convention.

Is my assumption that hotel rates at DLH, PP, and GCH are not likely to be significantly impacted correct? Or is that totally off?

Our other option is to go the first week of February instead of March, but I'm not thrilled about doing Christmas, my son's birthday, and Disney in the span of 6 weeks. Also, part of the point of going in March is a reward for surviving our stupid long spring winter, which will be defeated if we go at the start of the doldrums instead of the toward the end.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

We were just there during this time this year.

I don't think the parks were impacted but the hotel rates and availability were insane.

 

[EmJ]

We were just there during this time this year.

I don't think the parks were impacted but the hotel rates and availability were insane.

Where did you all stay?

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Where did you all stay?

La Quinta Buena Park, about ten minutes away (bleh).

By the time I booked about 4 months in advance about the only availability within walking distance with the super 8 on Disneyland drive, and it was almost $200 a night. No way was I paying that for that hotel, so we had to drive. Which I did not enjoy. Missed the convenience of walking.

 

[Cal-Pie]

This year we stayed at DI&S, we were able to book at normal rates (I was able to book almost a year in advance and I think they hadn't figured out when the expo was yet). But, then I ended up adding one night to my reservation and had to pay almost double for that night. In the past, I've been able to book at Trop before they raised rates, but it seems as the years go by, the hotels are wising up and jacking rates. I kept checking back this year as my trip approached to see if hotels would release rooms that they were possibly holding for the expo at the last minute, but that never happened. It's a huge convention and it seems like people are willing to pay anything to get a room. My kids have a school break every year at that time, and unfortunately, it's a really expensive time to go. Side note: We've gotten rained on every time we've gone the 1st 2 weeks in March, too.

 

[EmJ]

This year we stayed at DI&S, we were able to book at normal rates (I was able to book almost a year in advance and I think they hadn't figured out when the expo was yet). But, then I ended up adding one night to my reservation and had to pay almost double for that night. In the past, I've been able to book at Trop before they raised rates, but it seems as the years go by, the hotels are wising up and jacking rates. I kept checking back this year as my trip approached to see if hotels would release rooms that they were possibly holding for the expo at the last minute, but that never happened. It's a huge convention and it seems like people are willing to pay anything to get a room. My kids have a school break every year at that time, and unfortunately, it's a really expensive time to go. Side note: We've gotten rained on every time we've gone the 1st 2 weeks in March, too.

Yeesh. BWPPI is showing $239-$259 for those days on its flexible rate. Should I just book that now so I have it? It says "Cancel before 04:00 PM hotel time on 28-Feb-2020 to avoid a charge" so I suppose I could still shop around for a better rate/see what DLR is offering when they release next years rooms, right?

 

[Cal-Pie]

Yeesh. BWPPI is showing $239-$259 for those days on its flexible rate. Should I just book that now so I have it? It says "Cancel before 04:00 PM hotel time on 28-Feb-2020 to avoid a charge" so I suppose I could still shop around for a better rate/see what DLR is offering when they release next years rooms, right?

I would definitely grab something now and then keep shopping around. If you do decide to stay on site, there is usually a Sun-Thurs discount released for March, but "usually" might not apply after SWGE opens.

 

[EmJ]

I would definitely grab something now and then keep shopping around. If you do decide to stay on site, there is usually a Sun-Thurs discount released for March, but "usually" might not apply after SWGE opens.

Thank you! I booked at BWPPI. If we can, we'd love to stay on property, but I don't want to wait so long that I price us out of an entire vacation. At least I know we have a room at a price we can stomach, and I'll spend the next 10 months obsessively looking for other bargains I'm so excited! I went to Disneyworld once when I was 13; DH went to Disneyland once when he was 16. Our son has never been to any Disney park. It's going to be so fun!