Need help planning trip, PLEASE :) Lots of questions...

[jrhwmr]

We are planing on going the Monday - Wednesday before Thanksgiving but we might stay longer.

I grew up going to Disneyland as a kid but we live on the East Coast now and go to WDW. We were at DL 5 years ago and stayed at Grand California but I think I want to be a little more economical this trip and stay a bit longer.

There will be 6 people in our group... My husband, myself, SIL (19yo), our kids (10, 8, and 1yo). We would like to stay in a suite hotel in walking distance. Any suggestions?

We have AAA is it worth booking with them or should I book elsewhere? Our AAA travel agents do not know anything about booking a DL trip.

Will DL be having any special Christmas themed events that week? Do we need a special ticket?

Is the dining plan worth it? Reservations required? If so where are your favorite places to eat?

The weekend before I am going to be doing the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk in San Diego. Where are some fun places for DH to take the kids?

Any other info you are willing to share is greatly appreciated

I am so excited about this trip!!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

For starters, the Christmas season at Disneyland begins the weekend after Thanksgiving.

For AAA, I would poke around online and share that info with your agents (just say, here's what AAA is offering on this website, is it possible to book it?), because you may be unknowingly helping out future DL-bound travelers.

I haven't heard one positive thing about the pre-paid dining plan at DL. Out-of-pocket is actually cheaper here (unlike at WDW).

 

[momto2nenas]

We've stayed on Harbor Blvd. at Castle Inn, HoJo, and next month the Fairfiled Inn. I think any hotel is "liveable" but some are definately better than others.

HoJo was great in so many ways but the pool might not be a perk in November...?

Castle Inn was fun for the kids b/c we came home to a castle everynight but its definately going downhill each year that passes so we won't stay there again.

There are tons of good reviews on this board for the Fairfield so I am confident it will be a nice stay.


Never been that week, but to my understanding that's one of the busiest weeks of the year (or the weekend after?..) Here in Texas most of the schools get the entire week off for Thanksgiving so I'm sure other States do to and that might lead everyone to DLR! lol

 

[DLR29]

About the dining plan, it's not worth it because:
a) It doesn't save you any money, the best you can do is break even.

b) You do not get a set amount of meals, you get a set amount of $5 ("snack") and $15 vouchers and when you use those vouchers you don't get change. So for example if you want to pay for something that costs $4.95 with a $5 voucher, you will lose 5 cents. That's not a big deal, but if you have run out of $5 vouchers, you need to either pay in cash (which defeats the purpose of a dining plan) or pay with a $15 voucher and lose $10.05 (which can add up significantly). Disney also prices the dining plan so that you pay exactly for the amount of voucher $ that you get. So by buying that thing for $4.95, you are already losing money. You would have to buy things that cost exactly $5 or exactly $15 in order to stay even. Or you can buy things that cost more and you can break even, but you would have to be paying out of pocket.

c) You can't use the vouchers at Downtown Disney restaurants, which is where a large variety of the DLR restaurants are.

Instead, if you still want to prepay for meals, the recommendation is to put money on Disney gift cards. That way, you know you won't be losing money. You can use them at DTD or snack carts too, so you'll have a wider variety to choose from also.

 

[GrandBob]

Hojo's!

I just looked at their Entertainment Rate schedule, and it's available on your planned days. Hojo's at the ENT rate is such a good deal, you can't pass it up. Even if you have to book two rooms, you're getting 50% off, so that's two for the price of one. But if I were you, I'd call ASAP to see if you can get the kids' suite. $99 for a king bed, twin bunk beds, and a pull-out sleeper.

Just make sure to call M-F 9-5, call the direct line, not the 1-800 number, and confirm that you're talking to in-house reservations. Sometimes it rolls over to the corporate reservation offices (the 1-800 number). If so, hang up and try again. The corporate people have no idea about the ENT rate. Call in-house, and see if the kids suite is available for your dates. If not, as I say, even getting two rooms with two queens or two doubles in each room is a fantastic deal at the ENT rate.

And I agree, the dining plan is nothing like the one at WDW, and is not worth it.

-Bob

 

[bumbershoot]

San Diego...they might think about the zoo, seaworld, the wild animal park (further north from San Diego up the freeway), and even Legoland in Carlsbad.

DLR doesn't have Christmas parties like WDW, but the whole place is gussied up at that time. However, you might get stuck in the season as things are changing from Halloween to the December holiday(s).

And yes it's going to be busy! But your dates are obviously based on the walk, so just know it'll be crowded, make your plans on being there early and using fast pass etc etc etc, and have as much fun as possible.

Are you giving yourself any time between the walk and Disneyland? Last summer DS and I went with my brother and his wife...they are very fit people, but the day before my sis in law had used the elliptical for the first time (she normally runs), and was the walking wounded all day. It was NOT fun for her. And I've ripped up my feet right before going to DLR, and that is not fun either. So if you have no time between, try to have as comfy shoes as possible, use epsom salts in baths, get some arnica cream (I love this brand), and I am not sure I would want to wear the shoes for the walk while at DLR.

 

[Sherry E]

We are planing on going the Monday - Wednesday before Thanksgiving but we might stay longer.

I grew up going to Disneyland as a kid but we live on the East Coast now and go to WDW. We were at DL 5 years ago and stayed at Grand California but I think I want to be a little more economical this trip and stay a bit longer.

There will be 6 people in our group... My husband, myself, SIL (19yo), our kids (10, 8, and 1yo). We would like to stay in a suite hotel in walking distance. Any suggestions?

We have AAA is it worth booking with them or should I book elsewhere? Our AAA travel agents do not know anything about booking a DL trip.

Will DL be having any special Christmas themed events that week? Do we need a special ticket?

Is the dining plan worth it? Reservations required? If so where are your favorite places to eat?

The weekend before I am going to be doing the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk in San Diego. Where are some fun places for DH to take the kids?

Any other info you are willing to share is greatly appreciated

I am so excited about this trip!!

Last year, the 'official' start of the holiday season at DLR - meaning all the holiday entertainment, sparkly Winter Castle, IASW Holiday, all decorations and food/merchandise, Santa, carolers, Reindeer Round-Up, etc. - was 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. It began on Friday, November 13th. In 2008 and 2007, the official start of the holiday season was only 1 week before Thanksgiving. I am not sure yet what is happening this year - if the season will start one week or two weeks before Thanksgiving - but you should be able to see everything in full holiday mode either way!! Someone said they saw "November 19th" as the start date for this year's DLR holiday season, but that is a Tuesday, which seems like an odd day to start it when the previous start dates have all been Fridays. So I think we will learn more by August, when all the DLR holiday info should be released.

In the meantime, check out our popular "Disney at Christmas" planning/info/photo thread and scroll through all the wonderful pictures to get an idea of what's in store for your November DLR trip:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2262171

 

[mrswh]

I don't know if you need a full kitchen, but I will put in a good word for the Hyatt OC. They have two bedroom suites that also include a living room, and the rates can't be beat! No kitchen, but they do provide a small fridge and microwave. Target is across the street, as well as a bunch of decent (mostly chain) restaurants. It has just been renovated and is quite a nice hotel. There is a Starbucks in the lobby and free, reliable Disney shuttle. (It is about 2 miles up Harbor so not a quick walk, but the shuttle is super easy and I think it might even be better than walking.)

I am sure you already know about all the character meals, so I won't go there, but have to say that my favorite place to eat at DLR is La Brea in DTD. It is a nice little restaurant (sandwiches, salads, etc.) with a patio great for people watching. Just outside the security entrance to the parks, and a great escape from the craziness (and horrible food) of the parks. Check it out some day for lunch!

As for San Diego, a day on Coronado would be fun for the kids. Coronado has, hands down, the best beach in San Diego. The Hotel Del Coronado is fun to check out, and the whole little town is so cute. Moo Time (locations in the Hotel Del and on Orange Ave. - the main strip) has awesome ice cream. You can rent bikes at the marina and ride around. The ferry to/from San Diego is cheap entertainment. Lots of fun stuff to do on Coronado for kids and adults!

Check out Balboa Park - it has tons of museums, science center, theater, etc. Lots of things to do there. Seaport Village is cute to walk around (but, as far as I can tell, doesn't have a single decent place to eat).

Hope that helps a little - happy planning!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

For starters, the Christmas season at Disneyland begins the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Actually last year Christmas season started Nov. 13 (2 weeks prior to xmas) and previous years it has started the Friday prior to Thanksgiving. But DLR doesn't have a seperate ticketed event like WDW's MVMCP.

 

[chrissiecutie]

We are planing on going the Monday - Wednesday before Thanksgiving but we might stay longer.

I grew up going to Disneyland as a kid but we live on the East Coast now and go to WDW. We were at DL 5 years ago and stayed at Grand California but I think I want to be a little more economical this trip and stay a bit longer.

There will be 6 people in our group... My husband, myself, SIL (19yo), our kids (10, 8, and 1yo). We would like to stay in a suite hotel in walking distance. Any suggestions?

We have AAA is it worth booking with them or should I book elsewhere? Our AAA travel agents do not know anything about booking a DL trip.

Will DL be having any special Christmas themed events that week? Do we need a special ticket?

Is the dining plan worth it? Reservations required? If so where are your favorite places to eat?

The weekend before I am going to be doing the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk in San Diego. Where are some fun places for DH to take the kids?

Any other info you are willing to share is greatly appreciated

I am so excited about this trip!!

I 2nd Bob's suggestion of the HoJo! The kid's suite has 1 king bed and in a separate room has bunk beds and a pull out sofa. Plus I think it has a micro and fridge and is within walking distance, all for $99/night if you can get the Ent.Rate.

It's crazy to me to hear that AAA travel agents in your area know nothing about Disneyland!! My mom worked for AAA as a travel agent for 15 yrs and knew EVERYTHING about both DL and WDW. She even attended Disney's College of Knowledge, a bootcamp of sorts for travel agents. It was my impression that most AAA agents go to this....

Dining plan- not worth it!

Christmas/Holiday events, check out a few websites. As a WDW vet, I'm sure you've heard of allears.net. Go under the "disneyland" tab at the top. It will list attractions, menus, have pictures and should have holiday info. It does not have hours and is not as extensive as the WDW portion of this website, but it's still my favorite for ease of use and information available.

 

[Queenbillabong]

Instead, if you still want to prepay for meals, the recommendation is to put money on Disney gift cards. That way, you know you won't be losing money. You can use them at DTD or snack carts too, so you'll have a wider variety to choose from also.

You can only use the Disney gift cards at Disney restaurants, not all the ones at DTD accept them (same as only the Disney stores accept them) - which is the exact same issue as the Dining Plan.

We've done the dining plan and I wouldn't recommend it for a couple of reasons. When we did it, we did not realize that we could easily split meals and be satisfied, so we ended up with too many vouchers - this is with a teenage boy who eats a lot. I was able to use them up on a later trip though before they expired. The other issue was the no change back, need to add a bit - which negates the whole pre-paying thing.

We just pay for meals as we go, getting the AP discount

Actually last year Christmas season started Nov. 13 (2 weeks prior to xmas)

Um, that's not two weeks prior to Christmas