Nightmare trying to book @ the DL Hotel. Is there still hope?

[cooniez]

I finally turned in my Vacation request so our vacation dates will be: June 9th-17th. I thought I was reserving the hotel early considering June is a few months away, but just found out there is trouble with ONE night (the 14th) currently being sold out. Also, Since I did a Costco Travel package, there is currently a restriction where they can only book a max of 4 nights at any of the 3 DL hotels.

So taking into account the 4-night DLH restriction & the fact June 14th is sold out...that means that instead of starting our vacation in San Diego as planned with the remainder staying at DLH - this now has to be broken up into the following:

DLH June 9-12
SD June 13-14
DLH June 15-16

Has anyone had a similar experience? Is it silly to think that the night of June 14th @ DLH might open up again? I am willing to call daily so that we don't have to go back & forth between hotels. I was already dreading a night in a San Diego Hotel & then checking out to stay at the DLH, but now this just seems like a mess. It just seems like a lot of work to me as I'm not one of those people who can pack & bring just a toothbrush; I usually carry my whole life in my suitcase.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[sonnyjane]

The rumored opening of Carsland is June 15th, which is why you're finding that the hotels are booked the night before.

I'm not sure what advice to offer. Are you sure the Costco package will cover split stays, or do the days have to be consecutive?

 

[skiingfast]

I doubt the DLH will have an opening. If it does it will be booked super fast. The other two hotels have crazy rates for that night.


I think splitting your trip just like that is a great idea anyway.

 

[cooniez]

The rumored opening of Carsland is June 15th, which is why you're finding that the hotels are booked the night before.

I'm not sure what advice to offer. Are you sure the Costco package will cover split stays, or do the days have to be consecutive?

The Costco package covers June 9th-14th (since only 4 of those nights are at a DL resort hotel). I made a separate reservation directly thru DLH for June 15th & 16th.

 

[bumbershoot]

Re-doing the dates to show checkin-checkout...

DLH 9-13
SanDiego 13-15
DLH 15-16


Have you priced it NOT doing a Costco package? Of course the second part of the DLH stay wont' be with a package, since a package requires ticket purchase and you wouldn't want to do that (you'd want to get tickets long enough to cover both parts, I assume).


I'm a crazy beast who doesn't mind split stays, so I'd say just pack it up and go. Others who do split stays pack separate big bags for the various parts of their stays; so you'd have the DLH bag and the SD bag. Could just leave the DLH bag at Bell Services (if they'll allow it) when off to SD.


Is the 13-15 stay (check in 13, checkout 15) what you want, or is the 13th simply because of Costco? What if you dump the package and just do hotel only? Then you can stay longer.

Or...I think I recently heard that you can book the package, then call the hotel and add the other night....

 

[cooniez]

I doubt the DLH will have an opening. If it does it will be booked super fast. The other two hotels have crazy rates for that night.


I think splitting your trip just like that is a great idea anyway.

The rep @ Costco travel actually suggested doing Seaworld in the MIDDLE of our trip (as opposed to the beginning as originally planned) simply because I could not find an opening on the 14th. I guess I should be glad I was able to get something...I really wish I had flexibility to go end of June instead of the middle, but my work says they need me the last 2 weeks of June.

 

[cooniez]

Re-doing the dates to show checkin-checkout...

DLH 9-13
SanDiego 13-15
DLH 15-16


Have you priced it NOT doing a Costco package? Of course the second part of the DLH stay wont' be with a package, since a package requires ticket purchase and you wouldn't want to do that (you'd want to get tickets long enough to cover both parts, I assume).


I'm a crazy beast who doesn't mind split stays, so I'd say just pack it up and go. Others who do split stays pack separate big bags for the various parts of their stays; so you'd have the DLH bag and the SD bag. Could just leave the DLH bag at Bell Services (if they'll allow it) when off to SD.


Is the 13-15 stay (check in 13, checkout 15) what you want, or is the 13th simply because of Costco? What if you dump the package and just do hotel only? Then you can stay longer.

Or...I think I recently heard that you can book the package, then call the hotel and add the other night....

Both Costco and calling DLH resulted in no availability night of the 14th. I haven't indiv. priced everything out yet, but it seems like either route I'd have trouble with that night.

My original plan was this:

SD June 9
DLH June 10-16 (The Costco package - for now - covers up to June 13).

So June 14-16 I would pay DLH directly (no promos for June yet either). So the last few nights are at the regular rate. The only problem was that night of the 14th they found no availability. Because of this odd night out the Costco travel rep. suggested doing SD in the middle & adding a night at the SD hotel. I'm not an easy traveller at all, but the idea of split bags for each destination does seem to simply things a bit.

 

[Disneylandfan1]

Both Costco and calling DLH resulted in no availability night of the 14th. I haven't indiv. priced everything out yet, but it seems like either route I'd have trouble with that night.

My original plan was this:

SD June 9
DLH June 10-16 (The Costco package - for now - covers up to June 13).

So June 14-16 I would pay DLH directly (no promos for June yet either). So the last few nights are at the regular rate. The only problem was that night of the 14th they found no availability. Because of this odd night out the Costco travel rep. suggested doing SD in the middle & adding a night at the SD hotel. I'm not an easy traveller at all, but the idea of split bags for each destination does seem to simply things a bit.

I've run into the 4 day limit with Costco as well and it can be hard to work with. Sounds like it's a fairly new policy. What day would you be in Seaworld? Are you driving? Here's another brainstorm:

SD June 9
DLH June 10-13 (4 nights with Costco package)
GCH June 14-16

This would cost a little bit more but if you like the GCH it might work.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Have you considered just not booking with CostCo? GetAwayToday for instance has the DLH available for all the nights you want and you can book for more than four nights. I don't know how the prices compare, but maybe you should look at other options. hth.

 

[cooniez]

Have you considered just not booking with CostCo? GetAwayToday for instance has the DLH available for all the nights you want and you can book for more than four nights. I don't know how the prices compare, but maybe you should look at other options. hth.

Thanks for the recommendation. I will definitely look into that. I didn't know it mattered what site you used... I figured if DLH didn't have avail. June 14th that it would be the case no matter who I booked with.

 

[larina]

Thanks for the recommendation. I will definitely look into that. I didn't know it mattered what site you used... I figured if DLH didn't have avail. June 14th that it would be the case no matter who I booked with.

Disneyland basically 'gives' rooms to (or holds rooms for) travel agents. To their reservations staff those rooms appear gone. They CAN'T book them, but a travel agent can. It is worth a try!

 

[cooniez]

Disneyland basically 'gives' rooms to (or holds rooms for) travel agents. To their reservations staff those rooms appear gone. They CAN'T book them, but a travel agent can. It is worth a try!

I was thinking that was what happened since I went to GetAwayToday and I WAS able to book 8 nights (assuming DLH the whole time). It's weird because I assumed Walt Disney Travel Co. would hold the rooms for Costco Travel as well, but since the 14th was gone for Costco, too, they must share the same system. Too bad they don't hold rooms for CT like they do for other travel agents.

I will have to price it out. It looks like the GetAwayToday one may be slightly more expensive, but I'll try to take some time to price everything separately so I can see my options. I will also keep checking for Costco to get their June deals in already! lol

 

[skiingfast]

It's weird because I assumed Walt Disney Travel Co. would hold the rooms for Costco Travel as well, but since the 14th was gone for Costco, too, they must share the same system. Too bad they don't hold rooms for CT like they do for other travel agents.

AFAIK Cosco and AAA book WDTC packages for Disney. Other third parties buy rooms and resell them with ticket to create packages. When third parties do this they are not selling the formal Disney packages. This is why AAA and Cocso have the Disney package perks.

 

[cooniez]

AFAIK Cosco and AAA book WDTC packages for Disney. Other third parties buy rooms and resell them with ticket to create packages. When third parties do this they are not selling the formal Disney packages. This is why AAA and Cocso have the Disney package perks.

Hi Skiingfast! Yes, that's what the rep at the DLH thought as well, because she said it appears Costco must be tied into the same system (with the unavail. dates being the same). I don't think I'm a AAA member, and the Costco package is so great. I guess I could research in the meantime while I wait for end of March to see if those June promos come out. The Costco rep said that at that time - they typically lift that 4-night restriction & maybe the 14th may open up as well.

I am wondering if you can all point me in the direction of some reputable travel sites. I can Google search, but since I'm spending in the ballpark of $3-4K I am worried I might purchase from a site that's not legit. (Btw, I was amazed that it cost that much, but I guess we spent more 2 years ago for less days when we stayed at GCH & this time we are staying a week).

 

[skiingfast]

I would look at Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline and other bigs names if you are looking for an alternative.

Keep in mind that many sites like getawaytoday charge your to change, or cancel including the above and with some you have to prepay in full.

While you may hope for a deal, if you want to keep your dates with going to SD in the middle that is fine. But I doubt a deal will offer the dates you are going or at least the 14th. The rates are super high on the 14th, so I doubt they are holding any rooms back to sell at a cheap rate.

 

[cooniez]

I would look at Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline and other bigs names if you are looking for an alternative.

Keep in mind that many sites like getawaytoday charge your to change, or cancel including the above and with some you have to prepay in full.

While you may hope for a deal, if you want to keep your dates with going to SD in the middle that is fine. But I doubt a deal will offer the dates you are going or at least the 14th. The rates are super high on the 14th, so I doubt they are holding any rooms back to sell at a cheap rate.

Ah okay...so mainly all the big name companies and yes I did notice that GetAwayToday was asking for the full amount Pre-paid (I think).

For now I will have to keep my plan as is with SD in the middle for 2 days (13 & 14). I did call DLH & changed the COurtesy Hold to a true hold by paying the deposit. $500/night. Ouch!

 

[skiingfast]

For now I will have to keep my plan as is with SD in the middle for 2 days (13 & 14). I did call DLH & changed the COurtesy Hold to a true hold by paying the deposit. $500/night. Ouch!

I think you are fine doing this. Like I said before I would skip DL on those days for SD. Here is why and it's now official. June 14th DCA will be closed for media preview with it reopning on the 15th for Buena Vista St and Cars Land.

On the 14th this means a lot of people going to DL only. And as a Grad Nite a bad day to be there.

Your other days will end with SoCal APs blocked out which will help.

The 15th is with little doubt going to be a super crazy day as Cars Land will open that Friday. I would use whatever onsite advantages you get, or just avoid DCA. Do DCA on the first part of your trip and DL on the second part. Go to DCA later if offerings like extra FPs or early entry for onsite guests helps.

 

[cooniez]

I think you are fine doing this. Like I said before I would skip DL on those days for SD. Here is why and it's now official. June 14th DCA will be closed for media preview with it reopning on the 15th for Buena Vista St and Cars Land.

On the 14th this means a lot of people going to DL only. And as a Grad Nite a bad day to be there.

Your other days will end with SoCal APs blocked out which will help.

The 15th is with little doubt going to be a super crazy day as Cars Land will open that Friday. I would use whatever onsite advantages you get, or just avoid DCA. Do DCA on the first part of your trip and DL on the second part. Go to DCA later if offerings like extra FPs or early entry for onsite guests helps.

Thanks for all the info! You have been so helpful & I appreciate the advice you have given me on all the planning threads I have been posting.

So I called Costco Travel & took off the SD Hotel they chose for me (it was something icky) and I booked a hotel they don't cover separately. So NOW through Costco Travel I am only booking 4 nights at DHL and 3 - Adult & 1 - Child CITYPASS. I convinced the Costco rep. to give me a breakdown of the charges (listed below).

Costco Package includes:

Added values:

• Premium character dining (valued at $40/adult and $21/child - $141 savings)
• $20 DL gift card
• Collectible

Costco Travel pin, lanyard, and luggage tag (one per person)

4-night stay at DLH = $1,804 (17% hotel tax included)

So. Cal CITYPASS = Adult: $279 x 3 = $837, Child: $239 = Total $1076

Shipping & handling = $46

Grand total = $2,926

 

[jilld11]

Just be very careful about the requests you have for the DLH. The Costco packages have the worst selection of rooms in each category. I would talk to the front desk directly about what you want as they Costco rooms are always the worst selection allocated. I have been booking hotels for years and know this, even if the Costco people tell you different. I would actually pay more to not book with Costco because of this.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Why on earth did you choose those days to visit DLR?? It's going to be quite busy therefore unpleasant IMO - can you wait till later in the summer? Weekdays mid July through mid August?