****Official August 2015 Check-In Thread****

[Imdboss]

I keep checking onsite prices since our stay at GCH in February was lovely but I just can't justify spending $400 U.S. per night for PP (way more for DLH and even more for GCH) when we are paying $89 per night for DI&S and only paid $229 in February for GCH.

But I will keep checking!

Same here! I can't justify $500 per night for GCH vs $144 at Embassy Suites plus bigger room and breakfast included. For a 6 night stay it's a huge difference!!!

 

[Aladora]

Same here! I can't justify $500 per night for GCH vs $144 at Embassy Suites plus bigger room and breakfast included. For a 6 night stay it's a huge difference!!!

I really loved having early entry to dca and being able to send DS to Pinocchio's Workshop while SIL, DH and I did the Chef's Counter was amazing.

But four times the cost is spendy, especially since this is our second DL trip this year and we still have WDW in December.

Also, the wifi at GCH was terrible.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Planning for August 9-11, staying at Carousel Inn for first time. Suite was cheaper than two rooms most other places. Looking forward to 60th celebration.

 

[Aladora]

I'm still checking to see if there is any way I can get the DLH for under $400 CAD a night, 2k is my upper limit for switching. Expedia sent me a 15% off code but that only brings the total to $2800. If we go with Paradise Pier, the cost would be $2014.00 CAD, so right around my budget.

I told DH that I was looking for onsite so that we can take advantage of not only DCA early entry but also Pinocchio's Workshop in order to allow the two of us to go back to the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose. Originally he was not going for it but the more he thought about it, the more he wants to do it!

My analytical brain is telling me not to be a dumb*ss and stick with the DI&S and save the money for our WDW trip.

But the other part of my brain is yelling "BUT I WANT TO!"

I'm going to have tell one of the sides of my brain to shut up.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

OP needs to start a date list! We are getting closer, folks! So excited about the Expo! Wish they would make some more announcements!

 

[Disneyanajc]

Disney Time! Our trip is planned for Aug 4th thru the 7th, staying at PPH.

 

[cgh]

We are heading back August 1-August 6th, DLH.

 

[Ckmommy72]

Just adding myself to the list...we're WDW vets who are making out first trip to DLR this August 26-Sept 2. We're doing a split stay, with the first few days being in the Anaheim area, and the last few being somewhere near Dodger stadium, as DH is a rabid Dodger fan, and that's his whole reason for going. Have airfare booked, but no hotels or tickets purchased yet. Going to be scouring the threads for tips and tricks...I'm an obsessive planner when it comes to our WDW trips, can't imagine this one will be any different!

 

[Aladora]

Just adding myself to the list...we're WDW vets who are making out first trip to DLR this August 26-Sept 2. We're doing a split stay, with the first few days being in the Anaheim area, and the last few being somewhere near Dodger stadium, as DH is a rabid Dodger fan, and that's his whole reason for going. Have airfare booked, but no hotels or tickets purchased yet. Going to be scouring the threads for tips and tricks...I'm an obsessive planner when it comes to our WDW trips, can't imagine this one will be any different!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

 

[gerilyne]

Just adding myself to the list...we're WDW vets who are making out first trip to DLR this August 26-Sept 2. We're doing a split stay, with the first few days being in the Anaheim area, and the last few being somewhere near Dodger stadium, as DH is a rabid Dodger fan, and that's his whole reason for going. Have airfare booked, but no hotels or tickets purchased yet. Going to be scouring the threads for tips and tricks...I'm an obsessive planner when it comes to our WDW trips, can't imagine this one will be any different!

Welcome and let us know if we can help with anything specific!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Just adding myself to the list...we're WDW vets who are making out first trip to DLR this August 26-Sept 2. We're doing a split stay, with the first few days being in the Anaheim area, and the last few being somewhere near Dodger stadium, as DH is a rabid Dodger fan, and that's his whole reason for going. Have airfare booked, but no hotels or tickets purchased yet. Going to be scouring the threads for tips and tricks...I'm an obsessive planner when it comes to our WDW trips, can't imagine this one will be any different!

If you need help with planning, let me know. Our August trip will be my 3rd of 4 overnight/extended trips to DLR this year and that's not including short day-trips, so I can probably answer a lot of your questions along with many of the other people here.

 

[DaveNinja]

Our revised dates in the park look to be 8/26- 8/31 (with the 30th being a DLH pool day).

 

[Luv_Tink]

Our group is starting to make some decisions regarding dining for our August trip. We have two must dos for the whole group: Blue Bayou Fantasmic Dinner and Lunch at Ariel's Grotto. We are a party of 12 with 8 adults and 4 kiddos. Am I going to be able to secure reservations for all of us at the same time and same table? Or am I going to have to divide our group to get either of these reservations? We're willing to eat at off hours to make it work but we would really like to all sit together or at least at adjacent table. And would it be better for us to call to try and get this worked out?

 

[Aladora]

Our group is starting to make some decisions regarding dining for our August trip. We have two must dos for the whole group: Blue Bayou Fantasmic Dinner and Lunch at Ariel's Grotto. We are a party of 12 with 8 adults and 4 kiddos. Am I going to be able to secure reservations for all of us at the same time and same table? Or am I going to have to divide our group to get either of these reservations? We're willing to eat at off hours to make it work but we would really like to all sit together or at least at adjacent table. And would it be better for us to call to try and get this worked out?

I would absolutely call to make reservations. I've used the online system and usually end up just calling to talk to someone.

 

[czmom]

I can't remember from last time, but is it 60 days out we can make dining reservations? Does this include the Fantasmic packages?

So far I think we are going to do the Riverbelle Terrace F! Package, Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle, Wine Country Trattoria, Storytellers dinner on arrival day, and then one character meal- either Goofy's or Minnie's. We have done surfs up and loved it, but want to try a new one this time

Also can't decide if CC or Wine Country should be a WOC meal.

 

[Aladora]

I can't remember from last time, but is it 60 days out we can make dining reservations? Does this include the Fantasmic packages?

So far I think we are going to do the Riverbelle Terrace F! Package, Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle, Wine Country Trattoria, Storytellers dinner on arrival day, and then one character meal- either Goofy's or Minnie's. We have done surfs up and loved it, but want to try a new one this time

Also can't decide if CC or Wine Country should be a WOC meal.

Yes, it is 60 days and yes that includes the F! Dinners.

We've done Wine Country WoC twice and CC WoC twice and DH and I agree that CC has better food.

Because WoC has been updated since we saw it last August, we are going to book CC again. If you have an earlier dinner and time it right, you can take drinks out onto the balcony and watch the parade from up there.

 

[Luv_Tink]

I would absolutely call to make reservations. I've used the online system and usually end up just calling to talk to someone.

Thanks so much, that's kind of how I was leaning as well. Now we just have to decide which days of our trip to do which meal and wait for that 60 day mark! First world problems, right?

Another food related question. Hubby's dad would love to get a nice glass of wine and maybe appetizers or small plates at CA. Where is a good place to send him for a break while the rest of us take the kiddos on rides?

 

[Aladora]

Thanks so much, that's kind of how I was leaning as well. Now we just have to decide which days of our trip to do which meal and wait for that 60 day mark! First world problems, right?

Another food related question. Hubby's dad would love to get a nice glass of wine and maybe appetizers or small plates at CA. Where is a good place to send him for a break while the rest of us take the kiddos on rides?

The Alfresco Tasting Terrace sounds like exactly the place you are looking for!

 

[Luv_Tink]

The Alfresco Tasting Terrace sounds like exactly the place you are looking for!

That looks perfect! I'll put it on our list. Thank you.

 

[jlyanks85]

Hey, long time lurker on this board, first time posting. I've been going to Disneyworld my whole life. This year though I'm going to Disneyland as part of my honeymoon. Will be going there from Aug 10-15th. I'm holding out hope Disney will offer summer discounts to Disneyland, but I doubt it very much with the Diamond Celebration.

Want to stay in GCH or Disneyland Hotel. Do other sites offer any kind of discounts for these hotels?