Official DL July 2015 thread

[elaine amj]

this is where I am staying myself

Was there anything in particular that drew you to choose this? There are fairly minimal reviews on the Dis for the Fairfield Inn. I have been reading reviews like crazy.

I can choose either the Residence Inn or the brand new Springhill Suites for the same points and both come with free breakfast. BUT - I absolutely love the idea of the walk from my room to the front gates being about the same as my walk from my room to the bus stop at my typical WDW resorts!!!

It's a crazy amount of points for a Fairfield Inn (darn Marriott moved it from a Cat 5 to a Cat 6 in 2013 then from a Cat 6 to a Cat 7 in 2014 GRR!) but the location is really, really, really tempting.

 

[HappiestHaunt]

We really like it. So close, and it has always been clean and quiet when we've been there. Comfortable beds, and we haven't had trouble with the wifi, either. That said, it is a typical Best Western...nothing super fancy, but that is really typical of all the places on Harbor right across from the parks.

I think you'll be happy with your choice!

It sounds like it! We liked that it had a decent breakfast and was uber close. Thank you for the reassurance. We are going into the king mini suite and putting our DD (8) on the sofa bed or couch at her discretion. Is it good to ask for a room near the front of the hotel or does that matter? We hit into a decent rate of 125 for the room with AAA discount (I booked it last August). Still cheaper then other close opetions even with the 10 dollar a day parking fee it has. My family think I am nuts for booking things so far in advance, but I end up with great deals usually.

 

[elaine amj]

It sounds like it! We liked that it had a decent breakfast and was uber close. Thank you for the reassurance. We are going into the king mini suite and putting our DD (8) on the sofa bed or couch at her discretion. Is it good to ask for a room near the front of the hotel or does that matter? We hit into a decent rate of 125 for the room with AAA discount (I booked it last August). Still cheaper then other close opetions even with the 10 dollar a day parking fee it has. My family think I am nuts for booking things so far in advance, but I end up with great deals usually.

Sounds like it is a refundable rate - I book and cancel constantly because we travel a lot and I never quite know what we are going to do next. If there is a good deal, I'll jump onto it and hold it during the months it takes us to decide. If you were able to save money by booking early, why not? I have tent cabins in Kings Canyon booked for DLR side trip in July already - only about 80% decided we will stay there but worried they will sell out so figured I might as well book early and have it. I will be committing to our whale/dolphin watching cruise now (6 months early!!) since they are offering a 20% discount on gift certificates (Christmas promo). Going to call n buy those today.

When we were planning our WDW trip this past Christmas, I couldn't decide on resorts and wanted to take advantage of a 20% off deal on orbitz - I ended up booking 3 different resorts and had to pay up front for them all. This was about 6 weeks out but it was roon only so I had up until 5 days before to cancel. I spent the next few weeks deciding, then cancelled everything I didn't want.

 

[Butterfly123]

It sounds like it! We liked that it had a decent breakfast and was uber close. Thank you for the reassurance. We are going into the king mini suite and putting our DD (8) on the sofa bed or couch at her discretion. Is it good to ask for a room near the front of the hotel or does that matter? We hit into a decent rate of 125 for the room with AAA discount (I booked it last August). Still cheaper then other close opetions even with the 10 dollar a day parking fee it has. My family think I am nuts for booking things so far in advance, but I end up with great deals usually.

We've had rooms at the front and at the back. It's only a bit further to the back, when you are so close to the parks that distance isn't really significant to me. We've been on both sides as well and haven't had a noise problem. I've heard some people complain of delivery truck noise towards the front in the morning on the side of the entrance due to restaurant deliveries, but we never noticed anything. We are usually up early for rope drop, though.

We usually request the top floor so we don't have to worry about overhead noise. If I remember correctly the elevator is pretty slow, but we always take the stairs, so I'm not completely positive about that.

We have never found the breakfast room to be crowded, although like I said we go early. It's a decent breakfast to get you started on your day, and that works for us.

I think this will be our fourth or fifth stay here. The biggest problem we've had was poor water pressure in the shower on one stay. Not really a big deal at all.

We have a minisuite, with a AAA rate of $161, which is the same rate as the last time we stayed here. One year the rate actually went down after we booked, and they emailed me and gave me the better rate! Nice, because I'm sure I wouldn't have noticed on my own. We also get rewards points for the stay, which is a nice bonus.

 

[Disney127]

We"ll be staying at Best Western Park Place Inn & Mini Suites. It's where we usually stay because the mini suite size works well for our family of five. We also use rewards points so that helps with the price. We love the location!

I know the trip is a ways away, but I have a countdown app on my phone and check it when I need a little Disneyland boost! I put a picture of the castle on it...it always makes me smile.

We are staying at the BWPPI too - it will be our 4th time! And I also have a countdown app on my phone that I checked almost daily! And then I text my DD to let her know how many more days until we visit DL again!

 

[HappiestHaunt]

Well now I need to go looking for a countdown app for the trip.

 

[Just Peachy]

To the OP's question, I've not seen an "Official July thread" (until now?) but there are a couple threads dealing with the 60th anniversary and possible activities.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3280301

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3355935

My family and close friends will be there July 16-20 where DW's BD is July 18 so we will celebrate both her birthday and DLR's!

 

[alicat8]

To the OP's question, I've not seen an "Official July thread" (until now?) but there are a couple threads dealing with the 60th anniversary and possible activities.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3280301

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3355935

My family and close friends will be there July 16-20 where DW's BD is July 18 so we will celebrate both her birthday and DLR's!

Great, thanks! I'll give it a bit more time and then rename

Then we can list our trip dates and where we're staying if everyone is interested!

For the DL pros, what do you like for character meals??

 

[Just Peachy]

For the DL pros, what do you like for character meals??

I don’t know about the “DL pro” thing. But, my family really has loved the brunch at Goofy’s Kitchen. We made that our standing “exit” meal before leaving for the airport on our last day at DLR. Unfortunately, DI has recently “streamlined” the selection of characters that you can meet at this location.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3339195&highlight=goofy+s+kitchen

So, we will probably try another location (maybe at the Storytellers Cafe since we are staying at the Grand Cali for our July trip).

 

[Butterfly123]

Well now I need to go looking for a countdown app for the trip.

I like Big Day Lite because you can use your own picture for the background of the countdown.

 

[love2go2disney2]

We are going July 5th through the 10th. There will be 11 of us going, to celebrate our anniversary and Disneyland anniversary. We have been in June, October, and December. This is our first time in July.

 

[alicat8]

We are going July 5th through the 10th. There will be 11 of us going, to celebrate our anniversary and Disneyland anniversary. We have been in June, October, and December. This is our first time in July.

I've been in June and August. I honestly don't know when the other time was that I went. It was 10 years ago for the 50th anniversary, but for the life of me I can't remember if it was on the actual date or just the anniversary year. My friend and I flew across the country for it for the weekend...back when we were "rich" and spontaneous.

We're celebrating our anniversary too-5 years on 7/24, my best friend's wedding on 7/25 in Monterey, and then driving down the coast. We're actually starting in San Francisco for a few days, so it's a big Cali trip ending in DL.

 

[my*gracie*girl]

We'll be there....July 16-23. My mom and daughter share a birthday with Disneyland and I told dd when we were there for the 55th that we would return for her 13th, Grandma's 61st and Disneyland's 60th. And this is THE year! Cannot believe the past 5yrs have gone so quickly! I requested last time though that we alter our trip a bit and instead of spending 5 days in a row, we do other CA things and be in the park on the 22nd which is MY birthday! Seems only fair. Excited to watch this thread grow and grow and grow as we get closer to the FUN!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Jumpin in on the July bandwagon. This is our favorite month to go!

July 18-25 at the Candy Cane Inn. Our APs are blocked out for the 17th and 18th so won't enter the parks until the 19th. Last year we went to WDW instead so looking forward to going "home".

 

[Disney127]

For the DL pros, what do you like for character meals??

We always go to Surf's Up because DD is a big Stitch fan and we seem to get more interaction there. We have also tried Goody's twice and Storyteller's on our last trip plus Aerial's to see the princesses. Haven't been to Plaza Inn yet - not sure if we will schedule that in on our upcoming trip.

 

[elaine amj]

We'll be there....July 16-23. My mom and daughter share a birthday with Disneyland and I told dd when we were there for the 55th that we would return for her 13th, Grandma's 61st and Disneyland's 60th. And this is THE year! Cannot believe the past 5yrs have gone so quickly! I requested last time though that we alter our trip a bit and instead of spending 5 days in a row, we do other CA things and be in the park on the 22nd which is MY birthday! Seems only fair. Excited to watch this thread grow and grow and grow as we get closer to the FUN!

Wooohooo!! So exciting when it's been a trip 5 years in the making with so many celebrations! The 17th of July is going to be one super special day

My DH, DD, and I all have July birthdays - and we'll just have a Happy UNbirthday for my DS so he can join in the fun too (last time we did a July birthday celebration, we picked one day to celebrate my December DS too!)

 

[kymickeyfan717]

I had some friends stay there when they were there for the Avengers half marathon. He said it was a basic hotel - clean and nice. He said it was close to the park and near some outside food places. I wanted a hotel close and safe for a single roman traveler. He said this was a good choice .

Was there anything in particular that drew you to choose this? There are fairly minimal reviews on the Dis for the Fairfield Inn. I have been reading reviews like crazy. I can choose either the Residence Inn or the brand new Springhill Suites for the same points and both come with free breakfast. BUT - I absolutely love the idea of the walk from my room to the front gates being about the same as my walk from my room to the bus stop at my typical WDW resorts!!! It's a crazy amount of points for a Fairfield Inn (darn Marriott moved it from a Cat 5 to a Cat 6 in 2013 then from a Cat 6 to a Cat 7 in 2014 GRR!) but the location is really, really, really tempting.

 

[crystal1313]

I will be there July 16-19, specifically going for the 60th. I was there for the 50th with a friend, so we decided to make it a tradition and go for the 60th as well! TBD if our husbands join us. Leaving my kiddos at home for this trip. We are staying at Hojo. I've never stayed, but the friend I am traveling with has and she likes it-I've heard great things about it on the Dis and I love being within walking distance.

I'm SO excited and anxiously awaiting any kind of announcement regarding the 60th. The 50th was SO fun!

 

[elaine amj]

I will be there July 16-19, specifically going for the 60th. I was there for the 50th with a friend, so we decided to make it a tradition and go for the 60th as well! TBD if our husbands join us. Leaving my kiddos at home for this trip. We are staying at Hojo. I've never stayed, but the friend I am traveling with has and she likes it-I've heard great things about it on the Dis and I love being within walking distance.

I'm SO excited and anxiously awaiting any kind of announcement regarding the 60th. The 50th was SO fun!

What did you enjoy about the 50th? I know very little about DLR and didn't pay a whole lot of attention when they celebrated their 50th. I'm sure the 60th will be on a smaller scale - but still really exciting!

What did they do on the 59th?

 

[riftguy]

What's July 4th like in the park? Is it fun, or just busy and it would be better to go somewhere else like a beach?