ok...help me decide

[Rhonda]

I have to make a decision.

I have our reservations at the Sheraton Anaheim (2 free nights with Starwood points) and paying for one night.

I'm rethinking this because of what you said about staying onsite being better.

So, I called WDTC and they gave me the following rate:

3 nights at Paradise Pier - upper lever theme park view
5 day hopper pass
shuttle transfers from airport
1 breakfast in the park
souvenir pin and lanyard
preferred seating at one show
1 fastpass
$10 ESPN game card
CA fun book (what is this?)

Total price $865.50.

Is this a good price for this package? What do you think? It would obviously be cheaper to stay at the Sheraton because we have 2 free nights, and just buy our passes separately.

Would it be worth it to stay onsite, and have the view?

 

[Rhonda]

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward just sticking with the Sheraton. The price difference is about $400 - that's the price of one of our airfares plus a nice dinner!

One downside is that we'll have to take the Sheraton's shuttle to/from the parks. But, they go every 1/2 hour, so we wouldn't have to wait long....

 

[year2late]

Remember you have to buy your hopper passes if you stay at the Sheraton (I assume) don't forget to add the cost in. I think they are going for $114 (although I am in favor of AP at $149 with great discounts)

 

[year2late]

Anaheim Marriott
West Coast Anaheim
Hilton Anaheim
Hyatt Regency Orange County Alicante
Sheraton Anaheim Hotel

Rhonda, this is a list of Priceline's Disney area 3 star hotels. I usually get Marriott or West Coast Anaheim. I usally get a room $35 -45. I have never been disappointed.

 

[Rhonda]

Thanks - that's good information! But, I have 2 free nights at the Sheraton, and I'm hoping to get a good rate for that last night as it gets closer.

I already figured in the extra cost for hopper passes (3-day hoppers at AAA are $105 each).

An AP is just $149? That might be worth it - if there are other good discounts that go with it! Is there a place I can see what the discounts are?

 

[Sonya in Boise]

I copied this from wdwmainia.com it was in a thread about AP discounts. AP prices are
SoCal 99.00
Deluxe AP 159.00 (parking not included, blacked out Saturdays during peak season and all major holidays)
Premium AP 219.00 (includes parking and no black out dates)

"Dining

$10 minimum purchase; restrictions apply

I copied this from the official AP exclusive site. Because it was in table form originally, the cut/paste can be confusing to read. When looking at the restaurant, the discount percentages listed next to it are offered in the following order: SoCal AP, Deluxe AP, Premium AP. For example, Plaza Inn offers a 10% discount on all three, whereas Rancho Del Zocalo only offers it for Deluxe and Premium AP holders, and Avalon Cove only offers it for Premium AP holders.

At Disneyland® park:

Plaza Inn 10% 10% 10% Every Day
Redd Rockett's Pizza Port 10%
10% 10% Every Day
Rancho del Zocalo --- 10% 10% Every Day
French Market --- 10% 10% Every Day
Blue Bayou --- --- 15% Every Day
Carnation Cafe --- --- 15% Every Day

At Disney's California Adventure™ park:

Pacific Wharf Cafe 10% 10% 10% Every Day
Hollywood & Dine --- --- 10% Every Day Hollywood & Dine was closed as of July, BTW
Bountiful Valley Farmers Market 10% 10% 10% Every Day
The Lucky Fortune Cookery 10% 10% 10% Every Day
Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill 10% 10% 10% Every Day
Taste Pilots' Grill 10% 10% 10% Every Day
Avalon Cove --- --- 15% Every Day
The Vineyard Room --- --- 15% Every Day
Wine Country Trattoria --- --- 15% Every Day
ABC Soap Opera Bistro --- --- 15% Every Day

Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort
Goofy's Kitchen --- --- 10% Every Day
Granville's Steakhouse --- --- 10% Every Day
Hook's Pointe --- --- 10% Every Day
Disney's PCH Grill --- --- 10% Every Day
Yamabuki --- --- 10% Every Day
Storytellers Cafe --- --- 10% Every Day

Hotel Accommodation Discounts are subject to availability, restrictions apply. All AP's qualify for special rates, like "Super Sundays," available for all Annual Passholders Call (714) 956-MICKEY† for rates & availability.

Merchandise:

At the Theme Parks, the Premium AP is the only AP which will give you a discount on merchandise. With the Premium AP, you get 10% off (minimum $10 purchase) purchases on almost all theme park merchandise purchased (except from certain carts). Valid every day.

At the Downtown Disney®District, all AP's will give you the following discounts:

AMC® Theatres Adult ticket at the student price Mon-Thu
Ballmerang 15% off merchandise Mon-Thu
Balzac 10% off merchandise Mon-Thu
Basin™ 10% off merchandise Mon-Thu
Build-A-Bear Workshop™ $5 off a purchase of $25 or more Mon-Thu
Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar One (1) complimentary appetizer
for each two (2) passholders with purchase
of two (2) entrees for lunch or dinner** Sun-Thu
Compass Books & Cafe 10% off selected merchandise & food Mon-Thu
Department 56® 10% off merchandise (excludes collectibles) Mon-Thu
ESPN Zone® Double points in the Sports Arena Mon-Fri
Häagen-Dazs® 20% off food Mon-Thu
House of Blues® 20% off food before 5 pm (excludes
alcoholic beverages), 20% off selected merchandise
& 10% off Gospel Brunch tickets
(one (1) Gospel Brunch ticket
per Annual Passholder)** Every Day
Hoypoloi® 10% off selected merchandise Mon-Thu
Island Charters 10% off merchandise
(excludes clearance items) Mon-Thu
La Brea Bakery and Cafe 10% off food
(excludes alcoholic beverages) Every Day
LEGO® Imagination Center $5 off any $30 purchase
(excludes sale and promotional items) Every Day
Marceline's Confectionery 10% off for Premium Passholders Every Day
Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria One (1) complimentary appetizer
for each two (2) passholders with purchase of
two (2) entrees for lunch or dinner** Sun-Thu
Pearl Factory 10% off selected merchandise Mon-Thu
Rainforest Cafe 10% off breakfast and lunch
(excludes alcoholic beverages)
& 10% off merchandise Mon-Thu
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen 20% off food*** (excludes alcoholic beverages) Every Day
Something Silver 15% off selected merchandise Mon-Thu
Starabilias™ 10% off selected merchandise Every Day
Tin Pan Alley® 10% off selected merchandise Every Day
Wetzel's® Pretzels 20% off food Every Day

World of Disney™ 10% off (for Premium Passholders only) Every Day

*A single $10 transaction required before tax. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or promotions or on purchases of original and limited-edition artwork or selected collectibles. Excludes the following locations: Names Unraveled, Jewel of Orleans, Silhouette Artist, Portrait artists in New Orleans, Parasol cart, Heraldry shop, Crystal shops on Main Street and in New Orleans and Blast cart. Subject to change without notice.

**Not valid during special events or on holidays

***Maximum discount of $40; reservations required to receive discount



All offer and events expire on December 31, 2002, and are subject to change without notice."

 

[Sonya in Boise]

I have never stayed at the Paradise Pier and have heard mixed reviews about the hotel. It is the furthest of the DL hotels away from the resort. It also does not have a Disney theme. The DLH has tinker bell wall paper border and GCH has the rustic wilderness lodge look, but most agree that PP is plain. However did just read a trip report from someone who stayed 3 nights there and LOVED it.

The rate have changed a lot over the last 6 months or so. There was a summer promotion for AP holders and the PP rates were 79-99 a night for LL view and I think around 129 for upper level views. However, right now I can't get anything close to that for my trip next week. 189 for a view of the parking lot is the cheapest I can get.

5 day hopper passes are currently (til jan 03) 114.00

transfers from the airport are around $25 round trip

Breakfast inthe park is a "box" breakfast I think the value is around $7

souvenir pin and lanyard (depending on if you collect these or want them, prices vary)

preferred seating at one show (most say the shows this is good for don't really need this)

1 fastpass (depending when you are going this could be priceless)

$10 ESPN game card

CA fun book (what is this?) <this has a bunch of coupons for area attractions...build a bear, medieval times, universal studios, wax museum places like these, but I'm not sure if all of these places are in the book>

Not adding a price for the pin/lanyard, preferred seating, fast pass, and giving the PP a medium rate of 159.00 a night, I get a total around 740.00

Good luck, deciding is the hardest thing. I've gone back and forth on our reservations, my final decision was I would stay off-site in the suite I found for a great price UNLESS I could get the DisneyLand hotel for 129.00 a night on expedia. Well, the DL hotel is only accepting 5 day reservations, so I'm staying w/our offsite suite.

Sonya
only 7 days left

 

[honeymom]

I just stayed onsite in August and while there are some advantages, it's not like WDW where it makes that much of a difference. We stayed at DL Hotel. It was a short walk to the monorail to DL and Downtown Disney. It was a hike to California Adventure. The Neverland Pool was fun looking, but so crowded that it was unpleasant. After trying it a couple of times, we settled on the Cove Pool by the Bonita Tower. We stayed in the highly recommended Sierra Tower. The room sizes were large, but it was noisy if you faced Downtown Disney and it was noisy if you faced the Neverland Pool.

The offsite hotels for DL are very close. Not like at WDW. Use your Sheraton points and keep your money for extra spending money. Have fun.

 

[Tink33]

Rhonda,

If I was in your position, I would use the 2 free nights at the Sheraton. Then I would book a room at the Grand Californian for one night. If you can get an AP rate at the hotel, buy at least one AP.

 

[cats mom]

I agree - at WDW we always stay on site at Disneyland it's not that big of a deal unless you are going to stay at the GC - which can be pretty pricey. I'd stick with the Sheraton and use the extra $$ for some fun stuff at the parks or downtown disney.
Have a great trip whatever you decide

 

[Rhonda]

Ok - I think that's what I'll do then. We'll stay at the Sheraton for sure for those 2 nights. I'll keep watching the rates, and maybe we can stay at GC for the final night!

You've made me feel better about staying offsite though - thanks!

The only problem with the AP, is that the weekends are blacked out when we want to go. The PAP is much too expensive to justify just a weekend trip, even with discounts.

 

[hookedup]

I regularly stay at the Sheraton using my SPG card and points. I love this hotel. There are some drawbacks being off property - my dh and I regularly debate this issue. He feels that it is a waste of money to pay a lot for a room you are only using for sleeping - I love being right there at the park and closer than the offsite properties. But if you have never been to DL before and are comparing it to WDW stay offsites is very different than staying offsite at WDW. I would not opt for an offsite property at WDW personally even if I did save money. Disneyland is a different story.

We have stayed at all the onsite properties and at the Sheraton several times. Please send me a pm if you have any questions I would be happy to help you!

No matter what you choose you will have a GREAT time at Disneyland!!!