Planning a DL trip and lots of questions.

[trainingupmy4princes]

We haven't been to DL in around 4 years, since we moved back to the midwest and now closer to WDW. I was thinking of planning a trip for DL next Dec. We will have our 4 boys and an almost 4 month old(hopefully a princess ) and my sister and her DD. We are looking at flying in Dec 17, with being at the parks 18-23. Since our family is so big, I was looking at offsite to save money. The kid suites at HoJo look great. How hard is it to get the Ent rate for our dates? And around how much is the rate typically? How far in advance would we need to call to reserve rooms to get the rate? We used ART when we stayed at Holiday Inn and loved it. Does ART pick up at HOJO? We went that week before Xmas in 2005 and the crowds weren't that bad until around 22. But I have heard with all the AP discounts and extra AP owners that DL is extremely crowded. How bad was it this year? Is it worth it?

Does Fantasmic and the Electrical Parade still run that time of year? We miss DL's Fantasmic as WDW is just not as good IMO.

 

[DLR29]

I'm pretty sure the entertainment rate is good during those dates. Looking at the calendar from this past year, it was offered on the 22nd and 23rd. Pretty sure it wold be available before that too. For a kids suite it's about $100. The official dates pop up around 4 months in advance, but they can add more as the dates get closer.

ART does pick up at HoJo, but I do not recommend it. It's only an 8 min walk from the hotel to the parks. Very close.

I went this past year on the 22nd and 23rd. The crowds were definitely there in full swing. But, if you will be going for 4-5 days, I'm sure you will be able to get done a lot of stuff still. The earlier in your trip the less crowded it will be.

And yes, Fantasmic and Disney's Electrical Parade should be showing. Also, California Adventure is premiering a new water nighttime show next Spring called World of Color. That will also be running, and it's supposed to be really cool.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I would go ahead and book your rooms at the HOJo and then as the Entertainment Dates are announced, you can call and adjust your reservation. If you are like me and really enjoy planning and the peace that comes from having a reservation.

We were there from the 12-19 this year. We hit the parks at opening every day, well I hit it at opening each day, my hubby and the older kids slept in a couple of times due to a bit of illness in the older kids.

The crowds were heavy in the evenings, but we had spent our mornings hitting the rides without fast pass such as Toy Story, Nemo Subs, Matterhorn, and Peter Pan. We also collected our fast passes in the mornings and in the evenings used the fast passes to avoid the lines. We had a reservation for a meal each day we were there. Some were on property and some were off property, but we like to have one sit down per day.

As a group of nine people, you will not all fit in one family suite, but you should be able to book side by side rooms to ensure everyone can enjoy each others company.

You might also consider the Desert Inn and Suites. It is very close to the Main Gate and has suites which can accomodate your entire family together. The Parlor Family Suite, C2, has four queen beds and a pull out couch, as well as two bathrooms, and legally sleeps 10 people.

It can usually be had for around two hundred a night.

Have a great time planning!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

How hard is it to get the Ent rate for our dates? And around how much is the rate typically? How far in advance would we need to call to reserve rooms to get the rate?

Kids suites book up fast, so I wouldn't wait for the ET rates to come out to book. I'd book now (they charge you nothing now) and when the ET dates are released you can call the hotel directly and they'll change your rates. ET rates for the kids suite is $99. I believe they only sleep 6, so it may be easier to get 2 adjoining rooms.

Here's the HOJO boards with the ET info: HOJO ET info