Planning a Nov. 2010 Birthday trip

[Littleprincess2010]

My daughter's 7th birthday is this coming November and we are planning on suprising her by taking her to Disneyland in California. So far all we've decided on is that we are going and we are driving down.

We live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia and this will be the first time going for my mom, my husband and my daughter. I was very lucky to have gone 12 years ago when I was just a teenager. I know a lot has changed since I went and I need the low down on keeping our budget under control.

We have priced out the Ramada Inn Maingate. For 2 rooms and breakfast for 5 nights we are looking at $1050, which to me is a killer deal. Is this deal too good to be true? What is the Ramada Inn like? We arn't looking for a Luxury resort, but we would like a clean and comfortable place to sleep

We're waiting until the summer to see if any Fall ticket deals come up. We're hoping for a deal similar to what is being offered now for the Spring travellers.

Driving down will take us 2 full days to get there, we will have 4 days at Disneyland/California Adventure and then we have 3 days to drive back (much more relaxed).

We're planning on having dinner at Ariel's Grotto on my Daughters birthday so she can meet all the princesses. Is it worth it? Its about $40 a person so I want to make sure it will be something she will like it before I spend that kind of money.

Well, Im not sure what else to post. We're looking for ideas on eating while on the road and at the hotel. Do they let you bring in outside food to Disney? Snacks? Drinks?

Im so excited!!!!

 

[auntiegem]

Welcome! I can't believe I'm the first to respond, since I'm pretty sure you'll get numerous suggestions to check out the Howard Johnson Hotel (aka "HOJO"). It comes highly recommended on these boards, and depending on when you go in November you'll probably be able to get their entertainment rate ($59 for standard/$69 for a deluxe)--making it cheaper than the Ramada. Use the Disboard search engine to research "HOJO" and you'll find out all sorts of stuff.

Also, here's a link to the HOJO discussion board -- http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/

And their website -- http://www.hojoanaheim.com

Snoop around a bit! I should mention, though, that they don't have breakfast, but a lot of the rooms have microwaves and fridges, and they have a great convenience store.

Happy planning.

 

[aussiegirls]

I am going to be one of those people that say check out the Hojo. We were there last October for my DD's 7th birthday. They said they would organise a cake for her for her birthday and when we came back from DL in the arvo they had done the whole room up. There was a beautiful princess cake, helium balloons, streamers/decoration type things, plates, cutlery etc all in pink and a pressie, all for her in the room. It was so special.

As for Ariels Grotto, we also did that for my DD's b'day. We did breakfast though. It is very pricey but I think it was totally worth it. The food was very good and the service was the best we had in Disneyland. Also the fact that we got to see all the princesses there and didn't have to line up in the enormous queues we saw around the park was worth the cost. I would definately do it again, even if we didn't have a birthday

xxx

 

[heatherleigh]

I've never stayed at HOJO, but if I were to stay off-campus, this is where I'd stay. It is a favorite on this board because it's affordable, the rooms are very clean, and the hotel has just be refurbished. The pool area is supposed to be very kid-friendly.

We are planning a Nov. trip as well, and doing the exact same thing as you- waiting for the deals to come out before reserving anything. In the meantime, I'm saving up every $ I make on eBay for the trip.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Thank you all so much, I have looked into the HOJO and we will hold out until November's dates come available to see if we can get them. It would be lovely to have the Kids suite and if they did up our DD's room I would be soooooo happy Once you book the room at the Entertainment rate are they able to change the price on you closer to your trip if the hotel fills up or are you guarenteed that rate?

Im torn between doing breakfast, lunch or dinner at Ariel's Grotto. Do they do anything special for the birthday girl? I know the price is really high, but this is her first trip to Disney and her birthday so I really want to make it special. Are there any other tips for getting the most out of the day for her birthday?

I've done soooo much research in the past couple of weeks and found so much information on what to do, when to do it and how to make the most of our trip.

Im curious how much money people have alloted for food for their trips? My husband and I don't have an issue with paying "park prices" for food but the people we are travelling with need to be a bit more thrifty. Im hoping to find some tips and ideas on eating while in Disneyland that we can all follow to save money.

I love this site, so many people who have so much great advice. Thank you to everyone who posts their ideas and tips on here!!

 

[Littleprincess2010]

I've never stayed at HOJO, but if I were to stay off-campus, this is where I'd stay. It is a favorite on this board because it's affordable, the rooms are very clean, and the hotel has just be refurbished. The pool area is supposed to be very kid-friendly.

We are planning a Nov. trip as well, and doing the exact same thing as you- waiting for the deals to come out before reserving anything. In the meantime, I'm saving up every $ I make on eBay for the trip.

What dates are you planning on going? We are leaving Vancouver Island on Nov. 6th and arriving in Anaheim on the 7th. Our plan is to visit the park from the 8th-11th and then start our journey home on the 12th. If budget allows though we might try to stay an extra day or two

We're saving pennies too, a penny saved here is a penny to spend in Disney

 

[happykell]

we were just there for my son's 7th bday. i think that most, if not all, the restaurants have little birthday certerpieces you can get for about $15. we were staying onsite and had a birthday cake delivered to our room, but if you aren't staying onsite you should be able to have it delivered to a restaurant. originally, we were going to have it delivered to goofy's kitchen but changed our minds. we did call ahead and they had balloons for our table.

i bought him some of the birthday ears, plus you can get the birthday pins for free. he **loved** that so many cast members said, 'happy birthday, max!' the cm at the gadget coaster even sang happy birthday to him as they were taking off

we did ariel's on that trip and there were a few bday's. they would announce the little girl and everyone clapped. you may want to look into the bibbidi bobbidi boutique, i'm sure your dd would enjoy that!

 

[auntiegem]

Thank you all so much, I have looked into the HOJO and we will hold out until November's dates come available to see if we can get them. It would be lovely to have the Kids suite and if they did up our DD's room I would be soooooo happy Once you book the room at the Entertainment rate are they able to change the price on you closer to your trip if the hotel fills up or are you guarenteed that rate?

No, they won't change the rate on you. Also, you can reserve a room now, and if/as the entertainment rates become available for the days you are staying, you can call in-house reservations and have them apply the Entertainment rate to those days.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Thanks happykell, when I call the reservations line I will ask about the centrepieces and the cake and I'll take a look at the boutique too

Thanks auntiegem, I think we are going to go with HOJO even if the sale doesnt come on. I really like their clean rooms and computer/internet access.