Thought I knew it all....help with plans please?

[caimakale]

So I have been on these boards religously since July and already planned and went on one trip to Disneyland in August. It was a short notice trip...planned and traveled in about a one and a half month time span.

My next trip will need more time to plan because I don't have as much money saved right now as I did for the last trip.

Here are my questions:

1. All current promotions end towards the end of April. Will there be offers in May that I should wait around for or should I book my trips now?
2. Should I book my hotel right now and wait on park passes?
3. Is May considered "Busy Season"? I want to go when the shows will be occuring daily, but would like to avoid the June rush.
4. Are the rooms at the Disney Hotel larger than the rooms at the Grand Californian?
5. If I don't stay at the Grand Californian, how often to they change room key styles? I kept my room key from August and would love to use it to get into DCA through the Grand Californian entrance if we stay at the Disney Hotel? HeHeHe
6. Ultimately, where is the best place to book a vacation? Taking into consideration perks like early entry, fastpass, and of course price? From what I've seen almost everyone has the exact same pricing or only off by a few bucks, is there any great savings to be found by one company inparticular?

This is going to be the big Christmas present for our girls this year. I am thinking of getting annual passes and wrapping each one in a small box, then wrapping the small box in a bigger box...so on and so forth until I have a huge tv type box for each of them to open.

Any other tips and advice are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Albertan mom]

I can maybe help with a few...

1. When we went last May, we booked it in March. We got Kids Fly Free, but no specials with the park. I would wait until the 2006 brochures come out, and see.
When I went to my TA in December to book, she told me to come back in 2-3 monthes!
2. If there is a specific hotel you really want, book it now, you can always cancel later if you change your mind or find a better deal.
3. We went in May, and it wasn't busy on the weekdays, but the weekends were crazy. But I think that is how weekends always are. We noticed lots of school groups, school bands etc.. so maybe they were all doing their year-end field trips. All the shows were on, but there were about 5 rides closed for refurbishment. The Parades and Fantasmic were only on on the weekends.
4. I don't know this one.
5. Don't know.
6. I like to use a Travel Agent. Some people think they can find it cheaper online. I do all the research, then take those prices to the TA. She can always do better then the other prices. If you book your air, hotel and passes all together, you can always get a package deal, that works out well. They can also give you early entry, character breakfasts etc.. when you get a package.

Your girls will love it! Be sure to use Disney wrapping paper!!

 

[caimakale]

Thanks for the reply.

We will be flying free because of all the airmiles I have earned recently. I guess I will book the rooms and hope for a good ticket price in the future.

Thats kind of a bummer the shows like fantasmic won't be on daily.I hate fighting the weekend crowds and loved seeing them during the week when it wasn't a mad house.

Thanks again!

 

[Albertan mom]

With it being the 50th celebration on, maybe they will have them on more often then when we were there in '04.
But it will probably just be the weekends.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I can try to answer a couple of your questions.

The rooms at the Disneyland Hotel are bigger, I am not sure by how much. The Grand Californian rooms (with a very few exceptions) do have balcony's. The DLH doesn't but it does have a sliding door/window type thing that allows some fresh air in at least.

We have never had any trouble using the Grand Califorian's entrance when we have stayed at PP or the Disneyland Hotel. They have never asked where we are staying. My father in law who lives in the area and meets us in the parks uses that entrance all the time with no problems.