To AP or not to AP? and other questions from a trip-planning newbie.

[Tarijeno]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently planning my first big DLR family trip for later this year. We've visited many times in the past, but this will be the first time that I do all the planning and pay all the bills while Grandma and Grandpa sit back and relax. We're shooting for a trip just after labor day, and for the past couple weeks I've been pricing out hotels, tickets, and airfare and basically trying to get the most magic for my buck.

So here's my latest question (one of many). We've never been AP holders; mostly because we're midwesterners. Our Disneyland trips, growing up, only happened once every 2-4 years, so the idea of an annual pass just sounded like a waste of money. Anyway, now that I'm the one paying the bills this time around, I'm hearing a lot of rumblings about AP discounts on just about everything that pertains to planning, and paying for, a trip.

We're planning on being at DLR for 7 days, and the cost of a premium AP is about double what a 7-day park hopper will be. So, keeping in mind that I'm an AP noob, would an AP be really beneficial to me? We're planning to stay at one of the 3 DLR hotels. GCH is the dream, but a week's stay there is worth more than my first car.

We've always done these trips on the cheap (stay at the dingy Motel 6 about five miles away, only eat in the parks once-per-visit, get the cheapest rental car available), and I could tell that the stress of pinching pennies always got to my parents. I want to try and make this trip as relaxing, convenient, and comfortable as possible for my parents, and leave all the hair-graying, coupon-hunting, deal-searching to me. I'm probably going to update this thread a lot, because I've got a ton of questions.

-Thanks!
Tarijeno

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently planning my first big DLR family trip for later this year. We've visited many times in the past, but this will be the first time that I do all the planning and pay all the bills while Grandma and Grandpa sit back and relax. We're shooting for a trip just after labor day, and for the past couple weeks I've been pricing out hotels, tickets, and airfare and basically trying to get the most magic for my buck.

So here's my latest question (one of many). We've never been AP holders; mostly because we're midwesterners. Our Disneyland trips, growing up, only happened once every 2-4 years, so the idea of an annual pass just sounded like a waste of money. Anyway, now that I'm the one paying the bills this time around, I'm hearing a lot of rumblings about AP discounts on just about everything that pertains to planning, and paying for, a trip.

We're planning on being at DLR for 7 days, and the cost of a premium AP is about double what a 7-day park hopper will be. So, keeping in mind that I'm an AP noob, would an AP be really beneficial to me? We're planning to stay at one of the 3 DLR hotels. GCH is the dream, but a week's stay there is worth more than my first car.

We've always done these trips on the cheap (stay at the dingy Motel 6 about five miles away, only eat in the parks once-per-visit, get the cheapest rental car available), and I could tell that the stress of pinching pennies always got to my parents. I want to try and make this trip as relaxing, convenient, and comfortable as possible for my parents, and leave all the hair-graying, coupon-hunting, deal-searching to me. I'm probably going to update this thread a lot, because I've got a ton of questions.

-Thanks!
Tarijeno

It really depends on the tyes of things you buy and when you go.

I have a Deluxe AP which is cheaper than the Premium but has less discounts. It generally pays for itself on food and merchandise discounts, but we have a large group and spend a bunch of money. Oh, and it is often blocked on Saturdays. And no Magic Morning privileges. One tip about MM is you can but the hopper ticket for you and get an MM (only an issue if you stay offsite) and then convert to an AP after the MM. Downside is you do not get the discounts until you have the AP so you would want this the first day.

See http://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/discounts/?name=APDiscountsLandingPage

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

OP, you mentioned staying onsite which means you get MM priveledges even with an AP.

I'd look at the AP discount page for discounts on food and merchandise. At the hotels it's at least 10% off up to 30% or so depending on demand. But since you're taking your parents, if one is 60+ you can get a senior discount which is 30% off. After doing the math, you may want to consider one AP for the discounts.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

If you plan on using your annual pass--then it is smart to get one. You have to get enough use out of it to justify the cost. I got APs for me and my girls because although we live in the Bay Area, we go to Disneyland 3-4 times a year. I use to just buy park hoppers, but realized that I could actually save money for the amont of times we go per year with APs. My husband and son don't go as often as us, so it didn't make financial sense for them to have an AP.

I wouldn't necessarily buy an AP just for the discounts on food and merchandise. It helps, but with our Deluxe pass, it is just an added bonus, rather than a real incentive.

One upgrade you may want to make is staying closer to Disneyland so that you don't have to drive to the parks (paying parking or taking ART)--and instead stay at one of the many motels on Harbor where you can walk to Disneyland easily. If Grandma and Grandpa are going, you may want to stay very close, so that the distance isn't an issue--or stay at a motel that has it's own shuttle, like Candy Cane Inn. Candy Cane Inn has a great shuttle that is comfortable and on time--and the drivers are so friendly and helpful. The rooms are simple, but feel safe an very "family friendly", unlike some of the other motels on Harbor.

So instead of buying AP's, I would use any extra money that you can spare to stay closer to Disneyland to make it a more comfortable trip for everyone.

Hope this helps! Please be sure to let us know how it goes and what you decide.

Lisa

 

[Tarijeno]

Here's the ages of our hypothetical group at the time of travel:

Me: 28
Parents: Both 64
Grandkids: 12, 4, & 3

Is it Kosher to disclose estimated dollar amounts on this site? I've just noticed on other travel sites that people get offended as soon as you mention how much money is being spent. I don't want to ruin anybody's magic. I'm just looking to take advantage of every available discount & freebie before I pull the trigger on this trip.

-Thanks
Tarijeno

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I'm sorry--I just re-read your original post and saw that you are planning on staying in one of the Disneyland Resort hotels. I don't know how I missed that.

I have stayed several times at all 3, and I think you might enjoy the Paradise Pier Hotel. Those rooms are a bit bigger, which are nice. I think if you are going to stay at the Paradise Pier, then spring for a theme park view room and consider going concierge. This is what we did last summer, and I loved it. I thougt after staying at the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian I thought it would be "not as good" as those--but I was pleasantly surprised and we loved it! The view makes that hotel, so paying for the view is a good value. The concierge lounge can actually be a good deal when you are traveling with lots of people, because the cost of food can come out better. We ate breakfast there every morning, and it made it easier than trying to look for a restaurant or worse--trying to eat in the hotel room--which I hate.

With the number of people in your group, you will need to get two rooms or a suite.

I don't mind talking money--but you have to remember that since you are planning for labor day, the amount you will be paying for the hotel room is bound to change. I often make my reservations very early, and then watch the disney.com website for them to lower the prices on the rooms and run specials. This typically happens a few months (typically 3 months prior, but could be 2 months) they will announce a price reduction in rooms. Often you can get 30% off rooms, but not always in the summer. If they do have a special going--the AP hotel room price is lowered to a level just a bit lower than that. You can look at the AP price hotel calendar to see when the prices lower for rooms once you are an AP holder. If I looked for you right now for prices for around Labor Day, I wouldn't be able to tell you how low the price might go, because those special rates aren't out there. If you make your reservations early, then you can call to adjust the total when the price does drop.

If only one of you has an AP, you are still elligible for all the discounts--you just need to show your AP and ID when you buy anything or check into the hotel.

Lisa

 

[skiingfast]

GCH is the dream, but a week's stay there is worth more than my first car.
:

So many times I have had a thought just like this.

I do agree that maybe if you stay across the street, some hotels there have AP discounts too if that fiugres in, and are close to the resort, it may help. You can get a couple rooms for the onsite price. Feel spread out and enjoy being close. There are some good rates at the Hojo with an AP.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I do agree that maybe if you stay across the street, some hotels there have AP discounts too if that fiugres in, and are close to the resort, it may help. You can get a couple rooms for the onsite price. Feel spread out and enjoy being close. There are some good rates at the Hojo with an AP.

Does anyone know any other non-Disney hotels that offer AP discounts? Would they advertise such things on their web site, or should I call and ask at hotels I am interested in?

OP, I am planning a similarly long trip, so I have to consider the AP issue, too. One option you also have is that my understanding is that you only need one adult with an AP to get the discount when you dine somewhere or buy something. So I am considering buying myself an AP, costing about $100 more than my 8-day PH would cost. So, with most discounts being about 10%, I would need to spend about $1000 on food and merchandise to save $100 and break even on the AP vs. the PH ticket. Because of the meals we plan on having in the park for the six of us, and the number of people back home for whom we would be buying gifts, this might be feasible for us. But other people might eat at many non-Disney eateries outside the park, or not count AP discounts that they could get other ways, like I can with my AAA/CAA card or my Disney Visa, so they don't actually need an AP for that. (Although I will note that the Disney Visa often requires you to buy at least $50 of the "right kinds" of merch at one time to get the 10% discount, which the AP does not.)
The big thing that could make or break the AP for you is that decision about staying on site. Staying at a DLR hotel could make an AP really worthwhile, especially if you go at a time that they don't end up offering the general public a nice sale. (But I thought post-Labor Day September was a quiet time, so they often offer deals?)
But if you're not a stickler for staying on site, you, the kids, and your parents might like staying closer to the entrance on Harbor and saving lots of money that could be spent eating wherever you like, discount or not. ;-)

AJ

 

[Tarijeno]

We've got our hearts set on a DLR hotel. In year's past we've almost always stayed off-site (we stayed at the PPH once), and it always felt like at the end of the day we were leaving the magic. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that was the common sentiment -- as soon as we left the M&F garage, it was like "Aww shucks, no more Disney magic. Let's go back to the hotel room with the broken vending machines and mildewy bathroom and hope that housekeeping has given us clean towels this time." Now clearly this doesn't represent all good neighbor hotels, but it does for many.

I want this trip to feel magical 24/7, because this will be my nephews' first DL trip, and also because the trip is supposed to be a thank you note to my parents.

I'm budgeting a ballpark of $6K(highlight) for this trip. Learning that great bit of news regarding senior discounts really brightened my day, 3Minnies1Mickey. That discount would basically save me the cost of airfare for 6 people. Awesome.

Can someone tell me the amenities of the GCH? In-hotel entertainment, character breakfasts, guest services, baby-sitting, etc? PS, does the GCH ever give out free room/suite upgrades? That would be sweet.

-Thanks
Tarijeno

 

[bumbershoot]

The Grand has the smallest, darkest rooms, and extremely long hallways. I mapped out an approximation of the distance we walked from our room to the center of the esplanade (the area bordered on two opposite sides by the bag check areas and ticket booths, and on the other two opposite sides by Disneyland and California Adventure), and it was the same distance as walking from the sidewalk at the parking lot of Howard Johnson to the same spot in the esplanade.

That's a lot of walking for an expensive hotel.

There are a couple little things you can take part in as a guest of the Grand, like a free tour and talk about the style of the place. The other two onsite hotels have most of the same little things, but that tour specifically mentioned isn't included for the other hotels. But you can do things like take a free, small, "draw Mickey" class, or you can arrange for an early morning makeover at Sephora (you pay something like $40...the makeover is free, but you get a $40 Sephora giftcard after). Similar thing at Build-a-Bear.

The Grand has turndown service, and if they manage to remember to do it, and/or remember to bring the chocolates if/when they do it, it's quite nice. Though...I always feel like I'm supposed to tip for that...so that's two housekeeping-type tips per day. And you can buy the chocolate coins in the giftshops.

All three onsite hotels allow their guests to pay extra for babysitting services.

Anyone can dine at the character meals at the hotels; there's a character breakfast at each of them.



Because I think it'll be a question later on, the dining plan at Disneyland is ONLY worth buying as a pre-paid meal plan. It's NOT a savings unless you really really REALLY work at it. Basically you're paying $10 and getting a $10 voucher. If you spend $12, you give them the voucher and $2. If you spend $8, and this is the kicker, you get NO CHANGE. So it behooves you to plan carefully, if you even want to break even with a dining plan.

Now those dining plans are only in packages, so you might not run into them.


Speaking of packages, be sure to check those out. I have found that it's important to run ALL numbers each and every time a trip is planned. Sometimes a package is great, sometimes it's not. YOu could book a package and then upgrade your one ticket to an AP if you wish, after you get to the parks (not before). Then you get the package deal, if it's the best you find, AND you get the AP benefits.

Doing the above is what we did for our first proper trip, by the way. Booked a Costco package to Paradise Pier (our fave onsite hotel...the Grand is my personal *least* favorite still), then upgraded to APs.



(just in case you ever do a super-budget trip again, there's a motel 6 less than 5 miles away, and it's touted as being pretty cool. it was the first to be redone in a "euro" sort of style, with wood floors and nice, fresh decor, and I've heard it's actually quite nice.)



Upgrades...we didn't get upgraded at the Grand or DLH (though in full disclosure I'll tell you that we paid for those stays with DVC points, not cash), but I've actually never stayed in the room type we've paid for at the Paradise Pier Hotel. Upgraded each time.

 

[skiingfast]

Does anyone know any other non-Disney hotels that offer AP discounts? Would they advertise such things on their web site, or should I call and ask at hotels I am interested in?

As far as I know.
The Candycane Inn offers, IIRC 10% off.
The Annabella and Carousel Inn(sister hotels) both have varying deals for APs.
The Hojo allows the ENT rate to be booked with an AP, and offers 15% on days when it's not available.

I'd guess it's likely others do too, you might ask them directly.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Candy Cane Inn offers $10 off per night for APs. This is for "select" nights, which seems to mean that if they're already running a "manager's special" or some such thing, you're not going to get an extra $10 off. Also, you can only get the discount by calling reservations directly.

Howard Johnson on Harbor is within walking distance of Disneyland and offers a 20% off discount to AP holders.

 

[Tarijeno]

I've heard a lot of stories about "surprises" DLR guests find in their rooms when they arrive. Can you order gift baskets directly from the hotel to be waiting for you when you arrive?

-Thanks
Tarijeno

 

[Magic Mornings]

If the Grand Californian is too much, consider the Disneyland Hotel. They finished remodeling all of the rooms and we loved them. We live about 12 miles away and spend a few weekends a year in one of the three DLR hotels. Recently we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel for my 40th birthday, I even worked in a dinner at Club 33, and my favorite moment was watching the fireworks from the hotel room. It was a very memorable family moment. We often go (actually I should say I often drag the kids) to disneyland just to see the fireworks. There was just something intimate about watching them from the room, a special family moment. My point is, if GC is too expensive, the DH is very nice.

I have heard many people say at GC you pay for the lobby....which you can see for free. I personally like the hotel and the rooms have bunk beds for the kids, a fun novelty.

You will be happy at either.

 

[skiingfast]

I've heard a lot of stories about "surprises" DLR guests find in their rooms when they arrive. Can you order gift baskets directly from the hotel to be waiting for you when you arrive?

-Thanks
Tarijeno

Call the Disney Dream Makers


If you can dream it, a Disney Dream Maker can do it! Call (714) 781-GIFT
(781-4438). Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...GiftingPage&int_cmp=DLR_Offers_DLRGiftingTile

 

[Tarijeno]

If the Grand Californian is too much, consider the Disneyland Hotel.

That was the idea about a week ago, until Senior discounts were brought to my attention. It suddenly made the GCH, which was then a fingers-crossed, pipe-dream, a conceivable reality. Ultimately if the stars don't align, and we can't get two GCH rooms next door to one another, I'll consider the DLH again. My only issue with the DLH, and the PPH, is that many of the good neighbor hotels on Harbor Blvd have shorter walking distances to the main gate. My Dad had some gnarly surgery a couple years ago, so now he has to a use a cane whenever he has to walk anywhere, and the proximity of the GCH to the parks is most definitely the driving force behind my decision.

My hope is that upon check-in (I intend to reserve two adjoined standard rooms) that I'll get a free park view upgrade, so we can watch the fireworks from our balcony. I've read that getting a free upgrade is entirely dependent on availability, which I hope shouldn't be a problem considering we're going in September. If it doesn't happen, we can always walk outside to see the fireworks.

Thanks for the number skiingfast. It's becoming entirely evident that I'm going to do the majority of the planning for this trip over the phone in order to get those big discounts that everybody's talking about. Do you know if they'll put custom stuff in a basket?

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks for the number skiingfast. It's becoming entirely evident that I'm going to do the majority of the planning for this trip over the phone in order to get those big discounts that everybody's talking about. Do you know if they'll put custom stuff in a basket?

I'm not sure about custom stuff.

I did find a very informative thread about this topic.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2532272