Total Rookie needs advice!

[joenkims]

I have read many posts but before pulling the trigger just wanted to get some input.
We are planning a trip to DL next week (arrive Monday, leave Saturday). We will be driving from Las Vegas. We are a family of 5 (me, DH, DS9, DD 13 and DD 1). This is sort of a last minute trip and me, DS and DD13 have only been to DL once in our lives (March 2003). DH is native to CA and has been numerous times as a teenager (many moons ago). DD 1 has never been.
Vacation Package thru Getawaytoday.com $1461, includes
5 nights at Embassay Suites South
5 day for price of 3 parkhopper passes for everyone

good deal?
Please reply...it's a lot of money to spend and we want to make it a memorable vacation. DH's bday is Monday and DD is actually turning 1 on July 2 so it's a combined celebration.

Thanks
Kim
Las Vegas, NV

 

[ShellyMouse]

hi!! dont have answers to your quetions, b/c im new to Dland too! (know alot about the World, though)....but just wanted to say.........


WELCOME TO THE DIS!!!!!!!


**IM SURE SOMEONE WILL BE ALONG SOON TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS...

 

[Mugglemama]

Hello!

Tix for your family would come out to $706 by themselves. So, GAT is charging you $755 for 5 nights at your hotel, which breaks down to $151 per night.

Last I looked, GAT gives each adult ticket holder a lanyard with pin, and each child ticket holder a Disney knapsack.

However, if you don't care much about the lanyards (we've gotten them through GAT, they are nothing special), and the kid's knapsack (which I've never seen), and if you want to do a little legwork, you can probably get a better deal on a hotel room. People around the boards rave about HoJo (Last I checked, rooms were about $120 there, which would save you $150 over the course of your 5 nights). Although, finding 5 nights availability this close to a Summer trip might not be super easy. Then again, you never know.

If you really want to get the best deal, you'll want to check a few hotels' websites for room rates (sometimes they are different, even less, than what GAT is offering, sometimes not). Some years we have found that purchasing a GAT package was the better deal, and other years it's been better to do tix and hotel separately.

Hope that helps! Have a great time!

 

[Lissame]

I am not sure you're going to find much open for next week at this late of a date. I just checked Candy Cane Inn and HOJO and both are fully booked for your size party for the dates you want.

It might be a decent deal, because ES rooms are usually more expensive than what you paid--we used to stay there all the time. With three kids, it's a great place because you have lots more space.

The one thing I didn't care for with ES, which is why we stopped staying there, is that we can't stand ART (some people think it's fine). My sister and family come from LV too, and they just drive to the park every day. They buy their tix through AAA and get free parking (but I don't believe they have the 5 for 3 price)

 

[joenkims]

I am not sure you're going to find much open for next week at this late of a date. I just checked Candy Cane Inn and HOJO and both are fully booked for your size party for the dates you want.

It might be a decent deal, because ES rooms are usually more expensive than what you paid--we used to stay there all the time. With three kids, it's a great place because you have lots more space.

The one thing I didn't care for with ES, which is why we stopped staying there, is that we can't stand ART (some people think it's fine). My sister and family come from LV too, and they just drive to the park every day. They buy their tix through AAA and get free parking (but I don't believe they have the 5 for 3 price)

By the ART I assume the you mean the transit/tram. Can we not walk from Embassy Suites South to the park?

 

[Lissame]

I believe it's a little over a mile...it's really too far to walk in my opinion, but maybe your family would be ok with it. It might not be too bad going in the morning, but after walking all day it's brutal.

 

[joenkims]

our thoughts are (and maybe we are unrealistic)...

Going for 5 days we can be leisurely about our visits through DL and DCA. When we went in 2003 it was for 2 days and we were rushing around like crazy people. My kids are older so they are interested in rides as opposed to shows and eating with characters. My youngest is a baby in a stroller who probably won't remember this and we'll have to take her again in 5 years.

Having said that, we thought a nicer hotel would be good since we will have to take breaks and go back for naptime for the baby and pool time for me.
We also wanted a hotel that provided breakfast to save a little $$.

We are a family of soccer players so we are in good shape and don't mind the exercise/walking. If parking is free at DL, then we can drive as well. Is it free?

Ugh...so many details! I hope my kids will think this is all worth it.

 

[Lissame]

Nope, parking is not free at DL. Nor is it at your hotel I believe.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Read ~this~ - heck read all of his great tips ~here~

 

[SeattleTink]

I understand when you say you are a family of soccer players that the walk is no big deal...but consider that you are planning on going back and forth multiple times a day at over a mile each way? Plus on average, you will walk 8 - 15 miles a day in the park....that is a lot of walking for anyone. And at the end of the day that 1 mile walk will feel wayyyy longer.

We have done ART before from the Embassy and it wasn't that bad. It is not as convenient as staying on site or on the hotels on Harbor that are only a 5 minute walk.

Just something to consider.

I checked and parking is $6 at this hotel. I believe it is $14 a day a Disneyland.

 

[Lissame]

The short walk to the Candy Cane feels like miles at the end of the day! LOL

We haven't stayed at the Embassy Suites since 2007, so maybe this has changed, but the frustrating thing about ART was that they shut down for break mid-day for an hour or maybe even more. It totally wrecked any ideas we had about going to our hotel to swim. We never went back mid-day for that reason, it would have taken almost 4 hours out of our day.

 

[DLtorgo]

I have stayed out there and the walk was no big deal to me, DH and DD 3 in a stroller. If it gets to be too much then go for ART. I just can't wait to get into the parks so I have to power walk on over!

Also, a suite is so nice with the kids- gives you guys more space. I agree it seems like getting a room at this close of date somewhere else might be tricky.

 

[jenergy]

If you had trouble fitting everything into 2 days before then you may find that you'll still be running around like crazy even with 5 days just considering the time of year and WoC just opening up. Even though you plan on walking, I'd also keep an ART schedule around just in case. You'll probably be more tired than you think from battling the current crowds.

 

[LVTiffy]

if i am looking to save $$, I always priceline it. Yes, you never know what room you have til you pay for it but I have never been let down. One hotel had a free shuttle going to and from the park every 30 minutes. The other hotel had the art which was $4 a day. It was well worth saving $$ to use priceline in my opinon. However, its just me and the boyfriend. YOu have a family of 5, so i'm not sure if this option would suit you.

 

[Hound 109]

I understand when you say you are a family of soccer players that the walk is no big deal...but consider that you are planning on going back and forth multiple times a day at over a mile each way? Plus on average, you will walk 8 - 15 miles a day in the park....that is a lot of walking for anyone. And at the end of the day that 1 mile walk will feel wayyyy longer.

We have done ART before from the Embassy and it wasn't that bad. It is not as convenient as staying on site or on the hotels on Harbor that are only a 5 minute walk.

Just something to consider.

I checked and parking is $6 at this hotel. I believe it is $14 a day a Disneyland.

I agree with Tink.


& DO read all the tip threads from DisneyMomma81 post:

Read ~this~ - heck read all of his great tips ~here~

It's probably too late to make changes, but others are reading these theads & should no that 4 one mile legs on top of the 4-6 miles in touring is a killer. You'll be using ART by the evening stroll.

Some don't mind ART....others (like me) dislike it....& will only stay at a hotel/motel that is very close (on site or on Harbor...period). Then again not everyone believes in being at the Security Tent 30 min. before opening.....picking up morning FPs for later use......park hopping each day.....taking a mid day rest most days during the crowded mid afternoons....& zigging when others are zagging.

But it makes it better for those of us that do.


Enjoy your visit to Walt's Park ....& please post back & let us know if you ended up walking or taking ART (& the time & expense involved)....it will be helpful for others.

 

[nana50]

I liked the ART very much. We planned our morning to be ready when it came, (every thirty minutes) waited out front a couple of minutes, got on and headed to the park. If you are going for 5 days you don't need to go "commando" every day. If you aren't planning on doing every little thing at Disney, 5 days can be done quite leisurely.

 

[tanyaewa]

With AAA you can get free parking at DL.
With Hotwire you can get a great price on room rates
But you don't have much time and I bet your savings would be less than $200.
PLUS! I read about your potential accom... sounds great!

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Go for it!