Trip Planning Help

[mom_2_K'Lynn]

This next January (2012) we are planning to go to California for round 1 of the supercross race!! It will be the first full weekend in January. The problem I have is I've never been to CA. It will be me (26), DH (26), and DBIL (18). So we do want to do this on a little bit of a budget. We would like to go January 5th to the 10th, can be flexible. I know I can get tickets to disneyland through my job for cheap, but the thing I am having a hard time with is what hotel?? I have considered using priceline, but have no idea how to. And how do I know what hotel I will get?? I would like them to have complimentary breakfast at the hotel, but if not I guess no big deal. We will be renting a car so we can see other parts of CA also. I'm going to wait until January airfare comes out to pick our dates based on cheapest travel dates for sure, but I just can't find anything reasonable for hotels. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much

 

[HydroGuy]

This next January (2012) we are planning to go to California for round 1 of the supercross race!! It will be the first full weekend in January. The problem I have is I've never been to CA. It will be me (26), DH (26), and DBIL (18). So we do want to do this on a little bit of a budget. We would like to go January 5th to the 10th, can be flexible. I know I can get tickets to disneyland through my job for cheap, but the thing I am having a hard time with is what hotel?? I have considered using priceline, but have no idea how to. And how do I know what hotel I will get?? I would like them to have complimentary breakfast at the hotel, but if not I guess no big deal. We will be renting a car so we can see other parts of CA also. I'm going to wait until January airfare comes out to pick our dates based on cheapest travel dates for sure, but I just can't find anything reasonable for hotels. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much

Lots of hotel info here:

* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

Here is my advice: "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[DlandAmanda]

I've used Priceline twice and have gotten the Hyatt both times for around $70-$80. This was in December 2009 and May 2010. They will guarantee the number of stars that the hotel is, and you select a somewhat contained area that you want to stay in. We basically lucked out as the Hyatt has a free personal shuttle to and from the parks. You can look at the entire Priceline process before actually having to pay, choose the star level, then you can see the areas that can be selected. Plus, if you way under bid (like say $40) they will come back with, we found a 4 star hotel for $90 do you want to accept? Or something along those lines. I have enjoyed my Priceline experience, but yes, or you have no clue what hotel you get until you put in your information (and you have to pay in advance.) With the trip so far away I would imagine that it would be better to wait to do Priceline, as I think it's what hotels do as a way to book their last rooms. Good luck!

 

[mystic_path]

I've used Priceline twice and have gotten the Hyatt both times for around $70-$80. This was in December 2009 and May 2010. They will guarantee the number of stars that the hotel is, and you select a somewhat contained area that you want to stay in. We basically lucked out as the Hyatt has a free personal shuttle to and from the parks. You can look at the entire Priceline process before actually having to pay, choose the star level, then you can see the areas that can be selected. Plus, if you way under bid (like say $40) they will come back with, we found a 4 star hotel for $90 do you want to accept? Or something along those lines. I have enjoyed my Priceline experience, but yes, or you have no clue what hotel you get until you put in your information (and you have to pay in advance.) With the trip so far away I would imagine that it would be better to wait to do Priceline, as I think it's what hotels do as a way to book their last rooms. Good luck!

Thank You! Ive been wondering how Priceline worked. Ive been curious about it for some time now. I think I am going to give this a try.

 

[Jynxed]

If you go to betterbidding.com you can look to see what offers where accepted for what hotels on Priceline. They also share bidding strategies to help you get the hotels you are interested in. I have never used Priceline for Anaheim, but have for other areas and I love it.

 

[DD674]

Keep in mind that Priceline only guarantee's beds for 2 people. There may be only one bed in the room. A better choice for 3 people may be Hotwire where you can enter toe number of people.

 

[Hound 109]

Read HG's hotel tip thread.

If you can't be guaranteed one of the 8-10 hotel/motels on Harbor Blvd that is truly walking distance to the turnstiles, then (imo) don't use the bidding sites. (& confirm here on the DIS what is TRULY walking distance prior to booking).

With 9 months to plan & what appears to be an after the holidays visit, I'm betting you can snag Hojo's, CCI, Fairfield, BW or one of the other Harbor Hotels at a good rate. (Isn't Hojo's deal about $60?)

More importantly if you are a WDW veteran, then here is your primer.....a must read!!:

HydroGuy's DLR for the WDW veteran tip thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699


Also, lots of good info for the WDW vet in Mary Jo's tip thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084


Regarding touring DLR....the two most important things to remember is to:

- Get to the parks BEFORE opening &
- Know how to use FP at DLR.

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.