Trying to plan a DL trip...some questions

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

Hi all...just took our first family trip to WDW this past June and now I'm trying to talk dh into a trip next year out to Disney Land...we've both been as children but have ds(4) & dd(3) now so a family trip is in order!

When is the best time to go..both weather and crowds being considered? Since my son will start kindergarten next fall we probably wouldn't want to go late Aug / September.

Where do you stay? Since there is only the 3 onsite hotels and IMO they seem expensive do the majority of you stay off site?

Is a trip to DL more expensive than WDW? I didn't think it would be but I ran some quick numbers (probably not exact apples to apples) and DL was #3077.00 and WDW $2300.00....those are approx. #'s for 5 nights / 6 days with dining 2 adults 2 children????

Are there "deals" for DL like WDW runs at times? How do you find the deals?

I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions..I'm going to pick up one of the Guides for 2006 DL hopefully tomorrow at the book store so that should answer some questions too.

thanks in advance for any help!

Dawn

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

bumping up for today

 

[twinmommyks]

We too are planning a trip for our family to DL next year (end of May 2006). We haven't been there since 1986 so I am hoping to get some of the same info as you are requesting.

Just curious, when you checked the prices you listed in your post for both WDW and DL, which travel site did you use. Whenever I have checked prices, it seems like WDW is so expensive so I'm guessing that I'm not "looking" in the right place for the best prices.

Bren

 

[Aggie96]

Dawn,
Just a quick response on the WDW/DL price comparison. WDW is definitely cheaper sometimes. I have made that comparison the past couple of years and WDW came out much less expensive the last year that we went there. Especially if you're looking at one of the three resort hotels at DL and comparing them to moderate hotels at WDW. But, the BIG difference is that comparing 5 nights and 6 days at WDW and at DL will result in two completely different vacations. With that much time, you will have a very relaxing vacation at DL. Whereas you could use every second of that time at WDW and probably still not see everything. Not that you would get bored at DL! I would LOVE to spend 6 days there.

Sorry I don't have time to respond to your other questions right now - I have to clean before the in-laws get here!! I'm procrastinating But I hope that anwers at least one question.

 

[Disney Mama 2 Two]

We too are planning a trip for our family to DL next year (end of May 2006). We haven't been there since 1986 so I am hoping to get some of the same info as you are requesting.

Just curious, when you checked the prices you listed in your post for both WDW and DL, which travel site did you use. Whenever I have checked prices, it seems like WDW is so expensive so I'm guessing that I'm not "looking" in the right place for the best prices.

Bren

I have always just checked prices on the Disney World / Land sites and when we went this past June to WDW we got a great deal (IMO) on package / meal plan / tickets for around $1700.0 for 2 adults 1 child 1 infant. I feel how you do about Disney Land looking so expensive for in fact less at the parks...I don't know though having not been to DL since I was a child I'm sure many would disagree about the "less" issue.

Aggie96...thanks for the response, I am just surprised that DL would be more expensive? Does anyone know what the reason is for that? Less business so the per person has to be higher?

I'd love more info from those who have been to DisneyLand or have any good comparisons for me.

thanks again
Dawn

 

[mousepartygrl]

The other option is renting a beachhouse. I have a lot of tenants that come to go to Disneyland. They can be rented nightly or by the week in the off season. Summer months only weekly. I hear the feedback from the ones that have stayed at the beach one year and have stayed at a Disney property the following year. Just another option.... here is a link to look vrbo.com

 

[abby]

Having never been to WDW can't answer the price question, but have some other answers. If you can go before Memorial date in Late May, we were there last year in late April and it was great, not too crowded and not too hot.
As for deals, I found last year that if you want till at least december the deals get better, for example we got fourth night free, 150.oo disney dollars, free kids hopper ticket and kids fly free. That deal didn't come out till late December. For me and DD (almost 5) I paid 1500.00 that did not include food, but did include 5 nights at the DLH and our park tickets, shuttle and airfare.

 

[Aggie96]

I'm positive you'll get more feedback on this, but I have some opinions on the cost thing. When we compare WDW and DL each year, the biggest difference is usually the cost to fly. Florida seems to be a lot cheaper when we compare. I don't know if that's factoring into your comparisons or not. The biggest contributing factor this year has got to be the fact that it's Disneyland's 50th. DL won't have nearly as many deals this year because they don't have to. WDW on the other hand has thrown some great offers out there because a lot of WDW veterans are going to DL this year. Plus, if you're comparing dining plans that probably has a big effect as well. People use dining plans at WDW because they can actually save you money. DL is not known for it's dining plans. They are not a great deal, evidently. I actually think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who has purchased one (although I'm sure some do). And lastly, the whole six day trip thing again. Disneyland has a huge local following, unlike WDW. If you go to WDW, chances are you're paying to stay in one of their resorts. The same cannot be said of DL. And the people who do travel from out of state (like us) often don't stay for as many as six days, because you don't "need" six days to do DL (although again, it will be wonderful!). So, like you said, the "fewer people/higher price" thing probably does apply when it comes to the resort hotels.

Oh, and I have no idea what a six day park hopper costs (if that's what you're planning on getting) but be sure to check out the annual pass option. I bet it would pay for itself, and you'd get a lot of discounts out of it.

All that said, I hope you don't let the price difference get you down. There are plenty of ways to knock the cost down. I don't know what kinds of hotels you're comparing, but there are lots of options that will change your price comparisons dramatically. And regardless of how things turn out with your trip planning, Disneyland will be worth every penny. Especially this year. (By this year, I mean during the 50th celebration, which will continue through next fall - someone correct me if I'm wrong about that.)

 

[LucyKate]

Some helpful sites for you:
- http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/crowds.htm is a pretty good guide to when the parks are crowded, what the weather is like etc.

- www.mousesavers.com has some good money saving deals with hotels etc.

- www.tripadvisor.com - select anaheim and check out the hotel reviews

There are about 200 hotels in and around Anaheim. A couple of dozen of these (on Harbor Boulevarde and Katella) are as close, and in some cases closer, than 2 of the 3 Disney hotels (only the Grand Californian is really "on-site").

I stayed at the Howard Johnson Last year - out of season it is very cheap, and is a superb hotel 10 minutes walk from the front gate. Many other posters here will tell you the Candy cane is just as good.

On trip advisor you will notice the top 3 hotels are Grand Californian, Candy Cane and Howard Johnson - the latter two are about a third of the price (or less) than the first.

To save money I'd book tickets direct through the Disney website, or AA if you are a member, but I'd be booking hotels direct with the hotels, or through discount sites like priceline.

The Disney dining packages do not appear to be a good bargain unless you plan to eat every single meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner, at a Disney establishment and were planning 2 or more character meals.