Where to get best Grand californian rates???

[Elk34]

We are planning a trip to DL sometime during the summer of 2004 and want to stay at the GC. We love WL at WDW and figure GC will be comparable and the location looks great.

Whe we went to WDW last year I used Travelocity to get a room at WL and it was MUCH cheaper than direct from Disney. We then did a upgrade to concierge at check-in.

I checked Travelocity for GC next summer and it isn't much better than direct from Disney. It was $249 per night for a standard view as compared to $285 through Disney. Also, the only view that Travelocity listed was standard and we would prefer a park view.

Any suggestions on what the best way to book a Park view room at GC for summer 2004 would be???

 

[Sonya in Boise]

I don't seem to remember anyone getting a really discounted PARK view room. I do know that what is called the "Super Sunday Rate" avalible to annual pass holders gives a great standard room rate (approx 169.00). Expedia.com also gives a decent rate, if avalible, when you purchase the rooms about 7-10 days before your travel dates. Expedia prices get lower closer to the date. But all the discounted rooms I have heard of are the standard or DtD view.

Remeber, Summer is the peak season and it might not be as hard to sell those rooms then the off season. So I don't think the prices will drop very dramatically. You might just reserve a room at a rate you can live with and keep calling back every few weeks to see if a cheaper price is avalible.

I've heard the GCH park view is beautiful. I know just looking at those balconies from DCA is enough to make me very envious. Maybe if I can just make one trip per year, instead of the 4 we have been making I can splurge on the GCH park view.

Best of luck

 

[kati71]

Hi fellow Texan - we're in Mansfield. We booked a passholders rate of $129/nt for the week of Feb 1 - Feb 6. It is a downtown disney view rate, but after reading some of the boards at laughing place - that is what lots of people liked due to the fireworks, etc. We also found that it was much cheaper to book the room and the hotel separate using a AP rate than doing the package deal going on right now - saved us about $200, plus it is due when we get there, not 30 days out. The hotel basically pulled up our DV package and built us the same thing, it was quite amazing. Hope this helps.

 

[sierranevada]

I have stayed at the GCH and prefer the Downtown Disney view - as stated earlier, it is a great place to watch the fireworks and DTD is quite pretty at night.

You probably aren't going to find deeply discounted rates at the GCH, especially during the summer. I agree with Sonja's advice, book a rate you can live with and then keep checking to see if you can get a lower price.

Have a great time!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

You might want to check the www.mousesavers.com website as there are usually discount codes/offers posted for Disneyland Resort Hotels. Good luck!!!

 

[lulubelle]

Kati,
I have to tell you, we booked GCH the second week of Dec. 2003 hoping to avoid the Christmas crowds & prices. We booked a "standard" room thru Expedia and it was $211 per night for four nights (Wed-Sun). I had full expectations of upgrading to a DD view upon arrival - even if I had to pay extra. Well, when we checked in, the entire hotel was sold out due to conventions and holiday visitors. We got a courtyard view which was trees and the monorail. I did not like it. I was told to check each day if a view room was to open up (I checked each day to no avail...) But to be honest, that is what I paid for and the week was very busy in the parks and after the third day I just appreciated being able to be a guest at the Grand. My point is to book and pay for what you really want. Summer is prime time at DL! Live and learn

 

[beattyfamily]

I've decided to rent my DVC points and pay cash for GC so I just did a search and found this thread.

Any tips or help for getting a decent rate for mid-April 2005? We'll be staying 2 nights. We probably won't be buying an AP as this is a once in a lifetime trip.

Any other ways? Are Travelocity and Expedia better than directly through Disney? When can I book it? I think I tried those websites the other day and they all weren't booking thru Aprill 05.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!