Where to go for the best rates at the Grand Californian in May?

[Misskitty3]

We went to DLR last Oct and stayed at the Grand Californian. We booked thru Getaway today and got a great deal! The Getaway website won't let me price a trip in May and I just checked Costco and it looks like it could cost us about $1,000 more than what we paid about a year ago. And that is for fewer nights too! Yikes!

Any suggestions on the where to go for the best prices? Thanks!!

 

[nunzia]

I have done this more than once. Getawaytoday seems pretty good for package, no clue on just room rates, but their package prices won't be out until late Sept or early Oct (I asked them). I have found that the best way is to simply call the Grand Californian, book with AAA discount (I joined AAA last year just for discounts and found it MORE than paid for itself so signed up again), and the Disney rep will easily add the tickets at the Disney online price...I think this will fit into the everyone pays the kid price deal...and then you have a kind of package except for a lanyard and free popcorn or whatever. If you really want a lanyard you'll have saved way more than enough to buy one! If you want a package for the EE (or Magic Morning or whatever they are calling it today), don't worry, because if you stay on site you get all MM (EE?) days. This seems to be an unspoken rule..I had emailed them asking this last year and they replied they couldn't answer my question (!) but to call..so I called and was told, yes, you can get in on all EE (MM?) days.
So..short story long..just use an AAA discount and book components separately.

 

[Misskitty3]

Thanks! We are member of AAA so I will give the hotel and call and see what they quote me.

 

[bethy]

You can also get great AP discounts sometimes. This past Spring there were great AP rates. You could always book with AAA and then call to get a better AP rate later if they come out. I'm pretty sure rates for May wouldn't be announced until early in 2009. I'm planning on doing this for April.

 

[Hester]

I too have been on a quest for getting the absolute best rate at the Grand Californian. I've been doing a lot of research, and asking a lot of questions, and these are my findings...

Annual Pass, AAA and Disney Visa discounts are only 10% off the "rack" rate. You can most likely get a better rate if you are patient and can stay informed on periodic specials.

"Special" Annual Pass room rates are given occasionally. Right now this rate code is "AP7" and it's good up through Dec. as I understand. I'm hoping that once this promo expires, they'll offer another one (possibly AP8 or other.) I've also heard of "pin" codes that people have randomly received via snail mail or email.

Having an AP seems to be the best all around way to get a deeply discounted room rate. If you do not already have an AP, you can still book any AP rate as long as you purchase one when you arrive (which you can do at the front desk upon check in.) One problem with this scenario, is that you will not personally receive AP notifications of any "special" rate (or have access to the AP website), so you'll have to keep your eyes peeled here on these message boards or elsewhere.

Expedia.com will often have rooms available at 50% off the rack rate, depending on your travel dates. You will have to wait until closer to the time of travel and I've heard the very best rates are given approx. 2 weeks before your check in date. I've heard that this is the single best way to receive the absolute lowest rate possible.

Keep in mind that if you purchase a package, the cancellation policy will most likely have different terms than a room reservation on it's own. My room only reservation can be canceled within 5 days of travel, I've hear that packages carry a cancellation penalty. Generally, you will do much better all around by NOT purchasing a package.

Obviously, Holiday's, weekends and peek season at the DLR are going to be the most expensive times to stay. Sun. through Thurs., in off season will be the cheapest.

Check out this site for some really helpful and specific info pertaining to this subject: http://www.mousesavers.com

(go the the Disneyland - DL Resort Hotels section)