The Consolidated Disneyland Information, Accommodations and Restaurants Thread
#121
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Here's a link to the packages available online. It won't be any cheaper at the gate.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/
Are you really going to spend 6 days at Disneyland? I think a 2 or 3 day park hopper pass should be enough. California Adventure is a lot smaller and generally less crowded than Disneyland, so I've never spent an entire day there.
Also, please be aware that it will take you over an hour to get from the Fairmont Miramar to Disneyland.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/
Are you really going to spend 6 days at Disneyland? I think a 2 or 3 day park hopper pass should be enough. California Adventure is a lot smaller and generally less crowded than Disneyland, so I've never spent an entire day there.
Also, please be aware that it will take you over an hour to get from the Fairmont Miramar to Disneyland.
With the City Pass being $249.. maybe that's the way to go.. and go to Universal for a day or so..
Edit: I guess Costco now only has a 4 day park hopper with $50 gift card..
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
6 days of driving back and forth to Disneyland from the Faimont NB sounds like a nightmare to me. 2-3 days is PLENTY to see it all. (I don't think it is going to take you an hour to get there in the carpool lane, but it is still a hassle, then you've got to park and take the tram, so over an hour door to door. Do not even think of trying to do Disneyland from your Santa Monica hotel.
PS the Farimont NB is a good 15 minute drive from the beach, more on a busy day, also my favorite area of NB is 15th street, between Balboa pier and Newport pier there are restrooms and a few shops but it is not as croweded as near the piers.
PS the Farimont NB is a good 15 minute drive from the beach, more on a busy day, also my favorite area of NB is 15th street, between Balboa pier and Newport pier there are restrooms and a few shops but it is not as croweded as near the piers.
#123
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
6 days of driving back and forth to Disneyland from the Faimont NB sounds like a nightmare to me. 2-3 days is PLENTY to see it all. (I don't think it is going to take you an hour to get there in the carpool lane, but it is still a hassle, then you've got to park and take the tram, so over an hour door to door. Do not even think of trying to do Disneyland from your Santa Monica hotel.
PS the Farimont NB is a good 15 minute drive from the beach, more on a busy day, also my favorite area of NB is 15th street, between Balboa pier and Newport pier there are restrooms and a few shops but it is not as croweded as near the piers.
PS the Farimont NB is a good 15 minute drive from the beach, more on a busy day, also my favorite area of NB is 15th street, between Balboa pier and Newport pier there are restrooms and a few shops but it is not as croweded as near the piers.
thus obtaining a City Pass?
#124
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS
Posts: 406
The City Pass requires some serious driving as the locations are fairly spread out but it will occupy a few days.
Disneyland is obviously the same place each time but even for someone who really takes their time, 3 days is enough to get to every ride, and see every show. Lines are busy this week but not beyond insanity for an infrequent visitor.
As an alternative, you could get 3 day park hoppers [keep in mind that the costco offers in SoCal are often for SoCal residents which is loosely enforced] and spend the other 3 closer to where you're staying... Right now the Orange County fair is setup: that's a good half day. Newport has some great beaches and areas to wander which you can extend down to Laguna or up to HB, or both. Lots of ways to kill a couple days without making every morning into a long long drive.
#125
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
If you've got 6 days to kill you may want to do both.
The City Pass requires some serious driving as the locations are fairly spread out but it will occupy a few days.
Disneyland is obviously the same place each time but even for someone who really takes their time, 3 days is enough to get to every ride, and see every show. Lines are busy this week but not beyond insanity for an infrequent visitor.
As an alternative, you could get 3 day park hoppers [keep in mind that the costco offers in SoCal are often for SoCal residents which is loosely enforced] and spend the other 3 closer to where you're staying... Right now the Orange County fair is setup: that's a good half day. Newport has some great beaches and areas to wander which you can extend down to Laguna or up to HB, or both. Lots of ways to kill a couple days without making every morning into a long long drive.
The City Pass requires some serious driving as the locations are fairly spread out but it will occupy a few days.
Disneyland is obviously the same place each time but even for someone who really takes their time, 3 days is enough to get to every ride, and see every show. Lines are busy this week but not beyond insanity for an infrequent visitor.
As an alternative, you could get 3 day park hoppers [keep in mind that the costco offers in SoCal are often for SoCal residents which is loosely enforced] and spend the other 3 closer to where you're staying... Right now the Orange County fair is setup: that's a good half day. Newport has some great beaches and areas to wander which you can extend down to Laguna or up to HB, or both. Lots of ways to kill a couple days without making every morning into a long long drive.
We've got a one year old and five year old..so many not full full days.. plus from being in Disney World 3 weeks in December.. we were actually at the parks the full 3 weeks everyday.. no Universal, NASA, Busch Gardens.. nothing.. but Disney World..
We'll probably want to hit up a good number of character dining and spend some time inside those restaurants to get away from the heat..
Plus doing things once over, while saves us $$$.. isn't probably the full reason.. the extra days paid is only marginally more expensive.. so we can do things again and again..
I talked to my wife at length and we are still neutral.. will decide when we get off the plane I guess to what we'll do..
LA is 3 hours from San Diego.. or two?
#126
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS
Posts: 406
Theoretically it's just over 2 hours but with any traffic [and you'll always hit something leaving LA or coming into downtown SD] it will take closer to 3. Newport Beach is about 2 generally.
You've got a great week for weather here... warm but not our usual mid 90s.
My heat escape tip: The grand california hotel [located in downtown disney with a direct gate to california adventure] has a great big lobby and both a full service restaurant and cafeteria. Lots of a/c, great ambiance and a nice way to escape without driving all the way back to newport.
Hear you on the doing things at Disneyland a few times... With the summer crowds the kid rides are of course taking the brunt of the lines but from my visit last week it really wasn't too bad [not that I stop in that part of the park but glancing by]. Fireworks just went off and peaking over the balcony looked good as usual...
You've got a great week for weather here... warm but not our usual mid 90s.
My heat escape tip: The grand california hotel [located in downtown disney with a direct gate to california adventure] has a great big lobby and both a full service restaurant and cafeteria. Lots of a/c, great ambiance and a nice way to escape without driving all the way back to newport.
Hear you on the doing things at Disneyland a few times... With the summer crowds the kid rides are of course taking the brunt of the lines but from my visit last week it really wasn't too bad [not that I stop in that part of the park but glancing by]. Fireworks just went off and peaking over the balcony looked good as usual...
#127
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Theoretically it's just over 2 hours but with any traffic [and you'll always hit something leaving LA or coming into downtown SD] it will take closer to 3. Newport Beach is about 2 generally.
You've got a great week for weather here... warm but not our usual mid 90s.
My heat escape tip: The grand california hotel [located in downtown disney with a direct gate to california adventure] has a great big lobby and both a full service restaurant and cafeteria. Lots of a/c, great ambiance and a nice way to escape without driving all the way back to newport.
Hear you on the doing things at Disneyland a few times... With the summer crowds the kid rides are of course taking the brunt of the lines but from my visit last week it really wasn't too bad [not that I stop in that part of the park but glancing by]. Fireworks just went off and peaking over the balcony looked good as usual...
You've got a great week for weather here... warm but not our usual mid 90s.
My heat escape tip: The grand california hotel [located in downtown disney with a direct gate to california adventure] has a great big lobby and both a full service restaurant and cafeteria. Lots of a/c, great ambiance and a nice way to escape without driving all the way back to newport.
Hear you on the doing things at Disneyland a few times... With the summer crowds the kid rides are of course taking the brunt of the lines but from my visit last week it really wasn't too bad [not that I stop in that part of the park but glancing by]. Fireworks just went off and peaking over the balcony looked good as usual...
But my 5 year old hasn't been to Disneyland.. so the novelty surpasses any good deals I would have scored going to MCO..
Our next few trips will probably Disney World where there is alot more to do..
At Supper tonite at the El Puerto 4 diamond AAA restaurant at Fairmont Mayakoba.. The flutist was playing Disney theme songs.. Started to get us in the mood.. for our flight to LA tomorrow and Disneyland the next day..
Excited and counting..
#128
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 190
How to book Disney hotels at Disneyland
We are going to Disneyland over the Christmas break and would like to stay at Disney hotels rather than the good neighbor hotels, etc. Just checked Disney website and Disney hotels are pretty expensive. So, my question is:
1. Is there anyway to get the Disney hotels at a cheaper rate at this last minute -- sort of?
2. If not cheaper, what's the best way to maximize my points/miles gain to book the hotel?
thank you for your time/response.
1. Is there anyway to get the Disney hotels at a cheaper rate at this last minute -- sort of?
2. If not cheaper, what's the best way to maximize my points/miles gain to book the hotel?
thank you for your time/response.
#129
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
[Removed response to now-deleted snarky and uncivil post]
I'm no expert on the Disney hotels either and it is more likely to be answered in the California forum. My impression, however, that when those hotels are discounted by Disney, they usually publicize it pretty well. Many of the discounts are limited geographically, typically to residents of Northern California or the Las Vegas area.
It strikes me as very highly unlikely that there would be any discounts for the week starting December 26 as that is a high demand period.
I'm no expert on the Disney hotels either and it is more likely to be answered in the California forum. My impression, however, that when those hotels are discounted by Disney, they usually publicize it pretty well. Many of the discounts are limited geographically, typically to residents of Northern California or the Las Vegas area.
It strikes me as very highly unlikely that there would be any discounts for the week starting December 26 as that is a high demand period.
Last edited by cblaisd; Dec 5, 2011 at 7:52 am
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
As for points, AFAIK, there's really no major affiliation. Be sure to use your mileage earning CC to pay.
#131
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 190
I'm no expert on the Disney hotels either and it is more likely to be answered in the California forum. My impression, however, that when those hotels are discounted by Disney, they usually publicize it pretty well. Many of the discounts are limited geographically, typically to residents of Northern California or the Las Vegas area.
It strikes me as very highly unlikely that there would be any discounts for the week starting December 26 as that is a high demand period.
It strikes me as very highly unlikely that there would be any discounts for the week starting December 26 as that is a high demand period.
Last edited by cblaisd; Dec 5, 2011 at 7:53 am Reason: Removed quote of now-deleted comment
#132
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,689
If you really mean getting a disneyland hotels on property in prime season you are no way going to get a deal. Bring a lot of money and smile.
We are going to Disneyland over the Christmas break and would like to stay at Disney hotels rather than the good neighbor hotels, etc. Just checked Disney website and Disney hotels are pretty expensive. So, my question is:
1. Is there anyway to get the Disney hotels at a cheaper rate at this last minute -- sort of?
2. If not cheaper, what's the best way to maximize my points/miles gain to book the hotel?
thank you for your time/response.
1. Is there anyway to get the Disney hotels at a cheaper rate at this last minute -- sort of?
2. If not cheaper, what's the best way to maximize my points/miles gain to book the hotel?
thank you for your time/response.
#133
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
imo even off season rates are inflated to discount.. pricing in the convenience of walking to the entrance and not having to pay for parking..
#134
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 866
Disneyland Hotel deals ?
I've searched to no avail so I'm reaching out for help. I'm taking my 5 year old to CA in April and want to stay at the Disneyland Hotel from 4/27 to 4/30. I can't find any decent deals anywhere. Is it just not feasible??