Just about ready to give up on Disneyland

[captainkidd]

We've been planning our first trip to Disneyland for next summer. Now, I get that Disneyland isn't WDW, but the fact that I can't even book my room yet seems incredibly stupid to me. I get that packages aren't out yet and prices would be subject to change, but doesn't Disney understand, that some people like to book in advance and start paying the trip off ASAP? It's not like dropping $200 on an a day at Six Flags. I called last night and was told to try back end of August. That's ridiculous.

 

[ann0d]

LOL I understand completely, sounds like you are a little anxious! LOL When we went were literally across the street from Disney. The hotel had a rooftop area where we sat and watched the fireworks, and we could see the monorail. Such a different experience. Don't give up!!!

 

[captainkidd]

It's just that, Disneyland for 1 week is every bit as expensive for us (maybe even more) that WDW is for 2 weeks. Between flights, transportation to and from airport, tickets, hotel - It's a whole new experience for us, and I like to plan in advance and get things taken care of. I can't do that with Disneyland.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

It would work that way for WDW as well. If you are concerned about starting to apply payments, why not just put the money into a jar or free account and then just use it all when you are able to book.

 

[captainkidd]

It would work that way for WDW as well. If you are concerned about starting to apply payments, why not just put the money into a jar or free account and then just use it all when you are able to book.

I can book WDW right now for 2013, at least a room only. Can't even book a room at any of the Disneyland Hotels.

Yeah, that's what I've been doing so far. However, I think I'm just getting irritated with their booking policy. I've never gone on vacation anyplace where you can't book a year out.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I called last night and was told to try back end of August. That's ridiculous.

Been like that since at least 2004....probably won't be able to book online until September...

 

[Californian Elitist]

I really don't think that's a good enough reason to give up your trip. If you can't book a room at the Disneyland Hotel, and money may be an issue, how about booking a room at a good neighbor hotel? I know they're not "on campus" but a lot of them are even closer to the parks than the Disneyland Hotel. Not to mention you will save a lot of money. The Howard Johnson is a really good hotel, as well as others. Don't let this reason ruin your plans.

 

[captainkidd]

I really don't think that's a good enough reason to give up your trip. If you can't book a room at the Disneyland Hotel, and money may be an issue, how about booking a room at a good neighbor hotel? I know they're not "on campus" but a lot of them are even closer to the parks than the Disneyland Hotel. Not to mention you will save a lot of money. The Howard Johnson is a really good hotel, as well as others. Don't let this reason ruin your plans.

It's not just the money. I just keep asking myself if I want to spend the same money on 1 week at Disneyland as I would for 2 wees at WDW, especially considering how much I love Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

 

[MichWolv]

We've been planning our first trip to Disneyland for next summer. Now, I get that Disneyland isn't WDW, but the fact that I can't even book my room yet seems incredibly stupid to me. I get that packages aren't out yet and prices would be subject to change, but doesn't Disney understand, that some people like to book in advance and start paying the trip off ASAP? It's not like dropping $200 on an a day at Six Flags. I called last night and was told to try back end of August. That's ridiculous.

If the concern is paying for the trip, just open a separate bank account and transer money into it. This is right financial move anyways, as you get to keep the interest (minor as it may be) rather than giving Disney free use of your money.

Beyond that, I agree with your annoyance at not being able to book that far in advance. I suspect you also cannot book your flights yet, as the airline booking window is typically 331 days.

 

[MichWolv]

It's not just the money. I just keep asking myself if I want to spend the same money on 1 week at Disneyland as I would for 2 wees at WDW, especially considering how much I love Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

It seems awfully odd to say it's not about the money, and then, in the next sentence, worry about the money. So I will respond as if you are actually worried about the money.

You must be travelling from somewhere where flights are much cheaper to Fla than Cali. I will echo what raven24 said. Disneyland is not like WDW in terms of hotels. You can get a great room for 1/3 the cost of the Disneyland Hotel and still be within walking distance of (heck, even across the street from) the parks. The benefits of staying "on-site" at Disneyland are much less than at WDW.

 

[captainkidd]

It seems awfully odd to say it's not about the money, and then, in the next sentence, worry about the money. So I will respond as if you are actually worried about the money.

You must be travelling from somewhere where flights are much cheaper to Fla than Cali. I will echo what raven24 said. Disneyland is not like WDW in terms of hotels. You can get a great room for 1/3 the cost of the Disneyland Hotel and still be within walking distance of (heck, even across the street from) the parks. The benefits of staying "on-site" at Disneyland are much less than at WDW.

It's not "all" about the money. I'm not worried about the money. I just find it hard to justify spending the same amount of money at Disneyland for half the time I'd get at WDW. Yes, I'd like to do Pirates, Alice in Wonderland, Pinnochio, Mr. Toad, Matterhorn and Indiana Jones, but is it worth it to lose an entire week of vacation time at WDW?

 

[fosse76]

I'm sorry, but you're being ridiculous. So what if you can't book your trip yet? Is it that big an issue? It doesn't make any sense to me. As others have said, there is very little benefit to staying on property at Disneyland, since there are a good number of quality hotels within walking distance of the parks. So if you are dead-set on having a hotel reservation before booking a flight, book one of those and guarantee a place. Then when you can book a Disney hotel, book it and cancel the other, if you want.

Personally, I understand people WANTING to stay in a nice 5-star deluxe hotel accomodation, especially if you can afford it. But the idea that not being able to stay at the Disneyland Hotel being a deciding factor, to me, is ludicrous. None of the Disney hotels, in CA or FL, are in my opinion what makes or breaks the trip. It's the parks. Those hotels only exist to serve the parks. AT WDW they are definitely convenient and do have added benefits, but at the end of the day they are still only a place to stay.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

It's not "all" about the money. I'm not worried about the money. I just find it hard to justify spending the same amount of money at Disneyland for half the time I'd get at WDW. Yes, I'd like to do Pirates, Alice in Wonderland, Pinnochio, Mr. Toad, Matterhorn and Indiana Jones, but is it worth it to lose an entire week of vacation time at WDW?

Yes I think it is worth it. If you truly are a Disney fan, then you should go to DL if you have been to WDW over and over again. You also should consider a hotel off site and save a lot more money (and stay longer if you choose). Some off site hotels are closer than the official Disneyland ones for a considerably cheaper price. Like others said, this isn't WDW where being onsite provides a distinct location benefit. I also would take the time to show your kids some more of SoCal if you aren't already planning it. If it is as expensive as you say, it's a good time to show them the world outside of Disney as well since you won't be back anytime soon.

 

[captainkidd]

I definitely want to stay at one of the Disney Hotels. Undecided between Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian. I love the rooms and look of the DLH, but the GC has a much better location and balconies (I believe).

I know I'm being ridiculous. I think a big part of it is I look so forward to our 2 week summer vacations. In California, I have NO desire to step foot off property. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to go to Knotts Berry Farm, Universal, Sea World and Six Flags, but have no desire to drive ANYWHERE in California.

 

[joannecasey]

I don't think you're being ridiculous ! I understand completely ! I have inner battles with myself all the time. We've been to WDW several times and I've always wanted to try DisneyLand. We can only afford one trip a year though (or every two years) and for what we would spend at DL for one week ... we can get 16 days at Disney World !!

Edit: I mean 16 days in Orlando ... 10 days specifically at Disney World

 

[DisneyJoe]

Why not spend less time at Disneyland? I don't believe you need a week...3-4 days tops.

 

[joannecasey]

If I lived closer I would absolutely just do a 3-4 day trip. Unfortunately for myself (not sure about the OP) airfare from where I live to California is astronomical ! (did I spell that right?) A 3-4 day trip wouldn't make sense for us. Someday I hope to be able to afford to do DL and DW in the same year ! One can dream

 

[MichWolv]

It's not "all" about the money. I'm not worried about the money. I just find it hard to justify spending the same amount of money at Disneyland for half the time I'd get at WDW. Yes, I'd like to do Pirates, Alice in Wonderland, Pinnochio, Mr. Toad, Matterhorn and Indiana Jones, but is it worth it to lose an entire week of vacation time at WDW?

I believe your definition of worrying about money and mine must be different.

In any event, is it worth it? To most people, of course not, just like, to most people it wouldn't be worth it to travel just to see a game at Fenway or Wrigley, a play in London's West End, or a concert at the Sydney Opera House. But to the right person, seeing a game at Fenway is special, even if the same teams also play in your own downtown 6 games a year, and to some people, seeing the Lion King, or Phantom, or Shakespeare in London is much better than seeing it locally.

So, I suspect, it is with most of us. To most people, a Magic Kingdom is a Magic Kingdom. But not to most of us. I suspect you won't have any problem concluding that it is "worth it".

But you'll have even less problem if you spend $150/night for your hotel than if you spend $300+.

 

[MichWolv]

I definitely want to stay at one of the Disney Hotels. Undecided between Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian. I love the rooms and look of the DLH, but the GC has a much better location and balconies (I believe).

I know I'm being ridiculous. I think a big part of it is I look so forward to our 2 week summer vacations. In California, I have NO desire to step foot off property. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to go to Knotts Berry Farm, Universal, Sea World and Six Flags, but have no desire to drive ANYWHERE in California.

So take a 2 week vacation. Spend 2 weeks at Disneyland. If money isn't an issue, why limit yourself to a week. Enjoy the pools at the hotel. Take a backstage tour or two. Partake of music at Downtown Disney. Walk around Anaheim (is walking off property allowed?)

That being said, you are being ridiculous in thinking that driving anywhere off-property is going to ruin things. KBF is about 4 miles from Disneyland. The others are further, but the drive, unless you hit downtown LA during rush hour, is not a killer. Plus, there are things in California that aren't theme parks. The beaches are very nice. As are the museums. Lots of good restaurants. Just sayin'.

 

[captainkidd]

If I lived closer I would absolutely just do a 3-4 day trip. Unfortunately for myself (not sure about the OP) airfare from where I live to California is astronomical ! (did I spell that right?) A 3-4 day trip wouldn't make sense for us. Someday I hope to be able to afford to do DL and DW in the same year ! One can dream

Same for us. Plus, seems silly to spend 6 hours on an airplane, each way, just to stay for 3 days.