Disneyland Trip booked through Costco

[Mawg]

I just wanted to post something about the deal I got with booking a trip to Disneyland through Costco. I saw a deal on the Costco Website and did some research before booking it. The price was exactly the same as booking on the Disney Website. But in addition I got an $80 gift card and a free character dinning voucher along with a few other small things like a free ride photo, pins and lanyards etc.
I have a Disney Vacation Account and was hesitant to book the trip but Costco accepted the Disney Vacation Account. So on top of the Gift Card from Costco I will get a Gift Card from Disney for $40 for the $2000 in my Vacation Account I will be using (2% back).
I used Disney Gift cards from target (5% off with red card) to put the money in the Disney Vacation Account.
On Top of it all I just requested my rewards card from Chase for $300.
I'm up to $420 towards dinning and spending on top of already getting a free character dinning voucher all for just finding these little discounts and promotions.
In addition, if you get a PIN code or a better discount/promotion comes out later, you can rebook it just like you can through Disney, fingers crossed.
Seems like no real negative with booking through Costco, anyone else have experience with this?
Going in early October for Halloween, planning on the Halloween Party one night, staying at the Disneyland Hotel 6 nights -- Can't wait!

 

[PacNWTigger]

We booked with Costco for a Disney trip last year for WDW. We got a lot of the perks too...we don't belong to the Disney Vacation club (yet...), but we had no issues with using the free stuff we were given either. It's not a bad way to go when you get the extra stuff at the same price as a "regular" trip.

You guys are going to have a blast at the Halloween party! Be sure to enjoy dinner at the Carnation Cafe when the regular ticket holders are being escorted out of the park once you have your wristband for the evening. We had a great dinner, and were able to watch all of the costumes walk into the park for the festivities. One last piece of advice...don't worry about the trick or treat lines right away. Go enjoy a couple of rides that have a greatly decreased waiting time, and then hit the trick or treats when their lines are smaller or non-existent.

 

[Mawg]

We booked with Costco for a Disney trip last year for WDW. We got a lot of the perks too...we don't belong to the Disney Vacation club (yet...), but we had no issues with using the free stuff we were given either. It's not a bad way to go when you get the extra stuff at the same price as a "regular" trip.

You guys are going to have a blast at the Halloween party! Be sure to enjoy dinner at the Carnation Cafe when the regular ticket holders are being escorted out of the park once you have your wristband for the evening. We had a great dinner, and were able to watch all of the costumes walk into the park for the festivities. One last piece of advice...don't worry about the trick or treat lines right away. Go enjoy a couple of rides that have a greatly decreased waiting time, and then hit the trick or treats when their lines are smaller or non-existent.

Thanks, I should point out, it is the Disney Savings Account that I used to pay for it (only down payment at this point)
We've been to WDW for the Halloween Party before but not Disneyland so really excited for this. We got a 4 day park hopper and I think the day of the Halloween Party we won't be using one of the 4 days. We'll enjoy some pool time and DTD, slip in early for a dinner and then enjoy the party.
As far as other dinning possibilities we are looking at Goofy's Kitchen for our free character dinning, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, Café Orleans, Flo's, Cozy Cone.
Is there a place you can get the stuffed French toast like WDW there? And, I've heard the lobster roll is not as good as the one at WDW, true?
Any other dinning suggestions, not looking for the really up class ones like Napa Rose?

 

[Figments Friend]

For a Disneyland dining suggestion, i would recommend Cafe Orleans located in DL*s New Orleans Square.
It is a charming, mostly outdoor dining , table service location across from the Rivers of America...so plenty of eye candy and people watching opportunity while dining.

Cafe Orleans is most famous for it*s Monte Cristo sandwich, but also well known for it*s Pomme Frittes ( french fries covered with garlic and herbs, comes with special creole dipping sauce = YUM ) and Mint Juleps ( lemon-lime flavored non-alcoholic drink ).

The food is quite tasty and the service is friendly and relaxed.
It will not break the bank ( exspecially the Lunch menu ) and you cannot beat the outdoor ambiance.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Thanks, I should point out, it is the Disney Savings Account that I used to pay for it (only down payment at this point)
We've been to WDW for the Halloween Party before but not Disneyland so really excited for this. We got a 4 day park hopper and I think the day of the Halloween Party we won't be using one of the 4 days. We'll enjoy some pool time and DTD, slip in early for a dinner and then enjoy the party.
As far as other dinning possibilities we are looking at Goofy's Kitchen for our free character dinning, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, Café Orleans, Flo's, Cozy Cone.
Is there a place you can get the stuffed French toast like WDW there? And, I've heard the lobster roll is not as good as the one at WDW, true?
Any other dinning suggestions, not looking for the really up class ones like Napa Rose?

Goofy's Kitchen is rather mediocre. Plaza Inn certainly offers way more characters and variety with similar food. At DLR, counter service is king. Paradise Garden Grill and Flo's in DCA are tops, as well as French Market and Plaza Inn in DL. The Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen to-go counter in DTD is fabulous, as is Tangaroa Terrace/Trader Sam's at DLH.

 

[Mawg]

For a Disneyland dining suggestion, i would recommend Cafe Orleans located in DL*s New Orleans Square.
It is a charming, mostly outdoor dining , table service location across from the Rivers of America...so plenty of eye candy and people watching opportunity while dining.

Cafe Orleans is most famous for it*s Monte Cristo sandwich, but also well known for it*s Pomme Frittes ( french fries covered with garlic and herbs, comes with special creole dipping sauce = YUM ) and Mint Juleps ( lemon-lime flavored non-alcoholic drink ).

The food is quite tasty and the service is friendly and relaxed.
It will not break the bank ( exspecially the Lunch menu ) and you cannot beat the outdoor ambiance.

Monte Cristo sounds great! Thanks, Café Orleans is on my must do list

 

[Mawg]

Goofy's Kitchen is rather mediocre. Plaza Inn certainly offers way more characters and variety with similar food. At DLR, counter service is king. Paradise Garden Grill and Flo's in DCA are tops, as well as French Market and Plaza Inn in DL. The Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen to-go counter in DTD is fabulous, as is Tangaroa Terrace/Trader Sam's at DLH.

I'm trying to use the character meal to knock out some meet and greet waits and hopefully not have to do many or any. Do you know what character typically show up? Goofy, Mickey and Pluto are always a must so Goofy is why I was thinking Goofy's Kitchen.

Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam's look great, thank you for those

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I'm trying to use the character meal to knock out some meet and greet waits and hopefully not have to do many or any. Do you know what character typically show up? Goofy, Mickey and Pluto are always a must so Goofy is why I was thinking Goofy's Kitchen.

Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam's look great, thank you for those

Goofy's Kitchen has the same characters at all times: Goofy, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Chip and Dale.
Plaza Inn has some mainstays: Minnie, Fairy Godmother, Captain Hook, Pooh, Eeyore, Chip, Dale, Pluto, Tigger - plus additional rotating guest characters like Rafiki, Peter Pan, etc.

Mickey only makes appearances at PCH Grill with Stitch, Pluto and Daisy.

 

[Mawg]

We booked with Costco for a Disney trip last year for WDW. We got a lot of the perks too...we don't belong to the Disney Vacation club (yet...), but we had no issues with using the free stuff we were given either. It's not a bad way to go when you get the extra stuff at the same price as a "regular" trip.

You guys are going to have a blast at the Halloween party! Be sure to enjoy dinner at the Carnation Cafe when the regular ticket holders are being escorted out of the park once you have your wristband for the evening. We had a great dinner, and were able to watch all of the costumes walk into the park for the festivities. One last piece of advice...don't worry about the trick or treat lines right away. Go enjoy a couple of rides that have a greatly decreased waiting time, and then hit the trick or treats when their lines are smaller or non-existent.

Sorry to quote your post a second time, but the trick or treating, is it the same generic candy they do at WDW? Or do they do special "Disney" candy. It would be nice if they gave away more unique candy for the price you are paying.

 

[Mawg]

Goofy's Kitchen has the same characters at all times: Goofy, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Chip and Dale.
Plaza Inn has some mainstays: Minnie, Fairy Godmother, Captain Hook, Pooh, Eeyore, Chip, Dale, Pluto, Tigger - plus additional rotating guest characters like Rafiki, Peter Pan, etc.

Mickey only makes appearances at PCH Grill with Stitch, Pluto and Daisy.

Thanks, I'll run those by the kids and see what sounds best. The only problem is, the kids don't know and won't until we pick them up from school and head to the train station. We're taking the Amtrak there and flying home, never done an over night train ride, thought the kids would like it.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Thanks, I'll run those by the kids and see what sounds best. The only problem is, the kids don't know and won't until we pick them up from school and head to the train station. We're taking the Amtrak there and flying home, never done an over night train ride, thought the kids would like it.

You shouldn't have a problem with a last minute reservation.

 

[PacNWTigger]

Sorry to quote your post a second time, but the trick or treating, is it the same generic candy they do at WDW? Or do they do special "Disney" candy. It would be nice if they gave away more unique candy for the price you are paying.

Same old trick or treat candy with some healthier options thrown in to make parents a little happier. I agree that some special candy would be an especially nice treat!