[MrDisneyfan1]

Here is my dilema, we visted DL and January, we bought APs for a great rate at the Grand California ($149!!!).

I really want to get back with our children this summer, but can't seemed to get any good prices on the Disneyland resorts, any suggestions? Any good neighbor hotel recommendations? And airfare is climbing up there!

I love DL the most (including DCA) and want to get back for the celebration!!
Every January, the Mrs. and I get to go with out the kids, and that is fun, but we want them to share the fun this time, plus my DS who is 7, just saw a show about the Indiana attraction, and he said "that blows away the Florida stunt show, I want to go to California and go on it" I did not mention that I went on it about 7 times a few motnhs ago

Den

[disneylandrocks]

There is a bunch of neighboring hotels... The one we stay at most often is the Desert in and Sweets. It's the closest you can get to the park with out being on property. Nothing special, it's just a hotel, nothing fancy like the resorts.

Yea, the indiana Jones ride is very very cool. I hope your son loves it!

[MrDisneyfan1]

I've seen that hotel, and they had good specials on "kids suites" ($99 I think)
I guesse the grand California spoiled us. If airfare drops abit...were there! With a fam of four, it's tough to pay $300 plus for each ticket to get from CT to CA. Rather hop in the car and be in WDW in 18 hours.

[Disneyfever]

How did you get the APs for $149? What a deal!
We are staying at the Candy Cane Inn in Nov. I've never stayed there, but several family members have and they really liked it.

[dznygrl]

Hey Den, have you checked out the Desert PALM Inn & Suites? (Different from the regular Desert Inn & Suites.) We stayed there for our honeymoon and were able to get a GREAT AAA rate on a King Suite--King bed in the bedroom & sofa sleeper in the living room--for $65/night! They are a 3-diamond hotel, very nice...the hotel has recently been completely redone from top to bottom. It's gorgeous now, even the rooms! They have a pool & spa too, and are in really close walking distance to DL. Our suite reeked of fresh paint, and we ended up getting upgraded to a GORGEOUS suite (I believe it was called the Borrego Suite). Some of their suites also have views of DCA!

My secondary suggestion costs a little bit more...the Candy Cane Inn, another 3-diamond hotel. It is personally my FAVORITE off-site property! Rooms there run about $85/night. Still extremely affordable compared with a Disney resort!!

I know you guys feel spoiled after the GC...I would...but if it means a trip or no trip, both the Desert Palm & Candy Cane Inn are fantastic off-site choices. They are right next door to each other, too!

I could send you a couple of pics of our suite & some areas of the Desert Palm if you wanted. Just let me know.

[MrDisneyfan1]

Originally Posted by Disneyfever

How did you get the APs for $149? What a deal!
We are staying at the Candy Cane Inn in Nov. I've never stayed there, but several family members have and they really liked it.

No the grand Californian was $149.00, But I did luck out on the AP's. I bought 2 five day passes, which both had one day left (on ebay), and when I was in DL, I found out that I could trade up to an AP before I left the park. So in actuality, thos passes cost about $125.00, I could not have planned it any better.
We go every January to our Music trade Show and stay at DLR, but next year our AP's expire the day before we go
Den

[MrDisneyfan1]

Hi Dizzygirl, I love the Candy Cane Inn, never stayed there, but have always wanted to since I was little (been coming to this trade show since I was 9 - Now 36 YIKES!)

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by MrDisneyfan1

No the grand Californian was $149.00, But I did luck out on the AP's. I bought 2 five day passes, which both had one day left (on ebay), and when I was in DL, I found out that I could trade up to an AP before I left the park. So in actuality, thos passes cost about $125.00, I could not have planned it any better.
We go every January to our Music trade Show and stay at DLR, but next year our AP's expire the day before we go
Den

THEY LET YOU UPGRADE TO AN ANNUAL PASS WITHOUT HAVING TO SHOW A RECEIPT FOR THE FIVE DAY PASS?

Count yourself lucky..

[MrDisneyfan1]

Yes they did, the passes I had were not signed, so I signed them, and we were good to go, not one question. The CM explained, as long as you have it done no later than the last day in the park (last day on that ticket) it could be done, from a single day, and up.

So now I have bi-coastal Disney passes. Out in DLR they are much more strick with the AP hotel discounts, you MUST show your pass within 24 hours of check in, or the price defaults to rack rate...OUCH!! in WDW they never even ask for it, maybe once in the past 6 years.

[Disneyfever]

Wow MrDisney...that is even better. The Grand Californian for $149!! How did you get THAT deal? Also, what a great deal on your APs. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip! If I could get the GC for $149, I would do it in a heartbeat.

[jodilt]

I have been looking for a good deal for DLR this summer too. The best deal I could find for staying on property is through Disney Visa. The package I got beat any price I have found by at least $200.

[dznygrl]

We were able to upgrade to AP's from 5-day passes too, without a problem. Our APs expire on our anniversary......that's the only sad part of looking at my countdown; knowing my DLR APs are going to expire unless I miraculously come up with the $$ to renew them.


Den, if you guys decide to give Candy Cane Inn a chance, let me know what you think of it! I would love to stay there again soon...it was the hotel I stayed at on my first-ever DL trip (when I was 6) and it has only gotten better since then.

[Princess Tessa]

If you must stay off-site the Candy Cane Inn is the only option! It is amazing! In my opinion it is as close to Disney as you can get offsite. Superior rooms, continental breakfasts, free air-conditioined (yes!) shuttle to the Disneyland gates every half hour, on the same block as Disneyland, so if you do miss the shuttle it is only a 10 min walk (15 if you have young ones) Room prices are fairly low so it's great for a traveler on a budget :)

[MrDisneyfan1]

I think I will check out the Candy Cane, I know it's right across from the covention center, and I also think theres a walk way right there but I'll opt for the shuttle - who needs to walk trough Disney's parking lot!
The $149 I paid for the GC was an AP promotional rate that the reservation person was quickly to give the info on (believe that) So they $ I saved paid for my AP and the room was a Downtown Disney view.
Thanks for all the info everyone!
Enjoy May 5
o5-o5-o5!!!! Wish I was there that day!!
Den