Disneyland/Disney World thread

[Astylla]

I've gone to many Disneyland after Dark events including Merriest Nites , Star Wars Nite , Villains Nite and now Grad Nite Reunion.

I have to say Grad Nite reunion and Villains Nite are now tied for my favorite events.
I never got to do my own Grad nite due to extenuating circumstances so this was awesome for me. Due to getting covid last month, my bf was unable to attend with me so ended up giving am extra ticket away in one of my disney groups on Facebook.

It all worked out because while I was in line for a picture with the Aristocat kittens , me and this really awesome and cute girl started hitting it off and chatting, then the band started the duck tales theme and we started rocking out to it..next thing I know she's buying me a beer as an early birthday treat.

From there we probably spent at least half our night finding out we are basically Disney BFF'S LOL. They had karaoke set up and most people were singing songs from the 70s to 90s so we had a blast. We probably spent half our night there because the energy was amazing and so fun. They had a dance party near the Hyperion theater in California Adventure too. Even started dancing on the small stage in front if karaoke right before the event ended singing "Don't stop believing " with my new friend and even the DJ started taking video so it was awesome. It really was an event for all decades and had a little bit of everything.

Ironically enough my anxiety almost got the best of me and I nearly didn't go.
I'm so glad I did and making a new friend and partying all night was worth everything the next day..even the 7.5 hour drive back home lol. I did feel like this though..

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[archibaldcrane]

Just bought the SoCal 3 day for my family (pretending my just turned 3 year old is still 2, of course). Going to stay at a Disney hotel for a back to back overnight for my daughter's 6th birthday later this month, should be fun.

Oof at the cost of it all though.

[Astylla]

Just bought the SoCal 3 day for my family (pretending my just turned 3 year old is still 2, of course). Going to stay at a Disney hotel for a back to back overnight for my daughter's 6th birthday later this month, should be fun.

Oof at the cost of it all though.

What hotel?
And definitely tale advantage of the free admission for the kid while you can lol.

Honestly if I don't rent DVC points or stay on a convention rate I don't do on-site as there are great options so close to walk to.
But will say I absolutely love the Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel.

My dream key expires September 3rd so made reservations on Sept 1st through 3rd.
I also have tickets to Oogie Boogie party on October 13th with a co worker and bf on October 29th. Crazy how fast they sold out this year too !

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[archibaldcrane]

What hotel?

But will say I absolutely love the Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel.

The other one, it was cheapest

[Astylla]

Paradise Pier is probably the only one I haven't stayed at as I'm waiting for the retheming of it to start. Honestly for the distance and how plain it is feel there are much better options for less. Also I warned the elevators are known to be INSANELY slow and no food options are open at the hotel at all.

I will say they just opened up a new walkway directly into California Adventure which is pretty awesome.

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[Melena]

The other one, it was cheapest

Oof, Paradise Pier really isn't worth it. They did finally give them their own entrance into California Adventure, but the fact you're paying an insane rate for a hotel that has zero onsite food options is absolutely horrible.

Pre-covid when I had a pass I preferred staying at one of the hotels walking distance across the street at half the cost.

WDW is a different ballgame though. Onsite has actual perks, and with most of the hotels having DVC options where we can rent points, I can stay at deluxe hotels for less than the cost of a moderate.

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[archibaldcrane]

It was only ~$100 more than offsite options (and $200+ less than the other two) and when every step of your 3 children decreases their energy meters I wanted to be as close as possible. Don't care about restaurants, ~100% of our eating will either be at the parks or food we bring with.

But yeah it doesn't look particularly nice.

[Astylla]

It was only ~$100 more than offsite options (and $200+ less than the other two) and when every step of your 3 children decreases their energy meters I wanted to be as close as possible. Don't care about restaurants, ~100% of our eating will either be at the parks or food we bring with.

But yeah it doesn't look particularly nice.

Oh okay that make sense and it's crazy how expensive offsite has gotten. I absolutely agree that with kids closer is BEST.

Just wanted to make sure that you had as much information as possible so you weren't surprised. You can also order delivery from downtown disney to your hotel lobby just as an FYI if you did need something and there's an AMAZING pizza place that delivers I cna recommend too if needed.
Seen way too many people post in my groups complaining nothing is open which is definitely ridiculous I agree.

Not sure if the pool reopened yet but if not you'll be able to use the disneyland hotel or GCH one.

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[archibaldcrane]

Looks like the pool and restaurant are both open according to the most recent TripAdvisor reviews.

Edit: disregard, pool yes, restaurants no

[Astylla]

Looks like the pool and restaurant are both open according to the most recent TripAdvisor reviews.

Edit: disregard, pool yes, restaurants no

Oh good glad the pool is back open !

So saw this today and not sure if it's good for your dates but doesn't hurt to try, new discount offer.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/off...er-room-offer/

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[archibaldcrane]

Thanks, but that's august 8th or later, we're going later this month

[Ksandra]

We did it guys. We bought the rapture.


AKA. DVC members.

Getting 200 points per year. Home base is the Riviera. Going on a two week vacation next year to WDW. Going to see if we can't resort hop a little as they move your luggage for you.

[Anoat]

ONE OF US
ONE OF US

[Ksandra]

ONE OF US
ONE OF US

Teach me all your ways.

[Anoat]

I’m not dvc cause I live in Florida, it’s only like a 3-4 hour drive for me to Orlando.

But having said that I do know a lot of people who use it. I guess the best advice would be…be flexible about when you use it to maximize your points. That means try not to go during peak summer months. I realize you have the double whammy of being a teacher and having school aged children so that probably rules it out for you.

You can rent other peoples points or rent out your own points thru third party groups to save or make some money just be warned that Disney doesn’t recognize these groups so you get no protections or refunds if you have to cancel

[Anoat]

Oh. You can also use DVC at places like Aulani in Hawaii or Hilton Head SC or the vero beach resort

[Ksandra]

Yeah we went with the 200 because we basically need to go in the summer, unfortunately. Thanks for the info!

[Melena]

Astylla and I rent points all the time for our WDW trip.

I'm doing a long solo trip next month, though Astylla is going to try to join for a few days as a staycation.

I got six nights at a boardwalk villa for about 200 a night, got a one bedroom villa at contemporary for 2 nights at 500 a night, and a single night at grand Floridian for like 375.

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[Anoat]

lol my next trip I’m staying at all star sports with the other peasants for like $105 a night

[Anoat]

Oh! There is also a DVC members only lounge at Epcot. So if you are there and need a quiet place to get some air conditioning and free snacks and soda/water, be sure to stop by. It’s on the 2nd floor of the Imagination with Figment ride building.