Disneyland, CA, on the cheap?
#23
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Call Southwest Airlines "Vacation Department" and tell them your dates, they can give you a package price for flight, bus transfers and hotel, and can even add in the price of 3-day park tickets for you.
This may not turn out to be the absolute CHEAPEST way to do it, and you certainly don't have to book everything through southwest. But it WILL give you a good general idea of how much this trip is going to end up costing in the long run, rather than trying to piece everything together yourself. If Southwest tells you $1200, and your budget is $800, you'll know you're gonna come up short.
800 I FLY SWI, ask for Southwest Vacations Department.
Just one phone call will give you a good general idea of how much this trip is gonna cost on your particular dates of travel.
This may not turn out to be the absolute CHEAPEST way to do it, and you certainly don't have to book everything through southwest. But it WILL give you a good general idea of how much this trip is going to end up costing in the long run, rather than trying to piece everything together yourself. If Southwest tells you $1200, and your budget is $800, you'll know you're gonna come up short.
800 I FLY SWI, ask for Southwest Vacations Department.
Just one phone call will give you a good general idea of how much this trip is gonna cost on your particular dates of travel.
#24
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Isabel--
I agree with Janis--many decent inexpensive suite motels surrounding Disneyland. And I would drive instead of fly. Sure, it's kind of a pain, but if I was on a tight budget, I'd rather have the $300-350 to play with once I got there instead of spending it to get there.
The other thing you might want to consider is to give your kids a couple of days off and head down there in September or October when everyone is back in school. It will be far more enjoyable. The crowds and lines are pretty brutal during the summer.
I agree with Janis--many decent inexpensive suite motels surrounding Disneyland. And I would drive instead of fly. Sure, it's kind of a pain, but if I was on a tight budget, I'd rather have the $300-350 to play with once I got there instead of spending it to get there.
The other thing you might want to consider is to give your kids a couple of days off and head down there in September or October when everyone is back in school. It will be far more enjoyable. The crowds and lines are pretty brutal during the summer.
#25
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If you can get Southwest tickets into Orange County airport, this hotel offers free shuttle from the airport AND free shuttle to Disney. Also free breakfast.
www.bestwestern-oc.com
www.bestwestern-oc.com
#26
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Thanks everyone! Here's what we finally decided. My older daughter and her husband and two little kids have gotten time off to come with us. He has a van so we will drive leaving after rush hour and straight down the 5 freeway. I have booked a "kid's suite" with bunkbeds, sofabeds and a regular room all together with kitchenette at the Radisson Main Gate. They have a shutle to the park and also to Knott's berry farm. Getting the whole thing with AAA discount for $109. They have a coffeemaker so will take cup a soup for snacks and we can get to the grocery when we're there. Now, other than McD's does anyone have any cheap/child friendly restaurants that we could go to? Mexican or other child friendly type food. Thanks for all the help. I'm really excited. Oh, years ago you had to pay cash for Disneyland tickets. Is that still the case?
#29
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I don't know how you would feel about this, but you could try to get park passes on eBay at a lower rate. There is a set of passes out right now that expire 9/3/02. Many people have these and realize that they aren't going to use them up before that date so they are selling them on eBay to try to recoup some money. Might be worth looking into if you are comfortable with an auction and all the buyer beware stuff.
#30
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STJ, I'm not all that comfortable with auctions and we have very little money, certainly none to gamble with. If we leave San Jose about 8 pm, going straight down the 5 at a reasonable speed (I'm a chicken) what time should we arrive in Anaheim? Should I call the hotel to tell them we're a late arrival. We will eat before we leave and bring stuff like snack food and cold cuts/sodas with us from home. Oh, this is going to be the trip of a lifetime for my girls. I've just been through an ugly divorce where my ex threatened to take away our house and I'm so grateful to have some happy days ahead. My daughter has two little ones 4 and 2. Would they maybe want to do one day at Disney and one at Knott's berry farm? The shuttle goes to both. What's the most economical ticket to buy. We plan to come to the hotel at lunchtime and make sandwiches and then Vicky will have to put the little one down for a nap, but my girls and I will go back to Disney. I'm so grateful for your suggestions. Just to give you an idea of who I am I work as a cashier at a grocery store and both girls are in school. My daughter is also a cashier and her husband has a job rearranging office space for big companies. So now you have an idea of what a tight budget I'm on.
#31
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I don't understand why you would leave at 8PM (you will not arrive until after 2AM or so). Why waste that night paying for a hotel? We leave at 5AM and get to our hotel just before noon. I always ask for early check-in when making reservations and have always been able to go right to the room. This will give you time to settle in, have a bite to eat and maybe a swim before heading off to the park. Just a thought.
#32
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I agree w/ Jill. Leaving at night is crazy since you would drive overnight and get to the hotel probably around 2:30 or 3AM AM. You won't gain anything since you would still have to pay for that night at the hotel. So unless you can leave before or during rush hour, you are MUCH better off leaving San Jose at 4 or 5 AM instead. You will get some sleep at home, save the cost of one night's lodging and still get to Disneyland only a couple of hours after it opens.
#33
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Too many suggestions! But I would do something else still. I would get 4 hours or so of driving out of the way on that first night, staying in Carpinteria or Ventura. Next morning an early ride (1 1/2 hours) down to the park, with a break from the park around 4pm to check in to your hotel, do a change of clothes, refresh with a swim and then back to the park til closing time!
Ralph's Grocery Stores sometimes have Knotts tickets at a discount. If I see them advertised I will post it here a week before your trip. Knotts is perfect for kids from about 4 to 6, they have a fantastic petting area for kids that like animals, with pony rides etc. The animals are at their best in the morning.
Ralph's Grocery Stores sometimes have Knotts tickets at a discount. If I see them advertised I will post it here a week before your trip. Knotts is perfect for kids from about 4 to 6, they have a fantastic petting area for kids that like animals, with pony rides etc. The animals are at their best in the morning.
#34
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Are you sure that rate at the Radisson is not "per room" for 2 rooms? Seldom is Radisson the best value to be found so I'm leary. I also agree with others that, since there are 7 in your party, finding a hotel offering free breakfasts would have been a great savings in the long run as you can skip expensive lunches and snacks at the park.
#35
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I was told that the Radisson was a two room suite. The bedroom had a queen bed with bunkbeds. The living room has two sofa beds. It is all one room. And, I think they told me a continental breakfast was included. Although since we have a coffee maker and fridge we could actually get our own breakfasts. Do you think I need to call them back again? Now I'm worried.
#36
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Probably you're Ok Isabel - they do have suites and if that is what they quoted that is probably the rate. But a phone call wouldn't hurt if it would put your mind at ease.
But your bigger issue is - do you really want to pay for a night at the hotel when you will be lucky to be there before 3AM? Checking in at that hour, getting settled and getting the kids (and adults) back to sleep will be a huge hassle and you will all be exhausted - especially the driver.
If you could get on the road 4 or 5 hours earlier you could get to Anaheim by 10 or 11 PM. If that isn't possible - then do consider driving south EARLY in the morning instead.
But your bigger issue is - do you really want to pay for a night at the hotel when you will be lucky to be there before 3AM? Checking in at that hour, getting settled and getting the kids (and adults) back to sleep will be a huge hassle and you will all be exhausted - especially the driver.
If you could get on the road 4 or 5 hours earlier you could get to Anaheim by 10 or 11 PM. If that isn't possible - then do consider driving south EARLY in the morning instead.
#37
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That's the same rate our friends paid at the Radisson though they sometimes have Super Saver Rates and Promotional Specials that are lower than the AAA rate. Their room did not have refrig or breakfast however.
I agree that your schedule is terrible. This sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime trip for your girls and you shouldn't do it when you're going to be rushed and overtired. If the girls have "saved and saved" for this, they deserve a good relaxing vacation, not a rush job. I know it's hard to work out everyone's schedule but plead with the bosses or something.
I agree that your schedule is terrible. This sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime trip for your girls and you shouldn't do it when you're going to be rushed and overtired. If the girls have "saved and saved" for this, they deserve a good relaxing vacation, not a rush job. I know it's hard to work out everyone's schedule but plead with the bosses or something.