Eventually DH and I would like to venture over to Disneyland for the first time. For curiosity purposes I checked the DVC availability for 7 months out ( since that's as far as I can go since we own at BLT) and there is no studios available. So my question is, how hard is it to get a studio there? Has anyone had much luck with wait listing?
Also, is Disneyland the same as WDW in regards to peak/moderate/slow times? Or are they busier at different times? When would you recommend going?
I just booked a studio for October. I was a little worried about getting it, so I booked extra days at the beginning that I will cancel in a few weeks. I was watching the situation for a while, and it appears that as soon as Saturdays are available at 7 months, they are booked. That makes sense to me as there are more weekenders at DL. If I were a local, I would be booking quite a few Saturdays. Luckily for me, Saturday is the last night of my trip, so I could book it at 6 months + 1 week.
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DVC owner since 2002 BCV/BWV/BLT/VGC
I just booked a studio for October. I was a little worried about getting it, so I booked extra days at the beginning that I will cancel in a few weeks. I was watching the situation for a while, and it appears that as soon as Saturdays are available at 7 months, they are booked. That makes sense to me as there are more weekenders at DL. If I were a local, I would be booking quite a few Saturdays. Luckily for me, Saturday is the last night of my trip, so I could book it at 6 months + 1 week.
Did you have to wait list at all?
I booked a studio at 7 mo. out at VGC for our Jan. 2013 trip and had no problems at all, and that was for 2 weeks.
no waitlist- it really depends on when you are going. But I noted weekend book fast.
See my Disney Photography at...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rt_images/
DVC owner since 2002 BCV/BWV/BLT/VGC
I booked at 2 bedroom Villa in May 2012 at just 5 months out with no waitlist. Studios however are trickier because there are fewer of them and they are in higher demand. When you think about Grand Californian Villlas you have to consider that there are only 50 or them it's something like 2 3 bedrooms, 22 two bedrooms, and 25 lock-off units. Many people book just to "save the date" even if they aren't sure if they will be going on those dates just so that they are sure to get a room. Go for the waitlist and just keep checking back.
Disneyland's demographic split is 70% local 30% out of town guests (that is flipped in Disney World). Because of that weekends and "small holidays" are very very busy at Disneyland all year long. There is an increase in attendance in the summer, as well as over christmas and spring breaks, however it's not as dramatic as the one that you seen in Florida.
Rainy season is Jan-Feb-Mar, April is beautiful but more crowded. I don't think I'm ever unhappy with Disneyland in late spring & early summer. I've had lovely trips in recent years both in February and May. February can be a little chilly - but not cold.
I plan on going sometime in the next couple years. We'd be looking at Sept-Nov, Jan, or Feb. Are those good times to go (aside from halloween and Thanksgiving)?
I would go during any of those times, just avoid the smaller holiday weekends. I would pick October or early November. I also like February, but there is almost always some rain. Think of it as a local attraction when it comes to crowds. Touring plans has a Disneyland component as well that I have used in the past.