We're Going to Disneyland!

[daneenm]

I know I already said this in another thread, but I always love saying it...

Woohoo, "we're going to Disneyland!"

Just decided to do a before the summer ends trip, 8/14 - 8/19. We have stayed at the GC our last several trips, but on the comments I heard from Pete on the DL show, we are trying DLH again. We haven't stayed there in almost 10 years so I am sure it has changed some. For one thing, I know the pool has been redone.

We are attempting to stay Concierge. Disney Travel says that there are no rooms available, but the front desk says there are. I guess they only allocate some to Disney Travel and the others are held for central booking (I had no idea they were different). So, they tell us that if we ask upon check-in, we are likely to get it...I'll let you know how it goes.

I can tell it is less crowded than normal since I was able to book Fantasmic! Priority Seating on a Friday night for the 9:00 show, with no issue. Usually, you have to be on the phone exactly 90 days out (or whatever the number is) to get these tickets.

So far we only have reservations for Blue Bayou (a must for me) and Steakhouse 55 (new to us). Will have to do the rest later.

So, Pete, if you want anything checked out, let me know and I would be happy to report back to you in e-mail or VM.

--Daneen

 

[firsttimemom]

Can't wait to hear about it! We're going out in Nov. We haven't booked anything yet but are leaning towards DLH, esp. after Pete's review. We're also thinking of doing Steakhouse 55 for DD and DS's bday on the 21st.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[drakethib]

Disneyland was kind of weird for us when we 1st got there.

We were uses to WDW and it is a total different experience IMHO.

We can't wait to go back.

 

[daneenm]

Disneyland was kind of weird for us when we 1st got there.

We were uses to WDW and it is a total different experience IMHO.

For me it is just to opposite. Disneyland is like going home for me, as a California girl. Our trip to WDW last year was our first in over 15 years (too far). I must admit, though, I do not plan the same way I felt I had to for our WDW trip. I think it was because I was so unfamiliar with WDW that I felt I needed to prepare more.

Cannot wait to get there!
Daneen

 

[daneenm]

Hi There!

Just back from our trip to DLR We stayed at DLH with Concierge Service, from Thursday 8/14 to Tuesday, 8/19.

Our first room was a dud. Be wary of being right next to the elevator, as the room is extra small and only has double beds. Fortunately, the Concierge was able to help us switch rooms, despite being "100% full." Second room was just two doors down but much better...2 queens and a daybed, pool view. The children really enjoyed the pool but they have a big shortage of chairs. This is not helped by the fact that people stake out chairs in the morning and then do not use them until they are back some time later in the day. I hate that!

The Concierge lounge was lovely. What a view! We watched fireworks twice from up there...really nice as they open up all of the sliding doors and pipe in the music. The food was fine, nothing to write home about, but kept us going for breakfast snacks and drinks. The staff could not have been nicer.

Thursday and Friday we thought the crowds were quite low (for summer). In fact, Friday morning we arrived at 8:00 and did nearly 1/2 the park by the time our 11:30 Blue Bayou reservation came along. Saturday we were in DCA so the crowds seemed fine. Sunday and Monday were quite crowded. We went to Early Entry Sunday morning which did not seem bad, but by 10 a.m. we found the park quite full already. Tuesday another EE morning but we were disappointed to find several of the FL rides closed.

The children wanted to ride Nemo, so we did that first thing Sunday morning during EE. It was a good time to do it as far as the line goes (there were about 30 people ahead of us in line). However, the way they do the line and the delay they had in starting the ride, made it really slow. We were on the first sub out and did not step off the ride until 7:50. Way to blow the whole hour of EE! The ride was cute and brought back lots of childhood memories of the subs, but would not wait more than once for it.

The highlight of our trip was TSMM. What a terrific ride! We made use of the GCH entrance to DCA (which opens at 9:30 for resort guests) and lined up first thing. It was a hit with the whole gang.

Did the Fantasmic! Dessert package on Friday night. I was pleasantly surprised. Last time we did it, they still had the dessert buffet, which was lovely. I was concerned about the dessert in a box idea. No need to worry, it has a huge amount of food and very varied selection. We could have shared one box with four of us. As it was we took our leftovers back to the room, had snacks for the rest of our trip and still wound up not being able to finish them. Seating was terrific! Dead center.

Saw the Electric Light Parade (as good as ever, and easy to find a "right as the parade is starting" seat by Jumping Jellyfish), Dreams Come True Parade (very good, loved seeing Tink at the front), Pixar Play Parade (quite fun) and Aladdin (excellent!).

The food in general was just OK. We had sit down meals at ESPN Zone (good), Blue Bayou (good), Plaza Inn Brunch (fair, at best), Steakhouse 55 (very good, but VERY expensive) and House of Blues (good). Nothing bowled us over as a must do again. Even my beloved Blue Bayou, given its current prices, I could take or leave next time.

In all we had a really nice time and are glad we decided to do this at the last minute. Now, off to start the dreaded school schedule...

--Daneen

 

[pjhorton21]

Sunday was the first non-blockout day for the SoCal AP's since June, hence the crowds (including our family). After 8 weeks of being blocked out, we needed our Disneyland fix (along with 40,000 others). Sorry about that!

If you're coming in the summer, it's best to go between late June-mid August to avoid the local masses.

 

[daneenm]

Sunday was the first non-blockout day for the SoCal AP's since June, hence the crowds (including our family). After 8 weeks of being blocked out, we needed our Disneyland fix (along with 40,000 others). Sorry about that!

If you're coming in the summer, it's best to go between late June-mid August to avoid the local masses.

Ahhh, so it was YOUR fault...I needed someone to blame Actually, when we go in the summer, it is usually in June right after school is out, but this was a spur of the moment kind of trip, so August it was. We just planned around the crowds and we were able to do almost everything we wanted multiple times. I even tried out the Segway in "Interventions." My only regret is that I did not get a Dole Whip in honor of Bob, the timing was never right. But I thought of him as I was waiting in line for 'Interventions" so at least there was a bit of tribute to him, if only in my little head.

--Daneen

 

[grizbuzz]

Hi There!

Just back from our trip to DLR We stayed at DLH with Concierge Service, from Thursday 8/14 to Tuesday, 8/19.


--Daneen

Curious to hear your opinion of DLH vs. GCH...

 

[daneenm]

Curious to hear your opinion of DLH vs. GCH...

I think my family would agree that we feel they match their price difference. By that I mean that we can tell we paid less for the DLH. We liked it and the room itself is not significantly different. In fact, I would say that our room at DLH felt a bit bigger than the one at GCH. This could very well be because the rooms we have had at GCH have been quite dark. The view at DLH was terrific (we had a pool view). We have never had what I would call a terrific view at GCH. We have always found that our 'theme park view' is more like "if you look between those tress and to the left you can catch a glimpse of the tops of the park."

There are a few things we like better about GCH. The first is the lobby. It is spectacular and if you take time to sit and enjoy it, it is really worth it. Another plus is its location. 1/2 the distance to DL and right at DCA. Even the rooms themselves feel a bit more upscale. Lastly, we really like having a balcony, which our room at DLH did not have.

We found the Concierge Service comparable. Of course, DLH has the advantage of its view but other than that it seemed very similar.

Hope this helps!
Daneen

 

[grizbuzz]

I think my family would agree that we feel they match their price difference. By that I mean that we can tell we paid less for the DLH. We liked it and the room itself is not significantly different. In fact, I would say that our room at DLH felt a bit bigger than the one at GCH. This could very well be because the rooms we have had at GCH have been quite dark. The view at DLH was terrific (we had a pool view). We have never had what I would call a terrific view at GCH. We have always found that our 'theme park view' is more like "if you look between those tress and to the left you can catch a glimpse of the tops of the park."

There are a few things we like better about GCH. The first is the lobby. It is spectacular and if you take time to sit and enjoy it, it is really worth it. Another plus is its location. 1/2 the distance to DL and right at DCA. Even the rooms themselves feel a bit more upscale. Lastly, we really like having a balcony, which our room at DLH did not have.

We found the Concierge Service comparable. Of course, DLH has the advantage of its view but other than that it seemed very similar.

Hope this helps!
Daneen

Thanks. This does help.

We stayed at DLH for one night a couple weeks ago in a standard room and while we enjoyed our stay, we just didn't like it as much as GCH. We got a AP rate for DLH, so it was worth it, but honestly, I think I would have been disappointed if I spent upwards to $400/night - which it what it costs some nights with resort fees and taxes.

We're going to do GCH again our next visit.

 

[mmmears]

We really like the GC, too. I think it's mostly because of location and the gorgeous lobby.

On our last trip (June) we checked out the great pool at DH and noticed that there were hardly any chairs around it compared to the GCH. I wasn't sure if I was just missing some, since we couldn't go in to the area (it was early morning and no-one was there) since the gates were locked. Guess there just aren't enough chairs. At GCH we went down to the pool area and found lots of great seating. We took some chairs and then a big family came by (like 10 people) and made some loud comments about how "some people" stole their reserved seats. Well, they must have left towels there and then left for a long time -- the CMs working at the pool were constantly removing the "saved seats" towels this time, which was great, since there were always seats available this way.

One recommendation for food at DL -- have you tried Carnation Cafe? It's on Main Street and is our favorite food-wise (BB is our fave for atmosphere).

Glad to read your review. We were thinking of trying DLH for that trip, but my DM decided to join us and we were trying to spare her as much unnecessary walking as possible.