10 Mths of WDW Planning leads us to~~DISNEYLAND!! Report Completed~Pic Heavy!!!

[yupikgal]

Laurie! Your pictures & report are fabulous! I love trip reports that begin from the beginning! Loved the pics of the mountains, terrain, Old Spaghetti Factory (haven't been since I lived in SEA years ago!) Hollywood (sorry about the bad experience, and yes I can't stand those characters there or Vegas either!) your sundae looked amazing, and the I & O burgers made me drool!! I love seeing any pics of the area because it brings me right back, even signs like you took pics of!! You and are are kindred spirits, I like a lot of detail!! Your kids are adorable, you and Mike are amazing parents!!

I also LOVE PPH, and it's my favorite of the 3 too!

I can't wait to see more!! Hurry! (haha, I know it's Christmas, sorry) Speaking of which, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Enjoy these special days with your family! God Bless you, everyone!

Kelly

 

[DizNee Luver]

Laurie! Your pictures & report are fabulous! I love trip reports that begin from the beginning! Loved the pics of the mountains, terrain, Old Spaghetti Factory (haven't been since I lived in SEA years ago!) Hollywood (sorry about the bad experience, and yes I can't stand those characters there or Vegas either!) your sundae looked amazing, and the I & O burgers made me drool!! I love seeing any pics of the area because it brings me right back, even signs like you took pics of!! You and are are kindred spirits, I like a lot of detail!! Your kids are adorable, you and Mike are amazing parents!!

I also LOVE PPH, and it's my favorite of the 3 too!

I can't wait to see more!! Hurry! (haha, I know it's Christmas, sorry) Speaking of which, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Enjoy these special days with your family! God Bless you, everyone!

Kelly

Thanx Kelly!! I figure if I'm doing a road trip, everyone should experience with me......lol Actually the twins did wonderfully in the car....the other 2, even though separated, still found a way to fight with one another!!

Merry Christmas!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

As we continued to wait for Derek to arrive, Mike ventured off to get more pics around the hotel.

The PCH Grill Menu:

Beautiful Poinsettias~you will find the Disneyland LOVES these flowers as they use them all over the resorts/parks in their holiday decorating.

The kids in front of the tree:

Anthony:

Addy:

Shyann:

The wreaths around the light fixtures:

 

[DizNee Luver]

I went into the gift shop and got some pics of the holiday merchandise.

I loved this ornament set and I totally forgot to purchase it before we left!

I also loved this and again......forgot to purchase!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

A few more pics as we waited.

Derek finally arrived.......yup, I cried......as did Anthony (he's a sensitive little guy).

One more tree pic.....lol

Ally (Derek's girlfriend) is a CM so she went to park her car. Since it would be a little bit before she made it back over to the hotel....we headed up to the Concierge Lounge for snacks/drinks.

Ally arrives and we decide not to go to Company D today.....so we head into DTD to look around. Here are a couple holiday decoration/photo op areas.

I love what they've done with the Lego Store!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We'll be having dinner here later in our trip!!

Our crew......

House of Blues:

Marceline's Confections.......always fun to watch them put the specialty apples together.

A cute ornament set at the World of Disney (and no this one didn't make it home either......heavy sigh)

One of the displays in World of Disney.

A picture place where they sell portrait packages.

The Grand Californian Hotel Christmas Tree.

We caught up with the carolers back in the lobby at the PPH.

We checked back in at Guest Services to see if our rooms were ready. I was told that one of them was and so she gave us the keys to the one room. Next post will have pictures of our room.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I forgot to mention, we did a little shopping at the World of Disney. Derek wasn't sure what his discount would be. He knew he had a holiday disc back at WDW but wasn't sure if that would be the same while visiting Disneyland......well is was!!! We got a 40% discount on merchandise!!!!

So we headed up to Floor 14 to check out one of our rooms (that was done).

We kept everyone out in the hallway as Mike & I went into the room to get pictures.

I miss the lamps in the bathroom that were a Mickey glove......

Oh how I miss the Mickey toiletries!!

Darn you Mike.....don't take MY picture!!!

This is what I was taking a picture of above:

Well after taking pictures, we realize we don't have the connecting door as promised. So we head back downstairs to find out about finding us new rooms. They don't have any rooms that connect left (or clean yet.....and it was after 4pm at this point)......but they did have rooms on the lower floors that were ready. So we said we'd take them! They tend to use floors 14 & 15 for Concierge rooms. They have DVD players in those rooms.....but that really is the only difference. They even offered to put a DVD player in our rooms if we wanted but I told them we didn't need one.

 

[DizNee Luver]

So we headed up to the 11th floor this time.......and we did indeed get connecting rooms and they both were ready! So this is where we called home for the next 7 nights.

The view from our rooms......just love staying at this hotel!!

As we settled into our rooms and rested, the sun started to go down and so Mike got some view pics and light fixture pics.

Derek and Ally:

This was a gift from Paula (the mom we had lunch with in Tulare with her daughter Morgan)

More night views:

When we were getting ready to head downstairs for dinner......two of these plates were delivered to our room (I'm guessing because of the room issues)

Well I"m gonna stop here for today. Time for Christmas Eve festivities with the family. From my family to yours~~~MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

 

[nwdisgal]

Hey Laurie,

Just wanted to pop in and say "hi"! I am enjoying reading your TR. . Sounds like the trip went really well short of the brief disappointment in Hollywood. Paradise Pier looks wonderful. That is the one resort I have not stayed at DL that is on my bucket list. Anyway, looking forward to reading more.

 

[nicholaseck]

Looks like they redesigned the LEGO store to match the one at WDW.

 

[Teki]

Just makes you feel uncomfortable when they do that!



I have to wonder if they'll put some sort of ordinance on this at some point. As tourists, it makes you uncomfortable and some of them are pushy. Not good for "tourism"!

Here in Vegas the costume people are actually a result of them trying to stop what we call the "slappers" they are basically people who stand every few feet on the sidewalks and hand out little baseball cards with naked women and phone numbers for escort services on them. The Casinos felt these people were bad for business and petitioned the city to get rid of them. Well the result was the city declared the sidewalks were public property and they couldn't be moved. So after that it was like all the creeps in the city were like What? we can be creepy on the sidewalk for money? so now were stuck with them. I have heard that some of the casinos are petitioning that the people have to get permits though.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Hey Laurie,

Just wanted to pop in and say "hi"! I am enjoying reading your TR. . Sounds like the trip went really well short of the brief disappointment in Hollywood. Paradise Pier looks wonderful. That is the one resort I have not stayed at DL that is on my bucket list. Anyway, looking forward to reading more.

Thanx Pam!! I love the PPH.....I've stayed at the Disneyland Hotel prior to the remodel.....but my problem with the new look and the Grand is the dark colors. To me, it's dark and depressing. The pier is light color woods and leaves you with a warm feeling.

Looks like they redesigned the LEGO store to match the one at WDW.

You're probably right Nick.....the inside has been revamped as well.

Here in Vegas the costume people are actually a result of them trying to stop what we call the "slappers" they are basically people who stand every few feet on the sidewalks and hand out little baseball cards with naked women and phone numbers for escort services on them. The Casinos felt these people were bad for business and petitioned the city to get rid of them. Well the result was the city declared the sidewalks were public property and they couldn't be moved. So after that it was like all the creeps in the city were like What? we can be creepy on the sidewalk for money? so now were stuck with them. I have heard that some of the casinos are petitioning that the people have to get permits though.

You would think the cities known for tourism, would want to keep the sidewalks and streets family friendly. I can tell you that I would not want to have people approaching me or my family as we tried to walk down the street. I'm glad we had the twins in strollers on the Walk of Fame.....we were able to use them as battering rams!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We headed downstairs to the PCH Grill for our dinner. This is one of our families favorite restaurants and we eat here every trip for a dinner.

We checked in and were seated in the area with all the windows.

Tyler:

Derek and Ally (such a perfect couple.....they both hate having their picture taken.....lol)

Tyler ordered a cocktail.

The menu......a NEW menu! All of our favorites were gone.....the reason we love this place has been replaced with more "uppety" food choices. Gone are the blue collar comfort foods~~fish-n-chips, ribs, mushroom soup, etc.

The kids got a specialty cup with a light up figure on them. Anthony's was Buzz Lightyear and the girls was Ariel.

Addy:

Anthony:

The kids making their pizzas:

Can you see Anthony starting to melt?? About this time he started getting up to use the restroom. Anthony's pizza went in to cook and he disappeared in the restroom........for quite a while.

Shy's specially cooked meal from the chef: Gluten-free spaghetti with chicken breast, green beans and strawberries.

Good stuff!!

 

[Teki]

You would think the cities known for tourism, would want to keep the sidewalks and streets family friendly. I can tell you that I would not want to have people approaching me or my family as we tried to walk down the street. I'm glad we had the twins in strollers on the Walk of Fame.....we were able to use them as battering rams!!!

LOl good plan I try and walk inside the casinos as much as I can because alot of them connect or i make snarky comments lol I like to shout copy right infringement alot lol

 

[DizNee Luver]

Derek:

Ally:

Food Porn!!

The kids pizzas:

Ally and I both ordered the Mexican Caesar Salad:

Tyler had the La Mesa Southwest Burger:

Derek had the Hawaiian Pizza:

Mike had the Santa Maria Tri Tip:

About the time the food arrived, Mike and Anthony reappeared from the restroom. Anthony was sick. So I ended up getting my salad thrown into a take out box, so I could take Anthony back up to the room.

Ally:

Addy and Ally:

Derek and Ally:

I don't think this is the most attractive picture but it's hilarious that they're both making the same kind of face......lol

The PCH Grill restaurant tree:

The PPH tree as they passed by after dinner:

Mike had to get something from the van in the parking garage and got this picture that reflected on the side of the parking area.

These were taken across from the elevators:

So while they were enjoying their meal in the restaurant, Anthony and I were up in the rooms. Anthony laid down for a little bit and then got up and announced he felt much better and was hungry. (the only kid I know that can throw up and then want food 30 mins. later) So he ate some of his pizza while I worked on my salad.

The meal with tax and tip ran just short of $100 for 8 of us. Not bad for a group our size......problem was......it wasn't that good. The pizza's were ok, the salad was ok and the burger was ok.....but none of it was great, something I had to order again or would crave. Mike's tri tip was dry and tasteless. NO one was happy with the menu change. The food here has always been very good but something has happened back in the kitchen with all the changes.....and it wasn't for the better. I don't see us planning a meal here again.

Everyone was back in the room and getting ready to watch the World of Color from our rooms and enjoy a little dessert.

 

[DizNee Luver]

LOl good plan I try and walk inside the casinos as much as I can because alot of them connect or i make snarky comments lol I like to shout copy right infringement alot lol

I don't blame you......I would avoid them as much as possible!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

The next two posts will be pictures of World of Color from our rooms. The PPH offers the simulcast audio on the TV, so you can really enjoy the show.

The show did start with a short Prep & Landing bit and they've also added a section for Brave.

 

[DizNee Luver]

More of the World of Color from our room.

The view of the fireworks were mostly blocked from our 2 rooms, but you could get a partial view. Mike actually went to the end of the building to get a few shots.

They also simulcast the fireworks music on the TV, but unfortunately, we just didn't have a very good view of them.

This ends our first night a the PPH and next up with be our first day in the parks!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Laurie -

Refresh my memory - you have never stayed at the GCH, correct? I didn't think you had, but I couldn't remember for sure. I wanted to address your comments about why you like the PPH vs. the other 2 DLR hotels.

Forget the color scheme for a moment. I'm all about bright colors or happy, uplifting colors too, but one has to be practical and get the most bang for one's buck.

For a family of your size, not only is the GCH totally not a cost-effective choice but just for a standard room or view room there is simply not enough floor space. I've stayed at the GCH twice (one room was a DTD view and the other was a standard view), and both times I thought the rooms were too cramped. Very little in the way of 'moving around' space, and I didn't have anywhere near the same number of people in my group as you would have in your room(s).

So, for your family - price and colors aside - the GCH would be an absolutely illogical choice.

The new Disneyland Hotel rooms seem to have much more floor space than I recall them ever having when I used to stay at the DLH every year (back in the '80s and '90s). The floor space has gotten better, if that is possible. And the DLH rooms - from what I saw of my friend's DLH hotel room in 12/2011 - have much more floor space than the PPH rooms have. Again, that's good for groups with more people.

Now, for a couple - like if you and Mike ever decided to splurge and have a romantic weekend with just the two of you - the GCH would probably not be a bad choice (assuming finances allowed). Otherwise, it would not make one bit of sense for your big family to stay at the GCH - not that I can see, in any case!

Anyway, I just wanted to support your choice in hotels - the PPH is definitely better, space-wise, than the GCH - but if you ever end up staying in one of the remodeled DLH rooms, I think it would work for your family (if you could get past the dark wood and color scheme!).

 

[DizNee Luver]

Laurie -

Refresh my memory - you have never stayed at the GCH, correct? I didn't think you had, but I couldn't remember for sure. I wanted to address your comments about why you like the PPH vs. the other 2 DLR hotels.

Forget the color scheme for a moment. I'm all about bright colors or happy, uplifting colors too, but one has to be practical and get the most bang for one's buck.

For a family of your size, not only is the GCH totally not a cost-effective choice but just for a standard room or view room there is simply not enough floor space. I've stayed at the GCH twice (one room was a DTD view and the other was a standard view), and both times I thought the rooms were too cramped. Very little in the way of 'moving around' space, and I didn't have anywhere near the same number of people in my group as you would have in your room(s).

So, for your family - price and colors aside - the GCH would be an absolutely illogical choice.

The new Disneyland Hotel rooms seem to have much more floor space than I recall them ever having when I used to stay at the DLH every year (back in the '80s and '90s). The floor space has gotten better, if that is possible. And the DLH rooms - from what I saw of my friend's DLH hotel room in 12/2011 - have much more floor space than the PPH rooms have. Again, that's good for groups with more people.

Now, for a couple - like if you and Mike ever decided to splurge and have a romantic weekend with just the two of you - the GCH would probably not be a bad choice (assuming finances allowed). Otherwise, it would not make one bit of sense for your big family to stay at the GCH - not that I can see, in any case!

Anyway, I just wanted to support your choice in hotels - the PPH is definitely better, space-wise, than the GCH - but if you ever end up staying in one of the remodeled DLH rooms, I think it would work for your family (if you could get past the dark wood and color scheme!).

No, I've never stayed at the GCH, nor have I had any interest in doing so. The past couple Diva trips, I've had the opportunity to stay in the villas with groups of the ladies, but for many reasons.....I never took them up on doing so.

I remember hearing that the rooms seemed or were smaller, so for families, the rooms get pretty cramped.

I just filled out a survey regarding my stay at the PPH and I mentioned my concern that Disney is pricing themselves out of the average families budget. Not like my comment will make a difference.....but I felt very strongly about it so I at least feel better for saying so. I love the pier and the CM's are wonderful here. I would stay here every trip if I could.....but you end up paying at least twice as much a night for their rooms over the places on Harbor Blvd. I really hope Disney reevaluates all these price increases and look into what a family of 4 or 5 averages a year. Maybe they'd realize that these price increases are keeping families from coming. I really don't think Disney wants to be known as the elite parks for the rich. I'm sure Walt would be shaking his head in shame.

It worries me because this is OUR outlet, the thing that keeps us sane thru the rough times. Our "bonus" money and large tax refunds are going to stop and then we won't be making anymore trips as a family. Sad, sad, sad.......... When I bought my first Premium AP in 2009 it ran me $399 and 3 yrs later, I'm paying $649. That's just ridiculous!