3 days of a Magical Birthday Trip

[splashgirl137]

So this is my first attempt at a TR in fact my first post on here at all after a long time lurker so hopefully this goes well....

The event: My 27 birthday.... 9/2-9/4 staying at the Grand Californian Hotel

The cast:
Me newly 27 this is my first year having an AP and trust me I use it all the time.....
DBF 31 Disney FANATIC seriously bought me my AP on one of our first dates... he also is the one who planned this amazing trip for me.....

So we live close to DL but it's amazing how we can travel about 15 miles and be in a whole different world.... Not going to lie we are pretty spoiled.....
So with my birthday approaching the question became what I wanted to do... Well with school starting for everyone and a big holliday weekend just passing I wanted something low key. Then AP rates came out and suddenly staying at GCH became an option a first for both of us.....
So this will soon continue into a story of possibly some of the greatest 3 days I have ever had... The magic abounded and I hope I find some of you interested in reading this TR.... I promise it will be good and have lots of fun suprises

 

[splashgirl137]

So after a long dramatic weekend with even the night before wondering if the trip was going to happen or not the morning of vacation was finally here.....
DBF was lucky and able to take the entire week off so we left about 9 for a 10am opening of both DL and DCA....
On the way though we had to make a pit stop for starbucks and bagels.... mmm everything bagels with cream cheese and lox.... .... I swear its the best way to start a day... So after that quick pitstop we continued on our way. At about 9:45 we pulled up to GCH fully expecting that our room would not be ready.... Check-in desk is empty which is a plus... Now apparently when DBF had made the reservations they had asked if we had wanted a pool view or a downtown disney view... He needless to say asked for DTD we were looking for some people watching ... but unfortionatly when being given our keys we were informed we had a king size bed but a courtyard view .... So needless to say we asked if there was anything we could do.... With just having to wait a moment we were upgraded to a king bed still with a pool view
So glad that we were able to work it out.... Up to our room we go fourth floor great location for the elevators and everything else picture four floors up from Hearthstone Lounge open the door to our room... And its everything we could have ever hoped for... It was beautiful... I had heard from some people that they felt the rooms were small... and maybe some are but ours was perfect and the balconey! you looked our saw the pools.... the grizzly bear head of dca and the forest of the brother bear area... We definatly made use of that balconey

So now that we are checked in its time for the parks! Now I had a few of my coworkers coming to meet us including one bringing her husband and her 2 and a half year old daughter so we only had a short amount of time to ourselves before they all arrived.... So after no deliberation I decided Splash Mtn here we come! (See this is my favorite ride and DBF doesnt really love it but does it just for me )
We take off thru DTD and walk thru the gates with just a quick stop at City Hall for my birthday button we were off to Splash... Now can I just tell you the weather was perfect and the park was EMPTY.... So we get on splash which was a total walk on compromising to sit in the middle (I like the front he likes the back) and off we go.... the ride was fun as always and well we got a little wet but it really wasnt too bad... As we pull back up to the loading area the guy asks if we want to go again the whole log says yes and off we go.... Now to me this is a bit of magic so on the second trip around we got SOAKED I think they were running the water high this whole trip the wall of water that came at you after the last drop was HUGE.......
Time to move on and see where my friends were at so we had to say bye to splash for the time being

Coming up next meeting up with friends... the Blue Bayou... and doing DL with a 2 year old

 

[reyasmommy]

Looking forward to more.

 

[NWPrincess]

Great TR. I'm awaiting its continuation. We will be there next Tues-Fri so its good to hear about the crowds, rides, etc. Not that much can change in a week, right?

Happy Birthday! I'm 25, but my DBF will turn 27 in February! No Disneyland for him though as we are in Washington (at least not yet--he's promised to take me to Disneyland after the DCA rehab is done!)

Can't wait to read how your BB experience was. We have PS there for lunch on Wednesday.

 

[splashgirl137]

thanks reyasmommy glad to see someone is reading this hope to update later

 

[splashgirl137]

the crowds will probably be even less next week since everyone is back in school now! we are talking about making a day trip next week with the hope that it will be empty... will be back later to tell the rest of the trip but just know when you come the weather should still be perfect and the crowds extremly light and i think BB is awesome

 

[NWPrincess]

the crowds will probably be even less next week since everyone is back in school now! we are talking about making a day trip next week with the hope that it will be empty... will be back later to tell the rest of the trip but just know when you come the weather should still be perfect and the crowds extremly light and i think BB is awesome

Nice to hear. Maybe if you come back next week, we'll see you! We will be there Tuesday-Friday with DTD on Monday! I'm so excited!

 

[splashgirl137]

So I left off after leaving Splash Mountain..... from there we decided we were hungry and wanted chimichangas... heres the deal with chimichangas at DL/DCA they are only sold at the GIANT turkey leg carts.... and also the hot sauce that makes them GREAT is only at DCA odd I know.... at this point everyone is running late so we decide lets go to DCA and see how long the wait is for Toy Story (the cart is right next to it is where the chimichangas are sold) we get there.... 30 min wait... not too bad but we figure everyone else is going to want to ride and so we will just go later.... but we get our food and just chill......
The first few then call me and say they are about to enter DCA its my one coworker her husband and kid so we meet up in the beer garden... the what can be fun part of DCA..... After all ordering a beer we sit in the shade to enjoy..... The daughter immediatly latches onto DBF.... she is like that LOVES the boys already ... and we wait for the rest of our group.......
They FINALLY arrive (about 2 hours late) and we all have another beer and then take off to Bugs Land for the little one.... along the way I began carrying her and let me tell you little ones can be heavy! So her mom and her go on a few rides .... By the time they got to Heimlichs Chew Chew Train the rest of us girls decided we wanted to ride too..... OMG that ride is awful.... the watermelon spray was the best part only cause it was HUMID and HOT I mean we are in Southern California right????

Now the time is about 1:45 and we have PS at 2 at BB its time to bolt.... so off we go.... Get there right on time and are asked to wait a few minutes....

Next to come bathroom drama.... Wild Rides.... and more

 

[splashgirl137]

So we headed off to the BB and ater a slight mixup with the reservation ( the first name was the last and yet they couldnt find either? ) we are checked in and a few of us girls decide to go to the restroom and take the kiddie with us... Now 2 of the girls I am with also babysit the kid occasionally so needless to say she gets over them quickly.... In the restroom she decides that she doesnt want to go with the girls she knows instead she wants to go with me.....
Mind you I used to babysit.... A LONG TIME AGO...... and with a newly trained child i have NO idea what to do I look at one of the girls who replies good luck and runs away......
The other girl looks at me like i am a moron (which I am) and tells me to put down a cover and thats it..... ok I can do this no biggie..... ( ten minutes later still in the bathroom)
The mom finally comes in to check on us right as we all are done.... Mind you this is why I cant have kids anytime soon ....
So back from that story the meal we had was awesome DBF and I split the short ribs which are amazing.....
Its always fun to watch the boats of POTC go by and we were close enough to the water to truely enjoy it...
After dinner the waitress suprised me with a chocolate mousse mickey with a birthday candle yet another yummy part of disney magic ......

and now its time for bed so much more magic to come... so hope people are reading

 

[splashgirl137]

So after finishing up at BB it was time for some rides.....
DBF went back to the room for awhile at this point and so the rest of us took off.... First up was Mr Toads... And of course the little one wanted to ride with me.. ok no biggie I mean we all were thinking this is a FUN ride..... oh ya except for the fact that there are loud explosions a train wreck and hell.... ya nothing like a screaming 2 yr old during that ride........ how we all forget these aspects im not sure thankfully she didnt hold it against us in fact later in the day said she liked it
After a few more rides all us girls left the little one with her dad and took off to Splash Mtn again... One of us was quite scared but made it thru it after words all were completely soaked and for some reason our photo got washed away and i know no one did anything bad ....
It was getting close to the time for the parade and so off we get to get spots.... the spots were decent I mean we didnt camp out for a long time so our spots were definatly not bad.... Some went to get some ice cream... DBF and I went to take a break for a moment on our way we see a few plaids walking with a family.... I hit DBF and go who is that... his first response i dunno probably a football player..... Um no its a few days before season starts NO football player is going to be at DL (hes not a football fan ) instead we look for another minute to discover its Heidi Klum and Seal.....
she must have been wearing no makeup hair pulled back super simple and still is absolutly stunning.....
This was a day I saw plaids everywhere but these were the only people I recognized... DBF later told me he had seen Jim Belushi in the GCH earlier.....
Back to the parade theres seemed to be a delay so it started a bit late and right as its starting this woman comes rushing up pushing the stroller (with the little one) out of the way and just stands there she pulls her 2 kids up to and tries to push us all out of the way it was bad and she just never even cared or glanced at us..... so the little one gets hoisted up on shoulders and i may have nudged this inconsiderate lady once or twice with the stroller oops....
Ariel wished me a happy birthday during the parade so it was pretty darn funny..... Also the final float seemed to be broken since all the princesses were walking this day.....
It was almost park closing time and I had other friends meeting us at ESPN Zone so it was time to leave DL... Now the little one had not napped all day nor had a breakdown about this time she yelled for ice cream twice and then was out cold.... She is a well behaved little one....
Espn Zone wasnt super memorable the waitress wasnt very good the people were fun.... the staff forgot about the cake that was susposed to be a suprise and blew it in front of me... but all in all a good day... Had a drink at Hearthstone Lounge and then made it an early night....

Up Next Opening the TOT, the pool at GCH, and Napa Rose

 

[splashgirl137]

Nice to hear. Maybe if you come back next week, we'll see you! We will be there Tuesday-Friday with DTD on Monday! I'm so excited!

Hope you had a great time! We never made it out there

 

[Laneychris]

Great report!

 

[splashgirl137]

so i now see when i only lurk on other trip reports why people get discouraged...
but lets see if anyone is interested in hearing more....
So Wednesday September 3 we wake up early... and the plan had been Splash Mtn since DBF had an awards thing he had to go to in the afternoon....
As he is in the shower I realize hey lets try TOT instead so he gets out i tell him the change in plans and we head down thru the private disney hotel entrance (at least in the morning) for the park....
Its before the park is officially open so as we are standing at the corridor towards TOT waiting for "rope drop" we see all the workers for TOT heading our way.... As one walks by us and towards 2 woman and a teenager I turn towards DBF and say they are lucky and are totally getting to do something special for the opening.... No sooner than these words are out of my mouth the same worker walks up to me and says is it just the two of you? yes? come with me.....
SWEET!!!!!! we got chosen
so we sign in the guest book that is stored under a glass case in the lobby and then are handed a velvet rope to carry.... and are told you will lead everyone to the attraction.....
we had a photopass person taking pics the entire time (too bad none were GREAT but we still bought one its only eh but we needed to get one)
my problem with the trek ok Im kinda short.. not super super short but well i am little... and I took the end of the rope on the left... where TOT is at DCA is around a right turn.... Why am I as the short girl making the widest turn (cause ya im the smart one that picked up the end on the left)......
still to come if people are reading GCH pool... amazing Napa Rose and more

 

[TiggerNZ]

i'm reading, and thanks for sharing

 

[Sherry E]

I am reading too! I love all the details and I love hearing the whole story (notice how long MY Trip Report is!!). I have stayed at GCH and eaten at ESPN Zone, Blue Bayou and all that, so I am interested in your experiences!