Another GCH question for those who have stayed there.

[toni1227]

I have another question (as I just started a different GCH thread a minute ago). Okay I booked a standard room. I really would like to see the fireworks and have thought of just paying the extra but when I call they cannot guarantee that. They can put it as my request though if I pay the upgrade. But then I have read reviews saying it is noisy and too far to walk etc... Then others say it is great, you can people watch and see fireworks.
We are going to be there Mon-Thurs so would it be noisy during the week?

Please tell me what you personally would do in my shoes and based on your prior experience. Is it worth it? It is $50 extra per night to change from std. room to DTD view. I want fantastic experience for me and my family.

Or should I just let it go keep the standard room and quit worrying about it.
(I am obviously bored..I have nothing left to plan so this came up LOL)

 

[swimrsal]

You know... from reading your post I get the feeling that you would be bummed out if you got there and didn't get your disney view room. Why put that damper on your fantastic vacation?

When we went in 2005 we booked a Disney View room and it was fabulous! I loved that we could sit on the balcony while my son napped and could watch the fireworks at night from the comfort of our room. Plus Downtown Disney at night looked pretty cool.

It was a good walk to our room but some of my best memories is watching my 21 month old sun run down the hallway squealing to and from our room.

I don't remember noise being a factor and it's the kind of thing that would bother me for sure.

So that's my 2 cents. Book it, book it, book it.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I agree. I loved our DTD room. It didn't seem noisey at all. If you closed those sliding doors the noise goes away! DTD all lit up at night is fabulous, esp during christmastime, and seeing the fireworks from your room is pretty neat. Not the same as in the parks but if you have little ones and wont be in the park that late then it's a good alternative. If general noise doesn't bother you then you'll be fine out on the balcony. I personally love a dca view as well, I like watching the park close down and open back up the next morning. Just something about hearing that music in DTD that gets you ready for the park. It's magical. I just got goosebumps remembering it *sigh*

 

[lulubelle]

I really think the view rooms are worth the extra $$. Especially at the Grand. I would go for it! And people watching is so cool from your balcony, too. Have a great trip.

 

[toni1227]

Great thanks for the reviews!!! I will call tomorrow.

 

[momtoatink]

Just got back today and we had a standard room, but they upgraded us for free when we got there to DTD view and some of my favorite memories from this trip is laying in bed with my daughter in our jammies watching the fireworks together.

Plus when we shut the sliding door I never heard any noise from outside.

 

[pixiewings71]

We had a DTD view room in Nov 07, we LOVED it!!!! By far the best hotel room we've stayed in in Anaheim. We had no problems with outside noise once we closed the door and the walk wasn't bad at all.

Oh, seeing the fireworks, we never stayed in the room to watch them so I have no clue how the view would have been.

 

[BunnieGene]

I've never had a Downtown Disney view...I was always concerned it would be too noisy...I love the peaceful view of the monorail garden...but y'all are making me want one now

 

[toni1227]

I upgraded my view this morning to DTD and asked them to note that I would like an upper level fireworks view room if available. I am happy now.

Also, we will be there during the week and not on any weekend days so hopefully, that would help the noise level to die down earlier.

 

[Sherry E]

I also loved my DTD/fireworks view room at the GCH when I had it back in 2001. I wanted to get that when I stayed there in 12/07, but just couldn't spend an extra $100+ to do it that year. Truthfully, if $$$ were no problem for me, I would stay at GCH at least once a year (I would save the PPH or DLH for the other yearly DLR trips!), and I would get the DTD view room every time! The noise didn't bother me. The view of the fireworks was great, and it was fantastic to just sit on the balcony and people-watch over DTD. The walk from the elevator will be much longer than if you stayed in a standard room, but as long as you realize that in advance that should only be an issue if A) you are carrying all of your heavy bags and luggage to the room yourself, or B) you have anyone in your group who has orthopedic/podiatric/mobility issues and has trouble walking extra unnecessary steps. Otherwise, it's not a huge ordeal. It's just a lot of long, seemingly endless, corridors you have to pass through but it's worth it once you get to the room and see the great view, I think!

 

[nunzia]

I love the DTD view...it is my favorite because you can hear the music and the sparkly lights and people watch. (the sliding doors are very good and I never had a problem blocking out the music with the door closed). I don't know if they can guarantee you a fireworks view..I know several people who have stayed in DTD view though and have seen them. When we went last May we had a standard room (hey..I was paying for three rooms and standard was just fine.) We could see the fireworks from our standard room if we leaned a little and looked past the pine trees
Even though it is horribly crowded I really think the energy in the park is the best way to watch the fireworks..Wish I could see Wishes one more time. Best show ever.

 

[nunzia]

I upgraded my view this morning to DTD and asked them to note that I would like an upper level fireworks view room if available. I am happy now.

Also, we will be there during the week and not on any weekend days so hopefully, that would help the noise level to die down earlier.

When are you going that there are fireworks during the week?

 

[toni1227]

The fireworks are on the schedule for every night that we are there this week at 9:25 on the Disney website. Remember dreams come true fireworks.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...an=3&parkDCA=false&parkDLP=true&parkDTD=false
Mon, Tues, Wed. 3/16-3/18
Do they usually not do fireworks during the week? Maybe because of spring break? They are open until 11:00pm this week too. I would be totally bummed if we did not get to see them.
We are getting there Monday evening and plan to go to the park to watch them the first night. But then the other 2 nights we might not be at the park that late and my kids are young and not sure if they will be able to handle it more than once being tired etc... But I just thought it would be neat if we were at our hotel b/c our kids were tired we could still see fireworks possibly. I did request an upper level room with fireworks view if available so we will see if they give it to us.
If not and we have a DTD view w/o fireworks that will be okay too. I am sure we will enjoy the view regardless based on what everyone has said so far about DTD view.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

One reality point to keep in mind..... (this happened to me on 12/21/08)

You can be automatically upgraded from your DTD view and not be able to get a downgrade.

There are only about 120 DTD view rooms (all on the 4th and 5th floors) and they book quickly, as they are in the mid price range and are potential fireworks viewing rooms. The rest of the theme park views are of DCA.

Please don't let it ruin your vacation if this happens to you. I almost let it put a damper on mine (I started to only dwell on the fact that my "perfect vacation" vision was ruined), but quickly realized that I did enjoy the GRR view and it was quiet and pleasant.

 

[nunzia]

The fireworks are on the schedule for every night that we are there this week at 9:25 on the Disney website. Remember dreams come true fireworks.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...an=3&parkDCA=false&parkDLP=true&parkDTD=false
Mon, Tues, Wed. 3/16-3/18
Do they usually not do fireworks during the week? Maybe because of spring break? They are open until 11:00pm this week too. I would be totally bummed if we did not get to see them.
We are getting there Monday evening and plan to go to the park to watch them the first night. But then the other 2 nights we might not be at the park that late and my kids are young and not sure if they will be able to handle it more than once being tired etc... But I just thought it would be neat if we were at our hotel b/c our kids were tired we could still see fireworks possibly. I did request an upper level room with fireworks view if available so we will see if they give it to us.
If not and we have a DTD view w/o fireworks that will be okay too. I am sure we will enjoy the view regardless based on what everyone has said so far about DTD view.

Ahh..that is good then. Spring Break has begun.. They have been so stingy with entertainment lately, so I'm glad you'll get to see this. Not to be missed! If it works into your plans you might want to take time during the day and go to the hotel for a nap and pool time..really helps with the little ones getting that break.
You will have a great time! Please give us a report when you get back.