Back from Californian - Any Questions???

[TnRobin]

Okay, we are back from our trip to Southern California which included four nights on points at Disney's Grand Californian. Here are a few observation.

Disneyland - Much more attention to detail than at Magic Kingdom. The Que area is themed well at most rides. Small World and Toontown blow away their counterparts in Orlando. Tiki Room and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride are still originals. Cast members seem to have a problem staying in charater. Was smiled at each time I boarded the Haunted Mansion. Park seemed to be less maintained as Magic Kingdom. Many areas could have used a coat of paint. Not run down in an way, but no quite what I am use to at Magic kingdom (I hear that a previous VP is no longer there and this is being remedied).

Californian Adventure - Still rather small but per cast member two new rides are in the works including Tower of Terror and the another I can't remember. It reminds me of Animal Kingdom in size and number of attractions. We had a hopper pass but I think you can do it in one day. As for is it just a big Carnival. YES - In all the best ways. Paradise Pier is the best of the State Fairs. Californian Screaming is awesome. The Sun Wheel is actually a thrill ride if you ride on a swinging gondola.


Disney's Grand Californian - It is slightly larger than a moderate resort at WDW but not as large as a studio at BWV. The living area is about the same, but you lose the wet bar area.

We were given a room over looking the monorail garden. We were on the 5th floor, but since it was on the far side we had a little roof out side our room and our view was slightly obstructed. (Concierge has this too). Plus the walk to the elevators was long. I would recommend a room in the 200's or 300s this would also be of the coutyard, but closer to the elevators.

As for the service - it was impeccable. We pre-checked in at 7:00AM to get our tickets. When we returned at 3:00 our room was ready. It was spotless. Each evening housekeeping turns down your bed and places chocolates on the pillows. Plus there are two robes in the closet for your use. These are great to take with you to the pool or for relaxing on the balcony with a cup of caffiene. Also a newpaper is waiting out side you door each morning.

The greatest perk is the hopper passes - only available to Disney resort guest. Being able park hop is a must at Anahiem. We went to DCA early in the AM and when it started getting crowded we walked to DL. Yes walked, the entrances face each other. Also staying at the Grand Californian, you can just walk into the park - NO BUSES.

Was it worth the points - YES. would we stay there again - YES.

Note on Concierge - Per the CM who checked me in, I could have paid $75 a night extra and been upgraded to concierge. (Based on availablity) To get to the 6th floor , you must use your room key in the elevators.


Note to anyone from Disney who reads this - Anahiem really needs to get the Key to the World cards. This having separate room keys, tickets and charge slip is just plain silly.


Any Questions???

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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[tss2]

THanks for the help! I love hearing about other people's great trips!

I've been thinking I'd like to take my 6 and 8 year old there in a few years. Do you think THEY would like it as much as Disney World?

Also was thinking if we went maybe there were some other non Disney things to do in the area. Did you notice anything near by or short drive (1 hour) away that would be fun to do?

Do you think 4 nights in that area is enough?

 

[BalooCA]

As a CA resident I have to agree WDW has is over DL as far as cleanliness and friendliness of CM's. This is why I go to WDW. Having been to DL many times as a child, my first trip to WDW was and eye opener. I hope they do turn it around. I heard similar info about a new executive a DL that came from the Disney Stores. I've hear she is really top notch on customer service. It would be really great to get more of the WDW experience in CA. Just my humble opinion. I'm still looking forward to a stay at the Califonian soon though.

 

[TriciaT]

Thanks for posting Robin! I'd love to stay there sometime. Now that we have DVC, I know we will eventually. Did you do anything else other than Disney parks? Did you need to rent a car?

Tricia

Always dreaming of Disney
CBR 8/96
AS Sports 11/98
AS Movies 3/00
WL 7/00

All future trips as a DVC member!

Hoping for....
GF 6/3-6/6/2002 for 10th anniversary
and
WLV 12/16-12/27/2002

 

[Olaf]

Do you think four nights was too much, too little or just right. I've heard you can do DL/DCA in two nights very easily. What's your opinion? Thanks,

Steph
DL - 1966
DL - 1970
WDW - 1973 - Contemporary
WDW - 1975 - Day trip
DL - 1988 - Day trip
WDW - 1993 - CBR
WDW - 1995 - SOG
WDW - 1997 - SOG
WDW - 1999 - SOG
WDW - 2001 - SOG & PO

 

[dbond]

Thanks for the insights, we'll be there in May using points as well. About that concierge upgrade, would you need to call GC to arrange for that or MS?

 

[TnRobin]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Also was thinking if we went maybe there were some other non Disney things to do in the area. Did you notice anything near by or short drive (1 hour) away that would be fun to do? [/quote]

and

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Did you do anything else other than Disney parks? [/quote]

We spent a few days off site too. We did a day trip to Hollywood. Thought about taking a "Tour" but decided to wing it. Saw Graubman/Mann's Chinese Theater, the walk of stars, The El Capitan Theater (wished we could have made it to a showing). Drove down Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills. Saw Dodger Stadium and watched a little bit of the pre-season practice. We went to the Newport and Laguna Beach (Laguna was our favorite). A 45 minute drive took us to San Juan Capistrano. Really neat if you like the history stuff and beautiful if you don't.

You can also go to Knotts Berry Farm only 15 minutes away. For a longer drive there is Universal Studios. For the even longer Drive there is Magic Mountain. We went to San Diego on one day and did the Zoo - Loved it. It took about 2 hours to drive - I-5 all the way. Also in SanDiego was Sea World and Lego Land.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Do you think 4 nights in that area is enough? [/quote]

We spent 4 days at the Parks. This was enough time to see everything and still take mid-day pool breaks.

We spent a total of 8 nights in the area. 2 days at the Candy Cane Inn before (Excellent motel choice) and 2 nights at the Best Western Park Place afterwards (an okay place to stay) We just had enough points for the 4 nights at Grand Californian.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Did you need to rent a car? [/quote]

Yes, we were able to get a good deal by renting over the internet and the traffic was not too bad if you avoided rush hour. I navigated as DH drove, this worked well

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> About that concierge upgrade, would you need to call GC to arrange for that or MS[/quote]

It seemed to be something that you would have to handle through the resort. Maybe even at check-in. MS gave us a DL reservation number. I would call and check using this number.


Other note - Hopper tickets purchased at the resort were cheaper than the Flex-passes you purchase at the gate or neighboring hotels. (Flex-passes are multi-day one park tickets)

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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[quailrat]

glad to hear about your trip. My family will be going in Aug for 4 nights. How much were the park hopper passes, when I made reservations using vacation points they weren't able to tell me.
Also, did your room have a view of the new park.

Thanks for info on the upgrade, I plan on looking into it.

 

[TnRobin]

The 4 day hoppers were $142 for adults and 112 for a child - our total with tax was $396 for 2 adults and 1 child. (Includes Tax)

Oh one other note - Pinocchio's Workshop, the nightly kid club at the Grand Californian, is only for GC guest is $9/hour and $5 for the meal. Matthew was begging to go back the next night.

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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[Niagara2]

Hi Robin - welcome home!! Glad to hear all went so well. We leave on 5 days for two weeks and find all your info so helpful. Ask Matt if Brandon and Justin will also like the babysitting club service!!! Would love to talk to you on all the in's and out's of this type of trip. I will E-Mail you soon. Keep the great infor coming!!

 

[TnRobin]

Justin and Brandon will love the club. Matt especially loved the computer games. They also had the storyteller come by, Arts and Crafts, Disney Movies and general toys. You guys have a great time.

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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[NancyDVC]

Robin,
It sounds great. I am trying to finalize plans for June. i think that after reading your report GC is the way to go. Thanks for a great report.

NancyDVC

 

[ceejay13]

It's so nice to hear such a positive response. We were there in January and felt exactly the same as you did. We are going back in May and can't wait. We did 3 nights in January and have ressies for 4 nights in May. We used points the first time but paying cash for the second trip. I expected a courtyard view since we were using points but asked anyway. The CM at check-in was great and gave us a room overlooking DD, on the 5th floor. We're paying for a park view in May. There have been many negative comments on the DL board, so it's nice to hear someone else who had a great trip. Thanks for your report!

 

[shelbyjosh]

Hi Robin! Glad to hear you had fun. One question..how many could you fit in your room? Is 5 out of the question?

Michelle
DVC 2000
WDW...Been There, Done That, Going Back!

 

[TnRobin]

The room can hold 5 persons. Depending on the size of the persons. We had a bunk bed room. It had a queen size bed and a set of bunk bed. Under the bunk bed was a trudle bed for the 5th person. The bunk bed and the trundle bed were not meant for adults. I could have slept on one at 5'2" but anyone taller would have had a problem. With the trundle pulled out, the bunk beds took up the space of a queen bed.

I also saw rooms with a large bed (unsure whether it was a king or queen) and a sofa bed. In addition there are rooms with 2 queens beds. It these two types of rooms they will supply a sleeping bag for the 5th person

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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[sueg]

Since we will be travelling in Calif. before we arrive at DL, I am interested in the ability to do laundry. I know I won't have the convenience of a 1 BD washer in the room., but are laundry facilities readily available?

 

[TnRobin]

I didn't use them, so I don't know the price, but they are on the second floor. I spoke with someone at the pool who used them and they indicated that they were crowded.

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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[nickglover]

thanks for the info - we are going to GC in Sept. for our first visit to DL and CA - did you get early entry into CA? any recommendations on where to eat at GC or DD or in the parks?

 

[TnRobin]

Californian adventure did not have any early entry days. But the entrance from the hotel does give you an advantage over the front gate guest when trying to get to Paradise Pier for fast passes.

I do not recomend the Soap Opera Bistro, they were suppose to be in character according to the setting we were in. We were in the Country Club from One Life to Live (i think) but we were waited on by a nurse from the ER. They were suppose to pretend to practice thier lines on you, our just waited on us. The Food was Okay.

Now the PCH Grill in the Disneyland Hotel was great. Our server was perfect and the food was wonderful.

For fast food in DCA, the Test Pilot Grill was great. In Disneyland Park, Redd Rockets in Tommorrowland was great. I hear the Blue Bayou is a must, but it was down for rehab.

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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[Pooh Bear Dad]

Robin,

Thanks for noticing the special touches of DL. Yes, WDW is newer and bigger with lots more to do...but there is something special about DL...Walt built it. I was lucky to grow up next to DL and made 100 plus visits in my early years. Glad to hear Tiki Room is still original--it was my favorite as a child. I don't love the new MK rendition. I agree that Small World is much more impressive at MK. Since it was built so many years ago, a ride of its [low] level of technogy then deserved a grand entrance. Sorry to hear that MK is not a clean as it used to be.

Don't get me wrong, I love WDW and am most excited with my new DVC membership. I can hardly wait to return to WDW next month with my 2 children but now I have a good reason to visit my parents in California--to show my DD and DS "where the birds sing words and the flowers bloom"

I would advise all DVC members to make one trip to where it all started. It is fun to notice the differences, the better and the worse. And it is magical to touch the carousel horse that Walt may have once sat upon.

Scott