DVC Mike Live from Disneyland (5/17-5/22/09)

[stopher1]

The new quiet pool at the Villas at the Grand California

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Thanks also for the update photos on the progress of VGC!

 

[bumbershoot]

Wow, those are some wonderful pictures you have taken! And I'm glad you're having a lovely time.

You mentioned the crowds for the weekend...last year was the same...the crowds came before the holiday weekend...and as far as we could tell, they all traveled home on the holiday Monday, b/c that's when our trip started and it was pretty quiet! Hoping for the same this year (starting trip Monday as well).

I left Disneyland Park and headed over to grab a Peet's Coffee near the GCH.

Can't find a peet's location close to the resorts. Where'd you go?

I love your trip report. We just planned a trip there for July--very quick notice for me since I'm used to the 11 months out for my DVC. Anyway, how did you get from the airport to your hotel? That's the last thing I have left to book. It will be my brother, and my two children and me, and I was leaning towards a car service. I really don't want to rent a car since my brother and I don't know the area. I think it might be too stressful to try to drive. Anyway, please let me know what you did for transportation. Thanks!

Come on over to the DL forums for more info. Briefly though, if coming from LAX or SNA, you can use SuperShuttle or Grayline's Disneyland Express. If coming from the others, Grayline's bus doesn't go there, but you can still use SuperShuttle. There are also car services and cabs but I haven't used those.

Yes, GCH has free WiFi access and free Wired access. Both are available in guest rooms.

For clarification, I was told that while they will have free wifi in all rooms, right now it's NOT in *all* rooms. But they do have ethernet cables in all rooms, in case wifi isn't enabled in your particular room yet.

Nescafe Gourmet Coffee? I don't think so...

FWIW, that particular cart made a spectacular coffee drink for me (thanks to my friend for "introducing" that cart to me!). Quite good.

And if you had Storyteller's coffee, that's Nescafe too.

 

[toocherie]

Mike: I also enjoy your photography and would like to know what kind of camera you use.

 

[DVC Mike]

Very nice photo's Mike, what camera did you use or did I miss that.

Jack

A compact point-and-shoot camera - Olympus Stylus.

 

[DVC Mike]

Can't find a peet's location close to the resorts. Where'd you go?

The Hagan Dazs ice cream shop in DTD (opposite the GCH entrance to DTD) opens at 8am and has an expresso machine. They serve Peet's coffee, lattes, etc.

If I leave before 8am I just pickup a latte at the GCH lounge.

 

[DVC Mike]

Had a nice lunch with my mom at Marie Callendar's (I love their lemon cream cheese pie!). I'm relaxing in the room waiting to brave the crowds. I'm hoping to watch the fireworks again tonight (this time without the earthquake).

 

[nunzia]

A compact point-and-shoot camera - Olympus Stylus.

May I bother you to ask if that's the whole name or is there more to it..like stylus xb34332nzo or some long thing?

 

[DVC Mike]

May I bother you to ask if that's the whole name or is there more to it..like stylus xb34332nzo or some long thing?

Olympus Stylus 730. It weighs about 4 and 1/2 ounces. It's dimensions are 3.7" wide, 2.4" high, and 0.8" thick.

 

[bumbershoot]

A compact point-and-shoot camera - Olympus Stylus.

Wow!

The Hagan Dazs ice cream shop in DTD (opposite the GCH entrance to DTD) opens at 8am and has an expresso machine. They serve Peet's coffee, lattes, etc.

Now that is good to know! People have whispered that Compass books has peets, but they say they serve Coffee Klatch, but I never thought to check with HD. Nice!

 

[DVC Mike]

I had dinner at Rancho del Zocalo, which is a Mexican CS located inFrontierland. Not too bad for Disneyland.

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It's crowded today!

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Sleepy Beauty Castle Walkthrough

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[DVC Mike]

Innoventions (I miss the Carousel of Progress here)

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More Finding Nemo Subs (I did this attarction again this morning)

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I just love the sight of the monorail inside the Disneyland park!

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[Mattsmommy]

Thanks for the great pics Mike. I am going in October. I can't wait!!!!!!!!

 

[DVC Mike]

Well, I'm done visiting the parks at the Disneyland Resort. While I will still be staying at the Grand Californian Hotel for another night, I'll be spending all of today with my folks.

I'm taking them to dinner tonight at the Napa Rose, and then I'll be headed to the airport tomorrow morning for my flight home.

 

[JoBird]

Thank you so much for this report!

My DH surprised me a few weeks ago with a trip to "Laguna... I have a meeting there, I want you to go with me."

But I have a sneaking suspicion that he has added a secret first trip to DL up his sleeve. And since he's the show-up-and-get-it-done type person, and I'm the Let's-plan-for-three-years type person--- I have been secretly making touring plans -- Just in case.

We are WDW vets- never use a map- ever-- but the thought of showing up to DL for a first trip with nothing scares the heck out of me.

So i've been tagging along- and have to tell you that you've given me great visuals- so I'm feeling tons better about my "Is it a trip to the Land or not" trip to "Laguna".

Thanks again! Great pictures!!

Jo

 

[Disneypirate85]

Mike, Thanks again for another wonderfull TR! Have a great flight home....Shawn

 

[Teachckg]

Thanks Mike! Great Pictures!!

 

[DVC Mike]

I’ve very much enjoyed my trip to the Disneyland Resort in California. I think every fan of Walt Disney World who hasn’t made it out here should go at least once. Besides the rides at DLR that don’t exist at WDW, and the differences in other rides, it’s just a different experience. I really enjoyed how everything is clustered together, and how I can exit one way out of the GCH and be right in DCA, and exit another and be right in DTD. Disneyland Park is just steps away as well. Disneyland Park is not as large as the MK at WDW, but offers more attractions and is more intimate.

I can’t wait until my next visit out west when I get to stay at the Villas at the Grand Californian. While my GCH room was nice, I’d much prefer a 1-BR villa.

Tonight is my final dinner at the Napa Rose, after which I’ll pack. I’ll be at the airport tomorrow for the flight home.

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One shot of the room

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I enjoyed the theme park view room

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[DVC Mike]

More of the VGC is getting closer to completion

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[DVC Mike]

I spent the morning at Newport Beach, where it was overcast.

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[bama106]

Thanks for all the great pics Mike. Can't wait until next May when we will be making our very first trip out west. It has been such a fun week reading your trip report every day. Have a safe trip back home.