Fabulous 4 nights GCH!First Trip California!

[jerseygal]

Just returned first trip California! Splurged points on 2 connecting rooms, standard, 4 nights! Very worth it! Will post later, mounds of laundry to start! Did 3 nights awesome San Diego, 4 nights GCH, Development Point trip DVC! Parks extremely crowded in my opinion vs WDW...Saving Grace..Son celebrated birthday and used Immediate Fast Pass Option instead of Fun Card..Immediate Fast Pass Option is 3 specific rides from DL and 3 specific rides from CA for birthday guest and up to 5 people in party I believe...We were a family of 4 so it worked beautifully...Really pays to go to DL/CA on birthday!!!!!Saved SO MUCH WAITING! Do parks early to avoid horrible lines!

Loved GCH pool! GCV is coming along quite nicely! Supposedly right on schedule!Saw models! Awesome! Nice that the 1 BR has 2 Baths! Can't wait to return in about 3 years!Did power walk at 7:30 AM through CA before it opens; 2 miles in 30 minutes..Awesome way to see park and we got alot of great background on DL/CA from tour guide!

Stayed at Coronado Marriott in San Diego! Fabulous hotel..great service!

Did Huntington Beach, LaJolla Shores Beach, Pacific Beach and Coronado Beach..Beach by the "Del" is gorgeous, but water quality in our opinion was NOT GREAT! Water quality in Pacific Beach and LaJolla Shores Beach much better and waves as well! Best, clearest water quality and waves was Huntington Beach!

A FABULOUS FIRST TRIP TO CALIFORNIA! Loved the combo of San Diego/3 nights, DL 4 nights!

Can't wait to return to GCV in about 3/4 years, maybe sooner, who knows?
LOVED LOVED THE CLIMATE IN SAN DIEGO AND ANAHEIM..WOW, 8 DAYS OF NO RAIN! Beautiful weather! A tad bit warmer in Anaheim, but could live in either climate year round easily!

 

[tinkermell]

Just returned first trip California! Splurged points on 2 connecting rooms, standard, 4 nights! Very worth it! Will post later, mounds of laundry to start! Did 3 nights awesome San Diego, 4 nights GCH, Development Point trip DVC! Parks extremely crowded in my opinion vs WDW...Saving Grace..Son celebrated birthday and used Immediate Fast Pass Option instead of Fun Card..Immediate Fast Pass Option is 3 specific rides from DL and 3 specific rides from CA for birthday guest and up to 5 people in party I believe...We were a family of 4 so it worked beautifully...Really pays to go to DL/CA on birthday!!!!!Saved SO MUCH WAITING! Do parks early to avoid horrible lines!

Loved GCH pool! GCV is coming along quite nicely! Supposedly right on schedule!Saw models! Awesome! Nice that the 1 BR has 2 Baths! Can't wait to return in about 3 years!Did power walk at 7:30 AM through CA before it opens; 2 miles in 30 minutes..Awesome way to see park and we got alot of great background on DL/CA from tour guide!

Stayed at Coronado Marriott in San Diego! Fabulous hotel..great service!

Did Huntington Beach, LaJolla Shores Beach, Pacific Beach and Coronado Beach..Beach by the "Del" is gorgeous, but water quality in our opinion was NOT GREAT! Water quality in Pacific Beach and LaJolla Shores Beach much better and waves as well! Best, clearest water quality and waves was Huntington Beach!

A FABULOUS FIRST TRIP TO CALIFORNIA! Loved the combo of San Diego/3 nights, DL 4 nights!

Can't wait to return to GCV in about 3/4 years, maybe sooner, who knows?
LOVED LOVED THE CLIMATE IN SAN DIEGO AND ANAHEIM..WOW, 8 DAYS OF NO RAIN! Beautiful weather! A tad bit warmer in Anaheim, but could live in either climate year round easily!

Hi Jerseygal!
So glad you had a wonderful time. Infortunately for you, your time at the resorts, was just as the So California AP holders blocks came off. I heard it was going to be a nigntmare. Thank goodness for Fastpasses and your son's birthday.

When you come back again, you will have to tour the northern part of our state. Yosemite, the coastline, San Fransisco, and so on. That and DL of course!!

 

[akdaisy]

Sounds like you had a super vacation!


Can you share which rides the birthday fastpass is valid for in both parks? Thanks!

 

[jerseygal]

Grizzly River Run, Soarin, California Screaming, the Baby Coaster(forgot the name), DL...Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Autopia, Indiana Jones, Big Thunder Railroad..Hope that helps!

It was awesome to have the Fastpass otion..My son turned 14:cake and originally he was going to choose the Fun Card..The Fun card is limited to Marceline's ConfectionaryDisneystore, another Disney store and that is about it I believe...Very limiting in my opinion, so the FAstpass Option was alot better!

Enjoy!

 

[Caseystigger]

Wow it sounds like you had an amazing visit! Glad it all went will and happy late birthday to your son!

 

[pixiewings71]

Grizzly River Run, Soarin, California Screaming, the Baby Coaster(forgot the name), DL...Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Autopia, Indiana Jones, Big Thunder Railroad..Hope that helps!

It was awesome to have the Fastpass otion..My son turned 14:cake and originally he was going to choose the Fun Card..The Fun card is limited to Marceline's ConfectionaryDisneystore, another Disney store and that is about it I believe...Very limiting in my opinion, so the FAstpass Option was alot better!

Enjoy!

Sounds like you guys had a great time. Thanks for reporting on the FP options too. I think you're one of the only people I know who have made that choice. We've had 3 bdays so far this year at DL, we've gone with the Fun Card and we've been able to spend it many many more places. Are you sure about your list on where it's accepted? DD13 used hers all over the parks.......the only place we haven't used a Fun Card this year is for dining, which is the only limitation I'm aware of.

 

[Niele]

I didn't know one could get a fun card or fastpasses for their birthday. I thought it was just a birthday button from the Town Hall. How does one go about getting the fun card or fastpass?

 

[pixiewings71]

I didn't know one could get a fun card or fastpasses for their birthday. I thought it was just a birthday button from the Town Hall. How does one go about getting the fun card or fastpass?

This is from the Celebrate promo for the year. You get free admission on your bday, but if you have admission already you get a fun card in the amount of 1 day 1 park admission or the fast passes.

 

[Niele]

This is from the Celebrate promo for the year. You get free admission on your bday, but if you have admission already you get a fun card in the amount of 1 day 1 park admission or the fast passes.

Many thanks pixiewings71, you're a wealth of information and I really appreciate all of your input. aloha.

 

[pixiewings71]

Many thanks pixiewings71, you're a wealth of information and I really appreciate all of your input. aloha.

Thanks! I'm glad I could help!