My Wife ( Marie ) and I ( Al ) were going to be in San Diego visiting our daughter ( Sarah ), so we figured a trip to Disneyland was in order.This was in mid May. Marie called and made a reservation at the Grand Californian a couple weeks in advance.
We waited until 9:00am to leave San Diego to avoid the rush hour craziness that is " The 5 " and were in Disney about an hour and twenty minutes later.After checking in and getting our tickets, we headed for California Adventure. The park wasn't crowded and wait times were minimal so we were able to ride Soarin', California Screaming, Tower of Terror a couple times and sit in on a Bug's Life in a fairly short time.After a lunch break at Wine Country Trattoria, so-so food and over priced wine, we were on our way to Disneyland.
The park, at least to me, looks pretty much the same as the Magic Kingdom in Florida, except for the scaled down castle. The walkways seem a little narrower too. I don't know if that's why it seemed a bit more crowded. Anyway, we were able to ride Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones and Buzz. I don't think we waited more than twenty minutes for anything.
We called the hotel and our room was ready so we headed back. After getting our bags we took the elevator to the sixth floor. Hmmm, that looks like the concierge desk, we didn't ask for concierge level. We found our room and swung the door open to discover it wasn't a room but a suite. I suddenly wished we were staying more than one night.
One room had a large sitting area with a pull out couch, table and chairs, big flat screen TV, refrig and balcony overlooking the pool area, California Adventure and beautiful downtown Anaheim. The bedroom had a king size bed, sitting area, big flat screen TV, another balcony and the bathroom. Nice room, thanks for the upgrade Disney.
Sarah put the concierge to work ordering a room service breakfast for the following morning and a spa appointment for her. We hung out in the room for awhile, showering and whatever, then Sarah and I went down to the lounge for a drink, followed by a walk through Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Hotel.
We had dinner at Napa Rose which was really good. This was almost a month ago so I don't remember what we ate ( I have trouble remembering last night's dinner ) but we enjoyed it.
Next morning we had our in room breakfast. Sarah went for her massage and Marie and I hung out in the room saying things like " this is a great room " repeatedly. When we reluctantly had to leave,we went back to Disneyland for a few more rides. Space Mountain with a slight hangover was not the best idea I've ever had but breakfast stayed put, so that was good.
We did some shopping Downtown before hitting the road back to San Diego, again being careful to avoid the dreaded rush hour.
I must say one of my favorite things about my visit was not once having to board a Disney bus or boat. They make me nuts at WDW, you can spend hours on the bus during a long visit. I liked the compact size of Disneyland. I also liked the lack of heat and humidity.
So, it was a great week. The weather was perfect everyday;San Diego and the surrounding area are just beautiful;we got to visit our daughter;we had some fantastic meals;we went to Disneyland!!
After being home for three weeks, we now have reservations at the Beach Club in October. Sarah just booked her flight to meet us there. And all is right in the World.
ABFine - Hamilton, NJ 6/07
1980 - Off-Site 1983 - Contemporary 1987 - Polynesian 1989 - Grand
Floridian 1992 - Beach Club 1994 - Beach Club 1995 - Beach Club / Dixie
Landings / Vero Beach 1996 - Boardwalk 1997 - Wilderness Lodge / Beach
Club 1999 - Disney Paris 2000 - Boardwalk 2003 - Boardwalk 2004 -
Boardwalk 2005 - Yacht Club 2005 - The Swan 2006 - Beach Club
2007 - Grand Californian
We waited until 9:00am to leave San Diego to avoid the rush hour craziness that is " The 5 " and were in Disney about an hour and twenty minutes later.After checking in and getting our tickets, we headed for California Adventure. The park wasn't crowded and wait times were minimal so we were able to ride Soarin', California Screaming, Tower of Terror a couple times and sit in on a Bug's Life in a fairly short time.After a lunch break at Wine Country Trattoria, so-so food and over priced wine, we were on our way to Disneyland.
The park, at least to me, looks pretty much the same as the Magic Kingdom in Florida, except for the scaled down castle. The walkways seem a little narrower too. I don't know if that's why it seemed a bit more crowded. Anyway, we were able to ride Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones and Buzz. I don't think we waited more than twenty minutes for anything.
We called the hotel and our room was ready so we headed back. After getting our bags we took the elevator to the sixth floor. Hmmm, that looks like the concierge desk, we didn't ask for concierge level. We found our room and swung the door open to discover it wasn't a room but a suite. I suddenly wished we were staying more than one night.
One room had a large sitting area with a pull out couch, table and chairs, big flat screen TV, refrig and balcony overlooking the pool area, California Adventure and beautiful downtown Anaheim. The bedroom had a king size bed, sitting area, big flat screen TV, another balcony and the bathroom. Nice room, thanks for the upgrade Disney.
Sarah put the concierge to work ordering a room service breakfast for the following morning and a spa appointment for her. We hung out in the room for awhile, showering and whatever, then Sarah and I went down to the lounge for a drink, followed by a walk through Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Hotel.
We had dinner at Napa Rose which was really good. This was almost a month ago so I don't remember what we ate ( I have trouble remembering last night's dinner ) but we enjoyed it.
Next morning we had our in room breakfast. Sarah went for her massage and Marie and I hung out in the room saying things like " this is a great room " repeatedly. When we reluctantly had to leave,we went back to Disneyland for a few more rides. Space Mountain with a slight hangover was not the best idea I've ever had but breakfast stayed put, so that was good.
We did some shopping Downtown before hitting the road back to San Diego, again being careful to avoid the dreaded rush hour.
I must say one of my favorite things about my visit was not once having to board a Disney bus or boat. They make me nuts at WDW, you can spend hours on the bus during a long visit. I liked the compact size of Disneyland. I also liked the lack of heat and humidity.
So, it was a great week. The weather was perfect everyday;San Diego and the surrounding area are just beautiful;we got to visit our daughter;we had some fantastic meals;we went to Disneyland!!
After being home for three weeks, we now have reservations at the Beach Club in October. Sarah just booked her flight to meet us there. And all is right in the World.
ABFine - Hamilton, NJ 6/07
1980 - Off-Site 1983 - Contemporary 1987 - Polynesian 1989 - Grand
Floridian 1992 - Beach Club 1994 - Beach Club 1995 - Beach Club / Dixie
Landings / Vero Beach 1996 - Boardwalk 1997 - Wilderness Lodge / Beach
Club 1999 - Disney Paris 2000 - Boardwalk 2003 - Boardwalk 2004 -
Boardwalk 2005 - Yacht Club 2005 - The Swan 2006 - Beach Club
2007 - Grand Californian
