Food, Fun, and Frivolity: 8 Funtabulous days w/pics! UPDATE 1/20 HELP!!!!

[Leshaface]

I've lived in Long Beach all my life. Would you believe I hardly ever went to Disneyland as a child...and yes I do have a annual pass!! I decided to stop bugging my BIL and FIL to sign us in whenever we wanted to go. Plus now I can go more often!!!

Sign you in???

Sigh, I wish I was closer to Disneyland now...I would have appreciated it WAY more...but i'm still only about 3 hours away so it's not too bad. We're hoping to make our way over there in November!

 

[franandaj]

can i join too?? Another Californian that loves Disneyworld!!! People just don't understand why when I live so close to Disneyland.... at least here I won't have to explain myself right??

I loved your dining report.....and can't wait to read more about your trip!!!

Hey neighbor! Doesn't that drive you nuts how people are so apathetic about WDW out here? I was telling someone that there are six different DVC timeshares we could stay at on property and that there were at least a dozen Disney hotels, and they were like, "Really? Is is that big?" When I try to tell them that it can take half an hour by bus to get from some hotels to some theme parks, they look at me like I'm full of you know what. "You mean it's not all right together?"

 

[bangzoom6877]

Omgosh I know what you mean about not wanting to get rid of that coffee taste! I had some Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee when we were in Jamaica for our honeymoon, and it was so magnificent, I had it at practically every meal, and had a whole carafe to myself in the mornings (this was before I turned DH into a coffee addict ).

That's so awesome though about pool hopping! Do all the resort pools have like a changing room? Where do you get changed at??

I LOVE Jamaican Blue Mountain! My sister was on a cruise for her honeymoon (she got married on the ship here in NY before it sailed!), and although they didn't go to Jamaica, they brought us back some Blue Mountain coffee which they bought in the caribbean! YAY!!

That's a good question about a changing room. I will have to look into that.

Hey neighbor! Doesn't that drive you nuts how people are so apathetic about WDW out here? I was telling someone that there are six different DVC timeshares we could stay at on property and that there were at least a dozen Disney hotels, and they were like, "Really? Is is that big?" When I try to tell them that it can take half an hour by bus to get from some hotels to some theme parks, they look at me like I'm full of you know what. "You mean it's not all right together?"

That is funny...everything was all right together at WDW when it first opened...it was just the MK, and maybe 2 resorts right there (I think Contemporary and the Poly, but not totally sure)...that's it!! Epcot opened in the early 1980s, MGM (now DHS) in 1989, and AK in 1998. I have no idea the order in which the resorts opened, but I know the first DVC resort was Old Key West (1992), then Boardwalk Villas (1996) and I have no idea what was after that.

Funny, as someone who has never been to Disneyland, when I hear how small it is, I can't imagine that! I am so used to WDW and the grandeur of its size!! Like you said, taking a 30-minute bus ride to a theme park from a hotel ON property!! I can't imagine everything being so close, although when we stayed at BWV last month we had a taste of that because we walked to Epcot and DHS. Still though, everything else was a drive or a bus ride away!!

 

[franandaj]

That is funny...everything was all right together at WDW when it first opened...it was just the MK, and maybe 2 resorts right there (I think Contemporary and the Poly, but not totally sure)...that's it!! Epcot opened in the early 1980s, MGM (now DHS) in 1989, and AK in 1998. I have no idea the order in which the resorts opened, but I know the first DVC resort was Old Key West (1992), then Boardwalk Villas (1996) and I have no idea what was after that.

My first trip was in 93, and I think CBR was the only Moderate resort and there were no values. In 97 I stayed at Dixie Landings which is now POR Riverside, but Coronado Springs hadn't been built yet. Wilderness Lodge had opened earlier that year, because we stayed there the second half of our trip. In 2001 they were building the BCV because I remember they had removed the tennis courts and construction was going on. Also shortly before that the AKL opened because we stayed there too and it wasn't finished. The hallways ended about two rooms past our room and there was a whole wing beyond it that we could see out our balcony.

Funny, as someone who has never been to Disneyland, when I hear how small it is, I can't imagine that! I am so used to WDW and the grandeur of its size!! Like you said, taking a 30-minute bus ride to a theme park from a hotel ON property!! I can't imagine everything being so close, although when we stayed at BWV last month we had a taste of that because we walked to Epcot and DHS. Still though, everything else was a drive or a bus ride away!!

Keeping that BWV analogy in mind, and that you exit BWV near the exit by the fitness center and walk through the brick walkway to the BW, that would be almost like entering DTD at the DLR from the VGC. Walk towards the ESPN Zone and about where the wedding pavillion is you hit security. Once you walk past security you are on the esplanade with DL on your left and DCA on your right. Now let's pretend that the BWV are the VGC. Essentially right where the lobby is and the hotel starts, is the entrance to DCA (for hotel guests only). With WoC opening they are really checking room keys to let you in through that gate. Luckily, they don't check the dates of your room keys!

It's all that close! It's really refreshing to be able to dart into the park, ride the one that is similar to Kali River Rapids (in your bathing suit and shorts if you like) and then go back to the hotel pool and relax. I haven't done it but have read other TRs of people who have.

 

[gellybean]

Holy major DIS faux pas Batman!





I totally got your DR confused with someone else's. They all run together though, after a while.

I KNOW I read your DR. I just inserted someone else's Yachtman's experience in there.

And the sad thing, I have no idea whose!




Soooo sorry!!

 

[franandaj]

I just inserted someone else's Yachtman's experience in there.

And the sad thing, I have no idea whose!

You can pretend it was mine! We had great meal there!

 

[LuvsTigger80]

Hey neighbor! Doesn't that drive you nuts how people are so apathetic about WDW out here? I was telling someone that there are six different DVC timeshares we could stay at on property and that there were at least a dozen Disney hotels, and they were like, "Really? Is is that big?" When I try to tell them that it can take half an hour by bus to get from some hotels to some theme parks, they look at me like I'm full of you know what. "You mean it's not all right together?"

Hi neighbor!! It drives me crazy how many people respond...I just tell them to go and trust me they will see what I'm talking about!! We did our "once of a lifetime trip" in 2008 and have been back 2 more times. Now we have my MIL hooked.

Sign you in???

Sigh, I wish I was closer to Disneyland now...I would have appreciated it WAY more...but i'm still only about 3 hours away so it's not too bad. We're hoping to make our way over there in November!

November is such a fun time to go.... with decorations starting to go up. Both my BIL and FIL work at Disneyland. My FIL works sercurity at the Grand and my BIL works rides in Critter Country. He also does Guest Control for Fantasmic. So they could sign up to 3 people in at a time....but I love the freedom of our annual passes. Plus my FIL is somewhat of a pest! We were thinking of upgrading our passes in 2012 to the premeire pass...dunno yet.

 

[bangzoom6877]

My first trip was in 93, and I think CBR was the only Moderate resort and there were no values. In 97 I stayed at Dixie Landings which is now POR Riverside, but Coronado Springs hadn't been built yet. Wilderness Lodge had opened earlier that year, because we stayed there the second half of our trip. In 2001 they were building the BCV because I remember they had removed the tennis courts and construction was going on. Also shortly before that the AKL opened because we stayed there too and it wasn't finished. The hallways ended about two rooms past our room and there was a whole wing beyond it that we could see out our balcony.



Keeping that BWV analogy in mind, and that you exit BWV near the exit by the fitness center and walk through the brick walkway to the BW, that would be almost like entering DTD at the DLR from the VGC. Walk towards the ESPN Zone and about where the wedding pavillion is you hit security. Once you walk past security you are on the esplanade with DL on your left and DCA on your right. Now let's pretend that the BWV are the VGC. Essentially right where the lobby is and the hotel starts, is the entrance to DCA (for hotel guests only). With WoC opening they are really checking room keys to let you in through that gate. Luckily, they don't check the dates of your room keys!

It's all that close! It's really refreshing to be able to dart into the park, ride the one that is similar to Kali River Rapids (in your bathing suit and shorts if you like) and then go back to the hotel pool and relax. I haven't done it but have read other TRs of people who have.

Interesting how all the WDW resorts came to be! And I know they have more up their sleeves...before we were DVC members, we had stayed at Pop Century in 2008. We were in the 1950s section, and across the lake we saw more hotel buildings that were originally supposed to be the sections for 1900s through 1940s. Those however, never came to be. Now they are going to open an Animation resort over there, and those buildings are going to be the location! DH and I knew they would not let all that go to waste! It is scheduled to open around Fall 2012. It is going to have a Lion King section, Finding Nemo section, Little Mermaid section and something else. I believe there will be many Family Suites similar to what they have at All Star Music, and the rest of the rooms will be the same layout as the rooms at Pop.

DL sounds wonderful, and VGC certainly look terrific! DH and I talk about driving across-country one day, probably when the boys are around 11 and 13, and going to the DLR on our DVC points and staying at VGC, as long as we can get into there 7 months out. However, if we do this, it would take the place of the WDW trip for that year, and since we only go to WDW every other year, that would mean 4 years with no WDW. Either that, or we could do a shorter stay at VGC when they are either 10 and 12 (or 12 and 14), and do a shorter trip at WDW the year before or the year after. That would mean one of 2 options:

1. 2016: WDW(ages 9 & 11).....2017: DLR (ages 10 & 12).....2018: WDW (ages 11 & 13)
2. 2018: WDW(ages 11 & 13) .....2019: DLR (ages 12 & 14).....2020: WDW (ages 13 & 15)

Or, it would look something like this:

2016: WDW (ages 9 & 11).....2018: DLR (ages 11 & 13).....2020: WDW (ages 13 & 15)

Ahh, what's a girl to do? Look at point values when these years come closer, and see what we can do, I guess. I am inclined to do the WDW in 2016, DLR in 2017, and WDW in 2018, but I wonder if that would be too much "Disney" for us and if we would get sick of it...no, I wouldn't, but I think of everyone else!

There is also the option of staying at a nearby hotel that is not on property at DLR. I saw some "good neighbor" hotels on the Disney site and the prices seem very reasonable, even an Embassy Suites for a great price, and that includes breakfast!!

How does the whole experience at DLR compare to WDW in the summer (it would be July)? I know that at WDW we get exhausted from the heat, and I know it is hot in Southern CA in the summer, but it can't be as humid as Florida in the summer! And I'm sure that makes a huge difference in how you feel after being in a theme park for a few hours, yes?

 

[Queila]

Signing up.

Love what I read so far and cannot wait for more.

Q

 

[Shannon84]

Jumping on and following your TR

 

[franandaj]

DL sounds wonderful, and VGC certainly look terrific! DH and I talk about driving across-country one day, probably when the boys are around 11 and 13, and going to the DLR on our DVC points and staying at VGC, as long as we can get into there 7 months out. However, if we do this, it would take the place of the WDW trip for that year, and since we only go to WDW every other year, that would mean 4 years with no WDW. Either that, or we could do a shorter stay at VGC when they are either 10 and 12 (or 12 and 14), and do a shorter trip at WDW the year before or the year after. That would mean one of 2 options:

1. 2016: WDW(ages 9 & 11).....2017: DLR (ages 10 & 12).....2018: WDW (ages 11 & 13)
2. 2018: WDW(ages 11 & 13) .....2019: DLR (ages 12 & 14).....2020: WDW (ages 13 & 15)

Or, it would look something like this:

2016: WDW (ages 9 & 11).....2018: DLR (ages 11 & 13).....2020: WDW (ages 13 & 15)

Ahh, what's a girl to do? Look at point values when these years come closer, and see what we can do, I guess. I am inclined to do the WDW in 2016, DLR in 2017, and WDW in 2018, but I wonder if that would be too much "Disney" for us and if we would get sick of it...no, I wouldn't, but I think of everyone else!

There is also the option of staying at a nearby hotel that is not on property at DLR. I saw some "good neighbor" hotels on the Disney site and the prices seem very reasonable, even an Embassy Suites for a great price, and that includes breakfast!!

IMHO once you've done DVC you can't go back. The VGC is the BEST among all the Disney properties (that I've stayed in, SSR, THV, BWV, AKV and BC & WL hotels). Nothing beats a park view room! The one bedrooms at VGC are like nowhere else. You should check out the link in my sig where I reviewed the rooms after staying there for the first time. I just added pics from the 1 BR we stayed in during the last weekend of F&W.

If I'm not mistaken for us to buy at VGC would be like for you to buy DVC in Manhattan (but not at the same price, I mean time/distance/travel wise.) I just posted pics of the one bedroom that we stayed in for the last F&W Festival event. We were in the HA unit which is on the first floor, but in less than a month from now, we'll be back for three nights in a 1 BR! I can't wait, I will be immersed in Disney that whole week! We have several other activities planned there but not staying overnight.

I suppose it would be OK to stay at a "good neighbor" hotel and Embassy Suites is one of the nicer ones, but the Grand is such a fabulous place to stay. They have a pianist in the lobby playing Disney tunes in the afternoons and evenings. There is a fireplace where they tell bedtime stories (although your kids would be way to cool for that by then). The pool is awesome! You have some time to think about it!

How does the whole experience at DLR compare to WDW in the summer (it would be July)? I know that at WDW we get exhausted from the heat, and I know it is hot in Southern CA in the summer, but it can't be as humid as Florida in the summer! And I'm sure that makes a huge difference in how you feel after being in a theme park for a few hours, yes?

Our weather is much more pleasant than Florida! We do not have the awful humidity. Sometimes the summers are incredibly hot (over 100 degrees every day), however if you had come this last July we’ve had the coolest summer on record. It’s been wonderful! We’ve hardly used the A/C and temps have been in the 70s. So Cal is much more pleasant than Florida in the summer!

One thing about the VGC is the points charts are off the hook. A week during your same time period costs 100 more points than the BWV! The good news is that you don’t need a week to see all of what there is offer. Some people say you can do it all in three days, I would say five is more reasonable. Anyways, now that we have totally hijacked Lesha’s TR! Perhaps we should get back to our regularly scheduled programming!

 

[bangzoom6877]

IMHO once you've done DVC you can't go back. The VGC is the BEST among all the Disney properties (that I've stayed in, SSR, THV, BWV, AKV and BC & WL hotels). Nothing beats a park view room! The one bedrooms at VGC are like nowhere else. You should check out the link in my sig where I reviewed the rooms after staying there for the first time. I just added pics from the 1 BR we stayed in during the last weekend of F&W.

If I'm not mistaken for us to buy at VGC would be like for you to buy DVC in Manhattan (but not at the same price, I mean time/distance/travel wise.) I just posted pics of the one bedroom that we stayed in for the last F&W Festival event. We were in the HA unit which is on the first floor, but in less than a month from now, we'll be back for three nights in a 1 BR! I can't wait, I will be immersed in Disney that whole week! We have several other activities planned there but not staying overnight.

I suppose it would be OK to stay at a "good neighbor" hotel and Embassy Suites is one of the nicer ones, but the Grand is such a fabulous place to stay. They have a pianist in the lobby playing Disney tunes in the afternoons and evenings. There is a fireplace where they tell bedtime stories (although your kids would be way to cool for that by then). The pool is awesome! You have some time to think about it!



Our weather is much more pleasant than Florida! We do not have the awful humidity. Sometimes the summers are incredibly hot (over 100 degrees every day), however if you had come this last July we’ve had the coolest summer on record. It’s been wonderful! We’ve hardly used the A/C and temps have been in the 70s. So Cal is much more pleasant than Florida in the summer!

One thing about the VGC is the points charts are off the hook. A week during your same time period costs 100 more points than the BWV! The good news is that you don’t need a week to see all of what there is offer. Some people say you can do it all in three days, I would say five is more reasonable. Anyways, now that we have totally hijacked Lesha’s TR! Perhaps we should get back to our regularly scheduled programming!

Thank you so much for all that info! I know it's a lot of points to stay at the VGC, but I was also thinking of a shorter stay. I figured either 4 or 5 nights. Maybe for that short a stay, we would try and get a studio but I'm not sure if that would be available at the 7-month mark. Plus, I think I would rather do the 3 years of Disney in a row thing, rather than wait 4 years to do WDW again! It would also cut costs to be able to maximize our points instead of pay for a hotel when going to DLR. Something to consider!

Yes, we have hijacked this thread completely (sorry Lesha, but we know you love us! ), so now back to our regularly scheduled program, which is already in progress!

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Jumping on too! So I have an OT question? I noticed you DR is closed and I missed your #1...is there another thread??

We are staying at CSR for the first time in Oct. Getting so close!!

 

[Leshaface]

Hi everyone!

Sorry I've been MIA but we got our keys to the house on Friday ( ) and I've been on the go NON-STOP! Cannot BELIEVE how difficult moving is!!! But DH cleared out our storage unit so we can stop paying for it now!! Anyways, this is the first time I actually turned on my computer since Friday and it was killing me!!!!

But tomorrow I will update and reply to all you comments!

Thanks for bearing with me!!!

 

[Leshaface]

So after about a two hour nap, we got ready to head to Downtown Disney! Yay! Was super excited since we hardly got to spend ANY time there last time..it was WAYYY to hot to walk around there the last time.

Tweedle dee, Tweedle dum, and Tweedle Dumber!

We needed to get a move on because...I had a date...a date with the World of Disney. Operation Dooney!

Isn't it lovely?!?! I had to get it the first day so I could use it for the rest of the trip! I only use it for Disney trips now! It makes my trips much more special knowing I can bring out 'the bag'!

Anyways, DH needed a drink after seeing the price of the bag (jk, actually it was so nice. For Christmas, my mom printed out a picture of the bag and attached cash to the picture and wrote that she called the merchandise line and that they couldn't ship it out in time for Christmas, but told her that I could find it at DTD when I arrive for our trip. I love my mom!) But we were in search for something else....and if you've read my Dining TR, you know what we were in search of...the rich, velvety smoothness of the Yueng! YUENGLING!

So we head off to T-Rex to check out the bar! (P.S. ignore the date.)

Eeek my Dooney's in there!!!

This place was super cool folks! Even if you don't want to eat here, come grab a beverage at the light-up bar. It's so neat, I'd definitely eat here next time! Just for the atmosphere, not sure if the food is worth it, but get a couple pints of Yuengling and you won't even taste the food! jk

So we stayed at DTD for about an hour and a half, just browsing, taking our time and enjoying each others company, and enjoying the AWESOME weather!

We headed back to CSR around 4ish to get ready for our dinner at Artist Point at 5:30! Our first Signature Restaurant of the trip (with many more to come )!


---Artist Point---



After a phenomenal dinner, we browsed around the Lodge. It's such a beautiful place. Why does Disney have to make it so difficult to choose a future place to stay!?! I literally want to stay at every resort! Sigh, anyways, here are some pics I took while walking around:

Tried to get an outside shot without being hit by a bus:

We were so exhausted. We didn't get a full nights sleep on the plane, and we only took a short nap in the middle of the day. We were off to bed early, so we could hit the parks hard the next day. Alarm set to 7:30am...here we come Animal Kingdom!

 

[ChiCat]

Awesome report so far

 

[bangzoom6877]

Congrats on getting the keys to the house!!! That truly is a wonderful feeling!

Your first day sounds like it was a lot of fun! We went to DTD on the day we arrived too, and I spent lots of time in the World of Disney store!! That's where I bought my Tinkerbell Mickey ears!!

We also thought the Wilderness Lodge was a very beautiful hotel. Very rustic looking, and yes, Disney always does a wonderful job with the theming, making everyone want to stay at their resorts from the moment they walk into the lobby! FYI: they have a DVC resort at Wilderness Lodge! Just saying!!

Looking forward to reading more!!

 

[Shannon84]

Great report so far and I am VERY jealous of that disney dooney!!

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

Your trip sounds like it is going to be packed with fun/yummy stuff. I like the idea for the dry erase board on the door.

 

[Leshaface]

Awesome report so far

Thanks! And welcome to the DIS!!!

Congrats on getting the keys to the house!!! That truly is a wonderful feeling!

Your first day sounds like it was a lot of fun! We went to DTD on the day we arrived too, and I spent lots of time in the World of Disney store!! That's where I bought my Tinkerbell Mickey ears!!

We also thought the Wilderness Lodge was a very beautiful hotel. Very rustic looking, and yes, Disney always does a wonderful job with the theming, making everyone want to stay at their resorts from the moment they walk into the lobby! FYI: they have a DVC resort at Wilderness Lodge! Just saying!!

Looking forward to reading more!!

I think i'm going to start every trip visiting DTD first! I love the World of Disney!! I could stay in there for hours just browsing!

Are you trying to tempt me into buying DVC???? Just when we bought a house and haven't even made a first house payment?!?!?!? That's a good friend indeed!

Great report so far and I am VERY jealous of that disney dooney!!

When I first saw the thread 'Dooney and Disney Collaboration', I was like, no way!!! And I was sooo jealous of every persons bag..I knew I had to get it!! And now I love it! They also have a Disney Cruise line Dooney too!

Your trip sounds like it is going to be packed with fun/yummy stuff. I like the idea for the dry erase board on the door.

All the food was sooooo yummy! Just A LOT of it! I know! I saw the dry erase board at the 99 cent store, i believe, and figured I had to find something to do with it!