GC ... theme park or DTD view?

[lynetteSC]

any advice which is best? i thought i read somewhere that you could have blocked views from trees in theme park views?

this will be our 1st time at DL, so we are excited! thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

any advice which is best? i thought i read somewhere that you could have blocked views from trees in theme park views?

this will be our 1st time at DL, so we are excited! thanks!

I think a few folks have said that some of the theme park views are not as good as they used to be because of the trees and foliage that have grown in which now obstruct the view. For that kind of money, you don't want ANYTHING blocking your view!

I really loved the DTD view we had back in 2001. Not only was it great to sit out on the balcony and people watch but we also had a great view of the fireworks in DL, which was an unexpected bonus. It was a nice comfortable way to see them without freezing or craning our necks or plugging our ears. Beware that the DTD rooms are quite a lengthy walk from the GCH lobby elevators, just in case you have anyone with orthopedic or mobility issues. The standard views are much shorter walks.

 

[pixiewings71]

We love love LOVED our DTD view room at the GCH....it was so nice!

 

[Princess_Couture]

DTD View for sure

 

[Echie]

I agree DTD view! Not only is it awesome to watch the people down below but being able to see the fireworks from your balcony is an added bonus!

 

[gtrain219]

Having never stayed at GCH I don't know from experience but I have heard that the Garden View rooms are a lot quieter if that is what your looking for. I don't know exactly what else they look at. This is what we have booked in May.

 

[caimakale]

We have stayed in both the theme park rooms and the DTD rooms. Our theme park view sucked. To see the park, we had to go out on patio, lean over the rail and turn our heads to see the park. It sucked.

We LOVED our DTD view. As others have mentioned, you have an amazing view of the fireworks right on your patio. Last time we were there (almost two years ago), they piped the music in over the TV so you could watch the fireworks in sync with the music. You can't beat being in the park while watching the fireworks, so we would always go in once during our trip to see them. But all other nights (and I mean EVERY night), we would go to our room, order the warm brownie with ice cream dessert from Storytellers, and sit on our patio with the volume up on the TV and watch the fireworks. After the fireworks were over, our kids would immediately crash and I would finish eating up all of the desserts that didn't get finished.

After that, the wife and I would head down to the bar and have a few glasses of wine before heading to bed. Well, she would go to bed, I was too hopped up on sugar so I would go outside and watch all the people leave the park...I loved people watching.

I really need to go back...I think I'm having Disneyland withdrawls!

 

[nunzia]

any advice which is best? i thought i read somewhere that you could have blocked views from trees in theme park views?

this will be our 1st time at DL, so we are excited! thanks!

I may have been the post where you read about that. It has just been my expereince that for the last few times I've had Park View that the trees block much of what used to be a very cool view. I now like DTD view better. But..you never know..you might like park view better. Just be aware that pool view is in the same category as park view, and they told us upon check in a couple weeks ago that it was considered a better view than park view. They originally had us down for pool view, but changed it to park view so we could have connecting rooms with our friends. I may be jaded, because I will never forget the stunning view we had in 2001 right in front of the bear with no trees in our line of sight.

You will love DLR and the Grand Californian! have fun!

 

[nunzia]

OH..but be aware that Fireworks are not happening except for President's day weekend for awhile (and I think someone said Jan 31?)

 

[kikiq]

We have had all three views. Yes the trees and the new VGC do block some of the view of DCA. We prefer the garden view or DTD. The garden view is quiet and it is cool to watch the monorail go by. Love, love the DTD room, yes it is a "hike" from the lobby, but we enjoyed the music and watching the fireworks with the music piped in from the TV. It is my DH favorite GCH view.

 

[grizbuzz]

I much prefer the theme park view. DTD too far a hike and I got tired of the music that was always playing. Also, I like the trees.

 

[01spirit750]

I sent you an IM with some information.

We prefer the DTD. It is fun to "people watch". Generally the noise has never been an issue, but once our room was right above one of the musicians selling their CD's in Dtd. Luckily they stopped at 10:30pm. The musicians rotate everynight between assigned locations. The first couple of nights was not an issue, but then the second to last night the piano player seemed to have his amplifier turned up especially loud.

We have only have a good theme park view twice. Once was with a Suite overlooking the condor flats area. That was fun.

 

[Danauk]

I loved the theme park view we had. From our balcony we would watch the monorail go by, watch people going down the final drop of GRR, we could see ToT, Grizzly Peake and could here the parade music on an evening. When we go back to DL again I would definately request a room with the same view.

 

[pixiewings71]

fwiw, our room was right above a musician too and if we closed the balcony doors and the curtains we were fine with the noise.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Keep in mind there are only 120 or so DTD view rooms and they book quickly. You may be upgraded to a park view out of necessity.

That happened to us before Christmas. If so, make sure you ask where the new room is - what wing. The best is to have a room that is right above the pool or near the end of the GRR view wing. Those guarantee views into the park and the closer your room is to the end of the wing, the more chance you will hear the music wafting in from the Expedition Trails area. It's beautiful. We were right at the elevator end of the wing over the holiday and we couldn't hear the music. We did have a nice view of the Bear and Soarin, though.

Just don't get your hopes up that you will always get your DTD view and not get upgraded beyond that to the park view - which is riskier. It leads to either sorrow or temporary inconvenience - depends on your flexibility level.

 

[boscoj]

Another vote for DTD view.....

 

[bethy]

DTD view - even if the fireworks aren't showing. Which they won't be much this winter and early spring due to the repaving of main street.

 

[msmouse39]

Thanks for that note - I just recently booked our April trip with a park view because I thought it might be more tranquil. My sister and I are escaping our families and looking for some downtime between parks

 

[lynetteSC]

thanks everyone! i will call to see if DTD view is available!