GCH Questions....

[Sy-]

All,

I am planning a SoCal trip to San Diego and Disneyland from Oct 7-17. I have all my travel arrangements made for every part of the trip except for the hotel at DL (Oct 11-17) as well as park tickets. I did reserve 6 nights at the Fairfield but am now regretting not booking the GCH. I figure if I'm already spending a ton of $$$ for the rest of the trip whats another $2500... Am planning on going with one of those Visa Dream Vacation packages but have a couple of questions about GCH. At GCH if I get a "Park View" room would I be able to see the fireworks or maybe the electrical parade from the room balcony? Are there any rooms at GCH that will allow these views? Does the Storyteller Cafe offer a breakfast buffet or is only off the menu? Do they only do buffets at Plaza Inn? How crowded is the "Exclusive DCA Park Entrance"? Does the line move faster than the entrance at the main promenade? Thanks for any help and wizdom you can send my way!!!

Whew... haven't been there in 3 years... The days can't come fast enough.

 

[Stardance]

Unfortunatly i have no constructive advice as ive never been there BUT .....i think its bizarre ill be at disney the same time as you. Weird hey...ahaha sorry it just blows my mind!!

You know, two strangers...who know that will happen to be at the same place at a certain point in time?

Hahaha im so sorry...ill stop scaring you

 

[BillyFan]

The park view rooms at the Grand are views of DCA, so no fireworks views there. I think you may be able to see fireworks from some DTD view rooms. You might be able to see some of the DEP from some park view rooms on high floors, but I've only stayed on the 3rd floor, and we couldn't see it from there.

Stotyteller's Cafe is our favorite breakfast place pretty much anywhere. They have a breakfast and dinner buffet, plus you can order off the menu any time of the day. I'd reccommend the buffet at breakfast, because you can order just about anything off the menu for free with the buffet.

There is a character breakfast buffet at the Plaza Inn, but there are other pretty good breakfast spots in the park as wekk. We really like Carnation Cafe and Cafe Orleans for TS and Riverbelle Terrace for CS and Mickey Mouse pancakes!

I've never run into a long line at the DCA entrance to the Grand.

I think I answered your questions. If have any more, feel free to post.

 

[TinkandPooh]

All,

I am planning a SoCal trip to San Diego and Disneyland from Oct 7-17. I have all my travel arrangements made for every part of the trip except for the hotel at DL (Oct 11-17) as well as park tickets. I did reserve 6 nights at the Fairfield but am now regretting not booking the GCH. I figure if I'm already spending a ton of $$$ for the rest of the trip whats another $2500... Am planning on going with one of those Visa Dream Vacation packages but have a couple of questions about GCH. At GCH if I get a "Park View" room would I be able to see the fireworks or maybe the electrical parade from the room balcony? Are there any rooms at GCH that will allow these views? Does the Storyteller Cafe offer a breakfast buffet or is only off the menu? Do they only do buffets at Plaza Inn? How crowded is the "Exclusive DCA Park Entrance"? Does the line move faster than the entrance at the main promenade? Thanks for any help and wizdom you can send my way!!!

Whew... haven't been there in 3 years... The days can't come fast enough.

This is my favorite hotel and we stay there often. So as another poster said yes there is a buffet for breakfast and dinner and menu only for lunch. They have great food and I much prefer them over the Goofy's Kitchen buffet....my girls do as well.
We have never found the private DCA entrance to be crowded and it has always moved real quickly for us.........nothing like the front entrances for both parks.
As far as views we have had them all and with a theme park view you will not be able to see the fireworks....like the other poster said if you want a view of the fireworks your best bet would be a Down town Disney view.
You will also not be able to see the electrical parade from the rooms either due to the parade route.
IMHO the best view rooms that we really enjoyed are the Downtown Disney District view. We were able to enjoy the fireworks from our nice balcony with a great table and chairs to sit and relax while watching....also it was nice because we could see what was going on in the DTD district as well as being able to see if there were massive crowds headed for the gates or more moderate to light crowds. The veiw at night of DTD district is beautiful....especially during Christmas time.....but all the time as well. Like I said this has been our opinion as we have stayed in ever view they have at the GCH and now that we have we always go back to the DTD view.
You will have a blast and I am sure you will enjoy the GCH if you should choose to stay there.
If I could figure out how to post a pic then I would put some in here of the GCH so you could see some of the above and beyond things that have been done for us at no extra charge during our many stays at the GCH.

 

[mlggator]

I love GCH. We have stayed with a theme park view before. Our view looked out over the pools to them DCA beyond. Specifically, it we were looking at Screamin and the boardwalk area. Great view, but we could not see fireworks or any parades from our room.

The private entrance to DCA is great. I have yet to wait using it. Much better than going through the main gates.

I have not dined at Storytellers, so I cannot comment on that restaurant.

Either way, have a great trip.

Michele

 

[mlggator]

Oops, double post.

 

[spaceace510]

You can see the park fireworks with a DTD view, I had that view and loved it! And then every night, you get to go out on your patio and listen to the street performers! I'll post some pics below:
A view of the rooms above DTD

The view of DTD

DL Fireworks from our room

 

[Sy-]

Thanks for the info all.... I went ahead and booked a Park view room and had them put a request for the east wing. I want to be as close to the parks as possible (going to have my 2 year old with so we'll be making runs back to the hotel room for naps). I'll definately be booking the DD view rooms next time the fireworks views sound cool... Yay... Something to look forward to on our next next trip! See you all in Oct!