Just Got Back Last night

[LvsTnk]

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, in the Sierra Building Concierge. We had a great stay, did the Practically Perfect Tea, Goofy's Kitchen, Special Viewing at the Winery for ELP, Blue Bayou, Storytellers Character Breakfast, and the Easter Brunch at the Grand Ballroom.

The thing that struck all of us was the fact that everything was MUCH closer than it looks on the map. Room was bigger than the rooms at the Polynesian, huge vanity. The Concierge lounge had a great view of the fireworks and they dimmed the lights and played the music as well. Thanks for all of your help, if i can answer any ?'s I will try. Laurie

 

[ceejay13]

I would love to hear about the special viewing for the ELP at the winery? We are thinking about this for our visit in May. Thanks!!

 

[Michelle]

Ceejay, I found some information for you:

Disney's Electrical Parade Premium Viewing

See Disney's Electrical Parade in a whole new light, with exclusive premium viewing at Disney's California Adventure™ park! Disney's Electrical Parade Premium Viewing locations:

Golden Vine Winery

Seat with premium viewing
"Wine Country Family Picnic": Featuring fresh baked goods, artisan cheese, meats, and olives complemented with sweets and a glass of award-winning Robert Mondavi wine in a souvenir glass.

"Country Kids:" Fresh turkey or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, veggie sticks, a fresh baked cookie and a surprise gift.

$41.00 Adults
$30.00 Children (ages 3-9)

Sunshine Plaza, East Golden State Park, West Golden State Park

Seat with premium viewing
Dessert Sampler in a Keepsake Box
Child's dessert in a Mickey Mouse Souvenir Cup
Beverage

$41.00 Adults
$30.00 Children (ages 3-9)

Reservations can be made at the Guest Relations Window to the left of Disney's California Adventure park Main Entrance on the day of the event, or up to 30 days in advance by calling (714) 781-4400†. Major credit cards are accepted, seating is limited.

I think this is a little outdated since Mondavi does not sponsor the Golden Vine Winery anymore, but as long as the Electrical Parade is running it should be somewhat accurate.

 

[LvsTnk]

We did the one at the Golden Vine Winery. We arrived at 8pm for the 8:45 parade. The seating was up a little higher than the parade, if you looked to your left trees would block your view a little but to the right it was clear. Honestly across the path there were plenty of spots to watch if you wanted to sit on the ground, I loved my cushioned warm seat LOL!

The platter consisted of salami, mortadella, goat and fontinella cheese, small black Italian and green olives, small red tomatoes and pepprocinni(sp). They also brought out onion and plain bread. There were a couple of small suckers and some hard candy in the set-up boxes.You had your choice of wine and the kids got a bottle of their choice of soda. Our waiter also was able to get the kids a small bowl of pasta since they did not like what was on the platter, or PB&J (very nice of him).

I had already booked this when I found out about the dessert offering, next time I would try that as the parade is later in the evening and the dessert would be great after dinner.

Hope this helps Laurie

 

[scrappinmom_2000]

where/what is Storytellers Character Breakfast?

 

[LvsTnk]

Storytellers Cafe is a restaurant at the Grand Californian. The character breakfast was either a buffet or you could order off the menu, we chose the buffet and the food was excellent. Chip, Dale, and Pluto were the characters that greeted you at the door and they also did some singing and dancing with the kids. Laurie

 

[ceejay13]

Laurie and Michelle,

Thank you both for all the great information! I think we just might try it out next month if they are still offering it.

 

[numexmom]

We are going to SoCal at the end of May but will only get to spend one day at DL. However, we are trying to strecth the experience out somewhat by doing what we did when we first got to WDW last year. The evening we arrived we ate at Chef Mickey's, which soundslike Goofy's Kitchen and Storyteller's in that they are located in Disney hotels and are character buffets. This way it was like we were in WDW, we just didn't have to use our hoppers to have that experience.
I thought about dining at Goofy's Kitchen the evening we get to DL but then I wondered about Storytellers because I'm dying to see the Cal hotel. Does Storytellers have a dinner buffet or is it only breakfast? And is Goofy's better?
How can you get to it if you are staying offsite?

My next line of questioning is Blue Bayou. I keep hearing such raves about it, so did you think it was great? What made it so?

Thanks for your help. Hope you had a great time.

 

[DawnCt]

I just checked the Disney web site and Goofy's Kitchen stated that the price was $5 plus the price of the meal. I too was hoping that they would have a dinner buffet. If not, is there another dinner buffet on site?

 

[goofyfordisney]

numexmom,

I don't think Storytellers Cafe has a dinner buffet--I don't remember one? I know they offer a good character buffet for breakfast, although I just ordered off of the regular menu. You can probably view their menus on the www.disneyland.com or www.mouseplanet.com

As to getting to the hotel, you can get there buy walking from the parks--it's really close. You can then walk around the Grand Californian too! It's a beautiful hotel!

As to your Blue Bayou question...We ate lunch there the last time we were at DL. We didn't know that we could have made a priority seating ahead of time, so we went to the restaurant podium when DL opened and made a PS the same day--it wasn't a problem at all (this was during spring break!).

We had a good meal--I think my husband ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich and I had some kind of beef with vegtables and mashed potatoes. They also had kids items on the menu. It was one of the most expensive meals we had there--but it was good!
I would recommend it because of the atmosphere--you sit along the rivers' edge inside the Pirates of the Carribean ride. The only problem we had was some people on the ride would be video taping us as they rode by in the boats! Some of the people would call out to us: "ARE YOU REAL PEOPLE--OR ARE YOU PART OF THE RIDE!?" I guess they were just having fun--the bright lights of the video cameras was kind of annoying though!

I would make a lunch ressie--it was nice to go and sit down and relax just when the crowds were getting bigger.

Have fun!
Sue

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>If I remember correctly, Storytellers Cafe has dinner buffets on the weekends. They usually have prime rib, spaghetti, delish corn chowder, and the fixings. Also, they have strawberries dipped in chocolate. I don't eat enough to justify the cost, but my ds loves it. I had the chicken quesadilla, and it was really good. I think they also serve 'make your own pizza.'

This is one of our favorite restaurants, along with Hooke's Point at the Disneyland Hotel.

 

[carolrie]

What were the crowds like?