Just returned

[SLK1]

We stayed at Grand Californian for five nights, June 12-17th (we are DVC). Our two-bedroom villa was beautiful and our view was perfect. The lobby there is excessively COLD, always, and check-in is the slowest of anywhere I've ever been. The guy said it's because there is "so much to tell you"...that is baloney because the girl checking us in stared at her computer the whole time. Our room wasn't ready until 5, and even then, I had to inquire about it.

Our week was great, however, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday seemed VERY crowded, especially since it wasn't "peak" season according to how many points we had to use for the room. Was it because it was the last time for Annual Passholders? I was shocked at the crowds. We did one early morning at 7 and were laughing at that "perk"...yes they open early for you, but they run limited number of "cars" per ride...so wait times were still there. It's not like you'll walk on every ride. We were also quite surprised at how often and how many rides break down! We counted that EACH ride broke down at least once during our stay. That just doesn't seem to happen in Florida. We even witnessed a huge screw fall right out of Mickey's Fun Wheel...right in front of us. They shut the ride down, obviously, but the workers wouldn't have even known about it if a guest hadn't pointed it out.

The new Little Mermaid ride was great - far exceeded my expectations - and the line moved very quickly (that hotel perk of getting in at 9:30 was excellent!). The caramel popcorn at CA is the BEST anywhere, the World of Color show is outstanding (although our dinner package was kind of a waste - food wasn't great and we could have just gotten a Fastpass instead of spending all that money), and we still just love California Adventure - always have.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Sounds like a great time and the lobby is always cold.

Jack

 

[yesman70]

We stayed at Grand Californian for five nights, June 12-17th (we are DVC). Our two-bedroom villa was beautiful and our view was perfect. The lobby there is excessively COLD, always, and check-in is the slowest of anywhere I've ever been. The guy said it's because there is "so much to tell you"...that is baloney because the girl checking us in stared at her computer the whole time. Our room wasn't ready until 5, and even then, I had to inquire about it.

Our week was great, however, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday seemed VERY crowded, especially since it wasn't "peak" season according to how many points we had to use for the room. Was it because it was the last time for Annual Passholders? I was shocked at the crowds. We did one early morning at 7 and were laughing at that "perk"...yes they open early for you, but they run limited number of "cars" per ride...so wait times were still there. It's not like you'll walk on every ride. We were also quite surprised at how often and how many rides break down! We counted that EACH ride broke down at least once during our stay. That just doesn't seem to happen in Florida. We even witnessed a huge screw fall right out of Mickey's Fun Wheel...right in front of us. They shut the ride down, obviously, but the workers wouldn't have even known about it if a guest hadn't pointed it out.

The new Little Mermaid ride was great - far exceeded my expectations - and the line moved very quickly (that hotel perk of getting in at 9:30 was excellent!). The caramel popcorn at CA is the BEST anywhere, the World of Color show is outstanding (although our dinner package was kind of a waste - food wasn't great and we could have just gotten a Fastpass instead of spending all that money), and we still just love California Adventure - always have.

heh, my wife said the same thing about the Grand lobby last week whenever we would walk through there. (We stayed at the DLH)

I was at the park on Tuesday, Wed and Friday and yes it was crowded. Friday seemed like the least crowded day IMO.

it sucks the Matterhorn was shut down all week, but they finally opened it late on Friday.

As for the checkin process, they should ask people if they want everything explained to them or just to move on. Some Disney Vets probably dont need every little piece of info because they might already be aware.

 

[rentayenta]

We stayed at the GCV last year in a 2 bedroom with an amazing view during the same week.

 

[KCmike]

Did you get a chance to use those amazing Grand Californian Chaisse lounge chairs??

 

[blackjackdelta]

Did you get a chance to use those amazing Grand Californian Chaisse lounge chairs??

The times we have been there it was impossible to find one.

Jack

 

[jdmn2010]

We were staying there too in a 2 bedroom at the end of the week. We had a fast check-in but the lobby was empty. The parks were crowded, but thanks to some pixie dust we ended up with 28 hotel fast passes to use on any fastpass ride, which really helped with the crowds.

We were surprised too by how many rides were broken down. In fact, it ruined both of our early morning plans. The first day we were trying to do MM and were waiting for the monorail which wasn't broken down but delayed by a cherry picker in the way so we had to walk over to the main entrance instead and wait in lines just to get in. Then the next day we entered DCA at 9:00 and went to go on the Little Mermaid which was broken until 9:45. So much for getting an early start advantage by staying at the hotel.

 

[yesman70]

We were surprised too by how many rides were broken down. In fact, it ruined both of our early morning plans. The first day we were trying to do MM and were waiting for the monorail which wasn't broken down but delayed by a cherry picker in the way so we had to walk over to the main entrance instead and wait in lines just to get in. Then the next day we entered DCA at 9:00 and went to go on the Little Mermaid which was broken until 9:45. So much for getting an early start advantage by staying at the hotel.

I was disappointed in the Monorail there....they were only running one train and it was very slooow....not nearly as efficient as the Florida system.

We were there at LM on Friday at 9:30am or so and had to wait 15 or 20 minutes for it to open, but when it did, the lined moved fas

 

[blackjackdelta]

I was disappointed in the Monorail there....they were only running one train and it was very slooow....not nearly as efficient as the Florida system.

We were there at LM on Friday at 9:30am or so and had to wait 15 or 20 minutes for it to open, but when it did, the lined moved fas

To many the monorail is more of as ride opposed to WDW which is more for transportation. That is my take never having gone to WDW.

Jack

 

[Piglet99645]

To many the monorail is more of as ride opposed to WDW which is more for transportation. That is my take never having gone to WDW.

Jack

We just got back and my son and I did the Monorail to kill time while we were there. It is 20 minutes all the way around and definitely seemed more like a "ride" than a useful form of transportation!