Live! from the VGC

[IlliniMouse]

Our first Disneyland trip and first DVC trip. I have to say the CMs here at the GC are fabulous and the room is gorgeous. We're in a studio, and I didn't request anything in particular. When we opened up the curtains we were overlooking Paradise Pier. 2nd floor with the giant Mickey ferris wheel outside our window. (Pardon my lapse of memory...I've been awake almost 24 hours and am wiped out!)

We didn't get to DL until later this afternoon...we were able to do POTC, HM, Jungle Cruise, Autopia, Indiana Jones, Buzz Lightyear. Still trying to get my wits about me. I'm used to WDW, so things are out of place here! LOL

Off to get a good nights sleep so we can put in a FULL day tomorrow!

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

enjoy walts park

 

[disneyfanlaura]

Have fun!!

 

[CrazyDuck]

So you can see "Mickey's Fun Wheel" from your second story room? Good to know!

 

[IlliniMouse]

Mickey's Fun Wheel! That's the one!! Yep. We can see it from the second floor. We could also see parts of the parade that was going on when we were getting settled in our room. Mainly the tops of the stuff, but still kinda cool to see that going on. I was thinking a floor up would be even better to see, but it was cool to hear my 11yo son announcing as things came down "Finding Nemo", "Toy Story", etc.

Right now I am very grateful for the internet. I've been awake since 4am. It's 6 am in the Midwest!! I hope I can stay awake tonight because we didn't make it long enough for the fireworks last night.

*****WHOA!!!******
Ok, so shortly after I woke up I took a peek outside and thought "I kind of feel like I won the night in Cinderalla's Castle/Walt's Apartment" because the lights were on some of the rides at CA. I was thinking about all the behind the scenes things that go on while everyone here is sleeping. (Except for people who live in other time zones and are wide awake!) A bit later I checked out again to see if the lights were off....and....they were running through the WOC! Yeah baby! So, I'm running around in semi-darkness (don't wanna wake the sleeping people) trying to find my camera and head out on the balcony. I tell the now awake sleepers that the WOC is going on and what do they do?? They go.back.to.sleep. I have to say I was bummed that they postponed the opening on it because I thought by the time we got here the rush to see it would be over. And then I found out we probably wouldn't get to see it.I told myself it would be ok. And was hoping they'd run it some night while we were here since they're opening it SOON. Someone is spreading the pixie dust for sure! I will say that this show is amazing! Even from my vantage point with much of the ground stuff blocked from view, and seeing it from the back side of it...it was amazing! It's like fireworks done with water, mixed with the Northern Lights. It's one of those things that pics won't do it justice. (Which I took and will post later...) And that it's hard to describe other than WOW!

For anyone who is unsure of what the weather will be like...It was 80 something yesterday and got down in the 60's last night. Out of the sun it was absolutely amazing! Walking IN the sun, I got a little hot. Last night I started getting cold before the sun went down. After the sun went down, I was freezing! This is coming from a midwest girl who left home when it was almost 90 and humid! The nights were in the 60's at home, but the humidity of home makes it feel alot warmer. I will definately be taking my coat with me to the parks at night. I didn't bring pants of any sort, or socks or shoes. All capris, shorts, and sandals, so I will just have to suck it up! LOL

The natives are starting to stir, so it might be safe to make some noise! See ya'll later!

 

[cseca]

Oooh, glad you're having fun!
How's the space? Do you think a studio has a good space?

Enjoy your stay!
ps: I ALWAYS forget to bring a sweater when I go to DL... I think subconsiously I just want a new DL sweater when I go back home...

 

[IlliniMouse]

I think the studio has plenty of room. We're a family of 3, but a 4th person would be fine also. I would say the bed/pull out couch area is a little larger than the rooms we've stayed in at WDW. (And those were at Pop and Caribbean Beach) The bed and pull out are queens, so it's probably more spacious in comparison than what I think. But, the bathroom and kitchenette area makes it alot more spacious. And you have the balcony yet, too. The closet is spacious. I don't know if it's like this in all studios, but when you walk in, there's a door to the room beside us. Not sure of the lingo for this, but we must be attached to a 2 bedroom lockoff?? There's a big area there where we have the luggage that didn't fit into the closet sitting which frees up alot of place in the sleeping/living area.

 

[IlliniMouse]

I took this standing on a chair on the balcony this morning!!!

 

[hockey mom]

Oh sweet- that is so cool.

Our first trip there is in Nov. and I can't wait. We have a 1 bedroom booked.

Is that view on a certain side of the resort?

 

[blackjackdelta]

Now I can not wait to see what a 1 bedroom is like.

Jack

 

[IlliniMouse]

I think in the GC superthread that's going, there's a map of the hotel. We are at the bottom of the map in the room that is listed 504 (at least on the map they gave us here. I'm assuming the map posted is the same they gave us). We're on the second floor. We can see the Paradise View Terrace from our room.

I'll bet the 1 bedrooms are incredible. I'm loving this room, but was wishing for a 1 bedroom when I was awake so early so I didn't have to slink around the room.

 

[tdashgirl]

Nice! Glad to hear your impressions of WoC are so favorable

 

[cseca]

I think the studio has plenty of room. We're a family of 3, but a 4th person would be fine also. I would say the bed/pull out couch area is a little larger than the rooms we've stayed in at WDW. (And those were at Pop and Caribbean Beach) The bed and pull out are queens, so it's probably more spacious in comparison than what I think. But, the bathroom and kitchenette area makes it alot more spacious. And you have the balcony yet, too. The closet is spacious. I don't know if it's like this in all studios, but when you walk in, there's a door to the room beside us. Not sure of the lingo for this, but we must be attached to a 2 bedroom lockoff?? There's a big area there where we have the luggage that didn't fit into the closet sitting which frees up alot of place in the sleeping/living area.

Thanks so much!
I can't wait for our trip...
I know I'll wish we could stay in a 1br (sigh... washer/dryer) but we have to conserve points for our christmas trip...

 

[Duchie]

Sounds fantastic! Are you owners at GCV? Or were you able to make your reservation at the 7-month mark? We're hoping to stay there next February but can't call MS for another month. I"m sort of wondering how quickly the rooms book up there.

 

[kikiq]

I think in the GC superthread that's going, there's a map of the hotel. We are at the bottom of the map in the room that is listed 504 (at least on the map they gave us here. I'm assuming the map posted is the same they gave us). We're on the second floor. We can see the Paradise View Terrace from our room.

I'll bet the 1 bedrooms are incredible. I'm loving this room, but was wishing for a 1 bedroom when I was awake so early so I didn't have to slink around the room.

We must have passed you in the lobby as you coming and we were leaving. Sounds like you are having a grand time!!! We were in a 1 bdrm, yes they are incredible.

 

[minniecarousel]

We've had view rooms at the GCHotel before and it's amazing to look out after the park closes and early in the morning before it opens. You feel like you've crept into the park! Can't wait to try out the villas.

 

[IlliniMouse]

Sounds fantastic! Are you owners at GCV? Or were you able to make your reservation at the 7-month mark? We're hoping to stay there next February but can't call MS for another month. I"m sort of wondering how quickly the rooms book up there.

We just bought in at Animal Kingdom last fall, so this is our first DVC stay! We booked it the end of November. I hope we're able to stay here again. It's beautiful!

 

[pinner33]

we bought dvc in May and have since booked a 1 br for feb can't wait got to see a little of woc from our room in may and can't wait to see it in feb

 

[VallCopen]

Sounds fantastic! Are you owners at GCV? Or were you able to make your reservation at the 7-month mark? We're hoping to stay there next February but can't call MS for another month. I"m sort of wondering how quickly the rooms book up there.

Duchie, I am an owner at VGC and I just made a ressie for a 1 bedroom for early Feb and there was plenty of room in both 1 and 2 bedrooms, but I didn't ask about the Studio's. I think right now, since they are not sold out, they might not be booking quite as fast but be sure to be the first that morning to book at the 7 month window because I am sure it will get busier as time goes on. I did call 2 weeks ago for mid Nov. and they still had both 1 and 2 bedrooms left, so that is a good sign. I think the off season is still pretty good. Good luck on your Feb. stay.


IlliniMouse, I hope you don't mind the quick highjack on your thread to answer this question. By the way I love your thread so far, we will be there in July in a 2 bedroom and I bought a notebook just so I could try and do a Live report. Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[IlliniMouse]

No worries! You're not hijacking. Anytime a person can answer a question to help someone out is great!

Just back to the room to find they were doing WOC again!!! I could hear what the music was tonight. The only one I really remember is Under The Sea. (I love Sebastian!)

This morning we had breakfast at White Water Snacks. My son had french toast sticks with a side of bacon and DH and I had the American breakfast. I sampled the french toast sticks and they were really good. My favorite part of the American breakfast was the potatoes. I liked the seasoning!

We also went down to the pool for a bit before heading to Goofy's for dinner. Super comfy chairs, great poolside service, lots of towels.

One thing I totally love about DLR vs WDW is the proximity to everything. It really doens't take long to get from park to hotel. Today when looking at the map to get from the GC to DH for Goofy's, it looked like a longer walk than what it was. It didn't take long at all. The fact that you can see the railroad station at Disneyland from inside California Adventure amazes me.

Crowds right now seem worse than they were yesterday on Memorial Day! I don't know where the people are coming from, but they're here! It's managable though.

OH! Saw the fireworks tonight! Fabulous! Tink is incredible and I'm left wondering if it's a real person. And the 2nd act is pretty incredible, too. I had a moment while waiting for the show to start that left me wonding WTH....some older teenagers were waiting for the show to start and one of them decided to lay down in the middle of the street. Seriously. People had to walk around her, yet there she was. Finally one of her friends told her to get up-she was embarrassing them. She's lucky someone didn't step on her.

Missed both fantasmic shows tonight. The viewing arrangements have me wondering how good of a view most people have. It seems strange to me to have everyhing standing where at WDW everyone is seated. Just goes to show that just because the same attractions/shows are here doesn't mean they are the same.

Dinner was at Goofy's Kitchen tonight. Peanut Butter and Jelly pizza is awesome. And so is the Mac n Cheese pizza! Lots of good character interaction. We saw Goofy, Pluto, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Mad Hatter. The Fairy God Mother was there, but we were ready to go and she had a long ways to go before she wouldn't have gotten to us.

TIme for me to call it a night. I'm working on 20 hours of being awake, so I need to catch some zzzz's. Tomorrow is Legoland! Hope we love it!