One night VDH garden studio with non- Disney Spouse.

[cruisehopeful]

I snagged one night at VDH in a garden studio when playing the DVC slots and 8 weeks ago. The plan was to go solo, but to my surprise, a couple weeks ago, my husband said he wanted to go. He's been on a very strict diet and has been sober for a few years. This is his first time since all of that. He also doesn't walk very far. I wasn't sure how to navigate the stay with him in tow, but ultimately decided to adjust the whole thing around what I thought he would enjoy. We've recently spent a lot of money adding contracts and it's good that he wanted to go, but it's a whole project figuring out what he would enjoy.

Before I get too into it, I want to show the view from our patio. The rooms are called Garden Rooms and NOT Garden View Rooms. That's been upsetting to a lot of people because they expect a garden view. I feel like I have somewhat of a garden view, but I'm easily pleased on vacation.

 

[Wedgeout]

What a ‘Sleeping Beauty-ful’ spot to spend the night. Looks like room 153! Our daughter had that location last October.

 

[cruisehopeful]

What a ‘Sleeping Beauty-ful’ spot to spend the night. Looks like room 153! Our daughter had that location last October.

It is! It would be fun to stay here for a few nights and use the grills outside. These rooms fill up fast. So I doubt I'll book it anytime in the next couple years. I'm hoarding my points right now for a Copper Creek Cabin stay next year.

 

[cruisehopeful]

In order to make it easier for my husband, I booked him a couple spa services and booked us the Pixar Pals parade dessert package. I figured it would be easy to fill in the rest of our time. He doesn't have a Magic Key and since he was going to be in the spa for a couple hours and then we had the parade reservation, I only purchased a one park, one day ticket for him. Originally my solo plan involved 2 park days, but I had to drop the second day because my husband had to be home midday the following day.

We drove and did self parking. As soon as we parked and started walking through the parking lot, I very excitedly said, "We're on vacation!" My husband asked if I'm always that happy when I am there, even if I am by myself. I told him, YES! It's a complete distraction from regular life and it's my vacation home and I don't have to do anything to keep it up. I told him that when he stays in the Copper Creek Cabin next year, he'll probably ask to go there every year and he'll love DVC, too. He said he didn't need to have that experience. He said the look on my face when we arrived was enough for him to understand why we have so many DVC contracts now.

It was only a little after 10:30am when we arrived so we checked our bags and went to Tangarao Terrace. My husband ate breakfast at home, but I hadn't eaten, yet. I ordered the American Breakfast which had scrambled eggs, a mix of potatoes (white, blue and sweet) and bacon. I don't eat bacon so my husband ate that for me along with a salad. While we were sitting outside there, I asked him, "Can you believe that this is our vacation home!?!" The environment is just incredible (if you like the kitchy Tiki room vibe, which I do). It's actually completely mind blowing that it's our vacation home.

We made the long walk to the park entrance. We didn't have a lot of time before his spa appointment and I was having a hard time deciding what to do. I told him Monster's Inc would be removed soon and he did want to ride it so we got a buddy pass and enjoyed what is possibly our last ride on it.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

What a fantastic story I see more points in your future!!

 

[cruisehopeful]

For those who don't know, I am a non practicing certified massage therapist. Because of my own style (which is totally the opposite of the fluff and fold spa recipe style), I am VERY picky about massage and facials, etc. I usually think spa services are way overpriced. However, the spa at the Grand Californian has always exceeded my expectations. Yes, the prices are high, but it's been worth it every time.

My husband was booked for the aromatherapy massage followed by a customized facial. I dropped him off at the spa 30 minutes early so he could enjoy the relaxation time before his appointments. I went to DCA and had a snack and rode a couple single rider rides and headed back when he was supposed to be done. He loved his treatments. He thought both practitioners were exceptional. The aromatherapy massage was more of a stretching/passive joint movement massage than a spa massage and we both prefer that over circulatory massages. He said he will probably do the facial every time he comes to Disneyland.

While he was in there my room ready text came in. My husband had the baggage ticket as well as the picture of the ticket so I didn't go to the room even though I was dying to see it because I haven't seen the garden room wing, yet.

We had a dining event coming up soon in the park for the Pixar Pals Parade and I didn't want to feel rushed going back and forth. Our visit to our room would have to wait.

Our food packs at the parade were fantastic. The pictures are in the Disneyland dining thread. My husband had an allergy plate for corn and gluten and I can't emphasize enough how amazing his accomodations were. When our food packs were served, he said, "This is a great thing to do." It truly was great and I'm glad I booked it. I did it last year by myself and it's been leveled up significantly.

After that, we finally got to go see the room!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I've stayed in the tower several times. I wasn't sure how to get to the garden wing, but we figured it out. Walking on the backside by the grills, it looks a lot like an apartment complex. I don't think there was anything "Disney" about it. When we found the room, the mobile key worked quickly (unlike my past experiences in the tower). I was happy to see Sleeping Beauty theme. The deluxe studio is exactly like the one in the tower, except that it has the spacious patio. We sat out there while waiting for the bags to be delivered. Being so close to the pool, I regretted not having my bathing suit. Usually, I'm like a steamroller when I go to the parks and I am busy the whole time and don't have time for pool stuff. I need to just keep a swimsuit in my suitcase in case I ever have down time again.

Something different in the bathroom this time is the lotion and hand soap are locked in the base. Whenever I have stayed at VDH in the past, the lotion bottle was free standing and there was a bar soap. Were people taking the whole bottle of lotion before? That's wild to me. Well, now if you want to carry the lotion, you'll be carrying the hand soap, too.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Surprisingly, the room was quieter than I expected when the slider was closed. Since the pool closes at 10pm, it was much quieter at night than it is for me at home with a neighbor that has a pool party every weekend.

My husband visited the gym and the jacuzzi in the morning. He said the gym was nice and very clean. He was given a wrist band for the pool area when he went to the jacuzzi. He said it was the best jacuzzi that he has ever been in. He said the temperature was good and there was a jet for each part of his body that was sore. I asked if it really was the best or if he was just on a vacation high and he said it really was the best.

I'm attaching a picture of the Steamboat Willy splash pad, which was sooo cool to watch from the patio. I love the way it blows out steam. The other picture is of the walkway to the rooms with the grills.

The garden rooms cost more than the tower and there's only a total of 8 rooms. I believe it's 4 deluxe studios and 4 duo studios, but that might not be right. For me, it's worth paying more if I plan on using the pool or jacuzzi and/or using the grills. It was over $80. in tax for the one night. I wouldn't go out of the way to book it if I had no plans to use the facilities surrounding the garden rooms, just because of the extra points and tax.
Meanwhile, my non Disney husband thinks the whole thing was awesome. We're going to the Polynesian in just a few weeks before our cruise and then a night at Beach club. I have a feeling that he's going to like both of those a lot .

 

[Girlstar30]

Wow this is so awesome, the first trip report I've read about VDH!

I really like the view and had no idea the steamboat willy splash pad actually let out steam! Im super bummed about not being able to stalk for a better view grrrr the need for direct is def calling! I really loved the rooms when I did the room tour and im happy that someone is reporting all positives!

Were the cast members friendly and helpful? It looks like such a fun hotel, I can't wait to stay here!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Were the cast members friendly and helpful? It looks like such a fun hotel, I can't wait to stay here!

We had great experiences with the CMs. Bell services, the clerk in the sundries ship, Tangaroa Terrace were all phenomenal. I didn't go to the pool, but my husband said the CM who gave him his wrist band was friendly and helpful. The level of service definitely helps the high price tag of VDH direct and TOT feel "worth it".

 

[Girlstar30]

We had great experiences with the CMs. Bell services, the clerk in the sundries ship, Tangaroa Terrace were all phenomenal. I didn't go to the pool, but my husband said the CM who gave him his wrist band was friendly and helpful. The level of service definitely helps the high price tag of VDH direct and TOT feel "worth it".

Glad to hear it! Im curious about the new breakfast items at tangora! I hope they still have the ube French toast when I go! Did you do broken spell lounge or palm breeze? Have yet to go to those as well

 

[cruisehopeful]

Glad to hear it! Im curious about the new breakfast items at tangora! I hope they still have the ube French toast when I go! Did you do broken spell lounge or palm breeze? Have yet to go to those as well

I didn't go to Palm Breeze or Broken Spell Lounge this time, but I have been to both in the past. Palm Breeze Bar has an espresso martini that's very good (not on the menu). I like the beet salad with chicken.

I was in Broken Spell in November and the service was great. It was like being on a DCL cruise. I had 3 servers. They worked in a team and split their tips. I wanted to go this time because it was so nice, but we just weren't hungry or thirsty in the evening.

 

[VGCgroupie]

So happy he loved it!