Our VIP day with a "Plaid"

[MommyJKM]

Hi Everyone! I thought I'd do a small TR on our trip Memorial Day Weekend Day at DL and DCA. (This is for you Rentayenta and Crystal1313)

While we aren't technically Club 33 Members, we have a good friend who is and he only comes out to California once a year to use his membership for Candelight so we get the perks and benefits the rest of the year!

Well, he was gifted an 8-hour VIP Tour that he forgot had to use by June. I immediately called my cousin who is a lifelong Disney fan and AP and we both said the same thing: "Girl's Weekend!!"

We decided to leave the husbands at home, use this as an excuse to treat our own Mom's for Mother's Day, and be able to experience a wonderful day with our own little princesses (my DD is 3 and her DD is 6) like when we were little. I'm 2 years older than her and the first time we went together we were about the same age as our daughters...Perfect! Except that she also has a 3-yr old prince and we couldn't leave him behind. So, we officially called it "Girl's Weekend Plus Jack"

So I immediately booked flights for the 7 of us, Park View Rooms at the GCH, and called our favorite host Steven at Club 33 to go over our dream itinerary. Best day of phone calls EVER

My favorite part of planning for trips is making my DD Grace a Countdown Calendar...that way when she asks "Are we going to _______ today?" I can refer to the calendar and she can see how many days are left until we leave. Here's a pic: This time I added a chore that she had to do each day in order to check off that day...it worked beautifully!



So, here we go!!

 

[MommyJKM]

We flew from Oakland to SNA/Orange County on Saturday morning. The kids are seasoned travelers and were great on the plane, my nephew kept asking where the pilot was and when we told him he was in the cockpit he shouted "I want to go into the Crocodile Pit too!!"

My daughter insisted on taking a picture in the airport to text to Mickey Mouse and let him know she was here:





I decided to try the Disneyland Express this time around (we usually rent a car) so we didn't have to drag around car seats. It was really convenient and they have an unadvertised AAA discount - so roundtrip tickets for adults are only $20!! and kids ride for free. So $80 roundtrip for all 7 of us to ride was a steal.

It was really nice to not have to worry about driving in traffic and the kids had a great time reading and coloring on the bus. Jack kept yelling "I'm not wearing a seat belt!" He was so excited to be able to sit like a big boy and not in a car seat





I had called The Grand the day before and requested adjoining rooms and told them the kid's names and favorite characters, so when we arrived they had MAGIC waiting. The girls each got an autographed Ariel picture and Jack got a Mickey Mouse one. They were so excited about such a small thing it was fun to watch. My DD loves staying at GCH so she immediately clutched her new photo and ran over to the little TV in the lobby and sat in her favorite rocking chair and waited patiently watching old Goofy cartoons while we checked in.

I love upgrading to the Park View Rooms because we leave the patio door open and listen to the sounds of the park...it just feels so Disney!

When we got to the rooms we opened the adjoining doors and the kids screamed with happiness and ran back and forth between the two rooms for about 10 minutes (and those doors NEVER closed the rest of the trip )

This trip our rooms overlooked the DCA entrance and my nephew was enamored with the monorail coming by every 20 minutes.





Gina and I had made reservations for our Mom's to eat at the Napa Rose Chef's Tasting counter at 5:30 so we revealed the surprise when we got to the room. They both squealed with excitement and I thought my Mom was going to cry! Gina and I had already made a plan to take the kids to the pool and afterwards she was going to leave and run into DCA and grab us our favorite Shrimp Louie Salads from Boudin Bakery and mac and cheese dinners for the kids to have in the room.

She texted me when she was on her way back and the kids were able to stand on the balcony and yell hello to her as she brought dinner back. They were so thrilled. (The funniest part was the kids were yelling "Hi Mommy" and "Hi Aunty Gina" and a couple that walking in after Gina was waving and looking extremely confused. Gina came into the room laughing and told us she overheard the woman say "How did those kids know my name?" Ironically her name was Gina too!! )



It was a great ending to a long day...we managed to convince the kids to get to bed at a reasonable hour and get ready for our Special Day!!

Up next: Disneyland!!

 

[MommyJKM]

Before I go on to the next part I forgot some important info I wanted to share for people who are thinking about doing the VIP Tour.

I've actually done the VIP Tour 3 times before:

Once with a friend who is a famous celebrity. He and his wife pay the $315/hour or $385/hour (the holiday season is the higher rate) because he is a recognizable celebrity and 1. can't wait in lines due to people asking for autographs 2. they have the money to afford to afford it.
My husband and I and our then 2-yr old daughter went with him and his wife and their son and daughter (who were about 8yrs and 6yrs old at the time) and a bodyguard. Disney doesn't like the look of celebrities at DL/DCA with a bodyguard so they will offer a second "Plaid" at no cost. He decided to still have the bodyguard as he also kind of acts a a nanny for the kids and when we went on Indiana Jones and Tower of Terror which the kids didn't want to go on, then the bodyguard stayed with the kids. But Disney did kind of say that they frown upon bodyguards. Interesting, huh?

We went the second time with another celebrity friend who worked on ABC television shows - which is owned by Disney - and he told us that ABC/Disney celebrities get a comped VIP Tour every year. He and his wife go to DL with their kids about 3 or 4 times a year and they get a discounted rate the other times they go. He didn't tell me how much, but they do pay something.Since he invited us we just went along with their itinerary and we spent about 2 hours of that time in the 1901 lounge. They're not really into running onto all the rides and just like the ambience of Disney so we only went on about 5 rides that day.

The last time we did the tour, I treated my parents as a Thank You for helping us move from Las Vegas to San Francisco. So it was my Mom and Dad and DH and DD who was 2 1/2yrs old. I sprung for it because it was Christmas and we wanted to see the parade and fireworks and shows without having to fight crowds. So it was worth it to me to pay the money and have the premium seating for my 60-year old parents and for my DD to be able to ride IASW as many times as she wanted (which she did about 12 times!) My Mom has also wanted to see the Dream Suite so we got to spend about an hour there and there was an option to watch Fantasmic from up there! (My DD wasn't going to stay awake for it and my parents got tired so we didn't). If that is a dream of yours the VIP tour can make it happen!

And lastly because my Mom and DD and I are all born in Dec and we do a photo of the 3 generations every year so I wanted to do it in DL this year



But this trip I was getting to choose what we would do so it seemed more like "my" VIP Tour for the first time.

 

[awinangie]

EXCITING!!!!

 

[crystal1313]

THANK YOU!!!!! Cannot WAIT to hear more!!!!

 

[DharmaLou]

thanks for doing this!

 

[MommyJKM]

An important note about staying that the Grand Californian.

We got one room with bunk beds. They come with a trundle bed below so they sleep 3 technically but 1. The trundle is extremely uncomfortable and
2. MOST IMPORTANTLY - they have a sign that says "Children under the Age of 6 should not be allowed on the top bunk"

Well we had 3 children under 6yrs and all they wanted to do was climb to the top. Bad design on Disney's part? And anyone with toddlers knows you can't have a ladder to a bunk and them not HAVE to climb it. So while we thought it was cute to have the bunk beds - please be aware that if you have little ones, they are not only not allowed to sleep on the top, they are also a constant distraction and one adult always had to be watching the kids. We will always request a non-bunk room from now on.

 

[MommyJKM]

So...Our tour was booked from 10am to 6pm
Gina and I got up at 7am and did the free pilates workout class GC offers. They offer an early morning walk 2 hours before DCA opens but it wasn't available that day, probably because Grad Night was the night before.

(I also forgot to mention that Gina and I went to the 6th floor WOC viewing patio on Saturday night. It was crowded and there were so many rude parents that we left. We really just wanted to go up and listen to the music and have our glass of wine and chat. We saw one dad carrying his 10yr old on his shoulders and walking around in front of everyone so she could see. i would have rather been down AT WOC that bother with the rudeness.
So if you stay at GC and want to do the WOC viewing be aware that you're only seeing it from the right side so you won't see all of the projections AND you need to arrive early if it's a busy time. If you've already seen it it's nice to go up there and half watch and listen, but by no means are you seeing the entire show.)

Then we did the Early Morning Build-A-Bear. Which is exclusive to the GC. My DD and niece like My Little Pony and you can make one at BAB so they were excited. The GC has you meet in the lobby at 8:45, then you walk over to Downtown Disney with a CM and get to have the Build-A-Bear store all to yourselves (they take up to 15 kids, we were the only 3 that day). It's pretty fun. It's only open for your group! A woman working there told me about some exclusive outfits you have to ask about that are only sold there, but my DD doesn't have the bears just the MLP so we didn't buy them. But next time you go if you have a BAB fan, ask for the Disneyland Mickey Outfit.

When the kiddos were done we walked back to the room and got our strollers and headed out to meet Mandie our PGD (Plaid Guide for the Day).

The room view

 

[crystal1313]

Awesome tip about the bunk beds....I've never heard that before. I have a DS6 and DS4 and I know they would be fighting over who got the top bunk. We probably won't be able to swing the GCH until DS4 is 6 anyway, but this is really good to know in case something changes before then!

Loving all the photos. The kids are adorable =)

 

[MommyJKM]

We met Mandie Pandie (Jack's name for her) at the GC Fireplace. She instantly asked if we wanted to see the Lilly Belle or do the Mark Twain Wheelhouse to get the certificate. It was great that she was so on top of things.

I had sent our dream itinerary to Steven at Club 33 and Mandie asked if we wanted to stick with it or do it her way. She had read the itinerary and had some other suggestions and ways to maximize our day since it was our only day in the parks. We quickly decided to let her lead the way!

She asked all 7 of us what OUR attraction was, took notes, texted someone, asked what we wanted to do for lunch, texted someone again, grabbed Grace and Natalia's hands and we were off!

(I don't think I explained Natalia is Gina's 6yr old DD, Jack is her 3yr old DS and Grace/Gracie is my 3yr old DD)

First stop was Dumbo (Grace's pick). The line was 60 mins and almost out to Mr. Toad's. She walked us to the exit and got the attention of the CM and showed her badge, we waited for the ride to end, and the CM opened the Exit and said "Enjoy" while the kids ran to pick their Dumbo. It was just amazing to watch their enjoyment. Mom stayed behind to "take pics" but really she just hates the ride





Then Mandie walked us over to It's a Small World which is ALL THREE of the kid's favorite. The line was crazy and I started to feel really fortunate to not be waiting in it. Though IASW line always goes fast like POTC - it's still in the direct sun and forever winding.







(At the end of the trip we laughed because we could NEVER get the 3 kids to all look at the camera at once. NEVER!)

The Grandma's got to sit in their own row!



We requested our own boat and were thankful as the woman in the boat behind us was using her flash THE WHOLE RIDE! I always want to say "Have you Google'd It's a Small World pictures? What makes you think your point and shoot Panasonic is going to get any better pictures? Do you NEED to ruin the ride for everyone else?" Ugh When they do the "Please keep your hands and arms inside the boat at all time" maybe they can add "And turn off your flash photography as hundreds of thousands of people before you have taken the exact photo you are going to take and you can find it online. Thank you."


Then off to Autopia. This was the longest FastPass line of the day. And when we walked up with Mandie PGD a woman in line yelled "Why do THEY get to go?" and the CM said "It's a FastPass line, Ma'am" and that's when I realized why with A VIP guide you don't "cut" the lines, you get a permanent FastPass.

Anyway, Grace decided to drive and was very serious about it. I had a memory of trying really hard to drive straight when I was little...and remembered when they had two different Autopia's for some reason.



We then looked over the fence at the Nemo Submarines and Aunty Sharon (again I guess I forgot to introduce us all. Sharon is my Mom's cousin. And her daughter is Gina. So our Mom's are cousins who grew up together and Gina and I grew up together and we're raising our kids growing up together. I just love it! 3 generations of cousins. Gina is an only child and I was until 12yrs old, so we were always really close) wanted to ride Star Tours. I don't like the herky jerky of ST so I said I'd wait with the kids. Mandie told Sharon if she sat still staring ahead and with no glasses and no smile she would get picked for the "rebel spy" on the ride....and sure enough she did!

Mandie told us afterward that if you're with a PGD you do have a better chance of getting picked but that her advice would work anytime on the ride.

On a sad note: While they were on the ride, the Jedi Training started. I was sitting on the backside of the stage facing Autopia. As the stage scarily began to rise, my DD and Jack Jack were panicking. The stage was rising and their anxiety was going with it!

My DD knows who Darth Vader is because her Daddy reads this cute book called "Darth Vader's Princess" to her, but as the music came on and this giant Darth Vader came onstage with his voice- she came UNGLUED! Darth Maul (sp?) and some Stormtroopers emerged and then Jack Jack lost it as well! So here I am with two SCREAMING little ones, climbing my body and face and Darth Vader starts to walk over to us from the stage and Grace just wails "He's going to hurt me" as Jack Jack is yelling "No Vaders! No Vaders!"

Well DV in the costume must be a Dad because he quickly turned around and left and motioned to two Stormtroopers to follow him and leave that side of the stage. I was so grateful for that bit of Disney Magic!

When Mandie PGD, Mom, Gina and Aunty Sharon walked to us with big smiles on their faces, they quickly faded as I must have looked distracted and distraught holding two 3-yr olds crying while grabbing every side of me they could hold onto and trying to talk to and tell Natalia where her juice box was.

Chaos! But I am grateful for the intuitive Darth Vader...wherever you are- I thank you!

 

[MommyJKM]

Awesome tip about the bunk beds....I've never heard that before. I have a DS6 and DS4 and I know they would be fighting over who got the top bunk. We probably won't be able to swing the GCH until DS4 is 6 anyway, but this is really good to know in case something changes before then!

Loving all the photos. The kids are adorable =)

Crystal, we were so shocked that the warning is RIGHT on the beds, yet they gave us the room. None of the kids could sleep on the top bunk in a room with 1 Queen and Bunk Beds that had 2 Adults and 2 Children under 6yrs. So where did they expect everyone to sleep? That was Gina's room and luckily my adjoining room had 2 Queens so we made it work but it was pretty un-magical thinking in their part.

When your DS' are 6yrs and 8yrs it will probably be perfect though! So much more fun that a regular bed.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Hi MommyJKM!

So glad you started a trip report(hope it's longer, not shorter), and am enjoying following along!

You and your cousin's children are darling, and how fun to go with your Moms as well!

I never knew that about the GCH bunk beds either---thanks for posting that.

We've never had a VIP tour guide, and think it sounds wonderful!

Thank you for sharing your experience!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Loving the report so far! Thanks so much for writing this!

 

[MommyJKM]

After the Jedi Training Fiasco of 2014, Mandie took us on Buzz Lightyear. She declined to ride saying she was saving her "shooting arm for Toy Story Mania" Which in hindsight I don't think she was kidding.

Grace and Jack Jack were both still terrorized and when we got off Buzz, Grace said "Can we leave Darth Vader Land?" and we quickly hustled out to Jolly Holiday for our fav lunch. I guess Tomorrowland will now be known in our house as Darth Vader Land.

At Jolly Holiday we bought Mandie's lunch (Thanks Malcon10t for the tip that the guide's enjoy when you buy their meals and waters) of a Jolly Salad and my Mom and Gina got their staple Caprese Sandwich, while Aunty Sharon and I split the Veggie Salad and Tuna Salad on Brioche. JH is our favorite lunch spot because they offer healthy quick food. There is a Grilled cheese and soup options but you can ask for the grilled cheese separately which is what we do for the kids.

Grace and Jack Jack needed naps started losing their minds, so we sent the (also tired) Grammy's to walk them back to GC to nap.

Miss Natalia refused to go, so Gina and I were stuck with what to do with a 6yr old when we want to go on the "Big Kid Rides" and shopping? PGD Mandie was wonderful and already besties with Natalia so she offered to stay with her while we rode the new Thunder Mountain (great!)

We walked over to DCA and walked into a side gate where there was no line to enter. Perk! We immediately walked over to RSR (took the funniest picture!) then we all went on Mater and Luigi - SIDE NOTE: Guide's do NOT have Fast Pass access to Luigi's Flying Tires. Mandie didn't know why but on her list it says INACCESSIBLE: Luigi. Weird. But Natalia wanted to go so bad and we had already rode RSR twice without her so we waited in line 20minutes.





We went to the Cozy Cone for churros and I got a Pomegranate Lemonade that usually comes with vodka. I asked for no vodka and it was the same price!!! I would think it would have been cheaper. So I basically had a $7.75 lemonade. Ugh. Lightning McQueen was at the Cozy Cone so we got in line to see him and Mandie said "We don't have Meet and Greet privileges but I do know the cast member there so just wait here" and she went over and chatted with the guy then motioned for us to walk up. She later said that normally she wouldn't have done that but the line was REALLY REALLY long and we only had about 2 hours without the little ones.

This is only important because I knew the kids wanted to meet Anna & Elsa and I asked her if when we were about done if they could go back and try to meet them and she agreed.

Natalia had picked TSM as her Choice Ride so we started walking over there and stopped at Wine Country to get 2 glasses of Chardonnnay because it was 1pm by this time which is WINE TIME in my book Mandie said they aren't allowed to drink and can't even hold your alcohol drinks while you're on a ride (she had held Gina's Diet Coke when we went on Thunder Mountain) as it's grounds for immediate termination. Wow Disney!

We walked into the left side of TSM and immediately onto the ride. "This is cool!" said Natalia. So here is where having a VIP host is fun. It's 1pm with the sun blazing on you and you get to walk into rides with no wait. Definately worth the $ at that point.

The Grammy's texted that the little ones were awake so they walked into DCA and met us at Ariel. That was Jack Jack's pick for some reason. So we all went on and loved the new blacklighting in the Under The Sea part, but they really need to re-do the ending. It's like they ran out of time when making the ride and just made one last scene that doesn't make sense.

Anyway, Grace and Jack Jack wanted to do TSM so we all went back over there. Mandie sat with me and boy do I regret that! She got 429,000 points and said she wasn't even trying hard! The kids loved it so we went back on instantly and I rode with Grace this time but I convinced Mandie to tell me about a secret spot to get ton of points which I found and got 245,000. And she told us the CM's from that ride don't ever give out the secrets to getting a lot of points. They keep it to themselves! There is one place to get one million but again, the CM's won't tell other CM's where it is!

 

[petals]

joining in.

 

[crystal1313]

So fun!! I just went on the BTMR last week and LOVED it!!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[luulu1999]

awesome report!! Can't wait to hear more!!

 

[whoever]

Beautiful view from your room!!! I'm after that exact view. Can you share the room number (s). Any night time shots?

 

[rentayenta]

Thank you! Going back to read.

 

[smiles33]

This is so wonderful to read! Thank you for sharing!