Our VIP day with a "Plaid"

[MommyJKM]

Yes! We're arriving the evening of the 20th and we'll be there through the evening of the 26th. The countdown is ON! Almost time for ADRs.

OMG I just realized you're going in less than a month! Are you staying at GCH? My friend just texted me her room numbers that overlook Paradise Pier if you want to request them

 

[707MickeyGirl]

Yes please on the room numbers! Our spring trip is the big splurge where we're doing the VIP tour. This trip next month is just my granddaughter and I, and we're staying offsite. In the spring, my son and his wife and my granddaughter, and my daughter will be joining me. That's when we're going all-out. I will have plenty of time to request special room numbers.

 

[MommyJKM]

Yes please on the room numbers! Our spring trip is the big splurge where we're doing the VIP tour. This trip next month is just my granddaughter and I, and we're staying offsite. In the spring, my son and his wife and my granddaughter, and my daughter will be joining me. That's when we're going all-out. I will have plenty of time to request special room numbers.

Sounds fun!!

My friend texted me her room is 4242 and looks right at Goofy Sky School. Her mom is in 4353 and looks at Soarin' . When you call to request them just ask the concierge to confirm - they have some sort of hotel room map.


Enjoy!!

 

[707MickeyGirl]

Thank you so much! I've added them to my list of stuff for the spring trip.

 

[yupikgal]

Your trip sounded absolutely amazing, thank you for sharing!! We are leaving our home in less than two weeks now, but won't be to DL until the 18th. We are staying at the DL hotel for the first time, and for the entire 5 nights, which we are really excited about!! Someday I want to stay at the GCH, and as much as I would love to have that view, I'd be just as happy in any of their rooms! We have had fabulous views at the Paradise Pier Hotel, my favorite was on the 15th floor corner room! The view of the park was amazing!

Check out my PTR if you have time? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=52537870#post52537870

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

 

[yupikgal]

haha, I just realized you already did check it out, you posted a comment about Photopass, thanks!!

 

[Princess Yellow]

Thank You MommyJKM for the great TR. We are going on the VIP tour Christmas week--also thru the generosity of a C33 member--and was looking for the experiences of others to see what we had to look forward to. Is there anything you would do differently for the holidays?

Thanks!

 

[MommyJKM]

Thank You MommyJKM for the great TR. We are going on the VIP tour Christmas week--also thru the generosity of a C33 member--and was looking for the experiences of others to see what we had to look forward to. Is there anything you would do differently for the holidays?

Thanks!

So excited for you. We're doing it again for Candlelight. If you are doing that weekend (Dec 6th) be prepared it's a HUGE weekend for C33 Members and will be really really busy.

Definately ask for the VIP seating at the parades. We love the DLR Christmas parade and you don't have to be with your host to watch it so choose the latest one. You sit by IASW and in an area next to the Make-A-Wish kids so it's extra special at the holidays to see those kids faces light up!

Ask to go into 1901 to see the original Snow White (with an alarm) and Walt's shadow. It's a slower season for 1901 unless it's CP (Candlelight Processional) and they will probably let you go in and have a drink. Take a pic in Walt and Lillian's chairs and have a sphere ice cube!

The Lily Belle should be running so make sure to include that. We love watching Fireworks from the VIP area, taking the Lily Belle to NOS and watching Fantasmic. It's just an amazing experience.

Which reminds me- make sure you book Fantasmic and Fireworks back to back so you can do that. You don't have to wait for either and walk into your area 5 minutes before the show starts.

World of Color is GREAT at the holidays but it's hard to get from DLR to DCA. Ask your host if you can do both - they will actually let you in the park after hours to see it.

Haunted Mansion Holiday is great and Jingle Cruise so utilize your "Human Fast Pass" for those.

DLR is much more "Holiday" to me in the evening so I would do all of your DCA stuff as early as possible then have your parade/fireworks/Fantasmic set for later after your guide leaves.

Make sure you ask your host if they will make a dinner res for c33. It's not part of the tour but your member can ask and make sure you allow 3 hours of time there.

Ask also if they will allow you to tour the Dream Suite and watch Fantasmic from there. Rare now, but possible.

Hope that helps!
Enjoy!!

 

[DisneyLuver2013]

Actually, the whole "Disney serves guests Emu legs instead of Turkey legs" rumor is false. A quick Google search finds that it was all just a rumor.

I wasn't actually sure how big Emu's were, but just from looking at the pictures on Google, there is no way that the turkey legs are actually made from Emu.

 

[MommyJKM]

Thank you so much! I've added them to my list of stuff for the spring trip.

Did you decide on your Spring Dates for DL and the VIP tour yet? Just thought of you

 

[707MickeyGirl]

The spring trip is still on! Yay! But... it's been extensively renovated from its original version. Instead of GCH, we'll be at the DLH for 8 nights. We've never stayed there so I'm super excited, and my DGD6 is beyond thrilled to get to sleep under light up castle headboards every night. We aren't going to take the VIP tour though. When we were there before Christmas, my DGD6 and I went on the Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour, which I LOVED, but she was not happy. She didn't like having to walk around in a group! I think I've spoiled her... but that's fine, it's my job as her grandma.

Anyway, we're going from 3/27 - 4/4. Of course I would stay longer, but my ex-DIL wants her daughter back before Easter. Darn. I'm thinking of planning another long trip this summer.

 

[thatgrljme]

Where did you get headphones for the kids? That is an awesome idea, however all the headphones I have for my son have a cord on them lol

 

[MommyJKM]

The spring trip is still on! Yay! But... it's been extensively renovated from its original version. Instead of GCH, we'll be at the DLH for 8 nights. We've never stayed there so I'm super excited, and my DGD6 is beyond thrilled to get to sleep under light up castle headboards every night. We aren't going to take the VIP tour though. When we were there before Christmas, my DGD6 and I went on the Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour, which I LOVED, but she was not happy. She didn't like having to walk around in a group! I think I've spoiled her... but that's fine, it's my job as her grandma.

Anyway, we're going from 3/27 - 4/4. Of course I would stay longer, but my ex-DIL wants her daughter back before Easter. Darn. I'm thinking of planning another long trip this summer.

8Nights? Amazing!!

 

[707MickeyGirl]

8Nights? Amazing!!

I was lucky in May of last year and my ex-DIL let me take my DGD6 out of school for our trip. It's so nice to be able to go when school is in session because it's just not as crowded. But she won't let me do that anymore - well, she can miss 1 school day, maximum - so now we can only go during the absolutely busiest times... spring break, summer, winter break... so a longer stay is a must so we can do everything we want to.

 

[MommyJKM]

Where did you get headphones for the kids? That is an awesome idea, however all the headphones I have for my son have a cord on them lol

My husband works for an international poker company so we have a ton of pairs that they give out to players..but my cousin got a Hello Kitty pair at Kohl's and ordered the other one from Amazon for under $15.

Here's a link to the pair I think she got:
http://www.amazon.com/Towallmark-Po...=sr_1_21?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1422301316&sr=1-21

They also sell cordless at Best Buy. That's a good way to let your son try them on as well.
It's really worth it to invest in a pair as we use them at concerts and ball games and at Disney everytime.

 

[Disneytinkfan]

Awesome report! Thank you this is what I was looking for to understand the VIP tour. We are going this July 4th and I think I will try really hard to save for it - this sounds wonderful and we have 3 adults and 2 kiddos going - we are excited and staying at the Disneyland Hotel. Again thank you for an awesome trip report about the VIP tour.

 

[kylie71]

Hi, I just finished your Amazing report! I really enjoyed it!

My sister and I will be staying at the GC for the very first time, Sept 7-11. We will have the Premier Park View room. I am wondering what your room number's we're for the that Amazing view? We got it on sale for the Diamond Celebration, we are so Excited! Does the room have 2 Queen beds?

Also, I read that you said that hotel guests can use, the pool at the DLH and Vice Versa, is this still possible?
Lastly, how late can a Late Check out be? Our flight doesn't leave until 10pm, when do we request late check out, when we check in?

Thank You so much for any info.

--Lori

 

[kylie71]

By the way, here are some views from the Park View Rooms we usually request that overlook Paradise Pier and are a stone's throw from Goofy's Sky School. I forgot to mention we chose not to get these this time because it was Grad Night at PP and we didn't want to risk hearing that noise ALL NIGHT (even though the patio doors are pretty sound proof). But we normally request THESE Park View Rooms (Mom, Grace and I in December) :









Grace loves to fall asleep to the Mickey Mouse (Death) Wheel, it stays lit for about 2 hours after the park closes





And it's lovely to wake up to this view (baby girl not included ) :





And you have access to the 6th floor World of Color viewing patio which looks like this:

Hi, I am wondering what room number these rooms we're? Thank You! great report!

--Lori

 

[MommyJKM]

Hi, I just finished your Amazing report! I really enjoyed it!
My sister and I will be staying at the GC for the very first time, Sept 7-11. We will have the Premier Park View room. I am wondering what your room number's we're for the that Amazing view? We got it on sale for the Diamond Celebration, we are so Excited! Does the room have 2 Queen beds?

Also, I read that you said that hotel guests can use, the pool at the DLH and Vice Versa, is this still possible?
Lastly, how late can a Late Check out be? Our flight doesn't leave until 10pm, when do we request late check out, when we check in?

Thank You so much for any info.

--Lori

They were adjoining rooms 4341 and 4343. 4341 Has the bunk beds and a King bed, 4343 had 2 Queen beds.

You can only OFFICIALLY use the other pool if you book a cabana - we usually book a half day cabana at DLH then nap in the room then go to GCH pool. To be honest, I've asked nicely and they've let me move between the two pools with no issue, but the moderates on this site frown upon not following "The Rules" so I can't advocate that

GCH doesn't offer late check-out unless you're VIP, i believe noon is the latest they allowed us (instead of 11am) except for the time we stayed at the Arcadia suite (and at DLH at the Adventureland Suite) when we left as late as we wanted.

But you can leave your baggage with the GCH Bell Desk. If we have a late flight, I pack a separate dufflle bag that we use at the pool (they'll let you still use the pool) and there are showers to use after - and leave the rest of our luggage with Bell Services until our car/shuttle comes.

Do you have a car? If not, I'd save Downtown Disney for your last day and spend your time there.

 

[BritBrit]

Thanks so much for the detailed information! We are currently booked for a VIP tour on 12/5 and considering adding a second day on 12/6. It will be four adults, my toddler daughter and infant nephew. I decided to book it because it looks like it will be very crowded that weekend and we only have three days in the park. I also wanted those prime viewing spots without the wait! What is your advice for balancing taking full advantage of your tour but respecting your toddler's needs for rest? We are currently booked 8 am - 3 pm on Saturday. Is this enough to see both parks or should we focus on DL on Saturday and book a second tour for DCA on Sunday? Also, we currently have a character breakfast scheduled during the Saturday tour time at Minnie & Friends. Considering the all-access to the characters as part of the tour, should we interrupt our tour to do this breakfast? I guess I'm just looking for some advice from a seasoned veteran. Thanks!