Rekindling the Love for my 1st Disney Park & VGC pictures.

[franandaj]

That was so beautiful.

Our first stay was in a one bedroom (6502). We will be back soon and I hope that we will be as lucky again. Your trip report and pictures make me want to go back home NOW. But alas, we will have to wait and I will just have to re-read your thread again and again until it is time.

I, too, love the light fixtures. In fact, I bought a lamp for my home that reminds me of the style of GH a few years ago and everytime I look at it I remember GH and DLR.

Thank you for your TR!

Alison, I love the Craftsman and Mission style furnishings. I've got a couple of pieces here in my den that would look great in the villas.

The whole themeing of this resort is wonderful, the furniture, the fixtures, everywhere you look are unique lights, and when you look closely, you realize they have some sort of nature or animal in there. Really cool!

Awesome trip report!! I can live vicariously through this report until it is time for my trip!

Oooooh, when is your trip?

 

[franandaj]

I almost forgot to include these pictures from Saturday evening because they were on my DSLR camera and not the little point and shoot that I carry around with me. After we ate snacks at the F&W Festival for dinner, we headed over to DL to listen to the Saturday night Big Band and watch the fireworks. The fireworks are themed after each of the lands at Disneyland, they had some cool lasers for Star Tours, and some other neat effects that you just can’t capture with a camera, but here are a few shots:

So back to Sunday morning, the Grand Californian has an Entrance to DTD which lets you out almost right in the middle, turn left and you go to the Disneyland Hotel, turn right and you head towards World of Disney and the theme parks.

It’s really nice that for “the Florida Project” there was tons of land, so things at WDW are really spread out. What a lot of WDW vets don’t realize that one of the beautiful things about DLR is that even though it is right in the middle of a city and other hotels, is that everything is RIGHT there. If you stay on property, no busses are required. The monorail is mostly a ride, but can also be quick transportation from Tomorrowland to DTD for lunch and back. You can get a FP for Space Mountain, go over to DCA ride a couple rides and come back in time for your FP (not the best use of your time, but it IS possible to easily park hop). This map shows just how close everything is:

Downtown Disney

Next up inside DL Park!

 

[La2kw]

As much as I enjoy WDW, I've always felt the original park is the best. The Grand Californian is a great hotel, and we also have fond memories of the Disneyland Hotel. Thanks for all the great pics.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I am enjoying your trip report very much. We had our first visit to DL this past January, and it was less than stellar only because of the heavy rain and the fact that I got sick, so we are looking forward to our trip in May with our stay at VGC. I think VGC is the prettiest of all the DVC resorts. It is like the Wilderness Lodge with class and style. We stayed in a studio our first trip and they are the perfect size for two and have everything you could possibly need, except for a clothes washer and dryer. We loved the furnishings and the fabrics, and yes, I too, noticed all the lovely light fixtures in the room and throughout the resort. We will have a lot more time on this visit to explore the resort and see more of the beauty that you have shared with us.

Thanks for all you have shared so far, I am definitely looking forward to more.

 

[lisaviolet]

added a F&W Festival, and the Festival became our Therapist
!

Alison - thank you so much for alerting me to this bundle of fun!

 

[lisaviolet]

We sat around for about an hour with the door open listening to the theme park sounds.

LOVE THIS!

I watched California Screamin’ and tried to follow the cars through their entire ride,

I SO would have done that!

 

[lisaviolet]

!

Sighing. So lovely.

I would ADORE this view.

Right outside your room. Sighing again. I could just imagine. It felt like the peace I used to get from just staring at my Christmast tree lights late at night - childhood.

Or memories from our midway here (Huge summer fair).

Loving the report - and of course love its title.

 

[franandaj]

As much as I enjoy WDW, I've always felt the original park is the best. The Grand Californian is a great hotel, and we also have fond memories of the Disneyland Hotel. Thanks for all the great pics.

I've always loved this park, but I guess since I go so often, I started to take it for granted. I now am appreciating everything, from the plants to the lights to everything else.

I am enjoying your trip report very much. We had our first visit to DL this past January, and it was less than stellar only because of the heavy rain and the fact that I got sick, so we are looking forward to our trip in May with our stay at VGC. I think VGC is the prettiest of all the DVC resorts. It is like the Wilderness Lodge with class and style. We stayed in a studio our first trip and they are the perfect size for two and have everything you could possibly need, except for a clothes washer and dryer. We loved the furnishings and the fabrics, and yes, I too, noticed all the lovely light fixtures in the room and throughout the resort. We will have a lot more time on this visit to explore the resort and see more of the beauty that you have shared with us.

Thanks for all you have shared so far, I am definitely looking forward to more.

I'm so sorry that you were here during that time! I was actually in WDW, we left like the second day. My parents went with us on their first trip to WDW and with all the storms in CA they barely made it to So Cal. Their flight was supposed to arrive at 2PM, but they didn't get in until 10PM and our flight to Orlando left at 10AM the next day!

We watched the weather channel every day to hear about the houses sliding off the mountains while we were at WDW, where the weather sucked, but not as bad as at home. At least we missed the serious cold in WDW!

Loving the report - and of course love its title.

So glad you're here!

It was you and Stopher1 that got me hooked on fixtures, he highlighted all the THV fixtures and your latest TR got me all excited about light fixtures. When we checked into the VGC I noticed that everywhere were interesting and different fixtures! I especially liked the one in the lobby with the dragonflies on the glass shade!

However the title is going to change soon becuase I want to suck up all I can on the unexpected trip I got to take to Club 33.

BTW, I loved your title that got me in about how you're cuter than DVC Mike!

 

[ACDSNY]

However the title is going to change soon becuase I want to suck up all I can on the unexpected trip I got to take to Club 33.

Oh, I can't wait for the Club 33 report! Lucky you we want all the details!

 

[sierranevada]

Oooooh, when is your trip?

We go 6/20 - 6/24

 

[Crystal_27]

WOW - thanks so much for the photo tour of VGC. My one and only trip to Disneyland was when I was 8 and my memories have very much faded other than to just recall being generally amazed and awed. We hope to take DD when she is a bit older, and it appears that we will be in for such a treat.

 

[nunzia]

I'm so glad Remember Fireworks are still there and will be when we're there with some family who are pretty much newbies. I wasn't super impressed with the new fireworks show (with Dumbo...can't recall the name), so am glad I get one more chance to see Remember...and original Star Tours, and Aladdin and Captain EO
I haven't seen one of my favorite fixtures posted and I think my picture of it is on some disc somewhere...it's in the Hearthstone Lounge and if you look up while drinking your $10.00 concoction there are pretty black light fixtures with Mickey heads...beware the concoction, which gave me a huge headache....

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I'm so glad Remember Fireworks are still there and will be when we're there with some family who are pretty much newbies. I wasn't super impressed with the new fireworks show (with Dumbo...can't recall the name), so am glad I get one more chance to see Remember...and original Star Tours, and Aladdin and Captain EO
I haven't seen one of my favorite fixtures posted and I think my picture of it is on some disc somewhere...it's in the Hearthstone Lounge and if you look up while drinking your $10.00 concoction there are pretty black light fixtures with Mickey heads...beware the concoction, which gave me a huge headache....

I think "Magical" (the fireworks with the flying Dumbo) start again Memorial Day weekend. Not sure when RDCT returns again after that...maybe after the summer? RDCT is the best fireworks show Disney has ever done, IMO.

 

[nunzia]

I think "Magical" (the fireworks with the flying Dumbo) start again Memorial Day weekend. Not sure when RDCT returns again after that...maybe after the summer? RDCT is the best fireworks show Disney has ever done, IMO.

Agreed....I'll be there in a couple weeks..YEA! I saw Magical last Sept..and eeehh...seemed kind of schmaltzy. Nothing can beat Remember.

 

[stopher1]

I think VGC is the prettiest of all the DVC resorts. It is like the Wilderness Lodge with class and style.

I agree you - IMO it really is the nicest looking of them all. The theme execution is superb! But then I grew up in So. Cal with that craftsman style, so I truly enjoy it. VGC and VWL were designed by the same architect, so it is very hard not to see the similarities in scope and flair. Both are nice themes, but I personally prefer VGC, whereas my DW personally prefers VWL - but both of us agree that those are the top 2 DVC resorts for theme.

I've always loved this park, but I guess since I go so often, I started to take it for granted. I now am appreciating everything, from the plants to the lights to everything else.

It is quite nice when you go back with a different mindset, and more of an eye for the small details - and DL is so full of rich details!

So glad you're here!

It was you and Stopher1 that got me hooked on fixtures, he highlighted all the THV fixtures and your latest TR got me all excited about light fixtures. When we checked into the VGC I noticed that everywhere were interesting and different fixtures! I especially liked the one in the lobby with the dragonflies on the glass shade!

Ahh, thanks. How fun. I love taking in the details. At times it drives my DW nuts, pointing out this, that or something else... but in the end, she loves that I notice so much. I'm a guy who can just sit on a bench and people watch and not really care if we're missing this attraction or that show. At the same time, I'm perfectly happy going to see the same show 2 or 3 times in a row to "catch more details". AND like the parks, especially DL, VGC is fully of wonderful small details. Your pics are a great refection of that - and I'm enjoying seeing them all...wishing I could be there today, right now, instead of my office. Oh well. Keep 'em coming!

 

[thelionqueen]

I think "Magical" (the fireworks with the flying Dumbo) start again Memorial Day weekend. Not sure when RDCT returns again after that...maybe after the summer? RDCT is the best fireworks show Disney has ever done, IMO.

Without a doubt!!!!!!

 

[franandaj]

So it was a beautiful day in Southern California, which is normally the case, but actually for the past week, we’d had rain, clouds and just not generally good weather. I was so pleased that for the days I was at this Magical Place the weather was cooperating.!

Everyone has to get a pictures of the Train Station!

City Hall

And one of my most favorite locations in the Park is Walt’s apartment above the Fire Station. Can you see the light burning in the window?

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

The tip of the Matterhorn on the way to Tommorowland

Since I’m not a very good early riser, the park was fairly packed when I arrived so I either had to take my pictures at high angles or have them filled with random people I didn’t know, so most of the angles are pretty high!

It had been a looooooong time since I rode the Space Mountain in DL. Last January I went on the one in MK since it had been recently refurbished and I HATED it! It tossed you around, there weren’t enough stars, it made me question whether or not I really liked this one, so one of my goals was to get on Space Mountain in my trips. When I got to the ride, the wait times were blank and people were walking away from the ride, shaking their heads.

NO!!!!!!! It can’t be down!

This is specifically why I was here this morning!

Then all of a sudden the board lit up, 20 minutes stand by, Fast Passes for 11:20 to 12:20. I hurried to the FP machine and got one, the time had already shifted 5 minutes later. Oh well, then I got in the queue which was almost a walk on. We had a short wait where they merge the FP and regular queue, and then more walking down the tunnels.

When we reached this room, again there was a wait, but it moved fast.

Bonus! I got the first car! I shot this picture and put my camera away.

After the ride I had some time to kill before my FP was up, and since I hadn’t been on the train in forever, I hopped on for a ride around the park.

I just love the Grand Canyon / Primeval World but since you can’t take flash photography all my pictures looked more like modern art!

New Orleans Station

The Rivers of America are drained for rehab and they are redoing Fantasmic! Boy does this look odd. I guess I didn’t get the shot with the porta potties in them…

It’s a Small World and our return to Tomorrowland Station

After I exited the train station I headed back towards Space Mountain for my FP.

I wasn’t so lucky to get the first car, but it was still a great ride! By this time I was getting hungry, it was almost noon and I decided to see if DP was up for checking out a few more items at the F&W Festival for lunch, so I made my way back to the room.

 

[es45]

Thanks for sharing; what a beautiful resort!

 

[lisaviolet]

I'm a guy who can just sit on a bench and people watch and not really care if we're missing this attraction or that show. At the same time, I'm perfectly happy going to see the same show 2 or 3 times in a row to "catch more details".

Then all of a sudden the board lit up
.

HELLO!!!!

What a lovely moment that must have been.

 

[stopher1]

Bonus! I got the first car!

After the ride I had some time to kill before my FP was up, and since I hadn’t been on the train in forever, I hopped on for a ride around the park.

I just love riding on the train - and taking the grand circle tour is awesome!
There's just something extra special about it at DL.

New Orleans Station

Now though, after seeing this, I've got two things running through my mind... the telegraph version of Walt's Opening Day speech, and "Two Brothers" from the American Adventure at Epcot, since this is the station landing they used in that little film sequence when the one gets sent home in a box



Another nice update. Great pictures! I SO wish I could be there myself right about now. Sigh.