Hi all,
Still jet lagged and tired but it is worth it. After an 8 day/7 night trip, I expected it.
GCH Woods Courtyard room Wed. 8/8 through Wed 8/16, 8 days/7 nights.
Some observations on the hotel:
I arrived at GCH on Wed. 8/9 at 11:30AM PST after a early morning 7AM EST flight.
First off, the minute I arrived, I steped out of my car service sedan, I was escorted by a friendly cast member to check-in. There was no line. I was greeted very professionally. Very friendly cast member. Check-in was a breeze. My room was ready. I had a 3rd floor Woods Courtyard room equidistant to the main lobby elevator bank and the Napa Rose elevator bank.
A cast member walked me to the mainy lobby elevator bank.
My room was easy to find.
The room was beautiful. 2 queen sized beds and a day bed. I loved how woodsy with a touch of Disney Chip and Dale added. I loved the pictures on the walls depicting DCA.
View: Nice view of trees and a rooftop.
The room was immaculate. Loved the TV with my name listed. I took a quick shower and changed and prepared to head over to
Disneyland.
Very quiet room!!
I loved Acorn Gifts....perfect for soda and water. Got my DL calendars for next year. Had to buy a fanny pack there since upon arrival my old fanny pack broke. Only $30 and it was nice.
Storytellers Cafe: Loved the dinner buffet on 8/9. After a long morning flight and some time at DL, I headed there. The food was awesome! My server was very attentive and friendly. Also went to breakfast buffet on tuesday 8/15 after early entry, the food was great. Had an omlette made to order. Loved all the muffins, fruit and cheese. Very impressive breakfast buffet.
Pool: Awesome pool. Loved it!!
Napa Rose: Did not go but always busy when I went past.
Craftsman Grill: Picked up grab to go breakfast a few times awesome! Also picked up a few snacks!! Great!
Room Service: Ordered room service breakfast twice. The food was great. Hot and on time!!! Ordered for 5 to 5:30AM. it was there 515AM both times.
Housekeeping: The housekeeping staff are awesome. I left a $15 to $20 tip a day. My room was so clean. I also asked for extra pens and got them. The second housekeeping service later in the day with turndown was awesome too. I ran into housekeeping staff twice because I dropped off stuff, went to pool, changed, or went back to room to rest, I tipped them then.
Bell Service: The cast members were friendly when I called to have my bags stored upon early check out. I called at 7:30AM and the cast member was there at 735AM. When I was ready to leave to be picked up to go to LAX, the cast member went to get my bags and within 5 minutes, another cast member brought my bags to me. Very friendly and efficient.
Checkout: Got an email to checkout and pressed on the link and checkouted and told them I was checked at between 8 and 830AM.
I loved the main lobby, the piano, the fireplace and the chairs and the lounges. The hotel felt like I was in the California forest. The decor was very subtle. Loved it.
CA Adventure Gate: Got there for my 1 early entry to DCA at 6;15AM. I was number 1 in line. Loved the gated. Used it almost all the time when coming back to my room. Even when I was leaving Disneyland I would go through DCA and use te gate....shorter and less people than going through DD.
Early Entry DCA: Security was a breeze...was to the front of the line after ticket scanned. Did Guardians, Webslingers and Soarin in first 30 minutes.
DL/DD gate/Disneyland Early Entry: For my 5 early entry days, I got there by 6:15AM...one day I was first in line. Once I was second. I was always near the front of the line. Sometimes. 4 people ahead or six. My advice is get there by 615AM to 6:20AM. The majority start to arrive at 630AM. Getting through security was a breeze. Walking through DD to DIsneyland was easy. I always started at Gate 7 or 8 or Gate Number 12. I was always like at the front of the line so the Disneyland gate cast member scanned my ticket before letting us in. The gate opened at 720AM sometimes 725AM. I walked down Main STreet...veared right and walked toward Plaza Inn, past it then there were cast members with signs DL Hotel Early entry. You had to scan your hotel room key ticket. I was always at the rope or second row to get into early entry.
Early entry at DL is so worth it. One morning I was Number 1 for Peter Pan. I outran a nice lady carryinng her toddler daughter!! We laughed. I told her I was sorry. I got there before her..we laughed when she arrived...she had a 35 pound weight her daughter on her!! I wished them a great day and ride on PP. She did the same to me. I always went to PP first. Within the first 30 minutes, I always did PP, Alice, Tea Cups, Dumbo, Snow White and Toad. Then At 8AM, I finished Fantasyland in its entirety with 40 minutes..riding, Casey, Storybook, Matterhorn (Genie + for 8 to 9AM), Small World, Carousel, Castle walkthrough and Pinocchio.
One early entry morning Matterhorn was open so I did that before 8AM. So be on the lookout sometimes, Matterhorn is open before 8.
I always made a Genie + selection when I got into DL or DCA at early entry.
Overall, I loved GCH. Early Entry is so worth it!!!
PS There was a fire alarm at 4:50 AM on Sunday August 13. I went outside and through the main lobby to main entrance pullup area. It lasted 10 minutes then we went back in, I get up at 5AM so it was my alarm. While waiting for DL early entry at the DL/DD gate at GCH, a cast member told me there was some slight smoke near a 6th floor vent that triggered an alarm sensor..but they could not find the source but they tripped the alarm for the entire hotel.
More trip observations on attractions, parades, food, WOC Dessert party and more coming soon.....
