Tell me the best splurge at DLR you've ever experienced

[Judy from Boise]

Our biggest splurge was staying DLR concierge. It is the opposite end of splurging on park meals, since we then pretty much only ate club food.

 

[emum]

Same as pp - our splurge was a 2br suite w/concierge at the DLH. It was worth every penny, and so we will continue to treat ourselves to "splurges" when we can.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

OMG - how could I have forgotten to add Concierge - in an Artisan Suite - to that entire itinerary I laid out!!!!

I think I committed a heresey!!!

 

[bennyb98]

Do artists stay here all day, or are there particular times to go? I'd love to get one for our anniversary. Do we need an appointment?

I'm not 100% sure but I was just there last week and I ordered one. I think that there is at least one CM is there every day doing the sketches, they have two stations and I think during peak seasons they have both stations filled but during non-busy times their is only one CM out doing sketches.

You don't need an appointment, just walk up to them and they will answer any questions you may have. Prices are $35 for a sketch with one Disney character and $60 for one with two characters and the personalization is free with the sketches. They have a HUGE binder of all the ones they can draw and they are very talented. They will let you know if there is orders in front of you or not but you can come up later in the day to pick it up at Off The Page.

 

[DianneMcLean]

Room service!

We really enjoy talking to each other and the food is excellent, so we ordered room service, turned off the lights, opened the sliding door, and watched the people walk around in DTD. It was awesome. You would need to request a room overlooking DTD. Another romantic view is overlooking DCA. We stayed at the GCH of course.

The price was the same as any moderately priced restaurant, and we didn't have to wait for a table, or hurry through our meal.

 

[FourM's]

I second the Steakhouse 55 vote, a trip to the spa at GCH is a wonderful treat. DH and I had a couples massage there, it was great. Have a wonderful time.

 

[A-T-G]

My favorite romantic splurge for DH and I was staying at the GCH @ the Conceirge level with a theme park view. I loved it! We arrived very early in the morning and checked it. The room wasn't ready yet but, we had access to the lounge. We had a lovely breakfast there and headed out to the parks. DH doesn't do very well with large crowds so I always scheduled breaks for him.

I also had a cake made for us that matched our wedding cake. It was delivered to our room after dinner (at the Napa Rose - a tasting menu! Heaven!) with Sparkling cider (DH is not a champagne fan). It was a lovely cake. We sat and nibbled for awhile and then headed over to the Craftsman lounge to watch the fireworks and drink Hot Cocoa.

Then it was back to the parks. He really loved the quiet time together before a final mad rush to the parks.

Have a great trip!

 

[mystic_path]

My best splurge... I purchased a Disney paving stone for the Disney's magical walk of memories or whatever its called in the esplanade between both parks. The brick has our family name on it. Its installed right at the front entrance of Disneyland before the turnstiles.

 

[Disney Princess]

I'm not 100% sure but I was just there last week and I ordered one. I think that there is at least one CM is there every day doing the sketches, they have two stations and I think during peak seasons they have both stations filled but during non-busy times their is only one CM out doing sketches.

You don't need an appointment, just walk up to them and they will answer any questions you may have. Prices are $35 for a sketch with one Disney character and $60 for one with two characters and the personalization is free with the sketches. They have a HUGE binder of all the ones they can draw and they are very talented. They will let you know if there is orders in front of you or not but you can come up later in the day to pick it up at Off The Page.

Thanks for the info! We'll see what we can do next week.

 

[kikiq]

Here's my day....

• Stay and the GCH for the night before and after.
• Start off the day with a Segway tour of DCA (or the free power walk of DCA that only GCH guests get to do).
• Breakfast at Storyteller's after the walk or at Carnation Cafe in DL.
• Head to DL (if you aren't already there) and take a Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour.
• Late lunch at Trattoria in DCA or skip if you aren't hungry.
• Return to the GCH for a massage package at the Mandara Spa.
• Early Dinner at Napa Rose (don't get dessert!) (Chef's Counter same as a normal dinner - no different foods...)
• Fantasmic Dessert Package afterwards.
• Fireworks and some late night rides.
• Pick up a Hot Cocoa at the Hearthstone in the hotel (spiked or not), relax by the fire for a little bit and then upstairs to your room for a sweet goodnight!

hmmm, I'm wondering if my DH knew your list before my birthday splurge last year. We had GCH concierge, took the DCA powerwalk, had breakfast in the lounge, went on DH's version of Walt's Footsteps which was sharing with me all the little tidbits he's gathered from the Imagineers, had lunch at Trattoria, message at the spa, then I thought we were going to Storyteller's for dinner which is our family's traditional birthday place BUT he walked me over to Napa Rose...wonderful food and service! Then walked over to our favorite place to watch Fantasmic, then fireworks and one last turn on Buzz Lightyear. Ended with desserts from the lounge with the door open to DTD, listening to the music.

For our anniversary this year, I would like to stay at GCH DTD view,and dinner at Napa Rose or Steakhouse 55.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

How funny. Great minds think alike!

Actually, I think this is the first time I've ever posted anything like that!

 

[hurleysweety]

These ideas are SOO great! I'm so glad everyone shared their ideas and opinions. I love everyone's "dream" plans as well. I would love to do all these things, Spa, Napa Rose, Tours, Fantasmic Dessert, club level - and someday hope to do so!

Our splurge was Storytellers (for our one year anniversary) and a room at GCH. We got upgraded to the suite, (see my Mickey Ice Cream TR for the full story), and the night was magical!

Maybe next celebration (which would be next holiday, or birthdays which would be next year, or 2 year annv.) I'll do a cake. Those look so good and we are such foodies!!!! (Health freaks, but foodies nonetheless!)

 

[kkmcan]

Goofys Kitchen may not seem like a splurge to some people but it certainly is to us since we can't always afford to plunk down $100 for meal (for 4).

We dont like to spend large amounts of money on food but with Goofys you get a meal and entertainment and meet/greet with the characters. And we love the food and festive atmosphere.

Ugh, I"m missing it already!

 

[rachaface]

I'm not 100% sure but I was just there last week and I ordered one. I think that there is at least one CM is there every day doing the sketches, they have two stations and I think during peak seasons they have both stations filled but during non-busy times their is only one CM out doing sketches.

You don't need an appointment, just walk up to them and they will answer any questions you may have. Prices are $35 for a sketch with one Disney character and $60 for one with two characters and the personalization is free with the sketches. They have a HUGE binder of all the ones they can draw and they are very talented. They will let you know if there is orders in front of you or not but you can come up later in the day to pick it up at Off The Page.

so do they draw just a character, or is it your portrait with a character? do you think they'd do the latter if you paid for that?

 

[tjl1388]

Our sprlurge is our trip coming up at the end of July.

We are celebrating out 10th wedding anniv. with a trip to DL for 6 days.

We have meals planned at BB, Jazz Kitchen, Napa Rose and the kicker....I found a reservation for Club 33. My wife has always wanted to eat there. We are leaving the kids with Grandma in Fl and flying out.

I can't wait.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Biggest splurge to date was my pre-finals week graduation weekend trip.

-Stayed overnight at the Jolly Roger (I had always done only day trips up until that point).
-Finally went to DCA (single day trips are always spent at DL, can't imagine tackling all that I want to do in both parks in only 1 day) and saw the ELP for the first time since I was 10 and it left Disneyland.
-Had lunch on the first day at BB.
-Had breakfast on the second day at Storytellers (first character meal ever, loved the stuffed french toast and having the characters come to me).

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have (1) splurge each trip we make since there are 6 of us it sometimes gets spendy. We have done Fantasmic(riverside and gallery), Napa Rose chefs counter, BB waterside, Steakhouse 55, and this year we are going to shoot for staying at GHC for a week(bonus from current boss), Segway way tour for myself and son and massages at Mandera(sp) for my DGF and daughters. Trust me the bonus is paying for most of this.

Jack