The Official VILLAS at DISNEYLAND HOTEL (Discovery Tower) Owners and Fans Info Thread

[RickNJane]

We use the pool shortcut now all the time. But at midnight when you are dead tired and its closed uggghhhhh that walk is. so. long.

That is way way past my bedtime these days

 

[AstroBlasters]

That is way way past my bedtime these days

We are morning (not rope drop) and park closing people. Anything more than a 5-10 ish minute wait for a fantasy land ride not named Peter Pan is a no go for us (exception to 15m or less at my wife’s beloved Alice).

 

[Flossbolna]

A more direct route (that we're not supposed to take), is to exit main lobby go to the right pass coffee shop and Goofy's Kitchen, keep walking straight to the tower. There's a pool gate that's usually closed and you have to walk through the Palm Breeze bar if you go this way. There's one more gate that's usually closed at the VDH tower.

We were told by multiple CMs during our stay last week to rake exactly this route and both gates were always open during pool hours.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Called my Guide and put down a deposit. I hope I like it!! (Yes, sight unseen!)

 

[cruisehopeful]

Called my Guide and put down a deposit. I hope I like it!! (Yes, sight unseen!)

Welcome home! You'll love it. If you ever stay on a Saturday, I recommend the Disneyland hotel tour. It goes over the history of the hotel and is truly one of the best tours I have ever experienced at Disney.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Called my Guide and put down a deposit. I hope I like it!! (Yes, sight unseen!)

Yay!! Congrats!!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Called my Guide and put down a deposit. I hope I like it!! (Yes, sight unseen!)

That was quick! Welcome Home!

 

[KPeterso]

Called my Guide and put down a deposit. I hope I like it!! (Yes, sight unseen!)

Welcome Home! A lot of us bought before it was open so sight unseen. I know I did because I had always wanted to own at the Disneyland Hotel even though I already have VGC. The ToT only gave me the most minor pause and I bought the second day it was for sale!

 

[ClaraOswald]

When you walk through the main lobby to get to all the other towers, VDH is on your right. You need to walk to the left and walk on the path between the Adventure Tower and the backside of Trader Sam's, walk around Trader Sam's and pass the frontier Tower and then you can enter VDH.

Alternative route if it's not busy with people is to exit out of the main hotel lobby, go right by the coffee shop and then go over the bridge to Trader Sam's, pass the Frontier Tower and enter VDH. That's difficult with luggage during mealtimes and busy pool time.

A more direct route (that we're not supposed to take), is to exit main lobby go to the right pass coffee shop and Goofy's Kitchen, keep walking straight to the tower. There's a pool gate that's usually closed and you have to walk through the Palm Breeze bar if you go this way. There's one more gate that's usually closed at the VDH tower. I have exited that way when checking out if the gates are open. We're not supposed to do that, but it's a direct route vs the way we're supposed to go.

I found this online....so the red route they don't want people to take?? When I was looking on Google maps, I assumed that was the way we were supposed to go.

I really need to get there and walk around in person to get my bearings. Though, one visit won't do that for me. I didn't even get the hang out how to get in and out of the Grand Californian until after our second 6-night stay.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I found this online....so the red route they don't want people to take?? When I was looking on Google maps, I assumed that was the way we were supposed to go.

I really need to get there and walk around in person to get my bearings. Though, one visit won't do that for me. I didn't even get the hang out how to get in and out of the Grand Californian until after our second 6-night stay.

View attachment 1007842

Correct. When I have a suitcase I usually end up walking a route you do not have on there… behind Traders Sam’s and in front of Adventure Tower….. which is the same way you would walk when going to/from the park…

 

[atthebeachclub]

To be fair, I did stay at the Disneyland Hotel for maybe two nights, in 1990. Fond memories!

 

[Flossbolna]

I found this online....so the red route they don't want people to take?? When I was looking on Google maps, I assumed that was the way we were supposed to go.

I really need to get there and walk around in person to get my bearings. Though, one visit won't do that for me. I didn't even get the hang out how to get in and out of the Grand Californian until after our second 6-night stay.

View attachment 1007842

The CMs told us last week to take that red route on multiple occasions when asking for directions.

 

[cruisehopeful]

The CMs told us last week to take that red route on multiple occasions when asking for directions.

Glad to hear that. I'm sure there's been a lot of griping about not being able to take it. The sign a couple weeks ago still showed an arrow going the longer way (right at the bridge). I'll be there in Dec and I'll keep track of what time the gates are open/closed when I pass by.

 

[RickNJane]

Welcome Home! A lot of us bought before it was open so sight unseen. I know I did because I had always wanted to own at the Disneyland Hotel even though I already have VGC. The ToT only gave me the most minor pause and I bought the second day it was for sale!

We also bought the first week it was offered. It was almost a year before our first trip. We love it. Nice and quiet. We recently added on at VGC. Planning on a split stay in Feb. which seems forever!!!

 

[MartyParty]

Glad to hear that. I'm sure there's been a lot of griping about not being able to take it. The sign a couple weeks ago still showed an arrow going the longer way (right at the bridge). I'll be there in Dec and I'll keep track of what time the gates are open/closed when I pass by.

I usually act like I own the place and take any route I like. Oh wait? I guess I do own it! Or at least close to the next 50 years’ish! ; )

 

[Wedgeout]

All the path stuff is no different than going to the Frontier Tower. If the pool gates are open or accessible, it’s a bonus route.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Correct. When I have a suitcase I usually end up walking a route you do not have on there… behind Traders Joes and in front of Adventure Tower….. which is the same way you would walk when going to/from the park…

Oh man, I wish they had a Trader Joe’s.

FYI, not sure if it’s been discussed here but we did the Trick or Treating that was offered to all DL hotel guests yesterday afternoon at 3pm and had a fun time. The quality of candy was actually better than what they were giving out at MNSSHP and OBB last year (but with only ~12 stops across the 3 hotels, you don’t get as much).

I’m not sure I’d recommend leaving the parks for it if you don’t visit often, but if you weren’t going to the parks anyway or you have kids who think the best part of the Halloween parties is free candy, I give it 2 thumbs up.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Oh man, I wish they had a Trader Joe’s.

FYI, not sure if it’s been discussed here but we did the Trick or Treating that was offered to all DL hotel guests yesterday afternoon at 3pm and had a fun time. The quality of candy was actually better than what they were giving out at MNSSHP and OBB last year (but with only ~12 stops across the 3 hotels, you don’t get as much).

I’m not sure I’d recommend leaving the parks for it if you don’t visit often, but if you weren’t going to the parks anyway or you have kids who think the best part of the Halloween parties is free candy, I give it 2 thumbs up.

First of all… Trader Joe’s instead of Trader Sam’s Thank you for the good catch!

Secondly, what is this magical trick or treat trail you reference? I need to do some research!

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/recreation/hotel-activities/

 

[ClaraOswald]

Okay...so is this the route (in blue) that people take to get to and from the parks? That's the only way to get through security into DTD, right?

 

[cruisehopeful]

Okay...so is this the route (in blue) that people take to get to and from the parks? That's the only way to get through security into DTD, right?

View attachment 1008228

That looks like the old entrance by the Mickey hat. You actually walk past the Frontier Tower, past the rose garden and out a gate that's in the rose garden/wedding gazebo. The downtown Disney security is just outside of the gate (behind Din Ti Fung).

That gate also takes you to the self parking lot for the Grand Californian. I often come back that way if I was doing something at the Grand on my way out of DCA. You have to cross the street by the Pixar Hotel if you do that.