BensWife
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2010
- Messages
- 503
Hi everyone. Here is a little info about our recent trip. We were there from Sept 23 to 28
Hotel: We stayed at 2 hotels. We rented GCH villa and then decided to add a day to our trip, and since you really can't add a day to a villa, we decided to do our first night at the Hojo (wanted to try it out). We didn't plan on going to the parks on our travel day, so it was just one night. We stayed in the family suite. Room was very nice - our 7 and 4 year old LOVED the bunk beds at first, but then said they weren't that comfortable. I did like the 2 bathrooms and the kids loved the splash park. However, our suite was right by the elevator. TERRIBLE!!! We wanted to go to sleep early to get a fresh start in the morning (move hotels and had a resi for Goofy's Kitchen at 7:30am), but being by the elevator meant we heard every loud family coming back very late. Kids slept through it, but DH and I hardly slept at all. Would be stay there again, probably no. Walls too thin for us and the walk was too far (in my opinion). If they had a shuttle like CCI, then maybe. I know a lot of people don't think it is that far. I do. Anyway, the next morning we then moved to the Grand Californian. We rented DVC points for a studio. LOVED IT!!! The space was fine for the 4 of us, kids said the pull out sofa was more comfortable than the bunk beds at Hojo, and the kitchenette was perfect for breakfasts in the room and a few lunches/dinners to save a little money. Had a Von's order and it was great. The only thing I can say bad was that we checked out of HOJO at 6am and then our room wasn't ready until after 4pm. We really wished it would have been ready around 2PM (kids and I were ready for a break back at the room - but no room ready). We tried to relax in the lobby at GCH, but would have liked to lay down and kick off the shoes. DVC rooms are ready later than the others - so just beware. Renting DVC - would totally do it again! An affordable way to stay at the GCH. Next time, would love to rent a 1 bedroom!!
Crowds: Even though ride waits weren't too long, it still seemed crowded. Some days were more crowded than others. We opted to NOT do the Halloween party and DANG that made DCA crazy busy! I was a little disappointed that it was so busy mid Sept. DH and I had been to DLR in July and found the crowds to be very similar. I would hate to see crowds during super busy times!
DLR: Had a great time. Our 2 boys loved Jedi Training. We watched the show twice and they were picked twice. I think it helped they were wearing Star Wars shirts and were sitting in the front. We were there when Nemo Subs reopened, but the line was 60+ min, but we didn't want to wait that long and skipped it. We had only 1 ride break down - Indy (well, and the monorail). We pretty much got to ride all the rides we wanted and most of our favorites a few times. I think our kids preferred DL over DCA. Didn't quite get to do everything we wanted - missed the fireworks and Fantasmic since it was only Saturday night and our boys were dead tired from 4 days of fun. Oh well, that leaves some things to add to the list for next time.
DCA: Kids really liked Cars Land, but our 4 year old didn't like RSR. He rode it once, but said it went too fast. That was a shame since it is my favorite ride and we only rode it once, but it was still fun! There seems to be a lot more walking at DCA, which was a little hard on my 4 year old. We didn't get a stroller and really he did fine, but he had a slower pace and needed to rest more. Also, there aren't too many rides here for a little one with ride fear. I think there were more rides at DL he enjoyed over DCA. Loved World of Color and our 7 year old loved Cali Screamin.
Things we learned: The early entrance by staying on property is really worth it to us. If you aren't on property, then try to go as early as you can. It is a lot cooler and less crowded. Oh, we rented a Cabana at the GCH for a half a day. It was really fun, but don't think we would do it again. We love to hang by the pool, but 4 hours is a little long. They day we had our cabana it was windy and the temp dropped in the afternoon that day so it was kinda cold. Don't know if we would do it again. Food was ok. I have food allergies and very limited on where we could go - so we ate in our room a lot. Tortilla Jo's food was just ok (not much flavor in the fajitas DH and I shared) but the kids LOVED the balloon animals there. Blue Bayou was great. Chef came out to talk to me about allergies and they sent us a beautiful dessert for DH's and my anniversary - for free! Best snack - churros all the way!! I think our next trip will be to WDW, but I will always love DL! It is my "Happy Place". Any questions I would be happy to answer!
Hotel: We stayed at 2 hotels. We rented GCH villa and then decided to add a day to our trip, and since you really can't add a day to a villa, we decided to do our first night at the Hojo (wanted to try it out). We didn't plan on going to the parks on our travel day, so it was just one night. We stayed in the family suite. Room was very nice - our 7 and 4 year old LOVED the bunk beds at first, but then said they weren't that comfortable. I did like the 2 bathrooms and the kids loved the splash park. However, our suite was right by the elevator. TERRIBLE!!! We wanted to go to sleep early to get a fresh start in the morning (move hotels and had a resi for Goofy's Kitchen at 7:30am), but being by the elevator meant we heard every loud family coming back very late. Kids slept through it, but DH and I hardly slept at all. Would be stay there again, probably no. Walls too thin for us and the walk was too far (in my opinion). If they had a shuttle like CCI, then maybe. I know a lot of people don't think it is that far. I do. Anyway, the next morning we then moved to the Grand Californian. We rented DVC points for a studio. LOVED IT!!! The space was fine for the 4 of us, kids said the pull out sofa was more comfortable than the bunk beds at Hojo, and the kitchenette was perfect for breakfasts in the room and a few lunches/dinners to save a little money. Had a Von's order and it was great. The only thing I can say bad was that we checked out of HOJO at 6am and then our room wasn't ready until after 4pm. We really wished it would have been ready around 2PM (kids and I were ready for a break back at the room - but no room ready). We tried to relax in the lobby at GCH, but would have liked to lay down and kick off the shoes. DVC rooms are ready later than the others - so just beware. Renting DVC - would totally do it again! An affordable way to stay at the GCH. Next time, would love to rent a 1 bedroom!!
Crowds: Even though ride waits weren't too long, it still seemed crowded. Some days were more crowded than others. We opted to NOT do the Halloween party and DANG that made DCA crazy busy! I was a little disappointed that it was so busy mid Sept. DH and I had been to DLR in July and found the crowds to be very similar. I would hate to see crowds during super busy times!
DLR: Had a great time. Our 2 boys loved Jedi Training. We watched the show twice and they were picked twice. I think it helped they were wearing Star Wars shirts and were sitting in the front. We were there when Nemo Subs reopened, but the line was 60+ min, but we didn't want to wait that long and skipped it. We had only 1 ride break down - Indy (well, and the monorail). We pretty much got to ride all the rides we wanted and most of our favorites a few times. I think our kids preferred DL over DCA. Didn't quite get to do everything we wanted - missed the fireworks and Fantasmic since it was only Saturday night and our boys were dead tired from 4 days of fun. Oh well, that leaves some things to add to the list for next time.
DCA: Kids really liked Cars Land, but our 4 year old didn't like RSR. He rode it once, but said it went too fast. That was a shame since it is my favorite ride and we only rode it once, but it was still fun! There seems to be a lot more walking at DCA, which was a little hard on my 4 year old. We didn't get a stroller and really he did fine, but he had a slower pace and needed to rest more. Also, there aren't too many rides here for a little one with ride fear. I think there were more rides at DL he enjoyed over DCA. Loved World of Color and our 7 year old loved Cali Screamin.
Things we learned: The early entrance by staying on property is really worth it to us. If you aren't on property, then try to go as early as you can. It is a lot cooler and less crowded. Oh, we rented a Cabana at the GCH for a half a day. It was really fun, but don't think we would do it again. We love to hang by the pool, but 4 hours is a little long. They day we had our cabana it was windy and the temp dropped in the afternoon that day so it was kinda cold. Don't know if we would do it again. Food was ok. I have food allergies and very limited on where we could go - so we ate in our room a lot. Tortilla Jo's food was just ok (not much flavor in the fajitas DH and I shared) but the kids LOVED the balloon animals there. Blue Bayou was great. Chef came out to talk to me about allergies and they sent us a beautiful dessert for DH's and my anniversary - for free! Best snack - churros all the way!! I think our next trip will be to WDW, but I will always love DL! It is my "Happy Place". Any questions I would be happy to answer!
