Undercover Operation - Code DVC-DGC

[TnRobin]

The Mission Team:
Mike - code name Dad. Leader of the group
Robin - code name Mom. Navigator and mission plan staff.
Matthew - code name Matt. - General surveyor of fun.

Mission to scout out the new option available to DVC members - Disney's Grand Califonian Hotel in Anaheim.

Cost of the mission - 112 points for 4 weekday nights.

Departure time - 1400 hours today - leave for Anaheim and an off-site hotel. Expected time of mission 700 hours Sunday morning. Mission Reports to follow.

Anything specific for the Recon mission? (Translation: You guys want me to check out anything in particular?)

See you guys in 9 days.

Disney Vacation Club Board Co-Moderator
DVC and Cruise Chat Hostess
Cruise Board List Mistress

<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[jennybobenny]

Have a great trip Robin, can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.

<font face="Class Garmnd BT"><font color="ff69b4"><big>Jennybºoº benny</big></font>
<font color="9400d3">~~DVC Member~~
Onsite: Poly '76, Contemp '98, BWV '99, CBR '00, BWV '00, CBR '01
Offsite: '74 '80 '82 '88
Next trip: BWV~June '01, ASM/BWV~Nov '01</font>
<a href="http://people.ne.mediaone.net/jsmith12/jillian&kylecharacterpage.html">Jillian & Kyle's Disney Character Website</a></font>

 

[dianeschlicht]

I will be interested in your impression. Friends have said the new park is too much like run of the mill amusement parks, and less like Disney.

Disneydiane

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Going to San Diego in September to see eldest male child "graduate" from Marine boot camp. Give us the lowdown and dirty. We've never been to Disneyland/DCA, so the scoop is most welcome!!(Just noticed you're from Middle Tennessee. We lived four wonderful years in Murfreesboro. Love that part of the state!)

 

[bres@westernMA]

Am very interested in your opinions of your trip and in particular how it stacks up against Orlando and DVC home accommodations.
Have a great trip and enjoy.

 

[sueg]

We are going to GC on pts. in Aug. I want to know about the dining in the hotel; laundry facilities(no washing machine in rm. BOO-HOO) and whether we should only allow one day for Calif. Adventure and 2 days for DL. Have a great time!

 

[TheLionKing]

Have a great trip.

Find out about upgrading to Concierge level? I am staying there on points in September for the Disneyana Convention.

****************************
Past
DL multiple times
WDW '92, '96, '98, 2000

Future
Disneyana Conv 2001 at GC
DIS Convention 2001 at Y&B
OKW and BWV New Years 2002

 

[dmadman43]

Been there, done that. Not with points, however. Booked a room a concierge level end of Feb. Checking in was a hassle. They did not have our requested reservation, despite having phoned them the day OF checkin (we got a bunk bed for kids, wanted a double and a sleeping bag). It was 6:00 pm and the room they finally found for us "wasn't clean yet". "What time is check out?", I asked. "11:00 am". "Er...um...okay....any other rooms?" "No, we are all full". "Uh..okay...why isn't the room clean?" "We clean them as they are needed". "Er...you are full...so it's a given that *all* the rooms will be needed". Blank stare from CM. <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

Then come to find out there is a separate check in for concierge guests. Not sure how we were supposed to know that. Once in room, no sleeping bag for DS. Call concierge. "Sorry, none left" "Er...wrong answer". 30 min later..."We found one, it's being washed. Will be here soon". Go to park, come back, everything is fine, and an "apology" gift of snacks, chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, etc. Nice touch.

Concierge level is not too kid friendly. No afternoon kid friendly snacks (like PB&J sandwiches, cookies, etc). Mainly wine and cheese in the afternoons. I think they are trying to cater more to the adults.

Rooms are nice, but not memorable. We had a view facing CA.

Separate entrance to CA, and you can get in 30 min for the unwashed masses. (8:30). A straight shot to the river ride. and a short hop to Soarin' over Calif. Take advantage of that.

All in all, a nice hotel, but not too kid friendly. Still had kinks to work out when we were there (1:00 am fire alarm. <IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif" alt="red face"> )

 

[Luv2Dream]

My husband just went two weeks ago while on a business trip (lucky him!) and he said that he liked the park but there wasn't much to it. He said you can do it in less than a day if it isn't busy, which it wasn't when he was there on a Saturday, March 10. He said longest wait for a ride was 45 minutes but that was probably only one ride out of them all. Some of them he just walked right on. They were calling to people to try to get them on the ride! Gosh, I hope this park does o.k. because if it isn't crowded on a Saturday, you've probably got a problem!

 

[ceejay13]

We were there in January for a preview and used points and absolutely loved it. Had a room overlooking DD, in fact we were directly over The World of Disney. I do agree it is more adult and we didn't have any kids. Our check in was very smooth and we thought the service was outstanding. We are going back in May for business and staying 4 nights so we'll see how it compares. We do recommend the Storyteller Cafe for breakfast. They have a buffet or you can order off the menu and they have a few characters every morning. The food was great and the decor was outstanding. The hotel is beautiful. The rooms are very basic in size but have turndown service at night. The location is terrific, has its own entrance to DCA and DD and it is just a very short walk to DL. The monorail doesn't stop but goes through the hotel. It is actually a good thing as it keeps the masses of people out of the hotel. We enjoyed DCA but you can definitely see it in one day. It is certainly different from any of the other parks with the exception of a couple of repeat rides. I think it has been controversial because it is not full of thrill rides and for me it is much like Epcot, better restaurants and shops but not as much action. I am anxious to go back as we really enjoyed ourselves. Hope you have a good trip!