VGC - Pool Hopping/Park Passes/Must Dos?

[lat]

We are going to Grand Californian next August for about a week. We have not been to Disneyland for probably 5-6 years and obviously have never stayed at VGC.

Do you know if we can pool hop to other Disneyland resorts while staying there?

Any discounts on the park passes?

Any must do for restaurants or rides?

Thanks so much in advance!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

No pool hopping at DL.

Make sure you do all the attractions that are similar at WDW. Because they are so much better at DL.

 

[lat]

Thanks. I remember the rides are better such as Pirates of the Carribean and Its a Small World.

I remember there was this restaurant in the park that had this sandwich Monte Cristo or something like that. Not sure if it is still there. Need to do more research on that.

 

[the donut]

Napa Rose is a must as the most excellent restaurant at the resort, and it's right where you're staying. Some people like to do the chef's counter, which is sitting right in front of the open kitchen and allows chatting with the chefs. There is a 5:30 and 8:30 seating, and you're free to order anything off the menu. You can choose seats based on what you'd like to see - 1-4 are the appetizer station, 5-8 for the entrees, and 9-12 for the desserts. (Doesn't really work for parties>4).

Be sure and request the park view for your villa. It's an amazing view.

 

[dvc_john]

The only ticket discount is a small discount on an annual pass.
Check for tickets online before you go. You can usually get a free day or two on a multi-day ticket.
Be sure to get a Portable Perks booklet. They have discounts (usually 10%) on just about every restaurant, both table service and counter service, in both parks, the hotels, and DtD.
For the Monte Cristo, I think that's in the restaurant located in Pirates of the Caribbean ride. (Name of the restaurant escapes me at the moment).
Must do's: World of Color, Fantasmic (it's better than the one at WDW), fireworks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Blue Bayou.

 

[taaren]

ECafe orleans also has the Monte Cristo, and its cheaper than Blue Bayou, but BB is a dining experience. We usually alternate between them on our trips.
No pool hopping but VGC has the nicest pool IMHO anyways. No discounted tickets, usually cheapest is online prices and sometimes they do 5 days for the price of 3 though usually not in summer/peak times. WOC is a must see, ask for a room with a park view and you can watch it from your balcony with the music on the tv. As a GC guest you can also get fastpasses for WOC ahead of everybody else. Not sure if they have Toy Story Mania at WDW, but that is a lot of fun too. Enjoy!

 

[stopher1]

Definitely make sure you see World of Color at California Adventure!

You'll love the resort entrance into DCA as well - you'll be steps away from Soaring (Over California), the Grizzly River Run, and just a short walk to Toy Story Midway Mania, and the new Little Mermaid ride that will open in May.

At Disneyland (also just a very short walk away), Fantasmic! is much better than the WDW version, though you won't have the same kind of seating. At DL it's performed on the Rivers of America in Frontierland/New Orleans Square and you'll be sitting on the ground. The seating was an improvement made at WDW - but the show quality and caliber is much higher at DL.

Things you won't find at WDW include: in Disneyland...the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, the Grand Canyon diorama (as part of the DL Railroad between the Tomorrowland station and the Main Street, USA station), Indiana Jones Temple of the Forbidden Eye, the ORIGINAL Enchanted Tiki Room (no "Under New Management" version like at WDW), Pinocchio's Daring Journey, Storybook Canal boats, Sailing Ship Columbia.

in California Adventure... Monsters Inc ride, A Bugs Land (with several kid-sized attractions), California Screamin', Silly Symphony Swings, Golden Zephyr, Goofy's Sky School (opening some time in the spring).

There are lots of similar rides/attractions - but as Deb & Bill said, many are better (and longer) at DL than at WDW.