Just returned this morning from a 5 night stay at GCV. This was my second visit to Disneyland; however, the first we stayed at a house off-site and this was a much different experience. We visit WDW several times a year and are DVC member and annual pass holders. I am an expert at WDW but I not at Disneyland lol.
GCV- Amazing. The hotel is just beautiful. Reminds me of Wilderness Lodge. Now this is the difference, the staff was so friendly. They always said hi and wanted to have a conversation. I had a birthday button on and it was like they looked for it and went out of their way to say Happy Birthday. We we went to order food from anywhere, they were not rushing you and making suggestions and trying to be helpful. They came up to us at the pool and gave us cupcakes and asked us if we needed anything at all. The have complementary water all over the hotel and pool area so that is very nice. At check-in Linda was amazing and hooked us up with a theme park view. We could watch the parade from our room. Our 2 bedroom villa was incredible. It had 3 full bathrooms. The hotel in right in the middle of everything. It is so easy to walk from park to park. I would never stay anywhere else now. I am so spoiled.
Downtown Disney - Obviously not as big as WDW but it was awesome. We ate at Earl of a Sandwich, Splitsville, Tortilla Jo's, Jazz Kitchen (the Beignets were out of this world), and Sprinkles (several times). All were very good.
Maxpass - I recommend it on a day that you will be spending the whole day in parks. We did it on our first day and were able to ride everything we wanted in the first day. After that we just would go in and do a few things here and there.
Disneyland - Loved it. I feel like I like it more in Cali. I feel like it is more quaint and not as perfect as WDW. But I mean that in a good way. I felt like it had more magic and again cast members so friendly. Many rides were pretty much the same as Magic Kingdom. Some a little different. Small world is so much better at Disneyland. It was so cute. The fireworks are out of this world. Don't miss them. Probably my favorite yet.
Grand Californian - Guardians of the Galaxy was so much fun. I never saw the movie but loved it. RSR was the best ride ever. Toy story was the same. The frozen show was very good but I did like Aladdin better. The nighttime parade was very very good.
I love WDW but Disneyland is so convenient and not having to take buses everywhere is so nice. We did a 5 day park hopper and it was great. We did other things too and would then just hit the park before or after. We went to Laguna and Huntington on check out day and also did the aerial tram in palm Springs. Had an amazing vacation. Weather was not great the first 3 days was 63 and cloudy but after the last day it was 90 so I think I prefer the 60's even if I had to wear my coat. I cannot wait to go back.
Please feel free to ask any questions. I asked many before I left and everyone was so helpful.
GCV- Amazing. The hotel is just beautiful. Reminds me of Wilderness Lodge. Now this is the difference, the staff was so friendly. They always said hi and wanted to have a conversation. I had a birthday button on and it was like they looked for it and went out of their way to say Happy Birthday. We we went to order food from anywhere, they were not rushing you and making suggestions and trying to be helpful. They came up to us at the pool and gave us cupcakes and asked us if we needed anything at all. The have complementary water all over the hotel and pool area so that is very nice. At check-in Linda was amazing and hooked us up with a theme park view. We could watch the parade from our room. Our 2 bedroom villa was incredible. It had 3 full bathrooms. The hotel in right in the middle of everything. It is so easy to walk from park to park. I would never stay anywhere else now. I am so spoiled.
Downtown Disney - Obviously not as big as WDW but it was awesome. We ate at Earl of a Sandwich, Splitsville, Tortilla Jo's, Jazz Kitchen (the Beignets were out of this world), and Sprinkles (several times). All were very good.
Maxpass - I recommend it on a day that you will be spending the whole day in parks. We did it on our first day and were able to ride everything we wanted in the first day. After that we just would go in and do a few things here and there.
Disneyland - Loved it. I feel like I like it more in Cali. I feel like it is more quaint and not as perfect as WDW. But I mean that in a good way. I felt like it had more magic and again cast members so friendly. Many rides were pretty much the same as Magic Kingdom. Some a little different. Small world is so much better at Disneyland. It was so cute. The fireworks are out of this world. Don't miss them. Probably my favorite yet.
Grand Californian - Guardians of the Galaxy was so much fun. I never saw the movie but loved it. RSR was the best ride ever. Toy story was the same. The frozen show was very good but I did like Aladdin better. The nighttime parade was very very good.
I love WDW but Disneyland is so convenient and not having to take buses everywhere is so nice. We did a 5 day park hopper and it was great. We did other things too and would then just hit the park before or after. We went to Laguna and Huntington on check out day and also did the aerial tram in palm Springs. Had an amazing vacation. Weather was not great the first 3 days was 63 and cloudy but after the last day it was 90 so I think I prefer the 60's even if I had to wear my coat. I cannot wait to go back.
Please feel free to ask any questions. I asked many before I left and everyone was so helpful.
I'm looking forward to our visit. 
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