WDW Vets trip to the 'Land' 9/10 - 9/16

[tlev]

This was the wife and I's first trip to the 'Land' together after three trip to the 'World'. We go pretty much the same time each year. Won't go into every detail of the trip but I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Mon: Arrived at LAX around 8:30pm, car service was waiting checked into GCH. Nice room, beautiful hotel.

Tue: Disneyland Park used EE and got on everything we wanted, longest wait was about 20 min. Had dinner at Chef's Table at Napa Rose. WOW! what a great meal, but some serious $$$$$$$.

Wed: CA Park. Used EE and went right to RSR, it was down, but we waited anyway and got on with about a total of 30min. of waiting. Got on everything else we wanted without to much of a hassle. Went to Angel's game at night, taxi back and forth.

Thu: Rented car from Alamo at DTD. Super easy. Drove up to Pasdena to do some sight seeing. Dinner at Jazz Kitchen for the dueling pianos. Real fun.

Fri: Went into DL to ride Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion that had just reopened. Got on SM with the help of some nice people that needed 2 more people for the 6 person FP. HM was down. Took the 1:00pm tour of the GCH. If you are into Craftsman or Arts and Crafts style architecture at all, then I highly recommend this tour. Went to Trader Sam's for some fun cocktails then back into park where we lucked out again as the HM started up just as we got there and we got on with just a 10min. wait. Had late dinner at Tortilla Jo's.

Sat: Rented cabana at hotel pool for our last day. Quick bite at HOB then ito DL for fireworks.

Sum Up:

Likes: the ease of getting around. It was nice to be able to just walk everywhere in a couple of minutes instead of waiting for buses everywhere.
GCH was just incredible.
Weather, though VERY hot, was not as humid as Fl.

Dislikes: CROWDS! Wow was it packed on Fri. and Sat., especially at night, Most rides were at least 30min by soon after opening. Even Tue. and Wed. were pretty bad, Cars Land was a total zoo all day with RSR being at least 90min once the official opening of the park came. Don't know if this is normal for this time of year, can only compare it to WDW.
Halloween overlays for SM and HM, liked the regular versions better, especially HM.

 

[dadzgirl70]

Thanks for posting. Glad you had a great time!

Question for you, the dueling pianos...when is it? Can children go or is it just for adults? I'm so used to Las Vegas dueling pianos, so just curious about the kiddo's.

Thanks!

 

[tlev]

Dueling pianos is on Thurs. night at 9:00pm. There were a couple of children there but not many. I don't remember any material that would have been offensive. Both guys were great players and funny and the crowd wasn't too rowdy. Not sure I would take too young, as they won't know the songs or get any of the jokes anyway.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Thanks for the review, sounds like you both had a really great time. We will be going to DLR for the first time in June and plan on staying at VGC. We are all looking forward to our trip (lots of reading up on and planning to do still), but the one thing I am really looking forward to is the fact that we will be able to walk anywhere from our resort....no transportation issues .

 

[CajunMomof3]

Thanks for the review! Just one question: Did you make reservations or just walk up for your meals? As a WDW vet, this is the part that stresses me out...

 

[tlev]

We made reservations for our two meals, but only about two or three weeks early. Probably could have walked into anyplace in DTD with no more than a ten or fifteen minute wait. You have to call Napa Rose directly to reserve the Chef's table seatings, (one @ 5:30pm, and one @ 8:30pm.) There are 8 seats at the "bar", two sets of four. We had the 5:30 seating but there were only two couples, one couple at each of the four seats. There was only one couple for the 8:30 seating so they let us kind of run long. It was a Tuesday though, so it might be different on a weekend or Holiday.

 

[CajunMomof3]

Thanks! I'm glad that you had a great trip.

 

[gilesmt]

Hay I saw you on your tour, I needed a rest, my leg is still healing from the break a few weeks ago so I slipped into the gch on Friday or a little nap. I was sitting in a chair near the side door with the bar to my left when the tour man came around and was explaining the rocks and structures in the lobby. Well I cant really see, but I was the one with the guide dog sitting in the chair to your right listening I on your tour. Hope you had fun.