dawnid
11-12-2007, 05:11 PM
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel – standard room
November 9 –11
Me/mom 45, DD 21, DS 19 (10th only)
Apologies before hand for it being wordy.
Friday
I haven’t had much luck when it comes to views and requested bedding when I pay the extra for an upgraded room so this time I booked a city view thru expedia at $340 at night. Not a deal but less than a view room and I requested a Las Brisas Courtyard view.
I left work early (3ish) and picked up my dd for the long (15 minutes) trip to the resort. I had packed the night before so she jumped in and we were off. Check in was painless and were given room 4317 with 2 queens and a view of the Courtyard. There were no problems with the room, it was clean and everything worked like it was supposed to. We semi-unpacked, got dressed for dinner and were off to 21 Oceanfront in Newport/Balboa for dinner. I’ve been craving abalone, which is just about impossible to find, and they have it. We had a wonderful dinner and were back to the hotel by 7:30. My DD wanted to find a friend who works at guest service in the hotel so she did a scavenger hunt looking for a sightings of said friend while I finished unpacking and I tried to order the Sweet Endings (more on this later) cookies for later but so sad they only had one. I explained that I was really looking forward to the chocolate cookies so I asked to order them for the following night with whole milk, no problem. Checked in with DS who was going to met us the next night for dinner and sleepover.
I went downstairs to find DD and her friend, friend had to return and we had a movie to catch so off we went. We meandered thru DTD to the AMC theatre and saw Martian Child. I absolutely loved this movie, I was bawling at the end and left with a smile, great flick. Back to the room to hurry up and get some rest before EE tomorrow.
Saturday
Up by 5:30, shower, makeup, wake up DD, out the door by 6:40 and down the elevator for a Nesquick and Fruit Loops at Whitewater. Bag check was a breeze and in the Main Gate by 7:10. We went to Peter Pan first, Mr. Toad’s, Snow White, Pinocchio, Materhorn, Small World, and Haunted Mansion; we had to go around the castle since they were filming the WDW Christmas special in front. DD introduced me to several friends that she used to work with, some knew she had quit others didn’t so everyone was updated. My BFF was meeting us after EE, she isn’t the die hard I am, and we got her call around 8:30 so we told her we would meet her at the Watch Store. DD was still hungry so she waited in line at The Carnation Café for a table while I dropped off two Artist watches for batteries. BFF and I had the Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls and DD had the Mickey waffle, excellent food and service. We made our way to BTMRR, noted the missing goat. Needed a Dole Whip (it wasn’t hunger, I just needed it) so DD and BFF accompanied me to the Tiki Room where as soon as I had the Dole Whip in hand the doors opened. BFF hadn’t seen the Island so we rode the raft over there, the Pirate Lady rode over with us and admired my BFF’s necklace and asked to try it on, admired DD purse – asked to hold it, admired a young girls crown – asked to wear it; cute skit all the way across the river. We watched the band and show and really enjoyed it. Saw the caves and toured the island. I had a PS for Café Orleans at 12:30 so we looked in the shops until then. The food was great, BFF had French Onion Soup, I had Chicken Caesar Salad, DD had the Crap Salad Sandwich and we shared the Pommes Frittes before and Mickey Beignets after. Service was great until the food came then I think our server went on break because we never saw him again and it took forever for the beignets to arrive. It was still a good experience and the weather was great sitting outside and watching the peoples. We got out about 2pm from Café Orleans and braved the crowds for the all day parade to go down Main St we picked up my watches, shopped at the Emporium. In the gates at DCA and it was much more crowded than normal, I think people were trying to get away from the taping mess at DL. We picked up a Birthday button for BFF’s DD who was meeting us for dinner. Went into Greetings, Off the Page, and irritated my DD with shopping. We did the single rider line for Soaring, got right on and were able to all sit together. We went back to our room to wait for my DS, DS’ GF, & BFF’s DD to arrive because we had a reservation for Club 33.
At 4pm we walked around DTD, had a drink at Catal, and met the rest of our party around 6pm at the Tram drop-off and went towards NOS. I wanted to ride Indi but it was down, so we went on Pirates and Haunted Mansion, had our pictures taken in the courtyard. Checked in at 10 to 8 but they were running seriously late so we walked some more, checked in again at 8 (we were told the sittings before ours were done and paid but lingering), we were admitted to the lobby around 8:15 but didn’t get seated at a table until close to 9pm. The time passed somewhat speedily when the kids found out the host had attended their HS for a month and they had mutual friends so they played “Do you know….?” For the 45 minutes we were in the lobby. We were seated at table #1 which is really in the door way, I was so tired I didn’t think to ask to be seated at an open table farther into the dining room but after we had received our drinks and I was again cognizant of my surroundings, I asked our server if on a future visit when was a good time to ask for a table more “in” the room. She was so sweet and understanding. She said if I didn’t mind waiting for them to set the table that was just leaving we could move farther into the room and it wouldn’t be a problem. It sounds like such a picky thing but once we moved out of the doorway it was like getting our second wind. It was the first time for BFF, BFF’s DD, and DS’s GF. The food was fantastic, service was great, and since we had been seated so late the kids were able to watch the late showing of Fantasmic from the balcony after dessert. As a side note the Ladies room no longer had the wicker chair and I was actually too tired to ask to purchase anything from the curio cabinet.
The kids were raring to go so we rode Indi that had reopened, checked out the line from Nemo, it was ˝ hour but no one wanted to wait, so we rode Space Mountain instead. We took pictures in front of the castle, DS left to take GF home, BFF & her DD left for home, then DD & I collapsed on the beds. The Sweet Endings had been delivered while we were at Club 33 but they weren’t the same cookies, they had changed from huge walnut brownie cookies with a peanut butter center to smaller oatmeal raisin cranberry cookies, I called room service thinking they sent the wrong ones and then I was told they changed for the holidays. Not a change for the better IMHO. By this time DS returned and we were asleep by 1:30ish.
At approximately 2:20 am the fire alarm goes off, again. This happens to me every time I stay at DGCH. So the next time you’re going to go im me to make sure I’m not going to be there and you should be good. No joke every time I go the smoke alarm is guaranteed to go off. Son didn’t even sit up, DD asked if we had to go, I checked the hallways, checked out the balcony, eyeballed the distance to the roof below and told my DD to go back to sleep. I paced the room between the peep hole and the window for a bit then I went back to bed also. I’m sure this is stupid and I’m not recommending anyone else do it but if you’ve been thru as many false alarms at the same location as I have you’d probably do the same thing.
Sunday
I got my son up at 8am, he was taking a day trip to Catalina with GF, then I went down to the Front Desk to ask about a late check out and pay the tab. I went thru my spiel about the fire alarms and asked them to pass on to management about the frequency of it happening to me. The CM’s were very nice but all I got was an apology and a decline on the late check out. I also asked if they could relay that if normal offerings change could they let people know when they’re ordering so that they aren’t disappointed when something different arrives.
So DD and I had a spa day planned starting at 1pm so we lounged around the room, I really love the beds here. We got the bags ready for bell services, laid around some more. Bell services came and left and we laid around some more. We finally left the room and had a PS for Storyteller’s at 11:30 so we checked in and sat by the pool until our table was ready. We had a wonderful lunch and checked in at Mandara for the day. The girls here are great and after being on my feet all day the day before it was wonderful. We were done by 6:30 and on the freeway around 7:30.
They need to work on the fire alarm issues and guests need to be patient during the remodel if you valet your car cause it takes forever but all in all a great short weekend indulgence.
November 9 –11
Me/mom 45, DD 21, DS 19 (10th only)
Apologies before hand for it being wordy.
Friday
I haven’t had much luck when it comes to views and requested bedding when I pay the extra for an upgraded room so this time I booked a city view thru expedia at $340 at night. Not a deal but less than a view room and I requested a Las Brisas Courtyard view.
I left work early (3ish) and picked up my dd for the long (15 minutes) trip to the resort. I had packed the night before so she jumped in and we were off. Check in was painless and were given room 4317 with 2 queens and a view of the Courtyard. There were no problems with the room, it was clean and everything worked like it was supposed to. We semi-unpacked, got dressed for dinner and were off to 21 Oceanfront in Newport/Balboa for dinner. I’ve been craving abalone, which is just about impossible to find, and they have it. We had a wonderful dinner and were back to the hotel by 7:30. My DD wanted to find a friend who works at guest service in the hotel so she did a scavenger hunt looking for a sightings of said friend while I finished unpacking and I tried to order the Sweet Endings (more on this later) cookies for later but so sad they only had one. I explained that I was really looking forward to the chocolate cookies so I asked to order them for the following night with whole milk, no problem. Checked in with DS who was going to met us the next night for dinner and sleepover.
I went downstairs to find DD and her friend, friend had to return and we had a movie to catch so off we went. We meandered thru DTD to the AMC theatre and saw Martian Child. I absolutely loved this movie, I was bawling at the end and left with a smile, great flick. Back to the room to hurry up and get some rest before EE tomorrow.
Saturday
Up by 5:30, shower, makeup, wake up DD, out the door by 6:40 and down the elevator for a Nesquick and Fruit Loops at Whitewater. Bag check was a breeze and in the Main Gate by 7:10. We went to Peter Pan first, Mr. Toad’s, Snow White, Pinocchio, Materhorn, Small World, and Haunted Mansion; we had to go around the castle since they were filming the WDW Christmas special in front. DD introduced me to several friends that she used to work with, some knew she had quit others didn’t so everyone was updated. My BFF was meeting us after EE, she isn’t the die hard I am, and we got her call around 8:30 so we told her we would meet her at the Watch Store. DD was still hungry so she waited in line at The Carnation Café for a table while I dropped off two Artist watches for batteries. BFF and I had the Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls and DD had the Mickey waffle, excellent food and service. We made our way to BTMRR, noted the missing goat. Needed a Dole Whip (it wasn’t hunger, I just needed it) so DD and BFF accompanied me to the Tiki Room where as soon as I had the Dole Whip in hand the doors opened. BFF hadn’t seen the Island so we rode the raft over there, the Pirate Lady rode over with us and admired my BFF’s necklace and asked to try it on, admired DD purse – asked to hold it, admired a young girls crown – asked to wear it; cute skit all the way across the river. We watched the band and show and really enjoyed it. Saw the caves and toured the island. I had a PS for Café Orleans at 12:30 so we looked in the shops until then. The food was great, BFF had French Onion Soup, I had Chicken Caesar Salad, DD had the Crap Salad Sandwich and we shared the Pommes Frittes before and Mickey Beignets after. Service was great until the food came then I think our server went on break because we never saw him again and it took forever for the beignets to arrive. It was still a good experience and the weather was great sitting outside and watching the peoples. We got out about 2pm from Café Orleans and braved the crowds for the all day parade to go down Main St we picked up my watches, shopped at the Emporium. In the gates at DCA and it was much more crowded than normal, I think people were trying to get away from the taping mess at DL. We picked up a Birthday button for BFF’s DD who was meeting us for dinner. Went into Greetings, Off the Page, and irritated my DD with shopping. We did the single rider line for Soaring, got right on and were able to all sit together. We went back to our room to wait for my DS, DS’ GF, & BFF’s DD to arrive because we had a reservation for Club 33.
At 4pm we walked around DTD, had a drink at Catal, and met the rest of our party around 6pm at the Tram drop-off and went towards NOS. I wanted to ride Indi but it was down, so we went on Pirates and Haunted Mansion, had our pictures taken in the courtyard. Checked in at 10 to 8 but they were running seriously late so we walked some more, checked in again at 8 (we were told the sittings before ours were done and paid but lingering), we were admitted to the lobby around 8:15 but didn’t get seated at a table until close to 9pm. The time passed somewhat speedily when the kids found out the host had attended their HS for a month and they had mutual friends so they played “Do you know….?” For the 45 minutes we were in the lobby. We were seated at table #1 which is really in the door way, I was so tired I didn’t think to ask to be seated at an open table farther into the dining room but after we had received our drinks and I was again cognizant of my surroundings, I asked our server if on a future visit when was a good time to ask for a table more “in” the room. She was so sweet and understanding. She said if I didn’t mind waiting for them to set the table that was just leaving we could move farther into the room and it wouldn’t be a problem. It sounds like such a picky thing but once we moved out of the doorway it was like getting our second wind. It was the first time for BFF, BFF’s DD, and DS’s GF. The food was fantastic, service was great, and since we had been seated so late the kids were able to watch the late showing of Fantasmic from the balcony after dessert. As a side note the Ladies room no longer had the wicker chair and I was actually too tired to ask to purchase anything from the curio cabinet.
The kids were raring to go so we rode Indi that had reopened, checked out the line from Nemo, it was ˝ hour but no one wanted to wait, so we rode Space Mountain instead. We took pictures in front of the castle, DS left to take GF home, BFF & her DD left for home, then DD & I collapsed on the beds. The Sweet Endings had been delivered while we were at Club 33 but they weren’t the same cookies, they had changed from huge walnut brownie cookies with a peanut butter center to smaller oatmeal raisin cranberry cookies, I called room service thinking they sent the wrong ones and then I was told they changed for the holidays. Not a change for the better IMHO. By this time DS returned and we were asleep by 1:30ish.
At approximately 2:20 am the fire alarm goes off, again. This happens to me every time I stay at DGCH. So the next time you’re going to go im me to make sure I’m not going to be there and you should be good. No joke every time I go the smoke alarm is guaranteed to go off. Son didn’t even sit up, DD asked if we had to go, I checked the hallways, checked out the balcony, eyeballed the distance to the roof below and told my DD to go back to sleep. I paced the room between the peep hole and the window for a bit then I went back to bed also. I’m sure this is stupid and I’m not recommending anyone else do it but if you’ve been thru as many false alarms at the same location as I have you’d probably do the same thing.
Sunday
I got my son up at 8am, he was taking a day trip to Catalina with GF, then I went down to the Front Desk to ask about a late check out and pay the tab. I went thru my spiel about the fire alarms and asked them to pass on to management about the frequency of it happening to me. The CM’s were very nice but all I got was an apology and a decline on the late check out. I also asked if they could relay that if normal offerings change could they let people know when they’re ordering so that they aren’t disappointed when something different arrives.
So DD and I had a spa day planned starting at 1pm so we lounged around the room, I really love the beds here. We got the bags ready for bell services, laid around some more. Bell services came and left and we laid around some more. We finally left the room and had a PS for Storyteller’s at 11:30 so we checked in and sat by the pool until our table was ready. We had a wonderful lunch and checked in at Mandara for the day. The girls here are great and after being on my feet all day the day before it was wonderful. We were done by 6:30 and on the freeway around 7:30.
They need to work on the fire alarm issues and guests need to be patient during the remodel if you valet your car cause it takes forever but all in all a great short weekend indulgence.