Disneyland Jan 24-25

evansfmly5 · 01-26-2009

We started our trip Fri nite. I wasn't sure until the last minute we were going on Fri so I went on hotels.com on thurs nite. I was looking for the Holiday Inn Express on Walnut Dr. It's the only hotel I stay at in DL other than on property because they have the best rooms and are under $100. I didn't find my room on hotels.com but I did find it interesting that all three DL hotels were on there.

We left from the Modesto area and arrived around midnite. Got our room at the HIE and crashed. We got up around 8, got ready and headed for the Grand Californian.

I went this weekend for two reasons. My two older brothers were going and we wanted to buy an interest in the GCV's. They had arrived a day earlier and already had rooms in the GC.

We got there at 10 and it was pouring down raining. The check in area was full of cars and we couldn't get under cover. We waited five minutes or so and no cars moved. We didn't have much luggage so we decided to brave the rain and just got out. It was a good move because there wasn't anyone in the check in line. Not sure about all the cars but check in was a breeze. We haven't stayed there in a while so I'd almost forgotten how nice it was. Here are some pictures we took in the lobby:

evansfmly5 · 01-26-2009

We used DVC points and booked a standard room but got anything but. We got room 4421. It had a view of DTD. I really believe they treat DVC members better but I don't know. Maybe we just got lucky. Here are some pics of the room:

DiZ NeE O8 · 01-26-2009

nice pics!!! that is a really nice looking room!!!

evansfmly5 · 01-26-2009

As you can see it's not the best weather but that's ok. We all know such weather keeps the local people home and crowds lighter. We never actually got rained on in the parks so it was just fine.

We got hooked up with my oldest brother and headed for Toy Story Mania. It's my new favorite ride.

evansfmly5 · 01-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiZ NeE O8

nice pics!!! that is a really nice looking room!!!

We really like the DL Hotel because it's really nice and a lot less expensive but GC really is a step above for sure.

evansfmly5 · 01-26-2009

My brother and DD (8) went to ride CA screamin so me and my DW rode TS mania single rider and I got paired up with the guy who had all the high scores of the day so he gave me some tips to get a higher score. It was very cool.

After they got off the roller coaster we met back up and went over to check the line at Soarin over CA. There WAS no line...thank you rain!!! By the way the line at TS Mania was about 25 mins or so. Not too bad from compared to some of the TR's I've read from DW.

After that my bro and DD headed for Tower of Terror while I fed my enterally hungry DS (17) a hotdog in the Hollywood section of CA Adventure. We then headed back toward the room and snapped a pic with the Cars crew.

One thing really cool about GC is that it has its own entrance into CA Adventure.

evansfmly5 · 01-26-2009

We went back to the room, freshened up and headed for ESPN Zone where my other brother had an awards dinner for a race track he owns up north. We aren't really part of it but just tagged along. It was fun. After dinner the kids went upstairs and blew some of my hard earned money...lol

evansfmly5 · 01-26-2009

Shortly after the festivities at the ESPN Zone I find out that my nephew has come up from San Diego and want's to go to dinner. We decide to take them to Rainforest Cafe because by now the Sat nite crowd has gathered and we are Safari club members so we get preferred seating. My wife and I didn't eat but she had a Green Python and I had drink that I don't recall but the cup sure could light up the room! Here's one of the best pics we got from the terrace of the RC:

evansfmly5 · 01-26-2009

Well that's about it for the first day. We headed off to bed because we were going to early entry at the MK. I'll talk about it tomorrow as it's getting late.

To be continued...

lovemysons · 01-26-2009

Oh my, the pictures of your room were amazing, I really like the decor. :)

mickeyspal · 01-26-2009

It's so great to see DL pics. I hope to go some day. I don't know too much about it. Thanks for sharing.

Experiment6-2-6 · 01-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by evansfmly5

We started our trip Fri nite. I wasn't sure until the last minute we were going on Fri so I went on hotels.com on thurs nite. I was looking for the Holiday Inn Express on Walnut Dr. It's the only hotel I stay at in DL other than on property because they have the best rooms and are under $100. I didn't find my room on hotels.com but I did find it interesting that all three DL hotels were on there.

Thanks for that info. I'll try to remember that next time I'm stateside..

Quote:

Originally Posted by evansfmly5

We got there at 10 and it was pouring down raining.... We haven't stayed there in a while so I'd almost forgotten how nice it was. Here are some pictures we took in the lobby:

Thanks so much for these pictures. I've been going through serious withdrawal lately...

Experiment6-2-6 · 01-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by evansfmly5

We really like the DL Hotel because it's really nice and a lot less expensive but GC really is a step above for sure.

If I could afford it, I would stay at the GC each time I was at Disneyland. With Downtown Disney inplace and the removal of the original Disneyland Hotel, it really is the closest hotel to the parks. And, as you mentioned earlier, a private access to California Adventure. (Which, while you have to be staying at the hotel to go into CAR, they are nice enough to let ANYONE out FROM the park..

Andrea · 01-26-2009

I'm really enjoying this report.

**WishUponAStar** · 01-26-2009

I am at the Grand Californian right now! I love your report & pics! Can't wait to see the rest when I get home from Disneyland.

01-26-2009	#1 (permalink)
evansfmly5 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ripon, CA Posts: 341	Disneyland Jan 24-25 We started our trip Fri nite. I wasn't sure until the last minute we were going on Fri so I went on hotels.com on thurs nite. I was looking for the Holiday Inn Express on Walnut Dr. It's the only hotel I stay at in DL other than on property because they have the best rooms and are under $100. I didn't find my room on hotels.com but I did find it interesting that all three DL hotels were on there. We left from the Modesto area and arrived around midnite. Got our room at the HIE and crashed. We got up around 8, got ready and headed for the Grand Californian. I went this weekend for two reasons. My two older brothers were going and we wanted to buy an interest in the GCV's. They had arrived a day earlier and already had rooms in the GC. We got there at 10 and it was pouring down raining. The check in area was full of cars and we couldn't get under cover. We waited five minutes or so and no cars moved. We didn't have much luggage so we decided to brave the rain and just got out. It was a good move because there wasn't anyone in the check in line. Not sure about all the cars but check in was a breeze. We haven't stayed there in a while so I'd almost forgotten how nice it was. Here are some pictures we took in the lobby: Attached Images Last edited by evansfmly5; 01-26-2009 at 01:34 AM.

01-26-2009	#2 (permalink)
evansfmly5 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ripon, CA Posts: 341	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 We used DVC points and booked a standard room but got anything but. We got room 4421. It had a view of DTD. I really believe they treat DVC members better but I don't know. Maybe we just got lucky. Here are some pics of the room: Attached Images

01-26-2009	#3 (permalink)
DiZ NeE O8 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Miami Posts: 230	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 nice pics!!! that is a really nice looking room!!! __________________ Jan 2007 - All Star Sports May 2007 - Off-site Aug 2007 - Off-site Sept 2007 - All Star Sports Dec 2007 - Pop Century Aug 2008 - Pop Century Dec 2008 - All Star Movies (Purchased DVC) YAY!!! Future trips Feb 2009 - SSR May 2009 - SSR

01-26-2009	#4 (permalink)
evansfmly5 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ripon, CA Posts: 341	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 As you can see it's not the best weather but that's ok. We all know such weather keeps the local people home and crowds lighter. We never actually got rained on in the parks so it was just fine. We got hooked up with my oldest brother and headed for Toy Story Mania. It's my new favorite ride. Attached Images

01-26-2009	#6 (permalink)
evansfmly5 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ripon, CA Posts: 341	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 My brother and DD (8) went to ride CA screamin so me and my DW rode TS mania single rider and I got paired up with the guy who had all the high scores of the day so he gave me some tips to get a higher score. It was very cool. After they got off the roller coaster we met back up and went over to check the line at Soarin over CA. There WAS no line...thank you rain!!! By the way the line at TS Mania was about 25 mins or so. Not too bad from compared to some of the TR's I've read from DW. After that my bro and DD headed for Tower of Terror while I fed my enterally hungry DS (17) a hotdog in the Hollywood section of CA Adventure. We then headed back toward the room and snapped a pic with the Cars crew. One thing really cool about GC is that it has its own entrance into CA Adventure. Attached Images

		MouseBuzz.com > Mouscellaneous > Trip Reports
Disneyland Jan 24-25

01-26-2009	#7 (permalink)
evansfmly5 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ripon, CA Posts: 341	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 We went back to the room, freshened up and headed for ESPN Zone where my other brother had an awards dinner for a race track he owns up north. We aren't really part of it but just tagged along. It was fun. After dinner the kids went upstairs and blew some of my hard earned money...lol Attached Images

01-26-2009	#8 (permalink)
evansfmly5 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ripon, CA Posts: 341	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 Shortly after the festivities at the ESPN Zone I find out that my nephew has come up from San Diego and want's to go to dinner. We decide to take them to Rainforest Cafe because by now the Sat nite crowd has gathered and we are Safari club members so we get preferred seating. My wife and I didn't eat but she had a Green Python and I had drink that I don't recall but the cup sure could light up the room! Here's one of the best pics we got from the terrace of the RC: Attached Images

01-26-2009	#9 (permalink)
evansfmly5 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ripon, CA Posts: 341	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 Well that's about it for the first day. We headed off to bed because we were going to early entry at the MK. I'll talk about it tomorrow as it's getting late. To be continued...

01-26-2009	#10 (permalink)
lovemysons Single digits!! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: In my house Posts: 7,715	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 Oh my, the pictures of your room were amazing, I really like the decor. :) __________________ Dopey is the boss of us. Missing the madness. Peppy is still my partner in crime. Is that you, Pu? Fabulous avatar, courtesy of the fabulous Mr. R2Go! ´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨)xxxx¸.•¨) (¸.•´xxxxxx(¸.•`xxx´¨)Make just one person happy. ´¨) My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Holidays full of magic 7 days 8 hours 44 minutes

01-26-2009	#11 (permalink)
mickeyspal Big Cheese Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 616	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 It's so great to see DL pics. I hope to go some day. I don't know too much about it. Thanks for sharing. __________________ Wilderness Campground 1976Wilderness Campground 1980OKW 1995OKW 1997Carribean Beach 2001OKW 2002Beach Club Villas 2003Beach Club Villas2006Carribean Beach 2007Saratoga Springs 2008 Pop Century 2009 Christine Through my life's journey, I want to be a Tigger! Always remember, no one can steal your Joy, unless you allow them. DVC Members since 2002-Beach Club Villas is our home resort. My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Super Fun, Mark, Chris, Shannon, Bob and Carol trip! 6 days 22 hours 59 minutes

01-26-2009	#14 (permalink)
Andrea Dole Whip Apostate Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shasta in my heart Posts: 2,815	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 I'm really enjoying this report. __________________ x´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨"...make sure you don't grow up stupid.¸.•´¨) (¸.•´xxxxxxxxxxxxIt's bad for the world."xxxxxxxxxxx ¸.•´ xxxxxxxxxxxxx--Tami Taylor, Friday Night Lightsxxxxxxxxxx(¸.•`* My Disney Countdown Counting down to: I have absolutely nothing to look forward too. :-(

01-26-2009	#15 (permalink)
WishUponAStar Waiting for BLT! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: I'm right here! HI! Posts: 12,749	Re: Disneyland Jan 24-25 I am at the Grand Californian right now! I love your report & pics! Can't wait to see the rest when I get home from Disneyland. __________________ Disneyland & College Program Moderator Upcoming Trips Dec. 16th - 20th '09: Bay Lake Tower June 2010: Alaska Cruise Oct 2010: Spooky Halloween in Disneyland "Life without a vacation countdown is like a cupcake with no frosting." Banner by Mickeysgirlz, she's a rockstar! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Our first Bay Lake Tower stay 20 days 21 hours 14 minutes

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