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Disneyland Dream Suite

July 9, 2012 by Alison 4 Comments

Many people wonder just how do you get to spend the night in the Disneyland Dream Suite? Is it possible to get a reservation for the Disneyland Dream Suite? Read on to find out some magical facts about this place in Disneyland that very few have ever seen. You can even learn how you can enter to win a stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite.

Photo by Disney

They say that there are some things which money cannot buy and this is most definitely true of a Disney Dream Suite reservation. Disney likes some things to remain magical and exclusive which is why it is not possible to get a reservation for the Disneyland Dream Suite at any cost. The only way that you can get to spend the night there is to win it.

Most of the photos are courtesy of lorenjavierunless otherwise marked

The History of the Disneyland Dream Suite

Although the Disneyland Dream Suite was only completed in 2008 it does have a very real connection to the ideas which Walt Disney had himself for the design of the suite. Walt Disney did have an apartment which he used frequently in Disneyland but this was located above the Fire Station on Main Street USA. When New Orleans Square was being designed and built in the 1960′s Walt decided that this would make a wonderful place for a new apartment for the family. The perfect location was found just above the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

Walt Disney’s project for the new apartment was titled The Royal Suite and he brought in designer Dorothea Redmond who was known for her work on the set design of the movie Gone With the Wind for the original layout.

For the interior design Walt chose his wife Lilly and Walt Disney Studios set decorator Emile Kuri to work together.

With Walt’s untimely death in 1966 the project was put on hold by his brother Roy who simply did not have the heart to move on with the project. We understand that at the time the project was close to completion.

From 1987 to 2007 the space was used for the Disney Gallery.

The New Disneyland Dream Suite

It was announced in 2007 that the Disney Gallery space would be redesign and converted to the Disney Dream Suite. The design was true to the original and all the old drawings and concept details were used and adhered to as much as was possible. Instead of being an apartment for the Walt Disney family, this time the Dream Suite would be given away randomly as a prize. Much to the disappointment of many the Disneyland Dream Suite is not open for reservations at any cost.

What is Inside the Disneyland Dream Suite?

Photo by Disney

If you don’t know it is there then you may miss even the outside of the Disneyland Dream Suite. It is located above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. A sweeping outdoor staircase leads up to the Dream Suite. There is also an elevator which you can see from the line just before you reach the indoor part of the line for the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride.

The Dream Suite includes a living room, open air courtyard style patio, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. There is also an outside patio with a balcony which gives an excellent view over The Rivers of America The Disneyland Dream Suite is 2,600 square feet so much larger than the Cinderella Castle Suite at Disney World.

As you would of course expect the attention to detail inside the suite is amazing. As you open the front door you arrive in the living room. The style of decor is exceptionally lavish and French Provincial/New Orleans style with a lot of Disney special touches thrown in for good measure.

The center piece of the living room is a faux fireplace which has a fire guard with the outline of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle on the front. The flames behind it are meant to make guests think of the fireworks display in front of the castle. There is even a full size Carousel Horse which is of course reminiscent of the Fantasyland attraction in the park.

The decor of the Disneyland Dream Suite is of course ‘magical’ and each room has some kind of special ‘event’. In the living room the Grandfather Clock triggers Disney music from the park to play.

The first bedroom is also known as the informal sitting room. This has very lavish dark colored heavy wood furnishings and two beds. The decor in this room is very much devoted to Walt Disney and the type of toys that he loved to collect (so of course you will see toy trains here on the shelves around the room). The original plans called for a stove to be in the room so of course the Imagineers installed one here. There is even a magical painting of Disneyland on the wall which miraculously transforms at night.

The magical effect in the first bedroom is designed to be a child’s dream come true when the toys on the shelves and display cases spring into life.

The outdoor courtyard patio is another beautiful space. Chinese lanterns light the patio at night and this is a beautifully quiet place to sit and relax. There is even a calming water fountain on the wall – look for the Disney family crest as a decor feature.

The master bedroom and bathroom are perhaps the highlights of the suite. That lavishly decorated master bed is just beautiful! The decor here is described as Victorian with heavy dark woods but much lighter soft furnishings than in the other bedroom. There is also a very magical ‘goodnight kiss’ effect in the Master Suite. The room is transformed with twinkling star, the oil painting becomes animated and you will even see Peter Pan fly across the night sky. The Imagineers really made something very special for the Dream Suite guests.

The Disney Dream Suite has a stunning master bathroom. There is a huge whirlpool tub which s set back in an enclosed alcove with a beautiful replica Tiffany panel of Aurora set into the wall. There is a night sky of twinkling stars above and surrounding the bath and of course the Disney magic is completed with the music which fills the room.

There are huge ornate double sinks and a walk in wardrobe with plush bathrobes for guests to use during their stay.

The balcony is the best place in the park to view Rivers of American and of course to watch Fantasmic! in the evening.

The only way that you can stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite is to win it as a prize. Disney does randomly give out nights at the suite (we always have our fingers crossed of course but not a lucky winner yet). But if you want to have a chance of winning a night in the Disneyland Dream Suite there are sometimes sweepstakes to enter.

Right now the Disneyland Dream Sweepstakes is a free to enter sweepstakes sponsored by Southwest airlines. You must hurry to enter as it is only open until 8th August. Only residents of certain US states are eligible to enter. Click Here to Find Out How To Enter

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Princess Merida in Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland

June 22, 2012 by Alison 1 Comment

Princess Merida has arrived in Disney World Magic Kingdom and Disneyland for a meet and greet with guests. The new Disney Princess Merida meet and greet location is to the right of Cinderella’s Castle inside the Fairytale Garden.

In the true spirit of the sentiment that Merida is very much an ‘action’ Princess you will not only be able to meet her but there is also a chance to brush u on your archery skills.

In Disneyland you can find Princess Merida close to It’s A Small World, opposite Disney Princess Fantasy Faire.

I have to admit that at first I was a little skeptical as to how well the Merida character would translate to ‘reality’ in the Disney parks. But judging from the feedback and all the already huge popularity of the Merida costumes this looks like it is going to be a merchandising hit for Disney Pixar. This level of interest even before the movie is out is a great sign.

These beautiful photos are courtesy of amaradillo444

Princess Merida seems to be a great role model for young girls. Gone are the days when a Princess has to sit around and wait for a Prince to save her. Yes I adore Cinderella but only if I don’t stop to think about what a difficult message that is to grow up with. Princess Merida is one of the new age of Disney Princesses – and a first female lead for a Disney Pixar movie.

It seems certain that Princess Merida is going to be a huge hit at the movies, and that there will be plenty of guests wanting to see her at Disney World and Disneyland. Perhaps even shoot an arrow with her…..

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Filed Under: Disney Princess, Disneyland

Disneyland Resort Pre Summer Room Discount Offer

March 14, 2012 by Alison Leave a Comment

The Disneyland Resort Pre Summer Room Discount Offer has just been announced. If you are able to visit Disneyland prior to June 10th 2012 then you are looking at some great deals on resort hotels.

Save up to 25% on most Sunday to Thursday night stays at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort, for arrivals April 16 – June 9, 2012. Other discounts are available on Friday and Saturday night stays.

Save 25% off a room only Disneyland resort hotel reservations most Sunday to Thursday nights
Save 20% off a room only reservation most Friday to Saturday nights, at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel.
Save 20% off a room-only reservation most Sunday to Thursday nights, or save 15% off a room-only reservation most Friday-Saturday nights, at the Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.

Staying in a Disneyland resort is a very special way to experience the parks. They are so close to the Disneyland and California Adventure park that you can easily walk from your resort to the gate. So grab these room offers whilst they are still available!

You must:

Book this offer March 13 to May 26 2012, for arrivals April 16 – June 9, 2012. Travel on this Disneyland resort hotel offer must be completed by June 10 2012.

Best Disneyland Rides for Toddlers

February 16, 2012 by Shannon 3 Comments

If you are visiting Disneyland in California with a toddler there are so many rides and attractions to make them (and you) happy. Disneyland is a magical place for anyone, but especially for the 5 and under set. They do present their own unique challenges, from diaper changes to the need to NOT be stuck in line, so here is my take on which Disneyland rides and attractions that will keep your toddler happy and amazed.

It’s a Small World

Whether your 3 or 93, this is a perfect ride for your toddler and family to do together. The It’s A Small World boats have recently been updated and are bigger and more comfortable, so your family can ride in style.

In addition, they’ve added Disney characters to several of the countries, so your toddler will love looking for new and familiar characters along the way. They will love to Find Nemo and look out for the Disney Princesses.

Tip: Get in the far right line. It may look longer, but fewer people take it so it’s often much quicker. The left line is also for those with mobility issues, which may slow the pace down a bit.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Yes the line for Dumbo can get long, but toddlers love it. Each rider is given a “magic feather” when they get close to the front of the line, which is then handed to the conductor.

You get to control the movement and how high you fly, so with younger children you can stay at a lower level. The ride does jerk up or down when you change levels (which is scarier for the parents than the kids).

Tip: Go on the ride first thing in the morning or wait until the evening. During the parade is a great time. Once the wait time goes past 20 minutes, it won’t go down until much later in the day. For a similar ride, check out Flik’s Flyers in California Adventure’s “A Bug’s Life”. The wait time is often less than 10 minutes.

King Arthur’s Carousel

King Arthur’s Carousel is an authentic antique carousel located at Disneyland Park featuring 68 galloping white horses. The ride recreates the great charge of the legendary Knights of the Round Table and their brave leader, King Arthur of Camelot.

The wait is usually short, which means you can ride it again and again.

Tip: A similar carousel, King Triton’s carousel, is located in California Adventure Park, and features sea animals (dolphins, sea otters, whales) and is even more colorful. It’s next to California Screaming and is a perfect spot to hang out while the older kids in your group are enjoying one of the scariest Disney rides of all!

Note: Many of the rides in Fantasyland are quite “dark” and can be too intense for little ones. This includes Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Peter Pan is fine, but often has a huge line, which is why it’s not in my Top 10.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

All kids love this ride (and this is one of my husband’s favorite rides too). You’ll find the ride in Fantasyland, across from Star Tours.

The wait is usually less than 15 minutes, and once inside you see Buzz bigger than life, urging you to help him in his quest to fight the evil Zurg. You and your child get to spin around shooting Zurg and his evil robots.

My daughter has no idea that she’s actually shooting something, but she loves the bright lights and sounds. At the end you can email a picture of yourself to your home.

Tip: If you want to get a higher score, concentrate on the triangles and diamonds. They’re worth 5,000-10,000 points. If you can get Zurg himself, he’s worth 100,000 points! (I find Toy Story Mania in CA Adventure even more fun, but you need to get there first thing in the morning or it’s a huge wait).

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh, that huggable, loveable bear, is a toddler favorite. Sandwiched near the Splash Mountain entrance and the Hungry Bear Restaurant, it’s a perfect place to hang out while waiting for others to finish their rides.

You climb aboard a beehive dripping with honey (yum!) and ride off into the Hundred-Acre Wood for four minutes of hijinks and fun.

Tip: Wear something white and during the dark portions of the ride your clothes will glow in the dark, which is a terrific distraction if the darkness seems too intense for the little ones. Also, if you walk to the right of the exit you’ll find Pooh, Eeyore or Tigger. The meet and greet line isn’t as long as other areas, but if your toddler’s shy they can just happily wave to the Disney characters from the fence.

Disneyland Railroad

Whether your tootsies are tired, or you just want to take a break, hitch a ride on the Disneyland Train. An old fashioned Victorian locomotive, it goes completely around the park and stops on Main Street and in New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown (actually closer to the Princess Fanstasy Faire), and Tomorrowland.

Walt Disney loved trains and was often found riding in the conductor’s seat. Sometimes the line can be long but if you walk pass the main car, you can usually find a seat in a car further down.

The Enchanted Tiki Room

Unless it’s August and 100 degrees outside, this attraction rarely has a long wait. You’re ushered into a small, air conditioned room filled with enchanted birds, plants, and tiki torches. The birds come to life right in front of you and your toddler is completely enthralled, or asleep, which often happens. Either outcome is fine with me! The songs are a little corny, but it’s so pleasant and comfortable inside that you just don’t care.

Disney Princess Fantasy Faire

Many little princesses come to Disneyland for the express purpose of meeting one of their own. Rather than be spread out throughout the park, all the princesses now come together in this little nook, across from It’s a Small World, to meet their little fans.

The first time we went we automatically stood in the horrendously long line, only to find out it was just for pictures. Some Disney Princesses, like Ariel, can only be found in this roped off area. But if you walk down the steps to the theater, you can meet several others with a much smaller line, have a story read to you (often Cinderella or Snow White), and even learn a dance. We’ve spent hours here and have never been disappointed.

Tip: Check the times before you go. During the off season the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire is closed on some dates.

There are so many things to do with your toddler in Disneyland. What is your favorite? Leave me a Comment below!

Filed Under: Disney Tips, Disneyland Tagged With: Best Disneyland Rides for Toddlers, Disneyland, disneyland california, disneyland rides

Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship To Stage Aladdin Show

May 27, 2011 by Alison Leave a Comment

Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular will take to the stage on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship when it launches in 2012. Anyone who has been to the amazing Aladdin show in California Adventure Park will know that this is one of the best theme park show attractions which Disney has ever staged, so we should have high hopes for the new Disney Fantasy version.

I am sure that we can expect the same high quality staging and performances as we see in the Anaheim park version. Disney has said that there will definitely be a flying carpet – obviously the first at sea!

There has been talk for a while that the California Adventure Park version is going to be replaced. It was supposed to close last year to make way for a Toy Story show but Disney changed it’s mind on that one. I certainly hope that it gets to stick around for some time to come, and particularly that it does not get replaced with a version of Toy Story The Musical. On a cruise on the Disney Wonder recently this was by far my least favorite show.

One of the things which makes the Aladdin show such a huge success is of course the Genie. I wonder if the amazing actor who has played him for so many years in this show (anyone know his name) is going to transfer to the Disney Fantasy. If the show has to stop at the park then I certainly hope that the Fantasy is taking the star of the show with her!

Photo by armadillo444

Filed Under: Disney Fantasy, Disneyland Tagged With: disney aladdin a musical spectacular, disney aladdin show, disney cruise shows, disney fantasy

Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel

April 6, 2011 by Alison 6 Comments

If you are looking for the most luxurious place to stay for your vacation then Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel is the perfect choice. The Grand Californian is Disneyland resort’s premier hotel and was designed by Peter Dominick in the Arts and Crafts style of the 1900′s. You truly do feel as though you have stepped into a bygone age when you enter the lobby of the hotel. Aside from the outstanding design and comfort of the hotel another major advantage is that it is located within Disney California Adventure Park – you even get your own private entrance to the park! You really cannot be more conveniently located than in Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel. It gives very easy access not only to the California Adventure Park but also Disneyland and Downtown Disney.

Image by ExpressMonorail

The atmosphere of the hotel evokes images and feelings of a National Park Lodge such as the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. Whilst the hotel has 745 rooms the lobby feels cosy with it’s spectacular six story high atrium with a huge welcoming fireplace with comfy chairs – the perfect place to take a break from the parks.

The hotel was built in 2001 and the new Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel Villas have recently been added to give even more choice for those wanting larger, more flexible accommodation.

Disney Grand Californian Hotel Rooms

The original building has 745 hotel rooms and suites. Each standard room is 353 square feet so certainly larger than most hotel rooms in the Anaheim area but not exactly huge either. Rooms have either a King size bed and sleeper sofa, 2 Queens (some with an additional daybed). The most popular rooms are the Queen sized bed with a bunk bed set and a trundle bed. These bunk bed rooms are the perfect solution for a family of 5. Room types can be requested but are not guaranteed.

The rooms have a split bathroom so that the sink and vanity is located outside of the bathroom. This is an added convenience when traveling with a family.

One and two bedroom suites are also available at the Grand Californian Hotel. These will give you plenty of additional room as they range from 694 to 1990 square feet.

If you are looking for a ‘Disney’ feel to the rooms then this may be a disappointment. The design really is the Arts and Crafts theme and for the kids (and of course) some adults the rooms may lack those special Disney touches that you are looking for. Some guests feel that the rooms are rather small for the price and somewhat dark. I have stayed in this hotel many times and do agree that for a family of 5 the rooms do seem a little small. But for me the location wins every time if the price is right compared to the other hotels of Disneyland resort. You do pay a price for convenience but sometimes I wish they rooms lived up to the expectation of the lobby architecture a little more!

Concierge Rooms are also available at the Grand Californian Hotel. These are all located on the fifth and sixth floors of the hotel. The Craftsman’s Club concierge lounge is located on the sixth floor and has snacks available from 6.30am to 10pm. A particularly nice feature is that you can see the fireworks from the patio. Is the concierge service worth the extra money? The standard rooms are the same as on the non concierge floors and of course you do pay quite a large premium for access to the lounge, priority check in and concierge services. Only you can make the choice as to whether it is worth it but if you really have to think about whether it is worth the splurge then perhaps it really isn’t worth it. Many feel that the benefits offered are not that great.

There are various views on offer at the hotel. The best and of course the most expensive are the theme park/pool views. These are particularly spectacular at night. Downtown Disney views are also available. These can be interesting for people watching but some, particularly on the lower floors, can be a little noisy. Standard views look out over the entrance or the interior courtyard.

One great feature of the Grand Californian Hotel is that it has it’s own private entrance to California Adventure Park. So you are literally steps away from the park. This entrance can be used by any Disneyland Resort Hotel guest. Early in the morning the security people do check your room key ID but later in the day this seems to be overlooked. It is also useful to be able to exit the park in this way. If you are a non Disney resort guest and want to use the restaurant or other facilities at the hotel then you can leave the park by this exit. Rarely is ID ever checked on the exit and it can prove to be a nice short cut.

Disneyland Grand Californian Vacation Villas

The recently added Grand Californian Villas are the only Disney Vacation Club rooms available at Disneyland. There are open to everyone, not only Disney Vacation Club Members. There are studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom villas available.

The Studio Villa is 379 square feet and sleeps up to 4 guests. Each has a Queen bed and Queen sleeper sofa. There is a kitchenette with a microwave, refrigerator and toaster. The room also has a small dining table with 2 chairs. Each room includes a television and DVD player. Also all the villas has either a patio or a balcony.

The One Bedroom Villa has a very generous 865 square feet of space. This is a great option for a family of up to 5 guests as is includes a King bed, a Queen sofa bed and a pull down bunk bed. Another great feature is that the villa has 2 bathrooms one of which has a whirlpool tub. This villa has a full kitchen with full size appliances. Having a kitchen is a great time and money saver. You can prepare and eat a quick breakfast and hit the parks earlier in the morning!

The Two Bedroom villas are a One Bed and a Studio connected together. They offer 1,257 square feet of space with 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. These villas will sleep up to 9 people very comfortably.

If you are looking for the very best then then you can choose from one of just two available Three Bedroom Villas at the Grand Californian Hotel. They are two storeys high and at 2,426 square feet are the size of the average house in the US. The first bedroom has a King bed and the other two bedrooms each have a Queen. The villas will sleep up to 12 guests plus a child under 3 in a crib. All 3 bedrooms are masters with the first bedroom having a master bath with a whirlpool. The total number of bathrooms is 4. There is a full kitchen and even a washer and a dryer. So if you are looking for the largest, most comfortable option in Disneyland, and of course money is no object, then this has to be your best choice!

The Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel Villas are part of the Disney Vacation Club. Although they can be booked by non DVC members they are the only Vacation Club rooms in Anaheim so they are not always available as they are often already booked.

Parking for both the Hotel and the Villas is charged at $15 per day for self parking or $17 for valet. The self parking facility is located across the street – not a great feature as this is a busy road to cross.

All of the hotels of Disneyland Resort now charge a resort fee. This fee does not include parking. It is $15 per day and covers newspaper delivery, local calls, internet access. I am not a big fan of parking charges and resort fees. I wish that hotels would just be honest and have a room price reflect the rate they actually want to charge you!

Grand Californian Hotel Restaurants

There is a good choice of places to eat at the resort ranging from Quick Service to the finest restaurant in Disneyland, Napa Rose.

If you are looking for a fine dining experience then be sure to make reservations for the ever popular Napa Rose which is located inside the Grand Californian Resort. The menu is distinctively Californian cuisine and the decor is just beautiful Arts and Crafts style. The menu is seasonal and the 4-course prix-fixe tasting menu changes every week. The award winning Napa Rose is thought by many to be the finest in Orange County. Even if you are not visiting the Mouse then this restaurant is well worth a visit. Perfection comes at a price though so expect to pay around $40 for an entree. The 4 course prix fixe menu is $85 without wine pairings. The wine flight is an additional $45 with no alcoholic pairings available for $15. There is also a children’s menu available.

Storyteller’s Cafe offers a character breakfast with Chip and Dale as well as lunch and dinner. The lunch menu offers favorites such as pizzas and burgers. Dinner is either from the menu or the buffet table. I have to be honest about Storyteller’s Cafe as I have eaten there on many occasions. Usually because I am tired after a long day at the parks and I just happen to be in the right place! The food is OK and they do offer good gluten free options which is great because my family has food allergy issues. The restaurant is styled wonderfully and should be a really pleasant place to be. However over the past couple of years the service has just been bad. Really bad on occasion. The wait staff just don’t seem very helpful or well trained. More than one could be described as grumpy to say the least! The wait for tables is often very much longer than you are told and then service is very slow. The food seems to be kept under the warmer for way too long. Getting the idea that I have had numerous bad experiences here? For me Storyteller’s Cafe misses a big opportunity as it really should be very good indeed. The decor is fabulous, the menu is fine. Just the service is terrible.

If you just want to pick up a quick bite to eat then head on over to White Water Snacks which is located next to the pool. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner this is a counter service eatery which serves the usual cereal, breakfast items, pizza, sandwiches, ice-cream and snacks.

Recreation at Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel

There are 3 swimming pools side by side at the Grand Californian. The Redwood Pool has a slide, the Fountain pool is next to this with a small children’s pool shaped in the classic Mickey Mouse head design.

The Mandara Spa offers the usual spa services and also a special YSPA Teen Program. If you need a rest from the stresses of the theme parks then this is a great place to relax for a while. There is also a small fitness facility which offers aerobic and weights machines.

Is Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel Really Worth It?

Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel Review

This is the most expensive of the Disneyland resort hotels and whilst sometimes you may see a discount you will usually pay at least $300 for a standard room per night. Demand tends to exceed supply in the Disneyland hotels so bargains are rare. Sometimes seasonal or Disneyland Annual Passholder discounts are available.

Is is worth it? The location and pure luxury feeling of this hotel are simply not available anywhere else in Anaheim. It is just stunning. Peaceful and relaxing. The rooms are nice – they could be better but they are of a very good standard. The location is unbeatable and this can mean a lot when you are visiting the Disneyland parks. You do get a lot more out of your visit if you can spend some of your time relaxing. And you simply get more time in the parks as you are not spending any time traveling to them! So if yu can then the Disneyland Grand Californian really should be experience at least once in a lifetime. And then you will want to return!

Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel address

1600 South Disneyland Drive
Anaheim
CA 92803

Telephone 714 635 2300

If you are thinking about staying in a Disneyland Hotel then you may also want to look at this guide to Disney Paradise Pier

Filed Under: Disney Tips, Disneyland, Disneyland, Hotels Tagged With: disneyland grand californian hotel, disneyland grand californian review, disneyland hotel, disneyland hotel anaheim, disneylandy paradise pier hotel

Disney Paradise Pier

September 10, 2010 by Alison 3 Comments

Disney Paradise Pier is an excellent choice for your Disneyland vacation. It is one of 3 Disneyland resort hotels and in many ways it is my favorite as it offers a high standard of accommodation and excellent value. The theme is very much fun at the sea side. The first thing you notice at Paradise Pier are the bright colors. A statue of Goofy with a surf board greets you in the lobby. This is just a really fun place to be.

The location is great as you can easily walk to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure theme park. The rooms at the Paradise Pier are very nicely decorated and are a good size. The recreation facilities are a little limited, but since the upgrade of the swimming pool area to include a water slide, there is plenty to keep the kids happy.

So is Disney’s Paradise Pier a good choice for your Disneyland trip?

Photo by lorenjavier

Rooms at Disney Paradise Pier

There are 481 rooms at the Paradise Pier Hotel. The standard rooms are a fairly generous 364 square feet. There is a choice of a King bed or 2 Queens – you need to specify which you would prefer at the time of booking. Although requests are not guaranteed it is always best to ask when you book. Some rooms also have a day bed and will comfortably sleep 5 guests. The bathrooms are small but adequate and have nice touches so that you have no doubt that you are in a Disney hotel!

There views are either of the park, the parking lot or the pool.

There are 29 suites at Paradise Pier which will sleep up to 6 guests. These range in size from 792 to 1245 square feet.

There is a resort fee of $12 per room per night at the Paradise Pier. This covers use of the recreation facilities, parking and give you free use of the internet in your room.

Disney Paradise Pier View

Photo by ethomson

The best views at Paradise Pier are of course the theme park views. These give a great view of Disney’s California Adventure theme park. The views are particularly interesting at night as it is so nice looking out of the window at all of the beautiful lights in the park. Early morning is good too – it is not often you get a view of a totally empty Disney theme park!

Concierge Rooms at Disney Paradise Pier

A concierge room at Disney’s Paradise Pier is always my first choice when we stay at Disneyland as I think that this offers one of the best values on the resort. The rooms are standard rooms with either park views or a pool side location. The concierge lounge is a great feature. Open from 6.30am to 8.00pm each day the comfortable concierge lounge offers a continental breakfast and an evening cheese and wine reception. You also have priority check in and the service of a concierge through out your stay. Unfortunately the concierge lounge does not have a view – but the children are happy with the supply of Disney movies in the lounge. Concierge guests also have free use of a DVD player and a choice of Disney movies for their room.

Getting to the Disney Parks from Paradise Pier Hotel

The location of the Paradise Pier couldn’t get much better. You can easily walk to both Disney parks. The best way to get to Disney’s California Adventure Park is to walk to the Grand Californian Hotel and use the private entrance there which is open to all Disney resort guests. If you are going to Disneyland then you can either walk to the main entrance which will take you around 7 minutes or catch the monorail to Tomorrowland. The Disneyland monorail stop is located in Downtown Disney and is a shorter distance from the Paradise Pier Hotel than the main entrance. The monorail does get crowded at busy times though so sometimes it is just quicker to walk. It just depends upon which part of Disneyland you want to get to!

Recreation at Paradise Pier

Photo by jasonpratt

The hotel has one swimming pool which is located on the third floor. Children will love the California Screamin’ water slide. Other than that the pool is nice but not particularly themed but it is a nice place to spend some time relaxing away from the parks.

One relaxing spot for the children is just off the lobby. Paradise Theater is furnished with cute white beach chairs for the kids who are kept entertained with Disney movies.

The hotel also has a workout room and a video games arcade.

Disney Paradise Pier Restaurants

Photo by coconut wireless

The Surfside Lounge is located in the lobby area close to the reception desk and opposite the gift shop. This serves alcohol and non alcoholic beverages, coffee snacks, salads, sandwiches and cookies. There is also a poolside counter service bar Slurpin’ USA

Disney’s PCH Grill can be a popular spot for breakfast. Join Mickey Mouse for his Surf’s Up Breakfast with Mickey. The meal is buffet style and costs $29.99 for adults and $15.99 for children aged 3 to 9. In the evening the restaurant is often pretty quiet. It serves sandwiches, salads and burgers.

If you are planning a stay at Disneyland always check out the pricing for a room at Disney’s Paradise Pier as you may be surprised at the great value it offers.

You may also be interested in our guide to Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel.

Of course if you want us to help you with your visit then just contact us here
at EverythingMouse Travel and we will find the best deal for you!

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disneyland, Disneyland Tagged With: disney paradise pier, Disneyland, disneyland hotel, disneyland paradise pier hotel

Disney World and Disneyland Annual Pass

July 22, 2010 by Alison 11 Comments

Are you thinking of visiting both Walt Disney World and Disneyland this year? Disney has just announced a new combined annual pass for Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California.

Named the Disney Premier Passport this annual ticket will give pass holders access to Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as the Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks, DisneyQuest, Disney’s Wide World of Sport’s and the Oak Trail Golf Course. In other words it is a combined Disneyland Annual Premium Pass and Disney World Premium Annual Pass.

You will of course get all the usual Premium Annual Passholder perks including free parking, select merchandise discounts and invitations to special events.

Whilst I am extremely pleased that Disney is finally offering this pass as I visit both parks and this will represent a considerable saving, it will be ineresting to see how many guests become Disney Premier Passport Holders.

Each Premier Pass costs $749 plus tax for adults and children aged 3 and up. As an adult Disney World Premium Annual Pass costs $649 plus tax for adults and a Disneyland Annual Premium Pass costs $499 plus tax for adults it is a considerable saving.

So if you know you are going to be visiting both Walt Disney World and Disneyland this year then the Premier Pass may make a lot of sense for you and your family. You can buy your Disney Premier Pass at any Disneyland ticket window, Guest Relations at Walt Disney World theme parks and Downtown Disney. This pass is not yet available online.

Photo by Samantha Decker

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disneyland Tagged With: disney world premier pass, disney world premium pass, disney world tickets, disneyland annual tickets, disneyland tickets, walt disney world tickets

Disneyland Hotel Rates Summer Deals

June 23, 2010 by Alison Leave a Comment

Thinking of staying at a Disneyland Hotel this summer? There are some great deals available at the moment on all the hotels of the Disneyland Resort. All you need it a 2 night minimum stay at any Disneyland Resort hotel arriving between May 1st and September 29th 2010.

At Disneyland’s Paradise Pier hotel rates start at $168 a night – that is a 30% savings off a standard room rate.

Or for even larger savings choose the ever popular Disneyland Hotel. Savings of 35% are available and room rates start at just $169 a night.

If you want the utmost in luxury and style then get this great offer from Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Located right next to the California Adventure theme park rates start at $213 per night – that is a 40% saving off standard room rates.

All of the Disneyland Resort Hotels are within easy walking distance of Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks. You also enjoy special benefits as a Disneyland resort guest including Magic Morning admission on select days. What is Magic Morning Admission? This allows Disneyland hotel guests early access to the theme parks and selected attractions on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. On Magic Mornings Disneyland resort guests will be admitted to the theme parks one hour earlier than the general public.

Disneyland hotel guests also have access to a special entrance to Disney’s California Adventure theme park. Being able to use this entrance, which is located in Disney’s Grand California Hotel saves a lot of time for guests as it means you can cut through the park without having to walk around Downtown Disney.

Remember that the summer deals for Disneyland hotels are only available to book up to September 1st 2010 and are limited to 2 rooms per reservation. Each room will sleep a maximum of 5 people. There are of course limited rooms available at this special offer rate.

Contact EverythingMouse Travel for more details.

Filed Under: Disneyland

Cinderella’s Royal Table – Is It Worth It?

June 27, 2009 by Alison 8 Comments

Have you ever wondered what Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant is really like? Located inside Disney’s Magic Kingdom castle it is the most popular restaurant in the whole of Walt Disney World. But does it really deserve to be that popular?

Anyone who has tried to make Advance Dining Reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table will know that sometimes it feels as though you have embarked on Mission Impossible! Unless you call right at the first minute of the first day you can make ADRs (90 days ahead for everyone, and up to 100 days ahead for Disney resort guests) then you will most likely be told that there are no tables left. So we know it is very popular!

What if you don’t manage to get Advance Dining Reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table. Try again. Sometimes there are cancellations and you will strike it lucky.

Do remember though that there is a 24 hour cancellation policy. When you make your ADRs you will be asked for your credit card details – and they will be charged unless you cancel within the 24 hours before you are set to dine.

But does the Cinderella dining experience live up to the expectation? Of course it gives you a chance to actually get inside Cinderella’s Castle. And for this alone it is worth it for many Disney World visitors. The interior of the restaurant is very well done. Just as you would expect the inside of the castle to look – lots of stained glass,stone work and wood. It is also much smaller than most people imagine – another reason why it is so difficult to get in!

It is pretty pricey. At $42.99 for dinner for adults with tax and gratuity as extra this is not an inexpensive dining option.

Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant is what is known as a photo package experience. What does this mean? The price of the meal also includes a photo with one of the characters.

Many people love the fact that a photo is included with the meal. The photo package is four 4×6 prints and one 6×8 print of your photo, as well as one 6×8 print of Cinderella Castle in a Cinderella photo holder. Each party of 1 to 4 guests will get one photo package,5 to 8 guests will receive two packages.

For me and for many other guests though the feeling is that it would be better if the price was lower and the photograph was not included. Personally I do not like to have to wait in line to have a picture taken (and this is what often happens). This may be because I have hundreds of pictures already of myself and my family with Disney characters! But I would prefer to be able to skip this part.

The time with the characters is good for a Disney character dining experience. The restaurant is small so when I have been there we have had plenty of time with the characters. Who will be there? As with all Disney character dining restaurants the list can, and does, change so don’t promise your little ones (or yourself) a special character. But the ones you are likely to find are Cinderella, The Fairy Godmother, Princess Belle, Princess Aurora and Snow White.

So what is the food like at Cinderella’s Royal Table? Not great but not bad either. For that price I would expect a higher standard. But with this Disney restaurant you are going there for the experience of dining in Cinderella’s Castle. The food is fine, but nothing to get that excited about. There are plenty of choices including a Children’s menu. Some guests do report feeling rushed but I have never really found this to be so.

So is Cinderella’s Royal Table really worth it? I would certainly say it is somewhere you should experience at least once. The unique quality of being located inside Cinderella’s Castle really is a lot of fun.

Have an expectation that the food will be fine but nothing that special. If you want to dine with Cinderella and have great food then try out dinner at 1900 Park Fare in Disney’s Grand Floridian. Overall Cinderella’s Royal Table is a good Disney experience though – if you can get in then you should give it a try.

Want to know even more including finding out what exactly is on the menu and even get a peek inside to see what the restaurant looks like? I have written a free guide for you here:

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Photos used under Creative Commons from armadillo444

Filed Under: Cruises, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney World Dining, Disneyland, EPCOT Tagged With: cinderellas royal table, disney character dining, disney world character dining, disney world cinderella restaurant