ateam79828592
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2008
First time doing a little trip report, but I thought I would give it a try. My DH & I booked this trip to DL when the speculation on Galaxy's Edge opening was late June. We were initially booked (with a really good rate) at the Fairfield Inn. This was a trip to celebrate our 20th anniversary...our first full week away from our 4 kiddos since our oldest was born (she turned 14 last month). We have done 2-3 nights away before but nothing longer.
This was our 10th Disney trip, our 2nd to DL with the other 8 being to WDW. We took our first WDW trip 10 years ago with our then DD4 & DS1. We had such a good time, we have gone back every year since. Last summer we tried DL with our now 4 kiddos. We decide on DL for our anniversary trip primarily because we needed to go in June & WDW is too HOT for me in June.
Once we found out that GE opening was going open, we opted to splurge for the Grand Californian....a huge splurge. Our family of 6 could not do this normally (we don't fit into their rooms) but we thought we might need the ease of access to DL & the EMHs to make the most of our trips with the anticipated Star Wars crowds. I did some Disney math and decided since our flights, car rental, and good amount of spending money were covered by credit card points...the total amount of the trip was still quite low. As long as I looked at the total trip cost and not the nightly room cost, I could be ok.
We got to Grand Californian late night 5/31 having flown into Ontario airport, rented a car and made the 45 minute drive. Check-in was smooth...we did not get a great location (about as far as you can be away...and the elevator closest to us is closed for refurb) and we did not get our requested king bed. That was a bit disappointing for a big anniversary trip, but we knew it was only a request.
Our first of three (long story - change of hotels/change of dates ending in split stay) Galaxy's Edge reservation was 8a Saturday morning. Check in for the reservation was very quick & easy. We had fun exploring the new land. Knowing we had a two more reservations coming, we used our first time slot to mostly explore, take pictures, try some food options, shop, and ride Smuggler's Run. We enjoyed the super low crowds the rest of the day in the parks.
Our second day brought more super low crowds and our 2nd GE reservation. We were impressed that Disney had already modified the process for the Cantina by this point so that it was much more efficient. We were able to enjoy a quick drink in the Catina mostly to see the inside and get DH a mug.
We also did World of Color for the first time (Dessert Party - it was great) and Hungry Bear Fantasmic! Those were our only reservations. Our 3rd GE time slot DH built a light saber, and we did our last bit of GE shopping. The keychains we purchased during this time were broken when we returned to our room. It was a bit of time-consuming hassle, but we ended up heading back into GE under a manager's escort to shop for a replacement keychain. That ended up being worth the hassle as they had restock the hoodie I had been looking for in my size & the manager let me purchase that during our keychain exchange.
We were nervous about crowds going during opening weekend of GE, and it ended up being an ideal time to go. We got to experience the fun of opening a new land...and super low crowds. Win-win. While we have never been disappointed in a Disney trip, we haven't left a Disney trip feeling like "wow...that was so much better than we expected" since our first trip to WDW 10 years ago. This was another "wow! this trip so exceeded our expectations!"
The Grand Californian was an awesomely convenient as everyone says. We didn't enjoy any of its amenities as we were busy enjoy the low crowds in the parks. (between 27k-30k steps each day). It is still crazy-overpriced, but I can see why people still choose it.
When you check in for GE reservation, you receive a colored wristband that allows entry into the land for your time slot. Those wristband ended up being a fun conversation starter throughout the day as they easily identified those who had been / were going to GE that day. It became part of the excitement of the opening of the new land...talking with others about their experience/excitement.
WDW will always be our "home". I don't think we can break that emotional attachment having taken so many trips there with our kids through the years. This trip to DL with just DH & I was so fun & special, that it cemented DL as a unique place in our hearts as well. I can definitely see it as a destination DH & I will return to as a couple eventually.
BONUS: If you have made it this far in my rambling & unorganized thoughts, you might have a reward for your efforts. DL had seemingly excessive numbers of "opening day" special edition Galaxy's Edge maps as they still had them on Wednesday noonish (day 6 of the opening) when we left (so sad!). On day 2 DH & I started snagging a couple extra each time we passed the turnstiles. If you would like one, please PM me your address.
This was our 10th Disney trip, our 2nd to DL with the other 8 being to WDW. We took our first WDW trip 10 years ago with our then DD4 & DS1. We had such a good time, we have gone back every year since. Last summer we tried DL with our now 4 kiddos. We decide on DL for our anniversary trip primarily because we needed to go in June & WDW is too HOT for me in June.
Once we found out that GE opening was going open, we opted to splurge for the Grand Californian....a huge splurge. Our family of 6 could not do this normally (we don't fit into their rooms) but we thought we might need the ease of access to DL & the EMHs to make the most of our trips with the anticipated Star Wars crowds. I did some Disney math and decided since our flights, car rental, and good amount of spending money were covered by credit card points...the total amount of the trip was still quite low. As long as I looked at the total trip cost and not the nightly room cost, I could be ok.
We got to Grand Californian late night 5/31 having flown into Ontario airport, rented a car and made the 45 minute drive. Check-in was smooth...we did not get a great location (about as far as you can be away...and the elevator closest to us is closed for refurb) and we did not get our requested king bed. That was a bit disappointing for a big anniversary trip, but we knew it was only a request.
Our first of three (long story - change of hotels/change of dates ending in split stay) Galaxy's Edge reservation was 8a Saturday morning. Check in for the reservation was very quick & easy. We had fun exploring the new land. Knowing we had a two more reservations coming, we used our first time slot to mostly explore, take pictures, try some food options, shop, and ride Smuggler's Run. We enjoyed the super low crowds the rest of the day in the parks.
Our second day brought more super low crowds and our 2nd GE reservation. We were impressed that Disney had already modified the process for the Cantina by this point so that it was much more efficient. We were able to enjoy a quick drink in the Catina mostly to see the inside and get DH a mug.
We also did World of Color for the first time (Dessert Party - it was great) and Hungry Bear Fantasmic! Those were our only reservations. Our 3rd GE time slot DH built a light saber, and we did our last bit of GE shopping. The keychains we purchased during this time were broken when we returned to our room. It was a bit of time-consuming hassle, but we ended up heading back into GE under a manager's escort to shop for a replacement keychain. That ended up being worth the hassle as they had restock the hoodie I had been looking for in my size & the manager let me purchase that during our keychain exchange.
We were nervous about crowds going during opening weekend of GE, and it ended up being an ideal time to go. We got to experience the fun of opening a new land...and super low crowds. Win-win. While we have never been disappointed in a Disney trip, we haven't left a Disney trip feeling like "wow...that was so much better than we expected" since our first trip to WDW 10 years ago. This was another "wow! this trip so exceeded our expectations!"
The Grand Californian was an awesomely convenient as everyone says. We didn't enjoy any of its amenities as we were busy enjoy the low crowds in the parks. (between 27k-30k steps each day). It is still crazy-overpriced, but I can see why people still choose it.
When you check in for GE reservation, you receive a colored wristband that allows entry into the land for your time slot. Those wristband ended up being a fun conversation starter throughout the day as they easily identified those who had been / were going to GE that day. It became part of the excitement of the opening of the new land...talking with others about their experience/excitement.
WDW will always be our "home". I don't think we can break that emotional attachment having taken so many trips there with our kids through the years. This trip to DL with just DH & I was so fun & special, that it cemented DL as a unique place in our hearts as well. I can definitely see it as a destination DH & I will return to as a couple eventually.
BONUS: If you have made it this far in my rambling & unorganized thoughts, you might have a reward for your efforts. DL had seemingly excessive numbers of "opening day" special edition Galaxy's Edge maps as they still had them on Wednesday noonish (day 6 of the opening) when we left (so sad!). On day 2 DH & I started snagging a couple extra each time we passed the turnstiles. If you would like one, please PM me your address.
