Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I recently stayed at the Paradise Pier Resort on Disney property for the CARSland Opening. I had reservations also at Best Western Park Place for half the price but decided to stay at Paradise Pier basing that decision on the exclusive resort benefits also known as the Grand Californian entrance. So imagine my surprise when I returned to my hotel room to receive a letter stating the entrance would not be open : Dear Guest: Please be advised that the gate from Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa will not be available for entry. Should you wish to arrive early to DCA Park, please proceed to the park main entrance through the DD District. The early arrival queue will open to all Guesta on Disneyland Resort property at 11p.m. on June 14th. A select amount of wristbands will be distributed at the main entrance who are waiting in line to maintain the order of arrival. Let me add that I also stayed at the Paradise Pier for the original park opening day and the exclusive entrance for the Paradise Pier and Grand Californian were both open and operating. I guess it did not occur to me they would close this for that reason. They did officially alert all guests that DCA would be closed the day before for the media event but no mention about this decision to expect their resort guests to pay for a night's stay and also go stand in a line starting at at 11 p.m. !!! Anyway when I left on Sunday I went to Universal Studios to check into the SHeraton Hotel on the Universal Property (also over $300. per night). When I checked in they informed me the Pool was closed to resort guests because of a private party every Sunday for the Summer and I would have to go next door to the Hilton to use their pool and don't forget to take towels and bring them back!!! I told them I was surprised because I remembered the SUMMER PArty last year was open to all guests . Just to let you know these parties are sponsored by local alcoholic distributors that are "introducing" their specific brands along with prizes,etc... I thought that was pretty rude to tell me to go to the Hilton and take my towels and bring them back especially since I was staying on their Club Level rooms. I should mention I am a Hilton Honors member with close to a million points. I chose to return to the Starwood Resorts Sheraton Hotel over the Universal Hilton and did not appreciate being told this upon arrival... Now I am wondering about the Executives who make these decisions for special ways to treat their guests while charging top dollar for this type of treatment. Add this to the exploding costs for these amusement parks and the cost of airplane travel and extra fees and taxes,,,I am thinking it is time to just stay home and do that" Staycation "thing that was so popular last year. This type of treatment is very aggravating at a time when you are on vacation trying to relax. So I wonder if anybody else thinks this is excellent customer service on behalf of Disney Resorts and Starwood Property? What do you think? Do you like to check into a hotel and be angry on vacation? After leaving Universal I flew to LAs Vegas and checked into the Paris Hotel on the Strip. No problems no aggravations I even won money playing an Alice in Wonderland Casino Game in their lobby. Alert to Disney and Universal: You might think you were crowded but your biggest competition is still Las Vegas. It was packed on the Strip...lots of conventioneers and foreigners...and it was a lot of fun!!!Zero aggravation based on executive decisions for me.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub p.s. Anybody that knows me is aware that I do not drink alcohol and playing the penny slot machines is big time gambling for me. So it is surprising that I had more fun and RELAXation on my Vegas destination.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney The pool thing would have frustrated me the most. I could see why they would close the Grand CA entrance into DCA. It is sometimes used by people not staying on property so they probably wanted to avoid any problems with that. However, they should have warned you of that in advance, either when you made the reservations, or by mail if the decision hadn't been made at the time.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Im not suprised at all you had a better hotel experience at Las Vegas. I just could never justify shelling out $300 a night for Disney hotel when i could stay at IMHO a better hotel like the Venetian, Wynn, Mandalay Bay for cheaper than a Disney hotel. The pool situation would have made me really angry, i probably would have demanded my money back or something for the trouble. I hope you at least got to enjoy Carsland
Originally Posted By Rsey103 It seems they could have made you aware of the gate being closed at the same time they made you aware of the park being closed the day before. That's pretty shabby of the Sheraton telling a $300+ per night guest to use the pool down the street. If all else fails, do what I do. Stay home and enjoy the parks on YouTube...
Originally Posted By Mickeysbestfan I would guess they didn't want people "camping" out at the GCH/DCA gate like they had in the esplande.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I just returned from another trip with Disney's special treatment for the Fourth of July, so be sure to read that report of fun and relaxation at the Disneyland Hotel...
