Saturday, September 22, 2012

The Dream Suite

Located above Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland is the "Dream Suite".  This was the focus a couple years ago during the "Year of a Million Dreams" promo where one person/family was randomly chosen to spend the night in this suite.  This suite can not be booked, it must be won.  It is two bedrooms, 2 baths with a balcony looking out over the Rivers of America.  PRIME location for the viewing of Fantasmic!

This door was in the parlor and went out to a small balcony that looked out toward
the Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones.

The fireplace here had some special magic.  If you looked closely, you could actually see
some fireworks.  The mirror above the fireplace was a part of the "Kiss Goodnight" feature.

The attention to detail is amazing!

These two European castles were used as inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

"Goodnight Kiss" is a special feature in the Suite.  In the parlor, the mirror above the fireplace
magically shows Sleeping Beauty's Castle and these two items in a hutch light up and sing.

Master Bedroom.  The painting above the bed is of Neverland.
 For the "Goodnight Kiss" the painting above the bed changes and
the mermaids come out to sing.

I want to call someone using that phone!!
Room Service??

Vanity in Master Bathroom

Master Bathroom

Light feature in Master Bath.

Even this bathtub in the Master Bath gets into the show.  As you soak in the tub, you can
turn the lights off and above you the stars begin to come out.
You can't really see it, but some of the stars are shinning.  This is above the tub.  If you
watch long enough, you will even see some shooting stars....just so you can make a wish!

Second bedroom is another Adventureland Room.

Two beds.

Lamp in the room.

Bathroom

For the "Goodnight Kiss" the train travels all around the upper perimeter of the room. 

As the train moves around the room, the "scene" it is passing through lights up.

View from the balcony overlooking Rivers of America.  As was noted, you could probably sit up here
and no one on the ground would even notice you!

Adventureland Suite at Disneyland Hotel

  Something many people may not know is that each of the Disney hotels at Disneyland have several specially themed Signature Suites.  One can only accommodate two, most can handle four and several can house up to 12 or 13 guests.
  Paradise Pier has 5 Signature Suites that range from a Poolside Patio Suite or one overlooking Anaheim on the 14th floor, or a Disney's California Adventure View.
  Disneyland Hotel has 6 Signature Suites, the most famous one is the Mickey Mouse Penthouse Suite.  All things Mickey! This suite was initially the prize during the "Year of a Million Dreams" when some lucky guest would be chosen to spend the night there.  It was eventually replaced by the "Dream Suite" that sits above Pirates of the Caribbean.  One of the suites: Fairytale Suite only accommodates two.  Honeymoon or Anniversary?
  The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has four Signature Suites with views of either the pool or Disney's California Adventure.
 
  I was lucky enough to be able to tour one of the Signature Suites in the Disneyland Hotel.  The Adventureland Suite in the Adventure Tower can accommodate up to 3 people in amazing comfort.  Roughing it was never easier!!

  Before you begin to think you might want to stay in one of these suites, the price I heard bouncing around ranged from $1500 - $3000 per night!


Adventureland Suite.  Ring the door bell and enjoy a surprise!

These masks will great you just inside the door.  When you ring the doorbell, they will "sing" for you.
Think of the Tiki Room...



 

The living room with a fireplace.  Where is the TV you ask?  See that painting over the
fireplace??

Looking toward the entryway.

I LOVED this little reading nook in the living room.  There are  two little reading lights, one
on each side of the nook.

This suite has a small kitchen where you could fix small meals.  

The second bedroom is designed to feel like you are in a tent.  The walls and ceiling are
canvas colored and the ceiling is draped as if it was the top of the tent.


 

The ceiling made to look like a tent.


 

The bathroom

The Master Bedroom.  Note the tub IN THE ROOM.  There is also a fireplace that is located
behind me.  Sitting area is to your left.

Close up of the Mater Bed.

Sitting area for the Master Bedroom.
  Want to see more?  http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland-hotel/gallery/#/rooms,adventureland-signature-suite

Friday, September 14, 2012

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

  Nestled within the Disney California Adventure Park, this hotel offers luxury accommodations and rich dining experiences in the turn of the century Craftsman style and elegance.
  Standard guest rooms can accommodate up to 5 with a variation of King, Queen and bunk bedded rooms. View rooms overlook Downtown Disney District, Pools or Disney California Adventure Park.

The feature piece of the Lobby is the HUGE stone fireplace.  It burns all year no matter what the temps are outside
giving everything a cozy feel, even when it is in the 90's outside.  The flame also burns in a little patio outside.  A beautiful place to sit and relax at the end of a tiring day.

The pool at Grand Californian  is actually 3 pools including a 100 foot water slide, 2 whirlpool spas and  4 poolside
cabanas.

This was the view from our room on the second floor.  Room number 2246.

Excuse our unpacking.  

The desk and TV cabinet.  In the cabinet is a small refrigerator.  Wireless internet is free.

The bathroom has a separate area for the sink and mirror, with the shower and toilet in the room to the  right.

Night time view from our room.  I was surprised to see that the lights never go out!


Sunday, September 9, 2012

Disneyland Hotel

  The Disneyland Hotel is the original hotel built at the same time Disneyland was: 1955.  It was not owned by Disney until much later.  It had a major renovation that was completed in 2012.  A retro theme with a contemporary twist circa 1950's incorporates nostalgic elements of the Disney past while preserving a Classic Disney theme.  In the renovated guest room, a Sleeping Beauty Castle light up headboard above the bed can give you your own personal fireworks show.
  The hotel consists of three towers:  Adventure, Frontier and Fantasy.
  The Concierge Lounge is located on the 11th floor of the Adventure Tower.  The view from there is spectacular!  From the lounge you can view the Fireworks with in-house soundtrack.
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes..


When You're Fast Asleep
King Bed Room with the Magical Headboard
Detail in the bathroom
Concierge View of Downtown Disney
Part of the Disneyland Hotel Pool
Monorail Slide Pool at the Disneyland Hotel

Paradise Pier

Paradise Pier celebrates the carefree California lifestyle in one convenient tower overlooking Disney's California Adventure Park.  It features a laid-back fun and sun theme inspired by beachfront pavilion hotels of the 1920's and 1930's during the heyday of California beachfront boardwalks.

The pool at Paradise Pier is on the third floor with a roller coaster themed slide.  Some rooms located on the third floor have a Cabana type patio facing the pool.

The most exciting rooms at Paradise Pier are the Upper Level Theme Park View rooms!  Imagine sitting in your room watching World of Color as the music is piped into your room.  Or turning your attention to the fireworks over Disneyland as you listen to the music.

The only question to ask is: Why would you NOT want to stay there??

Paradise Pier as seen from Disney's California Adventure

Double Bed Room
King Bed Room
All rooms have a twin sleeper sofa in the room
Pool View from the 5th floor
Roller Coaster type slide

Cabana Rooms on the third floor facing the pool.
Disney's California Adventure from an Upper Level Theme Park View Room

The Grand Californian from an Upper Level Theme Park View Room