Coast to Coast Disney - Last Day & Final Thoughts

[ChipDale]

Cast of Characters:

Jane (aka ChipDale)
Ron (my husband)

Trip Dates:

Wednesday, September 18 – Monday, September 30

Resort:

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

Day Thirteen, Monday, September 30

Today’s our last day. Got up at 7:00am, made coffee, showered and woke Ron up. We were ready to go by about 8:30am. We called for our bags to be picked up and Ron waited for them while I went downstairs to get a table at the Storytellers Café for breakfast (had to have one more breakfast with Chip & Dale! [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] ). Our coffee and juices had arrived by the time Ron sat down, so we ordered. I had my regular American breakfast and Ron had an omelet. Everything was excellent as usual and we enjoyed the ambience in this beautiful restaurant. We made it over to Disneyland before 9:30am so we browsed Main Street and had one last coffee before rope drop at 10:00am. We listened to Walt’s speech for the last time, then at rope drop walked towards Frontierland to ride the Mark Twain. Well, the Mark Twain wasn’t running yet this morning, so we opted for one last ride on Pirates of the Caribbean.

After Pirates, we headed back down to Main Street, stopped in the Candy Palace for a caramel apple [img]graemlins/tasty.gif[/img] and walked down to Town Square to listen to the Disneyland Band concert. While we were listening, two of the Billies spotted us and stopped to talk. This was a great way to end our trip! We said goodbye then walked back to the Grand Californian and waited for our car. Our trip home was great again (remember our other two flights took off and landed early). This trip was so quick! We made it back to Chicago in 3 hours (we had a very strong tail wind). Our luggage was waiting for us downstairs and we met my dad outside. Home again…it had been a fantastic trip – now we’re ready to plan our next one! [img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img]

Final Thoughts

It’s not easy (or fair) to compare WDW and Disneyland. If you’ve read my reports, you know that Disneyland is my favorite, but I love WDW too. This trip was a dream come true – we had always wanted to go from one coast to straight to the other. We loved that aspect of the trip and will definitely do it again.

I can’t really think of any “cons” with the exception of my arm being in a sling the entire trip. We missed out on many of my favorite attractions, but that’s what next trips are for. The weather in Florida was very oppressive, but weather’s weather and we really didn’t let it hinder us. We felt fine and drank TONS of water. Five nights and six days is only enough to hit the highlights or your favorites at WDW. We never did make it over to the new Once Upon a Toy Store or Downtown Disney (sorry Tracey!) and only did one attraction at the Studios. Like I said before, we’ll do it next time.

Crowds were great in September, only the weekends were busy. Cast Members (on both coasts) were fantastic. We enjoyed both hotels (Polynesian and the Grand Californian) very much – service was superb and very much up to Disney standards. Our favorite memories are from the great entertainment that Disney offers. WDW: all of the actors in the Adventurers Club were hilarious; the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue is as good as ever and Pam Brody in the Rose ‘n Crown Pub is wonderful! At Disneyland: Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are a must-see, DCA’s new bluegrass band, the Barncats are excellent and I hope they stick around for a long time, and of course Rod Miller at Coke Corner (who’s been playing there for 33 years) is a Disneyland staple. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

This was definitely an anniversary that we’ll remember for a long time to come. Thanks for taking the time to read my reports. I’d be happy to answer any questions!

[imported_PolyGirl40]

Only one question; When is the next trip? A Disney Christmas?

Thanks for taking the time to write up your detailed reports, Janie. They have always been a favorite of mine. Your trip reports were the first ones I ever read back in 2000. You quickly lured me into this forum and it soon became my favorite -- and still is.

[imported_Melanears]

Thanks again for the reports, Jane. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] They were excellent!! It's so cool that you guys will do the coast to coast thing again. What inspiration ~ I think I will keep this in mind for our 20th in 12 years!

[leftear]

Jane, what an excellent trip! I'm so jealous of how all-out it's been for you, even with the sling. You really know how to do Disney trips right. I've taken copious notes!

[Disney-4-Me]

Thanks again for such awesome reports. I have enjoyed them so much! [img]graemlins/muscles.gif[/img]

[Dopeysfriend]

Thanks again for sharing your magical trip with us, Janie! [img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img] It was just like being with you every step of the way. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[michaelandmommylovedisney]

I think I would be so beat doing all that you did. [img]smile.gif[/img] On our last trip to WDW in May I was sooo tired by our 5th day. I have never been to DL but I am making that our goal for 2005. Glad you had a great anniversary.

[img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img] 3 more days [img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img]

[sgdisney]

I've gotten a little behind and just read your last few installments. Thank you so much for sharing your special trip with us. It sounded like the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary. Let's see, my 20th is in 3 1/2 years, maybe I should start dropping hints now! Having never been to Disneyland, you leave me wanting to make that trip someday.

And by the way, you are so good at writing trip reports, I guess they knew what they were doing when they picked you to be a moderator. Thanks again, and keep up the good job you and all the mods do around here! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[harlowandthemermaid]

Thanks for another set of great reports! I've enjoyed them as always.... [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[TiggerRPh]

Yeah....when do we (I mean you) go to WDW or DLR again??

Thanks again for the wonderful reports Jane!!

[img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img]

[Lucille]

Great reports Jane!!! I enjoyed reading every single word!! I made Sean promise that for our 20th we could do the same thing. Only 19 years and 11 months to go!! [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Dizneyana]

Thanks Janie, for such great reports... [img]graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img]

I insist that you go back soon just so that we have more reports to read... I hate it when they come to an end...

Thank you for sharing all of your days with us, and your anniversary, and thanks for all you did for me... Don't worry about the Downtown Disney part, I have Ray on the job for that in December....

[img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img]

[KylesMom]

Jane, just catching up in the Trip Reports forum. As always, you make me feel like I'm there! SOMEDAY we'll make it to Disneyland, I've wanted to go since I read trip reports of yours a few years ago. Thanks again for sharing your anniversary trip with us [img]graemlins/party.gif[/img] !