Back from Grand Californian About This Page:

[bradbeckyk]

While at DL you better plan on using your CC, debit card, or cash, because very few places recognize your room key as being able to be used as a charge card. I went to a few places in DL and tried to pay with my room key and they said they only took cash or credit cards. I complained and finally figured out to tell the person if they could take credit cards they could take the room key. They would apologize and tell me this was all new to them; they went on to say most small stands just got the ability to use credit cards. I told them that I was shocked because at WDW you could use your room key almost any place. They said that is just the problem DL is not the priority WDW is and it receives the new upgrades first and DL/CA is last priority. I am surprised because look at how many years we have been able to charge to the room off our room key at WDW.

[bitterchickey]

Well there's another shocker Brad! We are definitely room chargers at WDW. 60 units--UGH why bother then!

[Hartster]

We were careful when to use our room key as a charge card because we didn't want to be surprised at the end of the trip! We used our room key only at Pizza Port and Stage Door Cafe. If you're looking to get water or soda from one of them carts in DW, they only take cash - not even debit cards, however.

We also took an empty water bottle and refilled it the evening before and placed it in the fridge, as well as refilled it in the park as necessary, to avoid the little $2.75 charges for water or soda from overtaking the bill. I also don't eat a lot during hot weather, so the kids meal - some chicken nuggets, apple slices and a juice box - was more than fine for me for lunch.

[szubieta]

Originally Posted by Hartster

We were puzzled as to why the monorail would go through the hotel without stopping. I thought perhaps, that the monorail at one point did stop there but was changed when Downtown Disney was built. Anybody know?

It never stopped at the GCH, although it should...

Originally Posted by Hartster

Also, anybody know why Donald Duck is so hard to find, either at the Disney parks or in the Disney store? When we were at WDW Donald was the last character we found.

At WDW found Donald first a Epcot in Mexico. But you know we have only seen him at DL in the Morning Madness in Toontown then he seems to disappear.

Originally Posted by Hartster

There are no microwaves in the rooms. (Or at least, not in our room.) There is a refrigerator. I brought some stuff for breakfast (or ate leftovers), so while my wife was buying stuff at White Water, I used the microwave there to heat up food.

IDK about the PPH, but GCH & DLH don't have any microwave in-room even in the suite we had at the DLH. We didn't have a microwave at the AKL (savannah view) at WDW either. Do some of the hotels at WDW have microwaves??

I do wish DL & DCA had the Key to the World card too. The dining plan at DL are vouchers and not on the room key either. I loved only having to carry the Key to the World at WDW, it truely was the best.

[disney777]

I thought the only rooms at WDW that had microwaves were the DVC units. I didn't have a microwave at Contemporary, WL or AKL. I would expect the new DVC GC would have them, but wouldn't expect them in the regular resort rooms.
Many of the motels/hotels surrounding DLR have microwaves and fridges.

[Colexis Mom]

Thanks for sharing the details of your trip! Sorry for all the challenges!!

[Hartster]

Originally Posted by disney777

I thought the only rooms at WDW that had microwaves were the DVC units. I didn't have a microwave at Contemporary, WL or AKL. I would expect the new DVC GC would have them, but wouldn't expect them in the regular resort rooms.
Many of the motels/hotels surrounding DLR have microwaves and fridges.

Ah, OK. It wasn't that big a deal, because the only time I needed a microwave was to reheat leftovers for breakfast the next day. I just found it odd to have a fridge in the room and not a microwave.

Oh, and we did have a tub in the room - which was most welcome after a long day walking around!