Our last day at the parks was probably our best day! Yes, part of us was sad this would be it at Disney, but really we weren't even supposed to be at the parks for a third day, so it was special. The story is that we only bought a 2-day park hopper pass, figuring the first day we would be checking into our hotel and enjoying the pools and Downtown Disney, and then doing the parks for two days. However, while we were out there, the forecast kept on predicting all of these crazy storms for the two days we were going to be at the parks and not for our first day checking in, so we figured we might as well use the park pass for the first two days, and just play the third day by ear. Well, the first two days were bright and sunny (it only rained overnight on the second day), so we used the park pass then. The third day we woke up to a rainy and cloudy day and figured we would hang out at the hotel and do whatever activities they had planned for inclement weather. Well, they didn't have any! Yes, Disneyland which is considered one of the "Happiest Places on Earth," and a Disneyland property hotel, apparently hasn't yet figured out what to do in the event of rain.
The Grand Californian Hotel has three magnificent pools (all outside), and their one thing planned for a rainy day was some hour-long Pinocchio activity...what were we to do? I decided to speak to a Hotel Manager who at first offered to send free dvd's up to our room. When I explained my kids were three and one, and that that probably wouldn't work, he offered us a free park hopper pass for the day for all of us (I'm talking four adults and one child- Brody was free)!!! I thought they might do something nice for us, but I truly never expected that sort of kindness and generosity. But, the other thing I haven't mentioned yet is that a lot of the major rides were closed for renovation during our visit, which no one told us when we booked our trip, so that was also part of their consideration into giving us the free passes. Either way, it was really nice and we had an amazing time. Rich and I even went back late night, just the two of us, and rode some fun rides we couldn't do with the kids like Indiana Jones and Space Mountain. I will tell you, our experience really made us feel like we did visit the "Happiest Place on Earth!" We can't wait to go again!