How does Grand Californian measure up?

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm wondering, how does the Grand Californian measure up, compared to WDW's Deluxe Resorts? And, how is the concierge service? Thanks!

[minniecarousel]

We like staying at the Boardwalk when we go to WDW, and we LOVED the Grand Californian! We have never used the concierge type rooms anywhere, so can't help you there. The convenience of the accessability to DCA was fantastic! We had a room overlooking the Park, and really enjoyed it!

[daannzzz]

At WDW I have stayed at The Yacht Club, The Wilderness Lodge, The Grand Floridian and the New Animal Kingdom Lodge. While I don't care for the exterior as much at the Grand Californian, the interior was fantastic. The rooms were not huge ( same size as WL) but decorated a little nicer (a touch more formal) than the WL, with a bit more amenities like a coffee maker and bath robes (this was not concierge). Also while all this is wonderful for those who love Disney resorts the main perk is the location. It beats any WDW hotel by a long shot. We could be from our room to inside DCA in about a minute, depending on how quick the elevator arrived! It was fantastic.
Dan

[ceejay13]

We are just back from our second stay at the GC. We are also DVC members and have stayed at many of the hotels at WDW. The GC is wonderful. I totally agree with the previous poster about being right in the middle of the park. We, too, had a park view and it was incredible. It was directly over the entrance into DCA and looked at Grizzly Peak. We loved it. The rooms are not huge but elegantly decorated. The CMs are very attentive, and the service was great. Although DL does not have all that WDW has to offer, DCA, DD and the GC make it much more like a trip to Florida.

[IamSusan]

I have stayed at WL twice, GF once, and GC once. I do not think that Grand Californian is as worth the premium price as the other two at Disneyworld. I paid 150.00 nite at Californian and at that price it was worth it to me. But I just got back from DL and this time I stayed at the Hilton for 50 bucks a nite with priceline. That frankly had 200 nite at GC beat. It just isn't ( IMHO ) as important to stay on Disney property at Disneyland.

I liked GC but I did not feel that it was as "magical" as the Disneyworld deluxes. It was very nice, but I didn't get that feeling that I get at the Disneyworld hotels that the hotel itself is part of the "show".

This weekend we ate at Storytellers and I walked around just to see if my impression in January was a fluke, but I still think it is only worth it if you can get a super discounted rate.

[LuvTigger]

IamSusan,

Just wondering how you got such a great rate at GC! Was it for some kind of promotion?

[IamSusan]

I don't know if they still discount that much. It is a really nice hotel, I just was expecting WDW feel and it really isn't that.

You are in Hawaii? We stayed at the Grand Wailea in Maui and THAT was a super amazing resort! Even without Mickey!

[LuvTigger]

On your next Hawaii visit, consider the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island, thats a gorgeous resort as well!

[Dodie]

It is simply amazing. It is a beautiful hotel with wonderful amenities and restaurants.

The benefit of being able to walk out a private exit/entrance into DCA is amazing. The walk to DL is just a short one through Downtown Disney too.

I don't know anything about concierge. We had standard view room - which overlooked the courtyard where the monorail passes through and a small portion of Downtown Disney. Although there was music playing in DD, and the monorail passed essentially right below us, with the balcony door closed, you couldn't hear any of it.

You'll love it!:D

[DisneyaHolic23]

I LOVE the Grand Californian, and think the hotel itself is as nice as a premium WDW hotel.

That being said, the concierge service does NOT measure-up. We stayed at the concierge at the Poly, and it was phenomenal. GC concierge just didn't have the selection; the beverages were not left out, so you have to ask for them (water & pop); they serve the wine, rather than self-pour; the room is small, so a couple of times we didn't have a seat in the morning or during wine & cheese (people were really nice about sharing tables!); there was no dessert/cordial time at GC.

I posted a trip report, including information about the Grand Californian concierge back in April. The title was something like: Day One: April 10-13: Grand Californian Concierge...