Grand Californian Super Thread

[hjgaus]

The picture I linked was from a hotel room in September 2012. It was a concierge room, but the amenities are likely the same for all rooms. That was the only time foot cream was provided, never before or since.

Villas have slightly different amenities.

Toothbrushes seem to be randomly provided, for both hotel rooms and villas.

Very interesting! Thanks nonsuch!

 

[mmmears]

It's been my experience that the peppermint foot cream and a few of the other amenities are offered club level only (at both the GCH and the GF at WDW). YMMV

 

[Nonsuch]

It's been my experience that the peppermint foot cream and a few of the other amenities are offered club level only (at both the GCH and the GF at WDW). YMMV

That makes sense. I don't use most of the products, but the foot cream can be soothing after stomping around all day

 

[WestCoastMama]

One of the benefits of booking a room on the concierge level:
"Staff available prior to and during your visit for reservations and vacation planning"

Has anyone had experience using the concierge services before their trip for making reservations? Wondering if its different than calling general guest services.

 

[lucysmom]

We went just before Christmas last year. All of our planning was done via the Disney trip office. The concierge did not do any planning for us. However, I wondered if, because we were staying concierge, they gave us everything we asked for when we needed it. We managed to get all of our character meals, holiday tour tickets, and fantasmic package tickets right when we wanted them. We did not even have to call on the specific days. The travel planner took our list of desired events, and called us when they booked them. It was super!

 

[WestCoastMama]

We went just before Christmas last year. All of our planning was done via the Disney trip office. The concierge did not do any planning for us. However, I wondered if, because we were staying concierge, they gave us everything we asked for when we needed it. We managed to get all of our character meals, holiday tour tickets, and fantasmic package tickets right when we wanted them. We did not even have to call on the specific days. The travel planner took our list of desired events, and called us when they booked them. It was super!

Thank you for the feedback! I'll give them a call.

 

[mmmears]

I don't want to start a whole debate about pool hopping, but I'm wondering what the pools are like at GCH now that DCA has higher attendance? On our last trip there, we were dismayed by how crowded the pool areas were (especially since we could tell that many of the people around us were not staying at the GCH, since they were talking about how easy it was to just spend the afternoon there when they went to DCA). Is it still a problem, or is it harder to get in there? (the gate access wasn't doing much to prevent it).

 

[Nonsuch]

...On our last trip there, we were dismayed by how crowded the pool areas were (especially since we could tell that many of the people around us were not staying at the GCH, since they were talking about how easy it was to just spend the afternoon there when they went to DCA).

GCH guests need to complain to guest services (or even ask to speak to the hotel manager).

I have had a CM ask to see my room key while I was taking photos in the pool area (it was early in the morning and the pools were empty).

Related to the pools: These lifts were recently installed on all the pools and spas.

 

[LoveKermit]

We will be in SoCal for a week. We could not get a villa at the 7 month mark so are staying in a GCH room. Does anyone have experience using the laundry area in the hotel? Is it convenient? Do they work okay?

This will change how I pack. I may only do one load of whites if it is sketchy or small or takes a long time (or maybe go offsite). Or if it's just fine, I will do all the clothes and take less.

Thanks in advance.

 

[lucysmom]

I was disappointed in the GCH pool system. After Stormalong Bay at WDW, the GCH pools seemed small and uninteresting. Now, we were there in December, and frankly, it was too cold for more than one trip down the slide. (We headed straight to the hot tub after that!) But, I could see that in warmer weather, the pools would get overcrowded for the size of the hotel. People would need to hover for even the possibility of snagging a chair! Therefore, they really should check hotel keys and issue wristbands to hotel guests to keep the availability for pool and chair use for guests of the hotel. Pool hopping is not allowed, but that has never stopped anyone. If no one is going to enforce the rule, people will take advantage, unfortunately.

 

[tchrrx]

Just back from a 5 night stay at GC. I liked it, but....

Why on earth does such a nice resort have such cheap, awful toilet paper?

 

[XMom]

Just back from a 5 night stay at GC. I liked it, but....

Why on earth does such a nice resort have such cheap, awful toilet paper?

We thought we were the only ones who think like that! We don't ever go on vacation without bringing our Charmin along!

 

[tchrrx]

We thought we were the only ones who think like that! We don't ever go on vacation without bringing our Charmin along!

I don't think I've ever stayed anywhere with such awful toilet paper. I'm packing my own t.p. next time. I'm sure my backside will thank me! lol

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

We will be in SoCal for a week. We could not get a villa at the 7 month mark so are staying in a GCH room. Does anyone have experience using the laundry area in the hotel? Is it convenient? Do they work okay?

This will change how I pack. I may only do one load of whites if it is sketchy or small or takes a long time (or maybe go offsite). Or if it's just fine, I will do all the clothes and take less.

Thanks in advance.

When we stayed at GCH in 2011 I used the laundry facilities. I recall there being two laundry rooms in different areas of the hotel. I used the one near the Villas. It was clean and had about 3 or 4 washing machines and the same amount of dryers. The only problem I recall having at the time was the change/token machine was not working. I did my washing late at night when the rest of my family were sleeping, (and I was wide awake due to jetlag!) so I took a book enjoyed the peace & quiet!

 

[Nonsuch]

...Does anyone have experience using the laundry area in the hotel? Is it convenient? Do they work okay?

I have no experience actually using the guest laundry, but have some information to share

...I may only do one load of whites if it is sketchy or small or takes a long time (or maybe go offsite).

I don't know what you consider "sketchy", but the the large main laundry feels rather isolated. The machines and rooms seem well maintained.


The main laundry is located on the second floor near the elevators located between Storytellers and Napa Rose. These elevators are the only access, since the second floor in this area does not directly connect to other areas of the hotel. A hotel key is required for access. There are 6 washers and 12 dryers. There is also a counter for folding and a table and chairs, but it would be much more pleasant to wait elsewhere.

The second laundry is located on the first floor and was added during the VGC expansion for use by guests in studio villas, but it is open to all GCH guests. It's actually open to anyone, although the door has a keycard lock it is generally unlocked. This area of the hotel is relatively quiet and even the ice/vending rooms are unlocked. There are 2 washers and 4 dryers.

Directly across the hall are double doors to the BBQ area for the VGC. A nice place to wait, the screams from Goofys Sky School make it feel like you're inside the park

 

[hjgaus]

Nonsuch,
I have never seen the laundry area & didn't know one of them would be by the BBQ -which WE WILL BE USING FOR STEAK DINNER ON SUNDAY! LOL!!! I just hope it's not raining at the time! Love the fact that we can totally count on you with all the ins n outs of our home away from home!! Thanks for keeping us so well informed!! You're the bomb!

 

[lucysmom]

Oh my goodness! I totally agree about the toilet paper! I can't figure out how they think they are saving money with one-ply paper. You just use more. I can't figure out the shower heads that dribble out the water either. I just have to stand in there longer. Sheesh!

 

[franandaj]

We thought we were the only ones who think like that! We don't ever go on vacation without bringing our Charmin along!

I think it's Disney in general because I bought Cottonelle when we were staying at WDW and put it in my OL. Unfortunately my DP steals all the TP when we stay there. Thinks its part of our dues!

 

[LoveKermit]

Thank you for the laundry room pictures. That does not look sketchy. You should see where I had to laundry in Strasbourg, France, and I survived that. I like knowing I can do all the laundry at once so I think that is what I will do. I will probably just take a roll of quarters along.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I will probably just take a roll of quarters along.

The machines use tokens.