Grand Californian

[Queenbillabong]

Does anyone have any info on the Grand Californian Concierge rooms? We're going early in May and we're soooooo excited We've been to DL once before but did not stay anywhere near the resort - this is a splurge for sure, but I'm hoping well worth it!!!!

 

[Dobie]

The rooms are on the smallish side, but perfectly fine for 2-3 people, sizewise. The furniture is dark wood, and there is a mountain lodge type feel. The fixtures and bedding are very attractive. The beds are very comfy. There is a small table with two chairs wedged into a corner. The balconies are small, with a table and two small chairs. There is room for three chairs on the balcony if you bring one of the room table chairs out, and if you get a theme park or DTD view, the balcony is wonderful and makes the room seem a zillion times bigger. Bambi is hiding in the bedspead fabric. The bathrooms have marble countertops, and the vanity is outside the tub/toilet area. There is a wicker basket under the vanity for dirty towels--very handy.

The coolest part of the hotel, though, is the public areas. The lobby is wonderful, with lots of comfy furniture--my DH calls it "the living room." There is a fireplace with rocking chairs. The decorations take the breath away. You can walk right out of the lobby to the pool area, which is also landscaped mountain lodge style. You can get a drink in a little lounge off the lobby.

Oops--just reread original post-sorry, don't know about concierge. We be poor.

 

[biolabetty]

Concierge rooms are pretty much what has already been described here, except add a scale to weigh yourself, and a Bose CD player, plus you have access to the concierge lounge for snacks. Other than that, the rooms are about the same as a regular price room. There is a DVD player in every hotel room, but you do have free DVD rental on concierge level.

 

[dragonflymom]

Concierge rooms at Grand California are surprisingly popular. We had some freebie points from a recent Disney Vacation Club purchase and decided to splurge them on a concierge room for our President's Day weekend visit. 2 of the 3 nights we wanted were sold out when I booked a room back in December, so they processed our reservation as two separate stays--2 nights in a standard room and 1 night in a concierge. What actually happened was that we stayed in the same no-view room for 3 nights on the 6th floor, but for the last night, we received 2 separate card keys for concierge lounge access. We were able to maximize use of the lounge by requesting access as early as 9 am on our concierge check-in day, so we had breakfast there on check-in day as well as check-out day.

For breakfast, their fruit tray was a hit with my family. DH was ecstatic that they have his beloved New York Times in the Lounge. LA Times and USA Today are also available. DS and DD got in some neopets and webkinz time at the Lounge computer. We went back to the Lounge at around noon time and they were serving tea sandwiches, uncrustables, chocolate covered strawberries. The sandwiches were pretty bland and did not interest my kids at all, so we ended up eating lunch inside the Park. Evening appetizers were most eagerly awaited. Between 5 pm to 5:45 pm, every table in the Lounge was occupied. Conciege staff confirmed they were completely sold out of concierge rooms on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday over the President's Day weekend! For appies, they were serving samosas, veggie tray, cheese and crackers and dinner rolls. You can order wine or beer. They finish the day with a dessert, milk and cookie session from 8 - 10 pm. Story-telling is from 8:15 pm - 8:45 pm.

For our family, it's fun to be able to do concierge once, especially if we don't have to pay the hefty cash price. Whether it's worth it depends on how often you can or want to go back to the Lounge multiple times to eat and drink there. If all you want to do is just to hit ride after ride after ride, then it's almost a hassle to have to plan your day to come back to the Lounge multiple times. Having a split stay with no concierge the first 2 nights and concierge the last night actually worked out really well for us as we concentrated on rides the first 2 days and had a more relaxing "down" day while we had concierge access--DD had a Libby Lu makeover while DS had fun in the hotel pool.

We still have some freebie points leftover, so I'm already itching to go back in June. Called for availability of a concierge room in mid-June yesterday--guess what, they are sold out on all 3 nights of our travel dates! No wonder they can keep the rates so high!

 

[lookingforward]

Do concierge guests get the expedited check in in the lounge? I called when I was making ressies and they could not give me a difinitive answer. Thats one of the nicest perks, not having to stand in line, just going up to the lounge and checking in. Anyone?

 

[ScooterL]

We have friends who invited us to their Concierge room - they had one with a queen-size bed and two bunk beds. As far as I could tell it was the same size as the regular rooms - though it seemed a little more roomy because the bunk beds take up a little less room. They had a lovely theme park view of DCA.

And they took us into the Concierge Lounge, too - that was great! They said you could see the DL fireworks from there at night.

There's a bunch of pictures of the Concierge Lounge on AllEars: http://allearsnet.com/dlr/acc/g_gc2.htm

 

[pixiewings71]

We didn't stay concierge (we be poor too lol) but we did stay there in November. The hotel was absolutely beautiful!!! We loved it and would love to stay again but it's just not budget worthy at this time. Maybe after we get some of our debt paid off....but that's another story. Anyway, we had a queen bed and 2 bunks, it made the room seem bigger and we loved it. If that's an option for you ask about it, but call first, they only have xx amount of bunk bed rooms and they are quite popular. I really want to stay here again.....we really loved this hotel and I know with concierge it would be even better!

 

[biolabetty]

Do concierge guests get the expedited check in in the lounge? I called when I was making ressies and they could not give me a difinitive answer. Thats one of the nicest perks, not having to stand in line, just going up to the lounge and checking in. Anyone?

In theory, yes, you are supposed to get the check in up on the concierge floor. If they aren't too busy when you arrive, you will be met at the front of the hotel by concierge staff who will take you on up. There have been a few times, however, that they were too busy up there, and I had to check in with the masses at the front desk.

 

[Queenbillabong]

Ooh, it all sounds good to me - getting so excited! We booked through Disney Vacations and we're getting lots of little extras too - priority seating at shows, pins, Disney character call to get DS in the Disney mood...

I know it will be so fun. We have stayed concierge at other hotels, mainly for the snacks and water - I HATE paying for water on vacation. I'm looking forward to seeing the fireworks from the hotel!

 

[silvababe]

We stayed at the Grand this past Nov in a Theme Park View Room overlooking Grizzly River Run. It was a nice room with a queen bed and bunk bed and small balcony. "We also be poor" and cant afford to do concierge but guest at the hotel can participate in a scavenger hunt and win a key to the concierge lounge for the night. We participated and won and enjoyed the perks of the lounge. Were going back in Sept and were doing the hunt again
This Is My First Post YaY!!!

 

[lisadoll93]

Just keep in mind that the sodas are in a glass bottle and you cant take them in the park.

 

[Queenbillabong]

There are water bottles though, right??

 

[godalejunior]

Yes, the water is in plastic bottles. Also bring ziplocs to take some of the cookies into the park, makes good snacks.

 

[caldisneyfan]

Hi,
We stayed last year at the DLH. We could not get Concierge the first two days of our trip but we had it for the rest of our stay. The sodas were cans and there was pleny of water too. We stoped in for breakfast. We did stop back on our return for a fast drink on our way back to the parks in the afternoon. The DVD free rental was a nice perk as well. This year we will be staying at GCH and we booked Concierge level. We can't wait!

 

[Queenbillabong]

We're so excited - I'm glad I booked this hotel! Caldisneyfan - looks like you'll be there a month after me!

 

[caldisneyfan]

We're so excited - I'm glad I booked this hotel! Caldisneyfan - looks like you'll be there a month after me!

Yes we will and we cant wait. We watch the DLR planing dvd and go to disneyland.com all of the time. DS said he wanted to move there on our last trip. Enjoy your trip! Let us know how it goes.

 

[mAlien13]

This Is My First Post YaY!!!

Welcome, have fun here on the DIS!!! It has been so great, I know you will love it.

Queenbillabong, it sounds like a dream!! Have fun!!!

 

[mom23boyz]

What is the best way to request a certain type of room?

 

[Queenbillabong]

I made our reservations over the phone with the Disney Travel Company and they were very helpful. We get a ton of extras too for doing it that way - priority seating for shows, character call for DS before leaving (as if he needs to get any MORE excited - oh wait, that's me ) and lots more.

 

[seattlebusymom]

Does anyone have any info on the Grand Californian Concierge rooms? We're going early in May and we're soooooo excited We've been to DL once before but did not stay anywhere near the resort - this is a splurge for sure, but I'm hoping well worth it!!!!

We have stayed in the concierge rooms at both DLH and GC. At the GC the lounge is a little more plush in the offerings. During the day they offer high tea which my mom and I liked but the kids found a little too deluxe. At GC they serve the uncrustables on platter with a dab of penutbutter and a rasperry or blueberry cut in half. My girls liked them better at DLR as they are served still in the wrapper which makes it nice to take into the park. We asked about having them served to us this way at the GC and they did but not so happily.

My girls enjoyed the story hour and would come in their pj's. They also liked the desserts..... I myself enjoyed Bailies on ice.

As far as check in we were met curbside including balloons and a button for my daughter who was celebrating a birthday!

You are in for a treat!