1st trip to Disneyland -Grand Californian

[SusieBea]

Ok, now that you've answered my dining question so thoroughly , tell me about your experiences w/ the Grand Californian, please. We are using our DVC points to stay there and have 2 "confirmed" DTD views. I've recently read review on Trip Advisor that the place is a mess when it comes to CMs' competency. I know people tend to speak up when they're unhappy rather than when they've had a good experience. So I hope those reviews don't represent everyone's experience!

 

[dbanzai]

I'm a DVCer who had my first stay at GCH about two weekends ago, and also stayed in a DTD view. I loved the room, with a terrace (and chairs and a table) overlooking DTD, and with a view from which I could see the fireworks pretty well at DL (plus the music was piped in on the HDTV in the room... There was also a DVD player).

What was a little annoying was the walk to and from the elevators to the main lobby. Because of the courtyard and monorail, the whole wing is a bit of a walk. I had to walk down one corridor to get to the DTD views, plus my room was at the very end of the next corridor. There was a staircase that I was able to use to go up and down (I was on the fifth floor), which didn't bother me too much as I like the exercise, but it surprised me to see the setup.

 

[ScooterL]

We've stayed at the GC on DVC points several times, and have never had a bad experience with Cast Members - most of them have been very friendly and nice and helpful. I agree with the previous poster about the length of the walk from the elevators - I've never stayed in the "main" building, either, and have always had to walk outside past Storyteller's Cafe to get to the elevator. Last trip our room was close to the stairwell that comes out next to the bathrooms by White Water Snacks, and you can use your room key to get into the stairwell at the bottom, so we used that instead of taking the elevators most of the time.

 

[SusieBea]

Thank you; I needed to hear that. I think we can manage the walk. After staying at the Boardwalk and at the Yacht Club, it won't be the first time. Plus we can all use the exercise!

 

[Califgirl]

I love the GCH and have stayed there many times on points. The CM's I've encountered have always been wonderful and well informed. I hope yours are too!

Since you are staying on points, there is no 'resort fee' for you to pay. You still get a daily paper and use of the fitness club. Self parking is free. If you choose to valet park there will be a per day fee.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[nunzia]

I love the Grand Californian. I find the property beautiful and the cast members, overall, to be very good. That said...our last visit we did not get housekeeping at all for 2 of our nights. I found it odd, but didn't report it as it wasn't that big of a deal. However, if that happens again we will.
The walks to the rooms never bothered me. One time we had park view..last time we had DTD view. We stayed on the fifth floor and here's a little hint. You can take the stairs down from the fifth floor and exit to the outside right at La Brea cafe. You can only get out this door, not back in (we got stuck in the little grassy area across from La Brea during the 1/2 marathon, but that's another story). We have a standard view this time, so we shall see how that works.

 

[lisadoll93]

We have stayed there twice and it rocks!!! The CMs are wonderful. I can not say enough nice things about. Its beautiful.

 

[avalon451]

We stayed on the fifth floor and here's a little hint. You can take the stairs down from the fifth floor and exit to the outside right at La Brea cafe. You can only get out this door, not back in

We saw that door from the outside, and I tried to find it from the inside, but I couldn't find it! Wish they would make that entrance one that you could get back in with your key card. It would save a LOT of walking at night when you're tired. Libby Lu looks soooooo far away at 11 p.m.!

We loved the GCH. The CMs were great, so helpful and kind. Housekeeping was also great, on two different occasions when my daughter was sick and sleeping in the room, they knocked asking if we wanted housekeeping, and they asked when we would like them to come back. They came back after 5 p.m. both times. They did turndown service and housekeeping at the same time. We had room service dinner one night, that was fabulous! Excellent food that came very quickly, served beautifully on linen and china (the kids were astonished and awed! ) and the server was very nice in setting it all out for us.

Hope you enjoy it!

 

[pixiewings71]

We stayed at GCH in Nov 07, we didn't use DVC points but had an amazing AP rate. We loved it!!! By far the best hotel/resort we have EVER stayed in!! It was so nice, we want to go back! LOL CM's were GREAT!!!! I don't know what complaints anyone had but we were more than happy, the maid service was great and occured daily, turndown service was fun, the kids thought that was too cool!

 

[CoolPool]

I've stayed there 3 times. All very good experiences with no complaints. I really enjoy the DTD view which also allows you to see the fireworks from your room - turn on your TV to the right channel to hear the music and words.

View from a DTD room.

 

[boscoj]

As with all the previous posts, we have stayed at the GCH a few times and haven't had any problems with the CM's. Maybe it's just me, but I've found that the majority of posts I've read on Trip Advisor tend to be in the negative, regardless of which hotel...