Anybody stay concierge at GCH - comments?

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, I am a total DL noob (MANY many times at WDW, though ) trying to plan an end of March stay - most likely at the Grand Californian.

Sorry this is on the longish side.

Does anybody have any experiences to share with staying concierge at that hotel? We love WDW concierge. Did it add anything special to your stay?

Any info on the services and food offerings?

Do they have a preplanning office (IPO) like the WDW concierge levels do?

Just trying to decide if concierge would be worth it for the planning and curious as to whatever else they have available.

Thanks for any info!! Despite having read a couple DL books I am feeling a bit clueless about planning this trip. I was told over the phone I could book dining 30 days out, but the books say 60 days. I am planning on staying 4 nts.....is that enough or too much? (I am probably asking this question to the wrong crowd, lol)

Anybody know the Grand Californian's room size compared to the Grand Floridian's? I read that GC's are smallish and dark. My DD10 has low vision and dark/dim isn't good. Also, we have a family of 5, so small isn't good, either!

PS - Any recommendations for a great Disneyland book?? (I have the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaums)

Lives4Disney

 

[Pooh's Purple Pal]

We just returned from an 8 day stay at GC concierge so let me see if I can answer some of your questions.

Does anybody have any experiences to share with staying concierge at that hotel? We love WDW concierge. Did it add anything special to your stay? We always choose concierge because we like having the food offerings during the day. At the holidays they have other special acitivities in the lounge as well (crafts, cookie decorating, Victorian carolers, storytime with Santa, etc.)

Any info on the services and food offerings? They offer continental breakfast items (fruit, bagels, pastries, cereals, juice, etc. During the day it was tea offerings like tea sandwiches, madelines, cookies, chocolate dipped strawberries, Mickey shaped scones with cream and jam, etc.) The evening reception included beer and wine, vegetables/dip, Uncrustable peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (sliced and decorated), a cheese platter with dried fruits and candied nuts, an assortment of breads, and a hot item like little feta calzones or samoas with a salsa or sauce. Late evening offerings included cordials and big cookies as well as fancy dessert items like mousse cups, cakes slices, etc. There were always beverages available like bottled water, pop, coffee/tea/cocoa.

Do they have a preplanning office (IPO) like the WDW concierge levels do? I don't know as we had someone else make all our tour reservations and PS arrangements.

Just trying to decide if concierge would be worth it for the planning and curious as to whatever else they have available. We figure it's worth it for the creature comforts while we're there, rather than the planning aspect. This time we did notice that the staff was less attentive than when we were at the DLH concierge this spring, but after all, it was Christmas week and the hotel was very busy.

Hope that helps.

 

[MATTERHORN]

We stay there with a family of five all the time and we never had a problem with room size. There are two queen beds and if you're kids are like mine, they are all still small enough to fit all 3 in one bed so we have no problems at all.

I personally did not think the room was dark. It's not loud and crazy, it has subdued color schemes and a woodsy feeling, but to me it was not dark. I will try to find some pictures I took with my own camera of our room.

I also think 4 days will be okay, but depends when in March you are going? If it's during the second half, that is Spring Break time and it could be pretty crowded. But if you spend most of the day at the parks, you should be able to do almost everything!

I have stayed concierge one time and for me it was not worth it. We just don't go back to the hotel in the middle of the day to restock on drinks so we end up buying or bringing them anyways. We like to close out the park so we are never there for the wine/cheese/dinner items. It just doesn't make sense for our needs, but if you spend a lot of time in the room/at the hotel, it would be nice.

Have a wonderful trip, this is my all time favorite hotel!

Andrea

 

[GailT]

I just came back from the GC last week and I didn't go concierge and other then the food or drinks I found it to be the sane as concierge, The sheets on the bed had the double bedding, EX sheet, blanket and a sheet over that, turn down survice every night, ironing board and robes in closet, coffee maker and pakets of coffee on the vanity off the bathroom. For me not going concierge was worth it, there was only 2 of us and we can't eat and drink the price difference in a concierge and a non- concierge room. We were there for 4 nights, did rides multiple times. The best vacation ever, sorry DW California has won me over

 

[slp87]

We stayed concierge in Nov '05 and really enjoyed it. We don't care as much for the food options at DL like we do at WDW, so we thought it was perfect. We started every morning with a nice breakfast in the lounge, then usually stopped for a snack on our way back through in the afternoons and before heading back out in the evenings. The drinks alone were great, but be sure to get a cup if you want to take a drink into the parks, the bottles are glass.

There were 5 of us in our room, DD 11, Parents, brother & myself, plus 2 ECVs and we thought the room was plenty big. Our room had the 2 beds plus the daybed. We wouldn't hesitate to all stay together again.

Four nights is perfect. That's what we did and we rode everything multiple times.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks so much for all the replies!!

We are actually planning on March 28 - 4/1. We were at WDW that time last year and it was crazy busy for us. I hope it's not as busy at DL.

When it is busy at WDW we usually do go back to the hotel & enjoy having the lounge & snacks and extra space (lounge) to spread out in. Spent a lot of resort time last spring break. We have been to WDW so many times it doesn't matter that we're not in the parks, but since this is our first DL trip I don't know if we'd be park marathoners or more inclined to take a midday break and take advantage of concierge lounge. If it's a crush of wall to wall people - I hate that - and would love to go back to concierge!

My kids are 6, 10 girls, and a 16 yr old son. I was told there were queen bed with bunks & trundle available, so that would be good.

I need to go over the different packages/rates etc. and determine cost/benefit. The replies are mixed conc vs non, but everybody seems to really like the GCH.

How about the BEST Disneyland guide book?? Any suggestions??

THANKS!

Lives4Disney

 

[MATTERHORN]

I was always told they will not guarantee a bunk bed room, that it is a request only. Not sure if that is still true if you go concierge, maybe someone else knows.


Andrea

 

[Lives4Disney]

I was always told they will not guarantee a bunk bed room, that it is a request only. Not sure if that is still true if you go concierge, maybe someone else knows.


Andrea

You may be right because I know with WDW rooms bunks are request only.

I told the DL rep the number in my family & she mentioned a room with two queens. I asked how that would work with my family of 5? What happens to the third kid? That is when she mentioned the bunk bed/trundle & queen option, which sounded perfect to me. She didn't tell me it was request only, though. I got off the phone thinking that would be the perfect way to go.

In my Unofficial DL book I did read about sleeping bags at GCH. Come on, if we're paying over $500/nt - maybe closer to $700+ for concierge WHY would my son (or anybody's kid) get stuck in a sleeping bag??!! That sounds kind of lame to me. Is this sleeping bag thing common at GCH, because honestly I will be kind of disappointed if that happens. I would just as soon bring an aero so at least he's comfortable. What do they commonly do with the 3rd child?? At WDW we always book rooms with 2 queens and a daybed so we know what we're getting & where everybody will sleep comfortably.

Yes, I am interested to know if anybody has any experience with the 3rd child and the sleeping arrangements. I prefer to be prepared.

Ugh......just read another post on another thread regarding the bunkbeds being very small. Now I don't know what to do with my teen son as the trundle must be smallish, too since it rolls out from under the bunks. Maybe I should just go with the two queen room and bring my aero. I am feeling a bit bummed by this new info because my teen is a guy that loves his sleep and won't sleep well on an aero or tiny trundle. For the cost of the rooms, I just assumed that we would all sleep comfortably. I assume too much!! Thought the bunks were twin size & the trundle too. It kills me to pay so much for a hotel room and get the disappointed/inconvenienced feeling.

Lives4Disney

 

[MATTERHORN]

Yes the sleeping bags are common for the fifth person, so if that's not an option for you (it wouldn't be for me at that price) I would have to rethink things. All my kids are small all three still fit in one bed. Don't know what I'll do when they get a bit bigger. It will be Me and the girls in one bed and my DH and DS in another I suspect.

Sorry I was the bearer of bad news. If the others were a little older, I would suggest two regular rooms instead of one concierge, but I don't think that's an option either. Hope you figure out something that works, they say the bunks are okay for people about 5'3" - 5'5", how tall is your teen?


Andrea

 

[Dobie]

I think the rooms at the GCH would be a bit snug for five people. I haven't stayed in a bunkbed room, but the standard two queens was just big enough for three. Personally, I don't think that concierge--which I think is an extra 150 bucks per night--is worth the cost, but if your family likes to nibble, it might be worth it for you.

Have you considered staying at the Paradise Pier? I think you can get concierge there, and the rooms, I hear, are bigger, and brighter, than the GCH.

Have a magical trip!

 

[DIZCOWZ]

We have stayed at the GCH a few times and we are a family of five. I always request the bunkbed because under the bottom bunk is a roll out trundle which fits a small child. I have always gotten the bunkbed room when I requested it. As for concierge, it seems like a great idea especially if you are flying and cannot pack some of these items, but we always drive and have never done concierge. They do have a nice little snackbar that is pretty inexpensive that has drinks, yogurts, snacks, and cooked to serve items like breakfast sandwiches or burritos for breakfast and pizza, burgers, nachos etc.... for lunch and dinner. Also you go through downtown disney to get to Disneyland and go right by Jamba Juice and La Brea bakery that has breakfast items. Enjoy I hope this helps......

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks, guys for all the info and taking the time to reply!


Matterhorn, my son is almost 6 ft tall. I don't know what I would do with him, lol!! He isn't going to be thrilled to be at DL anyway, and then to make him sleep on the floor .......We drag him with us to WDW several times a year and it's getting old for him. (not for the rest of us, though!!)

Dobie, I really hadn't considered the PP. I don't know.....from what I have read it seems to be overall the least favored of the three. Not sure why - that just seems to be the feeling I am getting from the Dis comments I've read.

I am still torn and now considering DLH due to reading the rooms are larger and they have better options for the 3rd child. I just leaned toward GCH due to location, balconies, newer, pool looked beautiful, a bit more upscalish. (Not that upscale matters a whole lot as my kids love the Contemporary for it's fun and action and the Nick Hotel)

It will be a costly trip and I am feeling a bit down that I can't get the perfect fit and something to be all THRILLED about. I wish I could go to Disneyland, drive around, check it all out & the hotels and then choose. So hard to choose and commit sight unseen.

Any idea on the room size at GCH compared to say....CR/Poly/ or GF?? Just for an idea as there are conflicting opinions on how many are comfortable in the room.

Thanks so much & Have a Happy New Year!!

Lives4Disney

 

[dizzyami]

Anytime we have booked with the GCH with a group of five we have always received two queen beds with a super comfy day bed - this worked great for us.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I was pretty sure GCH had day beds? I would think 2 queens and a day bed would work okay?

My BIL and SIL had 4 kids when we all stayed at the GCH a few years back. They were able to get the bunk beds with no problem. But again, their kids were pretty small at the time. They now have 5 kids, and 2 of them are teens. So they have to get two rooms when they travel. Otherwise it would be a very uncomfy trip for the teens! My SIL told me that she dreaded having to pay for two rooms, but knew it was coming, as no hotel could comfortably hold them all in one room! Good luck!

Oh and I've also seen rooms at the DLH with two queens and a day bed. Very roomy!

 

[slp87]

As I mentioned before, we had the room with 2 queens and a daybed. My brother who is 6'5" slept on the daybed without complaint. He couldn't stretch out straight, but didn't mind it. Compared to the room we had in the Bonita Tower at the DLH, our room at the GCH was much roomier!

 

[Lives4Disney]

As I mentioned before, we had the room with 2 queens and a daybed. My brother who is 6'5" slept on the daybed without complaint. He couldn't stretch out straight, but didn't mind it. Compared to the room we had in the Bonita Tower at the DLH, our room at the GCH was much roomier!

Thanks so much for reposting this! I am sorry, I have been scouring the boards for info & totally missed this and started to panic when I read small bunks and sleeping bag! I would definitely request THIS room type - 2 queens/daybed - sounds perfect for us.

One NEW question.....I read a post regarding preference to the "Main lodge" rooms. Isn't GCH all one large building?? Or is it several together? I think I would prefer a main lodge room, just for proximity to things, but how do you get that room type?

Happy New Year, everybody!

Lives4Disney

 

[jenzshoppin]

You may be right because I know with WDW rooms bunks are request only.

I told the DL rep the number in my family & she mentioned a room with two queens. I asked how that would work with my family of 5? What happens to the third kid? That is when she mentioned the bunk bed/trundle & queen option, which sounded perfect to me. She didn't tell me it was request only, though. I got off the phone thinking that would be the perfect way to go.

In my Unofficial DL book I did read about sleeping bags at GCH. Come on, if we're paying over $500/nt - maybe closer to $700+ for concierge WHY would my son (or anybody's kid) get stuck in a sleeping bag??!! That sounds kind of lame to me. Is this sleeping bag thing common at GCH, because honestly I will be kind of disappointed if that happens. I would just as soon bring an aero so at least he's comfortable. What do they commonly do with the 3rd child?? At WDW we always book rooms with 2 queens and a daybed so we know what we're getting & where everybody will sleep comfortably.

Yes, I am interested to know if anybody has any experience with the 3rd child and the sleeping arrangements. I prefer to be prepared.

Ugh......just read another post on another thread regarding the bunkbeds being very small. Now I don't know what to do with my teen son as the trundle must be smallish, too since it rolls out from under the bunks. Maybe I should just go with the two queen room and bring my aero. I am feeling a bit bummed by this new info because my teen is a guy that loves his sleep and won't sleep well on an aero or tiny trundle. For the cost of the rooms, I just assumed that we would all sleep comfortably. I assume too much!! Thought the bunks were twin size & the trundle too. It kills me to pay so much for a hotel room and get the disappointed/inconvenienced feeling.

Lives4Disney

Are those rooms really $500. per night? I thought they were more like 100. - 200. per night. Well, I have never stayed there but I looked at their vacation packages a few times.

We are actually leaving tomorrow for LA, from a suburb of Phoenix, AZ (driving). We'll be staying at the Crowne Plaza for $43. per night plus $9. resort fee (I bid on Priceline.com). Last time we stayed at Hyatt Regency in $220. kid's suites for $55. per night, Priceline again.

This time we will have our three kids and a friend. My youngest is my 6yo daughter then there is my 12yo son, 16yo daughter and her 17 yo boyfriend. With Priceline it is a standard room and the hotel told us we can get a room with 2 double beds. They did not have suites available, but I signed up for Crowne Plaza's Priority Club and requested a suite, so we'll see what happens!! Anyway, we are bringing a Queen sized airbed for two of the kids to sleep on.

But, if I were spending anything over $150. per night I would expect each member of our group in a BED and not a sleeping bag! I'm with you there. We just cannot spring for a Disney Resort Hotel right now, especially when we have to pay for 6 4-day hopper tickets and meals for two adults, three teens and one kid!

I'm sending hopes and prayers your way that you can find an awesome room with lots of Disney Magic at one of the resort hotels. You would think a Disney hotel would just make for a perfect vacation and have the perfect accomodations for everyone in the room. Let us know what you find!

 

[MATTERHORN]

I guess it just depends on the family what is comfortable or not. We are all 5 comfortable in a 2 queen room, it's not like we are living there the rest of our lives. I've never understood how people can't handle a few days in one room with their kids. It's not forever. You do what you gotta do, and since you aren't in the room all that much, as long as you can get the sleeping arrangements you need, it shouldn't be a problem.

The Grand rooms aren't THAT small. I've never understood why people say they are so tiny, I didn't find them much smaller than the DL hotel rooms. It's a typical hotel room, we fit 5 just fine. And that was 3 adults and 2 kids. I guess if you are in a group where any two given people can't share a bed, it would be a problem.

The only reason I suggested you may not get your request is that you are going during Spring Break at a very busy time. Off season I would say you have a great chance at the day bed rooms, I just didn't want you to be mislead thinking you could book specifically that type, because it's a request. Nothing worse than being dissapointed when you get there.

That said, the GC is a beautiful hotel, it is very close and the location can't be beat. I love the decor, and it doe s seem a little more upscale and newer to me, which is why I like it. The pool is great, my kids love the slide! I like that WWS will bring you food and drinks to the pool, and to me the hotel is worth it. Granted we paid only $199 a night during off season, so you are paying quite a bit more than us.

I hope you have a great trip, I would hate for you to miss out on the Grand because it really is great!!

I'll find a few pictures for you of our room!

Andrea

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks guys, for all the input! Yes, I am shocked at how much a short 4 nt trip to DL costs vs a nice 8 nt WDW stay. I know it's spring break & the rates are high.

Andrea, thanks for your posts. I have pretty much settled on the GCH. We love the Grand Floridian at WDW and that has spoiled us, so GCH it is. I also don't mind sharing a room with our kids. It isn't a big issue for us. I just get nervous when I read people were surprised at how small the rooms are. We just did Xmas at GF in WDW in a regular room. Did concierge so it was nice to have the lounge as part of our space, though. We had the Walt Disney Suite for a few nts at the Grand Fl in July and then moved to a regular room after and then that regular room seemed small, lol. I appreciate your input & would love to see pics! Yes, it is a bummer to get there and know how much the room costs and be disappointed. That is why I really appreciate all the posts - good and bad.

What about what I read on another post regarding the "Main lodge" at the GCH?? I wasn't sure what that meant as I thought the GCH is one large building. Is the main lodge maybe overlooking the lobby? What rooms would those include? I think I would like that best due to location - which brings up another question.....Is one location of rooms better than another and should I request a certain area or building or wing??

THANKS & Happy New Year!

Lives4Disney

 

[TwingleMum]

Hi Lives4Disney~ I usually posted to you on the WDW boards. Still love your dog! We also are going to DL for the first time in March/April. My kids are younger 3 under 6 yrs old but we thought that there are alot of rides for younger kids that WDW doesn't have ~ Rodger Rabbit,Monsters inc,a bigger a Toon Town,Alice in Wonderland,Pinnocchio,Casey Jr, a whole area dedicated to Its a Bugs Life and of course Mr.Toad. Not to mention Matterhorn which my oldest will love. We are looking at it as going to Walt's special place. It would be nice to feel your walking where Walt walked.

I also wanted to mention DL has a really cool tour for teens~ 2-3 hour thrill ride tour where they go on all the thrill rides with a guide and you can go relax. Sounds like a great idea!!!

We are split staying 5 nights at DLH and last 4 nights at GC concierge. I own DVC so we are using our points.

Happy planning and enjoy!!