Anybody stay concierge at GCH - comments?

[JenDisneylandlver]

Here was our view of the park from our room in the GCH a few years ago!

This was our view in the Disneyland Hotel this past July. We got a pool view upgrade for free! That was nice! I know you won't be staying there, but thought I'd post it anyway!

 

[TwingleMum]

Here was our view of the park from our room in the GCH a few years ago!

This was our view in the Disneyland Hotel this past July. We got a pool view upgrade for free! That was nice! I know you won't be staying there, but thought I'd post it anyway!

Thanks for the great pictures Jen! I will be split staying at Dl 5 nights at DLH and last 4 nights at GC concierge theme park view. Loved the pics. What room/tower would you recommend at DLH??

 

[slp87]

Just so you'll know....none of the concierge theme park views have the daybeds. We didn't find that out until just a few days before arrival. We had to get a standard view.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Just so you'll know....none of the concierge theme park views have the daybeds. We didn't find that out until just a few days before arrival. We had to get a standard view.

Ugh. Ok, thanks for the info!! I better take that off my requests and just bring an aero to be on the safe side. I don't know WHAT we will end up with, lol. My AAA TA was on the phone with me AND a DL rep and we requested that bedding and they took it! I think it comes down to a lot of people just not in the know. (unlike all you great Disers!)

I do not want a courtyard view....I live in the woods and look at trees 24/7. I don't particularly want a city view, either.....that's why I live in the woods, lol.

THANKS for letting me know.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Jen, thanks for your beautiful pictures!

I sure hope my AAA agent didn't mislead me on this, but she told me I would be contacted from the concierge staff by letter explaining their services/ammenties/offerings and planning services. It remains to be seen, though!! She said it comes very quickly after the deposit is paid.

We want a few tours (Segway for DH and DS) and maybe the Walt tour for DD10 and myself. And maybe that Fantasmic dessert package which seems really difficult to get. Maybe the parade seating at Trattoria?? Not sure what's worth it though. At WDW the concierge can get you pretty much anything if it's requested prior to when the booking window opens up. Not sure if DL concierge has that same edge.

Matterhorn, I pretty much have my mind set on Paradise Point in San Diego. It looks beautiful & near Sea World and more and very much a resort AND has much larger rooms than most. I will let you know how it is. THANKS for all your help.

THANKS guys!

Lives4Disney

 

[blackjackdelta]

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!

I have never been able to get them to let me have 6 in a 5 person room. Any tricks to do this legally?

Thanks for your time,

Jack

 

[Califgirl]

Jen, thanks for your beautiful pictures!

I sure hope my AAA agent didn't mislead me on this, but she told me I would be contacted from the concierge staff by letter explaining their services/ammenties/offerings and planning services. It remains to be seen, though!! She said it comes very quickly after the deposit is paid.

We want a few tours (Segway for DH and DS) and maybe the Walt tour for DD10 and myself. And maybe that Fantasmic dessert package which seems really difficult to get. Maybe the parade seating at Trattoria?? Not sure what's worth it though. At WDW the concierge can get you pretty much anything if it's requested prior to when the booking window opens up. Not sure if DL concierge has that same edge.

I've stayed at the GCH several times as a concierge guest and I have never been contacted by anyone at the hotel. Hopefully your AAA agent will help you get in contact with them, if they do not contact you.

Also, there are no Segway Tours at DL. Segway tours are only available at Epcot in WDW. Unless this is a brand new addition - but last I heard DLR had scrapped plans for the Segway Tour.

The Fantasmic Balcony Dessert Package is difficult to get, as there are only 22 seats up in the balcony, but you can still get the Fantasmic Dessert Package with Riverside seating fairly easily. If it is important to you to be up in the balcony, be specific when you place your request.

Most importantly, Have a great time!!

 

[thmar]

Just a little side note (you may know already) but at the DLH be sure to keep the drapes open during the day...then at night your room is covered in pixie dust.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I've stayed at the GCH several times as a concierge guest and I have never been contacted by anyone at the hotel. Hopefully your AAA agent will help you get in contact with them, if they do not contact you.

Also, there are no Segway Tours at DL. Segway tours are only available at Epcot in WDW. Unless this is a brand new addition - but last I heard DLR had scrapped plans for the Segway Tour.

The Fantasmic Balcony Dessert Package is difficult to get, as there are only 22 seats up in the balcony, but you can still get the Fantasmic Dessert Package with Riverside seating fairly easily. If it is important to you to be up in the balcony, be specific when you place your request.

Most importantly, Have a great time!!

OK, now I am getting a bit more disappointed with AAA and DL. (just read POTC may be down during our stay, too!)

Thanks for the clarification on the Fantasmic seating thing. If I don't get this balcony seating, is it terribly difficult to see Fantasmic?? One book said people stake out their seats for hours before the show!! That's too much for me, but is that really necessary??!!

The AAA rep seemed to KNOW FOR SURE that concierge sends out a letter. I do not know her, never used her, but she seemed a bit knowledgeable and I needed to book! Having some regrets at this point about paying lots extra for concierge

As for the Segway Tour, I just read about it in my new DL Passporter book listed under tours. It is supposedly at California Adventure and I got my husband all excited about doing this. He just did it at Epcot last week and that was the highlight of the trip for him. If this tour doesn't exist, that will just be a bummer! He thought it would be lots of fun in a new terrain, lol.

For the high price of the GCH (I just stayed at the Grand Floridian in the main buiding concierge for our Xmas trip for this same price - maybe even a bit less/nt!) I really thought there would be more to concierge than just snacks. For our WDW trips I always take advantage of emailing the IPO dept and they do a GREAT job getting everything in place. I guess I expected the same from GCH's concierge - esp. since I was told by that AAA rep that it would happen!!

Lives4Disney

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Thanks for the great pictures Jen! I will be split staying at Dl 5 nights at DLH and last 4 nights at GC concierge theme park view. Loved the pics. What room/tower would you recommend at DLH??

Oooh so you get the best of both worlds on that trip! That picture was taken from a room in the Marina Tower, I really liked staying in there. That's the same tower that has the main lobby, stores, and is a very close walk to DTD and Goofy's Kitchen really. That or the Sierra Tower, I would recommend. We've stayed there once too, either you get a view of the pool or DTD (and fireworks!). We stayed in the Bonita tower once, it was okay. It was a further walk, we had a view of the parking lot. LOL So I'd stick with the Marina or Sierra tower if you can!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

*I didn't read all posts in this thread.*

Yes, we have stayed GCH concierge. We are staying again this coming March.

Is it worth the loot??
That depends on the individual. If you strictly add the cost of your morning muffins, and you evening cordials, probably not.
We like it for a variety of reasons, one of which is dedicated check in. We also partake in the offerings, and really like the turndown service.

Again, if you are on a tighter budget the numbers don't usually add up, so this luxury should be first to see the axe.

MG

 

[hearingaidmom]

Lives4Disney,
Currently only in the research stage myself, so I don't have personal experience to base this on, but the DL website specifically says that one of the amenities available to concierge guests includes "staff available prior to and during your visit for reservations and vacation planning." I also have had great experiences with GF IPO prior to our WDW trips and would hope for the same level of service if we do go ahead with the GCH trip. Please keep us posted. Enjoy your trip!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Yes all you have to do is call the vacation planning office and they will help you. But this is not limited only to concierge guests, it is all resort guests, so do not base staying concierge on that amenity!!

Andrea

I used to use John in vacation planning, but I know he's no longer there. There are some great helpful people working there though!! Just call the Grand and ask for vacation planning and they will connect you!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney,
Currently only in the research stage myself, so I don't have personal experience to base this on, but the DL website specifically says that one of the amenities available to concierge guests includes "staff available prior to and during your visit for reservations and vacation planning." I also have had great experiences with GF IPO prior to our WDW trips and would hope for the same level of service if we do go ahead with the GCH trip. Please keep us posted. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks! I saw that the other night, too. I was just really surprised that the DL rep acted really confused when I asked her about the concierge contact info! She said she'd never been asked that before & didn't think I could use them until we checked in.

I love concierge and maybe have been spoiled by the GF!! That is my home away from home, so I am branching out with this trip. It will be interesting to see how the GF and GCH compare in services and ammenties.

Thanks! I will let you know if the AAA agent is correct and they do contact me. She was very confident that they would - like she's had experience with it in the past.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

*I didn't read all posts in this thread.*

Yes, we have stayed GCH concierge. We are staying again this coming March.

Is it worth the loot??
That depends on the individual. If you strictly add the cost of your morning muffins, and you evening cordials, probably not.
We like it for a variety of reasons, one of which is dedicated check in. We also partake in the offerings, and really like the turndown service.

Again, if you are on a tighter budget the numbers don't usually add up, so this luxury should be first to see the axe.

MG

Yep, we like those things too. I have just stayed at the GF RPC so many times and have been so spoiled by their great service and preplanning. Just hoping the GCH is as wonderful. I have never been to DL, so any and all comments and info (good and bad) is appreciated and great! Anything else I can look forward to in GCH's concierge level??

Have you ever had them set up reservations or do shopping for kid gifts prior to your arrival?? I love to check in and have a little surprise waiting for the girls in the room. They do this at the WDW resorts, so just wondering if you've had experiences with this service at GCH?

Matterhorn, I have found in my DL Passporter that the best character meals do seem to be bfasts!! I think I will have to book late brunches. They sound really cute. I may be eating bfast twice a day, lol. I am still bumming a bit about that noSegway.....haven't told DH yet. Gotta get facts 100%.

THANKS, guys! Have I told you all I appreciate your help so much!!??

Lives4Disney

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yep, we like those things too. I have just stayed at the GF RPC so many times and have been so spoiled by their great service and preplanning. Just hoping the GCH is as wonderful.

We just returned from our first trip to GF RPC. I would say the two are a toss up. There were some things I liked much better at GCH, such as table service for liquor in the concierge lounge. Of course, that opens up the whole tipping thing. I also liked some of the offerings at the GCH better.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I should add- While I enjoyed the GCH, the hotel itself is not quite on par with the GF.

MG

 

[Lives4Disney]

I should add- While I enjoyed the GCH, the hotel itself is not quite on par with the GF.

MG

Really? That is interesting. Any specifics? I like to be prepared so I am not disappointed. I am pretty picky about hotels and service unfortunately.I do really appreciate it when it's good, though!

Thanks for posting - it's great to have somebody that has been to both and can compare them.

Lives4Disney

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Really? That is interesting. Any specifics? I like to be prepared so I am not disappointed. I am pretty picky about hotels and service unfortunately.I do really appreciate it when it's good, though!

Thanks for posting - it's great to have somebody that has been to both and can compare them.

Lives4Disney

Hi, L4D. Please don't get me wrong, the GC is an awesome hotel. It's definitely on par with all the WDW deluxes, with the exception of the GF.
I just found the GF to be bit more deluxe than the other WDW deluxes. Kind of like a "super deluxe", especially during the Christmas season. Does that make sense??

The GC doesn't have all the shops, or the orchestra, and some small extras as does the GF.
The GC DOES have the stuff the other deluxes have. It has a gift shop (undersized in my opinion), a great signature restuarant the Napa Rose, a nice lounge or two, pool slide, hot tubs, bellman/valet service, fitness room etc...

The only thing I dislike about the GC is the looooong narrow hallways (we were at the end with a view of DL, DCA, and Downtown).

I think you will enjoy this resort, especially since you're staying concierge level.

Edited to add- The GC is a dark resort. We happen to like that, but some may not. The lobby area is done in dark wood.

MG

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Really? That is interesting. Any specifics? I like to be prepared so I am not disappointed. I am pretty picky about hotels and service unfortunately.I do really appreciate it when it's good, though!

Thanks for posting - it's great to have somebody that has been to both and can compare them.

Lives4Disney

I really don't think you'll be disappointed with GCH or Disneyland, as long as you're not comparing them too closely to WDW (which I know is probably hard to do). Because they certainly are two different parks with different hotel resorts. I'm sure like many here you'll find things that you'll like better at WDW, and probably things that you'll think is better at DL. I think the only way you'll be disappointed though is if your expecting a smaller version of WDW. They do have a lot of things in common obviously, but do have a lot of different qualities! I really don't think you'll be disappointed though!