Anyone used pts. for Grand Californian??

[shelbyjosh]

Looking for info from those who have stayed at GC using points. We are interested in possibly going next Feb/March. Still the 7 month booking window? What are the room sizes? Aret hey standard rooms? Can they be compared to any at WDW? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.

17 days till we go "home"!!

Michelle
DVC 2000
WDW...Been There, Done That, Going Back!

 

[WDWDad]

I'm hurt! You didn't ask us to go. With or without the kids? We talked about this the other night. I thought the best thing to do would be to fly in to Vegas and drive over. Spend the weekend nights in Vegas and the week in California. I bet flying Detriot - L.A. would be $$$$$. Points aren't bad I saw 135 points for the 5 weekday nights, 209 for the week.

 

[Sabres1985]

With regards to the booking window, I believe that the GC would be an exchange, making the window for reservation 11 months. This was the case with our cruise booking window.

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[TnRobin]

We have not stayed yet, but we are going to be staying there on points in March. I will let everyone know what I think when I get back.

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[shelbyjosh]

Don't be hurt WDWdad!! Of course, we wouldn't go without you!! I did mention something to your DW the other day when we spoke. DH really, really wants to go there next March instead of OKW. The GC overlooks DL and CA and he thought that was great. I did look at airfare thru Spirit and they are around $238, but their flight times stink. But you have to take into consideration the 3 hr. time difference. We can talk more about this in 16 days. I am getting so excited..more than words can say!! See y'all soon.

Michelle
DVC 2000
WDW...Been There, Done That, Going Back!

 

[ceejay13]

We used points for a visit last month. We were there January 19th for 3 nights. We used points for 2 nights and paid cash for the third. We were lucky enough to go for a CM preview that weekend. The hotel is gorgeous, very much like the WL in WDW. The Grand Californian, is built in the Arts and Crafts style of architecture so it is not quite as rustic as the WL. The rooms are a very basic hotel room size, but beautifully decorated. Our room looked out over Downtown Disney, in fact we were right over the World of Disney store on the 5th floor. We are going back in May and have paid cash for this stay for a room with a park view. The standard view is that of an inside courtyard, by the way. All rooms have a small patio with a table and chairs. The beds are triple sheeted and there is turndown service every night. There are also robes in every room and a mini-bar. Be careful with the mini-bar as it is motion sensitive so if you take something and put it back you will be charged. The refillable mugs are in the mini-bar, by the way. We tried room service and the Storyteller's Cafe. Both were very good. We had breakfast at the Storyteller's Cafe and there is a buffet, or you can order off the menu. There are also characters there every morning. There is also Napa Rose, which is the nicer of the restaurants and we can't wait to try it when we return in May. There is also a snack bar at the pool. There are tours of the hotel, if you are interested. When we pulled up out front to check in we were met by at least 10 bellman, it was very quiet that morning. One bellman took our luggage, escorted us in and waited for us while we checked in. He then gave us a mini-tour of the hotel before taking us to our room. We had great service the entire 3 days we were there. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

 

[DLVisitor]

We stayed at the GC Saturday on pts. We had a very nice inside courtyard view. Rooms either have a king size bed or 2 queens. There isn't much "room" in the rooms. Everything is pleasantly arranged and decorated though. It is very relaxing just to walk around the hotel.

You may want to walk over to Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel because they have a great breakfast buffet...oh my goodness, everything you can thing of! Didn't eat at the Storybook Restaurant and looked at the Napa Rose menu and everything is ala carte and VERY expensive.

 

[shelbyjosh]

Thanks for the informative responses. I am sure this will please DH!! Looking forward to planning this trip (with WDWdad and family, of course!!)

In the meantime, only 16 days till we go home!

Michelle
DVC 2000
WDW...Been There, Done That, Going Back!

 

[WDWDad]

Sounds pretty good! What can be done with a family of five though? Are there rooms which can accomadate 2 adults and threee small children? We would want to stay on points, but if we have to have two rooms that becomes prohibitive.

Shelbyjosh, I'm actually counting from Thursday afternoon when we leave for the airport Hilton, so I'm looking at 15 days and counting. We will be packing the van by this time two weeks from now.

 

[DLVisitor]

There are rooms with a Queen bed and bunk beds, b but the bunk beds ONLY fit 5'2" and smaller. Not sure about the 5th person in room. They do have a portable playpen type thing in the closet. There would NOT be much room for a family of 5 in the rooms.

 

[shelbyjosh]

Sounds like we may run into problems, WDWdad! I just wonder what they would do in this case. I cannot imagine you having to get 2 rooms. That would be absurd! Anyways, we can talk (lots!) more about this very, very soon. If you are counting 15 days, then so will I! We could load the truck up the night before, right? Looking forward to a night at Jellyrolls with you guys.


Michelle
DVC 2000
WDW...Been There, Done That, Going Back!