Anything to see at Grand California or DL hotel for non guests?

[JenniferFolsomCa]

On our not park days, wondering if there are any special Christmas decorations or anything worth seeing at the Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian?

What about Downtown Disney besides shopping?

Jenn

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I don't know about the decorations because they weren't really up when we stayed a few weekends ago but I would recommend strolling the grounds of the DLH and possibly having lunch or dinner (my personal recommendation) at Trader Sam's. At night they had Tiki torches and low-key live music... the patio outside is so relaxing and reminiscent of Hawaii! We just loved it.

 

[SteveMP]

I don't know when they put it up but they usually do a realy cool gingerbread house inside of GCH lobby, and sometimes sel special drinks/snacks etc.

 

[millie0312]

So so much to see! All 3 of the hotels have lovely decorations (it’s my understanding GCH has the tree up already), GCH has a huge real gingerbread house and a place to purchase some goodies and amazing hot chocolate (it’s more like sipping chocolate) plus there’s always decor and entertainment in DTD. The LEGO store is always fun for the kids to play in plus there is lots of yummy foods in DTD to try. We always spend our off days in the hotels and in DTD and always have plenty to eat and do and see!

 

[mom2rtk]

Just be aware that if you want to visit GCH you need to enter from DTD or DCA.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I enjoy walking through the hotels to see the decorations. They are building a large gingerbread house in the lobby at the Grand. Last year, there were hidden Mickeys in it. I don't think we found all of them.

 

[OneThree]

I can’t speak to the GCH, but Christmas decorations aside, there are tons of great historical photos and items from DL in the lobby of the DL hotel. My favorite is probably the park map that you see as soon as you walk in the DL from the parking lot side of the tower.

 

[Malcon10t]

The Gingerbread house in the Grand was complete last weekend. The tree went in on Friday morning. (I was going thru the Grand about 515a and watched for a while.) Disneyland hotel has nice grounds and has trees in all towers. They are decorated in the theme of the towers.

Half a tree

Whole tree

 

[JenniferFolsomCa]

What a tree! Plan on getting a photo there also!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Uh yeah...you can get spiked hot chocolate in the lobby!

 

[emmybee]

We saw the beginnings of the gingerbread house construction during our last couple of days there. It is so impressive to see such high skill & creativity! I got an adult hot chocolate, and then went around the corner to the bar for a dollop of whip cream. Strange that they didn't have it available at the hot choco bar, but no biggie. The lobby was pretty quiet, and as always, beautiful.

 

[azdisneylover]

If you are in the Grand Californian and you want something to eat, Whitewater Snacks is a great place to do it. Very relaxing to sit outside and snack on nachos while enjoying the peacefulness.

 

[Congo Queen]

If you do make it over to DLH to go to Trader Sam's (which decorates for holidays w Santa hats on the tikis, etc) then stop by the lobbies of the Fantasy, Adventure, and Frontier towers as they all have clever, themed decorations.