concierge at grand CA?

[Marilyn]

We have stayed at the Grand Californian twice. We are now planning a short 3 day stay in December and opted to splurge for concierge level. Can anyone tell me more about the concierge amenities? Is it really worth the extra money? Thanks...Marilyn

 

[Tracie Wallace]

Hi Marilyn:
I stayed for 2 nights at the concierge level at the GC in October, and my response to you is "Maybe". How much are you paying? I ended up paying almost $400 a night (room fee, resort fee, taxes and valet fee) for a room with a view of a courtyard. I did get to see the monorail go through the courtyard a few times. Anyway, you do have access to the normal "concierge" services, such as making priority seating reservations for you. However, because I was staying such a short time, I didn't feel that this is as helpful as in Disneyworld. There are only a few sitdown restaurants in Disneyland and DCA - though there are a few more in Downtown Disney. I was able to purchase tickets for the special seating for Fantasmic through them.

Breakfast offerings are cold continental breakfast items, i.e. bagels and cream cheese, muffins, cold cereals, coffee, orange juice. They do serve wine in the afternoon with cheese and crackers and a few other items. (I do compare this to the concierge service at AKL where in the morning they had a cappuccino machine as well as hot food offerings. Also, in the evening with wine they also had a couple of hot food dishes. AKL also offers a special Sunrise Safari).

Since I've only stayed at the Concierge level, I can't compare the rooms. My room had a queen bed with bunk beds (which my daughter loved). Also, there were robes for the 2 adults. The room had spa soaps and shampoos (no Mickey soaps). They do have a turn down service where they put special chococates on your pillow.

The concierge rooms are on the sixth floor, which you need your room key to access. It is interesting to note, however, that you can easily walk to the sixth floor from the staircase on the fifth floor. The staircase takes you right in front of the concierge lounge, which is probably why you must show your room key when you enter.

When you drive your car to the hotel entrance, you are met by a CM who stays with you while you check in. This person then escorts you to the concierge lounge. (At the AKL you are met at the entrance by a CM to escorts you to your room. You can then check in later at the concierge desk).

The concierge rooms all have DVD players. You can check out DVDs from the concierge desk for no charge.

It is a convenience being able to go the concierge lounge for breakfast/wine in the evening. You can also buy park tickets at the concierge desk. If the price is right, I'd say staying at the concierge level would be great. I don't think I'd ever pay $400 again for the privilege, however!

BY the way, I think it is outrageous that they charge a $6.00 resort fee when their prices are already so high. The $6.00 is supposed to cover self-parking (which is so far away they provide shuttle service), newspaper (which I didn't get since I was there on the weekend) and access to the health spa (which I never went to since I was there such a short time). And $12 for valet parking? I paid less than that at a beach-front hotel on Maui!

Have a great time at Disney! Enjoy all the Christmas decorations!! And may you have great weather!!!

 

[ucralum]

Saturday night we stayed in a standard room--really beautiful, with a king-size bed, large sofa, coffee table, additional table with two chairs--and we had the robes, turn-down service, and chocolates.

 

[aseafish]

With the exception of the large suites, room size is the same, concierge or not. You can make your own reservations with one phone call. It's a high price for bottled water, soft drinks, and a cold breakfast.