Confused about room views - Grand Californian

[sarahb74]

Hi,
We're looking at booking a few nights at the Grand Californian, but I am struggling to understand the different room view options, can someone please explain?

What do you get for a standard view – carpark? What is a deluxe partial view? And how is that different to a premium view?

Thanks for your help.
Sarah

 

[lana772]

I'll start by saying that on a visit last year there we had what I considered an awesome view, but only paid for "garden view". The 2nd day we were there I asked the CM at the front desk if we had been upgraded. They told me no. The view is based on what you see from inside your room looking straight out the window. Our view of DCA was seen from the deck looking to the side of the building. Looking straight out you would see the monorail line and the opposite deck.Here is a picture.

That being said. Just asking for garden view does not guarantee this view. I recommend checking in early and requesting the 400 wing.
Now the "standard" view can be anywhere they have a room available. Our only standard room there overlooked the valet area. Park view is a view on DCA and Downtown Disney view is overlooking DTD and the view you want if you want to see the fireworks.

Lana

 

[Nonsuch]

...I am struggling to understand the different room view options, can someone please explain?

What do you get for a standard view – carpark? What is a deluxe partial view? And how is that different to a premium view?

The GCH has a rather irregular shape, so it is difficult to determine the various view types. The hotel is 6 stories with only a few rooms on the ground floor, and several areas do not have rooms on the 2nd or 6th floor.

The rooms at the front of the hotel, overlooking the entrance and parking, are standard view. There are also standard view rooms in other areas of the hotel, which don't fit any other view type. I book standard view, and request a high floor.

Deluxe Partial View and Deluxe View are rather ambiguous, so I would not pay extra for either type.

 

[lana772]

I just noticed that your terminology is different than mine. Not sure where you have gotten those room titles. Things are changing terminology wise at DLR all the time. I always book through Disney Travel. Call them (don't do it online). You will get a better deal and a better description of the room if you speak to one of their CMs.

Lana

 

[mmmears]

Lana,

I think that the terminology for that room type is "courtyard/woods" view. I called the hotel directly and asked when I booked. Your view is much better than what we have had most of the times we booked that category (but I still booked it again for this trip).


OP: Standard is mostly parking lot views (ours was over the valet area but the room was extra large and so convenient to the lobby that we loved it). When I called the hotel, I was told that there are other standard views at random places throughout. Someone posted one on here that was a pool-view room, but because of a tiny obstruction it was classified as standard.

 

[lana772]

Just looked at the confirmation I got when I booked our trip in December. It actually reads " woods/garden/courtyard view". That could explain the confusion around it. They all are the same level. I was told over the phone "garden view". As that is what I requested. Looks like they are all the same though.

We always request the garden view or DTD view in the 400 wing. Stay there a couple times a year. The only time we were dissapointed with our room was our very first stay there in 2009. Our room was directly over the check in area. We found it to be too noisy for us and didn't like our view of the valet. Learned a lot that trip. Don't care about closeness to elevators. Prefer a peaceful room.

Lana

 

[mmmears]

Just looked at the confirmation I got when I booked our trip in December. It actually reads " woods/garden/courtyard view". That could explain the confusion around it. They all are the same level. I was told over the phone "garden view". As that is what I requested. Looks like they are all the same though.

We always request the garden view or DTD view in the 400 wing. Stay there a couple times a year. The only time we were dissapointed with our room was our very first stay there in 2009. Our room was directly over the check in area. We found it to be too noisy for us and didn't like our view of the valet. Learned a lot that trip. Don't care about closeness to elevators. Prefer a peaceful room.

Lana

Yeah the name of that room category is definitely confusing -- I guess it opens them up to putting us anywhere (almost).

 

[lana772]

Yeah the name of that room category is definitely confusing -- I guess it opens them up to putting us anywhere (almost).

Our best rooms have been when we checked in early and told them we would wait for a text to get a specific room. Be nice and smiley at the CM. It goes a long way. The room above we actually checked into and went straight to the room at just after 9 a.m. on our check in day. It was almost like an extra day with our room.

Lana

 

[MermaidHair]

The rooms at the front of the hotel, overlooking the entrance and parking, are standard view. There are also standard view rooms in other areas of the hotel, which don't fit any other view type. I book standard view, and request a high floor.

Can you clarify this? Why do you specifically ask for a higher floor? What does it get you?

 

[carisa81]

Can you clarify this? Why do you specifically ask for a higher floor? What does it get you?

In my opinion, the higher the floor, the better view you get. You can see more.

 

[carisa81]

Hi,
We're looking at booking a few nights at the Grand Californian, but I am struggling to understand the different room view options, can someone please explain?

What do you get for a standard view – carpark? What is a deluxe partial view? And how is that different to a premium view?

Thanks for your help.
Sarah

We are booked with the GC for the end of April. We have the premium downtown disney view. I was told by the CM that the deluxe partial view can be either a partial view of DTD or partial view of the park/pool. It was very vague.

 

[lana772]

In my opinion, the higher the floor, the better view you get. You can see more.

I agree with this. I wouldn't want anything lower than the 4th floor. Unless you want a room by the pool.

Lana

 

[Nonsuch]

Why do you specifically ask for a higher floor? What does it get you?

A higher floor will have a better view and generally be quieter. Standard view rooms at the front of the hotel will get some noise from cars and some rooms will get noise from the main lobby, but higher floors minimize the noise.

 

[mmmears]

Our best rooms have been when we checked in early and told them we would wait for a text to get a specific room. Be nice and smiley at the CM. It goes a long way. The room above we actually checked into and went straight to the room at just after 9 a.m. on our check in day. It was almost like an extra day with our room.

Lana

Unfortunately, we wont be arriving until the evening. We usually check in early morning, but this time we are in LA for some other business and can't get to DL until early evening at the earliest. It's not really a big deal to me, since we will be in the parks all day anyway, but a nice view is always better than not having one.

 

[sarahb74]

Thanks for the help everyone, I think I may go for the garden view to avoid the carpark option! We wont be flying in till late so unfortunately wont be able to check in early, but will keep our fingers crossed!
Sarah