Disneyland californian hotel?

[GailT]

Tell me all you can about this hotel, I just booked it last night. Is it crazy just going to CA for 6 days and how many days do you need at Disney so I can do other attractions?

 

[slp87]

We just stayed at the GCH during Thanksgiving week and loved it!! We hadn't been to DL since '98 and now we're spoiled!! I loved the entrance to CA and the short walk to DL. The lobby is beautiful. We stayed on the concierge floor so we only ate at the Storytellers Cafe for breakfast for our last day. It was very good!! We were there 5 days (3 full park days), and we only did Disney. Of course we were there at a busy time, but we were able to ride everything and most of our favorites more than once. (ToT 4 times!!) It all depends on the time of year you're going, but I would probably allow at least 3 Disney days. Have a great trip!!

 

[TLinden16]

Hi Gail. I stayed at the Grand Californian in October, and I absolutely loved it! It was a great hotel. My room overlooked the pool, and had an amazing view of California Adventure--I could see the roller coaster and ferris wheel straight on from my balcony, and I could see the top of Tower of Terror and Grizzly peak to my left.

There were tons of little amenities in the room, too. Like toothbrushes and toothpaste, a sew on and so forth kit, lotion, etc. There were robes, and even a scale (so you can see how much weight you gain--LOL), and a close basket for your dirty towels.

The Storytellers Cafe is an excellent restaurant. I actually ate there five times during my trip because I got a bunch of breakfast vouchers. Their character buffet is excellent, and some of the selections change each day. I also got a free dinner there, and I had an excellent filet mignon and a mixed greens salad. The service was fantastic, and the food was great.

You could probably do the parks in two days, but I'd give it three so that you can have a more relaxed pace, and be able to hit the things you like best again

Happy planning!

Karen

 

[ter-moo]

Tell me all you can about this hotel, I just booked it last night. Is it crazy just going to CA for 6 days and how many days do you need at Disney so I can do other attractions?

The Grand Californian is a spectacular hotel. You'll love it! As mentioned before by others, Storytellers is a great sit-down restaurant. There is also Napa Rose--a more upscale restaurant. It's pricey, but VERY good. For cheaper eating, and snack foods, there's Whitewater Snacks. You can get salads, sandwiches, fruit, cereal, yogurt, drinks, etc., in there and it's not that expensive by Disney standards.

The hotel has a private entrance into the CA Adventure Park, which is really convenient. You can also access Disneyland Park this way by walking through CA Adventure, out the main gate and then into the main gate of DL.

There's another entrance into Downtown Disney that's a bit hidden, but well worth finding!

I'd say that you could easily do both parks in 2 1/2 days, depending on crowds and whether or not you have kids. What else are you planning to do in the area while you're there? Because of Disneyland's location, you'll have a drive a ways to get to many of the LA tourist attractions (for instance, Hollywood and Beverly Hill are about 40 minutes unless there's a lot of traffic) and San Diego (Sea World, San Diego Zoo) is about 1 1/2-2 hours away.

You'll love the hotel. Have a great trip!

 

[sierranevada]

It is a great hotel - we have stayed there several times. There are some things that are unique to the GCH so make sure you read the info sheet they put in your room each night - it has great info on things that are exclusive to GC guests.

They also have a "Grand Quest" everyday from 4 - 5 pm (it will be listed on the info sheet they put in your room with turn down). The Grand Quest is a scavenger hunt in the hotel. Once you have completed it, you turn in your sheet to guest services and you get a coupon for a free cookie. The first family that completes the quest, is chosen as the "Grand Family of the Day". We just did it in December and as the Grand Family you get a big balloon bouquet, a picture with the resort CMs, we got a free photo with Santa (don't know if they will substitute something else during nonholiday season) but the best part was you get the key to the Craftsman Lounge (conceirge) for that evening to enjoy the snacks and watch the Fireworks! They also switch between early entry into Lego Store to build something and early entry into Build A Bear to build a stuffed animal.

They use to offer on the weekends, an E-ride experience especially for teens (not sure if they are still offering it so you should ask). There was an added fee, but this basically was a guided "tour" for teens with no-waits to ride 5 E-ticket attractions at both Disneyland and California Adventure. (Tower of Terror, California Screamin', Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain I believe were the featured attractions).

Also, all DLR hotel guests can enter CA 30 minutes early and ride Soarin' - that was not publicized - we just happen to notice that they were letting people in early! And don't forgot that as a DLR hotel guest, you can use Early Entry every day that it is offered. And there is a special Monorail enterance for hotel guests in Tomorrowland for the trip back if you want to ride the monrail.

It is a great hotel. They also do turn down service every night with chocolate coins. For the kids, there is storytelling in the lobby - check info sheet for times. They also offer a free tour of the GCH that hightlights the art and history of the hotel. BTW, if you are going to need a small fridge for the room, request it now. The fridge that is already in the room is a mini-bar and all the items are on sensors so if you move anything, it goes on your bill!

Have fun!

 

[snowwhitesmom]

Just subscribing - thanks!

 

[victorandbellasmom]

Is it crazy to do go to CA for 6 days? We flew form washington a few years ago for 4 nights and 5 days? Granted that's not as far as where you're from. How many days do you need at Disney so I can do other attractions? Depends on how much you like Disneyland and DCA. Our last trip was 12 days for san diego and disneyland. 6 days were in san diego. we went to san diego zoo, wild animal park, seaworld and and legoland in those 6 days. The last 6 days were in disneyland and we went to the parks everyday. It still wasn't long enough. You could probably do Disneyland & DCA in about 3 days comfortably. If you're going in the off season make sure your visit hits a weekend that way you won't miss the 50th fireworks and fantasmic. We stayed at the GCH on our last trip and never felt so pampered. The hotel staff was absolutely amazing. Definitely take advantage of what the hotel has to offer (activities). Have a great trip.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

haha...I live in Cali...about 5 hours from DL and everytime I go its for 5 nights lol

 

[Judy from Boise]

I think a nice mix is two weekend days and two weekdays for DLR, especially during "off" times. we have been so many times to all of the parks, but I still like a minimum of 4 days.

 

[hawkrn]

We are staying at the Grand Californian in June for 6 days. I plan on it as being "relaxing" compared to all our trips to WDW where I felt totally worn out afterwards!

 

[M4travels]

We've stayed at the GC many times and each time we are just jumping with anticipation. The ONLY problem we had the last time was that they were (and still are, I believe) remodling the workout space. They had moved the equipment outside to an enclosed tent but the steam and sauna area were out of service. Not a big deal but after working out I always enjoyed relaxing there. It was always sooooo quiet in there with great music piped in. I believe all remodling of the spa area is to be completed by the end of Feb. The CMs are phenomenal.

We stopped in shortly after the fire during the Christmas season and it appeared that repairs and cleaning were moving along very quickly. The lobby area wasn't available at that time at all, but you could see that all was going to be well.

You'll love the GC.

Michael

 

[Shawn]

6 nights isn't crazy at all. That's our usual number -- six nights and 5 days in the park.. I'm trying to put together a family trip for this May, and am considering arriving Saturday and leaving Friday for 6 nights in a DL Hotel, and 5 full days (Sunday - Thursday) to enjoy the parks.

We tend to spend only 1/2 days in the park, and the other 1/2 at the pool and downtown disney and such.

-Shawn

 

[lulubelle]

I always think 3 - 4 nights is perfect and the GC is your best option (although we have stayed at all 3 on-site hotels). Our passes exclude Saturdays so we always enjoy DTD, a movie at the theater and/or pool time or just relaxing. Like Judy said - it is important to include most of the weekend to be able to catch all the parades, shows and fireworks. We love Disneyland!

Have a wonderful time