Disneyland's Grand Californian Concierge Level

[luckytso]

Did anyone stay at both GC's regular and concierge level? Is it worth the extra points?

Also, is the theme park view worth the extra points?

Thanks very much for any response that you can provide.

 

[RLevy29]

I can't help you with the Concierge level, but we did stay in a standard view. The view was of the courtyard where the monorail passes through. It wasn't bad at all. We would sit out on our balcony and wave to the people on the monorail. The rooms there are very nice as is the hotel itself. You can't beat it for the closeness to both parks and the DD area. If it was me, I wouldn't bother spending the extra points to get the CA view especially if it is the weekend.

 

[luckytso]

RLevy29,

Thanks for the response. The reason why I was considering the view was because we will be there around Xmas. I thought it will be beautiful to look at the park around that time. I have never been to Disneyland. So I am not sure if it makes any difference at all. Thanks again.

 

[MysticDDA]

We stayed at GC concierge last summer, not on points, though. We had a theme park view of the Paradise Pier area at DCA. GC is a beautiful hotel and the concierge lounge was quite nice. One thing that was really great is that the concierge lounge has a balcony and they have fireworks viewing there. They pipe in the music and it's a nice way to end the day. We thought the concierge was worth the extra $$ we spent.

 

[disneydawn6]

We've stayed at standard and Park view. Never points only cash.. Annual passport rate is $149 a night city view. The view was not worth the extra money and both times I had Park view they were complementary.. so you might luck out anyway if they are not crowded. At Christmas time DCA was not really decorated that well anyway.. They make the SF bridge look like 2 big Xmas trees.. there was one tree in the lagoon and one on Hollywood Blvd.. That was about it.... Now the inside of the lodge is great inside. Decorated similar to Wilderness lodge.. Same designer.. so big tree in middle lots of garland off the balcony... DL is also decorated great at Xmas. Main Street snows each night and lots of decor..... I will be staying at Conceirge this Thrusday.. Got a great deal so will let you know if it's worth it...

 

[luckytso]

disneydawn6,

Have a great trip. $149 is a great rate!!!

Do you think they will offer the AP rate around the holidays?

What type of bedding arrangements do you usually request? Personally, I prefer the 2 queen size beds with a day bed. However, that type of setting is not available with rooms with the park view.

Thanks

 

[disneydawn6]

AP rates aren't out that far yet.. $163 regular discount rate is what I have for Dec 13th now , but I will keep calling back... I have always stayed in the queen bed with bunk beds and a trundle underneath. It sleeps 5 and makes the room seems larger since 3 beds are all under each other..

 

[luckytso]

Disneydawn6,

What a surprise. You are right there. My current request is exactly what you have. However, I have 3 adults, 1 4-yr-old and 1 infant. Disney said that the bunk beds are only for young children. Can an adult sleep in the trundle?

I am not quite sure AP rate will be offered during Xmas time because their current promotions (stay 3 nights and get 1 night for free) has a blackout period between 12/21-12/31.

 

[disneydawn6]

The bunk beds are regular size twin beds.... So a very tall person would have trouble in them The trundle is smaller since it has to slide under the bottom bunk.
I'm only 5' 3" and slept in the trundle (smallest bed ) once fine. But a taller person would be cramped in the smallest trundle.. My daugther 5' 8" has slept in the bunk bed with no problem

 

[luckytso]

thanks so much for the info. I will keep checking on the rate to see if I can get a deal.

 

[stlrod]

I was disappointed last year in our Concierge stay. I should mention, in fairness though, that I am not fond of the GC. Other than the fireworks view with the piped-in music, there was nothing special about the concierge level.

 

[DLVisitor]

We stayed at the std view of the monorail. We orginially booked the bunk bed room, but at check in it was switched to 2 queen beds (we were told only kids or people 5'5" and under fit on the bunk beds.) When making reservations BE VERY SPECIFIC of what you want. Also, the rooms are VERY small. In the 2 queen beds there is only enought room to walk around them...not even enought room for a rollaway. 5 people in the room? You are talking CRAMPED!

If I were you, I would check out the Disneyland Hotel. We stayed in the Towers directly facing the parks (sorry, I can't remember the name of the tower. One tower is going to refurbishment right now) and there was 2 queen beds and a day bed and the room was much larger. Even Paradise Pier is reported to have bigger rooms.

I, personally, will never use points to stay at GC again, no matter what level.

 

[dcmmgw]

I unfortunately would have to agree with DLVisitor. I stayed at GC last summer with DH and 3 DS aged 16, 14 and 10. No one told us at check in that the bunk beds were so small. My sons are not large. The tallest is 5'6'' and barely 100 lbs, but only the littlest one was comfortable in the bunk beds. I commented to member services when we returned that you had to be one of the Seven Dwarfs to sleep in them! They are fine for small children, but that's it. My sons choose to sleep on the floor until we could get moved to a room with two queens. And while the public areas of GC are indeed beautiful, the rooms are very small. All I kept thinking the entire trip was, I could have stayed at OKW in a 2bd for the same points!! Never again.

 

[stlrod]

I agree with the last two persons. The rooms are simply too small for comfort. Additionally, it just doesn't provide the same ambiance created at the Florida resorts (unless when truly staying among Califronia Redwoods your view includes a giant ferris wheel.)

 

[disneydawn6]

The rooms at the Grand Californian are very similar to the rooms at the WL so they are smaller. Same designer... That is why we have always got the bunk beds... No one is too tall so have not had problems with the bunk beds. The DLH was built over 40 years ago, when rooms were alot bigger... The Marina tower is the tower facing the the park. The Sierra tower is on one side, where you check in, and the Bonita Tower on the other side. This Bonita Tower is the newest of the three.. I have stayed in all three but only once since the remodel. I use to prefer the Bonita Tower because they were larger and had a small empty fridge with a wetbar in it and counter.. After the remodel we stayed there and the empty fridge wetbar and counter were gone So I guess now I would recommend the Marina Tower since it's the closest to park.. Have not stayed there recently, but I think that might be the concierge tower so you might not be able to stay there.. though I'm not sure... You'll have fun no matter where you stay.. I like the GC because it's right next to the park.. So convenient..... and I LOVE that lobby.. I will be there tomorrow in concierge with 5 so let you know how we do Missing the birthday by one day

 

[luckytso]

Disneydawn6, have a wonderful trip. I will be waiting to read about your vacation there.

I guess everybody has different criteria as to what they like in a hotel. I am going to look into it further to decide which hotel we will be staying in. It is still a long time away.

Thanks for everyone's input. I really appreciate it.