First stay at the Grand Californian

[wdwfan]

Hello! We will be in California from August 22-31. Can't wait!! We'll be at Disneyland from August 23-25. We are staying at the Grand Californian. I like how close it is to the parks and since we only have 2 park days, I wanted to make sure that we were close to the resort for short afternoon breaks. Can anyone tell me about their stay at the Grand Californian? We usually stay deluxe at WDW, and enjoy the nice resort amenities, such as the comfortable rooms, and pools, as well as close location to the parks. What can you tell me about the Grand Californian? Thank you!!

 

[hiroMYhero]

As soon as you arrive, you'll note how similar it is to AKL and WL - it's beautiful! We had stayed in GCH prior to our AKL stay and WL visits so those resorts are always compared to GCH. Amenities and service are what you would expect from a Deluxe resort. The CMs are extremely nice - I stopped at the front desk to pick up a Birthday Button last week and the CM also gave me a photograph of Walt and characters with all of the character autographs! That was a nice surprise!

We liked the DCA park access and Storytellers Cafe is our must-do restaurant. Even if we are just stopping in DTD on our way to San Diego, we will stop and eat at Storytellers.

 

[MinMou]

You need to check out the Grand Californian Superthread here: http://disboards.com/threads/grand-californian-super-thread-updated-11-7-13.2396588/ , especially the maps of the hotel (there is a link to those in the first post of the thread). When you see how close you are to California Adventure, you will be thrilled. This is closer than any hotel to almost any park at WDW.

There is a private entrance from the hotel to the park. It may not be open when the park first opens, but it is so convenient for when you are trying to leave the parks.

 

[wdwfan]

Thanks so much for the great info!!

 

[Jerryp49]

You will get Extra Magic Hour ( EMH ) the three days you are there. Sunday, and Monday EMH will be for DCA , and on Tue. EMH will be for DL. Your first day, Sunday , the park opens at 8am, EMH will be 7am, so if you check into the GCH before 7am , they will issue you room keys even though your room wont be ready until 3pm and you can use your room keys along with your admission tickets to enter DCA at 7am. Use the main entrance to DCA for EMH because there are only 2 turnstiles at the GCH entrance to DCA and it really backs up during EMH. The rest of the day is a breeze at the GCH entrance.

 

[gottalovepluto]

One of my favorite parts about the Grand Californian is that the GCH entrance into DCA is right at Grizzly River Rapids so when you come off soaked you can walk straight up to your hotel room. If you don't have any young ones with you look into Single Rider Lines. They are offered on select rides and seriously cut back the waiting time. We love to single rider the River Rapids during the afternoon. Do utilize EMH as stated above! Those are the quietest the parks will have all day.

 

[Jerryp49]

Standard rooms are good. Courtyard View rooms are better. The Monorail passes thru the Courtyard which is cool. It is also quiet. Try to avoid getting a room overlooking Downtown Disney. The noise goes on until 10pm. They gave us one once and with the drums beating it was impossible to nap. We complained and they relocated us to a Courtyard View.

 

[sgrap]

Hello! We will be in California from August 22-31. Can't wait!! We'll be at Disneyland from August 23-25. We are staying at the Grand Californian. I like how close it is to the parks and since we only have 2 park days, I wanted to make sure that we were close to the resort for short afternoon breaks. Can anyone tell me about their stay at the Grand Californian? We usually stay deluxe at WDW, and enjoy the nice resort amenities, such as the comfortable rooms, and pools, as well as close location to the parks. What can you tell me about the Grand Californian? Thank you!!

You will love the Grand Californian!!! It is beautiful and so incredibly close to the parks. The entrance into DCA is literally part of the hotel. We have almost always been in bunk bed rooms because they are great with kids. We love the separated bathroom and the 2 sinks, and also the balconies. We have had many types of views. My favorite so far is overlooking the entrance into DCA so the view is of Grizzly Peak. Enjoy, you will have a ball!!!

 

[whoever]

I've stayed there 7 times now. LOVE it. There's a ton of content in the TRs in my signature. I echo what the previous Posters have said with two exceptions.. First, the DTD view rooms.. I couldn't hear ANYTHING with the patio door closed. It was extremely quiet. Second.... the room conditions. The hotel is 15 years old now and with the exception of the switch over to flat panel TV furniture, it hasn't been updated at all. My last stay, my room was in horrible condition (but the best location I've ever had). My next stay onsite is in October and we are trying the DLH for the first time. Will be very odd turning west instead of east for us...

Here's a summary of some of the types of views you can get...

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ma...-day-trip-report.3385886/page-3#post-53383300

 

[danceanddisney2010]

You will love it! We have stayed at the GCH for the last few trips including just this last week (major withdrawals aleady ) and have nothing but good things to say about the place ... well minus the price that is! Love the convenience...when at DCA we used the GCH entrance multiple times and it was perfect. It took no time in getting from the park to our room for quick fresh ups and whatever other reasons. The pools are right in the middle and a quick stroll away.. ah just love everything about the Grand! Even the mousekeepers...Our mouse keeper was such a sweet lady. I needed to change my shoes and we arrived while she was working and literally while switching shoes we had an awesome discussion about Disneyland! I could have talked with her for hours...but she had to work & I wanted to get back to the parks

It is pretty obvious my love for this hotel and as mentioned once above the only thing I am not to keen on is the price. It is ridiculous...but people will pay it (us included). You are definitely paying for location. While I do think the rooms are awesome, they are not $$$$. I do wish Disney would change this and make it more family friendly. I know some families that used to stay on property, but due to the high increases of room prices along with ticket prices.. it is no longer an option and that is just terrible. Walt wanted it to be everyone's park and or many that is becoming harder and harder to hold onto.

 

[hpfan100]

We've stayed there twice and found the hotel to be adequate. We never have a had a view room just a standard. The location is great for California adventure. Although for early entry sometimes it is better to go to the main gates as it opens before the resort entrance. It has a beautiful lobby area with a piano player sometimes. The hotel grounds and common areas are lovely. We enjoyed relaxing in thebar area in the lobby. Parking is expensive and self parking is a bit of a walk from the hotel.

We prefer the Disneyland hotel but you will have a lovely time at the Californian. The location can't be beat.

 

[whoever]

It is pretty obvious my love for this hotel and as mentioned once above the only thing I am not to keen on is the price. It is ridiculous...but people will pay it (us included). You are definitely paying for location. While I do think the rooms are awesome, they are not $$$$. I do wish Disney would change this and make it more family friendly. I know some families that used to stay on property, but due to the high increases of room prices along with ticket prices.. it is no longer an option and that is just terrible. Walt wanted it to be everyone's park and or many that is becoming harder and harder to hold onto.

With near 100% occupancy year-round, it is family friendly as it's filled.

 

[Jerryp49]

.. First, the DTD view rooms.. I couldn't hear ANYTHING with the patio door closed. It was extremely quiet.

I guess it depends on your location and what`s going on at DTD . The drums where right outside our room and with the patio doors closed the noise was unacceptable.

One time , the room they gave us had a crack in one of the bathroom sinks, as if someone dropped something heavy on it. I called the front desk so that we wouldn`t get blamed for it and they immediately had someone come up and replace it.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

With near 100% occupancy year-round, it is family friendly as it's filled.

The price is not family friendly. Yes, it might be filled all the time, but that still doesn't justify the price. I know many people who are fortunate enough to stay at the GCH, as well as many who must save up for many months to afford it, as well as those who no longer afford stay anywhere on property. Honestly, I think that is a shame. When I was growing up in the late 90s and early 00's my family would make multiple visits a year to Disneyland and stay at the DLH. Then in recent years prices drastically changed making those trips a lot harder to come by...A Disneyland stay would wipe out most of the summer budget and we weren't even traveling that far. We are now fortunate enough to be able to do more, but the AVERAGE family is not. I work with a lot of families and that it what I constantly hear.

 

[whoever]

The price is not family friendly. Yes, it might be filled all the time, but that still doesn't justify the price. I know many people who are fortunate enough to stay at the GCH, as well as many who must save up for many months to afford it, as well as those who no longer afford stay anywhere on property. Honestly, I think that is a shame. When I was growing up in the late 90s and early 00's my family would make multiple visits a year to Disneyland and stay at the DLH. Then in recent years prices drastically changed making those trips a lot harder to come by...A Disneyland stay would wipe out most of the summer budget and we weren't even traveling that far. We are now fortunate enough to be able to do more, but the AVERAGE family is not. I work with a lot of families and that it what I constantly hear.

They are by no means value hotels, but they are full of families, so the term family friendly must be applicable. Is Disney pricey? Yes, however we are just an average family of 5 on a single income, and we stay at DLR hotels when we vacation twice per year. I still think they are worth the price and totally family friendly.

 

[wdwfan]

Thanks for the information everyone!! I'm so excited to be making this trip out to California and staying at the Grand Californian Hotel while visiting Disneyland. We'll be flying into Burbank, Ca., where we'll visit Hollywood for the day before making our way down to Anaheim. I'm hoping the 5 freeway is ok to take since it's the one that the maps consistently show. We'll do 2 days/nights at Disneyland Resort, then drive out to Huntington Beach and stay overnight at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa. We figure after 2 full park days, we'll need a day to just relax and regroup. After that, we'll take 2 days to drive the Pacific Coast Highway north to San Francisco. We'll stay overnight in San Simeon at the Best Western right on the beach. While in San Francisco, we'll stay with my cousin who lives in the city. She'll show us around the city, plus we'll take a day to see Muir Woods and Sonoma, and another day to see Yosemite with a tour group. After that, it's back on the plane to Phila. We live in South Jersey. So much to see, and so little time to see it!! We'll be in California from Aug. 22-31.

 

[hiroMYhero]

The 101 to the 5 is the most direct way to get to Anaheim. You'll need to leave Hollywood after 7:00p to miss the 5:00 gridlock traffic.

We watched Terminator in Grauman's (TCL) Theater last week - they have refurbished it wonderfully! Have a great Cali trip!!

 

[whoever]

Thanks for the information everyone!! I'm so excited to be making this trip out to California and staying at the Grand Californian Hotel while visiting Disneyland. We'll be flying into Burbank, Ca., where we'll visit Hollywood for the day before making our way down to Anaheim. I'm hoping the 5 freeway is ok to take since it's the one that the maps consistently show. We'll do 2 days/nights at Disneyland Resort, then drive out to Huntington Beach and stay overnight at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa. We figure after 2 full park days, we'll need a day to just relax and regroup. After that, we'll take 2 days to drive the Pacific Coast Highway north to San Francisco. We'll stay overnight in San Simeon at the Best Western right on the beach. While in San Francisco, we'll stay with my cousin who lives in the city. She'll show us around the city, plus we'll take a day to see Muir Woods and Sonoma, and another day to see Yosemite with a tour group. After that, it's back on the plane to Phila. We live in South Jersey. So much to see, and so little time to see it!! We'll be in California from Aug. 22-31.

That is an action packed trip!!! Sounds great.

 

[Rjmdds]

Great advice. We will also be staying there for the first time from August 22-30. It will be our first time to DL. Thanks for all of the info.

 

[Meriweather]

We loved that hotel so much we bought DVC points as soon as they were available and then added on more later.
It is beautiful

If you have time take the architectural tour.......very interesting. DH goes on it every stay.