Grand Californian Booking Questions

[davidl81]

We are booking a stay for our family of four June 27th to July 1st and have decided on Grand Californian. We are DVC members and have been to WDW at least 25 times, but never DLR. We plan on getting 4 day hopper tickets and getting the max pass option. The cost is crazy high at Grand Californian (standard room is $661 a night), but it's only four nights in the hotel so its bearable. I have a few questions that maybe some of you guys can help with.

1) I plan on booking a standard view room then upon check in asking about paying for an upgrade. Is this a decent strategy? Room view is not super important to us (at least not enough to pay over $200 more a night during booking), but if something was offered for say $50-$100 a night at check in we may do that.

2) Should I just book via Disneyland's site to get a better chance at the upgrade, or use some travel agency? Looks like price wide they would be the same, I just didn't know of any benefit of one versus the other. I have looked at Orbitz and sure I would save $150, but I am not a fan of their service at all and I would rather avoid them. I also looked at Costco, but I would need to get a membership. Cost wise the Costco deal still adds up (free meal appx $125 value and $40 gift card) and I may end up going that route.

Thanks for the help!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This isn't about the GCH, but it will help a lot with your general trip planning: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Other DISers will be along soon to answer your other questions.
Also, if the GCH was your first choice, great. But if you will be staying on site because you think that you have to at DLR, then read this thread for more information: https://www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-dlr-area-hotel-for-you.3656512/.

 

[Malcon10t]

You are more likely to be able to get an upgrade going thru the Disney site. But I would price it out and if Costco is better, DO IT!!

 

[davidl81]

Just to follow up with reasoning for GCH as it was multi-phased. Right now we have the Marriott Theme Park Entrance booked because of the pool area. We have great luck with nice resort style pools for our girls (5 and 2) when we go to WDW. We can go to the park in the AM ,then pools, then park again in PM (or maybe just pools and park we will play it by ear). Either way nice pools with slides etc are a must. The Marriott slides are nice, but looks like there is a min height for the bigger slides where Disney does not have one. Our 2 yr old will lose her mind if she can't go down the slide when her bigger sister is going down one. That seems like it should not be a big deal, just keep the 2 year old away from the slide, but if I can make this trip easier I all in. That kind of pushed us towards Disney resorts. The we started debating PPI, DLH, or GCH and pros/cons. DW really liked the location of GCH and I think at the end she just wanted to stay at one of the "Grand" resorts. Since our DLR trips will be few and far between I did agree with the idea of just splurging and booking GCH. Now that we settled on the resort I am just trying to find the best way to book it.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You might want to post a question here asking about the on site pools. Many DISers seem to give the DLH pools better reviews.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I can tell ya that bookings though third party sites are the LAST to get the upgrades. It does happen, but I would book direct unless the savings is signifiant.

When I book standard through American Express travel on points for example, I usually end up in a standard. When I book direct, I have always been put in a Courtyard View or better.

FYI, they sell way more "standard" rooms than they have actual standard rooms available so it is quite common to get an upgrade to Courtyard View or better without costing any more at checkin.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Should you gamble today’s savings for a chance at a paid upgrade at check-in? I would not but that’s because I would mercilessly kick myself over the lost savings (if I booked Disney and was not given the opportunity to upgrade or the upgrade was too expensive when it was offered) and that would make a lousy vacation!

 

[davidl81]

Should you gamble today’s savings for a chance at a paid upgrade at check-in? I would not but that’s because I would mercilessly kick myself over the lost savings (if I booked Disney and was not given the opportunity to upgrade or the upgrade was too expensive when it was offered) and that would make a lousy vacation!

I agree, but it's not like I'm passing up a discount of $500 or more. The Orbitz discount is $150 and the Costco discount is really just a free meal so about the same value overall. The total of my booking right now is $4100, so the $150 savings is only about 3% of the total. Not enough there to really mess with the quality of my vacation.

 

[SeaDis]

I am choking on $661 this Summer myself and it does not seem to be budging. The first time we stayed it was $228 each for adjoining rooms. The most I've paid was $520-ish for Courtyard/Woods view, not standard. And I just don't feel like the place is selling out at these prices-- never feels that crowded to me. I had one CM housekeeping staff tell me the hotel was "half empty" during our Spring Break last year (which admittedly was not the prime SB week). But still.

Shrugging aside-- yes I would book standard and keep an eye out for any discounts (easy to cancel/re-book). Try to check in as early as possible (as flights allow) be extremely friendly (as usual) and share your excitement about your first trip to DLR and explain: at the price you are paying, you just had to ask if any pixie dust upgrades are possible (not paid upgrade). Also let them know you are willing to wait a little while for the right room, if that's all that's needed. Can always check luggage and enjoy the pool or DTD while you wait for text message that rooms ready. Good luck

Edit: Also is it possible to book a standard room on DVC points? Or is that only DLH? If so, how many points?

 

[limace]

We are staying at the GCV for the first time this year and I’m sooo excited-but I do think the DLH has a more awesome pool for kids your kids’ ages.

 

[Whistlebee]

Have you looked at the slides at GCH? They are pretty small. The DLH & PPH have much bigger slides. Also, at your kids ages the splash area at the DL hotel would be ideal. I personally prefer the GCH pool because it is more calm and serene but that’s not really what 2 & 5 year olds are looking for

 

[Malcon10t]

Just to follow up with reasoning for GCH as it was multi-phased. Right now we have the Marriott Theme Park Entrance booked because of the pool area. We have great luck with nice resort style pools for our girls (5 and 2) when we go to WDW. We can go to the park in the AM ,then pools, then park again in PM (or maybe just pools and park we will play it by ear). Either way nice pools with slides etc are a must. The Marriott slides are nice, but looks like there is a min height for the bigger slides where Disney does not have one. Our 2 yr old will lose her mind if she can't go down the slide when her bigger sister is going down one.

Disneyland Hotel pools and slides are a must for the grandkids. Granddaughter has been doing the big slide since she was 3. No height requirement, just has to go solo.

 

[davidl81]

I did see the pool at DLH looks a little better for the kids, but honestly they will be happy with any slide they see. My only issue would have been if there was a slide that they wouldn’t let my 2 year old on, that’s where the problem lies. They will be perfectly happy with the smaller slide at GCH, and honestly I feel better with my 2 year old on that slide as the one at DLH May be a little too big for her right now.

 

[SeaDis]

The DLH slides are bigger/taller, but they empty into their own landing areas in the splash pad. The rider stops, and can climb out of the slide in ankle deep water. At GCH the slide empties into the main pool and there is a fair amount of current and a floating rope to separate the area. At DLH you can probably be in a nearby pool chair. At GCH you will need probably need to be at the opposite side of the area, near the ladder, to "catch" the 2-year old and help to the ladder and out of the pool each time. It's been a while since I had a 2-year old, but just a thought. There are plenty of good life jackets for both pools.

You can Google image search for good photos of both areas. Disneyland Monorail Slides and Grand Californian pool slide