Grand Californian Hotel Craftsman Bar and Grill ~ Brand New

[Castillo Mom]

It's really not. There are plenty of CMs and managers watching. People are seated at tables if they are just going to the bar. If the tables are full, they don't let non resort guests spill over into the pool chairs/tables, they have to wait for an open table. They have added a manned iron gate to the pathway that leads to WWS/Craftsman Bar and greet everyone walking through and ask where they are headed. There is really only a small area that is open to the pool deck for pool guests to access the bar for drinks, but they built a plexiglass wall separating the bar area from the pool deck. They are also redirecting resort guests to the other pool gates to enter, if they look like they are heading to the pool. They also moved the wristband desks to right next to the 2 gates that lead to the pool and they pounce on you as soon as you walk in asking to see a room key so they can issue wristbands. In addition, lifeguards were actively looking for wristbands on pool guests and asking for room keys on people who didn't have them. We also saw a family from DLH try and enter the pool area and be denied. They aren't messing around.

Awesome! I was concerned about the pool area getting congested with non hotel guests. Thank you for posting this info.

 

[Nonsuch]

Website updated:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/grand-californian-hotel/

 

[Elias1901]

Could anybody tell me what time White Water Snacks begins lunch service? Would it be 11 AM?? I’m planning to hit it up right about when lunch service begins for some food after a morning at DCA... but I’d like to know when exactly this is...

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Basically, as you walk towards White Water, past the entrance to DCA, it's on the right - across from the soon-to-be-gone spa and bathrooms. I haven't been since it opened so can't post pics. I'm just basing it on where the fencing has been for the past year (I think it's been that long? Maybe not?)

What is happening to the spa? And the bathrooms are going away too? Bummer!

 

[wowsmom]

What is happening to the spa? And the bathrooms are going away too? Bummer!

The spa is closing. Not sure what will replace it. The bathrooms were closed a couple weeks ago when we ate at WWS but I think they were probably just being refurbed. With Craftsman bar open now, I'm sure they need them (and I'm sad to know that my favorite bathrooms in the whole resort will no longer always be empty! )

 

[DLgal]

The spa is closing. Not sure what will replace it. The bathrooms were closed a couple weeks ago when we ate at WWS but I think they were probably just being refurbed. With Craftsman bar open now, I'm sure they need them (and I'm sad to know that my favorite bathrooms in the whole resort will no longer always be empty! )

The bathrooms were open last weekend.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Ah, that would make sense. I wish I could get some photos of the area in relation to White Water Snacks... is this new Craftsman addition just pretty much right outside of the old WWS location? Or is this something you have to actually go searching for or have pool access to get into??

The Craftsman Bar is on the way to White Water Snacks. The whole area will be called Craftsman Bar and Grill. See the red outlined area (it might be longer, going all the way to the end of the landscaped area, but not part of the grill/White Water Snacks. Only pool guests will be in the pool area, which is about three steps down from the bar area. The gate is just past the entrance to DCA, and a cast member is there to help direct you. When the pool area and the bar and grill are closed that gate will be locked since cast members will physically be monitoring hotel guest pool entrance. Below the map is the entrance to the pool.

They also have wisteria plants growing at the sides of the pergola so that when they grow over they'll create a covered area. The theming is wisteria (on the lamps, menu, etc.). When we were there we asked if they'd be putting some type of cover in the meantime since we have a lot of hot sunny days ahead of us, and we were told that they have been discussing the best type of cover that won't detract from the ambience.

 

[wowsmom]

The bathrooms were open last weekend.

Happy to hear it! Last couple times we were there, we ate at Hearthstone & Napa Rose, so didn't see that they had reopened.

 

[TikiTroll]

The spa is closing. Not sure what will replace it. The bathrooms were closed a couple weeks ago when we ate at WWS but I think they were probably just being refurbed. With Craftsman bar open now, I'm sure they need them (and I'm sad to know that my favorite bathrooms in the whole resort will no longer always be empty! )

I think we can be pretty sure Disney will be putting their own spa in, as opposed to the contracted company that ran the old one. They don’t want to lose a diamond for not having one!

 

[poptart90]

The Craftsman Bar is on the way to White Water Snacks. The whole area will be called Craftsman Bar and Grill. See the red outlined area (it might be longer, going all the way to the end of the landscaped area, but not part of the grill/White Water Snacks. Only pool guests will be in the pool area, which is about three steps down from the bar area. The gate is just past the entrance to DCA, and a cast member is there to help direct you. When the pool area and the bar and grill are closed that gate will be locked since cast members will physically be monitoring hotel guest pool entrance. Below the map is the entrance to the pool.

They also have wisteria plants growing at the sides of the pergola so that when they grow over they'll create a covered area. The theming is wisteria (on the lamps, menu, etc.). When we were there we asked if they'd be putting some type of cover in the meantime since we have a lot of hot sunny days ahead of us, and we were told that they have been discussing the best type of cover that won't detract from the ambience.


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Great photos!! Thanks for posting! And VERY glad they are considering more shade. It’s not very comfortable most of the day, unfortunately.

 

[Nonsuch]

I think we can be pretty sure Disney will be putting their own spa in, as opposed to the contracted company that ran the old one.

Perhaps like this:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/spas/senses/

 

[bandaidqueen]

Just got back from a stay at GCH today. Nachos are still at Craftsman Grill (Whitewater). Outside seating is still there.
Ate there this morning before our drive home and found out that if you are a hotel guest at GCH- coffee is free until 10am.

 

[bandaidqueen]

They also change the color of the pool wristbands everyday.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

The spa is closing. Not sure what will replace it. The bathrooms were closed a couple weeks ago when we ate at WWS but I think they were probably just being refurbed. With Craftsman bar open now, I'm sure they need them (and I'm sad to know that my favorite bathrooms in the whole resort will no longer always be empty! )

Seriously, the best bathrooms ever!

 

[wowsmom]

They also change the color of the pool wristbands everyday. View attachment 416897

Thanks for posting this! I was afraid it would be those horrible papery ones that always get put on too tightly.

 

[katejc]

The Craftsman Bar is on the way to White Water Snacks. The whole area will be called Craftsman Bar and Grill. See the red outlined area (it might be longer, going all the way to the end of the landscaped area, but not part of the grill/White Water Snacks. Only pool guests will be in the pool area, which is about three steps down from the bar area. The gate is just past the entrance to DCA, and a cast member is there to help direct you. When the pool area and the bar and grill are closed that gate will be locked since cast members will physically be monitoring hotel guest pool entrance. Below the map is the entrance to the pool.

They also have wisteria plants growing at the sides of the pergola so that when they grow over they'll create a covered area. The theming is wisteria (on the lamps, menu, etc.). When we were there we asked if they'd be putting some type of cover in the meantime since we have a lot of hot sunny days ahead of us, and we were told that they have been discussing the best type of cover that won't detract from the ambience.


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Thanks for the detailed map and pics! Looks like a great place for a drink and snack, but some type of over is a good idea while they wait for that wisteria to grow in.

 

[katejc]

Seriously, the best bathrooms ever!

I love those bathrooms! Always empty!

 

[DLgal]

They also change the color of the pool wristbands everyday. View attachment 416897

Not everyday. The lifeguard told us they swap them out on Sundays and Thursdays. I joked with him that that was good to know and we would be back for the next 3 days to use the pool (we checked out on a Sunday, but we're locals). I said that literally 3 seconds before I held out my wrist to have the band cut off as we were leaving, so he knew I was joking. They really should change the color daily.

 

[DLgal]

I love those bathrooms! Always empty!

And they smell SO GOOD!

 

[katejc]

And they smell SO GOOD!

I know!! What is that?? Lavender?