Grand Californian Questions

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thinking about staying at GCH next year, but I have some questions.

the separate entrance to DCA:

1. Is there a security table there?
2. Is there an advantage to reach certain attractions to come from this entrance?
3. How early to line up there before rope drop?
4. Is it a bottleneck trying to get all resort guests through this entrance?


Pool:
1. Is this the nicest pool between the different resorts? It seems pretty cool from the pics, but I don't know how it compares to DLH, PP, or the good neighbor hotels.

Fireworks:

Can you see fireworks from this hotel?


Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

Thinking about staying at GCH next year, but I have some questions.

the separate entrance to DCA:

1. Is there a security table there?
2. Is there an advantage to reach certain attractions to come from this entrance?
3. How early to line up there before rope drop?
4. Is it a bottleneck trying to get all resort guests through this entrance?


Pool:
1. Is this the nicest pool between the different resorts? It seems pretty cool from the pics, but I don't know how it compares to DLH, PP, or the good neighbor hotels.

Fireworks:

Can you see fireworks from this hotel?


Thanks!

Okay, I know that our knowledgeable board members here will be able to help you with the specifics of your other questions, but I can definitely answer the fireworks question. YES! If you ask for a room with a view of Downtown Disney, I know for a fact that you get a great view of fireworks. I think you can get the fireworks with other 'view' rooms as well. (You should check out some of the other threads on here about GCH, in case you haven't already. Lots of good info for you!) When I stayed at GCH the first time, I got a last-minute DTD view room, which was great! It was the only room available, so I was thrilled when I saw the DTD view because it was during the holidays and the decorations were up and it was bustling with activity. Great for people-watching. To my delight and surprise, we had a perfect view of the fireworks from the balcony! No obstructions or anything! It was great.

The second time I stayed at GCH, I only had a standard room with a view of the other two hotels and the entrance to GCH, but not to complain. Sometimes you have to pinch pennies! Anyway, the BEST time to stay at GCH is during the holidays, when the big Christmas tree is set up in the spacious, warm, cozy and elegant but rustic lobby and the carolers entertain every night. But if I had the finances for it, I would prefer to stay there every time because it IS so conveniently located near everything and my friends and I get SO much more accomplished when we stay there. We are more rested, less rushed and stressed, and we get more done in the parks when we can go back to GCH and rest for a couple of hours, then head back out to the parks, just footsteps away.

 

[Sherry E]

Thinking about staying at GCH next year, but I have some questions.

the separate entrance to DCA:

1. Is there a security table there?
2. Is there an advantage to reach certain attractions to come from this entrance?
3. How early to line up there before rope drop?
4. Is it a bottleneck trying to get all resort guests through this entrance?


Pool:
1. Is this the nicest pool between the different resorts? It seems pretty cool from the pics, but I don't know how it compares to DLH, PP, or the good neighbor hotels.

Fireworks:

Can you see fireworks from this hotel?


Thanks!

Oh, almost forgot, yes, the GCH pool is the nicest setting. If you have kids, you may prefer the pool at the DLH for the theme of it, but the GCH one is best, I think. Paradise Pier has a big slide at the pool, but otherwise, nothing too noteworthy.

Hey, I couldn't help but notice - were you actually ON The Biggest Loser 3 as Team Captain, or did I misunderstand? If you were, good for you - that looks like one of the hardest things anyone could ever do!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thinking about staying at GCH next year, but I have some questions.

the separate entrance to DCA:

1. Is there a security table there?
2. Is there an advantage to reach certain attractions to come from this entrance?
3. How early to line up there before rope drop?
4. Is it a bottleneck trying to get all resort guests through this entrance?


Pool:
1. Is this the nicest pool between the different resorts? It seems pretty cool from the pics, but I don't know how it compares to DLH, PP, or the good neighbor hotels.

Fireworks:

Can you see fireworks from this hotel?


Thanks!

There is a security table at the GCH entrance. I have never seen it all that backed up in the mornings. For one thing, since DL opens earlier, most people go there first then walk across the Espanlande into the main entrance of DCA. Even GCH resort guests probably do that. The GCH entrance can get a bit backed up at park closing leaving, but by backed up I mean maybe 20 people ahead of you. Not that awful thing you have to go through to get out of the main turnstiles at closing when everyone is heading over to DL or towards Harbor.

Its very handy to get to Grizzly River Run and Soarin. Its actually fine for any area. But lets say you are at DL, I wouldn't walk out of DL, down to the GCH, through the lobby and then to that entrance for anything, even GRR. But if you are in your room, then yes, that entrance is convenient and should be the way you go.

I am not sure how early they open that up. And I have never seen it a bottle neck. Even at park opening during the busy summer, we never had a problem getting into the park via that entrance.

There are also some rooms that have a courtyard view that have fireworks views. That's a 50/50 gamble, because the other side has no view since it backs up to DL. And as the other poster said, a DTD view will have a view of the fireworks.

As for the pool area, its very nice. I am sort of partial to the DLH pool since I love the landscaping there as well as the separate quiet pool, and sandy areas. But the GCH pool area is VERY nice, they have waitstaff that circulates to take food and drink orders or you can just handle that on your own. The food is from Whitewater Snacks and you can just as easily go get that yourself and save the wait (it always seems to take forever) and tip. The lounge chairs at the GCH pool are nicer than the DLH ones (at least they were when I stayed there last). It doesn't have as much landscaping but the best part is the view of the Paradise Pier area of DCA. At night, its just so cool to be there and see the lights of the Sun Wheel etc. You can't get any close to Disney magic at any hotel pool area in DL or WDW.

I think the GCH pool is way better than the PP pool area which is a square pool with a concrete landscape and a very cool slide. If not for that slide, the PP area would be dismal!

 

[minniebeth]

As others have mentioned, security is not an issue and convenient.
We really enjoyed going back to the hotel after DL, having a break-- rest, swimming, etc. and then going back to DCA in the afternoon with the GCH entrance. Very nice! Also we went back for the parade and it was so nice not to carry everything along, just ourselves!
There are many places to watch fireworks if not from your room if you don't have a balcony overlooking toward that area.
The pool at the GCH is awesome and the best part is the comfy padded lounge chairs. It was a large area as well as to accomodate a larger number of people. When we stayed at DLH, we could not get a lounge chair late in the afternoon. We loved the DLH pool as well...the theming is very nice.
In my opinion, the difference is the DLH pool is a cool hotel pool and the GCH pool is like a resort pool (more relaxing vacation like).
We've never stayed at Paradise Pier, we've stayed at both DLH and GCH and they were BOTH awesome!

 

[bumbershoot]

The thing about the entrance when DCA opens, and ride accessibility, is that DCA opens generally a half an hour before "opening" time, and the only thing that I know is OPEN at that time is Soarin'. So if you're going at that before opening opening time, it doesn't matter that you're right near Grizzly, b/c it's not available as far as I know.

They do have bag check and they use it.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We had a park view of GRR and we were able to see the fireworks perfectly! They would go up and over the hotel.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks everyone for the info. I told DH I want to stay at this hotel, and I can't wait!!!

Hey, I couldn't help but notice - were you actually ON The Biggest Loser 3 as Team Captain, or did I misunderstand? If you were, good for you - that looks like one of the hardest things anyone could ever do!

I WISH I could have been on the tv show! But no, the Biggest Loser 3 team captain comes right from these boards. Over on the WISH board, a group of us got to gether and did a biggest loser challenge DISboards style. it was a lot of fun.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I'd have to say that I like the DLH pool the best
It has ALOT of area for people to relax and still be able to see their kids in
the pool. Also it is a huge pool. I loved it !