Grand Californian Questions

[Pooh'sTwin]

Hi All!

My partner and I are staying at the Grand Californian next weekend and have run into some weird timing snags so I figured I would see if anyone here can help!

We are set to check in Friday, and here are the issues:

* I know check in is at 3pm but I know at Disneyworld hotels you can check in earlier, you just don't get your room access yet but you can leave luggage at Bell Services and are able to head to the parks earlier or use the pool areas, etc.

* My partner was not able to get Friday off of work completely but the friends we are meeting there and sharing a room with will be arriving before him. (Him at 5-6pm, them at like 1pm).

* I do not have to work friday and as the resort is relatively close to my partner's job he has suggested we get to the resort before work so I can be dropped off and spend the day in the park and pool. (He is excellent that way!)

So my questions...

1. Arriving before work means, arriving at around 5:30am. Will the resort allow us to get everything financially situated and our luggage checked that early? I know it would mean me having a fair amount of time before anything opened to enjoy the GCH lobby area but I am fine with that. Our reservation is through him and his credit card so that is why I want to know if we can set everything up that early. I know we would not get our room number until much much later in the day.

2. Also, if we can check in that early, is there a place infront of the hotel to leave your car while doing the quick check in or would we have to valet and/or park across the street while doing so? Random question I know, but he wanted me to ask! hehe

I hope that makes sense in terms of what I am asking and I appreciate any help!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

1. Can you check in at 5:30 AM?

Yes. If there is a room available at that time, you could even be given your room; but typically they will check you in and store your luggage for you so you can go enjoy the parks. You can return after 3 PM to get moved into your room.

2. Can you park out front while you check in?

Maybe someone else can confirm this. We've not stayed at the GCH, but you can do this at the DLH.

 

[oscarkitty1]

I know for sure you can check in early, even if your room is not ready, and leave your luggage at bell services.

Even though it's really early, I would think that they would be able to go ahead and check you in and give you the keys for the entire party. If not, I'm sure that they will let you stop by later and pick them up, so that you don't have to wait till your partner gets there in the early evening.

Given that the park opens at 8 am, I think this is a great plan! You really won't have too much time to kill at the hotel, and I can't imagine any better place to kill time than the Grand Californian!!

Hang out in the lobby, go get some breakfast at WWS, and start your vacation on a relaxing note!

Have a great time!! I'll be at the GC in December for my birthday trip, I can't wait!!

 

[oscarkitty1]

2. Can you park out front while you check in?[/B]

Maybe someone else can confirm this. We've not stayed at the GCH, but you can do this at the DLH.

Oh yeah I forgot to respond to this question... Yes you can park in front while you check in, no problem.

 

[DizMe]

The only thing you might have a problem with is the fact that your reservation is in your partner's name and through his CC. You can leave your luggage and hang out but you can't technically check in until your partner arrives, I believe. When my adult daughter met us last year for our stay at DLH, she arrived before we did and did all of the above but was not allowed to check in and get a room until we arrived, as the reservation was in our name and with our card.

 

[Pooh'sTwin]

Thanks so much for the help everyone!! I am so excited for our GCH stay I cannot stand it!

 

[jacksparrowfan]

By the time your partner checks in, your room most likely will be ready. I was there a couple of weeks ago. We received our room key card and was told the room was not ready. I could call a number after 3pm or come back to the hotel and use the in-house phone. It wasn't ready until after 4pm. I do believe you need to have a key card to be able to access the pool. Your partner should have received a confirmation (email or mail). On it, there is a statement "In order to expedite the check-in-progress, we offer pre-registration service. Simply call us at 714-xxx-xxxx two hours before your arrival (on your arrival date)." It's not completely necessary, but an option. They told me it's just a way to verify the information, but you still have to check in at the desk. Just shortens the time.

When he drives in to the Grand, there is a kiosk where he tells them his name. They make sure he is on the list and he is waved through. Parking is right out front to go inside and check in. He can either self-park (they will tell him where to park) or valet.

You are in for a treat! The hotel is beautiful! Enjoy a drink by the fireplace while someone is playing the piano. The bar/lounge is great. Look up for hidden mickeys!

Have a great time!

 

[Sherry E]

Pooh's Twin, you will be at DLR when I am there (though we are not staying at the GCH this time - hopefully in December!)!

Just to sort of echo what the previous posters outlined for you... when we stayed at GCH last December, we showed up at about 6:30 a.m., or slightly earlier, on a Friday morning, and it was perfect because nobody was there yet. I think some people don't realize you CAN do a pre-check in, so they all show up at the designated time of 3 p.m. and crowd around the lobby! Really, all that "3 p.m." means is that your room is supposed to be ready at that time or after. BUT, as previously stated, IF they have rooms available when you check-in (like, let's say the GCH was not fully booked the night before), they may just let you into a room right then and there! Otherwise, you get all your money and paperwork taken care of when you show up, you can leave your car with valet in front OR you can park across the street as part of the "Resort Fee" included in the hotel stay. Generally, they give you your room key right on the spot, so you don't ever have to come back to the front desk for any reason later in the day, and instruct you to call back closer to 3 p.m. to see if your room is available. We started calling at noon, and our room was available at maybe 1:30 p.m. or 1:45 or so. And remember, this was in December - right before Christmas - so it was pretty busy. So your room might be ready way before 3 p.m. It is rare that rooms are not ready until AFTER 3 p.m., though it does happen here and there. You call the number they give you from the park or wherever, give them your last name, and if your room is ready, they give you the room number over the phone. You can then go straight to your room and call the bell desk and they will bring all your stuff up to the room. You never have to deal with the crowded lobby again. And the maid comes by every night to give you chocolates and ask if you want turndown service!

It is a gorgeous hotel!

 

[Whidbey5]

It looks like your questions have been answered, so I just wanted to say "Have fun!"

You'll love the Grand Californian. There is no better place to stay! We were there in July, and we'll be staying there in December. Do take time to sit in the amazing lobby and just soak it all in!

 

[bumbershoot]

That sounds like a wonderful idea!

And I think you said your partner would be taking you there on his way to work, so he would be there to check in, so you don't have to worry about things not being in your name.

Have fun!

 

[Pooh'sTwin]

Just wanted to say thank you again! Your answers and well wishes are so helpful and caring! My partner, who usually thinks I am silly for talking to him so much about the DIS, can't believe how hopeful and nice you all are. I think I have converted him to the ways of the DISboards! hehe

P.S. Special shout out to you Sherry because we'll be there at the same time! Here's hoping for a fantastic weekend for all of our trips this week!

 

[Sherry E]

Just wanted to say thank you again! Your answers and well wishes are so helpful and caring! My partner, who usually thinks I am silly for talking to him so much about the DIS, can't believe how hopeful and nice you all are. I think I have converted him to the ways of the DISboards! hehe

P.S. Special shout out to you Sherry because we'll be there at the same time! Here's hoping for a fantastic weekend for all of our trips this week!

...And a shout out right back to you, my fellow SoCal resident friend (I love Long Beach because that is home to the Queen Mary and the Catalina Express!!)! We will probably cross paths somewhere in the parks and not know it, though I am attempting to figure out the best way to attach this Lime Green Mickey Head, which will be an identifying method. If you see anyone around with a LGMH dangling from their bags or their person in any way, you will know it is likely a DISboard member!

 

[Pooh'sTwin]

I forgot about the Mickey Heads, might have to make a Home Depot run this week when we go to get everything else we'll need!

 

[Pooh'sTwin]

I know I got my questions answered but I figured it was better for me to post in here than just start a new random thread saying...

TWO DAYS until our 4 day weekend at the Grand Californian!!!!
Two days until...
* I get to see the NBC Haunted Mansion layover!
* I get to fly above London with Peter Pan
* I get to get absolutely drenched in the fountains in the Bug's Life area of DCA!
* I ride one of the moving SunWheel cars for the first time!!! Yikes!
* I get another delish vanilla coke at the stand near the Princess Fantasy Faire!

Just Two Days!!!!

 

[Sherry E]

I know I got my questions answered but I figured it was better for me to post in here than just start a new random thread saying...

TWO DAYS until our 4 day weekend at the Grand Californian!!!!
Two days until...
* I get to see the NBC Haunted Mansion layover!
* I get to fly above London with Peter Pan
* I get to get absolutely drenched in the fountains in the Bug's Life area of DCA!
* I ride one of the moving SunWheel cars for the first time!!! Yikes!
* I get another delish vanilla coke at the stand near the Princess Fantasy Faire!

Just Two Days!!!!

Yay! Did you get your LGMH yet? I am still trying to figure out where and how to attach mine (I could have figured it out by now if I had really focused, but I have other things that are more pressing at the moment to take care of!). Anyway, I'm excited too, Pooh's Twin - for you and for me!!! I am excited to ride Toy Story Midway Mania for the first time!

 

[Pooh'sTwin]

I am excited to ride Toy Story Midway Mania for the first time!

ooooh! I almost forgot that I will finally get to ride TSMM too!!!
Thanks Sherry!!!
No Mickey heads here, they were out of every green at our Home Depot. May try another tonight, if I can get all this pre-packing laundry done!