Grand Californian Standard View

surgefest

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Jun 20, 2006
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Does Anyone know what the view is typically in the standard view rooms at the grand californian? Not that i am too concerned with it but just curious as to where in the hotel we may be. It sort of looking to me like it was mostly pool/theme park/downtown disney....
 
We stayed there several years ago. At first we had a room that was on the first floor in the far south wing. Had we looked out the window, I guess it would have looked out to the trees and wall along the access road behind Goofy's Sky School. It probably would not have been that interesting. But we thought we would like a room closer to the parks. So we requested a change. They moved us to a third- or fourth-floor room on the north side of the lobby, pretty close to the elevators. Being right by that beautiful lobby was neat. But the room was far back enough that we didn't really notice much noise from the lobby. Our outside balcony view was of the courtyard that you walk through to get to Downtown Disney and the main gates. We LOVED that. The monorail travels right through that courtyard. It gave us that magical connection to the park that was just a thrill to take in. And the courtyard itself is really peaceful and lovely. We still prefer the Disneyland Hotel in general. From our standard view room in Fantasy tower, we could actually see the fireworks quite easily. But that monorail view was actually not a bad feature of our standard view room at the Grand.
 
We've had a view of the courtyard mentioned above, the valet parking area, and an obstructed view of the pool twice.
 
Last time I stayed at the GCH, we faced the DLH and PPH on the top floor. Although it wasn't a park view, I thought it was a great view with the monorail passing by every couple of minutes or so. If you are sticking with the standard view rooms, I would suggest requesting the highest floor as you won't have anything obstructing your view.
 

We specifically asked for a ground floor room by Goofy's Sky School in the DVC/South wing and got it. It was SUPER convenient since we didn't have to wait on elevators or go down long halls. Loved it! Views were peaceful, it was mainly... a wall :D But it was around the corner from the grills!
 
great info so far! The Downtown Disney rooms? would the lower floor rooms be looking into that courtyard???? that the monorail passes through?
 
great info so far! The Downtown Disney rooms? would the lower floor rooms be looking into that courtyard???? that the monorail passes through?

Monorail passing through (we were on the upper right hand side of the picture)

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DTD view rooms (complaints that these rooms are a bit louder due to all the people. I haven't personally stayed here, but there are threads on here about this.)

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We had a standard view once and were looking out onto the main entrance driveway.
 
There used only be like 4 categories...standard, pool, theme park and DTD views...now where seems to multiple variations of all of these levels. The courtyard with the monorail USED to be a "standard" view but is now classified as the "Courtyard View".

Standard view rooms are technically now are only the ones facing the front entrance (AKA parking lot/valet) and other rooms that are either on the lower floors with no substantial view or rooms on higher floors with something blocking any view other than trees.

There are now even "partial" theme park and pool view rooms.

Now, that does not guarantee that you will be looking at the parking lot. If they undersell one of the other view categories and oversell the standard views which they often do, you will get a nicer view at no charge.

In numerous stays I have always booked the standard view and only gotten a parking lot room once. Mostly gotten the courtyard view.

Bottom line, if view is important to you...book that room you want cuz occupancy has been really high and chances of a better view upgrade are decreasing
 
We specifically asked for a ground floor room by Goofy's Sky School in the DVC/South wing and got it. It was SUPER convenient since we didn't have to wait on elevators or go down long halls. Loved it! Views were peaceful, it was mainly... a wall :D But it was around the corner from the grills!



Love the grills at the GCV! :thumbsup2
 
During one of the marathons, we had a discounted (through the marathon) rooms at GC and the location was awful! Literally looked out onto the street and parking valet loop. It was the most UN-Disney room I've been in! But, it was pretty cheap and was only for marathon nights.

I felt really sorry for anyone stuck in those rooms that weren't in the marathon (or an athletic supporter, like me :goodvibes) The lights and massive sound system go live about 5am. You just shoot straight up in bed wondering if it's the rapture. Shocking and crazy.

I did get great video from my balcony of the start, fireworks, etc. So, yeah, the rooms that face the front of the property, no fun.
 
We have stay at the GCH a few times and have had many different views,

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Parking lot and pool views also, have a wonderful trip, we will be back in a couple of years. Take the time to have fun

Jack
 












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