Grand Californian Super Thread

[LoriKM]

That no you for the

We stayed in a theme park view near the Napa Rose elevators a couple of years ago. It's definitely a walk. It's indoors so it's a nice walk, but basically you're going all the way from the entrance at DTD, through the restaurant area of the hotel to the lobby, then back around towards DCA. And it did feel a little like a maze.

I think the main thing is when you enter your hotel, you're used to thinking, "I'm here!" ... but you're not. My kids never complained but they were older than yours.

Thank you for the information. Looking at the map, any theme park room does seem to be one of the farthest in the hotel. Has anyone stay in the rooms that are surrounding the pools but still have a view of the park (Mickey wheel)? Im wondering if this is a good option, some park view but closer to entrances. Rooms like 4302 through 4354?

 

[StarlitNight05]

Does anyone know if you can add club level service to an existing, regular (Woods view) room reservation?

 

[fly girl]

Does anyone know if you can add club level service to an existing, regular (Woods view) room reservation?

I'm not 100% but I believe no, you can't add -- but you certainly can change to a club level room by calling if they have rooms available.

If your thinking along lines of Universal Orlando Club Level where you can add it on for the extra price, I don't believe DL or WDW does that.

 

[Tardisblue]

How challenging is it to book during spring break? We're WDW veterans but want to make the journey west to try out DL.

 

[LoriKM]

How challenging is it to book during spring break? We're WDW veterans but want to make the journey west to try out DL.

Spring break is a very busy time for DL, but I am sure there are still rooms out there available. I know the Grand Californian and (maybe all Disney hotels) is having a 20% off rooms starting end of April through May, if you can wait.

 

[Tardisblue]

Spring break is a very busy time for DL, but I am sure there are still rooms out there available. I know the Grand Californian and (maybe all Disney hotels) is having a 20% off rooms starting end of April through May, if you can wait.

We were hoping to book Grand Californian using DVC points, so we'll have to wait until September to try to book 7 months out. We'll have to wait to see if anything is available.

 

[Disney_Alli]

We were hoping to book Grand Californian using DVC points, so we'll have to wait until September to try to book 7 months out. We'll have to wait to see if anything is available.

Ah if you'd mentioned DVC the answer would have been simpler. The answer is booking DVC at ANY time of year 7 months out is challenging. Be prepared to book at the exact time it opens online and be prepared to need to use a waitlist.

 

[D2Pugs]

Does anyone know if the construction on the CL lounge has taken place?
If so, where is the new lounge located? TIA!

 

[Tardisblue]

Ah if you'd mentioned DVC the answer would have been simpler. The answer is booking DVC at ANY time of year 7 months out is challenging. Be prepared to book at the exact time it opens online and be prepared to need to use a waitlist.

Yeah, in hindsight I see that may have been helpful. Fair enough, we'll see what happens when I try to book this fall.

 

[psac]

We're staying at the DLH this week, but just wanted to mention we had a great dinner at Napa Rose on Monday. We really enjoyed it. The GCH is really beautiful inside. Except for the pool, you wouldn't know it was being refurbed at all. If not for some of the horror story reviews when we booked (like not having water overnight), we would have been disappointed in choosing the DLH. But we do like where we're at.

 

[gabbyrodman]

I overheard a kid (around 10) spontaneously shout "It's like a maze!" while his family searched for their room

Rooms 5240 to 5260 (even numbers) have a view of the Mickey Wheel. These rooms are the most distant from the DTD and DCA entrances.

A good room request is: Room located near the elevators adjacent to Napa Rose.
There is no view of the Mickey Wheel, but the Park views are quite nice.

Are these theme park view rooms quiet or can you hear downtown Disney and theme park noise?

 

[Nonsuch]

Are these theme park view rooms quiet or can you hear downtown Disney and theme park noise?

These rooms (5240 - 5260 even) are very close to Goofy's Sky School, so park noise is loud with the sliding door open. I have not stayed in these hotel rooms, but the nearby villas are quiet with the sliding doors closed.

Park view rooms near the elevators adjacent to Napa Rose are much more peaceful.
Sound from DTD does not reach any Park view rooms.

 

[BriannaRuth]

We stayed in a room near Napa Rose Elevators overlooking GRR mountain and the pathway towards Soarin'. Definitely no noise problems there.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Has there been any definitive word on what the lobby refurb is going to include and for how long? Can't believe we had our stay with the pool construction blasting away all day, every day, all weekend long in January and now are going to have the lobby in June so trying to get prepared.

 

[D2Pugs]

We check in tomorrow (3/27) and have booked a park view. I requested a refurbished room, and she said the many park view rooms were the new rooms, so it looks good. Will report back.

Hope you had a magical trip! Were you able to get a refurbished room for your trip? We booked a premium CL room for the end of May and are hoping the room is renovated!

 

[Sun_soakin]

We'll be there in two weeks again...yay! Hoping the pool reopens. Have they remodeled any rooms near the napa rose elevators yet?

 

[Laurapullman453]

Now that the security checkpoint is moved to the beginning of Downtown Disney (DD), can you get to DD from the Grand Californian???

 

[Disney_Alli]

Now that the security checkpoint is moved to the beginning of Downtown Disney (DD), can you get to DD from the Grand Californian???

Yep just walk in next to Sephora as usual.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Yep just walk in next to Sephora as usual.

There's a security checkpoint there as well, going from the GCH to DtD.

 

[Nonsuch]

Pool update:
Fountain Pool (nearest Storytellers) was plastered yesterday (April 12) and filled. Plaster should cure and water stablized in about a week. Construction walls have been added between the pools, so Fountain can open while work continues on the other pools.

Edit to add:
Should be open soon: Fountain Pool, Kiddie Pool, Hot Tub (behind trees on right)
Photo from April 13, random stone pool deck looks very nice.