Grand Californian Super Thread

[CrazyDuck]

I hope the WOC view is outstanding.

Jack

It will be if the Zephyr is not in the way!

 

[Bdchili]

I wouldn't say they have direct control over the assignments but they find a way to get me what I want every time... In 06 when we went I never put in a request when I booked my room, When I ordered my ears to be delivered to the room I mentioned to the VP person that I liked being close to the elevators.. She said "I can help you with that"... We checked in late that day around 8p because we were driving up from San Diego, and we were assigned 4024 right next to the elevator (almost too close) and the ears were inside the room waiting on the table... Since then I always make sure to convey my requests to VP as well as WDTC when I booked the rooms...

I am headed to GCH in a week and want to tryout your tech. How do you get in touch with Vacation Planning? First time to DL and not familiar with the different titles cast members use there.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I am headed to GCH in a week and want to tryout your tech. How do you get in touch with Vacation Planning? First time to DL and not familiar with the different titles cast members use there.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/myVacation/index?name=VacationPlanningServicesPage

Good Luck!

 

[Bdchili]

Mucho Gracias! BTW I read somewhere on this thread about a very low percentage of the rooms having king size beds. So maybe someone can point me in the right direction here. I am coming to GCH on the 17th. I have two theme park view rooms booked and have requested connecting rooms due to 3 Kiddos (9,6,5). We would prefer 1 King & 1 Queen but I realize that may be impossible. I am a WDW vet but this is our first Journey to Mother Land. Another words complete rookie! I am going to contact the Vacation Planner per CrazyDucks suggestion, but want direction on what rooms I should try to point them two. BTW, noise isn't an issue with us, being that I will drag the Fam out all night anyway and view is high on my pref list.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Mucho Gracias! BTW I read somewhere on this thread about a very low percentage of the rooms having king size beds. So maybe someone can point me in the right direction here. I am coming to GCH on the 17th. I have two theme park view rooms booked and have requested connecting rooms due to 3 Kiddos (9,6,5). We would prefer 1 King & 1 Queen but I realize that may be impossible. I am a WDW vet but this is our first Journey to Mother Land. Another words complete rookie! I am going to contact the Vacation Planner per CrazyDucks suggestion, but want direction on what rooms I should try to point them two. BTW, noise isn't an issue with us, being that I will drag the Fam out all night anyway and view is high on my pref list.

Well like you said, you might want to explain your situation to them and they should help you on your problem. I'm not sure which rooms have kings so I can't help you there. It would be nice to have a chart that shows what configurations are in which rooms. What noise are you referring to? I don't see any noise problems with theme park view rooms. IIRC Duck said that even with monorail, it wasn't a problem.

 

[Nonsuch]

... I have two theme park view rooms booked and have requested connecting rooms due to 3 Kiddos (9,6,5). We would prefer 1 King & 1 Queen but I realize that may be impossible.

I always requested 1 King, but only got it once (around 8 visits). It is the rarest configuration. Most rooms have 2 Queens. The other configuration is 1 Queen and a bunk bed, which feels less cramped than 2 Queens. The 2 Queen with daybed has been mentioned in this thread, but I was not aware those even existed (that is the standard configuration at the Paradise Pier Hotel).

If your party is 3 kids and 2 adults, then any 2 connected rooms should work for you. You might want to focus on location, rather than room type.

The rooms below the Paradise View Patio would be my first choice, rooms 5240 and 5242
Take a look at my maps of the new wing, which are part of the first post in this thread.

 

[Nonsuch]

It will be if the Zephyr is not in the way!

The Zephyr refurbishment is scheduled to be done April 2, and without the tarps it should not be much of an obstruction. I wonder if the Zephyr tower will be used for WoC. I'm sure the lights on Mickey's Fun Wheel will be part of the show.

 

[blackjackdelta]

The Zephyr refurbishment is scheduled to be done April 2, and without the tarps it should not be much of an obstruction. I wonder if the Zephyr tower will be used for WoC. I'm sure the lights on Mickey's Fun Wheel will be part of the show.

You wonder how the surrounding attractions will be incorporated into the WOC show. I am just hoping for a higher floor view.

Jack

 

[DmaxHawk]

I always requested 1 King, but only got it once (around 8 visits). It is the rarest configuration. Most rooms have 2 Queens. The other configuration is 1 Queen and a bunk bed, which feels less cramped than 2 Queens. The 2 Queen with daybed has been mentioned in this thread, but I was not aware those even existed (that is the standard configuration at the Paradise Pier Hotel).

If your party is 3 kids and 2 adults, then any 2 connected rooms should work for you. You might want to focus on location, rather than room type.

The rooms below the Paradise View Patio would be my first choice, rooms 5240 and 5242
Take a look at my maps of the new wing, which are part of the first post in this thread.

Do you know how many or what percentage of rooms have the kings?

 

[Nonsuch]

Do you know how many or what percentage of rooms have the kings?

I don't have a percentage, but would guess 10% (or less).
The one time we received the requested king, the hotel was not at full occupancy.

The VGC has solved this problem for us
100% of the one-bedroom villas have a king

 

[DmaxHawk]

I don't have a percentage, but would guess 10% (or less).
The one time we received the requested king, the hotel was not at full occupancy.

The VGC has solved this problem for us
100% of the one-bedroom villas have a king

So maybe 70 rooms? Depending on what room count you're going off of

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Just wanted to thank you for putting this thread together. We are VGC owners and over the last year, have fallen in love with the hotel. We will be going back home again Mother's Day weekend and again for the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon in December.

 

[Nonsuch]

So maybe 70 rooms? Depending on what room count you're going off of

If 10% are kings, then 90 rooms (there are over 900 rooms including the expansion).
Only some of those will be park view, so now you are down to maybe 25 (if they are evenly distributed).
If the hotel is full, then only some of those will become available on any given day. On top of that, you need the adjacent room to also be available.

I hope you get the King you requested, you will need a little magic

 

[DmaxHawk]

Just wanted to thank you for putting this thread together. We are VGC owners and over the last year, have fallen in love with the hotel. We will be going back home again Mother's Day weekend and again for the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon in December.

You're very welcome, that is our goal here, to provide the best information on the hotel available. Its always appreciated to hear feedback like this. I hope you enjoy your stays! Have a great time!

If 10% are kings, then 90 rooms (there are over 900 rooms including the expansion).
Only some of those will be park view, so now you are down to maybe 25 (if they are evenly distributed).
If the hotel is full, then only some of those will become available on any given day. On top of that, you need the adjacent room to also be available.

I hope you get the King you requested, you will need a little magic

This goes back to the conflicting reports I posted about earlier. Several sites have the room numbers ranging from 751 to over 900. Disneylandresort.com itself have the room count at 745. Do they need to drastically update their site?

If its the way you described, then X2 on needing magic to get the room you want...

 

[Marilynbn]

We have been frequent visitors to the Grand Californian and we always ask for a king room with sofa sleeper and pool view...we have always been accommodated. So don't give up. I usually send a fax to the hotel a couple of days ahead of our arrival reiterating our request this helps if they know your preference before allocating rooms. Good Luck! Love love love this hotel!

Marilyn

 

[DmaxHawk]

We have been frequent visitors to the Grand Californian and we always ask for a king room with sofa sleeper and pool view...we have always been accommodated. So don't give up. I usually send a fax to the hotel a couple of days ahead of our arrival reiterating our request this helps if they know your preference before allocating rooms. Good Luck! Love love love this hotel!

Marilyn

What do you usually say? Do you happen to have the fax number?

 

[Kiann3]

We just spent 6 days/5 nights at the GC. I have stayed at PPH and DL hotels. This time we asked for King Size bed since we had no kids with us. I must admit I was in love with the hotel before now I am even more.

When I asked about the hotel I was told there was not much Disney in it. Well there are hidden Mickey's per say in the carpet. We had bambi and thumper on the shower curtain and Snow White pics in the room. So I was happy with that. The bathroom was small, however I can live with that for 5 nights with only 2 people.

The best part of the stay was going back to the room the first night and finding that Linda a CM at the front desk had arranged for 10 white roses to be placed on the bed and a picture from Mickey and Minnie that was pre- signed and 20% photo pass. I was near tears it was so beautiful. I asked the hubby if he arranged it and he admitted he did not. The next morning I saw Linda and let her know how she made this a fantastic anniversary.

We did not have a view from the room, however that was not important to us. We were next to the monorail and we never heard it. The room was very quiet (expect when our neighbors celebrated, the walls are thin please remember this).

We did go get breakfast on the last day at White Water Cafe and the mickey waffles were great. We got it to go and had breakfast in the room.

In a couple months we hope to be owners in the DVC for the GC villas.

 

[CrazyDuck]

In a couple months we hope to be owners in the DVC for the GC villas.

Glad you had a great time.... A lot of times people ask for help deciding between DLH and GCH. There are people who like to bash the GCH because they can't look past the price tag! It's nice to read some first hand accounts from people who notice the subtle touches that make the GCH the best hotel in DLR.

Good luck with the DVC purchase... See ya around the house... neighbor!

 

[Marilynbn]

DmaxHawk- I just send a nice letter and request, if available, a king bed with a sofa sleeper and a pool view. The Grand CA fax is (714) 300-7300. Good luck!

Marilyn

 

[Slappy White]

The room was very quiet (expect when our neighbors celebrated, the walls are thin please remember this).

I've read that in a few places but honestly, that wasn't our experience at all. We stayed there in August and were shocked by how quiet the place was. We had neighbors on both sides, too. Maybe they were just quiet people.

I don't understand the beat on the GC as not being "Disney" enough. It's PLENTY Disney! I know the pricetag can be something of a deal killer and we've certainly stayed in nicer hotels for less money, but the proximity to both parks can't be beat.

Another thing: our room was insanely clean. Clean, clean. I'm talking you could set up an ICU bed in there, clean. They changed the sheets daily and kept that place immaculate. I travel a lot and I've never been in a hotel room as clean as the one at the GC.

Finally, the service from the CMs is top drawer. It's Disney service the way Disney service used to be.

I've never stayed at either the PPH or the DLHotel so I can't make any kind of comparison to them. But for our money, the GC was a great place to stay when you're at DL. We literally have nothing negative to say about it.