Grand Californian Super Thread

[rramstad]

We've had the bunkbed rooms before (and not concierge). You might ask about them in advance. This year they cautioned me that taller kids might not be comfortable in them - I guess they aren't quite as long or maybe because they have a footboard and headboard they may feel cramped.

My son is roughly 48 inches tall, and he found the bunk bed comfortable, but I don't think anyone approaching five feet would find them comfortable.

 

[goofycathy]

My son is roughly 48 inches tall, and he found the bunk bed comfortable, but I don't think anyone approaching five feet would find them comfortable.

My DS14 is 5'9", I dont think he'll be too comfy....I'm picturing the scene in ELF where Will Farrell is trying to get comfy in that little tiny bed, lol

We'll probably just get a daybed (if possible) or the kids can take turns with the sleeping bag!

 

[Me!Thatswho]

We're planning a stay at the GC in Nov. Having never stayed at the resort before, I have a few questions. We intend to book a standard view, but we really don't want to look at the parking lot. We already had that view when we stayed at the DH. So, we want to try for a more unique view. Are there any standard rooms, for example, that have a good view of the monorail? Or, should we try for a room with an obstructed view of the pools? While I'm thinking about requests, how good are the cms with taking specific room requests?

Thanks.

 

[Dreaming of Main St]

If you want to see the monorail, request a courtyard view. I think most, if not all, of the courtyard view rooms are standard. Whether you'll get the requested rooms or not probably depends on how booked they are while you're there. We've never had a problem getting our request in the off season.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

It's been a while since we stayed in a full service hotel
At DLH the bell hop (or maybe it was a valet attendant? we self parked) helped us unload our bags onto the cart, so we tipped him, then tipped again to the bell hop when our bags were delivered to our room after we were checked in.
Is the car unloading/bag delivery the same at GCH? If we have time to run into the park after check in and don't go up to our room immediately, will our bags be in the room when we return? And if so, how do we tip the bell hop?
Thanks!

 

[Nonsuch]

At DLH the bell hop (or maybe it was a valet attendant? we self parked) helped us unload our bags onto the cart, so we tipped him, then tipped again to the bell hop when our bags were delivered to our room after we were checked in.

I tip both the bellman unloading and the bellman delivering our luggage
Generally about $1/bag, unless I'm feeling very generous...
Usually I am feeling generous arriving at the Grand

If we have time to run into the park after check in and don't go up to our room immediately, will our bags be in the room when we return?

Your bags will not be automatically delivered. You must call bell services from you room.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

I tip both the bellman unloading and the bellman delivering our luggage
Generally about $1/bag, unless I'm feeling very generous...
Usually I am feeling generous arriving at the Grand


Your bags will not be automatically delivered. You must call bell services from you room.

Thanks! That helps to know how much cash to have handy!

 

[aliceindisneyland]

We usually don't return to the room til bedtime once we leave in the a.m. If we leave a tip for housekeeping on the dresser and another tip on the bed each with a note) in the a.m., assuming honesty on the part of the a.m. housekeeper, will that work so both housekeepers receive their tips? Is $2/night for the turn down attendant appropriate or too little? We tip housekeeping more of course, but I'm thinking turn down service takes only about 90 seconds.
Also, is turn down service automatic, or do I need to call each day?
Thanks!

 

[specialks]

Okay, so am I understanding that the bellman who unloads your luggage on a cart then takes it somewhere to be stored while you check in? Then when you get your room you have to get another bellman to come with you and/or deliver it? At other hotels I have seen the bellman wait with you while you check in and go straight to your room. Can you leave your car parked while you check in and then get a bellman to unload it and walk to your room then? Sorry I'm kind of worried because my DH is very frugal and hates to pay bellman to do something he is quite capable of doing. He also has a problem having our luggage "go off" out of his control. I am worried we will look like a bunch of whisky tangos if we take our own luggage to our room. What do most families do?

 

[Nonsuch]

There are new coffee makers at the Grand
At least they are new to me

The old coffee makers had a metal carafe, while the new machine sends the coffee directly into the coffee mug(s).

It looks like a coffee maker droid in this photo
I must be riding Star Tours too much (if that is possible)

 

[BunnieGene]

Oh cool... Didn't have that kind in June...

 

[sierranevada]

There are new coffee makers at the Grand
At least they are new to me

The old coffee makers had a metal carafe, while the new machine sends the coffee directly into the coffee mug(s).

It looks like a coffee maker droid in this photo
I must be riding Star Tours too much (if that is possible)

They now have them at all the hotels and I have to say that I am not a fan! I like good coffee - travel with Peet's - and you can not use it in this machine but could in the old one. The coffee was not that good and it make a mess. Oh well! At least the Grand has not gone to sensors on their air conditioning like both the PPH and the DLH.

 

[Nonsuch]

We usually don't return to the room til bedtime once we leave in the a.m. If we leave a tip for housekeeping on the dresser and another tip on the bed each with a note) in the a.m., assuming honesty on the part of the a.m. housekeeper, will that work so both housekeepers receive their tips? Is $2/night for the turn down attendant appropriate or too little? We tip housekeeping more of course, but I'm thinking turn down service takes only about 90 seconds.
Also, is turn down service automatic, or do I need to call each day?

You are very thoughtful
Leaving a note on each tip should work. You should leave a note, I left a tip under the housekeeping note card -- and they did not take it.

$2 seems about right for turn down.

Turn down service should happen automagically

 

[ParkHopper1]

specialks,

They will help unload your luggage, but when they ask if you would like "assistance", just offer up a polite "no thanks". They will deliver to your room, but by no means required...or expected. I like to keep my bags with me, hit the room, change, and get to the park. The luggage service, including the storage service at check in and check out can be incredibly SLOWWWWWWWW. I stay there quite a bit and have been frustrated many times waiting for my bags, now they stay with me at all times during check in and check out.

Many people do this as well, nothing out of the ordianry.

 

[rramstad]

I'm really happy to see new coffee makers at GCH.

We were there in July and the worst thing about our entire trip to DLR was the awful, awful coffee made by the small coffee makers with the four cup metal carafe.

ANYTHING would be an improvement, even if the new coffeemakers make coffee that is merely tolerable, it would be better. The old ones were TERRIBLE.

 

[Nonsuch]

They now have them at all the hotels and I have to say that I am not a fan! I like good coffee - travel with Peet's - and you can not use it in this machine but could in the old one. The coffee was not that good and it make a mess.

I have considered bringing my own coffee maker
The DVC villas have normal 12 cup coffee makers

 

[Me!Thatswho]

If you want to see the monorail, request a courtyard view. I think most, if not all, of the courtyard view rooms are standard. Whether you'll get the requested rooms or not probably depends on how booked they are while you're there. We've never had a problem getting our request in the off season.

Thanks for the reply. I'll definitely be sure to ask for the courtyard view. Hopefully it'll work out.

 

[Nonsuch]

Okay, so am I understanding that the bellman who unloads your luggage on a cart then takes it somewhere to be stored while you check in? Then when you get your room you have to get another bellman to come with you and/or deliver it? At other hotels I have seen the bellman wait with you while you check in and go straight to your room.

You understand correctly, the bellman does not wait with you.

Can you leave your car parked while you check in and then get a bellman to unload it and walk to your room then?

Yes, you may leave your car (loaded or unloaded) at the front of the hotel while you check in. You will need to leave your keys, since the valet might need to move your car. If your room is immediately available, then the bellman will go with you directly to the room. In my experience, the room is generally not immediately available (although my room was ready at 6:30AM last week )

When you check in, you will receive room keys even if your room is not ready. The room key is needed to access the "self park" lot across the street.

He also has a problem having our luggage "go off" out of his control. I am worried we will look like a bunch of whisky tangos if we take our own luggage to our room. What do most families do?

Bell services are completely optional. Many guest take care of their own luggage. If your room is not available, I would consider storing luggage with bell services safer than leaving the bags in the parked car.

 

[Nonsuch]

The luggage service, including the storage service at check in and check out can be incredibly SLOWWWWWWWW. I stay there quite a bit and have been frustrated many times waiting for my bags, now they stay with me at all times during check in and check out.

I agree both bell service and valet can be very slow
I've been told Sunday is the worst, since half the rooms change guests

The delays are worse since the DVC expansion. A bellman told me the number of bellman did not increase (the hotel expanded from about 750 to 1000 rooms).

 

[specialks]

specialks,

They will help unload your luggage, but when they ask if you would like "assistance", just offer up a polite "no thanks". They will deliver to your room, but by no means required...or expected. I like to keep my bags with me, hit the room, change, and get to the park. The luggage service, including the storage service at check in and check out can be incredibly SLOWWWWWWWW. I stay there quite a bit and have been frustrated many times waiting for my bags, now they stay with me at all times during check in and check out.

Many people do this as well, nothing out of the ordianry.

You understand correctly, the bellman does not wait with you.


Yes, you may leave your car (loaded or unloaded) at the front of the hotel while you check in. You will need to leave your keys, since the valet might need to move your car. If your room is immediately available, then the bellman will go with you directly to the room. In my experience, the room is generally not immediately available (although my room was ready at 6:30AM last week )

When you check in, you will receive room keys even if your room is not ready. The room key is needed to access the "self park" lot across the street.


Bell services are completely optional. Many guest take care of their own luggage. If your room is not available, I would consider storing luggage with bell services safer than leaving the bags in the parked car.

Thanks you guys! Sounds like it will work out well and I can slip the car bellman some money for unloading but then we can keep it with us for check-in. I think we will be arriving in the afternoon (2'ish) so maybe we'll get lucky and have our room ready. If not, we might have to do the baggage hold. Oh, then again...maybe we will wait until after we check in to get our luggage and then decide between leaving it in the car or leaving it at the bellman desk (although, I agree, leaving it in the car is risky esp with laptops). I think I am just over-analyzing it.