Grand Californian Super Thread

[ParkHopper1]

By 2p you should get your room, but if you do have to do early check in I would defiantly have them hold your luggage and bring it to your room later if you are gonna hit the park. I would check in with your bags in hand, and if the off chance that your room isn't ready, drop the bags off at the bell desk. I wouldn't leave them in the car. Too much hassle getting them later.

I too am super anal and paranoid about my bag security, especially my laptop...but after seeing their storage room and how they handle the bags, GCA is one of the few places that I trust.

 

[Nonsuch]

I too am super anal and paranoid about my bag security, especially my laptop...but after seeing their storage room and how they handle the bags, GCA is one of the few places that I trust.

A key card is needed to access the bag storage area (one of these wireless RF types), so it is relatively secure. I would be surprised if a bellmen would risk his job stealing from checked baggage. I suspect bell service at the Grand is one of the highest paid "service" jobs anywhere in the DLR

 

[nursemelis374]

My family just booked a 3 bedroom suite for next summer and I am so excited! Subscribing to this thread for info! I am a local and longtime AP holder but it will be fun to experience the parks with some newbies, including my 3 year old nephew! It will be his and his parents first time! My aunt hasn't been in years but she was at opening day back in 1955!

Here are my questions:

1. I read on here that they do special things for birthdays, first times, etc. How do we get more info/schedule that?

2. I am not sure about the location of the 3 bedroom suites. I assume it is 3 rooms put together so maybe it is anywhere? My mom is in a wheelchair so we need a good location.

3. Our TA said we could do concierge for only 150 a night! There are 9 of us so this is a pretty good deal, right?

4. I have heard that they may let GCH guests enter into Carsland next summer early, anyone else hear that?

Any other tips are appreciated!

 

[Nonsuch]

My family just booked a 3 bedroom suite for next summer and I am so excited!...

2. I am not sure about the location of the 3 bedroom suites. I assume it is 3 rooms put together so maybe it is anywhere? My mom is in a wheelchair so we need a good location.

There are 1 bedroom suites at the end of several wings of the hotel, these can be connected to regular hotel rooms on 2 sides to form a 3 bedroom suite (with 3 full bathrooms). This configuration is the most common 3 bedroom suite. There are a few other multi-room Presidential and Vice Presidential suites. Make sure you reserve a Handicap Accessible room, this should be guaranteed (not just a request).
Room descriptions from the Disney Convention site.

3. Our TA said we could do concierge for only 150 a night! There are 9 of us so this is a pretty good deal, right

If you are only charged $150 the entire group, then it is a good deal

4. I have heard that they may let GCH guests enter into Carsland next summer early, anyone else hear that?

Nothing official has been announced, but I expect there will be some form of early entry for resort guests.

Any other tips are appreciated!

Have you considered booking the Disney Vacation Club Grand Villa?
The Grand Villa is a 2 story, 3 bedroom suite.
Some features: 1 king bed, 4 queen beds, 2 fold out couches, 4 full baths, full kitchen, wash/dryer, pool table.
HA details of the GV from the VGC owners thread

Cash reservations direct from the hotel are limited and will likely be much more expensive that a 3 bedroom suite.
On the other hand, renting DVC points might actually be cheaper than a 3 bedroom suite.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

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

Thanks; and love "automagically"!

Moving on...bringing my own coffee & coffeepot for sure; new or not I think of hotel coffeepots as germ incubators

 

[sierranevada]

1. I read on here that they do special things for birthdays, first times, etc. How do we get more info/schedule that?

Best bet is to call Vacation Planning - they are a service that DLR hotel guests can use to make any reservations (dining, F!, tours) and order baskets, treats, balloons, autograph photos, etc. I use them almost every trip - and they are great! Their phone number is 714-300-7526, press 2.

2. I am not sure about the location of the 3 bedroom suites. I assume it is 3 rooms put together so maybe it is anywhere? My mom is in a wheelchair so we need a good location.

The 3 bdrm suite we had was a 2 bedroom suite with a connecting room on one side

3. Our TA said we could do concierge for only 150 a night! There are 9 of us so this is a pretty good deal, right?

That is correct! It is $150/night per suite not bedroom. For 9 people, it is a great deal and I love the Grand's concierge lounge - it is my favorite!

4. I have heard that they may let GCH guests enter into Carsland next summer early, anyone else hear that?

Again, just rumors but based on the early admittance this summer for Little Mermaid, they probably will.

Have a great time!

 

[nemofans]

Do you mean $150 more per night for a suite than standard rooms???

 

[sierranevada]

Do you mean $150 more per night for a suite than standard rooms???

No - if you book a suite, you can pay an extra $150 per night to add concierge. It is much more to add concierge from a standard room.

 

[cypressmom]

This is my fourth visit to Disneyland and my first time styaing on-site. It will be a trip with just my husband - no kids! We would like to stay at the Grand Californian. I have the option of booking a standard view, Deluxe Partial View (DTD?), Theme Park View or Resort / Pool View.

Which would you suggest? I am looking for something that might be quiet, and somewhat close to the enterance to DCA. Is this possible to find? I'd love to hear your opinions.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Nonsuch]

It will be a trip with just my husband - no kids!

Request a King Bed, the room will feel much larger
Unfortunately, the bed type is not guaranteed and the number of king beds is rather small. If your bed request is not met, registration seems to make an extra effort to meet any other requests you might have

I have the option of booking a standard view, Deluxe Partial View (DTD?), Theme Park View or Resort / Pool View.

Which would you suggest? I am looking for something that might be quiet, and somewhat close to the enterance to DCA.

My preference is Theme Park View, and always request a high floor. The view toward Paradise Pier (part of the DVC expansion) has lots of lights and a partial view of WOC, but is a longer walk.
I have not found noise to be an issue with any room, but I like to open the sliding door and let the sound from Paradise Pier or DTD flood the room

 

[BunnieGene]

We've always found that the monorail garden view rooms are the quietest.

 

[cypressmom]

Request a King Bed, the room will feel much larger
Unfortunately, the bed type is not guaranteed and the number of king beds is rather small. If your bed request is not met, registration seems to make an extra effort to meet any other requests you might have

Great tip!
My preference is Theme Park View, and always request a high floor. The view toward Paradise Pier (part of the DVC expansion) has lots of lights and a partial view of WOC, but is a longer walk.
I have not found noise to be an issue with any room, but I like to open the sliding door and let the sound from Paradise Pier or DTD flood the room

Thank you! What might be a closer walk?

We've always found that the monorail garden view rooms are the quietest.

Thank you! Would that be considered a standard view? Is the walk to the park far?

 

[BunnieGene]

Yes, it's a standard view... You have to request monorail garden view...we've also had a king bed several times. Some of the rooms are pretty close to the elevator nearest the DCA entrance, but not all of them. I guess you would need to request what's most important to you, in that order when you make your reservation.

 

[cypressmom]

Yes, it's a standard view... You have to request monorail garden view...we've also had a king bed several times. Some of the rooms are pretty close to the elevator nearest the DCA entrance, but not all of them. I guess you would need to request what's most important to you, in that order when you make your reservation.

Thank you!

 

[WendyWhy]

I have scanned the first 130 pages of this amazing thread...but I can't wait any longer to ask my question and finally skipped to the end!

We are planning on a two night stay (standard room) on the Sunday-Monday of Thanksgiving week. I am curious if anyone has ever been able to get a late check out? I know we can leave our bags with the concierge and still go to the park. Thanks in advance!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Just left GCH this morning. They will only authorize late check outs on "day of" check out...Kinda sucks if you wanna try and plan for the next day and what time you wake up and head out.

Last trip I called once at 12:01am and asked for a late check out, operator says "only on day of"..."it is technically day of" I respond..."uhhh, you're right, yes we can give you a late check out"

This last trip, they said they couldn't approve it until the computers "updated" at 5 or 6 am...felt like bogus line, but got that answer twice.

For as "nice" as the hotel is, this is one are of service that they are lacking compared to any other hotel at their level. I would rather just have them say that late check out is not available then leave me hanging.

 

[WendyWhy]

Also, very early I read that someone uses VP (DreamMakers) to have Ear hats delivered to the room upon arrival. Do they still do this or is there a "shopping fee" they charge (like the gift basket custom fee)?

Thanks!

Did not see an answer to this previous question...I too am curious about this. Would like to surprise the little ones in my group with ears but want to know what if any additional cost to have them in the room on arrival? Traveling with another family and using their active military discount - would like to gift their kids with ears and have them in the rooms as a surprise/thank-you!

 

[WendyWhy]

Just left GCH this morning. They will only authorize late check outs on "day of" check out...Kinda sucks if you wanna try and plan for the next day and what time you wake up and head out.

Last trip I called once at 12:01am and asked for a late check out, operator says "only on day of"..."it is technically day of" I respond..."uhhh, you're right, yes we can give you a late check out"

This last trip, they said they couldn't approve it until the computers "updated" at 5 or 6 am...felt like bogus line, but got that answer twice.

For as "nice" as the hotel is, this is one are of service that they are lacking compared to any other hotel at their level. I would rather just have them say that late check out is not available then leave me hanging.

So - I am assuming standard late check out of 1pm (if it's available)?

 

[JosieGirl71]

Do the VGC rooms have the in-wall type of air conditioners or is it central air? We like to run a fan for white noise while we sleep and I'm wondering if we need to bring a small fan with us.

 

[nursemelis374]

Thanks for the answers guys! Iintroduced my aunt and dad to this website and they are getting so excited!