Grand Californian Super Thread

[kailuagirl]

I just saw a post on children's robes? Are there really children's robes? my dd4 would be thrilled over the top to have her own to use. Last year there were none in our room which I was bummed about and should have asked, but didn't know if they were common in all rooms. But a children's robe, wow, how cool would that be.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

As we understood it, kids who could not pass the swim test could not ride the big redwood slide, and there were no flotation devices / life jackets allowed on the slide. We were excited to see kids going down the big slide with life jackets and/or arm rings as our 4 year old is a new swimmer.
She was able to ride the big slide with a life vest with no problem; we saw kids under 2 riding with life jackets.
Parents still can't catch the kids at the bottom of the slide, but they allow the parents to stay in the pool off to the side and help the child get to the edge and exit the pool. The water shoots out with enough force that the little ones are propelled to the edge anyway
Though we didn't want to ruin a good thing (we thought they may have been relaxed that day as the pool was not busy), I finally asked a life guard about it and she said they just changed the rule this year!
People also wore goggles down the slide and in the pool. Our son even played Legos in the shallow end with a boy who had brought his own collection!
The new rules really enhanced our experience at GCH!
Another pool note: we learned that you can get a double for only $1.50 more per drink! The pool bar bartender offered us this our first day as she had to do last call early due to thunderstorms. We got doubles from there on out during our stay -- a great upgrade as single drinks are about $9-10. They offer decent well pours too -- Skyy vodka, Jim Beam whiskey -- so unless you have to have a super premium, well is just fine!

 

[mousterpiece]

I just booked our (wife + me) first trip to the GCH, for October 7-10. We used to be PAP holders, but this is our first time staying on-site at a resort hotel, so I'm very excited. Reading this thread has only gotten me even more amped for our trip!

 

[aristocat65]

Hello all, firstly thank you for the wealth of info I'm reading through. This is the first ever trip to Disneyland for myself and our five year old (my husband had been when much younger). We booked the GC DTD view for five nights, specifically hoping for fireworks view. Sounds like I should ask for a room in the 5100s or 6100s range! I've read somewhere that there is a nightly resort fee that includes self-parking although we are not driving (straight from airport on shuttle). Is this correct ? Related to having no car, can anyone advise on nearby walkable locations (even off-site) for light grocery shopping like yogurt, fruit etc? Our child has a severe peanut allergy, so any particular recommendations for on-site dining options that take extra care for food allergies, please? I have been reading mixed reviews of the storyteller cafe. A hearty breakfast or lunch is key for us, but is expecting eg buffet for around $20 per adult completely unrealistic? How about quick dining or a cafe in the park/downtown Disney? And it sounds like concierge level is priced per room, not per guest? So $150 per night for three of us is not the best deal.... Thanks very much in advance your responses or additional tips you think we should know,

I'm sorry I can't answer all your questions, but regarding the Resort fee, I believe it is now a parking fee only. We were there in February with no car and didn't pay it. I think it used to be called a resort fee and included internet, parking etc. Now wifi is included and it is a parking fee only. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but this is my recollection.
As for Storytellers, we actually love it there. From what I've heard the Disney restaurants are very accomodating regarding food allergies.

 

[JBHinkle55]

Heading down Dec 8-11, staying in the GCH for the first time, with a DTD view upgrade. We'd like to stay above the World of Color store. Any tips on which room numbers to request and/or to avoid? It is our first and might be our only time staying in the Grand Californian and I don't want to get stuck in a "partial view" room or anywhere else with an obstructed view. We really want to have a good view of the fireworks at night

Thanks a bunch for all of your help! You all are amazing!

 

[cypressmom]

One more question. When I booked my stay, I booked a standard room. I noticed with the fall promo they are offering a woods/garden/courtyard view (which I understand is a standard view) instead of a standard, standard view. Make sense? Would you say that the woods/garden/courtyard view is better than the standard, standard view?

 

[Nonsuch]

...Would you say that the woods/garden/courtyard view is better than the standard, standard view?

The standard, standard view would be at the front of the hotel facing the parking lot. It's better than it sounds, since most of these rooms will have a nice sunset view, and there are lots of trees

 

[nunzia]

I've never seen children's robes...I also think they may have changed the fabric on the robes?? I wanted to buy one when we first started going, then the next time we went I was ready to plunk down the $85 and the robes seemed different. Much more stiff and un-comfy I thought.

 

[cypressmom]

Thank you!

The standard, standard view would be at the front of the hotel facing the parking lot. It's better than it sounds, since most of these rooms will have a nice sunset view, and there are lots of trees

 

[TDub]

I called the hotel today and the person on the phone said they had never heard of children's size robes being available. So either they don't exist or the person on the phone is clueless.

 

[JBHinkle55]

Bump

 

[specialks]

i read that people have used vacation planning (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!

So, to my other question:
Anyone know if you can call and have mouse ear hats or an autograph book delivered to your room for just the cost of merchandise? Or, is there a "shopping fee" charged like they do for custom gift baskets?

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!

Just finally called vacation planning to find out about this. Very helpful woman told me all about it. To purchase ear hats there is a $20 shopping fee in addition to the cost of the hat. Hats range in price from $11.95-$17.95 and embroidery is $3-$7 extra. If you want to put the hat in a gift bag with a card or something, there is a $25 fee for basket customization. She also said an option was to pre purchase a gift card that my daughter could then use to buy a hat at the World of Disney store or Mad Hatters on Main St. There is no additional charge for that and the gift card would be with my reservation at check-in in an envelope with my daughter's name on the envelope. She said they have had problems with cards being lost or not seen in the rooms so they no longer leave gift cards alone in the rooms.

Hope this info can help others.

 

[mydisneymoney]

I'm sorry I can't answer all your questions, but regarding the Resort fee, I believe it is now a parking fee only. We were there in February with no car and didn't pay it. I think it used to be called a resort fee and included internet, parking etc. Now wifi is included and it is a parking fee only. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but this is my recollection.
As for Storytellers, we actually love it there. From what I've heard the Disney restaurants are very accomodating regarding food allergies.

There is no longer a resort fee. We stayed at PPH in February and at GCH just two weeks ago. We paid $15 per night for parking only. Internet was free.

 

[WendyWhy]

We are checking in on a Sunday mid morning and want to get it done as quickly as possible to hit the parks!

For self-parking, you would already have needed to be checked in to get the card to access the lot - so where would you park while trying to check in?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We are checking in on a Sunday mid morning and want to get it done as quickly as possible to hit the parks!

For self-parking, you would already have needed to be checked in to get the card to access the lot - so where would you park while trying to check in?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Park in front of the hotel, and then go to the check in line. They will issue your keys and then you move the car to the self parking lot.

Jack

 

[Hawleys]

Park in front of the hotel, and then go to the check in line. They will issue your keys and then you move the car to the self parking lot.

Jack

Thanks for posting, I was wondering the same thing about parking.

Another question about check-in: One person in our party is arriving before the others. Will he be able to check in or will he have to wait for the main name on the reservation to arrive?

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thanks for posting, I was wondering the same thing about parking.

Another question about check-in: One person in our party is arriving before the others. Will he be able to check in or will he have to wait for the main name on the reservation to arrive?

We have always had to show our ID at checkin partially used for the CC for the room and partially used to insure the room is going to the right person. Other folks may have diff experiences but this has been ours everytime we have stayed there.

Have a great time,

Jack

 

[Hawleys]

We have always had to show our ID at checkin partially used for the CC for the room and partially used to insure the room is going to the right person. Other folks may have diff experiences but this has been ours everytime we have stayed there.

Have a great time,

Jack

Hmmm...sounds like our friend won't be able to check in without us. As always, thanks for the info.

I can't wait to walk into the lobby.

 

[hawaii08]

We just returned from our stay @ the GC. We booked a standard room & were upgraded to a theme park view. Room 4254... we were right outside of Goofy's sky school. We could see Mickey's wheel & the back of WOC everynight. It was an incredible view!!

 

[WendyWhy]

We just returned from our stay @ the GC. We booked a standard room & were upgraded to a theme park view. Room 4254... we were right outside of Goofy's sky school. We could see Mickey's wheel & the back of WOC everynight. It was an incredible view!!

Congrats on the upgrade - sounds like an amazing view! We don't have any hopes for an upgrade - thanksgiving week is sure to be full capacity!