Grand Californian Super Thread

[BringingUpDisney]

First stay at GCH starting Friday - is there a particular part of the hotel we should request? It is just DD and I, booked for a king room.

TIA!

 

[Bunless]

(I've tried to search, but I can't find the right set of key words.)

Up until about three years ago, DH and I would stay at the GCH once or twice a year, so we are not newbies... however, my memory is sketchy, especially since we are now DVC members and are now to Aulani and the WDW resorts.

SO, VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS!!!!

Is the coffee maker the same as the DVC villas? If it is, I would plan on taking my filters, etc.

Can I get half and half at either Whitewater Snacks or the store there? In a pinch, liquid coffee mate will do, but not the powder.

 

[Nonsuch]

Is the coffee maker the same as the DVC villas? If it is, I would plan on taking my filters, etc.

The coffee makers are not the same, and not very good. They use tiny coffee packets and drip directly into the cup.

 

[Nonsuch]

First stay at GCH starting Friday - is there a particular part of the hotel we should request? It is just DD and I, booked for a king room.

King beds are rare, I always request a king bed and seldom receive one. Bed types are only a request and not guaranteed.
What is most important to you: bed type, view, walking distance?
Did you book standard or an upgraded view?

 

[lucysmom]

We are visiting from Dec. 18-23. We paid the most expensive price for a
nonconcierge room--a deluxe theme park view is the name (I think!) We would really like a view of Paradise Pier. How do we request that?

 

[BringingUpDisney]

King beds are rare, I always request a king bed and seldom receive one. Bed types are only a request and not guaranteed.
What is most important to you: bed type, view, walking distance?
Did you book standard or an upgraded view?

With a nearly 3 year old, walking distance is most important. I sleep in a queen at home and by the time DD crawls in and with the two cats holding down the lower 3rd, I never get space anyway, so why should it be different on vacation?
We booked a standard view.
Thanks!

 

[Bunless]

The coffee makers are not the same, and not very good. They use tiny coffee packets and drip directly into the cup.

Oh yes, now I remember. Thank you for jarring my memory.

Follow up question...
Am I remembering correctly that there was espresso available in the Hearthstone Lounge in the morning?

 

[gardengirl2790]

Yes, there is espresso in the Hearthstone Lounge beginning about 6:00 am each morning, at least in August. I know, because I was waiting for them to open on EMH mornings.

 

[Nonsuch]

...We paid the most expensive price for a nonconcierge room--a deluxe theme park view is the name (I think!) We would really like a view of Paradise Pier. How do we request that?

You could call the hotel and have a note added to your reservation, and request "a high floor in the 200 wing facing the park"

The VGC floorplans linked in my signature show the rooms you want.
5240 would be the best
5240 - 5260 even numbers
4240 - 4260 even numbers

(I posted these floorplans about 2 years ago, but just noticed a typo )

 

[whoever]

Anything which can be done to get a room facing grizzly peak in the area over Napa Rose? That vista most intrigues me, and one I've never had before. Can it be done without paying for a "theme park view?

 

[lucysmom]

Oh, Nonsuch, thank you! I will do what you suggest.

 

[gardengirl2790]

We were able to get a 3rd floor view room of Grizzly River, just to the right of the GCH entrance to DCA by paying for a courtyard/woods view. I requested an upper-level, quiet room away from elevators. We were very pleased with our view, and could also see the nightly fireworks from our room too .

 

[Nonsuch]

With a nearly 3 year old, walking distance is most important. I sleep in a queen at home and by the time DD crawls in and with the two cats holding down the lower 3rd, I never get space anyway, so why should it be different on vacation?
We booked a standard view.

You could request to be near the elevators, located next to Napa Rose. This allows quick access to the hotel entrance to DCA, although generally it is better to use the main entrance during EMH. Most of the rooms in this area will be an upgraded view category, but it does not hurt to ask. You sleep in a queen at home, so basically any bed configuration will work for you -- when checking in let the CM know that location is more important than bed type.

 

[Nonsuch]

Anything which can be done to get a room facing grizzly peak in the area over Napa Rose? That vista most intrigues me, and one I've never had before. Can it be done without paying for a "theme park view?

This is my favorite view, when not staying at VGC.

We were able to get a 3rd floor view room of Grizzly River, just to the right of the GCH entrance to DCA by paying for a courtyard/woods view. I requested an upper-level, quiet room away from elevators. We were very pleased with our view, and could also see the nightly fireworks from our room too .

Although rooms above Napa Rose and above the Disney Store face the park, many primarily look at trees and are classified as Woods View.

 

[DuckMater]

As for a standard room (this will be my first stay in GCH next week), I requested our standard room be closer to the hotel's park entrance being that I'll have a toddler and want to save some of the walking. Is this a good choice, or does anyone have a good tip on better requests for particular areas within the standard rooms they can accommodate?

 

[Nonsuch]

As for a standard room (this will be my first stay in GCH next week), I requested our standard room be closer to the hotel's park entrance being that I'll have a toddler and want to save some of the walking. Is this a good choice, or does anyone have a good tip on better requests for particular areas within the standard rooms they can accommodate?

Yes, this is a good location -- essentially the same location I suggested:

You could request to be near the elevators, located next to Napa Rose. This allows quick access to the hotel entrance to DCA, although generally it is better to use the main entrance during EMH. Most of the rooms in this area will be an upgraded view category, but it does not hurt to ask.

The next best would be near the main lobby elevators, where there are many standard view rooms (the entire front of the hotel).

 

[kailuagirl]

What type of coffee pot is in the standard rooms now?

Would I be able to use it to get hot water to make instant oatmeal, miso soup, hot tea, that kinda thing? I really wanna bring one of those hot water plug in kettles, but not sure if it's allowed.

Thanks!

And how much smaller is the new fridge compared to the old one? Does it still have a small freezer? I don't wanna buy too much before we get there and nothing fits. I knew exactly what I could fit on the old one

 

[Nonsuch]

What type of coffee pot is in the standard rooms now?

Would I be able to use it to get hot water to make instant oatmeal, miso soup, hot tea, that kinda thing? I really wanna bring one of those hot water plug in kettles, but not sure if it's allowed.

The "coffee maker" brews 1 or 2 cups, drips directly into ceramic mugs (there is no pot).

This machine uses tiny coffee packets, and is basically useless.

This is my "road trip" coffee setup:

The kettle was $20 (costco) and the filter holders are $2/each.
I have used this kettle at the Grand (and many other hotels) without any issues, although I do not ask for permission. DW and I like strong coffee first thing in the morning, so this was a simple solution

 

[kailuagirl]

That is exactly the kettle I want to buy My aunt has it and I love it!!

 

[DizDaD7]

Yes, this is a good location -- essentially the same location I suggested:

The next best would be near the main lobby elevators, where there are many standard view rooms (the entire front of the hotel).

I'm a lil confused here. I clicked on your 1 page & 6 page maps & it only shows basicaly 5 studios for DVC per floor. Give or take....Is this the only wing that is DVC or are there other parts of the bldgs. where I might be staying...

The reason I'm asking is I do have a 5 night stay in Feb in a DVC studio and was hoping to get a view of WOC....Judging by what I saw on those maps it looks like 3 out of the 5 will face the park.. Is this true, & are there other bldgs tooo? Thanks in advance...DizDad