Grand Californian Super Thread

[franandaj]

I have a question about parking. We are DVC members and will be using our DVC points to stay at the GCH. Unlike WDW, we will NOT have a car on this trip. I have some friends driving in from San Diego for the day to be with us on one day of our trip. I believe I get "free" parking as a DVC member staying at GCH, but is there a way to have my friend use our "free" parking for the one day when she is there? It would be nice to have her park at the GCH to make it easy for her to drop off the case of water that she is bringing for me, too!

The easiest thing to do is add your friend to the reservation. You use the room key to exit the lot unlike WDW where they give you the paper parking pass.

 

[twodogs]

I am making my way through this Superthread, and the information is very helpful. I have a feeling the answer to my question may be in here, but I haven't found it yet! Can't find it on disney site either, but I'm sure some of you will know!

I have gotten two different CMs who have given me two different answers to this: I want to book a Concierge level 2 bedroom suite at GC. One CM told me it was $225/night additional, and could be booked with my room reservation by her. Another told me tonight that it was $150/night, but could not be added to the room until the time of check in.

I thought if you were Concierge, that you got some type of expedited check in and help with ADRs. That doesn't make sense if you tell them at the front desk at check in. When I asked if our room would be on a certain floor, she said no because room assingments aren't made until check in (??) and they will take care of it at that time. This doesn't make sense as I thought rooms were allocated a few days prior to check in. Now I'm really confused Any expert advice to break this tie??

 

[Tasia]

In my experience (DLH) I was told you cannot add on concierge until arrival unless booking a concierge room. Which the suites are not. Also I would be surprised if it was only 150$ a night since the DLH is 200$ a night.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

In my experience (DLH) I was told you cannot add on concierge until arrival unless booking a concierge room. Which the suites are not. Also I would be surprised if it was only 150$ a night since the DLH is 200$ a night.

We have been able to book concierge on our suite when making the reservation. We've also done it at check in. I would agree that I believe for the GCH the fee would be more than $150/night. That sounds more like the DLH. But I guess it might depend on what time of year you're going.

 

[twodogs]

Thanks all! I guess I'll call again tomorrow and play cast member roulette to see if they will let me add to our suite now, which I would rather do. Also need to check the price; while $150 sounds great, it does seem low. We are going in early May.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

what food is on the breakfast buffet at storyteller's? i am contemplating making a reservation but can't seem to find an idea of what the buffet is like anywhere.

They had an omelette station, caramel French toast that was to die for, scrambled eggs, pastries, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, fruit, all the usual. And they bring a plate of Mickey waffles to your table. I've eaten at all the buffet breakfasts at WDW and this was the best, IMO, except maybe for Tusker House and that's only because it has a different variety.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[afnaechiquita]

They had an omelette station, caramel French toast that was to die for, scrambled eggs, pastries, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, fruit, all the usual. And they bring a plate of Mickey waffles to your table. I've eaten at all the buffet breakfasts at WDW and this was the best, IMO, except maybe for Tusker House and that's only because it has a different variety.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

thank you! i went ahead and booked it. the caramel french toast sounds amazing.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I guess I'll call again tomorrow and play cast member roulette to see if they will let me add to our suite now, which I would rather do.

If possible, having concierge added to your reservation would be the best approach. A concierge CM should meet you when you arrive and escort you to the concierge registration (and guest services) on the 6th floor. If you are not greeted downstairs, take the main lobby elevators to the 6th floor.

...I really hope we get the King bed because I don't go on vacation to feel cramped! Will those corner rooms look out towards DCA? Having never been to DLR, I am a bit disoriented by it all!

You have 3 requirements, which will conflict somewhat: king bed, view, and access to the concierge lounge. The lounge is on the 6th floor (next to concierge registration), which will make it quite distant from some of the corner suites. There are no 6th floor suites (except the "presidential" suites), but request the 5th floor (best view and a staircase to the 6th is just outside the lounge). Although very far from the lounge, suite 5452 will have a great view of DCA. Most centrally located, suite 5014 will have a view of all 3 pools and partial view of DCA.

 

[twodogs]

Nonsuch, Thank you so very much!! That is great information! Now fingers crossed as I call the next cast member!

 

[twodogs]

Third CM, different answer again! This time, she said, it is $200/night (so I guess it is either $225/night, $200/night or $150/night), and that she's putting "concierge" on my reservation so that the GC knows to have the concierge greeter come to get us at check-in and take us to a special desk. She says I won't pay for it until check-out from the hotel. She says that they will try for a suite on the 6th floor or a suite close to the dedicated elevator for the lounge. It is strange to me that I want to give Disney some money, and they are making it very difficult!! This is our first trip, so I hope it goes ok!

 

[Tasia]

It is because if you are not in a dedicated concierge room it is offered on a first come basis. They made a note on mine too and I had no problem getting it (DLH) .

 

[twodogs]

And I guess that the suites are not booked as a dedicated concierge rooms like the regular hotel rooms, which are concierge in the room booking category when you reserve them? Well, I guess we will just take our chances, though not having lounge access will put a wrench in our breakfast plans, and it will be difficult to rework it all in real time if we don't find out until check in if we "got" concierge. If we knew prior to arrival that we weren't getting concierge, I might pack a suitcase of breakfast items that are non-perishible, but if we get concierge, that would not be needed. I am such a planner, and this roulette wheel of concierge or not-concierge is cramping my style!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

And I guess that the suites are not booked as a dedicated concierge rooms like the regular hotel rooms, which are concierge in the room booking category when you reserve them? Well, I guess we will just take our chances, though not having lounge access will put a wrench in our breakfast plans, and it will be difficult to rework it all in real time if we don't find out until check in if we "got" concierge. If we knew prior to arrival that we weren't getting concierge, I might pack a suitcase of breakfast items that are non-perishible, but if we get concierge, that would not be needed. I am such a planner, and this roulette wheel of concierge or not-concierge is cramping my style!

I'm so confused by the answers you got. Not that I don't believe what you've been told because I do, but because we have been able to book a guaranteed concierge level suite (at the DLH and I'm pretty sure our upcoming GCH one is). At the DLH we were not on the same building as concierge, but it was already added (and without our request) when we got there and it was a high floor suite.

 

[twodogs]

I'm so confused by the answers you got. Not that I don't believe what you've been told because I do, but because we have been able to book a guaranteed concierge level suite (at the DLH and I'm pretty sure our upcoming GCH one is). At the DLH we were not on the same building as concierge, but it was already added (and without our request) when we got there and it was a high floor suite.

I'm right there with you in a state of confusion! This is our first time to DL, but we have been to WDW several times recently. It seems strange to me that I can't just "book" concierge on the suite, but three different cast members all told me this. Maybe I will try a fourth cast member if I have time later to call and see. It also bothers me that they have each told me a distinctly different price for the concierge. This seems like it should be set for our dates, and not a number than moves around by $75/night, depending on who I talk to (our trip dates and room type have not changed)??

 

[BayGirl22]

thank you! i went ahead and booked it. the caramel french toast sounds amazing.

We ate there last week. The nice thing is that you can order off the menu too instead of just buffet. I had huevos rancheros and my DH had banana stuffed french toast. Both were very good.

From a character meal perspective it was not my favorite. I just don't think the characters (all woodland animals) are the most exciting to meet. My kids seem to prefer the characters at the other meals. But from a food perspective we enjoyed it. The decor is very nice too.

 

[afnaechiquita]

We ate there last week. The nice thing is that you can order off the menu too instead of just buffet. I had huevos rancheros and my DH had banana stuffed french toast. Both were very good.

From a character meal perspective it was not my favorite. I just don't think the characters (all woodland animals) are the most exciting to meet. My kids seem to prefer the characters at the other meals. But from a food perspective we enjoyed it. The decor is very nice too.

funny you say that, because chip 'n' dale are my favorite characters! that's why i wanted to eat there i am not so sure on the other ones though, but as i've never met them it'll be good to check them off the list.

the banana stuffed french toast are what i'm most interested in too

 

[afnaechiquita]

this is the only place i can be excited about this and people understand... we were upgraded to a suite when we checked in yesterday! i wish we were staying more than one night because it is beautiful!

 

[Fairy Floss]

this is the only place i can be excited about this and people understand... we were upgraded to a suite when we checked in yesterday! i wish we were staying more than one night because it is beautiful!

I know what you mean ...... And I AM very excited for you!
How exciting!
Enjoy every minute

 

[Nonsuch]

.... we were upgraded to a suite when we checked in yesterday!

Very nice upgrade
Please post some pictures of your view

 

[afnaechiquita]

Very nice upgrade
Please post some pictures of your view

when i get my laptop back i will it was the mt whitney suite, 6012.