Grand Californian Super Thread

[kkmcan]

Ok, so I got the dh to agree to staying at the Grand in June! Our first stay there but now I"m having second thoughts. We would be booking a standard room and it would be about $500 more than staying across the street. What if we end up with a view of a parking lot or we get one of those rooms down the endless hallways?? Dh (and myself as well) will be so miffed that we spent big bucks to stay there and it wasn't worth it.

Should we do it as a one time thing or should we save the money and stay at Hojos???

Any advice?

 

[HydroGuy]

Ok, so I got the dh to agree to staying at the Grand in June! Our first stay there but now I"m having second thoughts. We would be booking a standard room and it would be about $500 more than staying across the street. What if we end up with a view of a parking lot or we get one of those rooms down the endless hallways?? Dh (and myself as well) will be so miffed that we spent big bucks to stay there and it wasn't worth it.

Should we do it as a one time thing or should we save the money and stay at Hojos???

Any advice?

If it was me in your shoes I would stay at the GCH for benefits other than the views. And make peace with a parking lot view beforehand. That way there are no disappointments. When you get there request a room upgrade to DTD or park view. If you get it, good, and if not, well you were prepared.

 

[kkmcan]

Originally I wanted to stay there so the kids could get to use the pool they are always drooling over when we go to Whitewater Snacks.

Also I thought it would be cool to ride Grizzly and get totally drenched and then run back to the room to change. We do take breaks in the afternoon and it would be so nice to have a hop, skip and a jump back to our room.

See now, I"m convincing myself again! I keep going back and forth on this

It's hard to spend this money when we always pick a budget room. We are seriously frugal when it comes to hotels. Although I guess I could say we pick moderate hotels. I didn't care for Del Sol, Carousel or Anaheim Plaza. But we really like Hojos and Park Vue Inn wasn't bad either.

Thanks for the advice! I'll keep thinking on this.

 

[TLPL]

I see the green blocks are the 2 bedroom villas but can anyone tell me what the views would be according to villa number? I am spacially challenged to say the least. Oh and I can't make out the numbers- need glasses.

The Green blocks are dedicated 2 bedroom, but the studios and 1 bedroom can be booked as 2 bedroom as well. I think those rooms facing top of page have pool view, those facing right have Grizzly Trail, and those facing bottom of page have pier view.

And I belive odd number rooms have pool view, even number rooms have park view.

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc_v0302/languagespecific/eng/sales/maps/Map_GrandCalifornianResort.pdf

 

[Nonsuch]

...Also I thought it would be cool to ride Grizzly and get totally drenched and then run back to the room to change. We do take breaks in the afternoon and it would be so nice to have a hop, skip and a jump back to our room.

It seems you already know the biggest benefit of the GCH
It's great being able to return to your room without leaving the "magic" of the parks

I've been fortunate enough to experience all types of rooms: perfect park/pool view, long walk from DTD wing, parking lot view, and VGC 1-bedroom park view
Every room has the primary benefit of the hotel, proximity to the parks
All rooms also have a balcony

I always request a high floor, but this is just my preference. Try to check-in early and request whatever is most important to you (view, short walk, floor, bed types...). I have checked-in early enough to take advantage of Magic Morning on the first day
Your room may not be ready until the afternoon, but I'm sure you can find something to occupy the time

 

[rentayenta]

The Green blocks are dedicated 2 bedroom, but the studios and 1 bedroom can be booked as 2 bedroom as well. I think those rooms facing top of page have pool view, those facing right have Grizzly Trail, and those facing bottom of page have pier view.

And I belive odd number rooms have pool view, even number rooms have park view.

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc_v0302/languagespecific/eng/sales/maps/Map_GrandCalifornianResort.pdf

We have a 2 bedroom lock-off (1 bedroom and studio) so wow, we could be anywhere.

 

[forevercruising]

Ok, so I got the dh to agree to staying at the Grand in June! Our first stay there but now I"m having second thoughts. We would be booking a standard room and it would be about $500 more than staying across the street. What if we end up with a view of a parking lot or we get one of those rooms down the endless hallways?? Dh (and myself as well) will be so miffed that we spent big bucks to stay there and it wasn't worth it.

Should we do it as a one time thing or should we save the money and stay at Hojos???

Any advice?

Our first two stays at the GCH were "Standard View" reservations and we were fortunate to be upgraded both times; they were both great views; one was pool view/partial park view and the other was Grizzly Peak. We would have been happy anywhere, but, the upgraded views were very nice! So, it is certainly no guarantee, but, they do upgrade from standard often. The following two stays we have paid for the upgraded view (we have stayed there four times).

In addition, I have seen many pictures of "parking lot" views and courtyard views and I really like both of them; they seem to be very peaceful and quiet, which we also like.

As I mentioned, we would have been happy with Standard View, because, as HydroGuy mentioned, the perks of staying at the GCH are well worth it. We have never minded the walks in the hallways, even when we have been far from the elevator.

We just LOVE staying there and will never stay elsewhere; it has been well worth the extra money, for us. In fact, we loved it so much that we became owners at the GC Villas! It will be great to stay in the villas, but, we were very happy with the hotel rooms at the GCH, as well; we would have been happy to have continued to stay in those, had the villas not been an option for us.

IMO: For an extra $500, staying at the GCH would be a definite improvement on the trip! It is great to have the private entrance and to just "run back to the room" when you need to. It is simply a different type of experience than staying off-site or even at the other two on-site resort hotels.

Also: The pool IS wonderful! One year we were blocked out on Saturday, so we spent our Saturday as a pool day and it was probably the best day of our vacation!

Hope this helps! My vote is for the GCH!!!

 

[MommiePrincess]

We will be at the GCH for 8 nights soon, we have a theme park view but our last stay resulted in changing rooms three times to get a view worth paying for. (first room given was occupied, next room looked over the monorail and roof of something, next room trees only and then finally a nice view). Anyways, I can't get a straight answer from a CM through Disney booking, but I was told a few years back at the front desk that you could call a few hours before arriving to check in/reserve your actual room. When I did that last August I spent 10 minutes on the phone with the check-in desk while driving and when we arrived we started from scratch and then the three room drama. Anyone know anything about prechecking-in????

 

[TLPL]

When I did that last August I spent 10 minutes on the phone with the check-in desk while driving and when we arrived we started from scratch and then the three room drama.

You talk on your cell phone while driving?!?! I hope it was hand free phone.

 

[HydroGuy]

You talk on your cell phone while driving?!?! I hope it was hand free phone.

My guess is someone else was driving while she was talking in the passenger seat.

 

[DmaxHawk]

We will be at the GCH for 8 nights soon, we have a theme park view but our last stay resulted in changing rooms three times to get a view worth paying for. (first room given was occupied, next room looked over the monorail and roof of something, next room trees only and then finally a nice view). Anyways, I can't get a straight answer from a CM through Disney booking, but I was told a few years back at the front desk that you could call a few hours before arriving to check in/reserve your actual room. When I did that last August I spent 10 minutes on the phone with the check-in desk while driving and when we arrived we started from scratch and then the three room drama. Anyone know anything about prechecking-in????

What I did was send the hotel a fax with my reservation number and explained my situation to them. From what I saw, they really took the time to see that my requests were met to the best of their ability.

 

[HydroGuy]

What I did was send the hotel a fax with my reservation number and explained my situation to them. From what I saw, they really took the time to see that my requests were met to the best of their ability.

How far in advance?

I know at one time this was the recommend thing to to at WDW for the resort hotels. But in recent years I have heard it is discouraged.

 

[Nonsuch]

We will be at the GCH for 8 nights soon, we have a theme park view...

You seem like a good candidate for DVC

 

[DmaxHawk]

How far in advance?

I know at one time this was the recommend thing to to at WDW for the resort hotels. But in recent years I have heard it is discouraged.

In all honesty, I don't remember so I don't want to lie to you. But a safe estimate would be 5 days to a week prior to arrival.

Upon check-in the cast member said "we did receive the fax" and didn't seem to have a problem with it. So I know they tried their best to get me what I wanted.

 

[zaccy]

Hi all

I have just spent some time reading this thread and a question about rates for the GC. People on here talk about paying extra for differing views and also for concierge level is there anywhere that these addtional fees are listed (I can't find anything on their web site)- or is someone here able to tell me what they are likely to be. We would be looking at 5 days in about mid Spetember.

Many Thanks

 

[DmaxHawk]

Hi all

I have just spent some time reading this thread and a question about rates for the GC. People on here talk about paying extra for differing views and also for concierge level is there anywhere that these addtional fees are listed (I can't find anything on their web site)- or is someone here able to tell me what they are likely to be. We would be looking at 5 days in about mid Spetember.

Many Thanks

This is according to Disney's website for the time period you indicated (2 adults) for 6 nights. Base price is $1978.04
Standard View Room Included
Downtown Disney® District View +$300.00
Theme Park View +$460.00
Concierge Standard View +$1,331.96
Concierge Theme Park View +$1,656.00
Parlor Suite One Bedroom +$4,441.96
Parlor Suite Two Bedroom +$6,068.08
Parlor Suite Three Bedroom +$7,615.96

Hope this helps

 

[zaccy]

This is according to Disney's website for the time period you indicated (2 adults) for 6 nights. Base price is $1978.04
Standard View Room Included
Downtown Disney® District View +$300.00
Theme Park View +$460.00
Concierge Standard View +$1,331.96
Concierge Theme Park View +$1,656.00
Parlor Suite One Bedroom +$4,441.96
Parlor Suite Two Bedroom +$6,068.08
Parlor Suite Three Bedroom +$7,615.96

Hope this helps

Wow thanks for that - so quick too

 

[DmaxHawk]

Wow thanks for that - so quick too

Any time.

Glad I could help

 

[cooniez]

Thanks so much for this thread! I'm still a bit overwhelmed, but appreciate all of the info.!

 

[VallCopen]

Originally I wanted to stay there so the kids could get to use the pool they are always drooling over when we go to Whitewater Snacks.

Also I thought it would be cool to ride Grizzly and get totally drenched and then run back to the room to change. We do take breaks in the afternoon and it would be so nice to have a hop, skip and a jump back to our room.

See now, I"m convincing myself again! I keep going back and forth on this

It's hard to spend this money when we always pick a budget room. We are seriously frugal when it comes to hotels. Although I guess I could say we pick moderate hotels. I didn't care for Del Sol, Carousel or Anaheim Plaza. But we really like Hojos and Park Vue Inn wasn't bad either.

Thanks for the advice! I'll keep thinking on this.

OK kkmcan, here is my 2 cents worth. Right now you can't beat the Summer special they are having at the Grand or any of the Disney properties, haven't seen those before for Summer, and the Grand is amazing. The pool is nice and the close proximity is GREAT but with that said, and mind you I love the Grand so much that I bought into the VGC, have you ever thought of staying at the Paradise Pier? If you are really struggling with the price it is quite a bit cheaper & still very close to the Grand, you can still eat at Whitewater and use the private entrance, you get the Disney feel and beautiful grounds, & can get a Pier View for a resonable price, without feeling like you broke the bank. Before we bought into the VGC this was our way of a happy medium and we were always happy with it too. Whatever you decide - Have Fun...