Grand Californian Super Thread

[Nonsuch]

I've convinced myself between booking concierge level and not, backwards and forward for the last few hours that my head feels likes it's doing spins!!

Certainly see it as a splurge, and not looking to justify the extra cost based on just the food, but more the experience and having a little few extra somethings....

Concierge has a dedicated registration desk on the 6th floor, which is very nice when the hotel is busy. A cast member will meet you at your car and escort you up to the 6th floor.

 

[Nonsuch]

Where are the DVC villas? Are they closer or further away? What kind of view do they have? TIA!

VGC are rooms x5xx (check the maps in the first post of this thread).
Half the rooms have theme park views, some examples are linked in this post.
The other rooms have pool views or are on the ground floor.

 

[lffam]

If I were a betting man i'd say there's a better than odds-on chance that concierge level it will be. All the pictures and reports I've heard it seems like its for us. The pictures I have seen of it , there never seems to be many people in the lounge? does it get packed?

I've read people talk about garden view and park views for CL rooms yet the Disneyland site has Standard and Park view with Standard stating

:Concierge Standard View:
Gaze out your window at the natural splendor of the pine tree-filled Brisa Courtyard and relax in a meticulously appointed room that elegantly evokes the early 20th Century Arts and Crafts era. Plus, enjoy the convenience and luxury of our exclusive concierge lounge and additional concierge amenities."

Is that whats meant as Garden?

 

[BunnieGene]

If I were a betting man i'd say there's a better than odds-on chance that concierge level it will be. All the pictures and reports I've heard it seems like its for us. The pictures I have seen of it , there never seems to be many people in the lounge? does it get packed?

I've read people talk about garden view and park views for CL rooms yet the Disneyland site has Standard and Park view with Standard stating

:Concierge Standard View:
Gaze out your window at the natural splendor of the pine tree-filled Brisa Courtyard and relax in a meticulously appointed room that elegantly evokes the early 20th Century Arts and Crafts era. Plus, enjoy the convenience and luxury of our exclusive concierge lounge and additional concierge amenities."

Is that whats meant as Garden?

I think so...sometimes that is referred to as the *monorail garden*...we've stayed concierge level/standard view several times and have always had that view...and we love it...so peaceful and quiet

ETA: I forgot that we had one stay with a view of the villas while they were under construction...I guess that would be a pool view now...and we had definitely booked a standard view...we could see the very top of a few DCA attractions, too.

 

[nemofans]

How is concierge food choices? Is it enough to eat as a meal or just a few snacks. The choices at Paradise Pier were great & worth it.
We had concierge at Contemporary at WDW & there was barely any food & totally not worth it.
Just wondering about GCH & their offerings & would love to see pics.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

How is concierge food choices? Is it enough to eat as a meal or just a few snacks. The choices at Paradise Pier were great & worth it.
We had concierge at Contemporary at WDW & there was barely any food & totally not worth it.
Just wondering about GCH & their offerings & would love to see pics.

If you liked PP's offerings, you will love the Grand's! They had the usual breakfast things, but also had oatmeal packets. The lunch spread is much nicer. The offer three types of finger sandwiches, hot scones, and chocolate covered strawberries. The evening offerings are about the same, but then they have desserts after that during the songs/storytelling time. They have cookies and milk in addition to a variety of other desserts. They also have cordials at this time.

 

[nunzia]

If I were a betting man i'd say there's a better than odds-on chance that concierge level it will be. All the pictures and reports I've heard it seems like its for us. The pictures I have seen of it , there never seems to be many people in the lounge? does it get packed?

I've read people talk about garden view and park views for CL rooms yet the Disneyland site has Standard and Park view with Standard stating

:Concierge Standard View:
Gaze out your window at the natural splendor of the pine tree-filled Brisa Courtyard and relax in a meticulously appointed room that elegantly evokes the early 20th Century Arts and Crafts era. Plus, enjoy the convenience and luxury of our exclusive concierge lounge and additional concierge amenities."

Is that whats meant as Garden?

We gazed out at the parking lot and DLH...still..it was great! The room was a little bigger..the Craftsman lounge was never super busy and also has a nice outside eating area. There was food all day long! Great assortment..we really took advantage of it and ate alot of 'meals' there..the best part was the free alcohol at night . We got DVDs for the kids and we had someone famous down the hall...I was staying for the Expo, and obviously someone who had come in for the EXPO was staying at a suite at the end of the hall. There were a minimum of 2 DLR security people standing by that door at all times and the girls at the Concierge desk were giggling and talking and would stop when a guest approached. I heard one say something about when she saw 'him'. It had to be either, Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, Robin Williams, Johnny Depp, Tim Burton or Jerry Bruckheimer, I am guessing, since they all appeared. I digress.. Staying Concierge is a wonderful splurge if you can pull it off. We had DVC Developer Points we had to use, so that's the only way we could have stayed ther..and I'm so glad we did!

 

[sierranevada]

If you liked PP's offerings, you will love the Grand's! They had the usual breakfast things, but also had oatmeal packets. The lunch spread is much nicer. The offer three types of finger sandwiches, hot scones, and chocolate covered strawberries. The evening offerings are about the same, but then they have desserts after that during the songs/storytelling time. They have cookies and milk in addition to a variety of other desserts. They also have cordials at this time.

I completely agree!! The "finger" sandwiches that are out (I believe from 11 - 4?) were salmon, turkey and vegetable. We easily got enough for lunch. At breakfast, they don't put yogurt out but they have it in the kitchen and you can ask for it. And the appetizers at happy hour are substantial - again, several times we just ate them for dinner! Free wine and beer and then around 8ish, they put out a great selection of sweets and serve cordials - my favorite is Bailey's & Brandy over ice!! You take your drink and dessert out on the balcony and can watch the fireworks. They also put blankets on the floor, encourage kids to come in PJ's, put out milk and cookies and have storytelling!

I never found the lounge crowded which is not something I can say about the DLH concierge lounge (E-Ticket lounge).

If you stay concierge, you will love it and it will be hard not to stay that way every time!

 

[JosieGirl71]

VGC are rooms x5xx (check the maps in the first post of this thread).
Half the rooms have theme park views, some examples are linked in this post.
The other rooms have pool views or are on the ground floor.

Looking at the maps, it looks like the VGC rooms are the furthest away from the parks. Is that correct?

 

[nemofans]

Thanks! Storytelling w/cookies & milk, how cute! I will strongly consider concierge then.

 

[MCSfromWA]

Looking at the maps, it looks like the VGC rooms are the furthest away from the parks. Is that correct?

Actually the VGC are pretty close to the lobby and the pool and the DCA entrance. It is pretty easy to navigate and very convenient.

 

[sierranevada]

Actually the VGC are pretty close to the lobby and the pool and the DCA entrance. It is pretty easy to navigate and very convenient.

I agree - the villas are very close to lobby, in fact, much closer than some of the rooms, especially the DTD view rooms. You walk right past the Mariposa Pool and the firepit area on your way to the lobby. Real easy.

 

[lffam]

...<snip>... We got DVDs for the kids and we had someone famous down the hall...<snip>

So there are DVD players in the room? is that all rooms or just CL?

I have already booked Standard room with getawaytoday.com but thankfully paid the $30 foe peace of mind plan which allows me to change or cancel with no penalty (other than the $30) CL level prices aren't available on there website so I probably have to book direct with DL

 

[nunzia]

So there are DVD players in the room? is that all rooms or just CL?

I have already booked Standard room with getawaytoday.com but thankfully paid the $30 foe peace of mind plan which allows me to change or cancel with no penalty (other than the $30) CL level prices aren't available on there website so I probably have to book direct with DL

I don't know..anyone?

 

[rentayenta]

I agree - the villas are very close to lobby, in fact, much closer than some of the rooms, especially the DTD view rooms. You walk right past the Mariposa Pool and the firepit area on your way to the lobby. Real easy.

We have a 2 bedroom lock-off and I'd love a theme park view, especially of the WoC/pier area. Can you suggest a villa to request? I have looked at the map so many times and a) I still cannot tell where the theme park view would be and b) I can't read the tiny numbers.

 

[MCSfromWA]

When we were there in September we stayed in 6502 -- which is a one bedroom and I think potentially could be next to a studio because there was a connecting door as well. We were also right next door to the viewing platform (which definitely wasn't opened at that time). We had an excellent PP theme park view.

 

[JosieGirl71]

We have a 2 bedroom lock-off and I'd love a theme park view, especially of the WoC/pier area. Can you suggest a villa to request? I have looked at the map so many times and a) I still cannot tell where the theme park view would be and b) I can't read the tiny numbers.

I feel like a total dunce every time I look at those maps!

 

[Nonsuch]

We have a 2 bedroom lock-off and I'd love a theme park view, especially of the WoC/pier area. Can you suggest a villa to request? I have looked at the map so many times and a) I still cannot tell where the theme park view would be and b) I can't read the tiny numbers.

You should be able to read the numbers if you download the 6 page map

These are all the 2 bedroom lock-off villas with PP view:
6502/6504 would be my first choice.
5502/5504 I have stayed in 5502, and it was great
4502/4504
3502/3504
5508/5510 the studio view will be limited
4408/4510 the studio view will be limited
3508/3510 the studio view will be limited
2520/2522 second floor, below the grand villa
2502/2504
2508/2510 the studio view will be limited

 

[nemofans]

At least at WDW, only CL rooms have DVD player. We stayed at PP CL level & had a DVD player. Club level had a wide range of DVDs to borrow during our stay. I don't think standard rooms have them.

 

[rentayenta]

When we were there in September we stayed in 6502 -- which is a one bedroom and I think potentially could be next to a studio because there was a connecting door as well. We were also right next door to the viewing platform (which definitely wasn't opened at that time). We had an excellent PP theme park view.

Awesome- thank you!

I feel like a total dunce every time I look at those maps!

Me too.

You should be able to read the numbers if you download the 6 page map

These are all the 2 bedroom lock-off villas with PP view:
6502/6504 would be my first choice.
5502/5504 I have stayed in 5502, and it was great
4502/4504
3502/3504
5508/5510 the studio view will be limited
4408/4510 the studio view will be limited
3508/3510 the studio view will be limited
2520/2522 second floor, below the grand villa
2502/2504
2508/2510 the studio view will be limited

Thank you so much. And for the link too. That tiny little map makes me feel old.