Grand Californian Super Thread

[DL_Forever]

We are staying in a studio the first week of May. This is our first visit to the VGC. Anyone have photos of the refurbished studios? We aren't pool people, so the activity there won't be a problem. Have ALL of the villas been updated or are they still working on them? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Can't wait for our vacation! Thanks...

If no one else responds I hope you'll post pictures!

We are staying in a VGC Studio beginning of April. I'll take some pictures and post them when I return.

 

[Gigi's dream]

Thanks DL_Forever. That would be great and I'll post some too!

 

[Nonsuch]

...Anyone have photos of the refurbished studios? We aren't pool people, so the activity there won't be a problem. Have ALL of the villas been updated or are they still working on them?

My well informed (but unofficial) guess is all the villas are done. The 1-bedroom villas had no changes to the bathrooms, so the renovation could be very quick. I'm interested in pictures of the studio bathrooms, since the hotel rooms are removing the tub (at least in some rooms).

 

[closetmickey]

My well informed (but unofficial) guess is all the villas are done. The 1-bedroom villas had no changes to the bathrooms, so the renovation could be very quick. I'm interested in pictures of the studio bathrooms, since the hotel rooms are removing the tub (at least in some rooms).

I was just there over the weekend and while riding some of the paradise pier rides, you could clearly see papers still taped to the insides of the villa rooms. They were on all of the sliding doors of the villas on the left side of that wing (when looking from DCA).

 

[Nonsuch]

There is a regular sofa in this room:

Followup on my own post.
The room does not have blackout shades, so this might be one of the test rooms (3 versions were built).

 

[gottalovepluto]

Followup on my own post.
The room does not have blackout shades, so this might be one of the test rooms (3 versions were built).

Fingers crossed!! I REALLY want to see daybeds!

 

[alldiz]

I am very excited about my 1st stay at GCV this summer. Was able to snag a studio at 7 mos, which I am grateful for because this is on the way to Aulani and I was not flexible with dates. I will have amazing 1st DL trip regardless of renovations I know but....
Anyway....when I booked I received a note saying pretty much that renovations on pool should be done but lobby renovations still will be in progress. Is this still true?
I was worried I wouldn't get to feel full ambience of Lobby, if pool not some that Will be most disappointing.

I read there is a terrace to watch WOC.... where is this and is this a decent view?
Anything I must do or food not to be missed here?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[l4dyj8]

I've booked us for October - and I'm super excited about the renovations - however, has anyone heard whether they'll still have bunk beds in the some of the rooms?? My kids would LOOOOOOOVE the bunk beds!!

According to an official reply in the comments section, they will no longer have bunk beds.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...lifornian-hotel-spa-at-the-disneyland-resort/

Our 6 year old is disappointed but glad we got to experience it on our last few stays.

We need the tub for the kids. Hope it's still an option on some floors. If we didn't have kids, I'd love the shower opinion. I do like the rooms being brighter.

 

[MacMama0930]

According to an official reply in the comments section, they will no longer have bunk beds.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...lifornian-hotel-spa-at-the-disneyland-resort/

Our 6 year old is disappointed but glad we got to experience it on our last few stays.

We need the tub for the kids. Hope it's still an option on some floors. If we didn't have kids, I'd love the shower opinion. I do like the rooms being brighter.

I'm so surprised they're doing away with all the bunk beds. Kids LOVE bunk beds and it's a resort that accommodates a lot of families/children so it's not like MOST people wouldn't want them. And it also seems odd to not have bath tubs in such a family friendly resort. It all looks beautiful and I hope it doesn't disappoint!

 

[closetmickey]

We were there today so my daughter inquired at guest services about the projected status of the pool for our upcoming stay the end of May. The CM told her the pool is supposed to be completed this spring so they anticipate it will be open by then. She then added, however, that the other pools were available for use in the event it isn't open. Sounded pretty positive to me, though.

 

[StormyCA]

DS2 and I are staying at the Grand next Sunday and Monday and it looks like it just may be 'swimming weather'. The CM who booked us told us that if we wanted to swim that they 'shuttle' people to the other pools. Does anyone know how that works? Is there a shuttle schedule (like every 30 minutes or such) or is it a 'demand' thing (they call the shuttle when you ask them to)?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

DS2 and I are staying at the Grand next Sunday and Monday and it looks like it just may be 'swimming weather'. The CM who booked us told us that if we wanted to swim that they 'shuttle' people to the other pools. Does anyone know how that works? Is there a shuttle schedule (like every 30 minutes or such) or is it a 'demand' thing (they call the shuttle when you ask them to)?

When we were there in January we were told the shuttle ran every 15 minutes at that time. They have staff at the stop so they would be able to let you know when the next would arrive.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

We will be there in July.. so not looking forward to the lobby being under construction. I am sure they will have a good plan in place.. but to me it sounds like a total nightmare. The lobby is one of my favorite parts! Also wonder how far they will be into the room remodels at that time. Would love to have a new room...but without new room smells lol..paint

 

[closetmickey]

I thought I read somewhere that just the furniture is being replaced in the lobby. If so, maybe the changeover will be quick? Just speculations....

 

[rentayenta]

We will be there in July.. so not looking forward to the lobby being under construction. I am sure they will have a good plan in place.. but to me it sounds like a total nightmare. The lobby is one of my favorite parts! Also wonder how far they will be into the room remodels at that time. Would love to have a new room...but without new room smells lol..paint

I didn't realize the lobby would be under construction in July. Hopefully the pool will be completed.

 

[Sun_soakin]

DS2 and I are staying at the Grand next Sunday and Monday and it looks like it just may be 'swimming weather'. The CM who booked us told us that if we wanted to swim that they 'shuttle' people to the other pools. Does anyone know how that works? Is there a shuttle schedule (like every 30 minutes or such) or is it a 'demand' thing (they call the shuttle when you ask them to)?

They have a golf cart shuttling people around. We waited 7 min because the cart was just leaving when we walked up. It's pretty fun for the kids, actually! They offer snacks and water and will take you to DLH or paradise

 

[sammykster]

We just checked in tonight and wound up in a newly renovated room! The daybed is very large which is nice and it seems they listened to some complaints I read on here. There is a excess of electrical outlets and USB ports EVERYWHERE and there is a regular Keurig machine (I believe I read people wanted this?). It is pretty nice - we have never stayed in the old rooms so I can't compare but the fresh clean feeling is always appreciated.

 

[yoyo93]

Thanks for letting us know!
If you don't mind answering, did your bathroom have the shower only- no tub?

 

[azdisneylover]

We just checked in tonight and wound up in a newly renovated room! The daybed is very large which is nice and it seems they listened to some complaints I read on here. There is a excess of electrical outlets and USB ports EVERYWHERE and there is a regular Keurig machine (I believe I read people wanted this?). It is pretty nice - we have never stayed in the old rooms so I can't compare but the fresh clean feeling is always appreciated.

Woohoo! Would you please take pics of the room and let us know at least the genera area your room was? What wing was it in? What floor? Anything you can let us know would help! Are the toiletries the same or did those change?
Thanks!! Have a great time!

 

[closetmickey]

They have a golf cart shuttling people around. We waited 7 min because the cart was just leaving when we walked up. It's pretty fun for the kids, actually! They offer snacks and water and will take you to DLH or paradise

That actually sounds like a great deal- especially for kids as the DLH pool is so much fun for them!