Grand Californian Super Thread

[StarlitNight05]

I stayed at GCH last week for a 3 night stay (Sunday check in - Wednesday check out). We stayed at an offsite hotel our arrival night as we came in pretty late (about 10pm) and I didn't want to spend GCH money for just a nights sleep. We left our offsite hotel about 6:15am and took an Uber to GCH. We only waited about 5 minutes for an Uber -- not bad considering how early it was. There were bell check staff waiting at the drop off and we handed our bags off to them in lieu of waiting in line at bell services (although there really wasn't a line). We booked a standard room and indicated we wanted a King bed in the special instructions. As the CM checked us in she said "I have you two in a two Queen daybed room." I politely asked if there were any King rooms available. She did a bit of typing and finally said "Yes, I found one for you!" She gave us our room keys and told us to wait for the text with our room number. I was pleasantly surprised by our room -- we had 6417, which was a renovated King room with a daybed (there was also an oversized arm chair). It had a view of the monorail and a tiny sliver of DtD from the side of the balcony. We were a bit secluded being at the end of the hall, but the walk to the elevators wasn't bad at all. It was nice being able to sit on the balcony and hear the faint music of DtD, then watch the monorail woosh by!

Here are some photos of our view (the one showing Naples is from the side of the balcony), as well as the bed and shower. Pardon the mess on the bed!

 

[nicole88s]

How is the construction coming along, @StarlitNight05 ? Did it affect your stay? Is the lobby still curtained off?

 

[StarlitNight05]

How is the construction coming along, @StarlitNight05 ? Did it affect your stay? Is the lobby still curtained off?

The main lobby was not completely curtained off anymore. When we were there they were working on a small section near Acorn Gifts. It was pretty noisy outside near the pool as it appeared they were working on sections of the rooms nearby. We are rope droppers, come back for an afternoon break, and return to close the park out. During our afternoon breaks, there was some noise, but only when we were near the lobby or pool. We didn't hear anything too loud from our room.

 

[Nonsuch]

...we had 6417, which was a renovated King room with a daybed

Same view in May 2006:

 

[cpster]

When was that?

We were there the first week of August and the cartoons and rocking chairs were gone! My kids loved to sit there while the grown ups were at the front desk or concierge.

 

[Nonsuch]

Featured in the Disney Parks Blog:
New Magic Awaits Guests at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort

 

[TexasErin]

We were there the first week of August and the cartoons and rocking chairs were gone! My kids loved to sit there while the grown ups were at the front desk or concierge.

No!!!!! Does anybody know when/if it is coming back?

 

[meggles]

No!!!!! Does anybody know when/if it is coming back?

Can anyone who has visited the lobby more recently comment on whether or not the little kids chairs and cartoon area is back?

 

[StarlitNight05]

Can anyone who has visited the lobby more recently comment on whether or not the little kids chairs and cartoon area is back?

I don't recall seeing it last week when I was there.

 

[TexasErin]

I don't recall seeing it last week when I was there.

That is really a shame that they would remove that area. I know they play Disney cartoon in the room, but they are the newer cartoons instead of the classic Mickey. And it was nice for the kids to have something to do while the parents check in/hang out in the lobby.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Featured in the Disney Parks Blog:
New Magic Awaits Guests at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort

Sweet!! All rooms done and a look at the lobby coming on Fri they say! Yay!! (Now if only they'd finish The Craftsmen's Club and give us a look at that!)

 

[closetmickey]

Can anyone who has visited the lobby more recently comment on whether or not the little kids chairs and cartoon area is back?

They weren't there today. Even my oldest still loves that area!!

 

[meggles]

They weren't there today. Even my oldest still loves that area!!

I can only hope that they've temporarily removed the area while they've been putting the finishing touches on the lobby!

Did you check with guest services to inquire about it?

 

[closetmickey]

I can only hope that they've temporarily removed the area while they've been putting the finishing touches on the lobby!

Did you check with guest services to inquire about it?

That is my hope as well. I did not ask- was just passing through.

 

[Amluna]

Wonderful thread! We are arriving Nov 1-5 and planning a once in a lifetime friends trip with friends flying in from across the US and one from out of the country. When I booked in April I thought the renovations would be complete. I just called the hotel to check on the work on the Craftsman Club and was told that only that and a few rooms are left to be completed. The woman on the phone thought it is possible the Club will be done before our arrival, but that if I call towards the end of next week they will have a completion date. I appreciate all the updates! Let me know if anyone has any news.

 

[lmb80129]

Sweet!! All rooms done and a look at the lobby coming on Fri they say! Yay!! (Now if only they'd finish The Craftsmen's Club and give us a look at that!)

We left a week or so ago and I would be astonished if all rooms are done. It looked like they were in the beginning stages of the construction of an entire wing of rooms right off the lobby. The scaffolding was just going up on that section and it was very much a construction zone. The article did say that all guests checking in would be in refurbished rooms and that it is good news.

 

[ttig34]

We left a week or so ago and I would be astonished if all rooms are done. It looked like they were in the beginning stages of the construction of an entire wing of rooms right off the lobby. The scaffolding was just going up on that section and it was very much a construction zone. The article did say that all guests checking in would be in refurbished rooms and that it is good news.

Yeah they didnt actually say it was all done, just that guests checking in would be in refurbished rooms. Am guessing the area you saw is the last to be completed.

 

[DizMe]

Do you know whether or not the wing above Napa Rose is in the process of refurbishment? I'm hoping to stay in that area during my early Dec trip.

 

[Nonsuch]

Do you know whether or not the wing above Napa Rose is in the process of refurbishment? I'm hoping to stay in that area during my early Dec trip.

I suspect that area is done. It seems the final rooms to be renovated are around the lobby.
I'll be there in early November and will confirm.

 

[azdisneylover]

I thought they'd set up in a suite or something before seeing the reports here. (I even googled the wedding garden thinking it couldn't be a glorified yard- sidenote: I'd just cleared browser cookies before so now Safari thinks I'm looking for a destination wedding ) I love GCH CL but I'd be very upset in their shoes- but admittedly I don't think I'd be in the guests shoes (and it's got to be miserable for the CMs as well) because Disney was very clear the Lounge would be down & it would be a substitute Lounge & I wouldn't spend that much money with such a risk. It's a sucky substitute but guess Disney technically covered their rear here.

Breakfast time is in Napa Rose and the rest of the time is at the "Wedding Garden" area. It would have been better to have put it in a suite.