Grand Californian Super Thread

[BigDogMom7]

We are in Room 3502. It's a great location, close to the elevators. We look straight out at the Silly Strings and Jumping Jellyfish rides (do I have those names correct?). And I didn't say in my previous post that there is also a fair amout of construction noise, so first thing in the morning you hear "beep beep" from trucks backing up. The balcony is just noisy. It wouldn't bother me, but it DEFINITELY bothers my husband (who sleeps with earplugs and white noise anyway, and especially here). I would think it would bother small children as well. It doesn't bother me bacause I never go to bed before midnight anyway.

I was truly surprised at the level of noise.

 

[fidoprincess]

BigDogMom, So sorry to hear your DH is bothered by the construction. Is it the construction from the park itself, the new Little Mermaid? Even with his machine and earplugs, he can still hear it? That beep beep can really wake you up!

BensWife, I have read about a few free upgrades but if you really want one, you should call and book it. Was it really that much more? I know for us for 5 night with the promo, to upgrade to a dtd view was only around $20 per night and the park view was $40 per night (ie $200 or $400.) I would LOVE to have a park view room (even if it was noisy as above) but we are hoping for the daybed room and they only come with standard views. Anyway, if you decided not to pay the extra money, the best bet to get a "free" upgrade is to get there early and ask nicely. It depends on many factors like what day you get there, how long you are staying and ultimately how full the hotel is. Now that word about DLH'c construction is getting around, people are switching over to GCH so I think it will be pretty full. Good luck!

nemofans, You can always call Guest Services at the hotel to find out more info. I sure hope someone who has done it will pop in and tell us their experiences. I think for a boy, it is a steal! Too bad it is the same time as magic mornings. It would have to be really good to give up that extra hour in the park.

 

[Nonsuch]

We are in Room 3502. It's a great location, close to the elevators. We look straight out at the Silly Strings and Jumping Jellyfish rides (do I have those names correct?). And I didn't say in my previous post that there is also a fair amout of construction noise, so first thing in the morning you hear "beep beep" from trucks backing up. The balcony is just noisy. It wouldn't bother me, but it DEFINITELY bothers my husband (who sleeps with earplugs and white noise anyway, and especially here). I would think it would bother small children as well. It doesn't bother me bacause I never go to bed before midnight anyway.

I was truly surprised at the level of noise.

I was in 5502 in February. Noise from Little Mermaid construction was quite loud until close to midnight, and started up again at dawn. Light sleepers might want to request a pool view until construction completes next year.
The noise is worst for the DVC villas, but is also an issue for the new hotel rooms facing Paradise Pier.

 

[PrincessIM]

I was wondering if anyone knows if the GCH provides pool towels. I'm debating whether or not I should pack mine. I think I remember when we stayed at PP they did.

 

[carolinamama]

I was wondering if anyone knows if the GCH provides pool towels. I'm debating whether or not I should pack mine. I think I remember when we stayed at PP they did.

Yes, they do.

 

[BunnieGene]

Has anyone tried to upgrade once you get to check in? (Upgrade for free is nice, but we would be willing to pay as well.) We are going Aug 12-16. We reserved a standard room with no view. We just stayed there in June, and loved it there. My parents paid for a trip for all of us, and even got the concierge level. It was sooo wonderful. When we booked, we didn't think we could afford it, but my DH just got a quality award at work and now we might be able to afford it. Do you think we could get a deal if we upgrade when we check in, or should we call the reservation line and see about changing our reservations. We aren't 100% sure about the upgrade, because it is pretty expensive, but part of us just wants to go for it!! Any advice?

I don't have any real advice, but we did upgrade at check-in from standard view to standard view concierge in December...there was no price break...no regrets, though...concierge level is awesome!

 

[pinner33]

we went at the end of april and at checkin i asked what our bed setup was and was told it wasen't the queen bunk with standard view that i reqested.So i asked if we were able to get one even if i had to upgrade.The CM went into a room behind the checkin and came out a moment later and told me that he could and that it would be a park view:I thought i might have to pay the diference but no.We were there for ten days so it was a great surprise and the kids got there bunk beds.I was so amazed by the service and hotel that we ended up buying into the villas so our next stay in feb i won't have to expect a nice upgrade.

ps The view we ended up with was great just above the airplane by soarin

 

[nemofans]

I wanted to get more info on the princess/knights magical hour so I called GC.

She said it's one hour in the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique for hotel guests only to get made up as princess or knights. She said the hotel guests go there b4 any park guests are allowed to so they have the place to themselves. It is something they just started this summer & not sure how long it will last. She said you can do this same type of thing at Disney 365 & get made up like a rock star.
Another added bonus for staying onsite.

 

[fidoprincess]

Thanks for calling and posting nemofans. I guess that is why it is on the mm/early entry days. You must go at 7am. It sounds really fun.

I found a little more information on the Disney 365 and they do a hairdo and makeup and the kids get to keep the make up in a little pouch. DD doesn't like makeup so we probably won't do it but I would love it if she would do the bbb. Not a chance there either.

Here is a link for some more info I found.
http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10033630.asp

They have had this at WDW for a long time so there are lots of pictures too if you just search the bibbidi bobbidi boutique. There are two boy looks, one is the knight and you get a sword and shield, I think and the other is a "cool" rock star look for older boys who get their hair spiky and color streaked.

Be thankful you have a boy! I saw some of the girls packages with princess dresses, shoes, etc.. and they run over $200! There is a whole thread about how to get your dress ahead of time and bring it to the appt..I guess I am lucky dd considers herself too "old"!

 

[Nonsuch]

...I was so amazed by the service and hotel that we ended up buying into the villas...

It's a DVC marketing comspiracy
I was upgraded in December to a pool view, and looking out at the newly completed VGC wing started me thinking about buying...
Purchase was completed in January

 

[nonzerosum]

Has anyone ever requested the child sized robes that I've read are available. Which "child size" are they? Adult robes are in the closet, correct?

Also, I've seen a photo of child life vests near the pool. Are these a rental or help yourself item? Do they go quickly, or are there usually some available?

One more question....Which pool would you recommend for young kids who are confident in the water? I've done a search on pool depths, but couldn't find any info. Anyone know. TIA

 

[Craftsman Revival]

Has anyone ever requested the child sized robes that I've read are available. Which "child size" are they? Adult robes are in the closet, correct?

Also, I've seen a photo of child life vests near the pool. Are these a rental or help yourself item? Do they go quickly, or are there usually some available?

One more question....Which pool would you recommend for young kids who are confident in the water? I've done a search on pool depths, but couldn't find any info. Anyone know. TIA

Nonzerosum, the main pool is quite shallow, if I recall correctly. I'm short (5'4) and I was able to "touch bottom" at all points in the main pool. A little too shallow for my taste but I understand why they do it. Its a lovely pool...

 

[fidoprincess]

I found this information about the room configuration but it is before they added the new wing. It might help explain why people don't often get the room type they request unless they are asking for 2Qs:

GUEST ROOMS
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel consists of 745 deluxe guest rooms. 36% feature a view of Disney's California Adventure Theme Park or pool, 14% with views of Downtown Disney and 50% with views of the city.

39 Queen/Queens day bed
477 Queen/Queens
75 Kings
154 Bunk Beds
745 Total Rooms

ADA Rooms
15 Wheelchair accessible rooms
8 Roll-in Showers

So only 1/2 the rooms have some kind of view. There are only 39 rooms with a daybed in the whole hotel, only 75 king beds! While there are more bunks, with only 154, odds are you will be getting a Q/Q room. Now I know for sure I am bringing an extra bed for the 5 of us.

 

[Lisa S.]

Are the pools at the GCH heated? We're thinking of going in February and I know my son will want to go in the pool no matter how cold the outside temperature is - it would make me feel better if they're heated. Thanks.

 

[GoofyTraci]

I had a question. I am a disneyland newbie. We are DVC members at WDW and are taking a disney cruise out of CA and want to know is DTD there like our DTD in WDW? Is there enough to do there for a couple of hours?

 

[KCmike]

There are plenty of shops (especially World of Disney) and places to eat at. You can definitely spend a few hours at downtown disney. My favorite thing at DTD is in the evening on weekends musicians come out and play all over the place. It is wonderful.

 

[Nonsuch]

I had a question. I am a disneyland newbie. We are DVC members at WDW and are taking a disney cruise out of CA and want to know is DTD there like our DTD in WDW? Is there enough to do there for a couple of hours?

Don't tell me you are coming to California and not going to Disneyland
Walk through DTD and go to The Park

 

[VallCopen]

There is plenty to do, in my opinion. My daughter and I love to spend time in DTD almost every day we are there, like the OP stated it is very nice in the evening to sit and listen to music while people watching. Have you ever been to Disneyland? You surely must visit for atleast one day if not two if you haven't. I have never been to WDW but people say the experiences are totally different.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Just wanted to post this since a number of diser's stated that you can not pick up the F tickets at the hotel.

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Good Morning ,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Just a note to let you know that we have purchased your Fantasmic Premium Viewing tickets for August 19, 9:05 PM .Your Tickets will be waiting for you when you check in at the Grand Californian Hotel & Villa’s . [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT]

[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]
Disneyland Resort
Vacation Planning
714 300-7526 Option #2

[/FONT]


Jack

 

[Disney-Kim]

Just wanted to post this since a number of diser's stated that you can not pick up the F tickets at the hotel.

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Good Morning ,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Just a note to let you know that we have purchased your Fantasmic Premium Viewing tickets for August 19, 9:05 PM .Your Tickets will be waiting for you when you check in at the Grand Californian Hotel & Villa’s . [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT]

[FONT=Book Antiqua, serif]
Disneyland Resort
Vacation Planning
714 300-7526 Option #2

[/FONT]


Jack

How did you get the hotel to take care of it? or did you just call the # and tell them you would be at the hotel? thanks