Grand Californian Super Thread

[ClaraOswald]

I don't think the Veranda club balcony faces toward WOC at all. But I could be wrong. I've never been up there.

 

[Pluto468]

Was that view from the Veranda club or just a regular balcony? I’m debating getting the WOC dessert party reservations for our August trip, but we are doing club level at GC, so maybe not worth it if that view is available.

That's from a regular balcony on the 6th floor. You only need your room key to get in.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

I don't think the Veranda club balcony faces toward WOC at all. But I could be wrong. I've never been up there.

You are right it faces the Courtyard. I don't remember being able to see much since most of the view is blocked by the hotel rooms on the DTD side. You might be able to see fireworks but we never tried to watch from there.

 

[GoofyGoofyGoofy]

Does anyone have picture for concierge foods for all hours of the day/night? Is there any way to get hard boiled eggs served there?

 

[BunnieGene]

Was that view from the Veranda club or just a regular balcony? I’m debating getting the WOC dessert party reservations for our August trip, but we are doing club level at GC, so maybe not worth it if that view is available.

We just purchased the WOC dessert party tickets for our upcoming trip…I will try to remember to report back with our experience.

 

[Nonsuch]

Does anyone have picture for concierge foods for all hours of the day/night? Is there any way to get hard boiled eggs served there?

Hard boiled eggs are available in the morning -- a few years ago they finally started peeling them
Deviled eggs are sometimes offered at lunch.

 

[twodogs]

Does anyone have picture for concierge foods for all hours of the day/night? Is there any way to get hard boiled eggs served there?

I may be incorrect (it has been a few years since we stayed Club Level), but the lounge does not serve food or stay open 24/7 (all hours of the day/night). Someone please correct me if this is wrong!

 

[ClaraOswald]

I've never been but I googled and found some reviews with pics though none are super recent.

I also found this picture which shows the times they serve food. https://i0.wp.com/fotogenictravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/img_5666.jpg?resize=1129,1536&ssl=1

That's clearly older as it mentions face coverings. So maybe someone else has recent hours.

 

[GoofyGoofyGoofy]

I may be incorrect (it has been a few years since we stayed Club Level), but the lounge does not serve food or stay open 24/7 (all hours of the day/night). Someone please correct me if this is wrong!

I know the lounge has finger foods that change during the time it is open. I was curious if anyone has stayed recently and had pictures. Thank you for your quick response.

 

[GoofyGoofyGoofy]

I've never been but I googled and found some reviews with pics though none are super recent.

I also found this picture which shows the times they serve food. https://i0.wp.com/fotogenictravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/img_5666.jpg?resize=1129,1536&ssl=1

That's clearly older as it mentions face coverings. So maybe someone else has recent hours.

Thank you for your quick response. It does give me a vague idea of what is being offered! Thanks again.

 

[Pluto468]

Here's that 6th floor balcony during the day. Amazing view!

 

[gmang]

We were always pretty anti-DVC because looking at the cost, staying offsite (or value/moderate at WDW) will always be a lower cost. At least for the amount of trips we like to take.

But when we realized we'd be happier staying at the Grand Californian/deluxe at WDW, we looked more at what we were getting for our money. And DVC would cost us less in the long run than paying cash for the Grand/deluxe WDW. But DVC does have a large up front cost, especially the Grand Californian! And you really have to want to go enough to make it worth while. It's definitely not a good fit for everyone.

VGC (and most other DVC resorts) will never make sense on a pure dollar savings analysis. You can always find ways to make the vacation much less expensive than staying at VGC. The DVC bonus for us was how much more relaxing our vacations became. Even when it is just the two of us (rare) we still tend to get a one bedroom because we can cook, do laundry, and chill in that awesome tub.

With DVC the vacations do cost more, but not near as much as if you were to pay rack rates (even with discounts). The relaxation factor and ultra low stress is worth way more than the money we spent on the VGC buy-in, and makes it more than worth it for us.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Had we never stayed at the Grand Californian last year, we would have happily kept staying off site since it's so much more affordable. But....here we are with DVC points at 2 resorts.

 

[TeamRiley]

VGC (and most other DVC resorts) will never make sense on a pure dollar savings analysis. You can always find ways to make the vacation much less expensive than staying at VGC. The DVC bonus for us was how much more relaxing our vacations became. Even when it is just the two of us (rare) we still tend to get a one bedroom because we can cook, do laundry, and chill in that awesome tub.

With DVC the vacations do cost more, but not near as much as if you were to pay rack rates (even with discounts). The relaxation factor and ultra low stress is worth way more than the money we spent on the VGC buy-in, and makes it more than worth it for us.

I agree. The low stress and relaxation are worth paying for. One thing we have found is that since we are somewhat 'obligated' to use our points, we have gotten more into travel mode, and now travel around (non DVC) way more than I would have guessed.

 

[bfrosty]

Well, we couldn't get into GC DVC rooms, so going to try the new Pixar Pier Hotel...hopefully a bit quieter!!!!

 

[roxy72]

Hi all- Does anyone know if it's difficult to get a ground floor room? Are these rare and more expensive, or are they generally undesirable? If we book a standard room (no view, no nothin'!), what are our odds of getting this?

I prefer to avoid elevators, so a ground floor appeal to me, especially if it still has the nice little patio that we loved during our last day at the GCH (we stayed near the Napa Rose elevators on a higher floor during our last visit). Another option is the second floor rooms around the lobby, as I remember seeing stairs nearby which might make them easier to access- are there any downsides to those rooms, like noise from the lobby, long walks to get there or into the parks, etc?

 

[StarlitNight05]

Hi all- Does anyone know if it's difficult to get a ground floor room? Are these rare and more expensive, or are they generally undesirable? If we book a standard room (no view, no nothin'!), what are our odds of getting this?

I prefer to avoid elevators, so a ground floor appeal to me, especially if it still has the nice little patio that we loved during our last day at the GCH (we stayed near the Napa Rose elevators on a higher floor during our last visit). Another option is the second floor rooms around the lobby, as I remember seeing stairs nearby which might make them easier to access- are there any downsides to those rooms, like noise from the lobby, long walks to get there or into the parks, etc?

Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the only ground floor rooms are a few in the DVC wing at GCH. I'd be interested to know this for sure if anyone else can confirm!

We have stayed on the second and third floor off the lobby and exclusively used the grand staircase (I think that's what it's called) to get to our room. I think those would be your best bet unless I'm wrong about the ground floor room situation.

ETA: both of the rooms on the second and third floor were booked as standard, although I think the one we got on the second floor was an upgrade to courtyard/woods view after looking at Nonsuch's map (I believe you can find it earlier in this thread)

 

[Pluto468]

Hi all- Does anyone know if it's difficult to get a ground floor room? Are these rare and more expensive, or are they generally undesirable? If we book a standard room (no view, no nothin'!), what are our odds of getting this?

I prefer to avoid elevators, so a ground floor appeal to me, especially if it still has the nice little patio that we loved during our last day at the GCH (we stayed near the Napa Rose elevators on a higher floor during our last visit). Another option is the second floor rooms around the lobby, as I remember seeing stairs nearby which might make them easier to access- are there any downsides to those rooms, like noise from the lobby, long walks to get there or into the parks, etc?

You could book a standard and then call and request the lowest floor room possible.

 

[Nonsuch]

Hi all- Does anyone know if it's difficult to get a ground floor room? Are these rare and more expensive, or are they generally undesirable? If we book a standard room (no view, no nothin'!), what are our odds of getting this?

There are exactly 15 ground floor rooms (non-DVC).
While rare, they are likely not considered desirable.

The hotel rooms are "white" on this map:

I prefer to avoid elevators, so a ground floor appeal to me, especially if it still has the nice little patio that we loved during our last day at the GCH (we stayed near the Napa Rose elevators on a higher floor during our last visit). Another option is the second floor rooms around the lobby, as I remember seeing stairs nearby which might make them easier to access- are there any downsides to those rooms, like noise from the lobby, long walks to get there or into the parks, etc?

You should request a ground floor room, with 2nd (or 3rd) floor near the lobby as a backup. The stairs are near the front of the hotel and all the rooms at the front (facing Disneyland Drive) are "standard" view.

 

[Epump]

Hello. GC newbie here. I have a few questions about the hotel in case anyone can chime in and help

1. What is the best path to EE rope drop DL and DCA? How do I get from hotel to DL - is there a best path to take? And for DCA, do I want to use the hotel entrance into DCA or go out to esplanade?

2. Can you mobile order from Craftsmans? I'm not seeing it in the app. Just wondering what the fast breakfast option is at the hotel. I was hoping to mobile order something on our way into EE rope drop.

3. Any other "tricks" or perks I should know about. I love that balcony that you can watch WOC, that was a good tip!

TIA!