Grand Californian Super Thread

[Chmie]

Fantastic thread but way too long for a newbie to like me to read all the posts. It took 2 days just to read about half Please bear with me as I'm unfamiliar with all the terms, abbreviations and will ask some questions that have been answered multiple times.

We first visited Disneyland with our 8 year old daughter and 10 year old son in 1988 and are finally bringing them back along with our 2 grandkids.

Booked a 3 bdrm parlor suite for 3 nites in July, 2011. Cost about $7,000 which includes 3 day park hopper tickets and concierge but not any dining plan. Very expensive but we wanted to do this in style and the Grand Californian oozes beauty and convenience of location.

The lady that took our reservation recommended a park pier view
I've looked at the floor plans in this thread but could not find one for a 3 bdrm parlor suite and their locations within the hotel. Could this be a 2 bdrm with an adjoining standard room ? I know I will have other questions and would greatly appreciate any comments / suggestions. Thanks

 

[Nonsuch]

Booked a 3 bdrm parlor suite for 3 nites in July, 2011. Cost about $7,000 which includes 3 day park hopper tickets and concierge but not any dining plan.

You might consider renting a DVC Grand Villa. There are only 2, so availability is very limited. During July 2011, Fri-Sat are 188 points and weekdays are 152 points. Points are rented for $13 by board sponsor David's Vacation Club Rentals.
So a 3 nights would be: (188+188+152)*13= $6864
This would not include park tickets or concierge (it is a good idea to price the park tickets separate from the room, since the bundled price can be higher ).

The lady that took our reservation recommended a park pier view

Most suites are located at the end of each wing of the hotel, so most have a park view. Some look at Downtown Disney and a few look into the courtyard (which is not a view). A park view upgrade is a good idea.

I've looked at the floor plans in this thread but could not find one for a 3 bdrm parlor suite and their locations within the hotel. Could this be a 2 bdrm with an adjoining standard room ?

It might be a 1 bedroom suite with 2 connected rooms. I assume a Parlor Suite is the same at an Artisan Suite shown on the Disneyland Meetings site.
It would be a good idea to call Disney and get some clarification about what rooms are used to form a 3 bedroom suite.

 

[Bunless]

When we had a three bedroom suite, it was on the corner up above Soarin.
It looked closest to the Artisan King plan A, though the balcony with a table for four wasn't connected to the balcony for the king room. The other two bedrooms were lock-offs.

I have photos of the views we had under the January '09 trip report down below.
Other than that, the rooms looked just like the photos on line.
The common (parlor) area was just like the Artisian suite photo, and the three bedrooms looked just like all the photos you see of the hotel rooms.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Has everyone heard? The Villas at the Grand have officially sold out as of the 20th...


http://dvcnews.com/index.php/news-resorts-162/1395-grand-californian-sold-out

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Checking in on Thursday evening and I am so excited I can barely stand it! My DD11 and a dear friend are staying there. I stayed at the Grand Floridian at WDW in June so it will be so neat comparing the two resorts.

I just got an iPhone 4 so I'm definitely planning on taking and posting lots of pics.

 

[carole88]

We are checking in on Friday!!! So excited, can't wait!!!

 

[Yukonjack]

I have to wait about four more months until my wife and I check in The wait is killing me, but at least I have something to look forward too!

 

[23bw]

I like to get in idea if mosquitos are a problem at the GCH. Have you encountered those pesky bugs in your rooms?

During our last stay at the GCH I wanted to sleep with the patio door open for the fresh air. To our surprise there was no screen door to keep out pests. We decided against leaving the door open because we feared mosquitos would come in at night to snack on us.

The hotel is in such a wooded surrounding, that I would expect mosquitos to flourish. Despite the kids leaving the patio door open many times, none was discovered in our room during our 4 night stay.

 

[Nonsuch]

I like to get in idea if mosquitos are a problem at the GCH. Have you encountered those pesky bugs in your rooms?

I have never had a problem with mosquitoes at GCH or the parks
Disney might do "something" to keep the mosquitoes under control, but the dry climate helps.

 

[KCmike]

That was then...

 

[goldies 5]

We are staying at GC 11/28-12/05. my son has been posting on the boards, trying to meet other teenagers. Unfortunately, the teen board is geared toward DW. Anyway, if you have a teen, that would like a park buddy too, Trevor would love to hear from them. I have been chasing around his posts, so that folks will know he is legit and not a wackadoo. It looks like I have beat him to this thread. Would love to hear from you.
Kim

 

[DmaxHawk]

Time for another

 

[BunnieGene]

Resubscribing

 

[emum]

Been a while since I posted in this thread....

We start our holiday / vacation in 8 weeks from today !

I'm wondering what our chances are of getting our request of concierge add-on for our 1br suite booking ? I'm guessing at the time of year we're there, the hotel will be at capacity, so I'm concerned that we won't get it. Would anyone like to take a stab at whether they'll grant us our add-on ?

TIA.

Cheers,
Sally

 

[nunzia]

I have to wait about four more months until my wife and I check in The wait is killing me, but at least I have something to look forward too!

..just want to say HOWDY to another New Mexican..there are so few of us

 

[KCmike]

 

[Spixydust]

Been a while since I posted in this thread....

We start our holiday / vacation in 8 weeks from today !

I'm wondering what our chances are of getting our request of concierge add-on for our 1br suite booking ? I'm guessing at the time of year we're there, the hotel will be at capacity, so I'm concerned that we won't get it. Would anyone like to take a stab at whether they'll grant us our add-on ?

TIA.

Cheers,
Sally

I've never had a problem getting my concierge service when I go Sally, although I always worry about it!

This will be my first trip in 8 years without Concierge! You are going to love it, if you haven't experienced it yet.

There was a previous question about a fireplace in Hearthstone Lounge. Yes, there is a small fireplace built into the wall off just off to the left of the bar. There are four chairs right there, if I remember correctly. There is also a door leading out to the outside fireplace.

My favorite trip ever I think was when we went in 2005 for the 50th with our entire family. We took over that outside fireplace nook and ate pizza and played games all evening, it was magical!

 

[DmaxHawk]

..just want to say HOWDY to another New Mexican..there are so few of us

X2!

Its true, we are rare

 

[PoohNFriends]

I have to wait about four more months until my wife and I check in The wait is killing me, but at least I have something to look forward too!

I'll trade you your 4 month wait for my 6 month wait?!?

 

[Yukonjack]

X2!

Its true, we are rare

I was at a party lastnight and two or three people are DL addcits. At least of them has an AP! Pretty funny.