Grand Californian Super Thread

[Janell]

Have big fun, and if you do the Sephora session, come back and let us know how it was!

Oh defiantly. I hope I am able to go.

 

[funatdisney]

I was at DL for a day trip yesterday. We had dinner at Storyteller's. While waiting to be seated, I took this picture. Thought I would share.

 

[KCmike]

Wishing I was there right now....

 

[blackjackdelta]

I was at DL for a day trip yesterday. We had dinner at Storyteller's. While waiting to be seated, I took this picture. Thought I would share.

How come we never see the pool like this when we go!

Jack

 

[DmaxHawk]

How come we never see the pool like this when we go!

Jack

Just thinking the same thing.


I like how you can see the death wheel in the background.

Great pic funatdisney

 

[blackjackdelta]

Just thinking the same thing.


I like how you can see the death wheel in the background.

Great pic funatdisney

Hey Sal, love the MWoD.

Jack

 

[funatdisney]

Thanks Sal. I tried really hard to get the death wheel to show up more. I had to position my camera with the gate closed. Then the flash got in the way which I couldn't figure out how to turn off. I was just glad that I got what I got. I am not a photographer. I just have a good camera.

 

[wbl2745]

I like how you can see the death wheel in the background.

Why do you call it the "death wheel?" I'd call it the barf wheel. We got so motion sick in one of the rolling and swinging cars.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Why do you call it the "death wheel?" I'd call it the barf wheel. We got so motion sick in one of the rolling and swinging cars.

I have been calling it the MWoD for a number years after a poster stated how terrified they were to even try it and used the term.
I always ride it when I want a break in the daily charge and find it very relaxing to look out over the park.

Jack

 

[KCmike]

Storytellers Breakfast Buffet

 

[KCmike]

 

[Janell]

Does Snack Waters have a microwave that guest of the hotel can use? I was thinking of picking up a cinnamon roll from Main Street and having it for breakfast the next day, if I can find a place to warm it up.

 

[DizMe]

First of all, I LOVE GCH. It's a fun, beautiful hotel.

But.

I just got back from another stay there and once again, I find the service seriously lacking. I am really surprised at how little they do for you considering what you're spending. It's not like I ask for a lot, but I've never stayed there when they didn't mess something up and waste quite a lot of my time trying to fix it. I almost always stay concierge, so I expect that I will get some concierge services with that extra charge, not headaches over missing reservations, wrong rooms, or in this last case, no concierge reservation at all (meaning we did not even get close to what we had requested since it was a busy time. Not a big deal, but still). I called twice ahead of time and had a printed confirmation but for whatever reason, the concierge desk did not find my reservation in the computer when I arrived. Well, they found it, but it wasn't concierge and was on a different floor.

If this happened once or twice I would overlook it, but it has happened every one of the 6 times I've stayed in the past 2 years. I've been overcharged, lost in the system, and have had my tour tickets misplaced. I've been given wrong information on almost everything I've asked about. I'm always given one of the worst rooms no matter what I request and it doesn't matter whether or not I call ahead. I have never complained (other than asking for a room closer to the elevators) or given them reason to "ding" me in the system so I don't know what the issue is, but if it happens again I am going to complain very loudly.

So, I give GCH a big thumbs up for atmosphere and location but the service--in particular, concierge-- is awful! They did send me another nice signed postcard thanking me for my stay

One final note: I went with my sister, and we had the Vintner's dinner at Napa Rose then got a coffee drink at the Hearthstone Lounge and sat by the fire in the lobby. We met a very nice couple and the 4 of us were talking and enjoying conversation. After a while, we were told by the security guys that it was too late to be talking in the lobby. I was surprised at that, as we weren't loud or anything, but it was almost midnight. We sheepishly left the lobby. It did feel a little bit like getting spanked for being naughty kids

 

[KCmike]

First of all, I LOVE GCH. It's a fun, beautiful hotel.

But.

I just got back from another stay there and once again, I find the service seriously lacking. I am really surprised at how little they do for you considering what you're spending. It's not like I ask for a lot, but I've never stayed there when they didn't mess something up and waste quite a lot of my time trying to fix it. I almost always stay concierge, so I expect that I will get some concierge services with that extra charge, not headaches over missing reservations, wrong rooms, or in this last case, no concierge reservation at all (meaning we did not even get close to what we had requested since it was a busy time. Not a big deal, but still). I called twice ahead of time and had a printed confirmation but for whatever reason, the concierge desk did not find my reservation in the computer when I arrived. Well, they found it, but it wasn't concierge and was on a different floor.

If this happened once or twice I would overlook it, but it has happened every one of the 6 times I've stayed in the past 2 years. I've been overcharged, lost in the system, and have had my tour tickets misplaced. I've been given wrong information on almost everything I've asked about. I'm always given one of the worst rooms no matter what I request and it doesn't matter whether or not I call ahead. I have never complained (other than asking for a room closer to the elevators) or given them reason to "ding" me in the system so I don't know what the issue is, but if it happens again I am going to complain very loudly.

So, I give GCH a big thumbs up for atmosphere and location but the service--in particular, concierge-- is awful! They did send me another nice signed postcard thanking me for my stay

One final note: I went with my sister, and we had the Vintner's dinner at Napa Rose then got a coffee drink at the Hearthstone Lounge and sat by the fire in the lobby. We met a very nice couple and the 4 of us were talking and enjoying conversation. After a while, we were told by the security guys that it was too late to be talking in the lobby. I was surprised at that, as we weren't loud or anything, but it was almost midnight. We sheepishly left the lobby. It did feel a little bit like getting spanked for being naughty kids

That is shocking to me. I would have said that I didn't know that the lobby had hours of operation. You should have spoke up. If you get bad service you should always politely speak up. I work in retail and I always want to know when our service is lacking. A complaint is a gift in my eyes. Especially if you are paying top dollars to stay there. We have only stayed there once and I had a wonderful time. We did have guest services help us print tickets for our airplane and help us last minute book a rental car and they both went out of their way to be very nice. I'm sorry you had this kind of service especially SIX TIMES. Have you tried any other hotels around the resort?

 

[VallCopen]

Wow, that is to bad things got sooo sideways. I am shocked about the lobby incident, about 3 weeks ago we were there in the lobby sitting by the fire with alcoholic drinks and to be honest we were on the tipsy side, with both adults and minors, and never did anyone say anything to us, and we were there for about 2 hours and didn't leave until 1:30 am.

 

[DizMe]

That is shocking to me. I would have said that I didn't know that the lobby had hours of operation. You should have spoke up. If you get bad service you should always politely speak up. I work in retail and I always want to know when our service is lacking. A complaint is a gift in my eyes. Especially if you are paying top dollars to stay there. We have only stayed there once and I had a wonderful time. We did have guest services help us print tickets for our airplane and help us last minute book a rental car and they both went out of their way to be very nice. I'm sorry you had this kind of service especially SIX TIMES. Have you tried any other hotels around the resort?

Guest Services was very nice and we had no trouble with them. In fact, like you, we found them to be extremely helpful. We had trouble at the front (lobby) reservation desk only because they were training a new girl and she kept having to redo everything, so what should have taken 5-10 minutes took 45! The manager made us think we were going to get a bonus for this and we did--balloons and a signed picture of the characters, LOL. I thought they ought to have done a little more since we lost almost an hour of park time and it was a short 1-night, 1-day stay to take my new step-grandson on his first trip to DL. I didn't speak up about it though. No, our main complaint is with the concierge desk. They should know about park hours, tour tickets (which I had purchased and were supposed to be given to us on arrival but were nowhere to be found), and be able to answer basic questions about the resort, and yet they consistently give the wrong advice. They usually seem a little on the snotty side, which is annoying to me when I'm a guest and a frequent one at that. Yes, I've stayed at many of the other hotels but haven't tried PP yet. I only stay offsite when that's all I can afford, and luckily I can usually afford a resort hotel thanks to AP rates. I will take your advice and speak up about the service if it happens again. When my dh is with me (which isn't very often anymore ), he is very quick to speak his mind and it always does wonders. I have a lot more trouble with that.

Wow, that is to bad things got sooo sideways. I am shocked about the lobby incident, about 3 weeks ago we were there in the lobby sitting by the fire with alcoholic drinks and to be honest we were on the tipsy side, with both adults and minors, and never did anyone say anything to us, and we were there for about 2 hours and didn't leave until 1:30 am.

Yes, I was shocked, too. We ended up going to the 'twin' fireplace on the outside of the building, exactly opposite the indoor one, which fortunately has nice heaters and then we didn't worry about it. I've never heard of a hotel like GCH shutting down the lobby! The security guys told us that the voices carry up the center atrium thing to the rooms.

 

[funatdisney]

The GCH Tree:

 

[funatdisney]

Yes, I was shocked, too. We ended up going to the 'twin' fireplace on the outside of the building, exactly opposite the indoor one, which fortunately has nice heaters and then we didn't worry about it. I've never heard of a hotel like GCH shutting down the lobby! The security guys told us that the voices carry up the center atrium thing to the rooms.

Could it be that a guest complained? Maybe that is why some are told to clear the lobby and others have never been asked to leave.

 

[kailuagirl]

We just returned from last week and all I can say about this place is OH MY!!! it was wonderful!! We totally loved everything about our stay, except I wish we would have had robes in our room, it was so cold coming out of the shower and dressing. The service we got was great. We felt it made our vacation feel actually like a vacation instead of just gping to the Disneyland parks vacation. We loved sitting by the fire, the lobby, outside. Bummed we never got to use the pools I truly don't know how I would ever stay anywhere else again when going to DL. Oh dear

 

[KCmike]

The GCH Tree:

Great shot!