Grand Californian Super Thread

[DmaxHawk]

Interesting experience...just called GCH to make a ressie for our last day at DLR, we have to move from the Villas to a standard room for the last night. The CM said the going rate for AP was currently 10% off(440-10%). He then asked if anyone was over 60, the rate then changed to $308/night for the senior discount. He then asked if I needed a daybed(did not have to request one.) I said yes, one daughter can sleep on the daybed.
Very smooth experience. He did say that the availability of the rooms for the summer were decreasing fast. The code on the ressie says CH S5, what ever that means.

Jack

I believe S5 means 2 queens + day bed/sofa.

Mine says B3 G2..
Any ideas?

 

[Marilynbn]

How about CH S1 / 1. I have always wanted to know these codes.

Marilyn

 

[Nonsuch]

The floorplan is accurate enough to allow guests to find their rooms, but does not show the differences between floors. The Grand does have 6 floors, but in the DVC wing (VGC) there are only 3 (or 2 depending how you count) rooms on the 6th floor: 1 two-bedroom, 1 one-bedroom, 1 studio.

I was curious about the exact location of all the VGC rooms, and walked through all the floors during my visit last week. I'll draw up a floor by floor map of the VGC this week.

This is a floor by floor map of the VGC and the hotel expansion. I walked through the VGC wing, so this is the actual arrangement of the villas. The hotel rooms are all normal sized, so I did not verify those rooms. This was a chance to try out OmniGraffle (similar to Visio)

The picture is hosted on this site (so it will not become a broken link), but the resolution is limited.

 

[CrazyDuck]

This is a floor by floor map of the VGC and the hotel expansion. I walked through the VGC wing, so this is the actual arrangement of the villas. The hotel rooms are all normal sized, so I did not verify those rooms. This was a chance to try out OmniGraffle (similar to Visio)

The picture is hosted on this site (so it will not become a broken link), but the resolution is limited.

nice work ..... If you want me to host a higher res version I can put it on my server... PM me..

 

[sierranevada]

At the risk of sounding like a total princess, how are the toiletries at the GCH? It's nice not to have to pack that stuff if they supply good quality items. How about the hairdryers...are they as bad as the ones on the Disney cruise, ie they just move your hair around.

Both the VGC and GCH use the same toiletries - H20 Spa - Sea Marine Shampoo and Conditioner, Body Butter and Peppermint Foot Spa Lotion. They are so wonderful that my teenage son asked several years ago after staying there for me to buy them for him! The hair dryers are normal hair dryers and work just fine.

I've been wondering this as well. Do they restock shampoos and conditioners and such daily?

GCH is restocked daily. The VGC are restocked on the 4th day.

Thanks Jack, and new towels also? (if old ones are left on the floor)

GCH will change towels daily if you desire - just leave them in the basket under the counter. VGC change towels on the 4th day.

 

[sierranevada]

Mine says B3 G2..
Any ideas?

How about CH S1 / 1. I have always wanted to know these codes.

Marilyn

I only know about S5 because that is what we had and I called and asked. Not a bad idea if all the codes are compiled in one place. I just wanted to make sure that our request for 2Q/Day Bed with Premium view was on the reservation.

 

[Angel16]

This is a wonderful thread just what I was looking for on the Grand California. Thank you so much DMAXHAWK I just booked our very first stay at GC, we stayed at DLH a few years ago, but I was really eyeing this resort during our entire visit. It was Christmas time, too crowded getting into and out of the resort so we haven't even seen the inside yet. We are really looking forward to this.

DVC rooms...since they don't get housekeeping except once a week and just trash and towels on day 4.
Regular rooms get the whole shebang every day, turn down, chocolates, etc. The products are H2O..very nice.

Just what I was looking for you all to say. I couldn't imagine paying what they are asking per night and not getting treated in the Disney resort fashion.

Both the VGC and GCH use the same toiletries - H20 Spa - Sea Marine Shampoo and Conditioner, Body Butter and Peppermint Foot Spa Lotion. They are so wonderful that my teenage son asked several years ago after staying there for me to buy them for him! The hair dryers are normal hair dryers and work just fine.

GCH is restocked daily. The VGC are restocked on the 4th day.

GCH will change towels daily if you desire - just leave them in the basket under the counter. VGC change towels on the 4th day.

It just keeps getting better and better, when I read H2O I was very happy, now that I don't have to bring body butter and lotion. Woo Hoo Thank you for the information



Angel16

 

[DmaxHawk]

This is a wonderful thread just what I was looking for on the Grand California. Thank you so much DMAXHAWK I just booked our very first stay at GC, we stayed at DLH a few years ago, but I was really eyeing this resort during our entire visit. It was Christmas time, too crowded getting into and out of the resort so we haven't even seen the inside yet. We are really looking forward to this.




Just what I was looking for you all to say. I couldn't imagine paying what they are asking per night and not getting treated in the Disney resort fashion.



It just keeps getting better and better, when I read H2O I was very happy, now that I don't have to bring body butter and lotion. Woo Hoo Thank you for the information



Angel16

I'm glad it was and continues to be helpful! Thats our goal

 

[DmaxHawk]

This is a floor by floor map of the VGC and the hotel expansion. I walked through the VGC wing, so this is the actual arrangement of the villas. The hotel rooms are all normal sized, so I did not verify those rooms. This was a chance to try out OmniGraffle (similar to Visio)

The picture is hosted on this site (so it will not become a broken link), but the resolution is limited.

Nonsuch, this is amazing. Thank you for taking the time to do this! I'm sure it will help several people out! Much appreciated!

nice work ..... If you want me to host a higher res version I can put it on my server... PM me..

Would it be possible to do that? I put this map up on the original post and numbers are a bit hard to read.

 

[Nonsuch]

Nonsuch, this is amazing. Thank you for taking the time to do this! I'm sure it will help several people out! Much appreciated!



Would it be possible to do that? I put this map up on the original post and numbers are a bit hard to read.

Here are 2 pdf versions: 1 page, 6 pages.

Now someone should do a SketchUp version (Google's 3D modeling program)

 

[DmaxHawk]

Here are 2 pdf versions: 1 page, 6 pages.

Now someone should do a SketchUp version (Google's 3D modeling program)

Awesome job! I'll get these up as soon as I can.

I thought you could only do exteriors with SketchUp

 

[Ratpatootie]

Can you take the concierge food back to your room, or do you have to eat it in the lounge?

Thanks!

 

[Nonsuch]

Can you take the concierge food back to your room, or do you have to eat it in the lounge?

I would often take food back to the room. There are only small plates (or just napkins), so this limits what you can carry. The food is high quality, but generally small items. Sometimes it is easier to eat many of those small appetizers than deal with the crowds in the restaurants.

Small drink bottles are always available in the lounge, and many guests grab a couple on the way to the park.

 

[BigDogMom7]

Nonsuch - thank you so much for the floor by floor maps! We are scheduled to be at the GCV July 13 to 20 in a 1 BR. This just adds to the planning and anticipation, even though I obviously don't yet know which room we will get. Your efforts are much appreciated.
Monica

 

[DmaxHawk]

A lot of getting the request for connecting rooms depends on what kinds of rooms you requested. If both rooms have 2 queens then you have a better chance of betting them connecting since something like 70% of the rooms are 2 queens.

Here is what I do to get my room requests...... First of all let whoever you book the room with know your room requests when you are booking the room... Next, think of something you would normally purchase in the parks (We always get new embroidered ears for the kiddos), then call Disney Vacation Planning and order them ahead of time and have them delivered to the room(s) before you arrive. Now be sure to let Vacation Planning know your room requests because they will have some control over the room assignments since they will be delivering stuff to your room way before you get there. Good Luck!

Duck, how far ahead from your arrival did you call Vacation Planning?

 

[CrazyDuck]

Duck, how far ahead from your arrival did you call Vacation Planning?

For the embroidered ears they want the orders in 5 days before arrival... I usually call them about 1 month before I get there though!

 

[DmaxHawk]

For the embroidered ears they want the orders in 5 days before arrival... I usually call them about 1 month before I get there though!

Thanks, how much were the ears?

 

[DmaxHawk]

Movin up

 

[Nonsuch]

Nonsuch - thank you so much for the floor by floor maps! We are scheduled to be at the GCV July 13 to 20 in a 1 BR.

Your welcome.
In July, World of Color should be in full operation so request a Paradise Pier view. I had a very nice view of the WoC testing from room 5502 last month. The view of the show will be very nice from the VGC, but the optimal views will be with the crowds inside California Adventure (I almost typed "the Park" which says something about my expectations for WoC).

 

[blackjackdelta]

I hope the WOC view is outstanding.

Jack