Grand Californian Super Thread

[blackjackdelta]

Wow I didn't know that. How do you contact them? What can they organize for you? The villas are a bit of a splurge for us but you only live once I guess!!

We are staying in the Villas in two weeks. I just called them and requested a number of reservatiions, they will tell you what ressies they can make (or email). You have to have your confirmation number and they will ask the name the reservation is under. Since then I have only emailed them back and forth. They will send you your personal itinerary for the trip. Alot of info is listed in the stickys.

Vacation Planning Office
1-714/300-7520 (for guests staying at the Disneyland Resort Hotels)
Or email them at vacationplanning@disneyonline.com


Jack

 

[mika911]

Does anyone know if any "special treats," you can ask to have in your room at arrival?

For example, at WDW, I had a white cake delivered to us on arrival day.

Anything like this at the Grand?

Thanks.

 

[nunzia]

Does anyone know if any "special treats," you can ask to have in your room at arrival?

For example, at WDW, I had a white cake delivered to us on arrival day.

Anything like this at the Grand?

Thanks.

Vacation Planning can help you with this also, I believe. We had a nice basket of chocolates/Mickey things delivered at one time. I used to have a list of available baskets but can't find it.
Oh wait..just found this..Looks like they have a new number to do this:

<<<Give a Magical Experience
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Gifts Galore Brought to Special Locations


From princess tiaras to pirate booty and fairy favors, the Dream Makers can create gift baskets and bouquets brimming with Disney magic that will be delivered to your loved one's room at the Disneyland® Resort or one of our Good Neighbor Hotels. Each gift is based not just on the occasion, but also on the recipient's interests and favorite Disney characters, and includes a card message from you. Just call the Dream Makers and they will help you choose the most magical gift for the occasion!



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The Dream Makers can also arrange for a celebration that takes over your loved one's Resort room with decorations and gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, or just to say "Welcome!" Imagine your loved one's surprise to discover an exclusive bash just waiting on the other side of the resort room door. Select from spectacular options for imaginative gift experiences. It will appear as if Mickey and the Gang have prepared the room themselves! (Offer exclusive to Guests staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel.)



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A Disney Gift Card is a convenient way to give an experience that can be scheduled at the recipient's leisure. Whether it's dinner at Napa Rose or a princess makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, it's a wonderful way to give a magical moment that your loved one can arrange at any point during a Disneyland® Resort getaway. You can even tuck a gift card in one of our gift baskets to add an extra bit of magic.

Call the Dream Makers to purchase a personalized gift card that will be available upon arrival. Or simply order a traditional gift card online. Both ways can create a magical memory that will last a lifetime!



Call the Disney Dream Makers


If you can dream it, a Disney Dream Maker can do it! Call (714) 781-GIFT
(781-4438). Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.


With so many ways to celebrate, the possibilities—and dreams—are endless!

Call at least 72 hours in advance of your loved one's arrival at the Disneyland® Resort to ensure timely delivery.

 

[KCmike]

 

[BunnieGene]

Thank you so much for the pics KCmike

 

[disney4metoo]

If anyone can remember and has a moment on their next Grand Californian Hotel stay, please check the bed and find out the name and the style of the bed. I really want one of those beds!
I called the Grand Californian directly but they were not too much help. They said they thought it might be Sealy, but no other name, etc. Thanks!

 

[KCmike]

 

[blackjackdelta]

Iike that wide angle lens, Mike.

Jack

 

[mvf-m11c]

This might have been asked on this thread but here goes; for all the AP holders who book a room at the GCH on the AP website, does the prices on the website for the AP change a lot when it gets closer to the date or it often changes at random? I have book a standard room for $228 and I want to stay at the GCH for a second night, but when I checked on the website, the price is at $342 a night. Than when I called, they couldn't give me the same room price that I paid earlier. Should I wait until they have a room at a closer price rate or should I get the theme park view room for $282 a night with the AP discount?

My last question is that if I booked a theme park view room on the last night of our stay, would the CM at the lobby will give me an upgrade to the theme park view on the first night. I have read that they do give room upgrades if they are at max, but I doubt they would do that and I have to change rooms during my stay.

 

[CrazyDuck]

This photo looks like it was shot outside of room 4002. A standard view room that looks over the valet parking entrance. not bad.... You can see in this picture why I like the 3rd floor... right outside your room the hallways are HUGE so mych so that they put chairs (and even another piano in this wing). I stayed on the other end of the great hall in 3017 and 3018 and those are my favorite so far. It's a pool view, but it has the chairs ourside the door. it is also very close to the elevators (no endless tunnels) and you can hear the piano player at night until he closes up shop at around 9:30 pm...

 

[nunzia]

This might have been asked on this thread but here goes; for all the AP holders who book a room at the GCH on the AP website, does the prices on the website for the AP change a lot when it gets closer to the date or it often changes at random? I have book a standard room for $228 and I want to stay at the GCH for a second night, but when I checked on the website, the price is at $342 a night. Than when I called, they couldn't give me the same room price that I paid earlier. Should I wait until they have a room at a closer price rate or should I get the theme park view room for $282 a night with the AP discount?

My last question is that if I booked a theme park view room on the last night of our stay, would the CM at the lobby will give me an upgrade to the theme park view on the first night. I have read that they do give room upgrades if they are at max, but I doubt they would do that and I have to change rooms during my stay.

I don't know about that..but really, you might want to check hotels.com. For Destination D I checked regular DL site, AP site and hotels.com and found the best deal at the DLH on hotels.com at $179.00. GCH was still too high for me for this trip for cash..I doubt my waiting list for a villa will come through. $282 for GCH sounds pretty cheap.

 

[KCmike]

Iike that wide angle lens, Mike.

Jack

Thanks Jack. Too bad it was just a rental.

 

[KCmike]

Here is one of my favorite shots.

 

[fidoprincess]

KCMike, I am getting so excited for our trip now that I am seeing all of your beautiful photos!

I hope we get one of those rooms that overlooks the lobby with the wide hallway. Even though it has no view, it is a good spot to be close to everything including the elevators and no long winding halls to hike though.

Did you ever find your pics of the room with the daybed? I am going to call again tomorrow to "remind" them of our request and we decided to drive down the night before and stay somewhere else so we can check into GCH early to increase our odds of getting the daybed! (Plus miss some of the LA traffic...)

I should start getting some stuff together because all of the sudden it is closer than I thought. Thanks for all of the pics. They are really great!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

KCmike, thank you for your great photos and posting the extra pool shot for me.

FYI, I just called and reserved a cabana for Sept. 5th (the day of the 1/2 marathon). I thought it wasn't possible to book them until 30 days out, but maybe that rule has changed. DH and I plan on hanging out at the pool for the bulk of the day with our DDs and my DM and DF following our run, so we're splurging on a place to call "home" for the day when by the pool. Interestingly, I thought you couldn't book the 1/2 day cabana use until 2 weeks before the date, but it also sounds like that would have been an option. I went with a full day so DF and DM can take our DDs down to the pool while DH and I get cleaned up after the run. We'll then head over to GK for a little (or a lot of! ) lunch and then spend the bulk of the afternoon back at the cabana. I like that it has a little safe so we can just bring everything we might want down from the room.

 

[mvf-m11c]

FYI, I just called and reserved a cabana for Sept. 5th (the day of the 1/2 marathon). I thought it wasn't possible to book them until 30 days out, but maybe that rule has changed. DH and I plan on hanging out at the pool for the bulk of the day with our DDs and my DM and DF following our run, so we're splurging on a place to call "home" for the day when by the pool. Interestingly, I thought you couldn't book the 1/2 day cabana use until 2 weeks before the date, but it also sounds like that would have been an option. I went with a full day so DF and DM can take our DDs down to the pool while DH and I get cleaned up after the run. We'll then head over to GK for a little (or a lot of! ) lunch and then spend the bulk of the afternoon back at the cabana. I like that it has a little safe so we can just bring everything we might want down from the room.

Have a fun time in the cabana during your stay. It sounds so exciting for your trip next month and hope you enjoy a magical time.

Also 3TinksAndAnEeyore, I have got a standard room at $228 on Friday on Oct. 1 -2 and now my DA would like to stay another night at the GCH from Oct. 2 - 3, but the standard room right now with my AP discount is at $342 and right now the the cheapest room with the AP is the theme park view room for $282. You said in a past post to me on this thread that I should just book it. But my question is that I do not want to move to another room from the standard and move into the theme park view room unless you think that the GCH CM would upgrade my room to the theme park view room?

 

[KCmike]

KCMike, I am getting so excited for our trip now that I am seeing all of your beautiful photos!

I hope we get one of those rooms that overlooks the lobby with the wide hallway. Even though it has no view, it is a good spot to be close to everything including the elevators and no long winding halls to hike though.

Did you ever find your pics of the room with the daybed? I am going to call again tomorrow to "remind" them of our request and we decided to drive down the night before and stay somewhere else so we can check into GCH early to increase our odds of getting the daybed! (Plus miss some of the LA traffic...)

I should start getting some stuff together because all of the sudden it is closer than I thought. Thanks for all of the pics. They are really great!

Hope my wife and son forgive me as I show a dirty room and the daybed with him sleeping on it.

Wider second shot

We had a standard room (#3105) and it had a view of the DL Hotel, Front area of cars pulling into the hotel, and Paradise Pier.

A side note there is also a nice viewing area of the pool up on the top floor sort of a terrace that I wasn't aware of. There is also an outside fireplace that was a nice surprise. I have pictures of both as I will have to download them to photobucket. That will be my next installment.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Have a fun time in the cabana during your stay. It sounds so exciting for your trip next month and hope you enjoy a magical time.

Thanks! I think it will work out well since:

a) We will likely be exhausted and lounging and swimming should be about our speed.
b) My parents (especially my DF) are more enjoy a resort and relaxation people than hang out at DL kind of people. I know, I know...
c) We have Deluxe APs that aren't good on Saturday and Sunday that weekend. We do have GAD vouchers we plan to use on Saturday, though.

Also 3TinksAndAnEeyore, I have got a standard room at $228 on Friday on Oct. 1 -2 and now my DA would like to stay another night at the GCH from Oct. 2 - 3, but the standard room right now with my AP discount is at $342 and right now the the cheapest room with the AP is the theme park view room for $282. You said in a past post to me on this thread that I should just book it. But my question is that I do not want to move to another room from the standard and move into the theme park view room unless you think that the GCH CM would upgrade my room to the theme park view room?

The $282 is a really good rate, especially for a view room. I just took a look at the AP availability calendar and it's kind of strange that the view room is LESS expensive than the standard! Who would have guessed? Especially since it's less over the weekend and then pops back up in price for a Sunday night. As for being upgraded, DH and I have stayed at the DLH twice and at the GCH once. We were upgraded to a pool view and a DTD view on our two stays at the DLH. We booked a standard room and got a standard room (nice view of the roof with a tiny peek of the pool if you stood and tilted your head just right) when we booked at the GCH.

I've heard it mentioned a few times from people who have received unasked for upgrades that a) they went during slow times (and the availability at all three resort hotels in all but one category at DLH indicates this is probably a slow time) and b) they booked well in advance. Both of those factors would make sense with the two times we received an upgrade. The DLH trips were booked about 3-4 months in advance at relatively slower, mid-week times and the GCH trip was booked about six weeks in advance over a busy weekend.

If I were in your same position, I would probably go for the one extra day in a standard room knowing that chances are I would need to be moved (but hold a tiny little flicker of hope they might keep us in the view room for our entire trip). I would probably ask on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning if they would consider letting you keep your existing room. After all, it would be less cleaning for them then having to move you to a completely new room for one night.

For our Labor Day weekend trip where all three hotels are completely booked on the Friday and Saturday nights of our stay, I'm just hoping we don't end up in a converted closet.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

A side note there is also a nice viewing area of the pool up on the top floor sort of a terrace that I wasn't aware of. There is also an outside fireplace that was a nice surprise. I have pictures of both as I will have to download them to photobucket. That will be my next installment.

Yeah! Another great idea to add to our Sunday "non-park" day. I think that would be fun to do in the evening after dinner.

 

[KCmike]

KCmike, thank you for your great photos and posting the extra pool shot for me.

Your welcome. Hope you have a great visit. I'll try to keep you excited with a few more down the road.