Grand Californian Super Thread

[funatdisney]

Thanks Mike. Since, I knew I was going to up that early, I just couldn't pass up an opportunity of an empty lobby. Got some of the fireplace, too. I think I used the piano to keep the camera steady. Do you see it in the foreground?

 

[aristocat65]

I know this has been covered in this thread somewhere, because I remember seeing it. Now that I'm booked to stay at GCH in Feb I'm wondering where the area is to view WOC from the hotel (hopefully it is not just for concierge). I don't expect a perfect viewing, but I just don't think I can handle the crowds in CA to watch it.

I did do a search for this info, but it just brought me to this thread and nothing specific. I don't think I have time to reread the 100+ pages

TIA

 

[nunzia]

I know this has been covered in this thread somewhere, because I remember seeing it. Now that I'm booked to stay at GCH in Feb I'm wondering where the area is to view WOC from the hotel (hopefully it is not just for concierge). I don't expect a perfect viewing, but I just don't think I can handle the crowds in CA to watch it.

I did do a search for this info, but it just brought me to this thread and nothing specific. I don't think I have time to reread the 100+ pages

TIA

I'm not sure but is this area only for DVC guests?

And...to the other poster...you didn't have robes? you are supposed to have robes..but it seems their quality is not the same as when they opened. I almost bought one I loved it so much, then when I went back with the intention of buying one they felt much coarser..

 

[Vala]

It is in the DVC wing, but every hotel guest can use it. At least that's what I was told when I checked in for my stay at the end of October.

Sorry, but I don't remember any specifics. Worst case scenario ask at check in if they don't mention it to you automatically.

 

[wendypooh22]

It is in the DVC wing, but every hotel guest can use it. At least that's what I was told when I checked in for my stay at the end of October.

Sorry, but I don't remember any specifics. Worst case scenario ask at check in if they don't mention it to you automatically.

Yes, it is in the DVC wing and every guest has access to it with their room key. We did this on our last stay and it was a nice peaceful place to watch WOC from. The view is much different than from down below in the viewing area, but we still enjoyed it.

 

[aristocat65]

Yes, it is in the DVC wing and every guest has access to it with their room key. We did this on our last stay and it was a nice peaceful place to watch WOC from. The view is much different than from down below in the viewing area, but we still enjoyed it.

Thanks wendypooh22, Vala and nunzia. I'll make sure to ask for directions when I get there

 

[funatdisney]

 

[KCmike]

Another winner. Really enjoying your work. Keep em coming.

 

[funatdisney]

Gawrsh, Mike you are too kind.

BTW, the next trip is in Feb. A hubby and wife only trip. Leaving those pesky teenagers known as my children behind. (They are used to it so it will be no big deal for them)

 

[twopeasonepod]

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

How come you guys didn't have robes? Weren't they in the closet? And yeah, I'm never staying anywhere else!

 

[KCmike]

Gawrsh, Mike you are too kind.

BTW, the next trip is in Feb. A hubby and wife only trip. Leaving those pesky teenagers known as my children behind. (They are used to it so it will be no big deal for them)

Oh how awesome. Are you celebrating anything special? Your so lucky to be so close. Staying at GC?

 

[FourOrchards]

It is in the DVC wing, but every hotel guest can use it. At least that's what I was told when I checked in for my stay at the end of October.

Sorry, but I don't remember any specifics. Worst case scenario ask at check in if they don't mention it to you automatically.

Sorry can someone tell me what the DVC wing is? Sorry for my stupidity.

We are staying there next week and have stayed before and I was unaware of this area....must check it out this trip! Especially if you can see WOC there.

 

[funatdisney]

Oh how awesome. Are you celebrating anything special? Your so lucky to be so close. Staying at GC?

Of course! Our most favorite hotel in the world. That's why we became DVC members. We had a studio booked at the VGC. Our first time in a studio.

Yes. A delayed anniversary trip. Our anniversary is Oct. 2, but we are super busy when Oct. 1 hits. My family has a huge union of sorts in early Oct. We usually stay 3 to 4 days at the end of Oct. at DL because the kids have a week off the last week of Oct. Then the holidays hit and the craziness begins. So we decided to go in Feb. when things are a bit slow and really enjoy ourselves. We had a studio booked at the VGC. Our first time in a studio. I am considering the Chef's table at the Napa Rose. We done that before and we had such a good time.

 

[funatdisney]

Sorry can someone tell me what the DVC wing is? Sorry for my stupidity.

We are staying there next week and have stayed before and I was unaware of this area....must check it out this trip! Especially if you can see WOC there.

FourOrchards, we had a one bedroom in the new DVC wing last weekend. There are Disney Vacation Club rooms in the new addition of the GCH. DVC is Disney's version of a timeshare. There are hotel rooms in new building, but all the DVC rooms which are studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms and two grand villas are in the new addition.

To get to the new building: the picture below is the view from our balcony. Where the two buildings meet in this picture is where the original building and the new addition meet. In this picture is the outdoor fireplace (big area between two trees). The DVC wing is the wing is on the opposite side of the fireplace. Left of the fireplace is where the lobby doors are located. When entering the GCH lobby go to the Guest services desk, walk through the double doors and follow the path to the next building (new wing- DVC). The pools will be on your left and the Pinocchio Workshop (child care) will be on your right. Hope that helps.

Liza

 

[nemofans]

I didn't know there was a viewing area for WOC in GC. That works out nice for us w/2 little ones.

 

[Canadianfamily]

I can understand that it would be a different view of WOC (a different perspective at the very least) but I'm just wondering, how much of the show can you actually see from the viewing area? Do you miss a lot of it? Or it that viewing area better than say the worse viewing area in DCA?

 

[franandaj]

I can understand that it would be a different view of WOC (a different perspective at the very least) but I'm just wondering, how much of the show can you actually see from the viewing area? Do you miss a lot of it? Or it that viewing area better than say the worse viewing area in DCA?

I have not watched from the viewing area, but I have watched from the DVC rooms (at least 4 of them). The water projections are difficult at best to see from the room balconies. The viewing platform is even farther from the the optimal viewing area so I would imagine that you can see even less of the water screens. The fountains and other effects are awsome from anywhere, but the water screens are best viewed from the viewing area. That said, unless you are directly in front, the better viewing areas are farther back (at least in my experience.) Our first viewing was from the Dining Handicapped area, and it was quite obstructed by the guests in front of us. The second was from the VIP area, which was high up and we had a much better view.

 

[wbl2745]

I can understand that it would be a different view of WOC (a different perspective at the very least) but I'm just wondering, how much of the show can you actually see from the viewing area? Do you miss a lot of it? Or it that viewing area better than say the worse viewing area in DCA?

Prior to the official opening of the WoC we saw a practice run from the Grand Californian viewing deck, which as another poster pointed out, is quite a ways off center from the WoC. I wasn't really able to see much of the projections at all. It might be interesting to see the WoC from the platform to get an idea of the distribution of the fountains, but you will be missing a lot of the show. I'd either just brave the crowds or use one of the lunch or dinner packages to get a better viewing spot with less waiting. I had the picnic dinner (I ate it for lunch) and was in the Yellow Section. I arrived about 20 minutes before the WoC started and got a great spot.

 

[Nonsuch]

I can understand that it would be a different view of WOC (a different perspective at the very least) but I'm just wondering, how much of the show can you actually see from the viewing area?

The large fountains are still spectacular from the patio, but many of the light effects are not visible.

Do you miss a lot of it?

The animation projected on the fans of water are not visible.

...Or it that viewing area better than say the worse viewing area in DCA?

The view from the patio is worse than any of the Fastpass viewing areas inside the park.


Some pictures to give a better idea of the view...

The empty patio facing east:

From the same spot, facing southeast toward the WoC:

A large fountain burst viewed from the patio:

End of the show from the patio:

End of the show from the rear of the Premium Dining Fastpass area (my favorite spot):

 

[aristocat65]

Wow! Thanks Nonsuch for your great pictures. They give a really good idea of the view. I think I may just prefer to be up there away from the crowd.