Grand Californian Super Thread

[aristocat65]

 

[KCmike]

We just returned from 4 nights at GCH and absolutely loved this hotel. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread as it was really helpful in planning our stay. We were in room 2228 and it was very nice. It had no wear and tear at all, and I'm wondering if this room was part of the new DVC construction? I'm sure someone here knows. We had just booked a standard room at a 40% off PIN rate, but ended up with a pool view. The view was nice, but the balcony was closed (no slats or railings) so that if you sat down you couldn't see down, so as a result we didn't really use the balcony as we normally would.

The staff and service at this hotel was top notch and so helpful. They even charged our ipods daily at the front desk for us. I hadn't brought our charger as I was expecting the clock radio to have an ipod dock like the hotels in WDW (and most I've stayed in recently) do. When we had only one bathrobe in our room, I mentioned it at the desk and they brought one up in 10 minutes!

The only negative was Whitewater snacks which we had enjoyed in the past for lunch and tried it this time for breakfast. While I can appreciate that the hot orders are made fresh, both times I went down to get DS's breakfast I was sitting waiting for 15 minutes after paying for the order. We found a much better option was to go to Jamba Juice for their steel cut oatmeal. Faster, yummier, and healthier!

I can't emphasize enough the convenience of staying so close to the parks. It was so easy to just pop into Disneyland just for fireworks at the last minute. We also really enjoyed the convenience of Downtown Disney for eating. Being at this hotel really gave us the "immersion" feeling that we appreciate staying on property at WDW so much.

I was hoping to post a picture of our room view, but I can't seem to figure out how My posting rules seem to say I "may not" post attachments. Does anyone know why this is?

You first have to post to a photo sharing site like photobucket or flickr. Then you use the img code to copy and paste it into one of your replies. Hope this helps.

 

[aristocat65]

You first have to post to a photo sharing site like photobucket or flickr. Then you use the img code to copy and paste it into one of your replies. Hope this helps.

Thanks. I finally did figure out how to do this and it is in my post above (Room 2228). Sorry for the poor quality. It was taken with my ipod.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Thank you! I will be adding this!

 

[KCmike]

Taken from the Grizzly River Recreational area looking towards GC.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Taken from the Grizzly River Recreational area looking towards GC.

You mean Redwood Creek Challenge Trail....

 

[funatdisney]

Also, we had dinner at Steakhouse 55 and I just want to stress to people what a great restaurant this is. We eat there as often as we can over any of the other fancy restaurants at the DLR and we love it. This time I tried the Rib Eye steak for the first time and it was the best steak I have ever had anywhere. If you have not been there, try it!

Sh55 is one of our most favorite places.

Jack

ditto! They also have a very nice and not very expensive breakfast there.

You know the funny thing is, as often as I go to DLR, I have never eaten at the SH55. Suddenly in the last two weeks or so, I keep seeing the SH55 mentioned all over the place! Geez, what is wrong with me? I guess the gods are trying to tell me something. Now I want to try it for both breakfast and dinner. They both have been highly recommended whenever I read about the SH55. I will put that on my list for DH and mine's get away weekend this July. Or maybe for that pin run I want to do next month....hmmm.

Taken from the Grizzly River Recreational area looking towards GC.

Another nice one, Mike. (And I do think you mean Redwood Creek Challenge Trail)

 

[brocklesnar69]

Does anyone know if off-site guests can enter the California Adventure park through the secret Grand Californian entrance? Or is that reserved ONLY for on-site guests?

 

[dreamin_disney]

I would love to stay at this hotel but is to pricey for my budget. Are there ever deal for under $200 a night??? We went one night to eat at white water snack-nachos and we thought it would be cool to stay here but when i got home the prices were between $200-$425 a night.

I have a disney visa card and we have dd premium Ap and dh and I have deluxe AP's

 

[aristocat65]

Does anyone know if off-site guests can enter the California Adventure park through the secret Grand Californian entrance? Or is that reserved ONLY for on-site guests?

Only after the park is officially open. Many people re-enter that way after eating at GCH as we have in the past. I don't know if your first entry of the day is allowed here (without hand stamp) though.

 

[franandaj]

You know the funny thing is, as often as I go to DLR, I have never eaten at the SH55. Suddenly in the last two weeks or so, I keep seeing the SH55 mentioned all over the place! Geez, what is wrong with me? I guess the gods are trying to tell me something. Now I want to try it for both breakfast and dinner. They both have been highly recommended whenever I read about the SH55. I will put that on my list for DH and mine's get away weekend this July. Or maybe for that pin run I want to do next month....hmmm.
[/SIZE]

We had been going there for at least 3-4 years, however never eating off the menu! We were always going for the Winemaker Dinners. Finally last year at F&W we had stayed over (at the Villas) the night before my cooking school class and the Winemaker Dinners were starting the following week. So we took advantage of that opportunity to actually try the real menu. The seven onion soup was divine! We had the fried Calamari, I think a Spinach Salad with Bacon, the Rib Eye, sides of mushrooms & garlic herb mashed potatoes, plus a chocolate dessert that was heavenly! It was all so good. The steak was cooked so perfectly! I really want to go back again sometime!

Does anyone know if off-site guests can enter the California Adventure park through the secret Grand Californian entrance? Or is that reserved ONLY for on-site guests?

The cast members check to see that you have a room key or a receipt for dining at one of the restaurants to let you go in that entrance. If you get one who is a real stickler they won't let you in.

 

[funatdisney]

We had been going there for at least 3-4 years, however never eating off the menu! We were always going for the Winemaker Dinners. Finally last year at F&W we had stayed over (at the Villas) the night before my cooking school class and the Winemaker Dinners were starting the following week. So we took advantage of that opportunity to actually try the real menu. The seven onion soup was divine! We had the fried Calamari, I think a Spinach Salad with Bacon, the Rib Eye, sides of mushrooms & garlic herb mashed potatoes, plus a chocolate dessert that was heavenly! It was all so good. The steak was cooked so perfectly! I really want to go back again sometime!

Well, that's it. We are going sometime this year. One of the reasons why I haven't discovered SH55 is we are usually in a one bedroom, and I like to cook. I have found myself eating less and less at the hotels and parks. This July DH and I are staying in a studio and for the first time in a long time I am thinking about where we would like to eat for our meals. Steakhouse 55 will definitely make the list probably for breakfast and dinner. I would also like to try Wine Country Trattoria.

Well I have to go and make dinner. I am hungry for some reason.

 

[emum]

A few more photos from our Dec. trip...

The view from our suite overlooking the monorail....

Cheers,
Sally

 

[DmaxHawk]

A few more photos from our Dec. trip...

The view from our suite overlooking the monorail....

Cheers,
Sally

I love the tree!

What was your room number?

 

[brocklesnar69]

The cast members check to see that you have a room key or a receipt for dining at one of the restaurants to let you go in that entrance. If you get one who is a real stickler they won't let you in.

Only after the park is officially open. Many people re-enter that way after eating at GCH as we have in the past. I don't know if your first entry of the day is allowed here (without hand stamp) though.

I see. I was just thinking about eating somewhere in DTD, and then using the GC entrance, even though I'll be staying off-site.

 

[wbl2745]

Does anyone know if off-site guests can enter the California Adventure park through the secret Grand Californian entrance? Or is that reserved ONLY for on-site guests?

It sounds like access to DCA is inconsistent through the GCH entrance. We were there just last week and in the morning before DCA officially opened they had someone standing "guard" to make sure that you had a DLR hotel room key. Later in the day there was no guard and the people checking bags and park passes never asked about a room key. Same for going from DCA to GCH, later in the day no one asked.

 

[DmaxHawk]

When we went last year in March, they checked to see if we had our room keys.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We had been going there for at least 3-4 years, however never eating off the menu! We were always going for the Winemaker Dinners. Finally last year at F&W we had stayed over (at the Villas) the night before my cooking school class and the Winemaker Dinners were starting the following week. So we took advantage of that opportunity to actually try the real menu. The seven onion soup was divine! We had the fried Calamari, I think a Spinach Salad with Bacon, the Rib Eye, sides of mushrooms & garlic herb mashed potatoes, plus a chocolate dessert that was heavenly! It was all so good. The steak was cooked so perfectly! I really want to go back again sometime!



The cast members check to see that you have a room key or a receipt for dining at one of the restaurants to let you go in that entrance. If you get one who is a real stickler they won't let you in.

This has always been the experience for us. I think I like SH55 more than I do NR but not as good as Club 33 which I am going to try and get another reservation for, maybe brunch/Lunch this time.

Jack

 

[blackjackdelta]

It sounds like access to DCA is inconsistent through the GCH entrance. We were there just last week and in the morning before DCA officially opened they had someone standing "guard" to make sure that you had a DLR hotel room key. Later in the day there was no guard and the people checking bags and park passes never asked about a room key. Same for going from DCA to GCH, later in the day no one asked.

Last August they had 4 CM's checking keys in the AM by 1600 there were only two but they were still checking, and they were turning people away.

Jack

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Going to subscribe to this great thread....we are staying for the first time in April!