Grand Californian Super Thread

[aristocat65]

It has little touches of Disney. It is suppose to be of the arts and crafts era. It pays homage to the Awahnee in Yosemite. Yosemite is one of those bucket list places everyone needs to see. I didn't think that the Wilderness Lodge was all that "disney" but I enjoyed it for what it was. Just my two cents.

I agree. While it doesn't scream "Disney", it is the incredible attention to detail from the arts and crafts theming to the hidden Mickeys that make it VERY Disney to me. I could never get tired of looking around and noticing new things I hadn't seen before.

 

[DmaxHawk]

I agree. While it doesn't scream "Disney", it is the incredible attention to detail from the arts and crafts theming to the hidden Mickeys that make it VERY Disney to me. I could never get tired of looking around and noticing new things I hadn't seen before.

Well put. I agree

 

[ethanwa]

I agree. While it doesn't scream "Disney", it is the incredible attention to detail from the arts and crafts theming to the hidden Mickeys that make it VERY Disney to me. I could never get tired of looking around and noticing new things I hadn't seen before.

While I appreciate that, I am from Seattle so the whole "woods" and "outdoor" type of feeling that the hotel gives is nothing new to me at all. It very much felt like a mountain hotel I would stay at around here. Nothing new, nothing exciting.

I want something the screams "you're on vacation!" rather that "looks just like your backyard!"

For me a vacation is tropical, not homey, so I think it just wasn't what I really wanted.

 

[VallCopen]

While I appreciate that, I am from Seattle so the whole "woods" and "outdoor" type of feeling that the hotel gives is nothing new to me at all. It very much felt like a mountain hotel I would stay at around here. Nothing new, nothing exciting.

I want something the screams "you're on vacation!" rather that "looks just like your backyard!"

For me a vacation is tropical, not homey, so I think it just wasn't what I really wanted.

And that is why there are choices..... Everyone has their own opinion, not right or wrong, just their opinion. I would hate if EVERYONE wanted to stay at my favorite hotel (THE GRAND) because that would mean prices would sky rocket, due to full capacity.

 

[nunzia]

And that is why there are choices..... Everyone has their own opinion, not right or wrong, just their opinion. I would hate if EVERYONE wanted to stay at my favorite hotel (THE GRAND) because that would mean prices would sky rocket, due to full capacity.

I agree...I feel the same about anything with the southwest feel since that is what I see every day..ack.. I love the Arts and Crafts look..warm and inviting to me.

 

[KCmike]

 

[KCmike]

Room 3105

The view is looking just to the left. The main entrance is just below.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Thanks for the new pics Mike! Do you have the date of when the room view was taken?

 

[Dobie]

I love this thread! It makes me happy!

 

[Dobie]

Grizzly River Run... it is the rafting ride just across the private entrance to DCA. If you are familiar with WDW, it is like Kali River Rapids, only better!

It is completely better. Not only is it longer, but you don't get as wet and you don't have to hike clear across a muggy, steamy, touristo packed DAK to the bus for the long ride back to your hotel in soaking wet clothes and shoes. . .you can just scamper back to your pool side lounger at GCH, order another margarita then lie there it total bliss, drying out in the warm California sunshine. . .

...not that the Dobies have ever done this...

 

[sierranevada]

It is completely better. Not only is it longer, but you don't get as wet and you don't have to hike clear across a muggy, steamy, touristo packed DAK to the bus for the long ride back to your hotel in soaking wet clothes and shoes. . .you can just scamper back to your pool side lounger at GCH, order another margarita then lie there it total bliss, drying out in the warm California sunshine. . .

...not that the Dobies have ever done this...

What Dobie said!!

We loved doing that - lounge by the pool at the Grand and then pop in to ride GRR with a FP and pop back to the pool!! And the poolside margaritas taste soooo good!

 

[Dobie]

What Dobie said!!

We loved doing that - lounge by the pool at the Grand and then pop in to ride GRR with a FP and pop back to the pool!! And the poolside margaritas taste soooo good!

 

[KCmike]

Thanks for the new pics Mike! Do you have the date of when the room view was taken?

June 2010.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Thanks Mike, I'll be adding that.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Is there a monorail station inside the resort? I see on the map the monorail seems to go through the GCH but can you board there?

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Is there a monorail station inside the resort? I see on the map the monorail seems to go through the GCH but can you board there?

Unfortunately no. The only monorail stop outside of DL is closer to the Disneyland Hotel on the opposite side of Downtown Disney from the parks.

 

[nunzia]

Is there a monorail station inside the resort? I see on the map the monorail seems to go through the GCH but can you board there?

No..the only monorail station is in DTD by the Rainforest Cafe.

 

[happymomof1]

Thanks for the info on Grizzly Run! We're getting so close to booking our trip having narrowed down our choices on what we want to do on our CA vacation trip. This weekend I found info on Adventures by Disney Hollywood backstage trip. Looks like a great way to see some Hollywood/lot's of Disney, and it includes at stay at Grand Californian! Yay!

Anyone reading this take part in this trip before? I know the itinerary is busy, so just wondering if anyone was able to REALLY enjoy the ins/outs of the hotel/pool/restaurants on site. It looks so beautiful, I don't want to miss it amidst all the "behind the scenes action".

I am ready for some Disney magic!

 

[Nonsuch]

...This weekend I found info on Adventures by Disney Hollywood backstage trip. Looks like a great way to see some Hollywood/lot's of Disney, and it includes at stay at Grand Californian!

Hollywood Family Vacation
That will be a great vacation. Disney Studios has very few tours, so this will be a unique experience

D23 also has studio tours.

 

[happymomof1]

Thanks for the info for D23 tours. We are in the process of renewing membership, but, for some reason I need to locate our card. (moved this year, so harder than it sounds. Maybe because we were charter members, not sure)