Grand Californian Super Thread

[franandaj]

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!

I haven't taken it, but I've read TRs of people who have. You will not have any downtime on the tour. If you do take it, plan a couple extra days on your own after the trip. You'll have seen all the great backstage stuff and then you can can relax and revisit all the things you want to do again when you're on your own.

 

[andytaro]

We've just came back from 4 nights stay in GCH. We loved the location of the hotel, but the room was just ok in my opinion. You are paying for the convenience to access GCA, DL, and DTD. We got a pool view room and had a partial view to GCA.

Here is a few shots from our room.

 

[happymomof1]

Ooooh! That's the impression I was getting as well(that the tour is super busy), so we will add some downtime before or after. We'd love to check out the ocean and science center too!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We've just came back from 4 nights stay in GCH. We loved the location of the hotel, but the room was just ok in my opinion. You are paying for the convenience to access GCA, DL, and DTD. We got a pool view room and had a partial view to GCA.

Here is a few shots from our room.

great view.

Jack

 

[nunzia]

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!

I did this trip. It was wonderful! Just the best time...we had plenty of free time (but also came in early for more free time)and the access to things (like Walt's apartment, the Lily Belle, the studio and Imagineering plus all the rest) was just so much fun. It is worth every penny IMO and the hotel for Hollywood is wonderful too..was it the Roosevelt? Anyway...you are right at the Kodak Theater where the oscars are held..jim Henson Studios, Walts trains in Griffith Park, Jimmy Kimmel, El Capitan and Disney Soda Shoppe are also just so nice and great to learn about. I would say anyone thinking about this trip should jump in and do it..it was the best!

 

[happymomof1]

I did this trip. It was wonderful! Just the best time...we had plenty of free time (but also came in early for more free time)and the access to things (like Walt's apartment, the Lily Belle, the studio and Imagineering plus all the rest) was just so much fun. It is worth every penny IMO and the hotel for Hollywood is wonderful too..was it the Roosevelt? Anyway...you are right at the Kodak Theater where the oscars are held..jim Henson Studios, Walts trains in Griffith Park, Jimmy Kimmel, El Capitan and Disney Soda Shoppe are also just so nice and great to learn about. I would say anyone thinking about this trip should jump in and do it..it was the best!

What great feedback! We had originally planned a week exploring CA with the last few days being at DL, but when I stumbled accross a link for the ABD backstage hollywood tour.....we knew it was the trip for us. So, I know that there will be other things we'll want to see along with the tour and of course some relaxing at that beautiful hotel is certainly in order! IMHO!
Thanks for your opinion of the tour. We look at it as a "once in a lifetime" that under other circumstances would not even be do-able. So much of it is not available to the general public. Can't wait for Henson Studios, and imagineering...and Walts apartment. (Ugh-hope I can hold back the tears, but may be overcome by such an honor! I'm such an emotional sap!)

 

[Dobie]

The Dobies have been wishfully eyeing the ABD tour as well...

 

[nunzia]

Do it!! I tell you ..the group on this trip..if you cry you will fit right in..die hard fans one and all. (you know the gal that owns Small World vacations? she was on our trip) we had dinner with an ex ABD tour guide who had been named Disneyland ambassador...we were able to go to Jimmy Kimmel if we wished (we were a small group..only 13..so I think we got some extras) A pirate grabbed us at lunch and took us past the line to the ride...we rode Walt's train more than once, our Henson puppeteer was wonderful!, at Imagineering we saw Ub Iwerks great (great?) grandson, and the Imagineer who gave us the tour asked him if he was recognized (his name was on the door..we weren't THAT good)..and he said "only by these types of groups....we got to shop at Imagineering and the Studios..and have lunch at the studios..so many special treats..I won't give it all away. Oh..we saw the REAL Snow White grotto sculptures and heard the REAL story of them
Here we are...DH and I have our hands on Grumpy's head

 

[happymomof1]

Your trip sounds like it was amazing! Glad you had a great time. Love the pic of your group and the real Snow White statues.

 

[eeyoremommy]

I read somewhere on the boards that there is a viewing area at GCH where you can view WOC. Where is that? I understand that it isn't the best view, but it might be something good to do on our arrival day. Also, are the pools heated? DS gets cold rather quickly, but I know he will want to get in if he can. We will be there mid-March.TIA.

 

[KCmike]

Here's one I've posted before but just slightly different

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

This thread is amazing! I am sure it's been asked many times before but after hours of reading, i haven't found the answer... Do the one bedroom villas come with a blender or is that something you can ask for? Also do they offer the refillable mugs as do the WDW resorts do?

Starting to get really excited knowing in 3 weeks we will be enjoying our first stay there!!

 

[DmaxHawk]

This thread is amazing! I am sure it's been asked many times before but after hours of reading, i haven't found the answer... Do the one bedroom villas come with a blender or is that something you can ask for? Also do they offer the refillable mugs as do the WDW resorts do?

Starting to get really excited knowing in 3 weeks we will be enjoying our first stay there!!

I'm not seeing anything about a blender in the amenities list..

 

[franandaj]

This thread is amazing! I am sure it's been asked many times before but after hours of reading, i haven't found the answer... Do the one bedroom villas come with a blender or is that something you can ask for? Also do they offer the refillable mugs as do the WDW resorts do?

Starting to get really excited knowing in 3 weeks we will be enjoying our first stay there!!

You might also want to check out the Villas at the Grand Californian owners and lovers thread on the DVC - Mousellaneous forum. There is some great information there too.

 

[Nonsuch]

I'm not seeing anything about a blender in the amenities list..

Blender is listed under "Items Available Upon Requrest"

 

[Nonsuch]

I read somewhere on the boards that there is a viewing area at GCH where you can view WOC. Where is that?

Shown on the map as "6th Floor Paradise View Terrace"

Earlier in this thread

Also, are the pools heated?

Yes

 

[nunzia]

I read somewhere on the boards that there is a viewing area at GCH where you can view WOC. Where is that? I understand that it isn't the best view, but it might be something good to do on our arrival day. Also, are the pools heated? DS gets cold rather quickly, but I know he will want to get in if he can. We will be there mid-March.TIA.

It's on the 6th floor in the DVC wing..there is good signage to find it and you'll need your room key to get in..the music is piped in..it's a nice experience, but nowhere near as nice as seeing it water side..but certainly worth doing.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Blender is listed under "Items Available Upon Requrest"

Wow don't I feel stupid. I went over it twice to make sure I didn't miss it.

 

[ArchOwl]

Just back from a four night stay at the Grand (checked in February 25th) where hubby and I stayed for our 7th Anniversary! We had a "grand" time and loved the hotel. Such a beautiful place! We were in standard room (3325) and I didn't take any pictures because basically there were just trees outside the room, which was nice. This was a king bed room, which we had requested. It was also about 2 minutes away from the GCH entrance to DCA (score!).

We also took the Art of the Craft Tour, which I highly recommend for anyone interested in the Hotel or the Arts and Crafts Movement, or both! It was supposed to be an hour long, but our tour guide (Max) was very talkative and it turned out to be almost two hours! He showed us some neat stuff about the lanterns, pool gates, the lounge, and also took us up to the El Capitan Suite for a tour. The El Capitan is one of the presidential suites, that goes for about $5500 a night! I don't see any pics of the suite in the thread, so I thought I would add. Hopefully this is the right place.

There was also a full kitchen, dining room, and office, but we were kind of moved through those areas fast as we were running behind on the tour... Altogether it is 2200 sq. feet of space! Amazing.

Pictures aren't showing up! Aggh! Uploaded to Flickr and copied and pasted the image...help!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Just back from a four night stay at the Grand (checked in February 25th) where hubby and I stayed for our 7th Anniversary! We had a "grand" time and loved the hotel. Such a beautiful place! We were in standard room (3325) and I didn't take any pictures because basically there were just trees outside the room, which was nice. This was a king bed room, which we had requested. It was also about 2 minutes away from the GCH entrance to DCA (score!).

We also took the Art of the Craft Tour, which I highly recommend for anyone interested in the Hotel or the Arts and Crafts Movement, or both! It was supposed to be an hour long, but our tour guide (Max) was very talkative and it turned out to be almost two hours! He showed us some neat stuff about the lanterns, pool gates, the lounge, and also took us up to the El Capitan Suite for a tour. The El Capitan is one of the presidential suites, that goes for about $5500 a night! I don't see any pics of the suite in the thread, so I thought I would add. Hopefully this is the right place.

There was also a full kitchen, dining room, and office, but we were kind of moved through those areas fast as we were running behind on the tour... Altogether it is 2200 sq. feet of space! Amazing.

Pictures aren't showing up! Aggh! Uploaded to Flickr and copied and pasted the image...help!

From what I understand you can even hire a chef to come in and fix your meals. Did you use the add image icon above the reply box and then put the photo properties url in the box..ex http://xxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Jack