Grand Californian Super Thread

[summer0407]

Our stay was may 4 to 8 at VGC with an original renting of all day sat 5/8 but then changed to half days (fri 2- 6 & sat 9-1) day one was great with warm weather but day two not so much. 10 people (4 being teenagers) in our group with half in and half in front of cabana on lounge chairs. If you plan on spending lots of $ on ordering drinks & food in a timely manner from the vip service they provide then the cabanas are a great ideal.

I have the cabana booked for our trip. I was told max was 6 people. Is this not enforced? My sister and niece are stopping by so with them we will have 7 which made me a bit worried.

 

[hjgaus]

I have the cabana booked for our trip. I was told max was 6 people. Is this not enforced? My sister and niece are stopping by so with them we will have 7 which made me a bit worried.

Perhaps they meant "max 6 actually staying inside cabana" cuz they did not have a problem with my group going in & out. TV inside was great for the few wanting to hang with the family but catch the ball game at the same time. The rest of us took a lounge chair directly in front of our cabana ( they will have a welcome ---- family sign in front of each(only four)cabana! When our teenagers were in pool, we would try and save our extra lounge chairs. If possible try an request either end cabana if you have a large party so you'll have places to go when your time is up cuz they boot you out ASAP!

 

[tiggeroo42]

Did you request a ground floor room?
The original hotel did not have any ground floor rooms, but 15 ground floor hotel rooms were added during the VGC expansion.

We did not request a ground floor room. I didn't even realize there were so few ground floor rooms or that we were in the "new" wing until we got home!

 

[tigerlilly]

We are a family of 4 that usually stays at GCH in theme park or DTD view room and this year we are taking our daughters friend. View is super important since I usually spend my afternoons on the balcony so I am curious as to what rooms have a view and also bunk beds?

I know the daybed rooms at GCH are over the entrance and I don't know about that view plus there is no guarantee.

Any advice or knowledge would be great!!

 

[disneyfan67]

Perhaps they meant "max 6 actually staying inside cabana" cuz they did not have a problem with my group going in & out. TV inside was great for the few wanting to hang with the family but catch the ball game at the same time. The rest of us took a lounge chair directly in front of our cabana ( they will have a welcome ---- family sign in front of each(only four)cabana! When our teenagers were in pool, we would try and save our extra lounge chairs. If possible try an request either end cabana if you have a large party so you'll have places to go when your time is up cuz they boot you out ASAP!

Well, last night I called the hotel directly and spoke to Samantha, who couldn't have been more nicer. I booked a cabana for a 2pm to 6pm time slot and said I got a discount for booking early. IMO, slowing down a little on vacation and enjoying some pool time is well worth it. For a $110 dollars, I figure it wouldn't hurt to try this once and why not? The GC is a beautiful hotel and it's nice knowing I have a reserved spot, with shade, and drinks provided. She also noted since it's my boys birthday while we're there, there will be a surprise waiting for them. I'm really looking forward to this trip and being there for 5 days, I don't have to worry about missing anything by taking some breaks.

 

[Caseystigger]

Where can I find more info about the cabana's? Prices, times, ect?

 

[disneyfan67]

Where can I find more info about the cabana's? Prices, times, ect?

From a older thread, this was the number that was posted. (714-635-2300).

It's the hotel itself and you have several options, but stay on the line and speak to the hotel directly. Just ask about reserving a pool cabana, what dates you want, and they will let you know what's available. That's what I did last night and it worked for me.

 

[Caseystigger]

From a older thread, this was the number that was posted. (714-635-2300).

It's the hotel itself and you have several options, but stay on the line and speak to the hotel directly. Just ask about reserving a pool cabana, what dates you want, and they will let you know what's available. That's what I did last night and it worked for me.

Okay great. Thanks!

 

[kikiq]

Well, last night I called the hotel directly and spoke to Samantha, who couldn't have been more nicer. I booked a cabana for a 2pm to 6pm time slot and said I got a discount for booking early. IMO, slowing down a little on vacation and enjoying some pool time is well worth it. For a $110 dollars, I figure it wouldn't hurt to try this once and why not? The GC is a beautiful hotel and it's nice knowing I have a reserved spot, with shade, and drinks provided. She also noted since it's my boys birthday while we're there, there will be a surprise waiting for them. I'm really looking forward to this trip and being there for 5 days, I don't have to worry about missing anything by taking some breaks.

I don't know that you got a discount unless they have raised the prices. $110 is the price we paid Memorial Day weekend. It is WORTH it, to walk into the pool area at 2 when everyone is trolling for a spot and there's your name on a cabana. My family felt it was well worth the money not for anyone to give up park time to "hold" chairs or put towels/shoes/slippers on lounge chairs and risk people moving them. We don't do Goofy's Kitchen character dinner anymore so this was a bargain compared to paying for 9 dinners.

 

[blackjackdelta]

When I reserved ours I was told $110/half day and $180 for a full day. Hours for us is 0930-1800, that was a couple of weeks ago. I just used vacation planning which I use for all my reservations while I am there.

Jack

 

[disneyfan67]

I don't know that you got a discount unless they have raised the prices. $110 is the price we paid Memorial Day weekend. It is WORTH it, to walk into the pool area at 2 when everyone is trolling for a spot and there's your name on a cabana. My family felt it was well worth the money not for anyone to give up park time to "hold" chairs or put towels/shoes/slippers on lounge chairs and risk people moving them. We don't do Goofy's Kitchen character dinner anymore so this was a bargain compared to paying for 9 dinners.

A CM named Samantha on the phone told me that the price was $150 for a half day, but by booking early, I got it for $110. I don't know if she was making the deal sound better than it really was, but truthfully, this is what she told me. I found her to be very helpful and she had great customer service skills on the phone. I figure it's well worth it having our own spot with shade when you need it, and a place right by the pool to relax. Vacations are very hard to come by for me, so I'm making this one count.

 

[hjgaus]

Well, last night I called the hotel directly and spoke to Samantha, who couldn't have been more nicer. I booked a cabana for a 2pm to 6pm time slot and said I got a discount for booking early. IMO, slowing down a little on vacation and enjoying some pool time is well worth it. For a $110 dollars, I figure it wouldn't hurt to try this once and why not? The GC is a beautiful hotel and it's nice knowing I have a reserved spot, with shade, and drinks provided. She also noted since it's my boys birthday while we're there, there will be a surprise waiting for them. I'm really looking forward to this trip and being there for 5 days, I don't have to worry about missing anything by taking some breaks.

That's great that you booked & by getting a special surprise for your celebration but when I called directly and changed my date & times barely a week ahead of our stay there was no mention of discount for booking a cabana early. They just said "$110 for half day or $185 for full day."
They do serve you your drinks in the nice acrylic bar ware instead of the neon color coded plastic cups everyone else gets and the platter of provided fruit was quaint but not enough to feed my party. Your mini fridge comes with 6 mini water bottles and there is a basket of towels for use. I think there was a docker of iPods (my clan brought iPads) The personal attention(a buzzer for attendant if needeed) was awesome so really enjoy your time with the cabana!! By the you can reserve for a big party as we waited all saturday to see this mysterious BELL Family that had reserved the ENTIRE cabanas for the whole day! We orignally reserved the whole day as well then changed to half. When I called in the 1st time - all open. the 2nd time they said they would be booked due to pirates premiere. I said the weather doesn't look that good. CM maid it sound like different people would book all day but when we arrived sat in the AM it was just us. The BELL family never showed up in the morning OR for their 2 -7 slot! ALL the cabanas remained empty until we left our lounge chairs(close by cabanas) at 6PM!!! Disney big wigs came by all day to make sure they were cleaned up and supplied with party food etc... By the time we got to our room and looked out the balcony(had the grand villa whiched faced the cabanas) an entire kids party was happening!! So I guess if you have that kinda money to blow $665 for ALL DAY PLUS Xtra 2 hours rental they CAN make it VERY special!! I think they (BELL FAMILY) decided not to show til AFTER rental hours cuz they were told that 1 would be rented all day (BY THE GAUS FAMILY - thats US LOL) but did not know it would be changed! We kept wondering if it had something to do with the pirates premiere like some star's kids bday party but non of the CM's would fess up! I think the CM's were alittle annoyed with us cuz we would not budge from our lounge chairs in front of cabanas! Never did find out who it was but it made our time by the pool that day very interesting!!

 

[hjgaus]

OOPS!! meant to say A docker FOR iPods!! LOL

 

[hjgaus]

another spelling error - should be CM made not maid!! LOL!! I'm such a dork! LOL This is my first time constantly reading and chatting back on this board!! So much fun - have to much time on my hands since school is out!!

 

[helenb]

Question: at the GCH pool, do they have showers (even if just for rinsing) or do you have to go back to your room to rinse?

 

[bethy]

Can anyone confirm that the earliest you can reserve a cabana is 10 days ahead? I don't want to miss my window of opportunity. I'm still trying to decide between a whole and a half day . . . What is the cancellation policy? Do you pay for the cabana up front? Final question: Are the drinks and menu items the same selection and prices as they are when ordering from the regular lounge chairs?

 

[BunnieGene]

Can anyone confirm that the earliest you can reserve a cabana is 10 days ahead? I don't want to miss my window of opportunity. I'm still trying to decide between a whole and a half day . . . What is the cancellation policy? Do you pay for the cabana up front? Final question: Are the drinks and menu items the same selection and prices as they are when ordering from the regular lounge chairs?

We were able to reserve our cabana at the 60 day mark. We only reserved the afternoon, because we will be doing the parks in the mornings. I believe the cost is just added to our hotel bill, and I don't recall discussing a cancellation policy with the concierge/cast member. I think the menu is different...maybe the White Water Snacks menu plus adult beverages, but again I'm fuzzy about that.

 

[bethy]

We were able to reserve our cabana at the 60 day mark. We only reserved the afternoon, because we will be doing the parks in the mornings. I believe the cost is just added to our hotel bill, and I don't recall discussing a cancellation policy with the concierge/cast member. I think the menu is different...maybe the White Water Snacks menu plus adult beverages, but again I'm fuzzy about that.

Thank you so much! Based on this I went ahead and called and got the LAST full day rental! phew! No cancellation policy was mentioned, btw.

 

[hjgaus]

Can anyone confirm that the earliest you can reserve a cabana is 10 days ahead? I don't want to miss my window of opportunity. I'm still trying to decide between a whole and a half day . . . What is the cancellation policy? Do you pay for the cabana up front? Final question: Are the drinks and menu items the same selection and prices as they are when ordering from the regular lounge chairs?

I never looked at the price for drinks but I assume they would be same.
We ordered wine, mixed drinks and non alchoholic mixed drinks (those came in plastic cups to separate from the teenagers)

 

[hjgaus]

Question: at the GCH pool, do they have showers (even if just for rinsing) or do you have to go back to your room to rinse?

Yes they do. They are between the pool w/slide and the restrooms. We saw lots of people wearing the robes from the rooms.