Grand Californian Super Thread

[blackjackdelta]

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 think we are somewhere around 40 days and I have one booked for a full day first week in August. I have paid nothing as of yet and was not asked. Did not ask about cancellation policy since it is of no concern.

Jack

 

[LisainCalifornia]

We just got back from our long anticipated trip! I have to admit that this experience with the Grand Californian has turned my opinion around of the hotel. We had previously always been placed in the no balcony rooms that over looked the car park, and found them to be dark and not so magical.

This trip we arrived on July 12th. I had put in a request for a bunk bed room, and had paid for an upgrade to a downtown Disney view room. We checked in around 9:00 am. The young man who checked us in said that we were NOT placed in a bunk bed room. I told him that this was important to my girls, and he said "well, I see you have a request for a downtown disney view as well, so you have to decide which is more important...". I then informed him that I PAID for a downtown disney view, which is different than a "request"--and of course since I paid for that view I had better get it! I then told him my sob story of how we have never had a room at the Grand Californian with a balcony (which he said "all of our rooms have balconies...") and we just wanted a good view with a nice room. I told him to go home that night and google it, and he will see that indeed, there are about 10% of rooms that don't have a balcony at the Grand. For now, I just wanted our downtown disney view and our bunk beds, which we had requested. He left and did his "disney magic" and came back to grant just that.

We were placed in a 5th floor room overlooking Sephora and Disney 365 (room 5155) that had bunkbeds. He claimed that you could not see fireworks from this room, but I took it anyway. What I found out later was that not only could we see the fireworks, but we had a perfect "middle" view of them that could not have been better. These people that work on site really need to know their stuff better!

My girls are 11 and 14, so are a little long in the tooth (from disney's viewpoint) for the bunk beds--but these beds are the same length and width as regular twin beds, which they have at home. They loved them and loved not having to share a bed.

Our room was very light and bright with the downtown disney view, and seemed more spacious than other rooms we have had at this hotel. We were all so comfortable there, and happily enjoyed the next 5 days in our home away from home. We watched the fireworks from our room for 2 of the nights, as did our neighbors on the same floor from the balconies. It was a quiet, comfortable stay (except for the baby who stayed next door to us Monday and Tuesday night who cried very loudly both mornings at 6:00 am!).

We loved staying so close and didn't find the hallway to our room "too" long at all. I kept thinking how lucky we were to stay so close in such luxury, actually.
My girls in their beloved bunkbeds


and here was our view:

 

[helenb]

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

Thank yoU!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We just got back from our long anticipated trip! I have to admit that this experience with the Grand Californian has turned my opinion around of the hotel. We had previously always been placed in the no balcony rooms that over looked the car park, and found them to be dark and not so magical.

This trip we arrived on July 12th. I had put in a request for a bunk bed room, and had paid for an upgrade to a downtown Disney view room. We checked in around 9:00 am. The young man who checked us in said that we were NOT placed in a bunk bed room. I told him that this was important to my girls, and he said "well, I see you have a request for a downtown disney view as well, so you have to decide which is more important...". I then informed him that I PAID for a downtown disney view, which is different than a "request"--and of course since I paid for that view I had better get it! I then told him my sob story of how we have never had a room at the Grand Californian with a balcony (which he said "all of our rooms have balconies...") and we just wanted a good view with a nice room. I told him to go home that night and google it, and he will see that indeed, there are about 10% of rooms that don't have a balcony at the Grand. For now, I just wanted our downtown disney view and our bunk beds, which we had requested. He left and did his "disney magic" and came back to grant just that.

We were placed in a 5th floor room overlooking Sephora and Disney 365 (room 1555) that had bunkbeds. He claimed that you could not see fireworks from this room, but I took it anyway. What I found out later was that not only could we see the fireworks, but we had a perfect "middle" view of them that could not have been better. These people that work on site really need to know their stuff better!

My girls are 11 and 14, so are a little long in the tooth (from disney's viewpoint) for the bunk beds--but these beds are the same length and width as regular twin beds, which they have at home. They loved them and loved not having to share a bed.

Our room was very light and bright with the downtown disney view, and seemed more spacious than other rooms we have had at this hotel. We were all so comfortable there, and happily enjoyed the next 5 days in our home away from home. We watched the fireworks from our room for 2 of the nights, as did our neighbors on the same floor from the balconies. It was a quiet, comfortable stay (except for the baby who stayed next door to us Monday and Tuesday night who cried very loudly both mornings at 6:00 am!).

We loved staying so close and didn't find the hallway to our room "too" long at all. I kept thinking how lucky we were to stay so close in such luxury, actually.
My girls in their beloved bunkbeds

Sounds great, was hoping your trip would turn out to be what you want it to be.

Jack

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Sounds great, was hoping your trip would turn out to be what you want it to be.

Jack

Thanks, Jack--it really was incredible. The only problem is now that my girls want to get this same room every time we come back! This trip we did get AP's, so we will be going back to disneyland very soon--but do not have the budget for another GC stay. That is just a dose of real life!

We had such a nice trip and everything was so nice at the hotel. We even got the lounge chairs by the pool! It was so nice to enjoy it all with my girls. I feel like I really knew what to ask for after reading this extensive thread on the GC!

We didn't end up over World of Disney (east wing) like I had originally requested--but discovered that the fireworks view was just as good from where we were. We took the main lobby elevator up to room, which was easier as well.

 

[KCmike]

Thanks, Jack--it really was incredible. The only problem is now that my girls want to get this same room every time we come back! This trip we did get AP's, so we will be going back to disneyland very soon--but do not have the budget for another GC stay. That is just a dose of real life!

We had such a nice trip and everything was so nice at the hotel. We even got the lounge chairs by the pool! It was so nice to enjoy it all with my girls. I feel like I really knew what to ask for after reading this extensive thread on the GC!

We didn't end up over World of Disney (east wing) like I had originally requested--but discovered that the fireworks view was just as good from where we were. We took the main lobby elevator up to room, which was easier as well.

Love those Chaisse lounge chairs. Glad you had a good visit. How can you not?

 

[blackjackdelta]

Love those Chaisse lounge chairs. Glad you had a good visit. How can you not?

Hijack-Mike where did you rent that wide lens from last year.

Thx,
Jack

 

[KCmike]

Hijack-Mike where did you rent that wide lens from last year.

Thx,
Jack

Pro Photo Rental

http://www.prophotorental.com/default.asp


They will pay your shipping to and from (nice plus) and the lenses always arrive a day early so you can make sure everything is ok before you take off. They have been absolutely great.

 

[disneyfan67]

I just wanted to say Lisa, thanks for posting the pictures you always do. Whether it's your recent stay at GCH or the DLH, your pictures are helpful in many ways. It's a nice break in the day to see your pictures and I'm literally counting the days until my August trip. I really looking forward to the look on my wife's face when we first arrive at the GCH for check in. She's going to be in for a surprise having not been in DL for 24 years.


Once again, thanks Lisa.

 

[KCmike]

Missing one of my favorite "summer places"

 

[blackjackdelta]

Pro Photo Rental

http://www.prophotorental.com/default.asp


They will pay your shipping to and from (nice plus) and the lenses always arrive a day early so you can make sure everything is ok before you take off. They have been absolutely great.

Thanks Mike.

Jack

 

[blackjackdelta]

I just wanted to say Lisa, thanks for posting the pictures you always do. Whether it's your recent stay at GCH or the DLH, your pictures are helpful in many ways. It's a nice break in the day to see your pictures and I'm literally counting the days until my August trip. I really looking forward to the look on my wife's face when we first arrive at the GCH for check in. She's going to be in for a surprise having not been in DL for 24 years.


Once again, thanks Lisa.

We have stayed there a few times now and the whole family jaws just drop when you pull up to the entrance booth and they say "welcome home" and you walk inside and see the immense of the Grand and then start to freeze to death.

Jack

 

[Nonsuch]

...and you walk inside and see the immense of the Grand and then start to freeze to death.

 

[tigerlilly]

Hi Lisa in CA, I am a Lisa in CA too!

Anyway...thank you for posting. I made reservations this week for GCH and asked for DTD view with bunks and was informed they did not have them! Is the fifth floor considered concierge by any chance?

I am just tired of getting a different answer every time I call Disney. We have stayed at GCH a few times always theme park view and every single time I don't get one request in terms of location of view (last year we had a view of a tree lol...but we were facing condor flats)....this year with the price over $500 (tax included) with an AP for a theme park view I decided I would do DTD view...nope....no bunk beds!

So I booked standard and if I get the parking lot I will probably cry since my favorite thing is to sit on the balcony for a few hours every afternoon.

Honestly I don't mind paying for the view I want as long as I know what I am getting is going to be worth over $500

Thanks for any info you might have!

 

[rentayenta]

Missing one of my favorite "summer places"

Love it, miss it, want to go back!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Hi Lisa in CA, I am a Lisa in CA too!

Anyway...thank you for posting. I made reservations this week for GCH and asked for DTD view with bunks and was informed they did not have them! Is the fifth floor considered concierge by any chance?

I am just tired of getting a different answer every time I call Disney. We have stayed at GCH a few times always theme park view and every single time I don't get one request in terms of location of view (last year we had a view of a tree lol...but we were facing condor flats)....this year with the price over $500 (tax included) with an AP for a theme park view I decided I would do DTD view...nope....no bunk beds!

So I booked standard and if I get the parking lot I will probably cry since my favorite thing is to sit on the balcony for a few hours every afternoon.

Honestly I don't mind paying for the view I want as long as I know what I am getting is going to be worth over $500

Thanks for any info you might have!

That is very strange. When did you plan on going? Did ask if they were sold out? I would call again...stand you will usually get the courtyard or the parking lot, so I would try again and again until you get what you want. You pay extra for the DTD view or park view..just strange.

Jack

 

[Nonsuch]

Honestly I don't mind paying for the view I want as long as I know what I am getting is going to be worth over $500

If you travel to Disneyland often and are comfortable paying $500, you should consider Disney Vacation Club

The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Hi Lisa in CA, I am a Lisa in CA too!

Anyway...thank you for posting. I made reservations this week for GCH and asked for DTD view with bunks and was informed they did not have them! Is the fifth floor considered concierge by any chance?

I am just tired of getting a different answer every time I call Disney. We have stayed at GCH a few times always theme park view and every single time I don't get one request in terms of location of view (last year we had a view of a tree lol...but we were facing condor flats)....this year with the price over $500 (tax included) with an AP for a theme park view I decided I would do DTD view...nope....no bunk beds!

So I booked standard and if I get the parking lot I will probably cry since my favorite thing is to sit on the balcony for a few hours every afternoon.

Honestly I don't mind paying for the view I want as long as I know what I am getting is going to be worth over $500

Thanks for any info you might have!

Hi Lisa,
Sorry I just noticed this now. No, our room was not concierge. We have never stayed concierge anywhere, because the price is just too high for us. Our room was on the 5th floor (I did request that) and we paid for the downtown disney view. When I called to make our reservations they told me that they do have bunk bed rooms with the downtown disney view, so I would call back again to get a different agent. These agents are located in Florida, and often don't know that much about the GC. Our room number was 5155. I got 30% using the "Spring Savings" rate (not AP). If we had booked a standard room it would have been about 339.00 per night, but I upgraded to a downtown disney view, so I paid 379.00 per night.

Try calling a different booking agent and see what they say about your request.

Good luck!

Lia

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I just wanted to say Lisa, thanks for posting the pictures you always do. Whether it's your recent stay at GCH or the DLH, your pictures are helpful in many ways. It's a nice break in the day to see your pictures and I'm literally counting the days until my August trip. I really looking forward to the look on my wife's face when we first arrive at the GCH for check in. She's going to be in for a surprise having not been in DL for 24 years.


Once again, thanks Lisa.

Thank you! I also took video of our room view, and plan on getting that up there someday soon! I just haven't had a chance to go through our videos yet. I am not the best photographer (as my husband will tell you!)--so they aren't great videos--but they do show the view from our balcony, including the fireworks view.

Thanks for your kind comments, and I hope you and your wife have a great trip in August!

 

[Nonsuch]

Our room number was 1555.

More likely 5155