Grand Californian Super Thread

[kikiq]

Is there a daily activities schedule for the Grand Cal like they do for every resort in WDW?? Anyone has any recent one scanned??

I have one from this weekend. But of course, I have no clue where it is. My DH has started a binder with info I bring back, hopefully he's put it in there already. I'll scan it when I find it.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Is there a daily activities schedule for the Grand Cal like they do for every resort in WDW?? Anyone has any recent one scanned??

Yes, in the first post a schedule is visible under Misc Hotel Info.

Or you can go HERE

I'll try to get a more recent one up later.

 

[mrswh]

Trying to figure out what room to request . . . I have a standard view room booked and want to be as close to the middle of the hotel as possible. (Last year we were in a standard concierge room not far from the lounge and that was the perfect location.) What is the appropriate request? Can I request a monorail/courtyard view or is that only for concierge? Thanks for any help!

 

[cpster]

Does the GCH offer complimentary slippers or should we pack our own? Thanks!

 

[DmaxHawk]

Trying to figure out what room to request . . . I have a standard view room booked and want to be as close to the middle of the hotel as possible. (Last year we were in a standard concierge room not far from the lounge and that was the perfect location.) What is the appropriate request? Can I request a monorail/courtyard view or is that only for concierge? Thanks for any help!

You can request a monorail/courtyard view but as always, it is just a request.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Does the GCH offer complimentary slippers or should we pack our own? Thanks!

Unfortunately no slippers are offered in the room. I don't know if they are available upon request but I highly doubt it. They might be available at the gift shop, but better pack your own.

 

[cpster]

Thanks. Was hoping there would be some as most 4 star places do offer them. We'll bring our own.

 

[marciemouse]

We're thinking of staying in a DVC studio villa. Do they all have nice park views? Or should we request a specific one? I looked at the map and was sort of thinking the highest floor might be best, but there's only one studio up there. Anyone know if the villas are pre-assigned, or are they assigned at check-in? TIA!

 

[klee888]

Hi everyone, new to this forum and just wanted to know about March 2012 using DVC points getting a studio? What are the chances and can anyone see the availability right now?

 

[Nonsuch]

Hi everyone, new to this forum and just wanted to know about March 2012 using DVC points getting a studio? What are the chances and can anyone see the availability right now?

There is no online booking, so you need to call member services
March 2012 is Magic Season, the high point cost improves availability

 

[Nonsuch]

We're thinking of staying in a DVC studio villa. Do they all have nice park views? Or should we request a specific one? I looked at the map and was sort of thinking the highest floor might be best, but there's only one studio up there. Anyone know if the villas are pre-assigned, or are they assigned at check-in? TIA!

You should make your view request in advance
Villas are pre-assigned, and it will be difficult to make changes at check-in.
More details can be found in the VGC owners thread

 

[Domchi002]

Hello, we will be staying at GCH for Labor Day wknd.
I thought I had heard somewhere that if you have booked a Resort Vacation Pkg, the parking fee is waived. Is that true?
And if it's not true, how much is the parking fee?

Thanks in advance!

 

[franandaj]

Hi everyone, new to this forum and just wanted to know about March 2012 using DVC points getting a studio? What are the chances and can anyone see the availability right now?

I actually got one for two months from now earlier this week, so anything can be possible!

 

[summer0407]

Can anyone tell me if we book a room with 5 people ( 3 adults and 2 kids) will we likely get a 2 queen with sofa bed? My fear is we will only get 2 queens and that will not work for us. Should I request something specific? Any advice. We are looking for a standard room in early December.

 

[Nonsuch]

Can anyone tell me if we book a room with 5 people ( 3 adults and 2 kids) will we likely get a 2 queen with sofa bed? My fear is we will only get 2 queens and that will not work for us. Should I request something specific? Any advice. We are looking for a standard room in early December.

The room you are seeking has 2 queen beds and a daybed
You may search this thread using the keyword daybed (rather than sofa bed) for more information.

This post from page 70, talks about staying at another hotel the night before to allow early checkin

All 39 daybed rooms are located above the main entrance and are booked as standard rooms, none have pool/park/DTD views.

Your odds of getting the daybed are not great. There are twice as many rooms with a single king bed, and my request was met only once in about 10 visits

Some things to improve your chances:
1. Checkin as early as possible. I have checked in at 6AM to take advantage of Magic Morning.
2. Call the GCH and make sure your daybed request is noted on your reservation.
3. Make your reservation for 5 adults. This might cause a daybed room to be assigned to you, but I don't know for sure

 

[summer0407]

The room you are seeking has 2 queen beds and a daybed
You may search this thread using the keyword daybed (rather than sofa bed) for more information.

This post from page 70, talks about staying at another hotel the night before to allow early checkin

All 39 daybed rooms are located above the main entrance and are booked as standard rooms, none have pool/park/DTD views.

Your odds of getting the daybed are not great. There are twice as many rooms with a single king bed, and my request was met only once in about 10 visits

Some things to improve your chances:
1. Checkin as early as possible. I have checked in at 6AM to take advantage of Magic Morning.
2. Call the GCH and make sure your daybed request is noted on your reservation.
3. Make your reservation for 5 adults. This might cause a daybed room to be assigned to you, but I don't know for sure

Thanks so much for the reply! That is my biggest fear not getting a day bed. It just would not work unless we had it so I guess I am really taking a chance. Someone would be on the floor if we did not get it which would be pretty bad

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Can anyone tell me if we book a room with 5 people ( 3 adults and 2 kids) will we likely get a 2 queen with sofa bed? My fear is we will only get 2 queens and that will not work for us. Should I request something specific? Any advice. We are looking for a standard room in early December.

I know this is a thread about the Grand, but if you know you are needing a room to sleep 5, you might want to consider staying right across the street at Paradise Pier. You are pretty much guaranteed a room with two beds and a couch that converts to a single. For the price you are paying for your nights at GCH, you could add concierge and a view room. Just a suggestion. If you are sold on staying at GCH, I totally understand as we are DVC owners there and feel the love.

 

[Nonsuch]

...you might want to consider staying right across the street at Paradise Pier. You are pretty much guaranteed a room with two beds and a couch that converts to a single.

Good advice. 2 queens and a daybed is the "standard" configuration at Paradise Pier

... If you are sold on staying at GCH, I totally understand as we are DVC owners there and feel the love.

I am also a DVC owner, which has solved my problems with king bed requests -- all 1 bedroom villas have a king

 

[TLPL]

I'll try to get a more recent one up later.

Any luck finding a recent copy?? I just want to plan ahead.

 

[DmaxHawk]

Any luck finding a recent copy?? I just want to plan ahead.

Sorry I haven't gotten this up!
This is the most recent one I have, hope it helps!