Grand Californian Super Thread

[eyeheartgoofy]

Do you have any pictures from the balcony?

See Above!

 

[DmaxHawk]

See Above!

Added view pics to thread content. Thanks!

 

[flores]

My family & I stayed there during Christmas. The Experience was great! The staff was very attentive to us. Don't miss the Christmas decorations in the lobby.

 

[closetmickey]

We are checking into the GC in 4 1/2 days. I haven't stayed there in years. Can hardly wait!

 

[DmaxHawk]

We are checking into the GC in 4 1/2 days. I haven't stayed there in years. Can hardly wait!

Hope you have a great stay! Let us know how you enjoy the hotel and parks!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We are booked at GCH for 11/20 and 11/21. We usually stay in the DVC villas but alas, this time they are all booked...so I went ahead with a cash reservation. My question is- can cash guests use the bbq grills? We are DVC members and really loved cooking some steaks out there when we stayed in June. Has anyone tried this? Will our regular room key work to get out to the grill area?

Thanks!

 

[closetmickey]

Hope you have a great stay! Let us know how you enjoy the hotel and parks!

Thanks so much!

 

[Nonsuch]

My question is- can cash guests use the bbq grills? We are DVC members and really loved cooking some steaks out there when we stayed in June. Has anyone tried this? Will our regular room key work to get out to the grill area?

A room key is not required to access the grill area
Although the grills are intended for VGC guests, there are no signs restricting usage. You might need to bring your own grill tools, since checking out the tools might be restricted to VGC guests (although I have not confirmed this).

Request a x2xx room, to be close to the grills -- you don't want your food to get cold

The grills are seldom used by anyone, so the hotel does not need to restrict access. Most hotel guests do not know they exist. I have never seen anyone waiting to use the grills, or even both grills used at the same time

 

[jmainaz]

Are these Char-coal grills? Will I need to have coal and lighter fluid if I was to use them?
Anyone have a picture of the area?

Thanks

-J

 

[Nonsuch]

Are these Char-coal grills? Will I need to have coal and lighter fluid if I was to use them?
Anyone have a picture of the area?

They are high end gas grills
Self starting, you don't even need a match
360 view between Grand Californian and Paradise Pier

 

[jmainaz]

Wow. That's awesome! THANKS!
I think I will plan to grill dinner one night!!!

-J

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Wow. That's awesome! THANKS!
I think I will plan to grill dinner one night!!!

-J

We LOVED using them! We were a group of 9- so we brought paper goods, salad mix and fixings, Coronas, and our steaks (in our cooler). We ate outside. There are two nice, covered tables out there and plenty of room for the kids to run around and play in the grassy area. It was close to sunset so my kids played with their lightsabers! We could hear the music and voices from Paradise Pier and it was so magical. We did bring grill tongs from home last time and called room service to bring us steak knives, since we were staying in a studio and our friends in a regular room.

It was nice and relaxing...we had the place to ourselves... and sooo CHEAP! We get tired of big park dinners.

Thanks for letting me know we can still use them! Yay!

 

[TDub]

This thread is great! Even though it cost me some extra $. Had to upgrade to concierge level after reading all the reviews. Does anyone have any pictures of the concierge rooms? Or are they the same as the standard rooms just with access to the lounge?

 

[Nonsuch]

This thread is great! Even though it cost me some extra $. Had to upgrade to concierge level after reading all the reviews. Does anyone have any pictures of the concierge rooms? Or are they the same as the standard rooms just with access to the lounge?

The rooms are the same, but you will usually get a room on the 6th floor near the lounge. Concierge registration and guest services in on the 6th floor, which can be nice on a busy day. A cast member should meet you downstairs and escort you up to the 6th floor registration -- although this does not always happen (and it has been several years since I've done concierge).

 

[BunnieGene]

The rooms are the same, but you will usually get a room on the 6th floor near the lounge. Concierge registration and guest services in on the 6th floor, which can be nice on a busy day. A cast member should meet you downstairs and escort you up to the 6th floor registration -- although this does not always happen (and it has been several years since I've done concierge).

The only time that a cast member hasn't met us downstairs was when we had a late arrival and the concierge desk was closed. We just checked in downstairs. The line wasn't bad since we had arrived so late

 

[XMom]

Just wondering, we will be checking in this Friday, Sept 2nd. Are we supposed to get fastpasses for something? Also, what is included in the welcome packet? We are DVC members and have requested a particular studio villa. Has anyone had any luck getting the room they requested?

Thanks!!

 

[Kauinohea]

Has anyone paid anything other than rack rates for peak Holiday season (excluding AP, and DVC)?

 

[Nonsuch]

Just wondering, we will be checking in this Friday, Sept 2nd. Are we supposed to get fastpasses for something? Also, what is included in the welcome packet? We are DVC members and have requested a particular studio villa. Has anyone had any luck getting the room they requested?

Each registered guest will receive a special ticket which is good for 2 fastpasses
On our first DVC visit we received DVC Member lanyards.

Yes, I have had good results when requesting specific villas. I give a list of villa numbers and have always had a villa on the list. My last 1 bedroom visit was in my first choice

I hope your request is granted
Let me guess, is it 6504 ?

 

[XMom]

Each registered guest will receive a special ticket which is good for 2 fastpasses
On our first DVC visit we received DVC Member lanyards.

Yes, I have had good results when requesting specific villas. I give a list of villa numbers and have always had a villa on the list. My last 1 bedroom visit was in my first choice

I hope your request is granted
Let me guess, is it 6504 ?

Thanks for the info. My husband requested 5504. We stayed there last year for the Disney Half Marathon. I completly forgot there was 6504. Oh well, maybe 5504 won't have as many requests as 6504. Our fingers are crossed!

What if you aren't going into the park? Do they give you something different?

 

[Nonsuch]

Thanks for the info. My husband requested 5504. We stayed there last year for the Disney Half Marathon. I completly forgot there was 6504. Oh well, maybe 5504 won't have as many requests as 6504. Our fingers are crossed!

Try to request a list of rooms: 6504, 5504, 4504, 3504
6504 has a balcony open on 2 sides

What if you aren't going into the park? Do they give you something different?

Do you mean other than the fastpasses?
The fastpasses are a special Summer promo, which ends on Sept 5.
If you don't need them, I'll take them off your hands