Grand Californian Super Thread

[Nonsuch]

We will be doing concierge on an upcoming trip, can you tell me about it?

The Grand is already an excellent full service hotel, but concierge adds many little upgrades.

A CM will meet you at the hotel entrance and escort you up to the 6th floor dedicated registration/guest services desk. If you are not greeted downstairs, go up to the 6th floor to check in (do not wait in the normal registration line).

Concierge rooms will generally be on the 6th floor near the lounge, but suites can be quite far away.

Concierge guest services can assist with restaurant reservations and special seating to some shows.

The lounge (Craftsman Club) is provides free food and drinks throughout the day. When the parks are busy, the ability to grab a snack without any wait is a huge benefit. Grabbing a few drinks from the lounge avoids waiting in line for a drink in the park

 

[BayGirl22]

What is the typical surcharge for concierge? I just looked on the site and its quoting almost double our cost, over $225/night premium. That can't be right, right?

I've stayed on the club/concierge level of nice hotels many times so I understand there's a cost to it. But that much seems way off. Are there promotions or some way to get the upgrade for a lowere price? I am going in the low season - early Sept.

 

[Nonsuch]

What is the typical surcharge for concierge? I just looked on the site and its quoting almost double our cost, over $225/night premium. That can't be right, right?

Unfortunately, the price is quite high. The discounts for various room/view types can vary, so the additional charge for Concierge might be slightly different.

Concierge is a better "deal" for guest staying in a multi-room suite, since the charges are the same as a single room.

 

[greenkai3000]

Totally subscribing! Thank you so much for the update. Looking forward to stay at the GCH this coming Holiday Season.

 

[vidiot]

What is the typical surcharge for concierge? I just looked on the site and its quoting almost double our cost, over $225/night premium. That can't be right, right?

I get $340/night extra in mid-December. On top of $485. In the immortal words of John McEnroe:

You cannot be serious!

 

[mommommom]

Originally Posted by Carrie in AZ
Hello, we just returned from a four-night stay and loved it once again!! The number one thing I wanted to report on is the secret exit is no longer viable. We walked down the staircase but there was a sign on the door saying the alarm would sound if the door was opened and that the door was NOT to be used for access to DTD or to DCA. So, that resulted in a longer walk for us because we had to walk all the way back up and around to eventually get out of the hotel!

Really? Are you sure you had the right exit? We just used it on Tuesday, last week(6/26), and there were no signs at all. We successfully exited the hotel from the secret exit with no alarms.

Can anyone give an update on this? We discovered this exit at the end of our trip last time, and I was wondering if it could be used to get in/out of DCA to the hotel. If this exit is still in use, can you enter the park from it? I've slept since we were last there. Thank you!

 

[ttig34]

Can anyone give an update on this? We discovered this exit at the end of our trip last time, and I was wondering if it could be used to get in/out of DCA to the hotel. If this exit is still in use, can you enter the park from it? I've slept since we were last there. Thank you!

I do not know if they still allow you to use the exit, but no, you have never been able to use it as an entrance.

Would be nice to know for sure if it could still be used as an exit though, since we have two different answers, both who have stayed recently.

 

[daneenm]

We just stayed and used the secret exit every day 6/27 - 7/3. It is absolutely viable.

 

[Nonsuch]

Hello, we just returned from a four-night stay and loved it once again!! The number one thing I wanted to report on is the secret exit is no longer viable. We walked down the staircase but there was a sign on the door saying the alarm would sound if the door was opened and that the door was NOT to be used for access to DTD or to DCA. So, that resulted in a longer walk for us because we had to walk all the way back up and around to eventually get out of the hotel!

There seems to be some conflicting reports.
Could you verify you used the stairs shown in this video?

 

[daneenm]

There seems to be some conflicting reports.
Could you verify you used the stairs shown in this video?

Yes, those stairs are available. Used 6/27-7/2 several times per day.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Glad to hear that. I was wondering about the child care, even though my kids are still too young to stay there. Do you know if they allow you to bring younger kids into Pinnochio's accompanied by an adult just to play? I know the timeshare places (Sheraton, Marriott) we've stayed at generally allow that. Its so nice to have a playroom area in the hotel.

Has anyone used Disney services to find a baby sitter for younger ones while staying at GCH? I don't usually use those kinds of services, but have some level of trust that it would be reputable at Disney.

They do not allow you to bring children into Pinnochio's to play as they don't consider it a playroom area. They are open for limited hours in the evenings. We have used the Workshop many times and my kids have loved it. It is a good idea to make a reservation early as they can book up during busy times at the resort. It also helps to pick up the paperwork early as it takes a bit of time to fill out.

 

[coopersmom]

Are all the Grand Californian one-bedroom suites the "Artisan" suites mentioned here: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36357220&postcount=452 ... Or are the Artisan a separate category? I ask because when booking there is no ability to pick two queens, king, etc. from the suite selection.

We MIGHT make this major splurge if we could get one of the two-queen one bedrooms with a theme park view. But, honestly, it seems like there is no way to determine that? Is it possible that they actually book something this expensive with zero bed selection ability?

 

[Nonsuch]

...We MIGHT make this major splurge if we could get one of the two-queen one bedrooms with a theme park view. But, honestly, it seems like there is no way to determine that? Is it possible that they actually book something this expensive with zero bed selection ability?

Try calling the Grand directly, to see if the bed type can be guaranteed.

 

[mommommom]

There seems to be some conflicting reports.
Could you verify you used the stairs shown in this video?

This is awesome!

 

[boscoj]

Coopersmom, I think the artisan suite room types are dependent on how many people are in your party....at least that is how it was for us. When we checked in we ended up with a king corner suite. When I asked the cm if we could get the ones with the 2 queen beds (cause I really liked their location) she said they were given to parties with 4-6 people ( we only had 3)....

 

[kkmcan]

WOW! I didn't know they had these larger suites. Do they give AP discounts on them? Anyone know ballpark rates for these?

Just wondering if they would work for us if we split a larger suite with another family.

 

[Nonsuch]

WOW! I didn't know they had these larger suites. Do they give AP discounts on them? Anyone know ballpark rates for these?

Just wondering if they would work for us if we split a larger suite with another family.

You might want to consider renting points for a DVC villa. This requires planning far in advance, but the cost will be lower than a hotel suite

 

[goofyfordisney]

Hi,

If we booked a standard view room and requested a King bed, what are our chances of getting our request? We are going Sept. 22nd - 24th.

Its just my DH and me and we really would rather have a room with 1 king bed.

Does anyone know how many rooms have king beds? Where are these rooms located in the hotel?

 

[Nonsuch]

If we booked a standard view room and requested a King bed, what are our chances of getting our request? We are going Sept. 22nd - 24th.

Based on my personal experience is your chances are very low. I always request a king bed, and have only received it once. This is less than 10% success
The hotel should not be at capacity in late September, which improves your chances.

Its just my DH and me and we really would rather have a room with 1 king bed.

When a king is not available, my secondary request is for a bunk bed room. Bunk bed with 1 queen, has more open floor space than rooms with 2 queens.

Does anyone know how many rooms have king beds? Where are these rooms located in the hotel?

This post from earlier in this thread claims 75 king beds out of 745 rooms (pre-expansion). My success in receiving a king bed is about the same as if the bed type was assigned by chance
King beds are spread throughout the hotel.

 

[goofyfordisney]

Based on my personal experience is your chances are very low. I always request a king bed, and have only received it once. This is less than 10% success
The hotel should not be at capacity in late September, which improves your chances.


When a king is not available, my secondary request is for a bunk bed room. Bunk bed with 1 queen, has more open floor space than rooms with 2 queens.


This post from earlier in this thread claims 75 king beds out of 745 rooms (pre-expansion). My success in receiving a king bed is about the same as if the bed type was assigned by chance
King beds are spread throughout the hotel.

This is what I was afraid of...oh well, its not a huge deal - afterall, we will be at Disneyland!

We haven't stayed at GCH since it first opened - so, we are really looking forward to this trip!