Grand Californian Super Thread

[BriannaRuth]

Sorry if I've missed this someplace in this thread, but --

I see they distribute WOC FPs for hotel guests 1 hour before park opening. With hotel guests now having early entry every day, are the WOC FPs being distributed an hour before early entry, or an hour before regular park opening? And are the FPs for the first show or do you have a choice?

Thanks.

 

[8lovesmickey]

Sorry if I've missed this someplace in this thread, but --

I see they distribute WOC FPs for hotel guests 1 hour before park opening. With hotel guests now having early entry every day, are the WOC FPs being distributed an hour before early entry, or an hour before regular park opening? And are the FPs for the first show or do you have a choice?

Thanks.

This only answers part of your question, but as of last week early entry for DCA was only on M-W-F, and that's where you get the FPs.

Also my understanding is that FPs are available 1 hour before the REGULAR entry time, regardless of early entry.

 

[ParkHopper1]

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

This is one oh my BIGGEST gripes with the DL resort hotels...not guaranteeing room types. I am often traveling with friends and bunking in the same room and although only two adults in the room, they can never guarantee a room with two queen beds. They tried to put us in a king with bunk beds once...for two grown adults!...If you not willing to get cozy with your traveling partner, you could be spending a FORTUNE on an uncomfortable sleeping situation!

EVERY other hotel I stay at guarantees room type at booking... GET WITH IT DISNEY! Not everyone staying at your resort is a typical family with 2.5 kids!

 

[Nonsuch]

This is one oh my BIGGEST gripes with the DL resort hotels...not guaranteeing room types.

I agree, but the VGC has solved to issue for most of my stays
Each villa type has only one bed configuration

 

[BayGirl22]

When I made a reservation at GCH a couple weeks ago I was told they COULD reserve a standard bunk bed room. The CM said it used to be open until checking, but now they can be guaranteed in advance.

(of course who knows if that's true, but I hope it is, otherwise I'd save my $$$ and stay at PPH if I'm stuck with 2 Queens anyway)

 

[coopersmom]

When I made a reservation at GCH a couple weeks ago I was told they COULD reserve a standard bunk bed room. The CM said it used to be open until checking, but now they can be guaranteed in advance.

(of course who knows if that's true, but I hope it is, otherwise I'd save my $$$ and stay at PPH if I'm stuck with 2 Queens anyway)

I just booked a premium view room and was told that bunk beds were a "request only" item (i.e. not guaranteed). I had requested them because my son thought they looked fun and I'd read it gives the room more floor space to have them. But then I saw in another thread that the premium view rooms are SMALLER than the standard rooms. Is this accurate?

I mean, am I really paying LESS for a smaller room? That doesn't sit well with me.

I'm happy to pay more for the view, but if that comes along with other downgrades (i.e. size, or fewer amenities) than, no, not OK with me.

Yikes!

 

[Nonsuch]

I just booked a premium view room and was told that bunk beds were a "request only" item (i.e. not guaranteed). I had requested them because my son thought they looked fun and I'd read it gives the room more floor space to have them.

The room is the same size, but the bunk bed uses less floor space and make the room feel larger.

...But then I saw in another thread that the premium view rooms are SMALLER than the standard rooms. Is this accurate?

I don't think that is accurate
All the hotel rooms are the same size, except daybed rooms (which are quite a bit larger).

 

[coopersmom]

The room is the same size, but the bunk bed uses less floor space and make the room feel larger.
I don't think that is accurate
All the hotel rooms are the same size, except daybed rooms (which are quite a bit larger).

So, how do you get a daybed room?

 

[daneenm]

I just booked a premium view room and was told that bunk beds were a "request only" item (i.e. not guaranteed). I had requested them because my son thought they looked fun and I'd read it gives the room more floor space to have them. But then I saw in another thread that the premium view rooms are SMALLER than the standard rooms. Is this accurate?

I mean, am I really paying LESS for a smaller room? That doesn't sit well with me.

I'm happy to pay more for the view, but if that comes along with other downgrades (i.e. size, or fewer amenities) than, no, not OK with me.

Yikes!

I have never measured, but I do not think that is correct. We always request a bunk bed room and believe it to be the same size as the two queen room.

 

[coopersmom]

I have never measured, but I do not think that is correct. We always request a bunk bed room and believe it to be the same size as the two queen room.

OK, I was totally panicking there for a minute. Hope your info is accurate and other isn't.

Is the daybed room actually larger? Is there a difference in room size between concierge and non-concierge rooms? I ask because if they are larger rooms, as well as the lounge access, I might be able to convince myself it's "worth it" after all.

EDIT: Saw it here originally ... http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45559227&postcount=7

And does anyone know what the configurations are for the premium view category rooms are? I mean sleeping: 2 queens, king, bunk beds, daybed? And which of those have best view. I don't want to request a bed configuration that inadvertently results in me getting my request, but having a worse view than I could have because of it. And as a party of three (two adults, one child) we could do any of the above.

Also, I did read that all rooms at the Grand have turndown, is that accurate?

Thanks to the experts and I'm getting so excited about our trip!!

 

[Nonsuch]

Is the daybed room actually larger? Is there a difference in room size between concierge and non-concierge rooms? I ask because if they are larger rooms, as well as the lounge access, I might be able to convince myself it's "worth it" after all.

Concierge and non-concierge rooms are the same size, although concierge rooms are generally on the 6th floor close to the lounge.
Daybed rooms are larger, the difference is even visible in the hotel floorplan.

And does anyone know what the configurations are for the premium view category rooms are? I mean sleeping: 2 queens, king, bunk beds, daybed? And which of those have best view. I don't want to request a bed configuration that inadvertently results in me getting my request, but having a worse view than I could have because of it. And as a party of three (two adults, one child) we could do any of the above.

Other than daybed, the bed types are spread throughout the hotel with all view types. If view is most important, 2 queens is the most common type.

...I did read that all rooms at the Grand have turndown, is that accurate?

Yes. (except the villas)

 

[coopersmom]

Concierge and non-concierge rooms are the same size, although concierge rooms are generally on the 6th floor close to the lounge.
Daybed rooms are larger, the difference is even visible in the hotel floorplan.

Other than daybed, the bed types are spread throughout the hotel with all view types. If view is most important, 2 queens is the most common type.
)

So there are no view rooms with daybeds, is that correct? Would love the extra space. My son always wants to play in hotel rooms and I'm kind of terrified of spending so long in a small room.

 

[Nonsuch]

So there are no view rooms with daybeds, is that correct? Would love the extra space.

Correct, all 39 daybed rooms are standard view (shown in yellow on the diagram). I like to call it Sunset View

Search this thread with keyword "daybed" for more information. There have been some posts that parties of 5 adults are given priority.

 

[coopersmom]

I read that ALL Grand Californian rooms have DVD players. Is that accurate?

 

[Nonsuch]

I read that ALL Grand Californian rooms have DVD players. Is that accurate?

That is correct

 

[Chelsea524]

Are the beds your standard hotel bed? Are they on the soft side or the firm side? Leaving my comfy bed at home is the only thing I hate about traveling and I am hoping with the higher price tag here it might mean more quality mattresses.

 

[wdhinn89]

Just returned from a 7n/8d trip. When we checked into the GC the cm knew immediately there was a problem because our room had bunk beds and my children are 17 and 14 and there was no way they were going to fit in bunk beds. We were kept waiting for a while to see what they could do and after a while the cm came out and said it would take longer and gave us 2 e-ticket passes for our inconvenience. After several more minutes she came out again and gave us 4 free dinner passes and told us to go have dinner on them because it was going to take longer than expected to find us a room with 2 queen beds. They were going to have to move people around. We had already eaten on the way to the hotel because we were still on NY time and it felt like 11pm to us so we saved the vouchers for another day. We walked around a while and came back after a half hour and still waited a bit and we were told there was no room we could be switched to that night because the resort was full but we could be switched the next day. We would have to check out in the morning and they would text us when the room was available to re-check in. They would compensate us by giving us a $100 room credit and free breakfast vouchers. We really had no choice but to take it. For us the time was now 12:15am and we just wanted to shower after our long day of travel and get to sleep.

Well, the bunk beds are ridiculously small. No way my son would fit but luckily my daughter and I are both short so it was not to bad for us to sleep in them. We only had to crouch up a little. There was no way my dd could sleep on the top bunk because it was too close to the ceiling for her but luckily there was another pull out bed under the lower bunk so she slept on that. My husband said it looked like she was sleeping in a litter box. lol

We checked out the next morning and rechecked into our new room the next afternoon. The room was nice as expected, just like the room we had 3 years ago. Housecleaning was good.

It was nice to get the free breakfast and dinners which we utilized at Storytellers buffets so we did save some money on that but I had a feeling I should follow up on that $100 credit considering whoever assigned us to that room could not have been too smart considering my kids ages were listed and there was no way bunk beds would work for us and low and behold, I was right. No $100 credit. When I told the girl there should be, she said I do see it in the notes. Let me go ask. She came out and said they adjusted the room rate and that is why we did not see it listed separately. I explained no way that could be. The rate I had was rack rate minus the AAA 10% discount and $100 divided 7 ways left an odd number and that was not reflected in my daily room rate. She did agree. Asked the man next to her and he told her to just take off the $100.

Even after all the confusion we had a nice time but it was really quite annoying that the staff lacked simple common sense.

 

[Tonga Toast]

I just got off the phone with Disneyland Resort reservations and the helpful lady told me that the AAA/Senior discounts for the Grand Californian should be posted around August 1st. She also said that while AAA discounts run 10% the Senior discount can be up to 30% off. She said Disney is deliberating over what percentage the Senior discount will be next year. Fingers crossed they are thinking 30%!!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I just got off the phone with Disneyland Resort reservations and the helpful lady told me that the AAA/Senior discounts for the Grand Californian should be posted around August 1st. She also said that while AAA discounts run 10% the Senior discount can be up to 30% off. She said Disney is deliberating over what percentage the Senior discount will be next year. Fingers crossed they are thinking 30%!!!

This year 30%

Jack

 

[gmi3804]

Are there any photos of the views from the east-facing DVC units? I had a south-facing (Paradise Pier) view last fall and it was wonderful. How does the east view compare? I have a 2BR reserved for September and would like to put in a request.

Are all the 2BRs dedicated, or are some lock-offs? There's no distinction on the DVC reservations site.