Grand Californian Super Thread

[ryleeranger]

We stayed at the GCH last week and had a wonderful time. We booked through cheaptickets but I was able to call Disney directly to put in our bunk bed request. We booked a standard view room so I was expecting a view of the parking lot but we actually had a partial view of the pool and Mickey's wheel. Our room number was 3300.

This was our first stay and it was worth every penny thanks to the early morning hour. The short walk to the parks just can't be beat.

 

[whoever]

We've been over WOD, looking into DTD on our 2010 trip, Directly behind Goofy's Sky School on our 2011 trip (made for some good pics of the oldest and I on the ride taken FROM our room by the wife). Courtyard view on our 2013 trip. Pool view on our 2014 trip.

Location-wise, the pool view room was our favorite. View-wise, I'd go with DCA view, then DTD view, then Pool view, and lastly courtyard view.

We hope next trip to have a Grizzly Peak view (across the hall from our pool view room, above Napa Rose).

 

[AustinTink]

We've been very pleased with our Courtyard/Woods view. The first year we had a few of the courtyard. It was pretty and fun to watch the Monorail travel through that area. The noise level was very low, although we could hear the Downtown Disney music when we opened our sliding door. We mostly say trees and shrubs from this view on the 5th floor.

The second year we had this view, we were given a 3rd floor room looking out over DCA/GRR. This was lovely. There were trees in our way, so it wasn't a clear view, but we could still see enough, and could hear the music from the area and the sounds of people, music, etc. in the park. The noise level was low too once we closed our door.

I just knew that I did not want a view of the parking lot, that's why I upgraded us.

Thanks for the feedback. My boys would definitely enjoy a view of the monorail. How was the courtyard view as far as location goes? Meaning, was the walk far from the lobby, entrance to DCA, ect.?

 

[AustinTink]

Though have not personally stayed - friends of ours were upgraded to Courtyard/Garden View and had a lovely view of the monorail passing by and was nicely landscaped. It could vary but have heard decent things !

Now in regards to booking through a third party - nothing is guaranteed really. I can't speak for Disneyland properties but in hotels I worked at we typically did not upgrade those booking through third parties unless we had extra rooms or specifically asked - in our case we had no suites or different room types so tried to accommodate a higher floor if it was available and it wouldn't impact our operations.

You can always call ahead/fax 5 days in advance and request something - like a higher floor or something , can't hurt at all. I don't think it would necessarily hurt your chances either. Upgrades are tricky though because SO many factors come into play. Length of stay - staffing - capacity for booked types in coming days , but I always say it never hurts to ask !

The bolded part is what I'm afraid of. I've had some bad situations in the past where I was treated like a second class citizen upon check-in, because we booked through expedia. So much so, it has been many years since we have used a third party booking.

I couldn't resist this time because the Disneyland site was not honoring the 20% as advertised and expedia was. Not sure why as the dates were in the correct time frame.

 

[sleepymouse]

We stayed last year in courtyard view room. It was on a high floor but tucked in a corner. It was the first room you hit as you round the corner from the elevator. It was very dark and couldn't believe I had to pay more than standard view rate for it. Upon checkin, I was told that the only way for better view /upgrade was to pay for it. CM said GCH never does free upgrades. This is obviously not true from reading other's posts on this board. Anyway, this was a reservation booked through AAA (essentially Walt Disney Travel Co).

 

[AustinTink]

I just checked out AAA pricing for our dates and they were better than expedia. I have now cancelled expedia and booked through AAA. I'm glad I read that last post.

 

[sleepymouse]

I just checked out AAA pricing for our dates and they were better than expedia. I have now cancelled expedia and booked through AAA. I'm glad I read that last post.

I didn't realize you were considering rebooking. If you can cancel the reservation with AAA, you may want to try booking through Orbitz. There is an extra 20% off if you use the code DISCOVER and book by/before April 1 for travel through the end of the year. Try it and see if price is even better.

 

[AustinTink]

I didn't realize you were considering rebooking. If you can cancel the reservation with AAA, you may want to try booking through Orbitz. There is an extra 20% off if you use the code DISCOVER and book by/before April 1 for travel through the end of the year. Try it and see if price is even better.

Thanks for the tip. I just checked and it's the same price as expedia. Not sure why AAA came out better.

 

[sleepymouse]

Thanks for the tip. I just checked and it's the same price as expedia. Not sure why AAA came out better.

I'm surprised AAA is cheaper, unless Orbitz is only offering a more expensive/better view room. Oh well, whoever has the best price wins. I have 3 DLR trips in the works this year and each one is booked through a different company.

 

[Delilah1310]

Is there a WOC viewing area that is accessible to all GC guests?

If so, where is it and what is the is best time to get there - how big of a space is it?

thanking in advance.

 

[AustinTink]

I read upthread that it is better to use the main park entrance during EMH than the DCA entrance near Napa Rose. Why is that?

 

[Tasia]

I read upthread that it is better to use the main park entrance during EMH than the DCA entrance near Napa Rose. Why is that?

Because there are only two people at the GC entrance and they do not start searching bags most days untIl park open, so it moves much slower than the main gates.

 

[AustinTink]

Because there are only two people at the GC entrance and they do not start searching bags most days untIl park open, so it moves much slower than the main gates.

Ok, I see. I was thinking about requesting a room near that Napa Rose entrance, but I guess it won't help me during EMH. Also, how do you get to the main gates from the GC? DO you show your room key to get in early?

Sorry for all the questions, first time at GC.

 

[ryleeranger]

Is there a WOC viewing area that is accessible to all GC guests?

If so, where is it and what is the is best time to get there - how big of a space is it?

thanking in advance.

It's on the top floor and you need your hotel key to get in. We got there 20 minutes before the show started and there were only 10-15 people there but they were lined up against the fence so my kids couldn't see without us lifting them up. It's a side view of the show so you can't see the images projected on the water. If you've never seen WOC before, I would see it in person first.

 

[sleepymouse]

Ok, I see. I was thinking about requesting a room near that Napa Rose entrance, but I guess it won't help me during EMH. Also, how do you get to the main gates from the GC? DO you show your room key to get in early?

Sorry for all the questions, first time at GC.

You just walk through Downtown Disney to get to the main park entrance. I believe there are signs in the hotel that will direct you to DTD, but either way, it is not difficult. You show your room key and ticket, of course, for EE. Make sure everyone has there room key with them.

 

[AustinTink]

You just walk through Downtown Disney to get to the main park entrance. I believe there are signs in the hotel that will direct you to DTD, but either way, it is not difficult. You show your room key and ticket, of course, for EE. Make sure everyone has there room key with them.

That answers my question, thanks! I just wasn't sure how it's configured since we have never been inside the hotel.

 

[Kirabird]

The last time we stayed at GC was 2008 and I found tons of tips in these forums about everything from pre-ordering groceries to be delivered to your room to a complete guide to the fast pass process. For some reason I'm not finding that now.

At any rate, has anyone had recent experience ordering groceries and having them delivered to your room?

 

[Nonsuch]

...How good/bad is the view from a courtyard/woods view. It was slightly more expensive than the standard, but I'm guessing not much better for the view...

There is no exact map of view types at GCH, but generally Standard view will be in the front of the hotel. Courtyard/Woods view looks into the Brisa Courtyard (where the monorail passes) or views of trees (often lower floors facing the DCA).

Some guest like the courtyard (and monorail), but personally it's my least favorite view. I would request a Woods view, facing the park

...I was thinking about requesting a room near that Napa Rose entrance, but I guess it won't help me during EMH. Also, how do you get to the main gates from the GC?...

I like to be near the elevators next to Napa Rose
The path to the main gates is off the main lobby to DTD. There are also stairs near x450 which is a shorter path to the main gates (not the most "pretty" route).

 

[sleepymouse]

The last time we stayed at GC was 2008 and I found tons of tips in these forums about everything from pre-ordering groceries to be delivered to your room to a complete guide to the fast pass process. For some reason I'm not finding that now.

At any rate, has anyone had recent experience ordering groceries and having them delivered to your room?

It has been 1 year since we did it, but I don't think anything has changed. You order on online through Von's. Your first delivery is free. You don't have to be there when the delivery arrives as long as you are checking in that day. Your order will be held at the Bell desk, and they will refrigerate items if necessary. However, if you order alcohol, you do need to be present to accept the delivery. The hotel will not accept if order contains alcohol.

 

[Delilah1310]

It's on the top floor and you need your hotel key to get in. We got there 20 minutes before the show started and there were only 10-15 people there but they were lined up against the fence so my kids couldn't see without us lifting them up. It's a side view of the show so you can't see the images projected on the water. If you've never seen WOC before, I would see it in person first.

thank you so much.
we have seen it before and didn't plan to spend the time there on this trip.
But I thought perhaps on our arrival night, it might be an option to view from the hotel.

thanks!