Grand Californian Super Thread

[sweetpee_1993]

I checked the list of things that could be pre-ordered by DVC members and there's no mention of almond milk. I can't say for certain it isn't there but I think it's unlikely. Perhaps if you call the hotel directly they'll be able to have some waiting for you.

Thank you. I think I may just add almond milk to our Von's order. It's not something I have to have due to allergy so not the end of the world. I switched from using water to almond milk to mix my morning protein shakes. I usually pop in half a packet of Via too so the almond milk makes for a tastier shake.

 

[Lucille1963]

When were all the pool closures announced?!? I just saw info on mice chat, and I'm pretty darn disappointed.

 

[StyledSugar]

When were all the pool closures announced?!? I just saw info on mice chat, and I'm pretty darn disappointed.

Could you post the link for that? I can't seem to find it.

 

[Astylla]

It's listed at the bottom of the dateline Disneyland micechat blog : It was updated after being posted so I think it was a recent addition.

Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels
Disneyland Hotel Monorail Pool:*Closed through February 8 for refurbishment

Grand Californian Hotel – Storytellers Cafe:*Closed through February 6 for refurbishment.

Grand Californian Hotel – Mickey Pool:Closed through January 21 for refurbishment.

Grand Californian Hotel – Redwood Pool:*Closed through February 3 for refurbishment.

Grand Californian Hotel – Mariposa Pool:*Closed February 4-6 for refurbishment.

Grand Californian Hotel – Mariposa Spa:Closed February 9-11 for refurbishment.

 

[Lucille1963]

I've had a Pollyanna attitude through all the closure announcements, but this one might be the straw that breaks the camels back. We have an entire resort day scheduled, not to mention using the pool when the parks open and close early, and the thought of construction at the pool is really getting to me right now.

 

[StyledSugar]

I was pretty close to snapping <---- me snapping Thankfully only one pool is closed during part of our stay. It's still very frustrating considering such a large amount of things are closed in the parks and then they close pools too. Before I could find the list, I told hubby that we may as well cancel the hotel, save some money and just stay elsewhere.

 

[MommyJKM]

I just booked our first (and possibly only) trip to stay at the GCH March 1-5! I've been saving for 3 years for this trip

And DS is such a fun Disney buddy because he loves all the magic of it and really gets into noticing the details and enjoying all the little moments. He has been asking to look up pictures of GCH online, and wants to see videos of it, and he's super excited, too. I did explain that we can't afford the premium view rooms, so he shouldn't expect to see CA or DTD or anything, but he says that's okay because it will still be Disneyland and that's the best part.

Make sure you show DS the free cool stuff you get to do when staying at GCH - Morning walk through DCA (might be for adults only), Art of the Craft tour, the Secret Treasure Hunt Maps for Disneyland, the GCH Quest Treasure Hunt, the Hearthstone Fireplace storytime, escorted pre-store opening to Build-A-Bear, free Disney movies on a giant screen outside on the lawn, Learn to draw Mickey class, and the Swan washcloth making class...my niece who is 6 spends an entire day doing all the GCH stuff alone

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/grand-californian-hotel/recreation/

Enjoy!! I love love love when kids see and appreciate the magic

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Make sure you show DS the free cool stuff you get to do when staying at GCH - Morning walk through DCA (might be for adults only), Art of the Craft tour, the Secret Treasure Hunt Maps for Disneyland, the GCH Quest Treasure Hunt, the Hearthstone Fireplace storytime, escorted pre-store opening to Build-A-Bear, free Disney movies on a giant screen outside on the lawn, Learn to draw Mickey class, and the Swan washcloth making class...my niece who is 6 spends an entire day doing all the GCH stuff alone

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/grand-californian-hotel/recreation/

Enjoy!! I love love love when kids see and appreciate the magic

Thanks! I definitely will. We learned last week that our good friends will be able to join us March 2-5, so we'll have some extra fun with them! It's DS' favorite friend from school and his mom, who is one of my closest friends. They're from the Netherlands and haven't been on a Disney vacation yet, and she was really nervous about taking her son when she didn't know anything about it and had only been in LA once before. She was able to get off work that week, and I helped her do the research to get the best pricing on her room & tickets. She's on a business trip to China this week, but we're getting together next weekend to watch Disneyland videos and plot out the trip details.

Has anyone used Pinocchio's Workshop, and how did your kids do? We were thinking of dropping the boys off and having a moms night one evening on the trip to give ourselves a break from the energetic little critters.
http://www.disboards.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

[MommyJKM]

Has anyone used Pinocchio's Workshop, and how did your kids do? We were thinking of dropping the boys off and having a moms night one evening on the trip to give ourselves a break from the energetic little critters.
http://www.disboards.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

We've used PW and love it- you can eat at Napa Rose which is only like 20 feet away if you're nervous about leaving the kids.

PW is great - they do fun arts and crafts with the kids and will text you updates if you want. My niece stayed for 3 1/2 hours in May and didn't want to leave. I thought someone told me once that they will take the kids to watch the outdoor movie on the lawn, but I've never confirmed that.

I'd recommend the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose-and there are other restaurants in Downtown Disney (Catal is a fav) or even taking a cab over to Ruth's Chris' or McCormick and Schmick's for a lovely meal.

 

[Lucille1963]

Has anyone used Pinocchio's Workshop, and how did your kids do? We were thinking of dropping the boys off and having a moms night one evening on the trip to give ourselves a break from the energetic little critters.
http://www.disboards.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

My son loved being there. He begged to go back!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I'm so glad to hear your kids loved it! I definitely think we'll add moms night out to our plans!

 

[myty5]

Well, it is ..."Adventure Season"

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

One more question for all of the GCH experts: are there connecting rooms, and how often are requests for connecting (or at least adjacent) rooms granted? My friend and I are hoping to sit up talking after the boys go to bed. DS does fine falling asleep in one bed and then being transferred to his own, so we thought we could put them to bed in one room and stay up chatting in the other, then move my little guy when we're ready for bed.

It won't ruin the trip if it doesn't work out, but we figure it doesn't hurt to look into it!

 

[BunnieGene]

One more question for all of the GCH experts: are there connecting rooms, and how often are requests for connecting (or at least adjacent) rooms granted? My friend and I are hoping to sit up talking after the boys go to bed. DS does fine falling asleep in one bed and then being transferred to his own, so we thought we could put them to bed in one room and stay up chatting in the other, then move my little guy when we're ready for bed.

It won't ruin the trip if it doesn't work out, but we figure it doesn't hurt to look into it!

Yes there are connecting rooms. We've requested that several times and always gotten it, even though it wasn't guaranteed. We always made that our priority request, which probably helped. Good luck!

 

[MommyJKM]

One more question for all of the GCH experts: are there connecting rooms, and how often are requests for connecting (or at least adjacent) rooms granted? My friend and I are hoping to sit up talking after the boys go to bed. DS does fine falling asleep in one bed and then being transferred to his own, so we thought we could put them to bed in one room and stay up chatting in the other, then move my little guy when we're ready for bed.

It won't ruin the trip if it doesn't work out, but we figure it doesn't hurt to look into it!

You can request adjoining rooms- it will most likely happen.
Be aware that our last trip we had requested adjoining rooms and one had the bunk beds. There is a clear sign on the bed that "Children Under the Age of 6 May Not Be Safe on the Top Bunk" (there's a picture of it somewhere on my TR) and all 3 kids with us were under 6yrs old.

So, if your friend's boys are under 6 make sure you ask NOT to have the bunk bed room- and if all of the kids are over 6 - make sure they won't be arguing over who gets the bunk bed room. It was such a headache for us.

 

[phyllis1966]

Well, I found Nonsuch's map of where all the suites are - we have a one-bedroom booked and I'm wondering which ones have the nicest views, so I can make a request. Anyone have any experience? I saw one photo that had kind of a theme park view, and I didn't love it.

Thanks!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Yes there are connecting rooms. We've requested that several times and always gotten it, even though it wasn't guaranteed. We always made that our priority request, which probably helped. Good luck!

Thanks, that's very encouraging!

You can request adjoining rooms- it will most likely happen.
Be aware that our last trip we had requested adjoining rooms and one had the bunk beds. There is a clear sign on the bed that "Children Under the Age of 6 May Not Be Safe on the Top Bunk" (there's a picture of it somewhere on my TR) and all 3 kids with us were under 6yrs old.

So, if your friend's boys are under 6 make sure you ask NOT to have the bunk bed room- and if all of the kids are over 6 - make sure they won't be arguing over who gets the bunk bed room. It was such a headache for us.

Thanks for the heads up! My son is 7, and her son is 6.5, so we'll see what happens. We can set up a "taking turns" deal if it happens, I guess. They are very close friends and have been in the same class at school the last two years, so they have their share of little spats, but they always work it out. DS7 has a loft bed at home, so he's used to sleeping up high, but the other boy has a low bed, and might even be a little nervous about sleeping on top. Who knows? Maybe they'll want to be in the bottom bunk & trundle to be next to each other if that happens.

They've been wanting a sleep over together for ages, but they both still get nervous if they don't have mom or dad near by at bedtime. So I guess we'll see what happens. If we get the connecting rooms, that might give them a chance to try it out, and the moms can stay up late ordering dessert from room service!

http://www.disboards.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

[SMorgan711]

question. We check in next Sunday (AHHHHHHH) is there online check in like Disney World?

 

[Nonsuch]

...We check in next Sunday (AHHHHHHH) is there online check in like Disney World?

No.

 

[SMorgan711]

No.

Ok thanks for the info!