Grand Californian Super Thread

[Nonsuch]

..."The condo sleeps up to 4." They told her it was their time share, so to me that means DVC...

You are likely correct, a studio villa has an occupancy of 4. Similar to a regular hotel room, but with a modified floor plan. Queen bed with a fold out sofa. Bathroom only has one sink, but there is also a sink in the mini-kitchen. Kitchen has a microwave, toaster, full size coffee maker, compact refrigerator (slightly larger that hotel rooms).

All studios have the same layout, and there are no view categories. A room request is a good idea, which must be made by the DVC owner (through DVC member services). Certainly make 6504 your first choice

 

[lorijohnhill]

Thank you! Seeing the floor plan helps a lot.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Thank you! Seeing the floor plan helps a lot.

Do you know if any of the studios are HC accessible?

 

[Nonsuch]

Do you know if any of the studios are HC accessible?

1516 is the HA studio, there is one HA of each villa type. HA is a booking category, so guests are guaranteed to receive one.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

I am so excited to be staying at the GCH, I'll be staying at the Club Level - Courtyard View, so i was wondering what the views were like? I'm honestly not picky, I'm just excited about the Club Level and GCH aspect. I'm only staying two nights so I want to get the best out of the hotel [which i know will be hard but I am having one day where I just spend at the hotel] I'll be going October 1st-3rd.
Are the Courtyard View rooms far from the DCA entrance and what level should I expect to be on if I am a Club Level?
Also does anyone know what type of wine they have?
I'm assuming there is a DVD player in the room?

 

[Nonsuch]

...Are the Courtyard View rooms far from the DCA entrance and what level should I expect to be on if I am a Club Level?

You will likely receive a room on the 6th (same as the lounge) or 5th floor (stairs outside the lounge connects to the 6th), although club lounge access can be added to rooms in any location. You might want to request a room near the elevators adjacent to Napa Rose, which will give convenient access to the DCA entrance. The lounge overlooks the courtyard, so there are courtyard view rooms very near the lounge.

...Also does anyone know what type of wine they have?

Red, white, champagne, beer, several other alcoholic beverages are available -- although I have not asked about specific varieties or brands. Alcohol is poured in a back room, so there is no view of the bottles.

...I'm assuming there is a DVD player in the room?

Yes, and movies can be borrowed from the concierge.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I'll be staying at the Club Level - Courtyard View, so i was wondering what the views were like?

In the map above, the "Courtyard" is the open area above the Great Hall...as far as location as you can see by the map distance varies.

As far as view, I love it because the monorail cuts right through the Courtyard and goes through the hotel. Not as sweet as a full park view but defiantly better than the pool view or DTD view in my opinion.

Sitting out on the balcony with the monorail going by through the courtyard is pretty cool.

 

[Jenn504]

First time to Disneyland. They finally came out with hotel deals for April. Yes. I booked a premium view for April 24-29. There will be five of us. 2 adults and 3 kids (3,5, and 9). I think the kids would like a bunk bed. How do you go about making a room request. Should I wait a little bit to make the request. It seems hard to imagine paying these prices they would give you sleeping bag. Does that really happen? All the room combinations are confusing.
Also can you see WOC or fireworks from a premium view room?

 

[Nonsuch]

...I booked a premium view for April 24-29

You might want to look into Dapper Day.
The hotel rates are excellent, but you can only book standard view (and might need to depart on April 30). It might be possible to call and add club-level.

...There will be five of us. 2 adults and 3 kids (3,5, and 9). I think the kids would like a bunk bed. How do you go about making a room request. Should I wait a little bit to make the request. It seems hard to imagine paying these prices they would give you sleeping bag. Does that really happen? All the room combinations are confusing.

The bunk bed should work well for your kids, a third bed rolls out from under the lower bunk. Go ahead and call to add the request. Also request a park view, Premium seems to include park and pool views.

...can you see WOC or fireworks from a premium view room?

Downtown Disney View will have the best view of fireworks.
Some park view rooms do have a view of WOC, but it's not great.

 

[Jenn504]

Thanks for the tip on the view. So many different options. I have never made a room request anywhere. Do I just call the main number?
I have already bought plane tickets so no changing dates. I was thinking of club level because of our flight times. We arrive at 6 in the morning on Sunday and leave at 1155 on Friday night, only direct flight time available. I thought having a club level might give a place to hang out in morning when we first arrive and before we depart. I have read once you check out though so does your access to club level. We are also spending one whole day just hanging around the hotel since you can only buy five day ticket.

 

[Nonsuch]

...I have never made a room request anywhere. Do I just call the main number?

There is likely a phone number on your confirmation. The Disney meeting online reservation (used by Dapper Day, Gay Days...) allows special requests to be entered while booking, but this feature does not exist on the "regular" Disney site.

...I was thinking of club level because of our flight times. We arrive at 6 in the morning on Sunday and leave at 1155 on Friday night, only direct flight time available. I thought having a club level might give a place to hang out in morning when we first arrive and before we depart. I have read once you check out though so does your access to club level. We are also spending one whole day just hanging around the hotel since you can only buy five day ticket.

If you upgrade to club level, you will have access to the lounge whenever you arrive. There are conflicting reports about lounge access after checkout (We need to drive home immediately after checkout, and have not needed to "push" this issue).

You might consider booking a pool cabana on your hotel day.
I enjoy the "Art of the Craft" GCH tour.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

First time to Disneyland. They finally came out with hotel deals for April. Yes. I booked a premium view for April 24-29. There will be five of us. 2 adults and 3 kids (3,5, and 9). I think the kids would like a bunk bed. How do you go about making a room request. Should I wait a little bit to make the request. It seems hard to imagine paying these prices they would give you sleeping bag. Does that really happen? All the room combinations are confusing.
Also can you see WOC or fireworks from a premium view room?

Many years ago when my boys were about those ages- maybe a little older- we stayed there for the first time and got a sleeping bag. I was not happy to be paying that price to have one of my kids on the floor. That was before I was on disbands so I didn't realize that was a possibility. After that if we stayed onsite we stayed at the DLH. We are giving GCH another chance Sunday. But we only have 4 in our room this time.

 

[Speechphi]

Trying to search thru this thread & can't quite find what I'm looking for...

Family of 5 looking to book a room this June with the spring rates. DH says he'd like a courtyard/wood view, but we need 2 queens + the day bed. Is this possible? From what I can tell on here, the only day bed rooms for 5 are standard view, over the front of the hotel...in which case we'd rather stay at the DLH.

 

[Nonsuch]

...DH says he'd like a courtyard/wood view, but we need 2 queens + the day bed. Is this possible? From what I can tell on here, the only day bed rooms for 5 are standard view, over the front of the hotel...in which case we'd rather stay at the DLH.

You are correct, 2 queens and a daybed are only Standard view.
Floors 2 - 6 (there is no 2101), so 39 daybed rooms:

GCH does try to assign daybed rooms to parties of 5 and there are also some rooms with a rollaway bed, but DLH has larger rooms and 2 queens and a daybed (or sleeper chair) are quite common.

 

[Cera1234]

I've looked this thread over and I have some questions. If this is only for DVC questions could you kindly redirect me to an appropriate place to ask

We are booked in a woods / courtyard room. Are these located in a specific part of the hotel? Should I request a specific place? We are traveling with a toddler and will be coming back to our room for nap and one adult will be in with her after bed time.

I need to request a crib / playpen. Do I call to do this? Is it easier to just bring my own (we are driving)

Thank you

 

[Nonsuch]

...We are booked in a woods / courtyard room. Are these located in a specific part of the hotel? Should I request a specific place?

There is no official map, but in general:
Green: Courtyard (upper floors on the south are generally concierge)
Brown: Woods on lower floors (upper floors are Park view)

I would request:
Woods view, close to the elevators adjacent to Napa Rose.
(requests woods rather than courtyard. Napa Rose is next to the DCA entrance)

...I need to request a crib / playpen. Do I call to do this? Is it easier to just bring my own (we are driving

Pack and Play playpens are in all rooms. Cribs are also available by request (for infants).

 

[challer]

So, I have a reservation for a GCV and I want to use the Early Morning at DCA on check-in day. I know that the room won't be ready, but how early can I check in to get my Key to the World card and be able to use the early entrance? Can I get it after midnight? 6am?

 

[ParkHopper1]

6am...that is about when their computers turn over from the previous day and they can start checking people in. You will not be able to check in at midnight before your arrival date.

The will hold your bags, give you your room keys then will text you your room number once it is available in the afternoon.

FYI, DL resort does not have a "Key to the World" card like WDW. Your park tickets are separate from your room keys. You can set up charging privileges to your room key and will still need them for EE though.

 

[challer]

Thanks for the tip. Looks like an early morning wake up for me...

FYI, DL resort does not have a "Key to the World" card like WDW. Your park tickets are separate from your room keys. You can set up charging privileges to your room key and will still need them for EE though.

Good to know. I thought my tickets could be liked to my hotel room key.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Is check in for the DVC reservations handled the same way as the regular rooms? Would the reservation be under our name or the owner of the points?