Grand Californian Super Thread

[sgrap]

Thanks Nonsuch! I am looking forward to seeing the changes, but hoping they don't change up the bathroom layout too much. The double sink area outside of the shower area was really convenient for my family when getting ready for the parks in the mornings.

Yes, that set-up is the best! Bring along 2 teenage daughters and it is invaluable!

 

[RE1333]

I've been wondering the same thing.

Anyone been to the DCA entrance at early entry now that the entrance is restricted to GCH only? Is there any difference in the crowds?

I would really love to hear about this as well. I'm taking my first trip to Disneyland and the Grand Californian in early March, and I'm trying to anticipate if this entrance will be useful for early entry or if I should just head to the main gate.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

A few photos taken of the pool area early Monday morning (1/16). They were tearing up the pool deck the entire time we were there and they worked all weekend.

 

[Laundress]

Wow. Thank you for the pics. Reimagining is not pretty work though

 

[Syndrome]

Checking in later today after our travels from PA . Leaving in a few minutes !
REALLY hoping we dont get a "pool" view after seeing those pics !
Since we are staying in the villas side, its a definite possibility ............ crossing fingers !

 

[sgrap]

A few photos taken of the pool area early Monday morning (1/16). They were tearing up the pool deck the entire time we were there and they worked all weekend.

Wow, that's dramatic? Do you know if they are just updating the area to a newer version of what was, or completely overhauling the layout as well?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Wow, that's dramatic? Do you know if they are just updating the area to a newer version of what was, or completely overhauling the layout as well?

All appearances were that they were just tearing out the pool deck to replace. Most of that was done while we were there.

Have a great trip! Hopefully you won't get the pool view but it was a different kind of interesting to watch them work vs watching the parks. We also spend most time out of the room when there so not a lot of time to watch the work either.

 

[Syndrome]

We lucked out with our villa requests ( THANKS nonsuch !) .
We didn't arrive until about 5pm , and still got a great 1 bdrm . We are in 5508 , and have a great view of Paridise Pier and World of Color . It's pretty rainy and cold today so we are skipping the parks today, but looking down over CA, there are a surprising amount of people enjoying the parks in ponchos !
They do have a shuttle golf cart running back and forth for GC guests who want to use the DL pools but in a VERY poor scheduling decision on Disneys part ......... (imho) not only are ALL of the GC pools closed , but the DL pool slide is under construction right now too ! It doesn't impact us at all , but a very poor choice in scheduling refurbs for family's with kids who may like a pool slide at a pool . All that's left right now is the PPH pool slide . Just an FYI ........

 

[challer]

Whoa! How long is the pool area supposed to be down for?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Whoa! How long is the pool area supposed to be down for?

This is the GC refurbishment notice on the DL website:

"Please Pardon Our Pixie Dust
From January 2017 to spring 2017, the pools and poolside cabanas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will be closed for refurbishment. The pools and waterslides at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel will be available for your enjoyment. Also, reservations for poolside cabanas at Disneyland Hotel will be available.

In addition, from June 2017 through early August 2017, the Great Hall lobby will be refurbished and access will be limited. Some rooms will not be available during this time.

It is possible that from January 2017 through fall 2017 you may see and hear construction. To minimize any disruptions, we will not start activities that may create noise until 9:00 AM."

 

[NanaPapa]

A few photos taken of the pool area early Monday morning (1/16). They were tearing up the pool deck the entire time we were there and they worked all weekend.

Wow...did you notice lots of noise? We requested the Grand Villa Pool View months and months ago when we booked.
Also, bummer there is no shortcut to White Water for awhile

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Wow...did you notice lots of noise? We requested the Grand Villa Pool View months and months ago when we booked.
Also, bummer there is no shortcut to White Water for awhile

Oh yes, very loud, but we were there when they had the jackhammers on 2 bobcats and were breaking up all the concrete. Everyone still seemed to sleep in just fine though after a long day of travel. lol They seemed to start around 9am - rain or shine - and worked the entire weekend so we were wondering if they were already behind.

I'd think that would have been the loudest part of the work with the jackhammers. Our 2BR villa was right below the pool view GV. I definitely missed the short cut - that's often the only reason I even enter the pool area!

 

[Denise0362]

All the rain Sunday had the pools full of water again!

 

[RE1333]

Have any of you guys been to the Grand Californian's DCA gate for early entry? Any improvement with the crowds since the security changes?

 

[hjgaus]

Have any of you guys been to the Grand Californian's DCA gate for early entry? Any improvement with the crowds since the security changes?

I HAVE NOT used this way since Mar. 2015 BUT I would HOPE it HAS changed since they no longer let those staying at PPH short cut through GCH UNTIL 11AM.
Our first reservation of THIS year is not until March 2nd so I am also curious about the crowds. I shall keep my & open to the boards.

 

[hjgaus]

WOW!!! The picture of the pool area.... YUK !!! I don't want that view but something tells me that is exactly what I'll get in March !!
Well at least I have 5 more reservations in THIS YEAR to try for something better if it does!!

 

[Syndrome]

This is the GC refurbishment notice on the DL website:

"Please Pardon Our Pixie Dust
From January 2017 to spring 2017, the pools and poolside cabanas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will be closed for refurbishment. The pools and waterslides at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel will be available for your enjoyment. Also, reservations for poolside cabanas at Disneyland Hotel will be available.

In addition, from June 2017 through early August 2017, the Great Hall lobby will be refurbished and access will be limited. Some rooms will not be available during this time.

It is possible that from January 2017 through fall 2017 you may see and hear construction. To minimize any disruptions, we will not start activities that may create noise until 9:00 AM."

What is unsettling about these details DL listed on the website (and is still listed exactly the same) , is that while yes, ALL the pools are closed at the Grand ...........the "Pixie Dust" notation says the Disneyland hotel waterslides are available for "your enjoyment" . The Disneyland Hotel water slides are clearly NOT open as they are undergoing refurbishment as well . SAME TIME as all the pools are closed at the grand. SO, the monorail pool and slides are closed at DL resort now as well . The only pool slide available is at Paradise Pier.
We just returned and our swimsuits never came out of the suitcase . Just too much hassle to go to another resort to use a hot-tub and pool area ............especially since one of the other available pools also has construction going on , and all the NOISE to go with it.
Dont get me started about all the noise in the pool area at the grand !Plus the whole center courtyard closed and barricaded off. Made it tougher to make a quick trip to Whitewater .
Just an FYI to anyone who may want to swim at a Disneyland resort anytime soon .

OH, and the VGC construction is clearly not finished as well . Last week .............and ALL week , they were doing contruction in the hallways of the VGC wing. Dont know what they were doing, but it was loud and dusty . Plastic wraps on the floor all week.
Oh and they shut off the water 2 nights last week ................11-6 !

Not especially thrilled about our first stay ever at GC !

We are thinking of trying another stay at VGC as a "do-over" in September . Anyone have any ideas if they will be almost done with the construction soon, or what the fall will look like at the grand ?

 

[MacMama0930]

What is unsettling about these details DL listed on the website (and is still listed exactly the same) , is that while yes, ALL the pools are closed at the Grand ...........the "Pixie Dust" notation says the Disneyland hotel waterslides are available for "your enjoyment" . The Disneyland Hotel water slides are clearly NOT open as they are undergoing refurbishment as well . SAME TIME as all the pools are closed at the grand. SO, the monorail pool and slides are closed at DL resort now as well . The only pool slide available is at Paradise Pier.
We just returned and our swimsuits never came out of the suitcase . Just too much hassle to go to another resort to use a hot-tub and pool area ............especially since one of the other available pools also has construction going on , and all the NOISE to go with it.
Dont get me started about all the noise in the pool area at the grand !Plus the whole center courtyard closed and barricaded off. Made it tougher to make a quick trip to Whitewater .
Just an FYI to anyone who may want to swim at a Disneyland resort anytime soon .

OH, and the VGC construction is clearly not finished as well . Last week .............and ALL week , they were doing contruction in the hallways of the VGC wing. Dont know what they were doing, but it was loud and dusty . Plastic wraps on the floor all week.
Oh and they shut off the water 2 nights last week ................11-6 !

Not especially thrilled about our first stay ever at GC !

We are thinking of trying another stay at VGC as a "do-over" in September . Anyone have any ideas if they will be almost done with the construction soon, or what the fall will look like at the grand ?

Yikes! That sounds horrible! I can't believe they charge what they charge with all that going on!!! I'm staying at the Grand this weekend and luckily I'm only staying there with my mom strictly for proximity purposes and my expectations are low - but I still think it's outrageous that it's as expensive as it is while it's undergoing construction. And I had no idea about the monorail pool being closed =(

 

[Syndrome]

Yikes! That sounds horrible! I can't believe they charge what they charge with all that going on!!! I'm staying at the Grand this weekend and luckily I'm only staying there with my mom strictly for proximity purposes and my expectations are low - but I still think it's outrageous that it's as expensive as it is while it's undergoing construction. And I had no idea about the monorail pool being closed =(

Only the "monorail" pool and pool slides are closed at DL . The monorail pool is basically just a splash pad area and small water pool for the slide exit .
The other 2 real pools are still open at DL . Just kind of hard to enjoy them, with the 3rd pool area under construction and all the noise that goes with it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

What is unsettling about these details DL listed on the website (and is still listed exactly the same) , is that while yes, ALL the pools are closed at the Grand ...........the "Pixie Dust" notation says the Disneyland hotel waterslides are available for "your enjoyment" . The Disneyland Hotel water slides are clearly NOT open as they are undergoing refurbishment as well . SAME TIME as all the pools are closed at the grand. SO, the monorail pool and slides are closed at DL resort now as well . The only pool slide available is at Paradise Pier.
We just returned and our swimsuits never came out of the suitcase . Just too much hassle to go to another resort to use a hot-tub and pool area ............especially since one of the other available pools also has construction going on , and all the NOISE to go with it.
Dont get me started about all the noise in the pool area at the grand !Plus the whole center courtyard closed and barricaded off. Made it tougher to make a quick trip to Whitewater .
Just an FYI to anyone who may want to swim at a Disneyland resort anytime soon .

OH, and the VGC construction is clearly not finished as well . Last week .............and ALL week , they were doing contruction in the hallways of the VGC wing. Dont know what they were doing, but it was loud and dusty . Plastic wraps on the floor all week.
Oh and they shut off the water 2 nights last week ................11-6 !

Not especially thrilled about our first stay ever at GC !

We are thinking of trying another stay at VGC as a "do-over" in September . Anyone have any ideas if they will be almost done with the construction soon, or what the fall will look like at the grand ?

This doesn't help at all but I learned at a very early age that in January/February when you go to DL or WDW there will be things closed and under refurb. I did not ride the Matterhorn until my mid-20's because of that and all our trips being early in the year. Yes, that's my sob story I'm still sharing.

Disney likes to do these things - don't know if you've seen that at WDW the BWV main pool is going to be down for refurb for part of Feb and the slide for another couple weeks after that. They are offering SAB to guests - but if you go look at BCV you see that their slide is going to be refurbed at the same time too.

Anyway, I'd guess that things they are working on now would be done in Sept but that isn't to say that something different won't be done at that time. Disney just doesn't provide refurb information far enough in advance to work real well for the lead time required for DVC bookings. When we were there a couple weeks ago the monorail slide was open so they didn't start that at the exact same time as the VGC pools. Nor were they doing any work in the VGC wing that we saw but they were working on the hotel wing that connects to it. I've had numerous stays at VGC and this is the only one that I recall any work going on so it's definitely not a continually ongoing process but it's hard to say that they won't have something else they will be working on either.