Grand Californian Super Thread

[Pluto468]

Just back from a nice stay at GCH CL, thought I'd share a few thoughts! It was my first trip back to DL since covid fwiw.

GCH in general

• security in the mornings around 8:30-9 was really fast except one day of our Sun-Thurs trip there was about a 15-20 min line to DtD that stretched to the lobby but it moved much faster than I expected. (Sidenote- old school bag checks still?! Was very sad to see that, I love disney world's walk through machines! Security said they tested them but didn't work for Disneyland for some reason )
• Mobile order at Craftsman Grill was a good 25 min wait about half hour before closing after I clicked the "I'm here" button, really regretted I didn't click that thing sooner
• Hotel is still in nice shape, lobby, pools, etc don't seem rundown or outdated. Hot tub at the pool doesn't have nearly enough loungers next to it so if you want a lounge chair near the big hot tub you're going to need an amazing plan to snag some.
• Children everywhere! Don't travel the week before Easter if you aren't cool with getting splashed in the pool hot tub by a dozen+ kids lol. It was waaaay more children under 10 than I've ever seen at GCH but maybe more families are opting for GCH with DLH under construction?
• The convenience was worth it to us for this special occasion trip and then really became worth it after an in-park fall that took out two of my party for the rest of the day (one gashed the back of her head, one badly bruised/scratched/slightly twisted her knee)
• Did you know they can call a nurse who can do basic first aid? I didn't until we told the concierge about the bleeding head (we didn't realize it was bleeding until we got to the hotel) to see about suggestions on where to take her and they offered to call the nurse. Took about 10-15 mins to arrive. She disinfected the wound, wrapped it and advised on the depth of the injury so we could decide to ER or not and told us what to watch for later. She also treated our other injured, disinfecting the wound, providing a bandage and a temporary ice pack. She was only allowed to do very basic things but it was more than we were equipped to do and we really appreciated her analysis of it all. Disney Security came for a report before the nurse arrived and they stayed through the whole thing so it all felt very safe for everyone involved.
• Facemasks for hotel staff became option while we were there. I am NOT saying that's good or bad. Just interesting. Parks still required staff be masked.

GCH CL

• Concierges were very helpful this trip. Let us know about- and called- the nurse, at my request they moved our park reservations from CA Adventure to DL for the next day since our injured party members needed to stick to easy, calm rides. They helped us push back a Storyteller's reservation (a feat, they needed to get hold of the restaurant lead or something) about half an hour after a migraine took another one of us down for a few hours at the end of the trip (it was *rough* trip medical wise but can't blame the Mouse for any of that!)
• Staff inside the CL were excellent, as always! Kind, professional, I've always found them top notch and this was no exception!
• Still love their all day mimosa bar
• gluten free muffin and bagel available on request
• Appetizer offerings were the dark spot on the trip as I found them kinda sad. Skewers, skewers everywhere! And not very good ones. Asian night was delicious (and skewer free lol). I ultimately felt the appetizers lacked creativity and weren't really that good aside from the Asian night. I recently stayed Wilderness Lodge CL at WDW and they managed to put out a variety of main apps for our few days so this shouldn't be an impossible task for Disneyland's Flagship Resort

Will we stay again? Idk. We've been going every couple years for a while pre-covid and staying onsite but GCH is lot of dough, even pricing it without CL. Like it was a lovely way to celebrate our special occasion and wowza were we happy to have such a short walk and concierge help when the medical issues hit- but God willing that much bad luck won't ever hit us again on a trip! We like being in the Disney bubble so I can see us coughing up the dough for on-site but I'm leaning towards DLH unless it's a terribly special occasion again.

Sounds like a great time and it's nice to know they had a nurse right there to help your party. I hope everyone healed up ok.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Sounds like a great time and it's nice to know they had a nurse right there to help your party. I hope everyone healed up ok.

They’re mending well!

 

[Canto]

Hi guys,
Question, Staying at club level in June. One of the perks Disney claims is that a club level rep will reach out to assist with future dining, questions, etc. Can anybody shed some light on this. I'm usually the guy who books 60 days for dining. But if that's an included perk I'm all in. Thanks in advance for the advice

Hi, if possible please update if they provided assistance, TIA!

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Question about grocery delivery since covid: will they store groceries for you if they arrive before you do if it's the same day?

 

[bluecruiser]

Question about grocery delivery since covid: will they store groceries for you if they arrive before you do if it's the same day?

Yes they will - including groceries that need to be kept cold.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Yes they will - including groceries that need to be kept cold.

Great to hear! This makes our arrival day much easier then.

 

[lily_belle]

Just back from a nice stay at GCH CL, thought I'd share a few thoughts! It was my first trip back to DL since covid fwiw.

GCH in general

• security in the mornings around 8:30-9 was really fast except one day of our Sun-Thurs trip there was about a 15-20 min line to DtD that stretched to the lobby but it moved much faster than I expected. (Sidenote- old school bag checks still?! Was very sad to see that, I love disney world's walk through machines! Security said they tested them but didn't work for Disneyland for some reason )
• Mobile order at Craftsman Grill was a good 25 min wait about half hour before closing after I clicked the "I'm here" button, really regretted I didn't click that thing sooner
• Hotel is still in nice shape, lobby, pools, etc don't seem rundown or outdated. Hot tub at the pool doesn't have nearly enough loungers next to it so if you want a lounge chair near the big hot tub you're going to need an amazing plan to snag some.
• Children everywhere! Don't travel the week before Easter if you aren't cool with getting splashed in the pool hot tub by a dozen+ kids lol. It was waaaay more children under 10 than I've ever seen at GCH but maybe more families are opting for GCH with DLH under construction?
• The convenience was worth it to us for this special occasion trip and then really became worth it after an in-park fall that took out two of my party for the rest of the day (one gashed the back of her head, one badly bruised/scratched/slightly twisted her knee)
• Did you know they can call a nurse who can do basic first aid? I didn't until we told the concierge about the bleeding head (we didn't realize it was bleeding until we got to the hotel) to see about suggestions on where to take her and they offered to call the nurse. Took about 10-15 mins to arrive. She disinfected the wound, wrapped it and advised on the depth of the injury so we could decide to ER or not and told us what to watch for later. She also treated our other injured, disinfecting the wound, providing a bandage and a temporary ice pack. She was only allowed to do very basic things but it was more than we were equipped to do and we really appreciated her analysis of it all. Disney Security came for a report before the nurse arrived and they stayed through the whole thing so it all felt very safe for everyone involved.
• Facemasks for hotel staff became option while we were there. I am NOT saying that's good or bad. Just interesting. Parks still required staff be masked.

GCH CL

• Concierges were very helpful this trip. Let us know about- and called- the nurse, at my request they moved our park reservations from CA Adventure to DL for the next day since our injured party members needed to stick to easy, calm rides. They helped us push back a Storyteller's reservation (a feat, they needed to get hold of the restaurant lead or something) about half an hour after a migraine took another one of us down for a few hours at the end of the trip (it was *rough* trip medical wise but can't blame the Mouse for any of that!)
• Staff inside the CL were excellent, as always! Kind, professional, I've always found them top notch and this was no exception!
• Still love their all day mimosa bar
• gluten free muffin and bagel available on request
• Appetizer offerings were the dark spot on the trip as I found them kinda sad. Skewers, skewers everywhere! And not very good ones. Asian night was delicious (and skewer free lol). I ultimately felt the appetizers lacked creativity and weren't really that good aside from the Asian night. I recently stayed Wilderness Lodge CL at WDW and they managed to put out a variety of main apps for our few days so this shouldn't be an impossible task for Disneyland's Flagship Resort

Will we stay again? Idk. We've been going every couple years for a while pre-covid and staying onsite but GCH is lot of dough, even pricing it without CL. Like it was a lovely way to celebrate our special occasion and wowza were we happy to have such a short walk and concierge help when the medical issues hit- but God willing that much bad luck won't ever hit us again on a trip! We like being in the Disney bubble so I can see us coughing up the dough for on-site but I'm leaning towards DLH unless it's a terribly special occasion again.

Thank you for this! I arrive Sunday for my first club level experience and this helped. Can I ask what night of the week was Asian night?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you for this! I arrive Sunday for my first club level experience and this helped. Can I ask what night of the week was Asian night?

I think it was Tues night

 

[lily_belle]

I think it was Tues night

Yay thank you! My last night there.

 

[DLgal]

Question about Craftsman BAR. Does anyone know if it's possible for non GCH guests to walk over to the bar and order drinks to go? There is a drink I love there and I'd like to know if I can run over just to get one as a break from DCA. I am not interested in eating food or sitting at the bar.

 

[chezcurrie]

Question about Craftsman BAR. Does anyone know if it's possible for non GCH guests to walk over to the bar and order drinks to go? There is a drink I love there and I'd like to know if I can run over just to get one as a break from DCA. I am not interested in eating food or sitting at the bar.

Do you mean Hearthstone or the outdoor Bar near the pool? I ordered a to-go drink in December from Hearthstone (I was a hotel guest but they didn’t ask for my room number or anything). Not sure about he Bar & Grill. I did see drinks in disposable cups last week when I sat at the bar, but not sure if they were properly “to go” or not. Hth

 

[DLgal]

Do you mean Hearthstone or the outdoor Bar near the pool? I ordered a to-go drink in December from Hearthstone (I was a hotel guest but they didn’t ask for my room number or anything). Not sure about he Bar & Grill. I did see drinks in disposable cups last week when I sat at the bar, but not sure if they were properly “to go” or not. Hth

The pool bar.

 

[CeCe0906]

How does the GC entrance/ exit work? Can you exit from DCA to the GC from the park at the end of the day if you are not a guest? I know they restrict entrance in the morning.

 

[SeaDis]

Question about Craftsman BAR. Does anyone know if it's possible for non GCH guests to walk over to the bar and order drinks to go? There is a drink I love there and I'd like to know if I can run over just to get one as a break from DCA. I am not interested in eating food or sitting at the bar.

Should be no problem at all. I've walked up to bar to order drinks and then back into the pool. I've also sat at a table and taken my drink with me after lunch. Should be no different entering from the hotel. And I agree with above, the Hearthstone is same setup with ordering at the bar. You could call the hotel operator and ask to connect to Craftsman, just to be sure nothing has changed. Have fun!

How does the GC entrance/ exit work? Can you exit from DCA to the GC from the park at the end of the day if you are not a guest? I know they restrict entrance in the morning.

No issues at all. The exit gate is wide-open with no key check all day.

 

[Aptermatt]

Hey gang!

Would love to know the coffee options in the club lounge. Specifically, is there any iced coffee/cold brew options either in the lounge or anywhere in the hotel?

Thanks!

 

[ISpyMickeyMouse]

My mom, daughter and I just returned from 4 nights in the club level. It was amazing and I wanted to share some experiences/thoughts.

We go to the parks about twice per year and my daughter is 11. Going on a regular basis it is interesting to see how each trip is different in terms of what she loves, what she prioritizes, etc. This was our first trip without a stroller, so she needed more breaks than before. We went into the parks Wednesday after arrival at 3:30, Thursday, Friday and Sunday until 1:00. Our magic keys were blocked Saturday so we had a sleep in, pool, downtown disney day. We have stayed club level at Paradise Pier years ago, and twice at Disneyland Hotel (pre-covid). Since it is often asked if concierge level is 'worth it' I wanted to provide this background.

- The Grand club level by far surpassed the other experiences that we had in terms of location, size of lounge, variety of food/drinks, times open and customer service.
-When you arrive, they alert the front that a concierge guest is arriving and greet you at your car, then immediately check you in upstairs. We never visited the front desk during our entire stay and it was always super busy.
- They no longer have movies to check out. We were disappointed since we always found great documentaries on Walt. The tvs are now smart tvs and you can log into your personal netflix, disney+, hulu accounts. This wasn't a big deal at all, but I wanted to mention.
- The tv screen had a welcome message for us and that made my daughters day.
- We received housekeeping/turn down service daily and the staff told us that that is the standard for suite and concierge guests.
- The staff in the lounge was amazing. Very friendly and accessible. They were still a little short staffed but did great. There was a short wait for drinks, but totally fine with us. Just don't except a dedicated person at the bar. (They go through 6 cases of champagne on an average day!)
- The lounge itself was so much bigger than the others. We never had a problem finding a table.
- Watching the fireworks was one of the best experiences, the music is pipped in and the show is just beautiful - highly recommend watching from there if you aren't in the parks.
- The coffee machine looked very fancy with a ton of choices on it. I don't drink coffee, but my mom was happy. It was broken our last day.
- The food was great - no complaints here, however, we are kinda simple food people. Every day a little bit of variety, nothing too crazy amazing. But overall we only paid for one additional meal a day, so this was great and we felt a huge money and time saver. Less time ordering a mobile order, waiting in line, etc.
- Water bottles were available (both small and big ones at different times, depending on their 'shipments').
- The staff outside at the desks were very accommodating. We had a few questions (what time did they recommend us leaving for the airport, can we get a little later check-out, etc) and they also switched our park reservations for us one day.
- The security check points were minimal...I think the longest we waited was for 5 people in front of us. We went to Trader Sams for dinner on our non-park day and I was a little annoyed at the security by the Disneyland Hotel with all the lines and people. I didn't realize how much the security line stresses me out and impacts my mood.

We will do our best to stay club level at the grand again. It truly made it more of a vacation and not just a trip. We did spend a lot of time there every day since we weren't in the park from beginning to end. We'd grab snacks for the room, sodas to go, etc.

Feel free to ask me any questions, I am happy to help!

 

[ISpyMickeyMouse]

Hey gang!

Would love to know the coffee options in the club lounge. Specifically, is there any iced coffee/cold brew options either in the lounge or anywhere in the hotel?

Thanks!

I just returned from our trip (otherwise I'd look at the machine to confirm) but my mom said there were iced coffee and lattes on the machine. I did take a picture of it though! It is a LaCimbali S30, if you wanted to research to see the types offered.

 

[Pluto468]

My mom, daughter and I just returned from 4 nights in the club level. It was amazing and I wanted to share some experiences/thoughts.

Feel free to ask me any questions, I am happy to help!

Thanks so much for this! We're hoping to stay GC club level in June. Did they have hot food in the club? I noticed on a review site people mentioned cold food only all day.

What did they serve at tea time? Did you check in online first, or only at the hotel?

Glad you had such a wonderful trip!

 

[ISpyMickeyMouse]

Thanks so much for this! We're hoping to stay GC club level in June. Did they have hot food in the club? I noticed on a review site people mentioned cold food only all day.

What did they serve at tea time? Did you check in online first, or only at the hotel?

Glad you had such a wonderful trip!

We checked in online a few days before, but still wanted real keycards so we stopped at the desk to finish the process. It took about two minutes total.

Tea time had a little something different each day. There seemed to be two types of sandwiches. I didn't have any, but my mom liked them. There was always really good chips/salsa plus corn/bean salsa thing and usually 2 - 3 other options such as chicken salad (the kind with mayo, not lettuce) or onion dip and hummus There was always goldfish, fruit, crackers and cheese available. Plus 2 - 3 desserts too.

In the evenings the hot food varied. Again, each day was different! One night there were chicken skewers, bao buns, spring rolls and a shrimp something plus fruit, veggies, rolls, etc. There wasn't any hot food during the breakfast or tea time servings.

 

[Aptermatt]

I just returned from our trip (otherwise I'd look at the machine to confirm) but my mom said there were iced coffee and lattes on the machine. I did take a picture of it though! It is a LaCimbali S30, if you wanted to research to see the types offered.

Amazing, thank you! Seems like a nice set up.