Grand Californian Super Thread

[maleficent55]

View attachment 953403

The outside things sounds nice; I am in the camp that I hope not much changes inside

 

[Sea of Progress]

We are looking forward to our trip in June to the GCH as we have only been once before a few years back. We are hoping to book a cabana but I am not sure if it is 60 days from the date we want the cabana or 60 days from our check-in date (we are WDW vets and used to the 60 days from check-in to book most things). Does anyone know when these can be booked out?

 

[OneThree]

Sixty days out from the day of the rental if memory serves correctly however we have been told that we had to wait until 14 days out for one trip. This was for the DLH and not GCH though.

 

[maleficent55]

We are looking forward to our trip in June to the GCH as we have only been once before a few years back. We are hoping to book a cabana but I am not sure if it is 60 days from the date we want the cabana or 60 days from our check-in date (we are WDW vets and used to the 60 days from check-in to book most things). Does anyone know when these can be booked out?

60 days out AT midnight. I get an alarm and called right at midnight and they said there were 2 left! How??? No idea, but was happy to get one

 

[Sea of Progress]

Is there an arcade at the GCH? I am not finding anything current that mentions one. On our recent trip to WDW the arcade at the Contemporary was the highlight of my 9 year old son's trip along with the carnival games (particularly the basketball game) they have outdoors at the Boardwalk.

 

[wallawallakids]

Is there an arcade at the GCH? I am not finding anything current that mentions one. On our recent trip to WDW the arcade at the Contemporary was the highlight of my 9 year old son's trip along with the carnival games (particularly the basketball game) they have outdoors at the Boardwalk.

I could be wrong, but I don't think there is an arcade at any of the DL resort hotels. I think that is just a WDW resort thing. Sorry.

 

[roxy72]

Hi all, my husband and I are planning a 4-night trip to the GCH during the second week of December. I have a few questions:

1) Can you remind me when the Magic Key hotel room promo comes out for Winter dates? I think it may come out in October but I'm not certain. I would rather book once the MK promo is out, unless we should reserve now.

2) We LOVED having a DCA park view during our last visit to GCH, which was our honeymoon in December 2021. I know that 'Park View' is not it's own room view category, but I swear it used to be a specific category. Maybe I'm wrong. Anyways, will booking 'Partial View' and calling in with a request for a DCA view nearby Napa Rose be our best bet to maybe get a DCA view again?

3) In-Room Celebrations: Does anyone know if they offer a holiday/Christmas themed in-room celebration? My husband surprised me with an in-room celebration for my birthday when we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel last May (May 2024). It was super expensive but fun. I'd love to do a cute holiday themed in-room celebration as a surprise for him!

 

[ClaraOswald]

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We've never actually been to Hearthstone Lounge. Is there currently an outdoor area or is it all indoors?

 

[LKing]

We've never actually been to Hearthstone Lounge. Is there currently an outdoor area or is it all indoors?

Shortly after reopening from the pandemic, they used some of the outside tables near the fire pit. It was quite nice.

I could be wong, but based on the description for the new outdoor area, it sounds like they are talking about the long narrow walkway by the outdoor fireplace. They could expand into the grassy area towards Storytellers. I'm just not sure where the outdoor fireplace would be.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Hmm...will this be taking any sitting areas or anything away from non-restaurant/bar guests?

I've only stayed at the Grand twice and didn't explore as much as I should have, I guess since I'm totally unfamiliar with this area.

 

[noisycricket]

Is there an arcade at the GCH? I am not finding anything current that mentions one. On our recent trip to WDW the arcade at the Contemporary was the highlight of my 9 year old son's trip along with the carnival games (particularly the basketball game) they have outdoors at the Boardwalk.

Sad to say, the arcade is gone. Got replaced by a DVC retail office.

 

[maleficent55]

Sad to say, the arcade is gone. Got replaced by a DVC retail office.

There was once an arcade at the GCH?
My brain is having such a hard time processes this, as it doesn’t go with the theming of the hotel at all and would have been such an eye sore! Wow

 

[evilmommie]

There was once an arcade at the GCH?
My brain is having such a hard time processes this, as it doesn’t go with the theming of the hotel at all and would have been such an eye sore! Wow

https://www.disboards.com/media/grizzly-game-arcade-sign.4997/

 

[maleficent55]

https://www.disboards.com/media/grizzly-game-arcade-sign.4997/

wow!! I wonder why they got rid of it?

 

[evilmommie]

wow!! I wonder why they got rid of it?

I think to your point…aesthetics and offerings changed to more upscale offerings, ie fitness center. Do you remember Pinocchio’s Workshop Kid’s Club? They were next door to each other.
You can see it on this old map.

 

[irlandaise]

wow!! I wonder why they got rid of it?

I think to your point…aesthetics and offerings changed to more upscale offerings, ie fitness center.

But that photo shows the fitness center (Eureka Springs Health Club) right next to the arcade. Are you saying that they expanded the fitness center into the arcade, not that there wasn't previously a health center?

 

[evilmommie]

But that photo shows the fitness center (Eureka Springs Health Club) right next to the arcade. Are you saying that they expanded the fitness center into the arcade, not that there wasn't previously a health center?

I don’t see what you’re seeing. Maybe you can clarify for me. On this map the fitness center was part of the Mandara Spa. #8 was the kids club, next to the arcade.

 

[irlandaise]

But that photo shows the fitness center (Eureka Springs Health Club) right next to the arcade. Are you saying that they expanded the fitness center into the arcade, not that there wasn't previously a health center?

I don’t see what you’re seeing. Maybe you can clarify for me. On this map the fitness center was part of the Mandara Spa. #8 was the kids club, next to the arcade.

The photo you posted, not the map.

Grizzly Game Arcade Sign

• WebmasterMaryJo
• Jun 18, 2005
• californian grand hotel

 

[evilmommie]

The photo you posted, not the map.

Grizzly Game Arcade Sign

• WebmasterMaryJo
• Jun 18, 2005
• californian grand hotel

Ah! Got it! Yes, in the pic the fitness center replaced the kids club and the arcade closed for the DVC center.

 

[mauionabreakaway]

We are booked for this coming February 2026 as a DVC rental, very excited. I was reading today about the Paradise View Terrace and watching World of Color from there. Can anyone tell me how crowded it gets? We arrive on a Thursday and aren’t doing a park that day because our kids will be wiped out but I’d love to catch WoC that night (assuming it is showing) if it’s not going to be super crowded or require me arriving an hour early or something.