Grand Californian Super Thread

[yesman70]

Hi there. Checking in on Sunday the 29th in the evening sometime. What’s my luck at getting an upgraded theme park view if I ask at check in?

 

[twodogs]

Hi there. Checking in on Sunday the 29th in the evening sometime. What’s my luck at getting an upgraded theme park view if I ask at check in?

If they have it available, they may offer it to you for a nightly increase in price from your present booking. Free upgrades seem rare these days.

 

[mon8key]

Hello! Anyone know when booking for January 2026 starts? Thanks!

 

[maleficent55]

Hello! Anyone know when booking for January 2026 starts? Thanks!

Usually late August/beginning of September

 

[bakofarmgirl]

Hello! Anyone know when booking for January 2026 starts? Thanks!

i just looked and the website lets you click till jan 8th but when you look to book it says not available yet… wow i got so excited

 

[maleficent55]

What is the best (seamless) grocery delivery service you’ve used to have things sent to the GCH?

or the best deal (like for a new customer)?

 

[bakofarmgirl]

What is the best (seamless) grocery delivery service you’ve used to have things sent to the GCH?

or the best deal (like for a new customer)?

we usually do instacart target and have never had an issue

 

[Disneysince82]

Hi there. Checking in on Sunday the 29th in the evening sometime. What’s my luck at getting an upgraded theme park view if I ask at check in?

I imagine if it is available & if you are willing to pay the room difference it won't be any issue. If you are hoping for a free upgrade I wouldn't bet on it. Like another post said upgrades are rare it seems. When it comes to pixie dust that seems to be different & when not asked for -- which I think is the way it should be. Please don't think this is me being snarky towards you its just the way I think it should be. You could bring up that you are looking for a theme park view & make them aware you are willing to pay and you might get lucky with them just upgrading you for free. But don't ask for it unless you are willing to pay.

 

[smallsy]

Just cancelled our room at DLH so we are locked in for GCH

I was there a couple weeks ago. They let us through security and turn styles around 6:45 AM. Before they let you go through security, they checked that you had a room key or reservation. Once through the tap-stiles, they had two rope drop spots, one at the Grizzly Bear and one over towards Soarin'.

We did the one near Soarin to go to Guardians. At about 7:20 they let us go where we got in another line to check hotel reservations again near Animation Academy. We were joined here by guests that came in through the regular park tap-stiles. They had a line for hotel guests and a regular rope for non-hotel guests.

We didn't do the Grizzly Bear one, but the lady said that one would be let go at 7:30.

Our plan will be Guradians too, since Incredicoaster is scheduled for refurb when we're there. I'd heard that it's faster to just go through security at DTD if you want to get to Guardians, but is sounds like you guys were fine using GCH.

 

[DizMe]

We’re ruined.

Same!!

 

[LKing]

Both images from ThemePark IQ

 

[Pluto468]

Both images from ThemePark IQ

View attachment 982664 View attachment 982663

I wonder why they have the extra security tent, though? Is it because they expect the usual gates to be busy, or because they're letting the VIP's party use a different entrance? I guess we'll see.

 

[Smilelea]

We haven’t seen any “VIPs” but there is definitely a lot more security here today. Lots of Anaheim PD, lots of Disney security, lots of private security.

 

[FanforDisney]

We haven’t seen any “VIPs” but there is definitely a lot more security here today. Lots of Anaheim PD, lots of Disney security, lots of private security.

Vice President will be visiting Disneyland with his family and staying at the Grand Californian

 

[jmasgat]

Usually late August/beginning of September

Why is this so late? (compared to WDW) And many local hotels are also not booking. Is this typical for DL? I booked a placeholder at an offsite hotel right after I registered for the January DL HM race weekend—that was back in April.

 

[Tomorrowland 67]

I used to belong to the Magic Kingdom Club and I've stayed at a bunch of different hotels on Disneyland vacations. (I particularly liked the old Stovall's space-themed Best Westerns and the old Emerald). But the GCH has spoiled me. I use the room as a base of operations and return several times during the day. We're staying there again at the end of July. It should be lots of fun.

 

[maleficent55]

Why is this so late? (compared to WDW) And many local hotels are also not booking. Is this typical for DL? I booked a placeholder at an offsite hotel right after I registered for the January DL HM race weekend—that was back in April.

100% typical
Disneyland runs very differently than WDW

 

[maleficent55]

Ok GCH hive mind
I am calling in my room request real soon and I absolutely known nothing is promised or guaranteed, it’s all just a wish
Buy nonetheless, I’m still going to TRY to go for what I’m after
Just curious the best way to phrase this request:
We have woods/courtyard already booked

We want: to be AT the main lobby, and as close to the elevators as possible

I also have specific room numbers I’m interested in.

How would you phrase this?

 

[Pluto468]

Ok GCH hive mind
I am calling in my room request real soon and I absolutely known nothing is promised or guaranteed, it’s all just a wish
Buy nonetheless, I’m still going to TRY to go for what I’m after
Just curious the best way to phrase this request:
We have woods/courtyard already booked

We want: to be AT the main lobby, and as close to the elevators as possible

I also have specific room numbers I’m interested in.

How would you phrase this?

Hopefully @DizMe sees this because I think that's what she requests most of the time!

When I stayed at the Grand last year I requested to be as close to the lobby as possible and near an elevator. We were right around the corner from the elevator and up the hall from the wonderful 3rd floor Lobby. I think we might have ended up in the DVC wing but it was a great location.(We had 2 adjoining standard rooms.)

When is your trip? I usually make my request a few weeks out and then call again a couple days before the trip.

I considered asking for specific rooms but I decided not to since it seems like such a small chance the room I want would be free. But you might as well try. That might be good to ask about on check in day, too.

 

[bakofarmgirl]

When I stayed at the Grand last year I requested to be as close to the lobby as possible and near an elevator. We were right around the corner from the elevator and up the hall from the wonderful 3rd floor Lobby. I think we might have ended up in the DVC wing but it was a great location.(We had 2 adjoining standard rooms.)

this is super helpful! going for race weekend and have 2 standard rooms booked so my mom can watch the little ones while im gone and a setup like this would be very beneficial