Grand Californian Super Thread

[maleficent55]

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.

we arrive on 7/25
I'm calling at the 10 day mark, this wednesday

yes, I think DizMe and I both like the 3rd floor, because it's like an extra little lobby! and we both like to be by the elevators I think

I LOVE to be near the lobby and this time we have woods/courtyard and I know I want to be anywhere between 001-000 or 024-020, basically the rooms on either side adjacent to that bank of elevators

just not sure the best way to tell the cast member but I can probably just explain and they'll know the best way to put it in

 

[DizMe]

we arrive on 7/25
I'm calling at the 10 day mark, this wednesday

yes, I think DizMe and I both like the 3rd floor, because it's like an extra little lobby! and we both like to be by the elevators I think

I LOVE to be near the lobby and this time we have woods/courtyard and I know I want to be anywhere between 001-000 or 024-020, basically the rooms on either side adjacent to that bank of elevators

just not sure the best way to tell the cast member but I can probably just explain and they'll know the best way to put it in

I request 3rd floor, near the main elevators and small lobby upstairs. I personally don't care what view I get, so I'm totally fine with the standard view room we got last Dec that was right off the small upstairs lobby. Being that close to the stairs (I like using the stairs from the 3rd floor but my sister can't do that), upstairs lobby, downstairs lobby, and main elevators was fabulous! Our view was mainly the trees above the entrance drive, which was quite pretty since you could see things in the distance and mostly the trees outside. They lit up at night

I love looking down onto the main lobby from above, especially with a nice bottle of wine and some goodies.

Edited to add: I usually arrive in the morning. I go to the front desk and ask what room I've been assigned. Sometimes they say something like "I see your request and we have it noted." I say thank you, and ask if they can tell me what room they're planning to assign. They usually hedge on that and sometimes I just have to accept that they'll text me when the room is ready as long as I've made sure to note again my request. When I get the text that the room is ready, I check to see where it is on the room map and if it isn't what I asked for I go back to the desk and nicely ask if there is any way to get a room near the main elevators and I don't care if it's a standard room. I honestly don't care about the view, I'm much more interested in the location within the hotel. Good luck!

 

[Disneysince82]

Do I need to be worried about construction in the month December? I knew stuff was going on for awhile, but I saw someone say on another forum it was best to just avoid GC all together till it was complete.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

Do I need to be worried about construction in the month December? I knew stuff was going on for awhile, but I saw someone say on another forum it was best to just avoid GC all together till it was complete.

Napa Rose should re-open by then. Other than that I think the new lounge construction is the only thing left, and I hardly noticed there was construction there unless I was looking up in that direction.

 

[Disneysince82]

Napa Rose should re-open by then. Other than that I think the new lounge construction is the only thing left, and I hardly noticed there was construction there unless I was looking up in that direction.

Thanks! If we were to stay club level we are able to go into the old lounge still right?

 

[maleficent55]

What time is check out? I can’t remember if it’s 11 AM or noon. And for those of you that I’ve ever gotten a late check out. How far will they extend it?

 

[Pluto468]

What time is check out? I can’t remember if it’s 11 AM or noon. And for those of you that I’ve ever gotten a late check out. How far will they extend it?

11 am. WHen I requested it last time they let me stay until 1:00.

 

[maleficent55]

11 am. WHen I requested it last time they let me stay until 1:00.

That would be amazing, crossing my fingers. Our flight isn’t until 5 PM.

 

[Pluto468]

That would be amazing, crossing my fingers. Our flight isn’t until 5 PM.

I was so surprised when they gave us late checkout lol. I called the front desk around 8:00 am on our checkout day to ask and they said yes.

 

[StarlitNight05]

Has anyone been able to add on club level to their room at check-in recently? I have heard a few reports of being able to do this but wasn't sure if it was possible anymore. And if anyone has upgraded, do you recall the add on fee?

 

[catloaves]

Has anyone been able to add on club level to their room at check-in recently? I have heard a few reports of being able to do this but wasn't sure if it was possible anymore. And if anyone has upgraded, do you recall the add on fee?

We were able to add CL to a suite reservation (standard 2BD suite, not one of the specialty suites) during a recent stay (July 4th weekend). When we called to request the add-on, I recall the CM saying that CL access add-ons are always guaranteed available for suites, and subject to availability for rooms. So it sounds like it's still possible.

For the suite, the rate was $440/night inclusive of up to 5 people. The actual charges came in about 15% higher than that due to taxes... which I should've anticipated, but was still mildly surprised by.

 

[StarlitNight05]

We were able to add CL to a suite reservation (standard 2BD suite, not one of the specialty suites) during a recent stay (July 4th weekend). When we called to request the add-on, I recall the CM saying that CL access add-ons are always guaranteed available for suites, and subject to availability for rooms. So it sounds like it's still possible.

For the suite, the rate was $440/night inclusive of up to 5 people. The actual charges came in about 15% higher than that due to taxes... which I should've anticipated, but was still mildly surprised by.

Thanks! This is super helpful information.

 

[gottalovepluto]

...Other than that I think the new lounge construction is the only thing left, and I hardly noticed there was construction there unless I was looking up in that direction.

was just wondering the state of the new CL project! So it has indeed been started?

 

[Disneysince82]

I’m thinking about possibly switching up our Christmas holiday reservation. We are a family of 4(17 boy & 7 girl when we go) which room would you go with….

2 rooms — it would be great if they were connecting & will request it but not expecting it. I was going to do a doing a Woods-Courtyard view because it was just a little bit more than a standard. I would probably just get the 2 best deals … I’m embarrassed to a man admit I’ve spent way too much time thinking about views.

1 bedroom suite — I would really love to get the balcony that has the table/chairs for 4 people so we could eat out there. I know there’s no way to guarantee that and of course you put request in, but I don’t know how much that helps. There was some way I could guarantee it.

Club Level 1 room

 

[wallawallakids]

I’m thinking about possibly switching up our Christmas holiday reservation. We are a family of 4(17 boy & 7 girl when we go) which room would you go with….

2 rooms — it would be great if they were connecting & will request it but not expecting it. I was going to do a doing a Woods-Courtyard view because it was just a little bit more than a standard. I would probably just get the 2 best deals … I’m embarrassed to a man admit I’ve spent way too much time thinking about views.

1 bedroom suite — I would really love to get the balcony that has the table/chairs for 4 people so we could eat out there. I know there’s no way to guarantee that and of course you put request in, but I don’t know how much that helps. There was some way I could guarantee it.

Club Level 1 room

I would do two rooms for the two bathrooms. That second bathroom always comes in handy with my kids.

 

[Pluto468]

I’m thinking about possibly switching up our Christmas holiday reservation. We are a family of 4(17 boy & 7 girl when we go) which room would you go with….

2 rooms — it would be great if they were connecting & will request it but not expecting it. I was going to do a doing a Woods-Courtyard view because it was just a little bit more than a standard. I would probably just get the 2 best deals … I’m embarrassed to a man admit I’ve spent way too much time thinking about views.

1 bedroom suite — I would really love to get the balcony that has the table/chairs for 4 people so we could eat out there. I know there’s no way to guarantee that and of course you put request in, but I don’t know how much that helps. There was some way I could guarantee it.

Club Level 1 room

Here's what I would consider, which you probably already have.

How important is it that you are guaranteed to all be together? If not having connecting rooms would be difficult I'd go with the club level 1 bedroom.

If you'd be ok possibly being separated I'd do 2 standard connecting rooms. It's so nice to have that extra bathroom, and you'd have 2 balconies even though they're not as big as the suite balcony. You also get the extra microwave, mini fridge etc. If you save money doing this instead of the suite you could get room service a couple of times or do a character meal at Storytellers.

When I stayed at the Grand last year I booked 2 standard rooms and called ahead of time to request that they be connecting. I also called the morning we checked in to ask again. The connecting rooms worked out great for our family.

I don't think the views are as important, only because you don't know what you could end up with even if you choose a certain view room.

 

[MonocularVision]

Not that it matters in terms of data points but we also requested connecting rooms about a week out of our reservation date and the request was also honored. We definitely need the second bathroom as much as the additional sleeping area. I would always choose two rooms (and it was cheaper too)

 

[wallawallakids]

I know connecting rooms are never guaranteed, but as a family of 6 (mom, dad, 4 kids), we did yearly to twice yearly trips as a family since 2010 and our request was always honored. I was always prepared for my husband to be in a different room if we needed that to happen, but I have to say, Disney is very good about trying to keep families together especially when there is young kids involoved. I would always call and make sure the request was noted a week before and again the day before. My kids are old enough now that they can be in a room by themsleves so we no longer request it, but that was years and years of us requesting it and never once had an issue. While they never guarantee it, they are very, very good at trying.