Grand Californian Theme Park View worth it with DCA construction?

[WDW Princess 71]

We will be going this November and I was leaning towards splurging for the theme park view, but now I'm second guessing with all of the construction work being done in the park now for the expansion. Has anyone stayed at DGCH recently with the theme park view? Did you find it worth it and still a nice view or was it not as pretty to look at the park so disheveled? Thanks for your advice!

 

[stitchon]

Theme Park View GCH rooms face the Grizzly Peak area of the park, where there is no construction work being done at this time; so don't worry about construction potentially ruining your view.

On the other hand, I find GCH's rooms to be too small and would rather stay at the Disneyland Hotel in a Downtown Disney-facing room. You can still use the Grand Californian entrance to DCA if you stay at the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier Hotel, and you get a great view of the fireworks if you're on a higher floor.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Theme Park View GCH rooms face the Grizzly Peak area of the park, where there is no construction work being done at this time; so don't worry about construction potentially ruining your view.

On the other hand, I find GCH's rooms to be too small and would rather stay at the Disneyland Hotel in a Downtown Disney-facing room. You can still use the Grand Californian entrance to DCA if you stay at the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier Hotel, and you get a great view of the fireworks if you're on a higher floor.

Thanks for your input! We want to try the Grand Californian this time for a bit of an upgrade and also since we've already done the DLH before so we want to do something new. Can I ask you this though- do you think it is worth the extra money to splurge for the theme park view? Or is Downtown Disney view good, or should I just do standard? We are only going for 2 nights if that makes a difference...

 

[stitchon]

Thanks for your input! We want to try the Grand Californian this time for a bit of an upgrade and also since we've already done the DLH before so we want to do something new. Can I ask you this though- do you think it is worth the extra money to splurge for the theme park view? Or is Downtown Disney view good, or should I just do standard? We are only going for 2 nights if that makes a difference...

Hmm...

I'd prefer Downtown Disney view, because I adore the music they play at night at you are right there in the middle of Downtown Disney.... the downside would be noise pollution, but it's worth it.

 

[SeansMom]

We loved the view of GRR. Very nice to sit and the balcony and watch the people and GRR. That said, last time we choose a courtyard view...maybe somebody can remember the name...and it had a view of the monorail gliding by and lots and lots of trees/shubbery. Very quite and pretty. Another option to consider .

 

[lulubelle]

Well, my favorite GC view is a DTD view, but I am in the minority. Most people prefer the theme park view. It's all about what you like to see off your balcony. Hustle and bustle, people watching, lights, music or quiet, forest like scenery and the park and/or pool? Standard might be the parking lot, but we stayed standard last time (above the front desk) and could still see the monorail whiz by and lots of trees.

Oh, and the construction should be finished before you arrive as the villas are available for occupancy in late Sept. EDITED: Sorry! I misread your OP as asking about the villa construction, you are correct that the DCA construction will be going on for quite some time!

Have a great trip whatever you decide.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Thanks everyone! Does anyone have, or know where I can find, pictures of the different views from theme park view rooms versus DTD view rooms? I would love to see some examples. I think we'd enjoy either one, but maybe some pics would help make my decision.

 

[daneenm]

We will be going this November and I was leaning towards splurging for the theme park view, but now I'm second guessing with all of the construction work being done in the park now for the expansion. Has anyone stayed at DGCH recently with the theme park view? Did you find it worth it and still a nice view or was it not as pretty to look at the park so disheveled? Thanks for your advice!

I have not been to DLR since last summer (when we stayed at DLH) so I cannot weigh in on how the construction is now. However, I will tell you that we have been both happy, and less than impressed with theme park view rooms at GCH in general. We have had rooms that "if you look sideways past that tree you can kind of see the top of Grizzly Peak" and some that were much better than that. This September, we are having a DTD view for the first time. We are hoping it is nice.

Good luck with your trip!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

I have not been to DLR since last summer (when we stayed at DLH) so I cannot weigh in on how the construction is now. However, I will tell you that we have been both happy, and less than impressed with theme park view rooms at GCH in general. We have had rooms that "if you look sideways past that tree you can kind of see the top of Grizzly Peak" and some that were much better than that. This September, we are having a DTD view for the first time. We are hoping it is nice.

Good luck with your trip!

I've heard that too, that many people have booked theme park view rooms and got hardly a view at all and had to ask to be switched...I would hate to have to go through that trouble on such a short stay, we just got back from WDW for a 7 night stay and had issues upon arrival about room location and ended up having to stay the first night in 1 room then move all of our stuff the next day to the right room...lot of wasted time and stress and that was a week trip so I don't want to deal with that on my 2 night stay at DL...so does anyone have advice on room areas or even specific room numbers that I should request ahead of time to get a better chance of a good view room?

 

[SeansMom]

http://www.go2mickey.com/images/maps/gcroomlocalmap.jpg

Here is a copy of the room map. The top faces DTD, the bottom faces the pools and the park. The left side are the only rooms that face the parking lot if memory serves correctly. Perhaps that will help you some. The open courtyard, the Brisa courtyard, is were the monorail glides through the complex. Lots of trees and green stuff here plus one big open courtyard area. I've seen both conventions and weddings using that space.

Here is the lower level map. http://www.go2mickey.com/images/maps/gclobbymap.jpg
If you look at both, you should have a better idea of what room to request.

 

[Albort]

haha, totally worth it! even though im a local but you might see some insider stuff exclusively that you never seen before. like maybe the world of colors is in testing phase.

 

[hillo]

We loved the view of GRR. Very nice to sit and the balcony and watch the people and GRR. That said, last time we choose a courtyard view...maybe somebody can remember the name...and it had a view of the monorail gliding by and lots and lots of trees/shubbery. Very quite and pretty. Another option to consider .

I just returned from a stay at the GCH, and I requested a courtyard view. We had requested 2 queen beds and somehow that had been lost, so we had to wait until the lady at check-in could find two queen beds. She returned with an offer for a room on the 5th floor overlooking the monorail. It was a beautiful view!! I was very glad for such a nice view in a standard room. I also found the rooms to be quite large with a large closet and large double sink area. The balcony was also nice. I loved seeing the monorail pass through while sipping coffee on the balcony. The room was very quiet and I would highly recommend the GCH. It may not be worth $400 a night, but with the 5 for 3 deal, it was a bargain.

Also, our room happened to be just a couple of doors down from the stairs, so we had a very quick walk to Disneyland and Downtown Disney.

 

[pixiewings71]

We have only had a theme park view when we stayed at the PPH. At the GCH we had a DTD view. If we were to go back I'd ask for a DTD view again. We really liked it, we were right over Naples and the music was so nice at night.

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

I will try to post some photos from our room, we had the "theme park view" @ the GCH...

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

I will try to post some photos from our room, we had the "theme park view" @ the GCH...

two more posts then I can add photos...sorry guys

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

one more...just tryin' to help the OP

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

one more...just tryin' to help the OP

Yippee!!! Now I can post photos...geez, and once agian I apologize

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

Yippee!!! Now I can post photos...geez, and once agian I apologize

The following are my GCH Theme Park View photos, so you can get an idea:

Also, this one was taken from our balcony:

These were both in 2007 (same trip), but you get the idea. Hope this helps!

 

[DVC&CM]

At this point, the only construction that can be seen is from a pool/park view room. The GRR view is really amazing and you can't go wrong. The DTD views are very nice unless you are a lite sleeper, then you may not want it. The standard brisa courtyard view (monorail) is really nice also, very quiet. The view of the front drive isn't bad if you are higher up, you'll have a nice view of the other hotels and the parking lots are covered pretty well. Overall, I think you'll love it no matter what room you have, it's really a great property, kind of my second home.

 

[DVC&CM]

Oh, and PS, remember request are just that, so if you can, get here early. Your room may not be ready but at least it'll be easier to get a room you want.

Hope that helps.