Grand Californian - What am I missing?

[DLgal]

It is not so much a security issue but rather when they encompassed DTD into the security bubble there are now limited number of checkpoints for GCH guests to enter through security. The prohibition of using the front entrance is so that other non GCH park guests do not use the GCH lobby as a shortcut into the parks backing up the security lines for actual GCH paying guests. That is why there is only a restriction on the front door and not the DCA or DTD entrances.

So...it's a security issue.

 

[ParkHopper1]

So...it's a security issue.

Access to checkpoint issue, not an issue of keeping people out of the the GCH for other security reasons which is how your reply read.

Yes, it is run by security but that was very broad blanket statement that warrants further clarification to understand the full context of why the rule is in place.

 

[DLgal]

Access to security checkpoint issue, not an issue of keeping people out of the the GCH for other security reasons which is how your reply read.

My reply was that it was "definitely a security issue." And it is. It is an issue of managing the security checkpoints. Thus, security issue. I didn't say it was a safety issue, which is how you seem to be interpreting my reply.

 

[LulaMae]

People seem to have this idea that hotel rooms, alone, are supposed to justify the price. They aren't. You are paying for the ENTIRE experience. At the Grand, you are paying for proximity to the parks, first and foremost. Then, you are paying for the amenities: the pools, fitness center, activities, etc. Then, the rooms.

Photos of the rooms don't tell the whole story. Those beds are the most comfortable hotel beds I've ever slept in. They are way better than the ones at the other resorts on property. The linens are better too. The service at this hotel is also better; it has the best cast members on property. Everything about this hotel is a couple notches above the Disneyland hotel, in my opinion. Since the refurbishment a couple years ago, the rooms are fantastic.

I don't think the room alone is what justifies the price, but if I pay for a premium hotel, I expect the room to be nice as well as the lobby. I've stayed in some very fine hotels, and if the room looks like a room at the Holiday Inn, it doesn't matter how nice the lobby is.

 

[DizMe]

I don't think the room alone is what justifies the price, but if I pay for a premium hotel, I expect the room to be nice as well as the lobby. I've stayed in some very fine hotels, and if the room looks like a room at the Holiday Inn, it doesn't matter how nice the lobby is.

The rooms at GCH do not look like rooms at Holiday Inn. While not ultra luxurious, they are definitely a cut above what you'll find in most area hotels. I do understand what you're saying, but the fact is that the overriding reasons to stay at GCH are not because they have the largest, fanciest rooms but because they have lovely rooms as a bonus to so many fantastic amenities and the unbeatable location. We make good use of the lobby, restaurants, shops, lounge, and greatly enjoy the atmosphere within the hotel. There are wonderful seasonal additions in the lobby like a giant Christmas tree during the holidays and the ability to meet Santa. There's a giant gingerbread sculpture of the hotel, seasonal refreshments, carolers and bell ringers, piano player, fun shopping etc. You can sit by the fireplace with a hot cocoa or have an eggnog in the lounge. It's a hotel that is about gathering and not just spending time in the room. There is an outdoor fireplace and, of course, the pool area is wonderful. The new spa is opening soon. The restaurants are exceptional. There are sitting areas and outdoor decks in many parts/levels of the hotel. I actually think the hotel is geared to guests being more likely to spend less time in the room than in other parts of the hotel and resort, but the rooms are still great. And again, the location is a prime selling point, and I don't just mean how many steps it takes to get to the parks but WHERE you are and the fact that you're cocooned from the outside world and part of the resort itself.

 

[whoever]

I don't think the room alone is what justifies the price, but if I pay for a premium hotel, I expect the room to be nice as well as the lobby. I've stayed in some very fine hotels, and if the room looks like a room at the Holiday Inn, it doesn't matter how nice the lobby is.

How to say I can't afford the GCH&S without saying you can't afford the GCH&S

 

[LulaMae]

How to say I can't afford the GCH&S without saying you can't afford the GCH&S

Uh, sure. If I have an opinion on hotel rooms it means I can't afford it.

 

[LulaMae]

The rooms at GCH do not look like rooms at Holiday Inn. While not ultra luxurious, they are definitely a cut above what you'll find in most area hotels. I do understand what you're saying, but the fact is that the overriding reasons to stay at GCH are not because they have the largest, fanciest rooms but because they have lovely rooms as a bonus to so many fantastic amenities and the unbeatable location. We make good use of the lobby, restaurants, shops, lounge, and greatly enjoy the atmosphere within the hotel. There are wonderful seasonal additions in the lobby like a giant Christmas tree during the holidays and the ability to meet Santa. There's a giant gingerbread sculpture of the hotel, seasonal refreshments, carolers and bell ringers, piano player, fun shopping etc. You can sit by the fireplace with a hot cocoa or have an eggnog in the lounge. It's a hotel that is about gathering and not just spending time in the room. There is an outdoor fireplace and, of course, the pool area is wonderful. The new spa is opening soon. The restaurants are exceptional. There are sitting areas and outdoor decks in many parts/levels of the hotel. I actually think the hotel is geared to guests being more likely to spend less time in the room than in other parts of the hotel and resort, but the rooms are still great. And again, the location is a prime selling point, and I don't just mean how many steps it takes to get to the parks but WHERE you are and the fact that you're cocooned from the outside world and part of the resort itself.

My response was more a general feeling about quality of room vs. overall experience. The OP listed room quality as least important, after everything else. For me, room quality is more important. Pools and spas are nice, but for me, I'd prefer a nicer room.

 

[DLgal]

I don't think the room alone is what justifies the price, but if I pay for a premium hotel, I expect the room to be nice as well as the lobby. I've stayed in some very fine hotels, and if the room looks like a room at the Holiday Inn, it doesn't matter how nice the lobby is.

As a AAA 4 diamond hotel, the room furnishings have to meet a certain threshold of quality and there are minimum amenities that must be present. You can look up the criteria. It's extensive. 4 diamonds are only awarded to 4.2% of hotels worldwide. A Holiday Inn would never get 4 diamonds. The rooms at the Grand Californian are among the best at ANY domestic Disney resort. I've stayed at every single domestic Disney "deluxe" resort and it has the best rooms, IMO.

 

[whoever]

Uh, sure. If I have an opinion on hotel rooms it means I can't afford it.

Have you stayed there? I have over 10 times. It's an amazing room (albeit small)

 

[Carrie in AZ]

The rooms at GCH do not look like rooms at Holiday Inn. While not ultra luxurious, they are definitely a cut above what you'll find in most area hotels. I do understand what you're saying, but the fact is that the overriding reasons to stay at GCH are not because they have the largest, fanciest rooms but because they have lovely rooms as a bonus to so many fantastic amenities and the unbeatable location. We make good use of the lobby, restaurants, shops, lounge, and greatly enjoy the atmosphere within the hotel. There are wonderful seasonal additions in the lobby like a giant Christmas tree during the holidays and the ability to meet Santa. There's a giant gingerbread sculpture of the hotel, seasonal refreshments, carolers and bell ringers, piano player, fun shopping etc. You can sit by the fireplace with a hot cocoa or have an eggnog in the lounge. It's a hotel that is about gathering and not just spending time in the room. There is an outdoor fireplace and, of course, the pool area is wonderful. The new spa is opening soon. The restaurants are exceptional. There are sitting areas and outdoor decks in many parts/levels of the hotel. I actually think the hotel is geared to guests being more likely to spend less time in the room than in other parts of the hotel and resort, but the rooms are still great. And again, the location is a prime selling point, and I don't just mean how many steps it takes to get to the parks but WHERE you are and the fact that you're cocooned from the outside world and part of the resort itself.

A million times YES!! The very last thing I want to do on my Disney vacation is wait to cross a city street, walk past a Subway or anything else from the outside world. I want full immersion and feel like we get it when staying at GCH. We love to spend time at the resort! If we were out the door at 7am and didn't return until after midnight, then maybe we would consider staying somewhere else. Everyone does Disney their own way, and I am grateful there are so many options to choose from!

 

[pineapplepalms]

You are going to LOVE the hotel side room. The DVC studios pale in comparison (sorry, I've been in them several times to visit friends and they are kinda shabby compared to the new hotel rooms).

The larger DVC villas are great though. We recently came back from a 2BR stay and lucked out with a great view, plus all that space, 3 bathrooms, kitchen, and washer/dryer. Loved seeing this view from our room every day:



We’ve stayed offsite plenty of times but since becoming DVC members we book VGC whenever we can. It really is not just about the distance to the parks or the room for us, but the whole immersive atmosphere plus resort amenities and common areas.

 

[whoever]

The larger DVC villas are great though. We recently came back from a 2BR stay and lucked out with a great view, plus all that space, 3 bathrooms, kitchen, and washer/dryer. Loved seeing this view from our room every day:
View attachment 594406


We’ve stayed offsite plenty of times but since becoming DVC members we book VGC whenever we can. It really is not just about the distance to the parks or the room for us, but the whole immersive atmosphere plus resort amenities and common areas.

THIS! If I'm flying solo, I'll stay on Harbor or Katella. If we are literally gonna only be in the room for 4 hours and it's just the wife and I, Probably Harbor (sometimes the Grand). If it's a family trip, ONLY the DLH or Grand will do. We did Harbor once as a family. NEVER AGAIN.

 

[Astylla]

The larger DVC villas are great though. We recently came back from a 2BR stay and lucked out with a great view, plus all that space, 3 bathrooms, kitchen, and washer/dryer. Loved seeing this view from our room every day:
View attachment 594406


We’ve stayed offsite plenty of times but since becoming DVC members we book VGC whenever we can. It really is not just about the distance to the parks or the room for us, but the whole immersive atmosphere plus resort amenities and common areas.

I've been to WDW more in the last year than I have the last 10 years since moving to California due to renting DVC points which I regret not doing sooner !
I typically travel solo or with one adult ( no kids, no extended family , etc.) so studio or MAYBE as 1 bedroom at most. I was over the moon just to stay at the GCH my first time and have easily dropped hundreds on a good meal but couldn't bring myself to for some reason pull the trigger until I got a DVC deal. I agree the whole atmosphere just adds to it all and I am beyond excited to spend 5 days split between DVC studio and a Club Level room in September. Value and enjoyment come in more forms than money spent vs perception of what it should entail.
It's the great thing about both WDW and DL , there are options for everyone based on what is value to them.
Call it spoiled , call it entitlement , but I've realized at this stage in my life , at 43 , I work too hard in my career job and how far I've come in life to not enjoy it to my full ability.
With the Magic Key program back I will be spending some trips on harbor , don't get me wrong but I will also plan to enjoy the full amenities and special aura the GCH now has for me.

 

[ColoradoLime]

Whew - I've been away a few days and have to catch up on all the comments!

I'm glad so many people do like the hotel, I know it's certainly popular. I do totally get being immersed in Disney. For me personally, I would just choose to do it elsewhere.

 

[whoever]

Whew - I've been away a few days and have to catch up on all the comments!

I'm glad so many people do like the hotel, I know it's certainly popular. I do totally get being immersed in Disney. For me personally, I would just choose to do it elsewhere.

For us, if you are doing Disneyland you DO DISNEYLAND. So many friends have been disappointed and I just reply, you need to learn to do it right.

 

[smartlabelprint]

THIS! If I'm flying solo, I'll stay on Harbor or Katella. If we are literally gonna only be in the room for 4 hours and it's just the wife and I, Probably Harbor (sometimes the Grand). If it's a family trip, ONLY the DLH or Grand will do. We did Harbor once as a family. NEVER AGAIN.

I don’t have the budget for DLR hotels often. But the same is true of Harbor motels vs Harbor hotels. We are in the room a lot more with kids. It needs to have a greater threshold of comfort and cleanliness. I can’t do motels like I did in my 20’s when we were at park from open to close.

 

[smartlabelprint]

“For us, if you are doing Disneyland you DO DISNEYLAND. So many friends have been disappointed and I just reply, you need to learn to do it right.”

We had friends come home hating it. 4 little kids, including a baby. Grandparents and uncle. They stayed in a condo God knows where. That was just their first mistake.

 

[whoever]

“For us, if you are doing Disneyland you DO DISNEYLAND. So many friends have been disappointed and I just reply, you need to learn to do it right.”

We had friends come home hating it. 4 little kids, including a baby. Grandparents and uncle. They stayed in a condo God knows where. That was just their first mistake.

When I tell them I get in early, never stand in lines, relax at the pools, and close down the park, they stare at me in wonder. To maximize your visit and not be miserable, some commiseration is required to ease things. Makes for a RELAXING vacation vs one you are trying to eek every penny out of. When I vacation, I VACATION. If I want stress, I'll stay at home with normal stress.

 

[pineapplepalms]

I've been to WDW more in the last year than I have the last 10 years since moving to California due to renting DVC points which I regret not doing sooner !
I typically travel solo or with one adult ( no kids, no extended family , etc.) so studio or MAYBE as 1 bedroom at most. I was over the moon just to stay at the GCH my first time and have easily dropped hundreds on a good meal but couldn't bring myself to for some reason pull the trigger until I got a DVC deal. I agree the whole atmosphere just adds to it all and I am beyond excited to spend 5 days split between DVC studio and a Club Level room in September. Value and enjoyment come in more forms than money spent vs perception of what it should entail.
It's the great thing about both WDW and DL , there are options for everyone based on what is value to them.
Call it spoiled , call it entitlement , but I've realized at this stage in my life , at 43 , I work too hard in my career job and how far I've come in life to not enjoy it to my full ability.
With the Magic Key program back I will be spending some trips on harbor , don't get me wrong but I will also plan to enjoy the full amenities and special aura the GCH now has for me.

I hear ya… before becoming DVC members we could never justify staying there with so many cheaper offsite options. When we joined, we had 1 toddler and started staying in studios and fell in love with the whole experience of staying at VGC. Now we have 3 kids and we book the larger villas and they are so amazingly convenient for our family. This past trip was our first one since pre-COVID and it was so nice to finally go on vacation again.

Enjoy your September trip! I love Halloween season at DLR and hope they bring back the seasonal overlays.