Grand Californian @ X-mas?

[lulugirl]

Has anyone stayed at the GC during the two weeks preceding Christmas? Do they decorate as lavishly as they do at the DW resorts? We are hoping to go mid week, the second week of Dec., is it safe to assume low crowds?
Also, any thoughts on how to get the best rate for GC? We are considering annual passes (not premium), does this entitle you to any hotel discounts?
Any thoughts are appreciated!
Thanks,
Elisabeth

 

[Lynn-Marie]

We stayed at PP last year 12/14 - 12/18 and had many occassions to walk through GC on our way to DTD and DL. I can say with great confidence that the GC was BEAUTIFULLY decorated. You will be amazed by the stunningly beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby area that towers about 2-3 stories high. (They had such trees last year and the year before - so I'd imagine they'll always have such large trees.) Not only that, the carolers were also there and the piano player treated everyone to wonderful Holiday music. It's definitely the most magical place during Christmas - actually each of the DL hotels, including PP and DLH, are also magical during that time of the year. You might even want to make a point to visit the other hotels and admire the beautiful decorations at each of them. PP tends to decorate their trees with an oceanic theme (e.g., dolphin ornaments, seaweed "tinsel".) We look forward to our regular treks to DLR during the Christmas season. I hope you enjoy your stay at the GC!

 

[IandGsmom]

We stayed there this past mid Dec from a a Friday to a Tuesday. I wanted to go mid week but since it was value season they only had the fireworks on weekends. Make sure you see them with the snow at the end. The hours on weekdays are also shorter. It did rain a day or two but that didn't stop anyone. I would stay there again in a second. I love that hotel. Santa Claus was there everyday and Pluto visited on one of those rainy night.

 

[LeftCoaster]

Originally posted by IandGsmom
We stayed there this past mid Dec from a a Friday to a Tuesday. I wanted to go mid week but since it was value season they only had the fireworks on weekends. Make sure you see them with the snow at the end. The hours on weekdays are also shorter. It did rain a day or two but that didn't stop anyone. I would stay there again in a second. I love that hotel. Santa Claus was there everyday and Pluto visited on one of those rainy night.

The Christmas fireworks run nightly from Early November through the first weekend of January. The only reason why there wouldn't be fireworks is if there's a Santa Ana wind conditions or it was raining during the day and they couldn't reload the cannons.

 

[justmestace]

Sorry I'm answering so long afteryou posted..I was out of town, but wanted to add a note.
We stayed at the Grand Californian last year from Dec 17-23rd. The crowds were very low until the Monday before Christmas, when school was out. Even then, Disneyland was busy, but California Adventure was still reasonably uncrowded, so we made sure to go to DL on the earlier weekdays, and saved CA for the busier days at DL, like Sunday and Monday.
The hotel was stunning....I never want to stay anywhere else again. Being from Arizona, Christmas just doesn't seem like Christmas, but going to Disneyland last year really put us in the holiday mood, more than any year since I moved to AZ in 1980.
One caution on the annual pass, our friends couldn't go with us using their annual pass as the dates before Christmas are blacked out. Early booking through Disney, along with the lower rates up until the week of Christmas will probably get you the best rate you could get, or possibly AAA. If you have kids, request a room with bunk beds....they worked out great for our 9 and 12 year olds. Sturdy, safe, and large enough for an adult.
Have a great trip!!! We'd be going again this Christmas if not for the Disney wedding cruise in September. Starting in '04 though, we plan on making DL an annual Christmas trip. Enjoy!!

 

[Lynn-Marie]

By the by... not all annual passes have blocked out dates. We have the Premium Annual Passes and that gives us access to DLR every day it is open. In addition, it gives us certain discounts that aren't available on the other AP's.

Go to this link for more info:
http://www.mouseinfo.com/disneylandresort/guestservices/info.php?id=pricing