Grand Californian

[simonkodousek]

Hello,

Next summer we plan to visit my cousin in San Diego, however we'd like to do a Disneyland trip beforehand. I'm thinking 5 nights at the Grand Californian, then 5 nights at a San Diego hotel.

Anyway, what is the Grand Californian like? I've seen the "Great Hotels" episode about it, but I don't know anyone who has stayed there, so I can't really get any non-commercial reviews. If anybody who has stayed there would be so kind to answer any of these questions, it would be appreciated!

1) Where is the Grand Californian located in the Disneyland area? Is Downtown Disney close by?

2) What are the rooms like? Are they comfortable and large?

3) What dining options does the Grand Californian offer? How many restaurants are there? Is there anywhere you can dine outside?

4) What are the theme park views like?

Thanks,
Simon

 

[stagemomx3]

1) Where is the Grand Californian located in the Disneyland area? Is Downtown Disney close by?

GC is essentially in Downtown Disney our room was right above the World of Disney Store. GC has it's own entrance to DCA, you enter right across from Grizzly River Run, just up from Soarin.

2) What are the rooms like? Are they comfortable and large?

The rooms are nice and comfortable, but definetly NOT large.

3) What dining options does the Grand Californian offer? How many restaurants are there? Is there anywhere you can dine outside?

There are several options at GC for dining, Storyteller's Cafe has a character breakfast and serves lunch and dinner. We've done the character breakfast twice and like it. There is Whitewater Snacks which is like a cafeteria/food court and you can eat outside. Also there is their more formal resturant Napa Rose I haven't ever eaten there. Plus all the DTD places that are right there!

4) What are the theme park views like?

I don't know we had a DTD view which was fun and I'm looking forward to again on our next trip.

 

[simonkodousek]

Can you make dining ADR's like you can for WDW?

 

[stagemomx3]

Yes you can, they are called PS- Priority Seating there though. Also I'm not sure of the time line for when you can make them, I think it's 90 or 60 days out?

 

[simonkodousek]

Yes you can, they are called PS- Priority Seating there though. Also I'm not sure of the time line for when you can make them, I think it's 90 or 60 days out?

Thanks!

 

[minniecarousel]

Our Park View room overlooked Grizzly River Run - the water/flume ride. So, "Park View" refers to a view of the California Adventure Park. Disneyland is just across the plaza from DCA. The lobby of the GC is beautiful - very woodsey and massive (yeah - too bad the rooms aren't massive! They're on the small side, but usually have a couple of chairs and many have balconies with table/chairs.)

 

[daannzzz]

Here is a link to a nice view of the resort. You can see that the Grand Californian is right in the middle of everything.

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

 

[stagemomx3]

We had a small balcony with two chairs and a table, very small, but nice to stand on and look out over DTD, the monorail, and bits of DL.

Just go with the knowledge that the rooms are small. I had read that they were small, and I still was quite prepared for how small, given the price tag. The turn down service at night more than makes up for it though. It's so magical to come back to your room at night and have it all ready to climb into bed. The staff always arranged the kids stuffed animals so cute too!

 

[jacksparrowfan]

Hello,

Next summer we plan to visit my cousin in San Diego, however we'd like to do a Disneyland trip beforehand. I'm thinking 5 nights at the Grand Californian, then 5 nights at a San Diego hotel.

Anyway, what is the Grand Californian like? I've seen the "Great Hotels" episode about it, but I don't know anyone who has stayed there, so I can't really get any non-commercial reviews. If anybody who has stayed there would be so kind to answer any of these questions, it would be appreciated!

1) Where is the Grand Californian located in the Disneyland area? Is Downtown Disney close by?

2) What are the rooms like? Are they comfortable and large?

3) What dining options does the Grand Californian offer? How many restaurants are there? Is there anywhere you can dine outside?

4) What are the theme park views like?

Thanks,
Simon

I see you have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. It's our FAVORITE! The Grand reminds us of the lodge. So that is why we stay there when we go to Disneyland. The place is big like the lodge. The lobby is "grand" like the lodge. Nice big fireplace (not tall like the lodge, more wide), big comfy chairs, and a piano player.

The Whitewater snacks, Storytellers Cafe and Napa Rose are on the same scale as what is at the Lodge. No real place to eat outside except at the Whitewater snacks. But it's a small area. (Not like Wilderness Lodge in that big area by the pool.)

The rooms are as big as Wildnerness. Same idea with the bunkbeds for kids. Same balcony. They now have flat screen tv's like the Lodge.

The views are terrific. We have stayed there with all views: 1) Grizzley/Park view: Great view of the Grizzley Run ride and Soarin area. Very woodsy and calm. 2) Paradise Pier/Pool: View of the pool and beautiful view of the Paradise Pier area of DCA at night, 3) Paradise Pier: There is a grass area below and another beautiful view of PP area of DCA. 4) Courtyard: This is calming pretty view of all the trees in the courtyard. The monorail also runs thru here. (Can see the monorail with the Grizzley view as well.), 5) DCA: This view is fun. You see all the happenings of DTD and it's great at night with the lights and musicians. Know that when you close your sliding glass door, you do not hear any noise from the outside. Each view now has a price. The courtyard is the cheapest where the Grizzley/park view is the most expensive.

You can make reservations for restaurants at the park. You must go to Blue Bayou. Cafe Orleans is another good one. On the DCA is Trattoria. Check allears.net. They are big on WDW, but they have added Disneyland has they have recently included menus. They also have pictures of the hotels, etc.

You will definitely enjoy the Grand CA if you enjoyed Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Misskitty3]

Tripadvisor.com should have tons of review on the Grand Ca hotel and some even with photos.

 

[simonkodousek]

Here is a link to a nice view of the resort. You can see that the Grand Californian is right in the middle of everything.

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

Great link! Looks like GCH is in the middle of everything in DL!

We had a small balcony with two chairs and a table, very small, but nice to stand on and look out over DTD, the monorail, and bits of DL.

Just go with the knowledge that the rooms are small. I had read that they were small, and I still was quite prepared for how small, given the price tag. The turn down service at night more than makes up for it though. It's so magical to come back to your room at night and have it all ready to climb into bed. The staff always arranged the kids stuffed animals so cute too!

Sounds great!

I see you have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. It's our FAVORITE! The Grand reminds us of the lodge. So that is why we stay there when we go to Disneyland. The place is big like the lodge. The lobby is "grand" like the lodge. Nice big fireplace (not tall like the lodge, more wide), big comfy chairs, and a piano player.

The Whitewater snacks, Storytellers Cafe and Napa Rose are on the same scale as what is at the Lodge. No real place to eat outside except at the Whitewater snacks. But it's a small area. (Not like Wilderness Lodge in that big area by the pool.)

The rooms are as big as Wildnerness. Same idea with the bunkbeds for kids. Same balcony. They now have flat screen tv's like the Lodge.

The views are terrific. We have stayed there with all views: 1) Grizzley/Park view: Great view of the Grizzley Run ride and Soarin area. Very woodsy and calm. 2) Paradise Pier/Pool: View of the pool and beautiful view of the Paradise Pier area of DCA at night, 3) Paradise Pier: There is a grass area below and another beautiful view of PP area of DCA. 4) Courtyard: This is calming pretty view of all the trees in the courtyard. The monorail also runs thru here. (Can see the monorail with the Grizzley view as well.), 5) DCA: This view is fun. You see all the happenings of DTD and it's great at night with the lights and musicians. Know that when you close your sliding glass door, you do not hear any noise from the outside. Each view now has a price. The courtyard is the cheapest where the Grizzley/park view is the most expensive.

You can make reservations for restaurants at the park. You must go to Blue Bayou. Cafe Orleans is another good one. On the DCA is Trattoria. Check allears.net. They are big on WDW, but they have added Disneyland has they have recently included menus. They also have pictures of the hotels, etc.

You will definitely enjoy the Grand CA if you enjoyed Wilderness Lodge.

I noticed that the WL is a lot like GCH in a lot of ways also!

 

["Got Disney"]

I must add about the room size....they are no smaller however than the other DL hotels. And they are very nice rooms. We have stayed at all the DL hotels and love the GC the best.

When my kids were younger we always stayed at the DL hotel but know that they are older...13 and 10 they love love love the GC.

Yes you would figure the price tag would give you bigger rooms but that's Disney for ya.

WE always stay using our DVC pts so it does not hurt as bad on the pocket book.

I will be at the GC next weekend with my 2 girlfriends using my pts no kids or husbands just hanging around the pool all day and yelling CAbana boy please bring me my Banana Margarita

 

[stagemomx3]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";19594162]just hanging around the pool all day and yelling CAbana boy please bring me my Banana Margarita[/QUOTE]

They have those there? I musted have missed both of those on our last stay.

 

["Got Disney"]

They have those there? I musted have missed both of those on our last stay.

Well they dont have the Cabanas but they do have the severs from the White water snack bar from 12-8 that walk around to take orders. There is a bar outside the pool area that you can get your drinks,alchol to bring into the pool but the servers will also get them for you from the bar.

Its more sudle(sp) because it is Disney and we dont drink to get drunk ...just a couple fun umbrella drinks by the pool makes me happy.

WE save the wine for the room when we are just hanging in the room with the view of DTD and people watch in the evening

Also only do this when no kids are with us on vacation...when we do our weekend no kids get aways.

 

[stagemomx3]

We were in the pool area every afternoon when we were there and I never saw a server. Perhaps they are only around during busy times? Honestly most of our stay we would be the only people in the pool area. I'd be willing to walk myself to the bar for a banana magarita though.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We've stayed at GCH in Oct and Aug and only saw the servers in August. I'm assuming the pool servers are only there during peak times like summer. We loved being able to order lunch and drinks from our loungers by the pool. My sister stayed at GCh in Feb while we stayed at PPH and again we didn't see the pool servers when we used GCH's pool. White waster Snacks is

The rooms are decent sized. We had plenty of space for our family of 4 especially since we've gotten the bunkbed rooms. We've gotten a city view on our 1st trip and a downtown disney view on our 2nd and both rooms were nice and had its pros and cons. My sister had a parkiew room during our last trip in Feb and the view was beautiful.

You'll have a great time at GCH, it was our 1st onsite hotel as a family and are now spoiled by it. We didn't even know what turn down service was on our 1st stay and now my kids look forward to it. My kids are 6 & 9 and my 6yo would chose GCH over DLH every time. Check our tripadvisor for more reviews of the hotel.

 

[vbecky]

I love the GCH we have stayed there twice have never stayed anywhere else so I can't really compare but after staying there I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. I think the rooms are size right for our family of 4 nice balcony, storytellers restaurant is nice, pool is really nice also has a white water snacks where you can get burgers, hot dogs etc. for a decent price. Not to mention by far the convience you can walk right into CA from hotel and very very close to gates at DL. We love it. Just got back from there the end of June we stayed in standard rm this time compared to Downton Disney view prior room was same just depends on if you plan on being in your room alot and looking out your balcony.

 

[got2gp]

Add me to the list of GC lovers. Absolutly beautiful hotel. We've done several quick weekend trips to DL over the years. We've stayed off site at the Fairfield Inn, at DL hotel and the GC!

Yes the rooms are on the small side, but the location and views can't be beat. We've had park views before, both the grizzly river run and paradise pier, very nice, especially paradise pier at night. I'm spoiled now though. We booked a city view room last month for a quick BDay trip for my son, and got upgraded, TO A SUITE with a park view! We couldn't believe it! The balcony alone was almost as big as the regular rooms. We couldn't resist, and DH asked when we checked out about the going rate. The CM told him they start at $750 and go up to the $900 range depending on location and view!

 

[Misskitty3]

Do the rooms at the GC come with a fridge?

 

[kxmeeh]

my entire family thinks we are staying off site during our visit in july 2008. the truth is i think we can swing surprising everyone with a stay at the CG. Does anyone know if there is a trundle bed in every room with bunk beds. We will be 5 people going and I know we could not afford 2 rooms. the suite is just as much as 2 separate rooms, so that is out too. our visit is planned for july, 2008. thank you so much for any info!!!