Grand Californian

[ericamcl]

We're thinking of planning a trip to DL late next year....is it worth the money to stay at the Grand Californian? Is any transportation provided from the airport to the resort like there is a WDW? Do they offer packages to DL like the do WDW?

Sorry for so many questions..we've done WDW several times, and I know how it all works there, but I'm clueless when it comes to DL!

TIA!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I know where you are coming from - we've been WDW folks since 1989 and when we moved out here to Los Angeles in 2000, became DL folks!

Unfortunately, the resort here doesn't operate in the same fashion, as it is more of a 'local" park - without all of the acreage and the mandatory necessities that come with it.

You can get transport to the resort from LAX via Gray Line Buses and their official Disneyland Express Bus. Most of the buses have characters on the side, but if they are really busy, you may get a standard Gray Line Tours bus. Keep this in mind, as several folks have reported an unauthorized company trying to get the Gray Line passengers. You can even pre-reserve with Gray Line on their website and get a coupon.

There are a number of packages available to DL - check with both AAA and the Disney Travel folks. Each vendor has different perks, like VIP seating for some attractions.

I would definitely check out the stickies at the top of the forum and then scan through it to find info on the perks.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

PS - we love the Grand Californian - even got married there. You won't be disappointed. Same architect as Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[ericamcl]

Thanks for the info! At least I feel like I have a bit of a starting point

I was looking at your signature...my MIL lives in Chesterfield...we're there every Thanksgiving!

 

[Queenbillabong]

We're just back from a DL trip where we stayed at the Grand Californian - very nice hotel! The only problem is now I think we're spoiled and really don't want to stay anywhere else

We booked with a great annual pass rate and then booked the DL Express bus from LAX which only took 45 minutes each way - much better than the two hours we had to budget time-wise for the Super Shuttle!

 

[nunzia]

We always stay at the Grand Californian now. We find it's been cheaper to just book our trip components and not do a package. We book the hotel with AAA, then they add on the park hoppers, so it's like a package, but cheaper and with no lanyard or coupons we barely used. You don't have to worry about MM (EE) because resort guests can get in all days that it is offered.
To me the ridiculous nightly rates are worth the beautiful facilities and perfect location.

 

[jerseygal]

I'm interested in booking Grand Californian for next summer..standard.

I've read that Courtyard View is more peaceful than City View...How many floors in hotel? Is upper floor request better?

Also, what would be closest location to "request" to be closest to private entrance to California Adventure? I've read that people say the walk to elevators can be long...

Thanks so much for any "insider tips"..can't wait..The hotel looks awesome!

 

[Sherry E]

Ahhh...the GCH...Okay, is it worth it? Well, keep in mind, I am someone who lost my job earlier this year so money has been a huge concern in 2008 (not that it isn't normally a huge concern, but moreso now!). BUT, that said, let's say I were going to make 10 overnight trips to DLR in a whole year. If the funds were available, I would probably choose to stay at GCH at least 8 of those times! Don't get me wrong - I do like the other hotels and the Disney/Mickey touches they offer. But when we stayed at the GCH last year, we managed to get more accomplished on our trip than when we stayed at the other hotels. There is something about that close proximity to DTD and the parks' entrances that made my friend less exhausted. When we spend a lot of time in the parks and need to rest, then head back to the hotel at, say, 3 p.m., for a rest break, it can be very daunting to have to schlep all the way back to PPH or DLH and then go out again later. When it was time to leave the room and head back into the parks, my friend actually did not want to go back out to either DL or DCA when we were at PPH because it was just too ominous a prospect for her when she was already tired (even when using the 'short cut' from PPH to GCH). I think she envisions the walk to and from PPH/DLH as being much longer than it actually is or taking more time than it does, and so mentally, she is thinking we have to end our day much sooner than normal because we presumably have such a long walk back. When we stayed at GCH, it was not a problem. My friend had much more energy to get back out and do things after a rest break, and when it was time to end the day all around, the walk back to GCH was not a scary prospect, and my friend still wanted to hang around in the big, beautiful lobby for a while and listen to the carolers/people watch, even after a long stretch in the parks. So, overall, we got much more done and were more productive there.

The GCH lobby is gorgeous and the grounds are very nice. It is especially gorgeous at Christmastime. Our room last December was nothing fancy. It was just a basic standard room and was really no snazzier than the standard rooms in the other two DLR hotels. It had taller beds, a balcony and different bath products - that is about it. However, one time I stayed at GCH and had a DTD view (and the room was as far away from the elevators as one could get!) and that was really cool. I loved being able to sit on the balcony and people watch. I would get one of those rooms every time if I could, or get a theme park view. So I guess it all depends on how much money you have to spend and what your needs are. If you think the convenient location would be worth the extra money, then it definitely is worth it. It worked for us. Otherwise, the things like the GCH hearth/lobby and the spa and the restaurants can be enjoyed by anyone, and the things like the exclusive entrance to DCA and the pool area can be enjoyed by guests at any of the 3 DLR hotels, I think.

 

[DizMe]

We just got back. For a couple, yes, I would say the GCH is THE place to be! For us, no, we were rather disappointed. We have 3 little girls and have always stayed at DLH, which has Disney touches everywhere. We missed seeing Goofy walking through the grounds and having great restaurant choices that didn't break the bank. I love the pool, waterfalls, koi ponds and shops at DLH. I think the GCH is far more impressive architecturally, but the rooms are no nicer and we had a HUGE walk from the elevator to our room on the 5th floor. We actually took the stairs as much as possible because it cut off a whole bunch of zigs and zags. The location is superior, however, and it is super cool to be so close to all the action. That's the biggest plus of the GCH, IMO. But I like riding the monorail to DLH and my girls prefer it so that is where we will try to stay. We only went to GCH because I could get the AP7 rate there and not at DLH. We had a ressie at DLH but it wasn't at the AP rate and would have cost us quite a bit more than staying at GCH, so we decided to try out the Grand Californian. We enjoyed it but for kids, I would definitely say the DLH is superior. Since your signature doesn't show kids in the picture, then I would recommend the GCH for you. Personally, I think staying at either of those hotels is well worth the cost. I have not stayed at PPH and would probably not as it just doesn't appeal to me.

 

[Krismutt]

I have stayed all three and last time I was booked at the DL through my DVC timeshare and when we got there they had changed us to GC with all the extra perks. I beleive it was year of a million dreams things. The view was of the pool and park but was in a corner. I have had most of the views at GC and loved most. I didn't care much for PP. Last time at DL it was so noisy from both sides of neighbors but that could have been just a fluke. My 8yearold loves GC more than DL. She loves walking in the big lobby and having the gate to DCA right there.
We are going on the 2nd of Nov and staying at GC for two days. Can't wait.

 

[Marciern22]

I absolutely love the GC! I also love the garden view, My DTD room was really far away from the lobby with lots of zig zags too. GC is my autistic son's favorite place in the world besides the Disney Wonder.

 

[Marciern22]

I just recently stayed at GC concierge level for 2 nites. I was great! The food in the lounge was delicious and plentiful. Our PP concierge kept running out of food or the food was shut down a few times during the day. Not so for GC. They always had food out!

 

[pixiedustforever]

I'm considering GC, too & wonder how far it is from there to the Convention Center.

TIA!

Marylee

 

[avalon451]

First of all, please read Hydroguy's Tips Compilation, sticky thread at the top of this forum. It has several guides to DL for WDW vets, plus a whole lot of other great information!

Secondly, as somebody who has stayed both at the GCH and at an offsite hotel, I have to offer an alternative to all the previous posters who have loved the GCH. We loved it, too, but after staying offsite, I simply couldn't justify the cost. If money was no object, I'd stay there every time. But we have to be reasonably careful with our budget, so I just can't pay over $300 (and depending on the room, sometimes over $400) a night for a nice room. We did it for our very first DL visit, and I'm glad we did (partly because DD12 got sick and we ended up spending a large amount of time in the room with her while she slept). GCH is really beautiful!

Unlike WDW, the hotels across the street on Harbor Blvd are about 1/3 to !/2 the cost of the 3 Disney owned hotels. They are mostly not fancy, but you can find a clean, comfortable room for $100 a night. Sometimes you can do even better. And they are as close or closer than DLH or Paradise Pier.

We stayed at HoJo this time, which is across the street and one block up. It's just about an equal distance as the Disneyland Hotel. We were able to book at their entertainment book rate, and stayed in a premium room with a balcony with a view of the park for $74 a night. The total cost for my four nights there was LESS than what we paid for ONE night at GCH.

So there's something else for you to consider. Hope you find something you love!

 

[jacksparrowfan]

I'm interested in booking Grand Californian for next summer..standard.

I've read that Courtyard View is more peaceful than City View...How many floors in hotel? Is upper floor request better?

Also, what would be closest location to "request" to be closest to private entrance to California Adventure? I've read that people say the walk to elevators can be long...

Thanks so much for any "insider tips"..can't wait..The hotel looks awesome!

Yes, the Courtyard view is very peaceful. The trees have really grown and it's just pretty. It also has the monorail track running through it. We stay there many times a year and have had every view. Each one is different and I have no complaints. Even the noise of Downtown Disney is not a problem. You close the slidding glass door, and it's fine. Any level you stay on is fine. It's not that high.

The hotel does have alot of zig zags. There is a main elevator within the large lobby. This one is closest to the Downtown Disney exit which takes you to the security tents between the two parks. There is another one between the restaurants (outside the lobby, by the pool) which is the closest to the CA Adventure entrance. It depends on your view and where you end up. You can ask when you call to make reservations, but they always tend to make changes. You need to ask questions at check-in, too, to make sure you are in a location you would like to be. (If it is really busy/full they may not be able to accomodate.)

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I'm interested in booking Grand Californian for next summer..standard.

I've read that Courtyard View is more peaceful than City View...How many floors in hotel? Is upper floor request better?

Also, what would be closest location to "request" to be closest to private entrance to California Adventure? I've read that people say the walk to elevators can be long...

Thanks so much for any "insider tips"..can't wait..The hotel looks awesome!

I have no idea if there are different names for the tower or anything, but we were randomly assigned room 4334. It was right next to the elevators (but not noisy.) And it was so close to the entrance to CA and close to the pool, the store, and the restaurants. Awesome location.

It was officially a park/pool view but you really had to stand to the far end of the balcony to see any kind of view. Mostly it was a view of a roof! I would have complained if I had paid extra for a view--but location-wise it was excellent!

The service at the hotel was awesome! They were so quick to clean our room every morning. It was always clean by the time we returned for an afternoon break. And every evening they had turned dow the beds, replaced any used towels, and left chocolate coins for us. Their timing was impecable! We never saw them, and our room was always serviced perfectly.