Grand Californian

[granismith]

Hi guys, we may be staying here for the frist time in Sept. and was wondering if anyone knows if any of the standard rooms are close to the entrance that leads right into the park? What do I request for that?

Also can someone link me to the superthread for the hotel? THANKS!

 

[mrswh]

Ask to be near the main elevators, that should do the trick. You could also ask to be over the front entrance. If you ask for a courtyard/monorail view, you will be in the "main building" and could be where you want to be but could also be way down one of the halls.

 

[ykmom]

4004 is a standard room close to the elevator with bunkbeds. The view is of the parking lot but we thought it was great.

 

[granismith]

Thank You!!!

Still need that superthread link, anyone?

 

[Caseystigger]

Here's the link.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2396588

We really like 3016 & 3017 it's the opposite end of the lobby and faces the pool but it really close to the elevators. Hope you have a good trip!

 

[Nonsuch]

Hi guys, we may be staying here for the frist time in Sept. and was wondering if anyone knows if any of the standard rooms are close to the entrance that leads right into the park? What do I request for that?

The simple request is rooms x3xx or x4xx.
The standard rooms are odd numbers x303-x325 and x401-x417.
These rooms look into the courtyard (where the monorail passes).

 

[scion5220]

Are the villas on that map?

I'm thinking they're the 500 areas?

 

[Nonsuch]

Are the villas on that map?

I'm thinking they're the 500 areas?

You are correct
Detailed villa maps

 

[scion5220]

You are correct
Detailed villa maps

Nice...thanks! Now I know which one to try to finagle into when I stay there.

 

[LisaT91403]

I don't see where on the map the entrance to DTD or DCA are. Or...if you want to have the shortest possible walk to the parks, is the goal really just to try to get close to the elevators? I'm confused.

 

[LisaT91403]

I don't see where on the map the entrance to DTD or DCA are. Or...if you want to have the shortest possible walk to the parks, is the goal really just to try to get close to the elevators? I'm confused.

Bumping this up, as I'm hoping someone can answer my question.

Also, is it best to make the reservation, then call the hotel directly to try to get the specific room request?

 

[mrswh]

You want to be close to the central elevators. That is where you will have to come into the hotel from the parks. If your room is far from the central elevators, you have a very long walk down the hall. There is an emergency exit that can get you out to quicker from some of the farther away rooms, but you can only get out and not back in - for that you'll have to go to the central elevators.

You make your room request with Disney Travel Co. You can make your reservation through whomever you want (DTC, Expedia, whatever), but then call DTC to have them note your room request. I always call a few weeks out to make sure my request is in there (also make sure they have the correct number of guests - adults and children), and then call the pre-registration line the morning of check-in to see if you can get a room assigned.

Calling the hotel won't do you any more good than calling DTC, and they will usually just transfer you back to DTC if you call anyway.

 

[LisaT91403]

Bumping this up for some advice.

We have always stayed in a Standard room, but have Woods/Garden/Courtyard this time because Standard was sold out. Our rooms have always overlooked the courtyard where the Monorail runs through.

Two questions:

1. Is Woods/Garden/Courtyard the same view as what we've had in our "Standard" room? Or is there some other courtyard I don't know about?

2. We don't really care about our view...we just want to be as close to the park as possible, as Grandma is 76 years old and can tire out Is requesting a room near the main elevators our best bet? Or is there a more specific request I can make?

Thanks!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I would request a room near the elevators. There are three sets of elevators - the main ones off of the lobby, the ones farther in, near Storytellers and close to the entrance to California Adventure, and the ones near the DVC rooms. I prefer the central elevators.

 

[twodogs]

I'm disoriented, having never been to GCH before. Which rooms generally would have a good view of WOC? We are doing a 2 bedroom suite, but I just want to figure out the general direction of WOC. I think the DVC rooms like x5even number would have a good view, but not sure? Would x360, x359, x402 have a view of WOC from their balconies? Thanks!!

 

[LisaT91403]

I would request a room near the elevators. There are three sets of elevators - the main ones off of the lobby, the ones farther in, near Storytellers and close to the entrance to California Adventure, and the ones near the DVC rooms. I prefer the central elevators.

I'm confused -- wouldn't the elevators by Storytellers be closer? Or are they harder to get to?

 

[whoever]

I'm disoriented, having never been to GCH before. Which rooms generally would have a good view of WOC? We are doing a 2 bedroom suite, but I just want to figure out the general direction of WOC. I think the DVC rooms like x5even number would have a good view, but not sure? Would x360, x359, x402 have a view of WOC from their balconies? Thanks!!

There aren't any GREAT views of WOC. A DVC room would be the best, but you can still see it on the adjacent wing to the west of the DVC wing. We could see it from our room outside of Goofy's sky school.

 

[Fuhnuh]

I'm confused -- wouldn't the elevators by Storytellers be closer? Or are they harder to get to?

The one near Storytellers are closer to the Disney California Adventure entrance, but this entrance can be very busy at park opening times. I like it because usually that entrance will work for us or we have used the stairs (may be a problem for Grandma to go down). I don't know if the secret stairs door is still available to exit from if going to the main entrances. Also, it will be a much longer trek back to the room if not coming through DCA.

 

[LisaT91403]

The one near Storytellers are closer to the Disney California Adventure entrance, but this entrance can be very busy at park opening times. I like it because usually that entrance will work for us or we have used the stairs (may be a problem for Grandma to go down). I don't know if the secret stairs door is still available to exit from if going to the main entrances. Also, it will be a much longer trek back to the room if not coming through DCA.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the info. We don't usually use that entrance, but we do use it as an exit when we are coming back from DCA at night.

 

[Nonsuch]

I'm disoriented, having never been to GCH before. Which rooms generally would have a good view of WOC? We are doing a 2 bedroom suite, but I just want to figure out the general direction of WOC. I think the DVC rooms like x5even number would have a good view, but not sure? Would x360, x359, x402 have a view of WOC from their balconies? Thanks!!

No suites have any view of WOC.
Some villas (x5xx) have a partial WOC view. The same partial view is available to all GCH guests at the 6th floor patio.

You might try Google Earth to get better oriented
The WOC fountains are visible in the water.