Grand Californian

[CherylGonz]

So just booked a 3 night stay on a whim. We have airline vouchers that will expire at the end of the year so decided why not since we don’t have to pay for that part of the trip. It will just me me and my 2 girls. We have always dreamed of staying here and we look forward to being at the middle of it all. We won’t be going until Aug so I hope more will be open by then.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Alright, I talked myself into canceling our stay at the Courtyard and booking two nights at the Grabd. I am pregnant and have been dealing with a lot of pain and swelling from being on my feet too long. I want a quick entrance into the parks and a quick exit to my hotel room when I need a break. So in addition to buying some good compression socks, I am treating us to two nights here. My husband is not a fan of the Grand, but I am hoping this trip will redeem it for him.

I am super excited that the hotel guest only entrance into DCA will be open by then. I wonder if they will hold guests until 9am there or if they will let people in at the same time they let everyone in at the front gates...

I agree with above, sometimes you just need to splurge! Don’t forget, they have the water dispenser in the fitness center, paired with the ice machine in the DVC wing and ample rest times coming back from park, you’ll never have to pay $4 for water again!

 

[Elleinthecity]

So just booked a 3 night stay on a whim. We have airline vouchers that will expire at the end of the year so decided why not since we don’t have to pay for that part of the trip. It will just me me and my 2 girls. We have always dreamed of staying here and we look forward to being at the middle of it all. We won’t be going until Aug so I hope more will be open by then.

My kids are completely spoiled after staying there, but truth be told, so I am. The whole DCA exit into the hotel is just a dream, having done the trains, planes, and shuttle of WDW for so many years. It's so worth it.

 

[Malcon10t]

Storytellers and Napa Rose reopen tomorrow!
It appears the Napa Rose lounge is not opening, since there are dinner tables placed in the lounge area.

The direct entrance to DCA is also opening (sometime this weekend)

Valet parking will be available (not 100% confirmed)

Checked in last night, valet started this morning.

 

[DisSurfer878]

I agree with above, sometimes you just need to splurge! Don’t forget, they have the water dispenser in the fitness center, paired with the ice machine in the DVC wing and ample rest times coming back from park, you’ll never have to pay $4 for water again!

I tried to find the fitness center on the map. Could you give me the general location?

 

[PirateBrigade]

I tried to find the fitness center on the map. Could you give me the general location?

if you are in line for registration and check in and facing the registration counters…

Behind you is the great hall/piano, to your right is the hallway leading to the parks, to your left is a set of automatic doors that opens out to a breezeway. Follow that breezeway and fitness center will be to your right (after bathrooms, before the DVC office).

 

[Mariem0720!]

Hi everyone; Hoping this is the appropriate place to ask. We have an upcoming visit in June (yaaaay); we completely splurged and did Club Level after not having done it for probably 5 years now). Has anyone been since they reopened a few weeks ago and have any insights on what they are doing? or... if anyone is going between now and 2 weeks and DOES use Club Level would you consider posting? Thanks in advance!

 

[DisSurfer878]

Hi everyone; Hoping this is the appropriate place to ask. We have an upcoming visit in June (yaaaay); we completely splurged and did Club Level after not having done it for probably 5 years now). Has anyone been since they reopened a few weeks ago and have any insights on what they are doing? or... if anyone is going between now and 2 weeks and DOES use Club Level would you consider posting? Thanks in advance!

I could be wrong, but I believe club level bookings only just reopened and aren't available until June. So I don't think anyone has stayed club level yet since reopening.

we have stayed once in "the before times" and it was amazing, but no idea what its like now

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Hi everyone; Hoping this is the appropriate place to ask. We have an upcoming visit in June (yaaaay); we completely splurged and did Club Level after not having done it for probably 5 years now). Has anyone been since they reopened a few weeks ago and have any insights on what they are doing? or... if anyone is going between now and 2 weeks and DOES use Club Level would you consider posting? Thanks in advance!

To me it looks like Club Level is opening on 6/4 so no one has stayed there yet. I was going to book Club level for our upcoming trip, but the website hasn’t been updated to remove what they used to offer and explain what they are offering now. I tried calling to ask, but I was on hold for so long I gave up. At an extra $400 a night, I was worried we would be disappointed, especially since my family heavily favors the DLH lounge to the GCH lounge.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Checked in last night, valet started this morning.

Yay! Not going to lie, valet opening back up is in the top 3 reasons for me booking our stay.
Do you have any days starting in DCA? If so, please update us on how the GCH entrance to DCA is working nowadays.

 

[DLgal]

Storytellers and Napa Rose reopen tomorrow!
It appears the Napa Rose lounge is not opening, since there are dinner tables placed in the lounge area.

The direct entrance to DCA is also opening (sometime this weekend)

Valet parking will be available (not 100% confirmed)

Can you do me a huge favor and find out if free valet parking is still offered with NR reservations?

 

[shosh1530]

Yay! Not going to lie, valet opening back up is in the top 3 reasons for me booking our stay.

This will be our first-time staying at the GCH, so I'm curious about the trade-offs between self-parking and valet. Is valet worth the extra $10/day? Is the self-parking really far away?

Is it easier to unload your car and get checked in if you are doing valet?

 

[PirateBrigade]

This will be our first-time staying at the GCH, so I'm curious about the trade-offs between self-parking and valet. Is valet worth the extra $10/day? Is the self-parking really far away?

Is it easier to unload your car and get checked in if you are doing valet?

We do self-parking for VGC and it has always been across the street (in the parking lot bounded by PPH, the old AMC theater, and Disneyland Drive). This week, they had us park in the underground garage (due to the lower capacity of the hotel and usage).

In a two parent trip, I’d always drop off kids + spouse to check in while I drive to self-park and walk over. In a one parent trip, they would let me park while I checked in/stored bags before leaving the kids in the lobby and driving the car over/walking back.

If I were paying $25 to self park, I’d pay the +$10 and + tip to do valet. Since self-park is included with DVC, I just can’t bring myself to pay +$35 per night + tip to save the 5-10 mins at the start of trip.

 

[Mariem0720!]

I could be wrong, but I believe club level bookings only just reopened and aren't available until June. So I don't think anyone has stayed club level yet since reopening.

we have stayed once in "the before times" and it was amazing, but no idea what its like now

Thank you - Agreed I have done so pre-covid and it was fabulous - I am hopeful it will be worth the splurge!! I'll report back here if anyone is curious!

 

[AZMermaid]

Checked in last night, valet started this morning.

How are the crowds? Is it still reduced capacity? specfically Craftsman and pool if you’ve been there yet? We arrive late tomorrow night!

 

[DisSurfer878]

How are the crowds? Is it still reduced capacity? specfically Craftsman and pool if you’ve been there yet? We arrive late tomorrow night!

Craftsman is now open to non hotel guests but it wasn't too busy tonight. When we checked in they told us pool is reduced capacity and it wasnt packed but was busy

 

[Nonsuch]

Can you do me a huge favor and find out if free valet parking is still offered with NR reservations?

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/grand-californian-hotel/napa-rose/

Parking
Complimentary 5-hour parking is included when you dine at Napa Rose. Validation is available at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

After the initial 5-hour period, Guests will be charged as follows:

• $25.00 for the first hour for self-parking
• $35.00 for the first hour for valet parking
• Each hour after that is an additional $10.00 for both self-parking (up to $65 maximum) and valet (up to $105 maximum)

 

[DLgal]

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/grand-californian-hotel/napa-rose/

I'm not trusting information on the Disneyland site. They still have informational pages up about annual passes. They haven't updated most of the pages recently at all. That's why I wanted someone there to ask.

 

[_yoko_]

Hi everyone; Hoping this is the appropriate place to ask. We have an upcoming visit in June (yaaaay); we completely splurged and did Club Level after not having done it for probably 5 years now). Has anyone been since they reopened a few weeks ago and have any insights on what they are doing? or... if anyone is going between now and 2 weeks and DOES use Club Level would you consider posting? Thanks in advance!

We also booked Club level at the end of June. Can you share your experience? We've been in the past but haven't experienced since they remodeled. Would love photos and food shots. Thank you!

 

[AZMermaid]

The pool filled around 1:30 today. Mobile order at Craftsman has been down much of the day, but we walked in for lunch and did get through for breakfast after a few tries.