Grand Californian

[Iceman93]

I think that PPH will be the last to reopen.

During Disney's last (aborted) attempt to reopen Disneyland, it was going to be the GCH and the PPH opening, with the DLH staying closed.

 

[Malcon10t]

During Disney's last (aborted) attempt to reopen Disneyland, it was going to be the GCH and the PPH opening, with the DLH staying closed.

That was because the DLH was undergoing a big refurb. And they were going to keep it closed til it was finished in October.

 

[amyg1975]

I called the hotel and they said they would hold our luggage on the day of checkout and that we also have access to the pool until the end of the day on checkout.

 

[V & S]

We were unable to get reservations for GCH for the 29th, despite getting up at 6 am that day and finally getting reservations for the 30th and 1st at 1:30p! whoo hoo! Question I hope someone can tell me if it sounds like this will work. Getting very stressed about the logistics!

We (me and husband) are staying at the Majestic on the 29th, he will drop me off at DL around 6-7a on the 30th, (so kind...gasp...can I even get in to the esplanade?), then he'll go back to the Majestic to leave the car, then walk 20 mins to DL and join me wherever I am in the line (if he can do that...). Then, after we've been in DL for a few hours hopefully, around 1, he'll go back to the Majestic, get the car, and drive over to GCH to store the bags (if possible) until we can check in there. Am I missing something? My mind is certainly buzzing!

 

[amyg1975]

I read that the Harbor side will not open until 8:30 on the 30th, but I am not positive if that is true or not. Can you just go park at the Grand and check your luggage in for the day?

 

[Neurodude84]

I called the hotel and they said they would hold our luggage on the day of checkout and that we also have access to the pool until the end of the day on checkout.

Wonderful. I was struggling to believe they wouldn’t. It is a major perk of a Disney hotel—getting to go to the park as long as you wish on check-out day.

 

[DLgal]

We were unable to get reservations for GCH for the 29th, despite getting up at 6 am that day and finally getting reservations for the 30th and 1st at 1:30p! whoo hoo! Question I hope someone can tell me if it sounds like this will work. Getting very stressed about the logistics!

We (me and husband) are staying at the Majestic on the 29th, he will drop me off at DL around 6-7a on the 30th, (so kind...gasp...can I even get in to the esplanade?), then he'll go back to the Majestic to leave the car, then walk 20 mins to DL and join me wherever I am in the line (if he can do that...). Then, after we've been in DL for a few hours hopefully, around 1, he'll go back to the Majestic, get the car, and drive over to GCH to store the bags (if possible) until we can check in there. Am I missing something? My mind is certainly buzzing!

Yes you are missing something. Drive directly to the GCH at 6am, check in, drop your bags with them, and park your car. Leave your bags with them or in your car. They will text you when your room is ready. They will give you your key cards already programmed so once you get the text you can head to your room anytime.

I've checked into the Grand as early as 6:30am. They don't care how early you arrive. They will check you in.

There will be no real reason to arrive at the gates before about 8am.

 

[JWelch62]

I called the hotel and they said they would hold our luggage on the day of checkout and that we also have access to the pool until the end of the day on checkout.

Excellent news! Thanks for the udpate.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Yes you are missing something. Drive directly to the GCH at 6am, check in, drop your bags with them, and park your car. Leave your bags with them or in your car. They will text you when your room is ready. They will give you your key cards already programmed so once you get the text you can head to your room anytime.

I've checked into the Grand as early as 6:30am. They don't care how early you arrive. They will check you in.

There will be no real reason to arrive at the gates before about 8am.

Yes, do this. We just about always show up at GCH or DLH before the parks open and leave bags then head to the parks. We did this so we could take advantage of the Extra Magic Morning on the day we checked n. They don’t care what time you check in and sometimes I’ve been lucky and a room has been ready at 6 or 7am.

 

[JWelch62]

Yes you are missing something. Drive directly to the GCH at 6am, check in, drop your bags with them, and park your car. Leave your bags with them or in your car. They will text you when your room is ready. They will give you your key cards already programmed so once you get the text you can head to your room anytime.

I've checked into the Grand as early as 6:30am. They don't care how early you arrive. They will check you in.

There will be no real reason to arrive at the gates before about 8am.

This.

We normally would do this our first day at the parks. Drive up, valet (not available now), wife and kids make a bee-line for the gate while I check in and check bags.

 

[Malcon10t]

We (me and husband) are staying at the Majestic on the 29th, he will drop me off at DL around 6-7a on the 30th, (so kind...gasp...can I even get in to the esplanade?),

First, I agree with DLGal, check in at 6am.

Second, I read somewhere (and now can't find it) that they were wanting to keep parties together, and they won't be allowing parties to "catch up". And if you should get to the esplanade, then they close the entry, he would get held before security.

 

[Whistlebee]

Has anyone heard if we’ll need to make reservations to use the pool?

 

[DLgal]

Has anyone heard if we’ll need to make reservations to use the pool?

They haven't said anything other than there will be capacity limits. I suppose they will have a system like WDW has where you just stand in line and they let people in as others leave when it gets crowded.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

The rack rate is pretty tough to justify with all of the restrictions. I don't mind splurging, but for me, splurging is paying full price for a full experience. I'm sure the lobby and Hearthstone will be lovely with only GCH guests allowed, so that's a plus.

 

[hhoman]

Any news on electric Car Charging at Grand Californian?

Also any news on if the DCA entrance will be open at Grand Californian?

 

[JWelch62]

Any news on electric Car Charging at Grand Californian?

Also any news on if the DCA entrance will be open at Grand Californian?

DCA gate is exit only in GCH. You will not be able to enter the park from GCH.

 

[V & S]

Thank you everyone--I would never have thought to try to check in at 6am!

 

[mlggator22]

Just and FYI, I was told in a phone call with a CM that bell hop doesn't start working until 8 am. Now, who knows if that is true.

 

[Sarco11]

Here's an interesting fact I just noticed. I've had a VGC reservation for awhile now and linked it to my Disneyland account as soon as we were able to. I check it every now and again to make sure it's still there. Today I checked it and they added when I can make park reservations. My reservation starts November 29th and it says I can make theme park reservations September 4th. It also says I will be able to do online check in on November 24th. Just thought that was interesting.

Thanks for the reminder about the Disneyland account and the heads up about the date on which park ressies can be made. I am always in my WDW account and even occasionally on DCL, so I forget that there is yet another one We are arriving on Nov 28, but are from out of state, so fingers crossed that they let us in. I am pretty sure that I will be able to rent our Studio Villa reservation if they are restricting to CA residents still, or even if too many of the attractions are unavailable for this likely once in a lifetime trip. I will wait to buy park tix until closer to September.

 

[hhoman]

Does anyone know if there are any issues arriving after midnight? I have a reservation today, April 29th, but might not be able to make it in till 1 am April 30th... is there any risk of them cancelling my reservation?