Grand Californian

[pistonfan32]

I am looking at using some DVC points to stay at the the Grand Californian in early July 2006. I have a family of four with a 4 and 12 year old. Will the room be big enough for us? What is the pool like? Is there a slide? Any other thoughts that you have on the Grand Californian would be appreciated.

 

[nickglover]

The pool is nice - I actually do not recall if there is a slide, but there is a nice warm whirlpool. Here is something I highly recommend: When you go to the pool, take shoes and a pass back into California Adventure. You can enter right near the pool, ride the whitewater rapids ride several times and get really soaked, and then head back to the pool and/or whirlpool (depending on air temp)!

 

[JeffPort]

You'll have no problem putting 4 in a standard room -- they allow up to 5 people in a room.

Be sure put in a request for: (a) a Bunk Bed layout, and (b) a Grizzly Mountain view. If you get that view, your room is literally "in the park" and you have very good access to the hotel-only entrance from your room. This will come in particularly handy when you want to go on the river raft ride ... on which, you will get soaked.

We've stayed at Disneyland several times now, at all 3 hotels. Without a doubt, the Grand Californian is our favorite.

Have fun.

 

[sheryl0521]

We are going to GC in April, and our 2 boys are 4 and 12 - what a small world! When I made the ressie, the CM told me the 4 year old would fit in the bunks, but not the 12 year old. I guess they are not regular size bunks, more like day bed size? Could that be right?

We have a 2-queen bed room requested for our stay.

 

[disney-super-mom]

The pool is very nice, and it does have a nice slide too, which is themed like a redwood tree. You're kids should love it. The rooms at the GC are close to the same size as standard rooms at the AKL or the WL (I've never seen rooms at AKL or WL, this is just what others have told me, but I have seen the rooms at GC many times).

The lobby, as you know, is gorgeous! Also, should you and your spouse like a night out, the GC has a kids program called Pinocchios Workshop for kids ages 4-12. They have computer games, video games, crafts, dinner and snacks, and I think they watch movies too.

Make sure you request a room close to the elevators if possible, otherwise you may have a long treck down a long hallway to get to your room.

Anyway, I hope you and your family have a wonderful time!

 

[disgirl]

You will probably be best with the two queen beds, as long as your children do not mind sleeping in the same bed. There are just 3 of us so when we went DS, then 11 got his own queen bed, lucky duck! As others have said, yes the pools are great. The main one has a slide, which your kids should enjoy.

I think your family will love the fact that the lobby of the GC is so close to Downtown Disney and the two parks. It is really so convenient to get to the parks from the GC. We, too, used points for our 4 night stay in 2004 and had a great time. I wish you a wonderful trip and think you will truly enjoy Disneyland and the GC.

Have Fun Planning!!

 

[La2kw]

We are going to GC in April, and our 2 boys are 4 and 12 - what a small world! When I made the ressie, the CM told me the 4 year old would fit in the bunks, but not the 12 year old. I guess they are not regular size bunks, more like day bed size? Could that be right?

We have a 2-queen bed room requested for our stay.

The bunk bed is a regular size bunkbed. The trundle that slides out from underneath the bunkbed is a smaller child-sized trundle. Your 12 year old would be fine in the bunk, probably less comfortable on the trundle.

 

[JeffPort]

The bunk beds are normal twin beds. In addition, there is a 3rd twin trundle bed under them that can be pulled out ... if you have a large child that can't fit in the beds, he/she can certainly fit in the trundle (which has no headboard or footboard).

One of the advantages of asking for the Grizzly Mountain view is that it ensures that you will be within a decent walking range of an elevator. Not only that, you will be near the elevator bank that is immediately adjacent to the private entrance to the DCA theme park.

The pool is well themed, but the water slide is very short -- but still fun for the kids. The best part about the pool is the backdrop is the Paradise Pier area of DCA. It's a nice atmosphere.

 

[bfosbenner]

This is a duplicate post from another thread.


I am planning to be in the area the week of Aug 12 - 20 for the USA Water Ski Nationals in Bakersfield with my family. with dw,dd(9) and ds(11 months)
We want to stay at GC a few days as it will be our first visit west.

Would you all use points or cash? When is the best time to start searching for a good rate?
My use year is December so I can look at booking soon.

 

[rigsby25]

How far in advance can you book? I know with my home resort its 11 mos and with other Disney resorts its 7 mos. Does this hold true in California?

 

[rigsby25]

How far in advance can you book? I know with my home resort its 11 mos and with other Disney resorts its 7 mos. Does this hold true in California?

 

[slp87]

The bunk bed is a regular size bunkbed. The trundle that slides out from underneath the bunkbed is a smaller child-sized trundle. Your 12 year old would be fine in the bunk, probably less comfortable on the trundle.

Actually the bunks aren't regular sized either. Here's a pic posted by Mary Jo on the DL board.