Grand Newbie

[Mom2Joce]

Ok, I bit the bullet after I found 240.00 a night on Hotels.com.
We're going Feb. 22 - 26.
I've NEVER stayed at this resort and want to make the best of our stay as I have NO idea if or when I'll be back???
So I have a few questions and any other info would be greatly appreciated!
(Traveling with Dh, DD (7), DS (2))

Just got a standard room with 2 queens...but wondered if anyone had luck upgrading upon arrival?

Also, what rooms are the bunkbeds in? Would that type of room be easily obtainable? Is IT considered standard?

Is there really a port a crib in every room?

Will Safeway deliver here?

What should we NOT MISS?

Where is the spa and what are the prices like?

Any place/babysitting for the 2 year old?

What is Feb. like here? Can we still use the jaccuzi? Are the pools heated?

What room location is the best (like do they have towers/wings) that are closer to the park/DTD enterances?

Is the concierge floor something we can add on when we arrive? Or try to?

AHHHH, any help would be appreciated!
Kelie

 

[Adam&Alex's Mom]

We will be staying at the Grand in June... this is our 2nd visit - our first visit we stayed at the DLR and loved it... so I will be interested in the answers to this thread as well. We requested a 2 queen room - standard as well.

 

[DizMe]

I just got back from my second stay. I would highly recommend the 2 queen + daybed room over the bunkbed room. We had the latter on our trip in October, and the room was much smaller. We have 3 kids so we had to pull out the trundle every night. Much easier not to do that and a lot nicer to have the extra space, but my kids aren't that keen on bunk beds because they have them at home so it isn't that cool to them.

Also, if you need it, they will bring up sleeping bags with mats for them.

I'd ask for a room near the lobby/elevators. Some of the rooms are so far away that it's ridiculous. Our room in October was like that--down 2 very, very long hallways and around a third just to get to the elevators, then you have to wind around again to get out of the hotel. This time we had one very near the elevators and it was wonderful.

Have fun! You'll have a blast. We loved our stay but I will admit that I wasn't nearly as impressed when our room was in the south 40.

 

[Mom2Joce]

When I get back I'll provide as much info as I can

 

[Mom2Joce]

Thanks for you help. You mentioned you just got back...was the weather ok for you? Are the pools heated?

 

[lulu2]

Ok, I bit the bullet after I found 240.00 a night on Hotels.com.
We're going Feb. 22 - 26.
I've NEVER stayed at this resort and want to make the best of our stay as I have NO idea if or when I'll be back???
So I have a few questions and any other info would be greatly appreciated!
(Traveling with Dh, DD (7), DS (2))

Just got a standard room with 2 queens...but wondered if anyone had luck upgrading upon arrival?

Also, what rooms are the bunkbeds in? Would that type of room be easily obtainable? Is IT considered standard?

Is there really a port a crib in every room?

Will Safeway deliver here?

What should we NOT MISS?

Where is the spa and what are the prices like?

Any place/babysitting for the 2 year old?

What is Feb. like here? Can we still use the jaccuzi? Are the pools heated?

What room location is the best (like do they have towers/wings) that are closer to the park/DTD enterances?

Is the concierge floor something we can add on when we arrive? Or try to?

AHHHH, any help would be appreciated!
Kelie

WOW! We will be there the same days, well almost, we're leaving on the
27th. We are also staying at the GC. I'm wondering about the pool, hopefully the days will be semi warm so we can swim. Being from WI anything over 60 will be considered warm for us
Do you have any itenerary(sp?) planned? Love to share ideas!

 

[Mom2Joce]

Is it your first time to DL? First time to the GCR? We do 3 day hoppers once or twice a year but it's our first time at the Grand Calif. Resort. We're all pretty excited!

We do NOT have an itinerary as we are traveling with a 2 year old...hehehe! I do, however, plan a tiny bit given each day and the shows/early entry/etc. for the parks.

Sunday we'll spend a good bit of time at Calif. Adventure since it's the only day that we are there when the HSM III show plays and we don't want to miss it. My daughter and I have seen both I and II so we really want to try and see it. I'm praying for no rain!!!

Monday I think we'll go to Disneyland since I don't believe there is EE or MM (I don't think they call it early entry anymore) and we'll try for Nemo and FL rides then. I'd like to see Fantasmic again too that evening

Tuesday we'll use our Morning Madness entry since it opens at 9am and not the but crack of dawn. And tackle what we couldn't the morning before.
Of course I'm dying to get on small world to see all the little changes

Other than those few timing things we're just a play it by ear type of family! My 7 year old LOVES to be the last riders of Sorin' so we'll try for that!

We all know that it could rain or be on the chilly side so if that's the case we will go to character meals, Pinochio's workshop at the resort and dodge the rain when we can.

Do you have little ones? My daughter LOVES meeting new friends since her brother is just 2.

 

[lulu2]

Yes, we were just at DLR in June, we stayed at HOJO (3 days). We have never stayed at GC, but I remember thinking next time we come here I really want to stay at that hotel, it looked SOOOO convient!
It sounds like we have our days semi mapped out-like you guys. Sunday I think we will try and do just a little at both parks, definately try for HSM. I'm also a sucker for DUMBO at night, so that's the plan. Monday, we're trying for DCA in AM, I think we're gonna be at the GC entrance early and ask for the special "condor flats" tour to hopefully ride Soarin early??? We'll see how that works.
Activities planned: we want to enjoy the pool (praying for decent weather). Doing birthday thing at Plaza. Breakfast at Minnie one morning. Lots of fun!
I do have a daughter turning 6 soon, we'll be celebrating her birthday on this trip.
We have a view room booked, hoping for GRR view!
Maybe we can meet up at the pool and let DD swim away??
Lisa

 

[Mom2Joce]

Very cool!!! What is breakfast with Minnie?
I know that PP has the Lilo and Stich thing...
Goofy's Kitchen...
Princess lunch at Ariel's...
Plaza has breakfast w/characters right?
Is there something I'm missing!!

I want to have lots of alternatives

 

[lulu2]

Minnie's is at the Plaza, from what I have read it is classic characters. Minnie, Pooh, Fairy Godmother, Captain Hook (can't remember everybody).
We also may try Storytellers or Ariel's. We did Ariels's in June and I don't care to go back but DD is practically insisting. Interesting enough, we were at Ariel's the day that Toy Story opened and green men came parachuting down into the water, we could see some sort of show going on, press everywhere! The line for TSMM was CRAZY LONG, we didn't even of getting in that line. But it was fun to see everything going on.
Do you have any special dining plans? Any favorites?

 

[Mom2Joce]

We've done the Plaza 2 times. Once before it changed to what it is now and once not too long ago.
We've done Ariel's just once and I too don't ever have to do it again. DD probably would do it again but I don't think it's a priority.
We've done Goofy's once a while back and I'd actually like to do that again.
We've never done anything at PP.
It's really been a while since we've done a character meal so I'd like to at least do GK. Also, we'll probably do the Chip'n'Dale breakfast/meal at the Grand.
Although I've never been...I have a feeling from the looks of it we'll do alot of white water eating
I just read that they DO heat the outdoor pools..so I'm sure Jocelyn is going to give it a try despite the weather. I'd love to sit in the hot tub so maybe we'll see you down there!! I'll have to send a picture so you'll know who to look for.

 

[evandmp]

Just got a standard room with 2 queens...but wondered if anyone had luck upgrading upon arrival?

Also, what rooms are the bunkbeds in? Would that type of room be easily obtainable? Is IT considered standard?

Is there really a port a crib in every room?

There was a playard in the closet of our room. I just layed my daughter in bed with me though.

Will Safeway deliver here?

What should we NOT MISS? Storytime is great for the kids!

Where is the spa and what are the prices like?

Any place/babysitting for the 2 year old?

What is Feb. like here? Usually cold, good chance of rain. Can we still use the jaccuzi? Yes, even in the cold there were people enjoying the pool. Are the pools heated?

What room location is the best (like do they have towers/wings) that are closer to the park/DTD enterances?
Like a pp said, ask for a room near the elevator.

Is the concierge floor something we can add on when we arrive? Or try to?
If concierge is not full, you can upgrade. We LOVED it. You can grab snacks and drinks all day, there is daily storytime for the kids and it's just a fun place to relax especially if it is cold and rainy out.

AHHHH, any help would be appreciated!
Kelie

I'm sure you'll have a great stay. It's a wonderful hotel.

 

[Leofoenget]

I can't answer any of your questions having never stayed at the GCA. Just an FYI, Safeway is Vons in LA.There is one down the street and I assume they will deliver.