LOVED the Grand Californian!!

[Carrie in AZ]

We just returned last night from a two night stay -- our first! -- at GC and LOVED it! I mean, really really loved it! We've been fortunate to stay at DLH two times prior to this, but I know for sure we will never stay anywhere else other than GC. If anyone is thinking about springing for a stay there, I would highly recommend it. The close proximity to the parks and that private entrance into California are worth every penny.

My oldest daughter (8yo) really wanted to try the bunkbeds so we did. They didn't end up working that well for our family so I don't think I'd request it again. She was sort of scared to sleep up there and it was somewhat difficult keeping our 4yo DD from climbing up. And, the rails made noise when our DD would roll against them after she finally decided she would sleep up there! I loved the room amenities and decor, definitely not as Mickey-ish or as Disney-ish in the theming as the DLH, but very tasteful and beautiful. The service was OUTSTANDING! We were there celebrating my Mom's birthday and there was lots of pixie dust bestowed upon us during our visit.

The pool is pretty and those thickly padded lounge chairs are wayyyyyy nice!

I remember reading here recently that the pictures don't really do this resort justice, and that is what I would agree with 100%. I thought it was gorgeous and fabulous all the way around.

Thanks for reading. If you have any specific questions, please let me know, I'll be happy to reply!

 

[4evrdisney]

Yay! Someone who loves the GCH! Sometimes we've heard just okay reviews and we are staying there in September.

We are celebrating my son's birthday - any suggestions from celebrating a birthday that you'd like to pass on??

 

[kaoden39]

How big are the rooms compared to the DLH? Is it quieter than the DLH?

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I can't imagine anyone not liking the GC! I'm going to do a search and read some of the reviews of what others don't like about it......

For my Mom's birthday, we went to the Happiest Birthday Party at the Plaza Inn. She was the only adult there celebrating her birthday, the rest were children. We had a lot of fun. There are Mickey party hats, your own personal cake to decorate with frosting and sprinkles (everyone in the group gets their own), singing, a visit with Minnie, a conga line with Minnie, Mickey shows up for some dancing and then all the pictures you'd ever want to take with Minnie and Mickey. Honestly, it was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. How old is your son?

I thought the GC was much quieter than the DLR. By that I mean we didn't hear anyone racing up and down the hallways and the pool wasn't very occupied or crowded either. But, we were at the pool on a cloudy, coolish day and not in the middle of summer either. I'm thinking that it would be much busier during the busy months. We've been at the DLR pool when it was so packed we couldn't even find an empty chair, and that truly bugged the heck out of me. I mean, how relaxing is it when you can't even find a place to set down your stuff let alone a place to relax.

The rooms are definitely smaller than at DLR, but I did not notice it that much. There were four of us in our room and it was fine. One thing our room at GC had that we didn't have at DLR is a nice big patio with a table and two chairs. It's not a tiny patio, it is longish with a nice amount of room out there.

Let me know if you'd like more specficis. I am as picky as they come, so I'm happy to share any and all details!

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh us too....but no way can we afford it that much. We've only stayed once but we would love to do it again. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!

 

[mlggator]

We stayed there last summer and are staying there again in July (CAN'T WAIT). I GC. We have also stayed at DLH, but really preferred the GC. I agree really agree about nice pool chairs. I love relaxing at the pool in the afternoon and getting poolside wait service for snacks and drinks. It makes me feel like I am rich, when I am NOT.

Michele

 

[minniebeth]

So glad you had a great time! So great to hear! We LOVED the DLH, but can't wait to try GCH....we'll be there this week! (I just couldn't wait to use this guy!)

 

[sandgrace]

I'm glad that you had a great time! We've stayed at DGC once and while it was very nice I just really didn't think that the cost was worth it for us. Since we were barely in our room we didn't get to enjoy it, I really think that it would have been better to save our money and stay at one of the Good Neighbor Motels. We usually stay at one of the motels on Harbor that are right acrossed the street from the entrance on Harbor Blvd., in my opinion the walk is just about the same to DL from there.

 

[Heather1101]

We are here right now and staying at DLH (I'm in the room relaxing while DH and the kids are at the pool ) We really wish we would have picked the GCH instead for proximity to the parks...DLH is quite a hike if you don't take the monorail! We like DLH and have no complaints, but DH and I both agreed that if we come to DL again, we are forking over the extra money to stay at the GCH!

 

[Carrie in AZ]

mlggator and minniebeth, enjoy your upcoming trips!!!

 

[honeymom]

I agree with everything that you said about GCH. I love the place. Just wish I could afford it more often. I won't even bother with DLH because of that packed pool - it was way too overcrowded when we stayed there, a noisy hotel and not enjoyable. But, we loved GCH.

 

[audrabolster]

I've never stayed, but actually had dinner there tonight at Storytellers- YUM!

 

[Eeyore76]

(I just couldn't wait to use this guy!)

That's exactly how I felt about this one!!

^5

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi,
We will be at GCH a week from Wednesday Is there a more casual restaurant where you can get breakfast besides storytellers?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

You can grab a bite to eat at Whitewater Snacks. There is some indoor and outdoor seating there. They have snacks, but also serve breakfast/lunch/dinner items there. At the least, you should check it out.

Also, ask at the Hearth Lounge what they offer for breakfast items.

Carrie - glad you had such a good time at the Grand Californian. It's definitely one of my all-time favorite hotels.

 

[mlggator]

mlggator and minniebeth, enjoy your upcoming trips!!!

Thank you so much. We are now 24 days until check in . I am sooooo excited.
Last year (a very special Disney year for us) we got to stay at GC at DLR and at WL at WDW within a month of each other. Both were great, but after spending a few nights at GC, I was so disappointed with WL. I don't think I would have felt that way if I hadn't stayed at GC first.

Well, now that I have officially spoiled myself with GC, I guess I will have to bump it up a notch with our next visit to WDW (do you think DH will buy that, ).

Michele

 

[tksbaskets]

You can grab a bite to eat at Whitewater Snacks. There is some indoor and outdoor seating there. They have snacks, but also serve breakfast/lunch/dinner items there. At the least, you should check it out.

Also, ask at the Hearth Lounge what they offer for breakfast items.

Carrie - glad you had such a good time at the Grand Californian. It's definitely one of my all-time favorite hotels.

Thank you!

 

[Golfing Goofy]

We have always loved the GCH the best and have been fortunate to be able to stay there most of our trips. Now are finally going for the first time to WDW next year. We can't wait!!!

So, if you don't think the WL is comparable to the GCH, which hotel do you think at WDW is similar in service? Maybe not style but the service.

WDW is so much larger and a much more complicated vacation for us laid back travelers hahahaha.

 

[avalon451]

We stayed there for our first trip. It was wonderful. It was a splurge for us-- this next time we're staying at HoJos.

We were so glad we'd chosen to pay extra to stay there, though, because our oldest DD was sick the entire time -- and we spent a LOT of time in that beautiful room with her while she slept!

I second Whitewater Snacks. Great little cafeteria style, so mcuh fresh stuff to choose from. We were running down there for snacks and breakfast all the time. Look for the kitty out on the covered patio, who might come to visit you if you have something interesting on your plate!

 

[lisah0711]

We have always loved the GCH the best and have been fortunate to be able to stay there most of our trips. Now are finally going for the first time to WDW next year. We can't wait!!!

So, if you don't think the WL is comparable to the GCH, which hotel do you think at WDW is similar in service? Maybe not style but the service.

WDW is so much larger and a much more complicated vacation for us laid back travelers hahahaha.

I think that WL is comparable to GCH. And so is Animal Kingdom. But not every resort is for everyone.

As someone who went to DL many, many times before going to WDW you will have a great time. It is a bit overwhelming but read everything that you can and you will feel more comfortable. Have a great time!