LOVED the Grand Californian!!

[avalon451]

There are dorm sized fridges in the rooms. Plenty big enough to hold a gallon of milk, juice, yogurt, some water and snacks.

As far as upgrade: call guest services and tell them that it is your first trip and you are very excited. Politely ask if you could possibly request a free upgrade. I did this and they did upgrade us. It's not a guarantee, of course, but the CM will record on the computer that you requested it, and when they block out the room assignments a few days before your stay, they will try to accommodate you if they can. It was still a courtyard view, but it was right near the lobby elevators (so handy!) and we could see the fireworks over the roof of the wing opposite (which was the one next to DTD). Really nice view! The monorail swooshed quietly through the courtyard, past our window every 15 mins or so.

 

[avalon451]

Can anyone tell me about the Mandara Spa? What are the prices like for their various spa services?

Expensive. Yikes. Looks really nice, though.

http://mandaraspa.com/Main/SpaView.aspx?SpaID=72

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We are lovers of the GC also!! We've stayed there 3 times and find it hard to stay anywhere else. As a matter of fact, DH said he wouldn't stay anywhere else after our first stay there, but since our desire to go more often outweighs our budget, we've have to stay off-site a few times. But when we have the chance we'll stay there!

We've booked standard rooms for all three of our trips. Twice we were given views of DTD and the most recent time we had a view a courtyard.

 

[kaity230]

Can anyone tell me about the Mandara Spa? What are the prices like for their various spa services?

They are expensive and not at all worth it. I found the spa to be very unlike Disney spas I've tried in the past - the spa really just consists of the treatment rooms - which have thin walls and are rather noisy. The whole area seems sort of makeshift and cramped, and at the prices so not worth it.

But I love the hotel still

 

[Mazz519]

Staying Four nights the end of July Cant wait, Family is very excited. We have a Park view with Bunk beds for the kids. Maybe pricey but we think its worth it.

:banana

 

[kaity230]

Mazz159 have a wonderful time!!!

On another note, you reminded me of a question I had.
Are the bunkbeds and trundle big enough for teenagers? (ones 5'1ish ones 5'6ish)
We stayed in 2 queen bed rooms but it would work better if the bunkbeds would work.

Thanks!

 

[barngro]

We are in a bunk bed room as we speak. My 17 year old twin boys are having a hard time sleeping in them as they are rather small. I find the rooms at the GCH a lot smaller that the rooms at the DL. The proximity to the parks is the main asset to staying at the Grand. The flat screen TV is nice,too.

 

[tksbaskets]

We are in a bunk bed room as we speak. My 17 year old twin boys are having a hard time sleeping in them as they are rather small. I find the rooms at the GCH a lot smaller that the rooms at the DL. The proximity to the parks is the main asset to staying at the Grand. The flat screen TV is nice,too.

We have 17 yo twin boys too and will be at the Grand Californian a week from Wednesday! We have booked a room with a DCA view. Hope that is a good one. We are very excited and enjoying this thread

 

[avalon451]

The bunk beds are not standard twin sized bunks; they are a little shorter in length than that. My DDs were ok in them, but they are 5' 5" and 5'3" and skinny lil' things, and they sleep mostly curled up, anyway. I don't think a tall and/or husky teenaged boy would be very comfortable.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thanks for the fridge info!

I called about the bunk beds and was told there was a limit of 75-80 pounds and height of 5'2. DVC Member services told me that if I reserved it, and my boys were bigger than that, they would not allow me to check into that room.

My 11 year old is pushing it so I left us in a standard view. Bunk Beds are not available in the Standard Views. So another reason I left as is.

 

[honeymom]

Thanks for the fridge info!

I called about the bunk beds and was told there was a limit of 75-80 pounds and height of 5'2. DVC Member services told me that if I reserved it, and my boys were bigger than that, they would not allow me to check into that room.

My 11 year old is pushing it so I left us in a standard view. Bunk Beds are not available in the Standard Views. So another reason I left as is.

The section of the hotel with the most bunkbeds is the section with standard views. That being said, there aren't that many for a hotel that size and they can be hard to come by.

 

[Queenbillabong]

Are there lockers near the pool or are you just really trusting with your key, etc.? I am always worried about this in larger pools. Small pools, not a problem because you can see where you put your stuff........

 

[smsnorthup]

We are also going for the first time in a couple of weeks. Do they have cribs or pack n plays for babies?

 

[honeymom]

Are there lockers near the pool or are you just really trusting with your key, etc.? I am always worried about this in larger pools. Small pools, not a problem because you can see where you put your stuff........

No lockers by the pool. I always just throw clothing on my stuff and try to put it in an area that I can keep an eye on.

 

[mmmears]

We are also going for the first time in a couple of weeks. Do they have cribs or pack n plays for babies?

We just got back today but wish we were still there!

There was a pack n play in the closet in our room. Must be standard, since we dont need one anymore!

Enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

[nunzia]

We just love this place too, and on most trips we are the Quality Inn type, but I love the GC not only for it's closeness to the parks and beauty, but the immersive feeling we get when we're there. We never have to see the 'real' world at all. This last trip I saw the Character Warehouse on our cab ride to the train, so I'll have to leave the bubble and check that out next time.
Yes..very expensive and we used to stay off property but in our old age a little spoiling is called for.
When the DVC's there go on sale, we'll buy in, then won't have to ever worry about that nightly rate again.

 

[smsnorthup]

We just got back today but wish we were still there!

There was a pack n play in the closet in our room. Must be standard, since we dont need one anymore!

Enjoy your upcoming trip!

Thank you!! We can't wait!

 

[bethy]

When the DVC's there go on sale, we'll buy in, then won't have to ever worry about that nightly rate again.

We're planning to do the same!

 

[Katink]

We are in a bunk bed room as we speak. My 17 year old twin boys are having a hard time sleeping in them as they are rather small. I find the rooms at the GCH a lot smaller that the rooms at the DL. The proximity to the parks is the main asset to staying at the Grand. The flat screen TV is nice,too.

When we were at GCH in March, my DGS walked into the room, saw the flat screen TV, and announced he wanted to live at GCH I swear, he would have stayed in the room all day just for the flat screen.

I love, love, love the GCH. We were there during a spring break week and yet it felt luxiously uncrowded. We can't wait to go back. We also DH but there is a difference. The back entrance to DCA and being in DTD so close to DL is the best!

Katink