roxy72
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2009
- Messages
- 347
Hi all! I just returned from a 1-day, 1-night trip to Disneyland with my parents. We've been wanting to stay at the Grand Californian for a long time, and decided to take a trip before my Annual Pass expires. Normally I stay at budget hotels or get good deals on priceline.com, so this hotel was a big treat for us. 
My Mom and I left Camarillo at 8AM, and arrived at the hotel by 9:45. When we first turned into the hotel, there was a booth where someone asked our name and how we wanted to park. We wanted to do self-parking, so we got a ticket with our name on it, and displayed it on our dash. Next, we pulled up to the hotel entrance, where a valet asked us how we'd like to park. (Apparently the ticket on our dash meant nothing to him). We indicated self-parking, so he said that one of us should hop out and take care of registration, while the other drives the car to the self-parking lot. My Mom needed to check us in since we used her credit card for the reservation, and so that left me with moving the car.
I wish the valet had told us to wait to park until we had were checked in, since having a room key would have made this a lot easier. I exited the hotel, went through a traffic light, and entered the self-parking lot. There, a man at the entrance kiosk told me to turn right (into the Grand CA lot). Once past him and outside the GC lot, there was a machine asking me to insert the room key to get in, or press the button for help. I got out of my car, and pressed the button 3 times, asking for help. Nobody answered or came to my aid. I left my car, walked back to the entrance kiosk, explained what happened, and finally the guy let me into the GC lot. This pissed me off and was FAIL #1.
I went back to the hotel lobby to join my Mom, and found out that our room was already ready- WIN #1! It was only 10AM, and the normal check-in time was 3PM. When we got into our room, everything was beautiful and nicely themed..except for some dirty washcloths left behind in the sink (FAIL #2), and we also didn't have 2 bathrobes which should have been in our room (FAIL #3). We had a cool view of California Adventure- specially, we could see Grizzly River Run and the Soarin' building. Our location was close to White Water Snacks and the pool. After spending some time at the park, my Mom, Dad, and I decided to visit the pool. We knew there was pool-side service, and we were ready to get our drinkin' on! Unfortunately, we sat in a neglected area of the pool. After hanging out for 1 hour, and getting no attention (FAIL #4), we left and got our drink on at the Hearthstone Lounge. I loved their Pina Colava by the way.
Later that night, we were surprised to see that someone had visited our room for turn-down service! Our pillows were fluffed, sheets drawn, and they even left 3 chocolates...perfect. WIN #2
My Dad arrived at the hotel from San Diego (the opposite direction as my Mom and me), so he decided to park his car with valet. Now, before leaving it with them, he verified that they would be open 24/7. My Dad had to leave very early in the morning because he had to get back down to SD to teach (he's a university professor). They reassured him that someone would always be there from valet. Well, when he got there at 3AM in the morning, nobody was there. Somebody at the front desk had to "wake up" a person, and it took about 15 minutes til they showed up. FAIL #5. They should have been honest and said there might be a short wait if you want valet services in the wee hours.
In the morning, we had some trouble with the shower. And by that, I mean that the temperature fluctuated between comfortably warm and chillingly cold. I have never had such an uncomfortable shower!! This is how my shower went...run under the water when it was warm, then jump away and shout "cold!!" when it switched on me. My Mom had the same experience. I've never had this problem at other hotels in the area, which includes the BW Anaheim Inn, the Doubletree, the Hilton, the Candy Cane Inn, and the Crowne Royal Plaza. Big FAIL #6.
Later, my Mom and I were getting ready to check-out. All we had to do was call a number and leave our info, except our room phone was broken. We couldn't even get a dial-tone. So we had to use a different phone near the elevators to check out. FAIL #7
Aah...so many fails, so little wins. Overall, I enjoyed the hotel. The best part of it was the location..so close to the parks and Downtown Disney. There were good food options on the premises, and I liked the theme. If I stay here in the future, I would definitely do the valet parking and use a bell-hop for luggage. Trucking all my luggage across the street from the parking lot was a PITA. So there you go- that was my first experience at the Grand Californian! I took photos of our room (and a few pics from the parks) and will post them later.
My Mom and I left Camarillo at 8AM, and arrived at the hotel by 9:45. When we first turned into the hotel, there was a booth where someone asked our name and how we wanted to park. We wanted to do self-parking, so we got a ticket with our name on it, and displayed it on our dash. Next, we pulled up to the hotel entrance, where a valet asked us how we'd like to park. (Apparently the ticket on our dash meant nothing to him). We indicated self-parking, so he said that one of us should hop out and take care of registration, while the other drives the car to the self-parking lot. My Mom needed to check us in since we used her credit card for the reservation, and so that left me with moving the car.
I wish the valet had told us to wait to park until we had were checked in, since having a room key would have made this a lot easier. I exited the hotel, went through a traffic light, and entered the self-parking lot. There, a man at the entrance kiosk told me to turn right (into the Grand CA lot). Once past him and outside the GC lot, there was a machine asking me to insert the room key to get in, or press the button for help. I got out of my car, and pressed the button 3 times, asking for help. Nobody answered or came to my aid. I left my car, walked back to the entrance kiosk, explained what happened, and finally the guy let me into the GC lot. This pissed me off and was FAIL #1.
I went back to the hotel lobby to join my Mom, and found out that our room was already ready- WIN #1! It was only 10AM, and the normal check-in time was 3PM. When we got into our room, everything was beautiful and nicely themed..except for some dirty washcloths left behind in the sink (FAIL #2), and we also didn't have 2 bathrobes which should have been in our room (FAIL #3). We had a cool view of California Adventure- specially, we could see Grizzly River Run and the Soarin' building. Our location was close to White Water Snacks and the pool. After spending some time at the park, my Mom, Dad, and I decided to visit the pool. We knew there was pool-side service, and we were ready to get our drinkin' on! Unfortunately, we sat in a neglected area of the pool. After hanging out for 1 hour, and getting no attention (FAIL #4), we left and got our drink on at the Hearthstone Lounge. I loved their Pina Colava by the way.
Later that night, we were surprised to see that someone had visited our room for turn-down service! Our pillows were fluffed, sheets drawn, and they even left 3 chocolates...perfect.
WIN #2My Dad arrived at the hotel from San Diego (the opposite direction as my Mom and me), so he decided to park his car with valet. Now, before leaving it with them, he verified that they would be open 24/7. My Dad had to leave very early in the morning because he had to get back down to SD to teach (he's a university professor). They reassured him that someone would always be there from valet. Well, when he got there at 3AM in the morning, nobody was there. Somebody at the front desk had to "wake up" a person, and it took about 15 minutes til they showed up. FAIL #5. They should have been honest and said there might be a short wait if you want valet services in the wee hours.
In the morning, we had some trouble with the shower. And by that, I mean that the temperature fluctuated between comfortably warm and chillingly cold. I have never had such an uncomfortable shower!! This is how my shower went...run under the water when it was warm, then jump away and shout "cold!!" when it switched on me. My Mom had the same experience. I've never had this problem at other hotels in the area, which includes the BW Anaheim Inn, the Doubletree, the Hilton, the Candy Cane Inn, and the Crowne Royal Plaza. Big FAIL #6.
Later, my Mom and I were getting ready to check-out. All we had to do was call a number and leave our info, except our room phone was broken. We couldn't even get a dial-tone. So we had to use a different phone near the elevators to check out. FAIL #7
Aah...so many fails, so little wins. Overall, I enjoyed the hotel. The best part of it was the location..so close to the parks and Downtown Disney. There were good food options on the premises, and I liked the theme. If I stay here in the future, I would definitely do the valet parking and use a bell-hop for luggage. Trucking all my luggage across the street from the parking lot was a PITA. So there you go- that was my first experience at the Grand Californian! I took photos of our room (and a few pics from the parks) and will post them later.
I am excited to try the new tail. It's almost time!
