Optimizing DTD View at GCH

[castanet]

Later this year, we'll have our first stay at GCH! We're excited. We have reservations for a DTD view room, and we'd like to make a room/location request to optimize the experience. (We understand requests cannot be guaranteed, but we'd like to at least make the request.) What do you recommend--specifically--that we request?

1. I gather from other postings the 5th floor is popular, so we'll request that.

2. We'd like to overlook the actual retail area (near Catal restaurant). Should we request being in (the West end of?) the West wing of GCH? (We don't mind the longer walk associated with this location.)

3. Are there any other specifics you recommend we request?

Thanks in advance for your help. We've learned lots from this forum and appreciate your passion and assistance.

 

[spaceace510]

First off to the DIS

Ok. So on my trip in april, we had a DTD view, I honestly think, that any view there is great (but the higher the better). We had room 5151. We were directly across from Naples and directly above Sephora

Here on some pics:
The view straight across

The view to the left

View from below (we were above Sephora-- 5th floor with the brown patio on the left)

View of DL fireworks

Also, please check out my trip report for more pics and info!!
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1796905
Enjoy the pics and have a great Trip!!!

 

[castanet]

Thanks for the nice welcome and the information, spaceace510! Looks like you had a great spot at GCH.

Anybody else have recommendations for us?

 

[fairykin]

Thank You for making this post..I was wondering the same thing. We are also going to stay at GCH in mid Nov...with a DDT view.

I had originally booked a conceirge at the GCH.. and even paid for it.. but then when i was going through guest services... i found i didn't need concerige... because i was prepaying for our drinks..they are already selected and recorded... i ordered a artisean wine basket.. champagne for another night with truffles... corona's and gucamole with tostadas... ect.. i thought why do i need concerige? so i switched to a DDT view..

and the refund will pay for our trip in feb.

I hope Your trip turns out special!

 

[TahoeMom]

Should we make requests ahead of time or at checkin?

 

[avalon451]

There's a website, Tink's Travel .com, which has the floor plan/layout of the GCH. It's very handy. Click on Grand Californian, then on the photo links on the right, click on the lobby level and the room level floor maps.

You could request a room over in the northeast wing, then you could use the secret DTD entrance, which is a locked fire door that lets out right next to La Brea bakery, at the top of DTD. Only problem is you can't get back in that way!

 

[castanet]

Fairykin, where did you find the list of "guest services" that you mention (e.g. artisan wine basket, champagne/truffles, guacamole/beer)? That sounds interesting.

Hope you have a great trip in November.

 

[castanet]

Thanks for the tips, Avalon. One clarification, please. You suggest the Northeast wing of GCH. Do you mean "Northwest"? I thought the Northeast wing overlooks a pedestrian walkway to DTD without retail shops.

 

[fairykin]

Casanet... i have a copy of their list in my email.. i will go through it tomorrow and post it here for you.

the girls i worked with were very nice and helpful.

Sweet Dreams.

 

[avalon451]

Thanks for the tips, Avalon. One clarification, please. You suggest the Northeast wing of GCH. Do you mean "Northwest"? I thought the Northeast wing overlooks a pedestrian walkway to DTD without retail shops.

Hmmm, thought it was Northeast... it's the wing that is located directly over the World of Disney store in DTD. If you take a look on the map at Tink's Travel, you'll see the one I mean. If you have a DTD-side view there, it'll overlook the east end of DTD, closest to the security station. I suppose going out on your balcony you can see the Esplanade, but you'll still be located in DTD and have a great view down it.

I just looked at the map, and room _419 through _451 would overlook DTD in the NE wing. The _ in the number is the floor number you'd be on, i.e. 4419 for the fourth floor.

 

[fairykin]

Here is the email sent to me..i hope it helps You

Dear Dawn, ,
It was very nice talking with you today about your family's visit with us, here at the Disneyland Resort. As we discussed, I have attached the Amenity List for the Disney-Themed Gift Baskets that we have to offer. Deliveries for Gift Baskets are done daily between 4-6 pm, you do not need to be in the room for the delivery. If you are interested in placing any of those orders, we would need a credit card # to charge them to. If you place an order for the Amenity Baskets, that would not be charged until approx. 2 days before your arrival. Room Service is 24 hours daily. Any room service amenities would not be charged until the day of delivery. Also, I have included some room service suggestions, cake and Refreshment Pkg. information. Please See below...

<<GCH Refreshment Packages.doc>> <<Disney-Themed Amenities, updated Feb. 2008.doc>>

Room Service Suggestions: (Service delivery of $2.00 per check, local tax and 19% Service Charge will be added to each room service order)

The Wine Country Basket with or without Wine - Seasonal Fruit, Assortment of Imported and Domestic Cheeses, a selections of Boxed Assorted Crackers and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Price: w/wine $63.00 Price: w/o wine $35.00

South of the Border - Home made tortilla chips with Salsa and Guacamole. Price: $20.00 Price w/ 2 Corona Beers: $29.98

Golden State Fruits - A selection of seasonal whole fruits. Price : $25.00

Grand Cheese Delight - An assortment of Gourmet Cheese and Crackers with Seasonal Fruit. Wine choice includes House Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Price : w/wine $73.00 Price: w/o wine $45.00

The Artisan - A selection of fresh seasonal whole fruits, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel logo leather Luggage Tags and Key Holder, a souvenir mug and Grizzly Bear Plush. Price: $ 65.00

Parade of Tuxedo - An arrangement of 6 chocolate covered strawberries. Price: $15.00

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Price: $2.50/ea

The Grand Finale - A chocolate box filled with chocolate truffles. Price : $45.00 Price: w/Champagne $82.00

Balloon Options: Mylar (Mickey or Minnie) - Price: $8.50/ea Asst. Disney Character Latex - Price: $4.50/ea Balloon Bouquet (5 Latex) - Price: $15.29

Bottle of Sparkling Apple Cider - Price: $18.00/Bottle

Bottle of Champagne - Price Ranges from $45 - $295

For the kids:

Sweet Endings w/milk - Three Home Made Chocolate Cookies with dried cranberries and nut filling, served with a Chilled Bottle of Milk Price:$18.00

Mickey's Rice Krispy Treats w/milk - Two Mickey's Rice Krispy Treats dipped in chocolate, served with a Chilled Bottle of Milk Price: $18.00

Birthday Buckets: Mickey Birthday Bucket includes a Disney plush, Cloisonné' Pin and Stickers topped with a Personal size Birthday Cake or Our lovely Princess Bucket includes a Comb & Brush Set, Cloisonné' Pin and Magnetic Stickers, topped with a Personal Size Birthday Cake. Price: $22.00/ea

Cake Information:
Here are the choices for ordering a cake: Requires 72 hours notice
Size: 6" - 10" - 1/4 sheet or 1/2 sheet

Kind of Sponge: Vanilla or Chocolate

Kind of Filling: Whipped Cream - Vanilla Custard - Chocolate Custard - Chocolate Mousse or Strawberries

Kind of Frosting: Whipped Cream - Chocolate Ganache or Butter Cream

Sugar Figurines: Mickey Mouse , Minnie Mouse, Tinker bell, Snow White, Cinderella, Donald, Goofy, Pluto (Price for Sugar Figurines $4.50 each)

Edible Images: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, plus an assortment of other Disney Characters *Note - Edible images are only available on 10" cakes or larger - Price: $10.00 additional for images

Price for 6" - approx. $25.00 (# of Servings = 6-8 people)
Price for 10" - approx. $32.00 (# of Servings = 12 people)
Price for 1/4 Sheet - approx. $52.00 (# of Servings = 16-18 people)
Price for 1/2 Sheet - approx. $68.00 (# of Servings = 30-35 people)
Please contact the Vacation Planning office @ 714-300-PLAN, option 2, to make any further arrangements.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,

The Vacation Planning Team
Disneyland Resort
(714)300-7526 option 2




For Your Custom Convenience…

In order to suit the needs of your Body and Spirit, we offer you the opportunity to customize your Refreshment Center by providing you with several food and beverage packages to choose from. Simply make your selections and your items will be delivered to your room.

The Traditional 19.99
Choose any six offerings from the beverage selection below and any six offerings from the snack selection.

The Classic 29.99
Choose any six offerings from the beverage selection below, any six offerings from the snack selection and any four offerings from the alcoholic beverage selection.

The Grand 39.99
Choose any eight offerings from the beverage selection below and, eight offerings from the snack selection and any six offerings from the alcoholic beverage selection.

Beverage Selections

Minute Maid Apple Juice Dasani Bottled Water Coke Root Beer
Minute Maid Orange Juice Dasani Raspberry Water Diet Coke Ginger Ale
Powerade Low Fat Milk Sprite Tonic Water
Nesquik Choc Milk Perrier Orange Soda

Snack Selections

Apple Baked Lays M&M’s
Orange Lays Peanut M&M’s
Banana Cheetos Snickers Bar
Mixed Nuts 8 oz. Doritos

Alcoholic Beverage Offerings

Budweiser Miller Guinness Draft Dewar’s Bacardi Silver
Bud Light Heineken Smirnoff Vodka Tanguerav
Sierra Nevada Miller Light Cabernet Sauvignon
Amstel Light Haake Beck Kettle One Vodka
Coors Light Samuel Adams Cuervo Gold Tequila
Corona Karl Strauss Endless Summer


* Service delivery of 2.00 per check, local tax. A 19% Service Charge will be added to each Room Service order. To order, press Room Service.

 

[fairykin]

This is the last of the info i recieved.


Disney-Themed Amenities
*Merchandise and pricing are subject to change without notice.




California Cooler Pack
What better way to start your California adventure than with this snack lover’s survival kit! Enjoy some of your favorite treats with a little bit of character in a reusable cooler pack. Recommended for all ages.
$47 plus tax. With a Disney-themed towel included: $67 plus tax

California Dreamin’ (Female)
Teen idol, Minnie Mouse, has designed this unique basket to outfit the bigger “kid” set. Not only will ladies be stylin’, but also they can remember their visit with special keepsakes! Recommended for ages 10-18.
$85 plus tax

California Dreamin’ (Male)
Not to be outdone by Miss Minnie, Mickey has also created this special kit to get the guys “hooked up.” This basket includes gear to wear and keepsakes to remember the adventure! Recommended for ages 10-18.
$83 plus tax

Chocolate Lovers Delight
This basket contains temptations of a dark, sweet nature. Everyone’s favorite, chocolate, manifests itself in several yummy varieties for the sweet tooth in all of us!
Recommended for ages 3 to adult.
$68 plus tax

Marvelous Mickey/Marvelous Minnie
Mickey has worked his magic again with a basket for kids of the younger set. This amenity provides everything needed to make a visit more magical! Minnie has been busy too! Similar to the Marvelous Mickey, this basket features touches from the diva of mice herself. Everything a young girl needs to enjoy her visit!
Recommended for ages 3-12.
$85 plus tax

Escape to Wonderland Basket
Relax and enjoy this spa indulgence for the mind and body. From the soothing bath spa items to the sweet treats, you will escape to Wonderland.
Recommended for ages 16-adult .

$92 plus tax






Mickey and Minnie’s Wedding Toast
What better way to celebrate that special occasion than with a toast from the first couple of Disney themselves! This delightful amenity includes a Mickey groom top hat and Minnie bride headband accompanied by delectable chocolate champagne bottle!
Recommended for honeymoon couples and anniversaries.
$62 plus tax

Mickey’s Wedding Package
A perfect memento for a perfect occasion. Guests celebrating their nuptials or on their honeymoon will appreciate this gift offering sweets for sweethearts and a special frame for a memorable moment.
$81 plus tax

Mickey’s Ultimate Wedding Package
Ready for an upgrade? Consider this beautiful package of items featuring Mickey and Minnie as a wedding couple, a box of sweets, a keepsake frame, and more!
$110 plus tax

Mickey’s Coffee Club
Guests need not forsake enjoyment of a good cup of coffee during their stay at the Disneyland® Resort. This basket features a bounty of flavored coffees and accompaniments that will satisfy the most distinctive connoisseurs. A Disney mug completes this collection.
Recommended for ages 16 and over.
$68 plus tax. With additional mug: $83 plus tax

A Pirate’s Life for Me
Here’s an amenity sure to please any pirate this side of the Spanish Main. A pair of Mickey ears with an earring and sash are included, as well as essentials for looting on the high seas. Recommended for ages 3-adult.
$128 plus tax

Mickey and Minnie’s Welcome Basket
A collection for families to commemorate their vacation. Delicious treats, a photo album, and other keepsakes create a complete package.
Recommended for ages 10 and over, especially for families.

$112 plus tax

Mickey Ears to You Amenity (in Youth or Adult sizes)
A wonderfully welcomed surprise for Guests enjoying their first Disney adventures. One set of official ears with sweets, an autograph book, and pen make this a must for those seeking character signatures! Available in classic black or golden ears to celebrate our 50th Anniversary! Recommended for ages 3 and over.
Youth/Adult: $33 plus tax with classic black ears
Colorful youth ears with characters: $33 plus tax
Youth: $34 plus tax with 50th Anniversary golden ears,
Adult: $35 plus tax with 50th Anniversary golden ears



Princess Fairytale Collection
Everything a Princess would dream of having for her time with us at Disneyland®! Perhaps your little Princess is seeking an autograph from our Disney Princesses… This amenity contains what she would need to do this in true Princess fashion!
$94 plus tax

For the Princess
This amenity includes the necessities for the Princess… which include a crown, Princess autograph book and pen.
$36 plus tax

Tinkerbell’s Treasures
Tinkerbell herself has created an amenity with items that are, of course, all about “Tink!” This has been a favorite of both our child and adult Guests.
$105 plus tax.

Pooh and Friends Collection
Another 100-Acre Wood favorite, this is one honey of a basket. Your favorite Pooh characters are all present with a few special treats just for you. Absolutely irresistible!
Recommended for ages 3 and over and families.
$99 plus tax

Mickey’s “Unbirthday” Cake
(Chocolate)
This “unbirthday” cake features 10 chocolate bars in the shape of a round cake with Happy Birthday Ear Hat and a birthday name badge that can be engraved free of charge at the World of Disney!
$48 plus tax

Happy Birthday Basket
This amenity is just bursting with magic! Complete with a birthday badge that can be engraved with your name, Happy Birthday Ear Hat, and other birthday mementos, this amenity is sure to please our special birthday Guests.

$58 plus tax, available for either children or adults.

Nemo’s Bath Time
Nemo has made up this special collection of bath items for a clean and fun-filled bath time with Nemo & his Bath Buddies. Recommended for ages 3-adult.

$95 plus tax









Variations



Mickey’s Coffee Club with a Disneyland® Resort Robe
$135 plus tax

Chocolate Lovers with a Disneyland® Resort Robe
$133 plus tax

Chocolate Lovers and Coffee Club
$138 plus tax
With a Disneyland Resort Robe: $203 plus tax

Mickey and Minnie’s Wedding Toast with a Disneyland® Resort Robe
$118 plus tax

Mickey’s Wedding Package with a Disneyland® Resort Robe
$146 plus tax

Mickey’s Ultimate Wedding Package with a Disneyland® Resort Robe
$175 plus tax

*Additional Robes
$65 plus tax

Bride Headband and Groom Top Hat added to any Wedding Package
$38 plus tax

Chocolate Lovers with Mickey and Minnie Plush
$92 plus tax

Mickey Youth Ears Amenity with Mickey or Minnie Plush
$42 plus tax with classic black ears
$45 plus with 50th Anniversary golden ears

Mickey Adult Ears Amenity with Mickey or Minnie Plush
$44 plus tax with classic black ears
$46 plus tax with 50th Anniversary golden ears

 

[heatherleigh]

Thanks for posting the prices and list. I was not aware of half the things they offer. I'm going to have to contact the DLH to find out what, specifically, they offer. I'm sure it is similar. I do want to order something special like milk and cookies for my kids when we arrive. I have never done anything like that before, and I think they'd appreciate it.

 

[castanet]

Thanks for posting all the information, Fairykin! Lots of good stuff there. If you have an email address for the Vacation Planning Team, that would be helpful, too. Appreciate your help.

 

[castanet]

Hmmm, thought it was Northeast... it's the wing that is located directly over the World of Disney store in DTD. If you take a look on the map at Tink's Travel, you'll see the one I mean. If you have a DTD-side view there, it'll overlook the east end of DTD, closest to the security station. I suppose going out on your balcony you can see the Esplanade, but you'll still be located in DTD and have a great view down it.

I just looked at the map, and room _419 through _451 would overlook DTD in the NE wing. The _ in the number is the floor number you'd be on, i.e. 4419 for the fourth floor.

OK, gothcha. Thanks for the additional information. I now see the source of our confusion. The Northeast wing is directly over retail shops (World of Disney), but there are no retail shops directly across from the Northeast wing. We would ideally like to be in the Northwest wing, so our view would include retail shops across the way.

 

[fairykin]

Quick Peek in..

Hey there! i'll post the email address in the morning. i have three little ones here 5 and under who are covered in glitter..we've been making christmas ornaments.

Check back here in the morning and the info will be up.

Sweet dreams everybody.. mine will be probably be filled with glitter..

 

[fairykin]

Here's the info.
Vacation planning at Disney
Karen.Kim@disney.com
Karen Kim
Vacation Planning
Disneyland Resort Hotels
(714)300-7526, option 2


She was so Nice to Help

 

[bzkds]

We stayed on the other side, looking out into DCA, close to the Orange Zinger (I think somewhere around room 350). It was really nice because we could see the Light Parade from our room.

Beth