Talk to me about standard view at Grand Californian

[All Aboard]

The price difference between standard and theme park view is $80 a night. What are the standard views like? Or, better yet, what's the worst case scenario for a standard view? And, what would you choose? Thanks.

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

I was there for the first time about a week ago. I know we didn't have a theme park view, so I assume we had a standard room. We'd requested a room near the elevators (after reading that tip on the boards). Our view was of what I'd call a "quad" area (surrounded by wings of the hotel); it was filled with tall trees and the monorail ran through it (noise was not a problem). Because we were close to the elevator, part of our view was of the roof and wing next to us. Didn't bother us. I didn't know that we'd have a little deck off our room,which was nice. We never went out there (not in the room that much), however.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We stayed there in Oct '05 and were on the 4th floor. Our balcony view was pretty much of the entrance to GCH (directly below our room was the valet/dropoff area). We liked it just fine. Our room faced the great hearth/lobby and it was easy access to the elevator. We really enjoyed this hotel, I don't think you can go wrong with any room. My sister was on the 4th floor too but hers faced the monorail. My parents were right next door to us and we all had a standard view.

 

[Dis Ohana]

We were there in Dec. '05 and stayed 4 nights in a standard room that overlooked the main entrance. I thought it was a good view - we could see DLH and the monorail below. It was so nice to sit out there early in the morning for an early cup of coffee. On our last night there, we had to switch to a park view room, concierge level for a LOT more $$. The hotel was very busy and they didn't have another STD room available. We were so disappointed in the room change. While we were there, the GCH was painting the exterior of the hotel, so our view directly below was of painting equipment. On our first day, there was a painter outside our balcony for most of the day. The view at night was a little better, we could see the pier all lit up. I just didn't think the price difference was worth it though.

 

[lulubelle]

I just have to say we have stayed there three times and always booked a standard view. Twice that is what we got. The first time was ok cause we were just so excited to stay there and absorb all the wonderful details. The second time was two weeks before Christmas (2004) and I was very sorry I did not book a view room. The area with a "wooded view" and the monorail passing thru did nothing for me and it was a trek to the elevator. I felt like we missed all the awesome Christmas decos and sights you could see from a "view room", and I did check every night of our four night stay if we could upgrade for a fee, nope, all booked, I felt gyped (my own doing ). Now, this last time we stayed off season (mid Sept) and were upgraded (for free) right above the QuikSilver store in DTD. Wow, what huge difference! We enjoyed drinking wine on the balcony, listening to the violin-type player guy selling CD's, and people watching. You really feel part of the action and people wave to you all night. I cannot put into words how much pleasure we got from that room! But when you close your balcony door, your room is silent - really. I will never book a standard view again, I will just forgo the extra fee. But other factors also play a part in the decision. In the off season, the parks close at 8 on weekdays and you are in your room fairly early. I guess in the summer if you commando the parks until the wee hours it would not matter since you come back and just plop into bed. Plus, we love WWS and Storytellers. The Grand is the best, try for the view room if you can afford it.

PS. Actually, a lot of people prefer the theme park view - they say Grizzly Peaks is awesome, we have not had that view yet, maybe next time! Good luck whatever you decide, let us know

 

[FWDisFan]

We were just there and had a DTD view. I am not sure I would request that next time (it was the only thing available when I booked....I wanted a std room) The DISADVANTAGE to this room was that DTD is on the back side of the hotel so after exiting the elevator it was long hallways and 3 right turns to our room. At the end of a long day -- once even carrying an almost 7 year-old -- that can be tiring. By the end we were used to it -- but I would definitely request a room near the elevators.

 

[Michelle2]

The standard view for us is the only way to go, because money wise, it is about all we can do. Our views have been great though. I think we have been in the same room twice. Both have been right in the front of the main building off to the right, so we have been near the lobby, and near the elevators....Perfect location on the 4th floor (I think! It was pretty up there.)

There was a little noise in the day since we were right off of the main lobby, but we could hear the piano player in the evenings! I loved being in the main building! We had the view of the Disneyland hotel.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I was in room 4101 in the Grand Californian, and this is the view we had from our room. We could see the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel, as well as a tiny bit of California Adventure (just a little corner of it). I enjoyed our room there.

This is a view of the standard rooms, which are over the entrance to the hotel. Our room was over the awning where the valet takes your car

 

[momsgoofy]

Okay, so I can deal with the standard view, but am still gonna hope for some pixie dust upgrading. But, what did catch my attention on this thread is the mention of the monorail going through or near the GC...is that true? I mean I can see from the photos posted it is, but where exactly do you catch it? This is the first I've seen mentioned about it at the GC...I'd assumed the monorail only stopped at the DTD location.

Could someone please straighten this out for me? Thanks! I really am clueless when it comes to DL...lol

 

[ter-moo]

Okay, so I can deal with the standard view, but am still gonna hope for some pixie dust upgrading. But, what did catch my attention on this thread is the mention of the monorail going through or near the GC...is that true? I mean I can see from the photos posted it is, but where exactly do you catch it? This is the first I've seen mentioned about it at the GC...I'd assumed the monorail only stopped at the DTD location.

Could someone please straighten this out for me? Thanks! I really am clueless when it comes to DL...lol

The monorail can only be caught in two places: Downtown Disney and Tomorrowland. It goes through a courtyard at the Grand CA and this is the view for some of the standard view rooms. We had one there, and it was just fine. I thought it would be yucky looking out at a monorail track, but it was a pretty, parklike courtyard with lots of trees, so I actually enjoyed the view!

 

[momsgoofy]

The monorail can only be caught in two places: Downtown Disney and Tomorrowland. It goes through a courtyard at the Grand CA and this is the view for some of the standard view rooms. We had one there, and it was just fine. I thought it would be yucky looking out at a monorail track, but it was a pretty, parklike courtyard with lots of trees, so I actually enjoyed the view!

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[PrincessSitka]

We'd requested a room near the elevators (after reading that tip on the boards).

I have not heard or read anything about the elevator can you tell me that was about

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

We'd requested a room near the elevators (after reading that tip on the boards).

I have not heard or read anything about the elevator can you tell me that was about

As one previous poster noted, some rooms are a long walk from the elevators.

"We were just there and had a DTD view. I am not sure I would request that next time (it was the only thing available when I booked....I wanted a std room) The DISADVANTAGE to this room was that DTD is on the back side of the hotel so after exiting the elevator it was long hallways and 3 right turns to our room. At the end of a long day -- once even carrying an almost 7 year-old -- that can be tiring. By the end we were used to it -- but I would definitely request a room near the elevators."

It's a big hotel; just the walk to and then through the lobby to the elevators is a good hike, especially at the end of a long day. Then some rooms are quite a ways further once you take the elevator to your floor. Requesting a room near the elevator can save you a long hike.