We changed to onsite...any tips on GCA?

[daisyx3]

We arrive 6/24 and leave late on 6/26. Me, DH, DD (23) and DS. We had CCI booked but DH decided what the heck, let's book onsite and we now have two nights at DCA, pretty pricy but I hope it's worth it. We got a 10% military discount because DD is a military spouse.
We have a courtyard room. Anyone have experience with that?
We do like midday pool breaks when we go to WDW, although I am not sure I will want to give up our park time since this is a rare event. However, it is a vacation and we don't have to do anything we have already done at WDW, and since DS is 17 we can skip a lot of the "kiddie" stuff. So how is the pool?
Any other tips are appreciated.
Daisyx3

 

[Nonsuch]

...We have a courtyard room. Anyone have experience with that?

Courtyard is part of the Courtyard/Woods/Garden view classification, which is a small upgrade from Standard view. It can be helpful to pay for this upgrade, since most standard view rooms are at the front of the hotel.

You could request to be near the elevators adjacent to Napa Rose, which gives convenient access to the hotel entrance to DCA.

...any tips on GCA?
...let's book onsite and we now have two nights at DCA...

GCH is most common abbreviation for the Grand Californian Hotel...
You might also skim the Superthread.

 

[calilou]

I think you will find staying at the Grand very well worth it! It's such a fun, relaxing and special Disney experience. I have found when staying there that the proximity of the parks does allow you to escape back to the hotel around 2pm for pool time and rest before returning in the evening without feeling like you're missing much park time. The pool is not as fantastic as the DLH pool with the monorail slides but it is worth hanging out at for both swimming and lounging. It is a lovely pool. I recommend sacrificing a little of your park time so that you can enjoy the hotel itself, especially since it sounds like you've been to WDW plenty.

 

[Jerryp49]

The monorail goes thru the Courtyard. Very cool , and not noisy. You get an Extra Magic Hour (EMH) for your 3 days , 2 nights at the GCH. EMH is early entry into DCA on Sunday, Mon, Wed, and Fri.. and EMH is for DL on Sat. , Tues, and Thurs ( the same days that they have Magic Mornings (MM) for those not staying at a Resort Hotel but have Multi Day Park Hopper Tickets. I always check in as early as I can , 6 or 6:30am, so that I get our room keys even though the room may not be ready until 3pm. You need to show your room key at the turnstile along with your admission ticket in order to enter during EMH. You can enter DCA from the GHC turnstile but the line is usually slow because they only have 2 turnstiles there. It may be quicker to enter DCA during EMH thru the Main Gate.

 

[Jerryp49]

Check out the Terrace on the 6th floor facing DCA, Nice Kodak moment.. Staying at the GCH is great. If you get too wet from the Grizzly River ride and need to change shoes or clothes , you are right there. Also, Storytellers Cafe Buffet is a great way to start off. Make a 7am reservation for an 8am EMH opening.