Which View At Grand Californian?

[Lexxiefern]

First let me thank all of you who helped me in my decision where to stay at DL. We have chosen the GC and now I am wondering which view we will most enjoy. I love to sit out on the balcony and write daily notes on the trip, so I do plan on spending time enjoying the view.

Standard view - the only benefit is it is cheaper (at least as far I as know)

Downtown Disney view - can you see DL from this view? How about fireworks?

California Adventure view - this view looks really cool, lots to look at

So which view do you like the best and would recommend? Thanks for any help

 

[Danauk]

I'd go with the Californian Adventure view as I would love to still be able to see into a park from my balcony.

 

[CustardTart]

We had rooms with both the DTD and CA views when we stayed at the GC for NYE 2005. DH and I opted for the CA view room but IMO the kids had better views of the fireworks from their DTD room... The rooms are gorgeous BTW...

 

[CalGal]

I highly recommend the park view, and specifically, the Grizzly Peak view preferably 4th floor or higher). I've twice requested this view and gotten rooms almost directly over the GCH entrance to DCA. The views were perfect IMO. I just love hanging out on the balcony watching the guests stroll along, hearing the laughter from GRR, seeing ToT out in the distance. I've also been able to see some of the fireworks off to the side, but DTD views are better for fireworks watching. Other park views look more toward Paradise Pier, so they may be prettier at night, but are a little further from the park so aren't as good for people watching and feeling like you are IN the park. DTD views are generally the best for watching the fireworks and again may be pretty at night when DTD is lit up and hopping with energy. Be warned, some of the DTD view rooms are a long walk to the elevator (My Grizzly Peak view rooms were very convenient to the side elevator near Napa Rose.).

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I second the park view over GRR! The view we had you could also see the fireworks from. I loved hanging out on the balcony all day watching people on the ride. Best view I've ever had.

 

[WickedWench]

Standard View isn't that bad. I could see the other hotels from my room, only problem is that there was no balcony. I wish the monorail had been running when we were there, the track was right under us! This was room 4121.

 

[Disnee]

I've got to place my vote with the DCA view - it really is spectacular! We had the view overlooking the Pier area, and it was great. We were basically facing the SunWheel section, and so at night had all those amazing lights to look at - beautiful! We really felt like we were "there" the whole time, and it was fun to sit on the balcony and hear the sounds of the park (when you're in the room, though, you can't hear a peep).

It was nice to have such a constant reminder of where we were, and how close we were to the action. I highly recommend it!

 

[noladave]

After our experience, just make sure you get a good resort view if you are paying for one.

If you like, you can read about my experience here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1364119

After that bad 1st night, this is the view that we had, and we loved it.

 

[Leash]

I don't know if it an option but when we go we get a courtyard veiw and really enjoy it. The monorail runs through the courtyard and you get to see all the trees and from some rooms you can see DTD and fireworks.

 

[teacherkaren]

I have to put in my 2 cents worth for the CA view overlooking GRR but ask for a 300 room, not 400. I spent lots of time on the balcony people watching and laughing as the rafts came down the slope with screams and splashes.

 

[caimakale]

I've had all three views in the past. We had a park view room that sucked on our first trip(you had to peek your head around the patio to see the park), a standard view of the courtyard on our second trip (I didn't like it), and a DTD view that was awesome!

When we were there in May, we requested a DTD view with bunk beds. They piped the music in the room over the TV for the fireworks, it sure beat going into the park and fighting the crowds to watch the them. We had a great view of the fireworks and DTD. One of our favorite things about the DTD view was the smells (good) from DTD. My wife loves walking through DTD just to smell all the food & treats, it smells so good!!!

When we were there, DCA was closing down at 6:00, so "people watching" would have gotten really boring later in the evening. With the DTD view, there were always people and things going on. From our room, we were able to see the magician cart in DTD and would watch him do all sorts of tricks for people trying to get them to buy stuff, it was great!

When we go back, we will definitely be getting a DTD view again, in my opinion, it can't be beat!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Wow, thanks for all the comments. As usual, you have made my decision harder I love the pictures too! I usually book boardwalk view at disneyworld, and I love seeing the fireworks every night. But being right in the park with a DCA view, just seems so cool!!

Noladave, I am off to read your experience now.

 

[Dobie]

We have stayed in both themepark view rooms and standard rooms.

With a standard view room, we only used the balcony to dry our wet swim suits. The view room is much nicer--it just depends on whether you want to spend the extra bucks to sit on the balcony and see the park.

For us, the more important perk is room location. THe hallways are unbelieveably loooooooooong--you can get any view, though, in a room close to the lobby elevator.

Have fun--I just love staying there!