Grand Californian Room Preferences

[WesN]

My wife and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary at the Disneyland Resort in a couple of weeks. We're really looking forward to it, since we honeymooned there 25 years ago. While we've been back several times since, it's been a few years since our last visit and we're not as familiar with the park as we once were.

We've booked 5 nights at the Grand Californian (we used to be regulars at the Disneyland Hotel, but wanted to stay at the new flagship hotel this time).

To make this an especially special trip, I wonder if anyone could offer tips on the best locations or rooms in the Grand Californian (when we stayed at the DLH we always requested 5th floor in the Bonita Tower, with views of the Koi Pond and the Dancing Waters)? Who should we (or can we) contact to get suggestions or make our requests?

Any suggestions on how to make this visit the wonderfully enjoyable and commemorative occasion we would like it to be would be much appreciated!

Many thanks! We are totally excited!

-Wes

[Lisaj13]

Welcome to Intercot!

I'm sure someone will be along to help you out with rooms at the hotel. I wish it could be me, but I've only seen it from the outside.

Have a great visit!

[BrerGnat]

What type of room do you have booked?

[Aisling]

I believe you can tell the reservation folks that this is your anniversary and when you check in, mention it again. Sometimes they will send up balloons and special items for you. It all depends on how busy they are.

My favorite rooms at the GCH are the ones that overlook Downtown Disney. I love the lights and music. You can also request a corner room where you can see the fireworks at Disneyland. I've never had this room, but my sister has and she loved it. We've also had a room that overlooked Grizzly River Run in California Adventure. It was such a pretty view, but I got tired of looking at the rock bear. My kids prefer a view of the pool/ferris wheel of California Adventure and my husband prefers one of the rooms overlooking the monorail. These are the quietest.

GCH is huge and sometimes getting to your room is a bit of a hike, so if you have any walking issues, or disabilities, you might want a room closer to the lounge area (which, by the way, is my favorite place to hang out at the hotel). Grab a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa (Whitewater Snack, or Compass Books in DtD), then sit by the fire and just relax. It's wonderful.

Sorry, just reminiscing... Really, no matter what room you get at the hotel, you'll love it. All the rooms have a 'woodsy Disney' feel to them, very subtle, but still magical.

It has been a while if you stayed at the Disneyland Hotel in the Bonita tower and watched the water show. It's now the Magic tower and there's no more water show. I know, bummer. My kids love staying in that tower - they always imagine putting up a zipline to the other tower and dropping into the pool. Where do they get these ideas! Yeah, okay, it was originally my idea. Wouldn't that be fun!?!?

Enjoy your trip and congratulations on your anniversary!

[NotaGeek]

When I stayed there in March our room was facing the front (just a resort view, no park) right off the main lobby ... and although the view wasn't spectacular, we LOVED being right off the lobby. Easy access to everything, especially the Hearth Bar ... DL and DCA were SO close, it just made our trip extra special ... oh and we learned if you get a resort view room and request a day bed the rooms are HUGE!

[WesN]

What type of room do you have booked?

It's a Theme Park View room, I believe.

[BrerGnat]

Well, most of the Theme Park View rooms are a walk from the lobby, so be prepared for that! Also, just so that you are aware, they are currently doing construction on the Villas building/expansion of GCH next door, and the rooms primarily affected by the construction noise and view are the Theme Park View rooms. AND, they are also doing a LOT of work over at DCA, and right now, there is no water in the bay, and it doesn't look very pretty over by Paradise Pier. SOOOO, I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't be disappointed if the "view" is not all that spectacular, and if you hear some construction noise during the day.

I would actually advise calling to see if you can downgrade your view to either Downtown Disney or Courtyard, which are MUCH better views AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME. I guarantee the hotel is NOT fully booked, and you will save some $$$, plus your room will be more centrally located with one of these views.

My favorite view is actually the courtyard view, which overlooks the little space where the monorail goes through the hotel. It's SO peaceful there, and I think it's PERFECT.

However, if you really want to splurge, stay Concierge. It's TOTALLY worth it! Talk about being spoiled! We did that last time (concierge, courtyard view), and now DH won't even stay there unless we can stay Concierge...

[delphinidae308]

I love the standard view overlooking the courtyard and monorail because, as someone else said, it has always been so quiet. I eat breakfast from White Water Snacks on the balcony and it's like I have the whole hotel to myself. I booked a theme park view once and the agent put a request in for a king bed for DH and myself. When checking in, the CM was surprised to see a king bed reservation because they are so rare.

[WesN]

My favorite rooms at the GCH are the ones that overlook Downtown Disney. I love the lights and music. You can also request a corner room where you can see the fireworks at Disneyland. I've never had this room, but my sister has and she loved it. We've also had a room that overlooked Grizzly River Run in California Adventure. It was such a pretty view, but I got tired of looking at the rock bear. My kids prefer a view of the pool/ferris wheel of California Adventure and my husband prefers one of the rooms overlooking the monorail. These are the quietest.

It has been a while if you stayed at the Disneyland Hotel in the Bonita tower and watched the water show. It's now the Magic tower and there's no more water show. I know, bummer.

Thanks for the great tips! Yeah, it's been a while and, yeah, bummer about the "Dancing Waters".

I think it's down to either getting a corner room w/ fireworks view or Downtown Disney.

BTW, what floors would you recommend? When staying at the Bonita Tower, we came to prefer 4-6, as these gave a great view without being too remote from the scenery.

[BrerGnat]

You can't see the fireworks from the Theme Park View rooms at GCH.

The "theme park" that you look into is DCA, not DL.

You will have a view of either Grizzly River Run or Paradise Pier area.

The highest floor at GCH is the 6th, but that's mostly concierge, so you will be on floors 2-5. I'd request a room on the 5th floor, overlooking Grizzly River Run. That will keep you away from MOST of the construction work, although you will still be near the Villas work.

[WesN]

You can't see the fireworks from the Theme Park View rooms at GCH.

The "theme park" that you look into is DCA, not DL.

You will have a view of either Grizzly River Run or Paradise Pier area.

The highest floor at GCH is the 6th, but that's mostly concierge, so you will be on floors 2-5. I'd request a room on the 5th floor, overlooking Grizzly River Run. That will keep you away from MOST of the construction work, although you will still be near the Villas work.

Thanks, Natalie. Great information! I think we will ask to be 'downgraded' to a Downtown Disney room, partly to avoid the construction activity and partly for a more sedate (and perhaps more interesting?) view. 5th floor should be perfect. Heck, who knows may even bite the bullet and upgrade to Concierge, as it is such a special occasion.

Again, many thanks! What a great resource!

-Wes

[BrerGnat]

Wes, good decision!

Downtown Disney view has the added benefit of live music Friday-Sunday nights. There are always "street performers" that set up and play some really nice music (usually classical type stuff, and they are actually GOOD musicians too!). You can sit out on your balcony and listen to it while sipping some wine and people watch.

If you can swing it, concierge really is a special treat. The GCH really does it right, IMO. The staff is excellent and the lounge is beautiful and SO peaceful midday. I've stayed "club level" at a few WDW resorts, and it just doesn't compare at all. The GCH Concierge level is just a few notches up the ladder, as far as I'm concerned. Plus, the rooms have some added amenities that the "regular" GCH rooms do not (plush robes, dvd players in room, H20 plus "spa line" products, and upgraded mattresses and bedding). You get a VERY personalized priority check in experience whereby you are escorted all the way from the time you pull up to the hotel until you get to your ROOM by a Concierge, who stays with you the whole time and assists you during the entire check in experience, and will have any special needs taken care of a.s.a.p. Worth it for the upgrade, especially for a special occasion. And, some of the food in the lounge is from Napa Rose...can't beat that! At night, there is a "pajama party" in the lounge where there is a guy who comes in with a guitar and plays folk music and does a sing a long for the kids. It's really fun, and even for adults! They serve some delicious cookies and milk for this. They do it every night. So cool...plus, you can watch the DL fireworks from the Concierge lounge balcony.

But, even if you don't stay Concierge, the GCH is a special hotel. Honestly, I think it's Disney's best. You're going to have a great stay there, no matter what.

[WesN]

Alas, it turns out my wife booked the GCH reservations through Travelocity, so DLR cannot make any changes and Travelocity want's $1,500 to change the reservation in any manner!

Fortunately the absolute sweetheart at Disneyland Travel (Crystal) said she would see that our requests (change from Theme Park View to Downtown Disney View, 5th or 6th Floor, etc., etc.) were noted in our reservations at the desk. She said we shouldn't have any trouble at check-in making any changes desired, since that occurred all the time.

Lesson learned here, I guess, is don't go through a travel agency when booking a Disney vacation!

Anyhow, we're packed and are flying out tomorrow, looking forward to a wonderful 5 days at DLR! Many thanks to all for the wonderful suggestions and insider tips. I'll try to post periodically during our stay (trusty laptop coming along).

-Wes

[NotaGeek]

Alas, it turns out my wife booked the GCH reservations through Travelocity, so DLR cannot make any changes and Travelocity want's $1,500 to change the reservation in any manner!

Fortunately the absolute sweetheart at Disneyland Travel (Crystal) said she would see that our requests (change from Theme Park View to Downtown Disney View, 5th or 6th Floor, etc., etc.) were noted in our reservations at the desk. She said we shouldn't have any trouble at check-in making any changes desired, since that occurred all the time.

Lesson learned here, I guess, is don't go through a travel agency when booking a Disney vacation!

Anyhow, we're packed and are flying out tomorrow, looking forward to a wonderful 5 days at DLR! Many thanks to all for the wonderful suggestions and insider tips. I'll try to post periodically during our stay (trusty laptop coming along).

-Wes

Well, hopefully it will work out ... there is nothing wrong with using a travel agent to book your trip, you didn't actually use a travel agent, you used Travelocity, which is a big difference.

Magical Journey's is a WONDERFUL source for assistance booking and they always take care of our members. They are a travel agency you can trust -- and they are a great INTERCOT Sponsor!

[Magic Smiles]

Well, hopefully it will work out ... there is nothing wrong with using a travel agent to book your trip, you didn't actually use a travel agent, you used Travelocity, which is a big difference.

I have heard that it is very expensive to make changes through Expedia also.

[WesN]

Many thanks to everyone who offered the many helpful tips and suggestions. Our trip and the stay at the Disney Grand Californian was absolutely magical.

Crystal, at Walt Disney Travel Company, was able to pull some strings with the wonderful folks at the Grand Californian, so that when we arrived we had an absolutely incredible room overlooking Downtown Disney from the 5th floor (the top floor in this part of the resort), directly above the Sephora store.

An absolutely incredible 6 days and 5 nights. The room was so magnificent we were often tempted to just sit on the balcony, listen to the music and watch the crowds. Fabulous view of the fireworks too.

Thank you, everyone!!

-Wes

[Aisling]

Yay! So glad you enjoyed your stay at the GCH! What a great location for your room - could you see the fireworks? (if there were fireworks, I always forget when they aren't having shows)

One of my favorite things to do when staying in the hotels is to people watch and listen to the music at DtD too.