We're supposed to be staying at DGC in a couple weeks, and I'm worried because I've read such mixed reviews. Anyone stayed there? Thoughts? Suggestions?
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Disney's Grand Californian
- Thread starter MainSt1993
- Start date
Welsh Tink
New Member
We have just returned from out first visit to California, having visited WDW many times before. We stayed at Paradise Pier ( no complaints about anything there, we loved it) , but walked through Grand Californian hotel to get into Californian Adventure, as it has its own entry into the park.
The reception/lobby area is lovely - reminded us of Wilderness Lodge in Florida.When we were there, a pianist was playing Disney songs. The pool did seem a little small for the size of the hotel ( as was the case in Paradise Pier ), but the overall impression of the hotel, without us actually staying there, was that it looked beautiful.
We did notice that once we were inside Californian Adventure, some of the hotel rooms overlooked the area around the Grr River Rapids ride.We thought that would be a really great place to stay!
The reception/lobby area is lovely - reminded us of Wilderness Lodge in Florida.When we were there, a pianist was playing Disney songs. The pool did seem a little small for the size of the hotel ( as was the case in Paradise Pier ), but the overall impression of the hotel, without us actually staying there, was that it looked beautiful.
We did notice that once we were inside Californian Adventure, some of the hotel rooms overlooked the area around the Grr River Rapids ride.We thought that would be a really great place to stay!
darthjohnny
Active Member
I personally did not care for the Paradise Peir after staying at many WDW resorts. The Grand Californian Hotel is basically like the Wilderness Lodge, but on a slightly smaller scale. Hope that helps! 
woodly6
New Member
i love the grand californian, my family and i have stayed there many times.
what specifics are you looking for, i would be happy to help.
one suggestion at this point is: i am kinda big guy 6'2", 230 and i always request to have a bigger robe in the room for me, mostly because the robes in the room are small and look more like a smoking jacket when i wear them.
what specifics are you looking for, i would be happy to help.
one suggestion at this point is: i am kinda big guy 6'2", 230 and i always request to have a bigger robe in the room for me, mostly because the robes in the room are small and look more like a smoking jacket when i wear them.
TTATraveler
Active Member
The Grand Californian is awesome. I stayed at Paradise Pier and it was nice, but nothing more then a slightly Disneyfied Hilton. The Disneyland Hotel looked the same. The Grand Californian is truly the best of the 3. I haven't stayed there but walked through there several times and ate at Storytellers Cafe. It definately feels more like one of WDW's hotels. The only 2 downsides are the cost and I have heard the rooms are smaller at GC then at DLH and PPH.
3IAlienKid
Member
Of my friends who've stayed there, they had nothing but positive things to say about the place. I myself have walked through the lobby and grounds, and have eaten at both Storytellers Cafe and Napa Rose, and think it's a beautiful place with great dining. I've read about the smaller rooms also, but other than that I can't imagine what else could be negative about the place.
Full retraction coming...
I stand here both humbled and corrected. Our hotel stay at DGC was picture perfect. We had a suite, and as such were met at the car when we first pulled up by someone from Guest Services. She escorted us into the hotel lobby, where we sat at one of the couches and quickly went through our welcome packet. We got there super early, so our room wasn't ready yet, but we already had our key and our resort charging privellages (she took an imprint of my CC during this session).
An hour or two into our visit - I must have been on a ride because I missed the call - but the Guest Services CM had called me back on my cell phone to let me know our room was ready. Because we were in town for the 1/2 Marathon, which had a really early start time, I didn't want to face Downtown Disney/Disneyland, as they stay up later. We walked into our suite, and it was *exactly* what I wanted. I couldn't have been happier.
We interacted with a lot of people during our visit - both CMs and Guests. The staff at the Grand seemed truly happy, and exceptionally gracious. This is nothing short of a positive reflection on the management at the Hotel. They are clearly doing something right to have such a consistently outstanding Cast. I have to say, I'm not the easiest person to surprise & delight. I'm not a raging you know what, and I very very seldom complain, but it's hard to surprise/impress me because the competition at the top is so fierce that outstanding service is the baseline. There were multiple times when the DGC and its Cast both surprised and delighted me.
Areas for improvement: The furniture was a bit standard, and in the living room section, there was a conspicuous lack of it. There was a table with two chairs, theoretically for dining. There was a couch with two end tables and two chairs, along with an ottoman and coffee table. There was an armoire with a TV, DVD player, and two drawers. Lastly, a closet and a wet bar with mini fridge. Sounds like a lot, but there was A LOT of un-utilized space in that half of the room. Every guest I had stop by during our visit was perplexed by the unused space. Lastly, the wallpaper - while well done - was borderline Holly Hobby.
Things I loved: I truly, deeply love all the people that work there - they deserve the kind of praise I find myself at a loss of words to express. I loved having breakfast on our balcony, looking at Grizzly Peak. I loved that they let us get the room meat-locker cold, because I'm always hot! The Valet Parking crew were terrific at retrieving our car double quick, and security almost always recognized us when we returned. And of course the proximity to the parks was golden.
I have a lot more I could say, so if anyone wants to know more about specifics I'd be happy to expand.
An hour or two into our visit - I must have been on a ride because I missed the call - but the Guest Services CM had called me back on my cell phone to let me know our room was ready. Because we were in town for the 1/2 Marathon, which had a really early start time, I didn't want to face Downtown Disney/Disneyland, as they stay up later. We walked into our suite, and it was *exactly* what I wanted. I couldn't have been happier.
We interacted with a lot of people during our visit - both CMs and Guests. The staff at the Grand seemed truly happy, and exceptionally gracious. This is nothing short of a positive reflection on the management at the Hotel. They are clearly doing something right to have such a consistently outstanding Cast. I have to say, I'm not the easiest person to surprise & delight. I'm not a raging you know what, and I very very seldom complain, but it's hard to surprise/impress me because the competition at the top is so fierce that outstanding service is the baseline. There were multiple times when the DGC and its Cast both surprised and delighted me.
Areas for improvement: The furniture was a bit standard, and in the living room section, there was a conspicuous lack of it. There was a table with two chairs, theoretically for dining. There was a couch with two end tables and two chairs, along with an ottoman and coffee table. There was an armoire with a TV, DVD player, and two drawers. Lastly, a closet and a wet bar with mini fridge. Sounds like a lot, but there was A LOT of un-utilized space in that half of the room. Every guest I had stop by during our visit was perplexed by the unused space. Lastly, the wallpaper - while well done - was borderline Holly Hobby.
Things I loved: I truly, deeply love all the people that work there - they deserve the kind of praise I find myself at a loss of words to express. I loved having breakfast on our balcony, looking at Grizzly Peak. I loved that they let us get the room meat-locker cold, because I'm always hot! The Valet Parking crew were terrific at retrieving our car double quick, and security almost always recognized us when we returned. And of course the proximity to the parks was golden.
I have a lot more I could say, so if anyone wants to know more about specifics I'd be happy to expand.
isitingood
New Member
The GC is the best out of the three resorts, I have stayed at all three of them. I like the private entrance into DCA
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
I stayed at the Grand Californian this past summer and it was very enjoyable. You are so close to everything and are literally within DCA and DTD. I think you will enjoy this resort quite a bit.
isitingood
New Member
I stayed at DCG, Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier and the DCG was the best out of the three while Paradise Pier was the worst. I had the park view and it was gorgeous plus you have the secret entrance into the park so bottom line go ahead and stay at the DCG:wave:
justducky78
New Member
Hi -
I've been looking at pics of the GC and it looks like the monorail pulls right up to the hotel. I've only ever been to Downtown Disney(land) and stood in the lobby briefly so I didn't get a chance to take it all in and I don't remember how far it was from the parks, etc.
What is the monorail loop at Disneyland? Can you take the monorail from the resort into the park or park entrance? Anyone have a monorail map?
Not planning a trip anytime soon, but eventually...thanks!
I've been looking at pics of the GC and it looks like the monorail pulls right up to the hotel. I've only ever been to Downtown Disney(land) and stood in the lobby briefly so I didn't get a chance to take it all in and I don't remember how far it was from the parks, etc.
What is the monorail loop at Disneyland? Can you take the monorail from the resort into the park or park entrance? Anyone have a monorail map?
Not planning a trip anytime soon, but eventually...thanks!
It does pass through the Grand, but doesn't stop there. The stop is now in Downtown Disney - further away from the Disneyland Hotel than it used to be. It's about the same distance to walk to the monorail or the main entrance of Disneyland from the Grand, and of course there is an entry gate into DCA directly from the Grand.