DVC and the Grand Californian at DLR

[jakeman]

Hello everyone,

We just got back from DLR and had a good time,

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about the Grand Californian.

We ran into a few problems at the resort (the Grand Floridian it is not).

First we checked in at 6:30 a.m. and had no intention of going to our room and were told that it would be ready after the standard check in time of 3:00 p.m. We made our way back to the front desk at 2:56 p.m. and were told that the room was not ready and we should come back at 3:00 p.m. We were a little baffled by the 4 minutes but accepted the computer not releasing rooms explaination. Long story short we didn't get into our room until a little after 4:00 p.m.

We had booked a park view room and found a tree blocking our entire porch. Reluctantly, we requested a room change since we had spent valuble extra points for a park view. We were moved to another room in which we could see the top of the Soarin' building and ToT.

Also, I realize this next part is a nitpick, but also something I never encountered at the Grand Floridian, housekeeping left all of their doors opened. We could see into unthemed laundry rooms and breakroom. It was not an isolated occurance. One partiular door was left open our whole stay.

Overall our trip was great and makes me ready to get back "home" to WDW. The point of this rambling is that we were disappointed in the level of service at the Grand Californian. This could be our fault for not properly researching the resort but from what I had heard the Grand Califorian was to be the Grand Floridian equivalent. In my opinion, it was no where near that level.

Additionally, we may have just had a sting of bad louck but, in my opinion the park view rooms are not worth the extra poitns. In fact we observed what appeared to be better veiws of DCA from Paradise Pier.

Just thought I would pass this along in case someone was thinking about using extra points.

 

[flagen]

Ok I have to chime on on this one....I am an East Coaster and Goto WDW every year also...Last year we went to The Grand Cal and we liked it BETTER then ANY of the WDW hotels. We did stay on POINTS on the concierge level and the staff was simple amazing. We ate at the Napa Rose also which is ON PAR with Victoria and Alberts (we also at at Spago and Wolfgang was the chef that night and Napa was BETTER!)

At the Hotels such as the "Grands" FL and Cal just call the and ask to speak to the manager most they time they will fix your issue FAST....your open door issue im sure the managers cannot be everywhere at once so let them know the the open doors is breaking your "disney mood":veryconfu

The view of what we had is what we asked for and was Perfect. If and then they ever have DVC out Disneyland we will be the running to buy points there as we LOVE it:sohappy:

 

[mouselvrmom]

Ok I have to chime on on this one....I am an East Coaster and Goto WDW every year also...Last year we went to The Grand Cal and we liked it BETTER then ANY of the WDW hotels. We did stay on POINTS on the concierge level and the staff was simple amazing. We ate at the Napa Rose also which is ON PAR with Victoria and Alberts (we also at at Spago and Wolfgang was the chef that night and Napa was BETTER!)

At the Hotels such as the "Grands" FL and Cal just call the and ask to speak to the manager most they time they will fix your issue FAST....your open door issue im sure the managers cannot be everywhere at once so let them know the the open doors is breaking your "disney mood":veryconfu

The view of what we had is what we asked for and was Perfect. If and then they ever have DVC out Disneyland we will be the running to buy points there as we LOVE it:sohappy:

Just out of curiosity, when you stayed on points, did housekeeping still clean your room as normal, or were you on the dvc housekeeping schedule? I guess I never thought about if you are staying in a regular hotel as apposed to a dvc resort, if the housekeeping changed or not.

 

[lilclerk]

Also, I realize this next part is a nitpick, but also something I never encountered at the Grand Floridian, housekeeping left all of their doors opened. We could see into unthemed laundry rooms and breakroom. It was not an isolated occurance. One partiular door was left open our whole stay.

Nitpicky, but this is something I noticed throughout Disneyland =\ Little breaks in theme/character that could easily be avoided. I mean, I didn't really care, but it never really seems to happen in WDW. Or at least, I never notice it.

 

[jakeman]

Nitpicky, but this is something I noticed throughout Disneyland =\ Little breaks in theme/character that could easily be avoided. I mean, I didn't really care, but it never really seems to happen in WDW. Or at least, I never notice it.

The way you phrased it sums it up. It was the little breaks in the magic that aren't usually present at WDW.

I'm glad you had a good time flagen and overall we did too. My main warning was the use of points for park view rooms being not worth the points. Hoever, I'm glad o know that my experience may be the exception rather than the norm.

We did get housekeeping everyday.