Grand Californian Super Thread

dec2009mama · Jul 27, 2017

fridges in all standard rooms or do i need to request?

Nonsuch · Jul 27, 2017

dec2009mama said:
fridges in all standard rooms or do i need to request?

All rooms have a refrigerator.

Sun_soakin · Jul 27, 2017

[

A post from last month said there will be 300 convertible sofas (aka daybeds), previously there were only 39.
5 is still the occupancy limit for regular hotel rooms. 4 is the limit when booked with a convention rate (Gay Days, Dapper Day...).
.[/QUOTE]

I guess I was thinking about the number of daybeds vs the number of bunk bed rooms they used to have, since they also slept 5 (we have young children).
Orbitz also lists all GCH room types as having a max of only 4 occupants, but has DLH listed w/ room types that accommodate 5.

sweethannah · Jul 28, 2017

Quick question, can you still use the not so secret exit to DTD by the La Brea bakery? When we were there a couple of years back we used this exit in the mornings several times. Sometimes a CM was in the stairwell and sometimes it was empty. Just curious if it's still a viable exit to DTD. Thanks!

Mome Rath · Jul 28, 2017

sweethannah said:
Quick question, can you still use the not so secret exit to DTD by the La Brea bakery? When we were there a couple of years back we used this exit in the mornings several times. Sometimes a CM was in the stairwell and sometimes it was empty. Just curious if it's still a viable exit to DTD. Thanks!

It was walled off with metal screens when we were there earlier this month. It seems they want all guests going through the same security area into DTD. There was a metal detector standing there on the DTD side of the "bypass" but it was never in use, and was behind the metal screens.

Spintopbeach · Jul 28, 2017

Nonsuch said:
That would put you above World of Disney. A nice view of fireworks, but a rather long walk to the room (when DCA is closed).
I make requests at least a week in advance.

A post from last month said there will be 300 convertible sofas (aka daybeds), previously there were only 39.
5 is still the occupancy limit for regular hotel rooms. 4 is the limit when booked with a convention rate (Gay Days, Dapper Day...).

It does not hurt to ask to be near the elevators adjacent to Napa Rose, although the majority of Standard View rooms are at the front of the hotel.

If I have theme park view, should I request napa rose elevators room if I want a renovated room. Have any of the theme park rooms near storytellers been renovated? It's getting to be crunch time and I need to make a request. Thanks!

Davin_Felth · Jul 28, 2017

Nonsuch said:
That would put you above World of Disney. A nice view of fireworks, but a rather long walk to the room (when DCA is closed).
I make requests at least a week in advance.

Our latest night will be watching Fantasmic (CA closes at 10PM that night). I had considered entering CA to get to the hotel each night when leaving DL, but it's possible we wouldn't be able to get there in time after Fantasmic.

How is the view from the west side section of the DTD view rooms? I also have to think about the walk over to the gates in the morning as well, and it would be quicker from that side.

Thanks!

sweethannah · Jul 28, 2017

Mome Rath said:
It was walled off with metal screens when we were there earlier this month. It seems they want all guests going through the same security area into DTD. There was a metal detector standing there on the DTD side of the "bypass" but it was never in use, and was behind the metal screens.

Ah thank you! It makes sense they would wouldn't want people bypassing security but we loved sneaking down the stairs and coming out so close to the DCA turnstiles.

Aladora · Jul 30, 2017

Cross posting this on both the F! thread and GCH thread in hopes that someone knows the answer!

We planned a pretty last minute trip for the last week of August and we want to do RBT premium on one of the 4 nights we have available but preferably the first night (Aug 27) since that is the only night that there are also fireworks. I called Disney Dining but there were no spots available for any of our nights for the premium package. The CM on the phone hinted (strongly) that the front desk at GCH might be able to secure a reservation after we check in. Has anyone managed to do something like this?

StormyCA · Jul 30, 2017

Aladora said:
Cross posting this on both the F! thread and GCH thread in hopes that someone knows the answer!

We planned a pretty last minute trip for the last week of August and we want to do RBT premium on one of the 4 nights we have available but preferably the first night (Aug 27) since that is the only night that there are also fireworks. I called Disney Dining but there were no spots available for any of our nights for the premium package. The CM on the phone hinted (strongly) that the front desk at GCH might be able to secure a reservation after we check in. Has anyone managed to do something like this?

Yes, but it was for dinner at BB (not a premium) for a specific time. We considered it 'pixie dust' and I still would never count on it. My understanding is that they hold back some spots for onsite guests, but even those aren't unlimited. If I were you I'd make an alternative reservation elsewhere for a night other than the first (to avoid that cancellation fee) just in case.

gottalovepluto · Jul 30, 2017

Aladora said:
Cross posting this on both the F! thread and GCH thread in hopes that someone knows the answer!

We planned a pretty last minute trip for the last week of August and we want to do RBT premium on one of the 4 nights we have available but preferably the first night (Aug 27) since that is the only night that there are also fireworks. I called Disney Dining but there were no spots available for any of our nights for the premium package. The CM on the phone hinted (strongly) that the front desk at GCH might be able to secure a reservation after we check in. Has anyone managed to do something like this?

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/priority-reservations-hotel-guests/

You could call and specifically ask about a reservation using this benefit. Idk if it actually works.

Aladora · Jul 30, 2017

StormyCA said:
If I were you I'd make an alternative reservation elsewhere for a night other than the first (to avoid that cancellation fee) just in case.

We had a reservation for the Tuesday night but after talking to DH about it, we both agreed that we are not really interested in going if we can't get the premium seating. We've done BB a handful of times and even did the F! BB package a few years ago but we are not so keen to see it unless we can get an actual seat.

disland7 · Jul 30, 2017

Aladora said:
We had a reservation for the Tuesday night but after talking to DH about it, we both agreed that we are not really interested in going if we can't get the premium seating. We've done BB a handful of times and ever did the F! BB package a few years ago but we are not so keen to see it unless we can get an actual seat.

I would try to call the hotel directly and relay the information you were told and see what they say to. Maybe you wouldn't have to wait until check in?

twodogs · Jul 30, 2017

Has anyone stayed in a room configured King, one day bed and one twin sized sleeper chair? This would hold a party of 4. We are staying at GCH in late September and I REALLY want this configuration. We were booked in a Deluxe Partial view but they don't offer this arrangement so we changed to a Woods Courtyard view. We are not in the room much so I don't really care about the view. Families of 5 would not be put into this configuration I guess (or would they make them have a sleeping bag???). Just hoping many people request two queens for a party of 4 and we have luck getting this room. I made no other requests at all, so fingers crossed.

Let me know if you've stayed in this room please!

Nonsuch · Jul 31, 2017

Just returned from a quick 2 night stay. Had room 4333: king bed, park view, not renovated.
Some construction noise during the day, likely coming from 2 floors above.

Some construction updates:
The main entry was closed. This is the last of the lobby wood floor to be replaced, much lighter finish. Bellmen expected the entrance to open very soon (few days), in the meantime guests walk around the building and enter the lobby near Guest Services.

The wing above World of Disney is under renovation (RED).
On the 6th floor, the El Capitan suite and adjoining area are under renovation (YELLOW).
The hallway above Storytellers is covered with clear plastic (GREEN) to protect the carpet from construction workers using the service elevator (BLUE).

DisMomMT · Jul 31, 2017

twodogs said:
Has anyone stayed in a room configured King, one day bed and one twin sized sleeper chair?

I never heard of this configuration but would LOVE it! We go in 2 weeks and have a premium view would love any information on the odds / availability of these types of rooms.

gabbyrodman · Jul 31, 2017

Nonsuch said:
Just returned from a quick 2 night stay. Had room 4333: king bed, park view, not renovated.
Some construction noise during the day, likely coming from 2 floors above.

Some construction updates:
The main entry was closed. This is the last of the lobby wood floor to be replaced, much lighter finish. Bellmen expected the entrance to open very soon (few days), in the meantime guests walk around the building and enter the lobby near Guest Services.

The wing above World of Disney is under renovation (RED).
On the 6th floor, the El Capitan suite and adjoining area are under renovation (YELLOW).
The hallway above Storytellers is covered with clear plastic (GREEN) to protect the carpet from construction workers using the service elevator (BLUE).

View attachment 257747

So if I want a new room away from construction, should I still ask for room adjacent to napa valley elevators? It looks like if I want that (in 5 weeks) I should ask for pool view ( I have tpv) instead???

StarlitNight05 · Jul 31, 2017

Nonsuch said:
Just returned from a quick 2 night stay. Had room 4333: king bed, park view, not renovated.
Some construction noise during the day, likely coming from 2 floors above.

Some construction updates:
The main entry was closed. This is the last of the lobby wood floor to be replaced, much lighter finish. Bellmen expected the entrance to open very soon (few days), in the meantime guests walk around the building and enter the lobby near Guest Services.

The wing above World of Disney is under renovation (RED).
On the 6th floor, the El Capitan suite and adjoining area are under renovation (YELLOW).
The hallway above Storytellers is covered with clear plastic (GREEN) to protect the carpet from construction workers using the service elevator (BLUE).
View attachment 257747

Thanks for the update Nonsuch! We are staying in a standard room the beginning of October. Do you know (or if anyone else knows, please chime in!) if the majority of the standard rooms renovated? I tried looking through the thread to get my answer, but didn't see anything specific/recent. Thanks!

Davin_Felth · Jul 31, 2017

I wonder how long the North East wing will be under renovation. I was going to ask for a DTD View, 5th floor room in that wing.

Spintopbeach · Aug 2, 2017

We will be there at 7:30 am on Sunday sept 10th. I hope it's quick checkin at club level but am still not anticipating being in the hotel line for dca until 8. What has hotel line been like at that time? Is it still better to go out through dd and enter that way? Will I be checked in faster at club? I'm worried with recent news that they are cutting September hours. Thanks for any advice.

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