Grand California?? About This Page:

[CTGirl]

Hi all,

Awesome DH has a conference at DL in November. So the company is putting us up in the Grand Californian. Any tips for first timers?

We will be travelling with DD 11 and DS 9. and will be at the GC for 4 nights.

Thank You!

[marisag]

Make sure to utilize the resort guests only entrance at the Grand Californian. It brings you smack into the middle of DCA. This way you are right by Soarin and can be one of the first to ride it.

Also- I loved the character breakfast they have there. A lot of "woodsy" characters - to go with the restuarant theme- that I think are a little rarer then at Disney World.

And lastly- if you have time- the spa is AMAZING!!!

Have a MAGICAL trip!

[Tink and co.]

I second the "secret entrance" and the Storyteller's Cafe. We also really enjoyed the storytelling they do each evening by the fireplace. Even my teen enjoyed it. Our last stay there our room overlooked the monorail whizzing by, and it was so fun just to watch. We also had fun riding the monorail and picking out our room.

[Nicole626Stitch]

We LOVE the Grand Californian!! We just stayed there and our room overlooked DCA, we loved it! We love the GC entrance to DCA and the Cafe also!! As a matter of fact, we actually go to the cafe when we are not staying at the hotel we like it so much! Don't forget to check out the pool as well!!! And enjoy everything about the Grand Californian! We like to sit and relax in the huge lobby area, not to mention the carpet under your feet feels heavenly for some reason after a long day in the parks!!! LOL

[LauraBelle V. Hime]

The Grand Californian is a great resort! I agree with the storyteller...she was very entertaining. If it's a cool evening, spend some time by the cozy fireplace in the lobby or grab a rocking chair by the outside fireplace.
The Hearthstone Lounge has really good coffee in the morning and it's a great place to relax after a few hours in the park. The bar menu has some delicious choices and the kids are more then welcome.
We had a room that over looked Grizzly River Run. It was interesting to watch the ride fill with water in the early am.
If you stay there when the weather is cool (as we did), ride Grizzly River last...and with the GC entrance right there, you can be back in your room in just a few minutes to change out of your wet clothes!

[snoozy]

Wonderful hotel, great atmosphere, comfy beds, excellent service, close to everything, have a magical time

[Tricia Davids]

We love the Grand Cal. too!!! The private enterance and Soarin' open at 9:30 so you can ride Soarin' before the rest of the park opens at 10:00. In the past anyway they have offered a private tour of Soarin' and Condor Flats at 9 to those who go to the private enterence and ask the tour guide for the tour. We love Storyteller's (breakfast is with the Characters and lunch and dinner are without) and the Whitewater snack shop is good for a quick meal or snack in the snack shop, by the pool or take it to your room. The pools are great and have a waterslide. Have the kids do the grand quest when it is offered (they get a cookie for completing it) and check out the storytelling and/or sing along by the fireplace. You qualify for Early entry to Disneyland on Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Sat. (1 hour before the park opens). You get to Disneyland and Downtown Disney through an exterior hallway off of the monorail courtyard. Enjoy the lobby and the piano player in the afternoons. They provide housekeeping and turndown service each day. Enjoy your stay!!!!