Disney's Grand Californian: Great Disney Detail and Walking Distance to the Parks
Written: Apr 22 '04 (Updated Apr 23 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great, yet low key, theming, service, cleanliness, private entrance to California Adventure
Cons: 10 minute walk to Disneyland, $12 per day valet parking charge
The Bottom Line: A nice hotel with beautiful theming and convenient access to Disney's California Adventure and Downtown Disney.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Disneys Grand Californian Anaheim |
We stayed at Disney's Grand Californian for two nights in April 2004. We stayed Monday and Tuesday during a slow week so we did not have the crowds that are common to Disney.
THE THEME
Disney's Grand Californian has an Arts & Crafts style theme which plays out in the architecture, decor and details. I really liked the theme and thought it was a bit more classy than most Disney hotels. There was lots of exposed wood, with wood shingles lining much of the interior lobby. There was also a significant nature theme with leaf and vine wallpaper and other nature designs. The pacific northwest is evoked in a giant fireplace made with enormous fake boulders.
Although they were not obvious, there were plenty of Disney touches. Mickey's profile found its way onto the lighting in the lobby. Our shower curtain fabric had bambi tucked into the design. Overall, I really liked the theme and thought it added a lot to the experience.
THE LOBBY
The lobby is magnificent with a huge atrium in the middle. The check-in and check-out area is located off to one side. Also in this area is a small lounge with videos and child-size chairs. Presumably, this is for children waiting for parents to complete the check-in process.
The main lobby had art glass lighting, lots of leather-lined chairs, an enormous fireplace with blazing fire and was quite large. A few display cases housed antiques from the arts and crafts era. Bathrooms were located away from the lobby and down a short hall.
A disney store lined up on one side of the lobby and there was a library-themed bar on the other side of the lobby. To reach the restaurants, you had to leave the lobby and venture outside down a short corridor.
THE ROOMS
We shared adjoining rooms with my parents on the 5th floor. Our room had a queen size bed and bunk beds for the kids. We also noticed a trundle bed under the bottom bunk so this arrangement would accommodate up to 3 kids. My parents had two queen beds. Otherwise, our rooms were identical.
The theming continued into the rooms although it was not nearly as elaborate as the lobby. Our queen bed had a very nice headboard with art glass lighting. The bunk beds were plain with no theming. The bunk bed structure was sturdy but would creak if the kids moved around in their sleep. In the first night, the creaking was enough to wake me up, although I am a very light sleeper.
The bedding was the same you would find in any average hotel. There was a slight chemical smell and feel to the white sheets. The bedspread had a nice design but it was polyester and not particularly comfortable.
We had a small square desk, two chairs, a nightstand and a cabinet housing a tv and empty refrigerator. The cabinet also had arts & craft styling.
The bathroom had a tub/shower combination and toilet that could be closed off by a pocket door. There were also two sinks housed in a granite countertop. The sink surround also had a very nice arts & crafts style mirror and lighting.
We had a small balcony with two chairs and a teeny table. Since we overlooked the parking lot, we didn't spend any time on the balcony. If I had to do it over again, I would have asked for a better view.
All in all, I thought the room was better than the average, generic hotel room and the size was adequate for the four of us. I wasn't wowed by the decor in the room however we didn't spend much time there and it was fine for the two days we were there.
SERVICE
The hotel itself was very, very clean. Check-in took about 10 minutes once we reached the clerk. Check-in required quite a bit of explaining and information gathering although we had presented our paper confirmations. We had arrived at about 10:30am and check-in time was 3:00pm. It must have been a slow day because they were able to find us rooms immediately. Check-out time was 11:00am. Check-out was much easier. Our bill was slipped under the door and we didn't need to do anything.
LANDSCAPING
All of the outside areas around the hotel are beautifully landscaped with sweet-smelling flowers and it is a pleasure to walk through the grounds.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS HOTEL?
The best part about staying in this hotel is the quick access to Disney's California Adventure Theme Park. The hotel has its own entrance to the park and you land about 1/3 of the way into the park. If you want to beat the crowds, this is a good way to do it.
Another bonus: since the hotel entrance is right across from a water ride, we thought it was very convenient to go back and change into dry clothes.
There are two restaurants on the hotel grounds. Anyone can eat in these restaurants, but guests obviously have the most convenient access. We ate lunch at the Storytellers Cafe on our last visit about 6 months ago and again in 2005 and though the food was better than in the parks.
The hotel also has immediate access to Downtown Disney. You can enter right about in the middle. The walk to Disneyland is about 10-15 minutes which is similar to other Disney properties nearby.
One thing to keep in mind is that the hotel is huge. If you are staying here to avoid walking - ask for a room closest to your destination. The walk from the Downtown Disney entrance to the California Adventure entrance was 10 minutes.
OTHER STUFF
There is an outdoor pool although we didn't swim there because the weather was cool. It looked quite large and nice.
There is a lengthy menu for room service although it was very expensive. A basic egg breakfast cost over $12.
There is babysitting for 5-12 year olds. We didn't use it but saw signs for it everywhere. Apparently, you have to make reservations and there is a fee per child.
We got a free USA Today each morning.
There are free tours for guests of the hotel during the day to learn about the arts and crafts style.
Although we didn't see it, there is storytelling for the kids each night.
VALET PARKING IS A RIP-OFF
We were anxious to get to the parks and figured we would use the valet parking. As it turns out, valet parking is $12 per day - although none of the signs outside the hotel make this clear. We didn't learn of the fee until they charged us at check-in. You can self-park in a lot just outside the hotel for free but you have to schlep your bags to the hotel.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
I loved the theme of this hotel and the rooms were more than adequate. The location for California Adventure couldn't be beat - but it was still a considerable walk to Disneyland. Service was very good but I didn't care for the substantial valet parking fee. Overall though, I would recommend this hotel.
MY REVIEWS OF THE DISNEY THEME PARKS IN CALIFORNIA
Disneyland
Disney's California Adventure
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK HOTELS IN CALIFORNIA
Mariott Suites Anaheim
Residence Inn Anaheim
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK RESTAURANTS
Storyteller’s Cafe
Blue Bayou
Wine Country Trattoria
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Soarin’ Over California
Grizzly River Run
The Sun Wheel
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D
It’s Tough to be a Bug 3D
Princess Dot Puddle Park
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Flik’s Flyers
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Misson Tortilla Factory Tour
Boudin Bakery Factory Tour
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEYLAND
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Peter Pan’s Flight
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It’s a Small World
Tarzan’s Tree House
Aladdin’s Oasis
Splash Mountain
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Autotopia
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3D
Astro Orbitor
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
MY REVIEWS OF OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Legoland
SeaWorld San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Wild Animal Park
Balboa Park
Cabrillo National Monument
San Diego’s Old Town
The Museum of Making Music
Anza-Borrego State Park
Recommended:
Yes
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modernmarvel
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