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What is Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa?

Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa (GC) is located between Disney's California Adventure (DCA) and Downtown Disney. The architecture was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement popular in California in the early 1900s and includes many recognizable features of the Craftsman style such as exposed rafters, deeply overhanging eaves, tapering columns, and decorative stone and woodwork.

Designed by Peter Dominick, who also designed Walt Disney World's Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney's Grand Californian also incorporates elements of the great National Park Lodges into the design - the Great Hall especially is reminiscent of the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park.

What type of accommodations are available?

The Grand Californian has 745 rooms and suites. Standard rooms are 353 square feet, with either a king-size bed and sleeper sofa, two queen-size beds, two queen-size beds and a day bed, or one queen-size bed and and a set of two bunk beds available. The bunk beds also include a trundle bed. In addition to the standard hotel rooms there are a number of one- and two-bedroom suites ranging in size from 694 square feet to 1,990 square feet.

Standard rooms will accommodate up to five people. Some rooms have day beds for the fifth person, and some rollaways are available, but all that is guaranteed for a fifth occupant is a sleeping bag for the floor.

Handicap accessible rooms are available.

What are the choices for room views?

Several different room views are available. Standard view rooms overlook the main entrance or the interior courtyard. Downtown Disney view rooms have a view of the Downtown Disney shopping and restaurant district. Park view/pool view rooms feature views of the Grizzly Peak or Paradise Pier areas of Disney's California Adventure, or the Redwood Pool area, though many pool view rooms also have a view of Paradise Pier.

Are there any Smoking rooms?

The Grand Californian is a non-smoking hotel. Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the hotel or its rooms, balconies, shops, restaurants or pool areas. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas.

What types of amenities are offered?

Exclusive entrance into Disney's California Adventure
24 hour room service
Early Entry into Disneyland Park
Nightly turn-down service
High speed internet access
Non-smoking hotel
Robes
Cribs, irons, ironing board, hairdryers and make-up mirrors in each room.
Refrigerators
Coffeemaker
Sleeping bags and cushions available upon request.
In-room safes
Dual line phones with voicemail
Disabled-accessible rooms available.
On-property charging privileges
Valet parking

The literature says I'm staying inside Disney's California Adventure - do I need a park ticket just to go into the hotel?

No. Though the Grand Californian is located on the edge of Disney's California Adventure, with many rooms looking right into the park, anyone may enter the hotel and walk around the grounds. Only those using the Grand Californian's entrance into Disney's California Adventure will need a park ticket.

Who can use the Grand Californian's private entrance to DCA?

According to the signs, the entrance is for Disneyland Resort Guests only, but the only time this seems to be enforced is at park opening. Throughout the day any guests who might be dining at the Grand Californian's restaurants, etc. have a legitimate reason to use the entrance to enter/exit the park. The private entrance opens at the same time the main entrance to DCA opens.

Where can I park my car?

Valet parking is available for $17/day. Self-parking is free, and the lot is located across Disneyland Drive. If you're checking in and wish to self-park, it's easiest to proceed to the resort's entrance, tell the attendants you are checking in and wish to self park, then go inside and check in. At check in you'll receive a parking pass, and at that point you can go out and move your car to the self-parking lot. It's about a 5-minute walk to the hotel entrance.

Where did the robes hanging in the closet come from?

Two very nice robes are left in each room for your use. Some people wear them down to the pool, or just use them inside their room. If you have children in your party, you can request children's sizes. A very polite note reminds you not to take the robes home, but they do invite you to visit the Acorn gift shop, where you can purchase them.

What time is Check-in/Check-out?

Check-in time is 3:00 p.m., check-out time is 11:00 a.m. Express Checkout is available, though they ask that you call an Express Checkout number when you leave the room so they know the room is unoccupied.

What kind of concierge service is available?

Concierge rooms are located on the fifth and sixth floors of the hotel. Most have views of the park. The Concierge Lounge, the Craftsman's Club, is located on the sixth floor and is open from 6:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Continental breakfast is available in the morning, tea sandwiches, scones and fruit are available in the afternoon, with appetizers, beer and wine in the early evening. Desserts, cookies, and other sweets are available in the evening. Beverages and fruit are available all day. Disneyland's fireworks are visible from the patio outside the lounge.

The Cast Members at the Concierge desk can assist you in making dining arrangements or other plans.

Is this a kid-friendly environment where we will be comfortable bringing children?

Yes. There are specific activities such as crafts and storytelling sessions for children at the hotel, and they even have their own pool in the pool area. Pinocchio's Workshop is an evening program for kids aged 5-12, which includes arts and crafts, dinner, snacks and Disney movies. Parents should make a reservation with Guest Services: 714-635-2300.

How do I get to...?

The only way to get anywhere from the Grand Californian is by walking. There are no trams or buses available.

Downtown Disney: Take a right from the registration area towards the convention center, then follow the signs. When returning from Downtown Disney the walkway that goes to the Grand Californian is not well-marked - look for Studio Disney 365 and turn just in front of it.

Disneyland: Either go to Downtown Disney and go left towards the monorail station, or turn right and walk to the Main Entrance.

Disney's California Adventure: Use the Grand Californian's entrance, located next to Napa Rose.

Disneyland Hotel/Paradise Pier Hotel: Exit the main entrance of the hotel, and cross Disneyland Drive. The Disneyland Hotel will be to the right, the Paradise Pier to the left.

Self-parking lot: Exit the main entrance of the hotel and cross Disneyland Drive. The first parking lot on the right has parking for the Grand Californian.

Is morning coffee available?

There are coffeemakers in each room, or you may purchase coffee at White Water Snacks, which opens at 7:00 a.m.

Describe the restaurants at the Grand Californian.

Hearthstone Lounge - Located in the corner of the lobby, this is an out-of-the-way area to relax while enjoying a drink from the full bar.

Napa Rose - An upscale, elegant dining experience with dishes inspired by Napa Valley's Wine Country. In addition to the varied selection of creative dishes on the regular menu, a four-course Vintner's Menu, with optional wine pairings, is also available. There's a very extensive wine list, with many wines available by the glass. Priority Seating arrangements should be made in advance. Serving dinner only.

Napa Rose Lounge - With seating inside next to the fireplace or outside on the terrace. Selections from Napa Rose's appetizer and dessert menus are available.

Storytellers Cafe - Large casual family restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The character breakfast features Chip and Dale and other Disney favorites. Breakfast buffet is available, or order off the menu. Lunch includes classic American cuisine like grilled sandwiches and burgers and wood-fired pizzas. Dinner features an expanded menu, or an extensive dinner buffet.

White Water Snacks - Open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Selection of pastries and "to go" salads and sandwiches, or order hot items such as breakfast sandwiches, pizza or burgers from the grill. Cookies, sodas, hot beverages, and ice cream novelties also available.

Grand Californian Restaurant Menus HERE

The many restaurants in the Downtown Disney district are located just outside the Grand Californian.

What about laundry facilities?

A guest laundry facility is available on the second floor of the hotel. Washers, dryers, change machine, soap dispenser and table and chairs are available. The hotel also provides dry cleaning and laundry services.

Are there any special programs?

With their nightly turn-down service each evening guests receive a schedule of hotel events for the next day. Some activities are open to anyone while others may require sign-up and/or paying an additional fee.

Typical activities include:

Power walk around Disney's California Adventure prior to park opening
Pilates session
Walking tours of the Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotels
The "Grand Quest" where a set of clues take guests on a hunt around the resort
Songs and Storytelling
"Learn to Draw" class
Exclusive sessions at Downtown Disney shops such as Build-a-Bear and Sephora
Great Hall Pianist

Is there high speed internet access?

Yes. Broadband access (network cable provided) is available in each room. Wireless access is available in the lobby, pool area, and Hearthstone Lounge. Internet access is included in the resort fee, and there's no additional charge.

What types of recreation are available?

There is one pool area at the Grand Californian, which requires a room key for entry. There are three pools - the themed Redwood Pool, the Fountain Pool, and a kid's pool shaped like Mickey's head. The Redwood pool has a redwood tree-themed circular slide. There's a small kids' slide that ends in a shallow part of the pool, also. In addition there are two hot tubs in the pool area.

Mandara Spa, located near the pool area, offers spa services including facials, massage therapy, body wraps, and manicures and pedicures. A tea ceremony is also available. Their YSPA Teen Program features treatments designed especially for teens. Advance appointments are recommended. A complete list of services is available at http://MandaraSpa.com.

The Fitness Center next to Mandara Spa is open to all hotel guests. State-of-the-art equipment includes treadmills, elliptical machines, LifeCycles and weight machines, as well as a selection of free weights. The Fitness Center is open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

A small selection of arcade games are located at the entrance to White Water Snacks.

What is this "Resort Fee?"

The $12.00/day resort fee ($13.80 with tax) `covers the daily newspaper delivery, local calls, self-parking, high speed internet access and use of the Fitness Center.

What else do I want to know?

The main entrance features a set of beautiful stained glass doors - but the doors slide open automatically, and with all the activity of people coming and going it's sometimes difficult to get a chance to see them fully closed. But be patient - it's worth the wait!

Instead of using big lumbering housekeeping carts, the housekeeping staff places fresh towels and linens in wicker baskets outside each room's door.

Address and phone numbers

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
1600 S. Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim CA 92803

Hotel Operator: 714-635-2300
Reservations: 714-956-MICKEY (6425)
Mandara Spa: 714-300-7350
Pinocchio's Workshop: 714-635-2300