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What are the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa?

On September 18, 2007, Disney Vacation Development, Inc. announced the first DVC Resort in California, the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa. Construction of the DVC Villas was included as part of an expansion to Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa (GC). Though the expansion added a new wing to the hotel, the DVC units comprise only a fraction of that. It is Disney's smallest DVC resort to date, with 48 two-bedroom villas and two Grand Villas. Most of the two-bedroom villas can be split into a one bedroom and a studio. The Villas are scheduled to open on September 23, 2009. Like Disney's Grand Californian, the architecture is inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement popular in turn-of-the-century California. It includes many features of the Craftsman style such as exposed rafters and decorative stone and woodwork. The expansion was designed by architect Peter Dominick who also designed the original building, as well as Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge.

What's the difference between the Grand Californian and the Villas ?

The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian (VGC) are a timeshare resort that belongs to the Disney Vacation Club. The Villas incorporate a kitchenette or full kitchen into the room layout. However, guests at either the GC or VGC have access to all of the resort's amenities, including both pool areas.

Can I rent rooms in the Villas or do I have to be a member of Disney's Vacation Club (DVC)?

As with all the Disney Vacation Club resorts, anyone can rent rooms or suites at the VGC, subject to availability. You do NOT have to be a member of the DVC. But the DVC portion is very small, and members get a certain amount of priority, so it is expected that availability to non-members will be limited.

What type of accommodations are available?

There are 50 Villas: 48 two-bedroom villas, most of which can be split into a one-bedroom villa and a studio, and two three-bedroom Grand Villas.

The Studio Villa is 379 square feet, and will accommodate up to four people, and comes with one queen bed and a queen-size sleeper sofa. There is a small dining table and two chairs, a coffee table, flat panel TV and DVD player, and full bathroom with bathtub. The kitchenette area includes a wet bar, small refrigerator, microwave, toaster and coffeemaker. Also provided are an in-room safe, closet, and iron and ironing board. Each unit has a private porch or balcony.

The One-Bedroom Villa, 865 square feet, will accommodate up to 5 people, plus a child under age three in a crib. The master bedroom contains a king-size bed, and there is a queen-size sofa bed plus a pull-down bunk bed in the living room. There are two bathrooms: the master bathroom has a whirlpool tub and a large shower, while the second bathroom has a shower but no tub. The dining area includes a table and chairs, with additional seating available at the bar (two barstools provided). There is a full kitchen with stove, oven, microwave, full-size refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, dishes and flatware, pots and pans, and cooking utensils. In the living area are a flat-panel TV, DVD player, sofabed, easy chair and coffee table. There is a porch or balcony accessible from both the living room and the master bedroom. In addition there is a stacked washer/dryer, in-roof-safe, closet, iron and ironing board and vacuum cleaner.

The Two-Bedroom Villas are 1,257 square feet. They are basically a Studio Villa and a One-Bedroom Villa that are connected with a communicating door. See the descriptions above. They will accommodate up to 9 people, plus one child under age three in a crib. There is a king-size bed in the master bedroom, a queen-size bed plus queen-size sofa bed in the second bedroom, and a queen-size sofa bed and pull-down bunk bed in the living room. There are three bathrooms.

The Grand Villa is two stories tall and 2,426 square feet. Theywill accommodate up to twelve people, plus a child under age three in a crib. There are three bedrooms with a king-size bed in the master suite and two queen-size beds in each of the other two bedrooms. There is a queen-size sofa bed in the living room and a full-size sofa bed in the upstairs sitting room. There are four bathrooms: the master bathroom with a whirlpool tub and a shower, a full bathroom off each of the two bedrooms, and an additional bathroom in the living area which has a shower but no tub. There are flat-panel TVs in each bedroom plus the living room, with a DVD player in the living room. There is a laundry area with a stacked washer/dryer. The full kitchen contains everything described above. The Grand Villas are two stories high - the main entrance is downstairs, with a second entrance upstairs. The master suite, additional bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and laundry areas are downstairs, with the two bedrooms/bathrooms and a sitting area with sofa and pool table upstairs.

Handicap accessible rooms are available.

Where do I check in?

Check-in for the Villas is at the main Grand Californian front desk. Guest services is also located in the lobby.

What are the choices for room views?

For booking purposes, Disney does not distinguish view types. Villas will have either a view of the Mariposa Pool area or a view of Disney's California Adventure park.

Are there any Smoking rooms?

Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa is non-smoking. Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the resort 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
In-room high-speed internet access, wireless and wired
Non-smoking hotel
In-room safes
Laundry facilities and services
Dual line phones with voicemail
Disabled-accessible rooms available.
On-property charging privileges
In-room babysitting
Valet parking
Groceries available for pre-order

When does my villa receive Housekeeping service?

It depends on whether you are a DVC member staying on points or a guest (DVC member or not) paying rack rates for their stay.

DVC Members or their guests who are staying on points do not receive daily housekeeping services. There is no service for stays of less than four nights. For stays of 4-7 nights there is a Trash and Towel service on Day 4 - housekeeping will empty the trash, provide fresh towels, and replenish bath amenities, paper products, and coffee service products. For stays of 8 nights or more, there is a Full Cleaning service on Day 4, which includes everything in the Trash and Towel service plus a change of bedding, vacuuming and dusting, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen and washing dishes. Trash and Towel service takes place on Day 8. Members may request full cleaning and/or additional trash and towel services, but there is a charge for those services.

Those paying rack rates receive Full Cleaning service every day.

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. After check in you can remove your luggage from the car and then move the car to the self-parking lot. It's about a 5-minute walk to the hotel entrance. You will not receive a parking pass - to exit the parking lot either show your room key to the parking lot attendant or use it to operate the gate at the automated parking lot exit.

What time is Check-in/Check-out?

Check-in time is 4:00 p.m., check-out time is 11:00 a.m. Express Checkout is available.

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 areas. 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 within the Disneyland Resort 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. There is also a limited selection of groceries for those wishing to prepare food in their Villa.

Room Service - 24-hour Room Service is 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?

For guests staying in Studio Villas, which do not include a washer/dryer, 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?

A schedule of hotel events is available each 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. Wireless and broadband access (network cable provided) are available in each room. Wireless access is also available in the lobby, pool area, and Hearthstone Lounge. There's no charge for this service.

What types of recreation are available?

The Mariposa Pool area is located right next to the Villas. It includes a pool and spa. It is connected by a walkway to the existing pool area, which has 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. A room key is required to access the pool areas.

Mandara Spa, located near the Redwood 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 resort 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 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