Grand Californian

Originally Posted By Dalia3001

Hi again all!

I don't know if I have bad forum manners, because once inn a while I don't get responses to my questions. I hope it's because the people who know the awnsers just didn't see them, and not that I've done anything to offend anyone! I love these boards and the advice from everyone, especially the regulars, is wonderful and absolutely appreciated!!!

Anyway, I will be staying with my family at the GCH in September. I just remembered that my sister in law and her husband smoke. I know they don't have a problem going outside for a cigarette, and they don't smoke tons, but I do know that the GCH is a non-smoking hotel. I was wondering if people were allowed to smoke on the balconies, however, seeing as they are outside. They will be staying at a three bedroom suite, if that makes a difference.

Also, I was wondering if anyone knew the hours and food served at the concierge level at the GCH. I have done the concierge level at the DLH, and liked it fine, but have heard that the food is better at the GCH. It would help to plan meals if I knew what time different food was served.

Also, does anyone have any room reccomendations for a three bedroom suite, and one standard room locations? I downloaded the room map of the hotel, but can't tell which rooms are the 3 bedroom ones. We are all concierge level, if that makes a difference. I know we won't definately get whatever we ask for, but I thought I might put in a request if there is a best option.

Thanks again for all your help!!

 

Originally Posted By SuzieQ

I can't think of any reason why folks might not have answered your posts other than they simply didn't know!

The only question of yours I can answer is the smoking question. It is not allowed on the balconies. They have designated smoking areas around the hotel. This has been discussed quite a bit, and I'm sure you'll get the whole "But I'm outside" "Doesn't matter, your smoke drifts to other balconies" argument, LOL.

Hopefully, someone will come along soon with answers to your other questions!

 

Originally Posted By trekkeruss

Smoking is not allowed, even on the balconies.

Here's a report on concierge services:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060228ar

 

Originally Posted By Dalia3001

Thanks for your responses. I was pretty sure people just didn't know, but wanted to make sure I wasn't inadvertently doing something rude.

Too bad they can't smoke on the balconies, but they will understand and I'm sure it will be fine.

 

Originally Posted By Dalia3001

Thanks for the info, and the link to the report on concierge services. The link doesn't mention hot appetizers being served at any of the concierge lounges, but I remember some (of varying quality) being served at the DLH lounge. Do they do that at the GCH? What kind of snacks are available around 4pm? Just fruit and peanut butterr and jelly sandwiches? That's what I remember from DLH. I am wondering because I am planning that we will have an early breakfast at the lounge, head to the park before opening, ride like nutcases until around 11:30, then break for lunch, the first day at BB, the second at the Wine Country Trattoria in DCA. After a little more time wandering the park, collecting fps and shopping we would head back to the hotel to rest. I was thinking we would want to head back to the park around 4:30, and that many people would want a snack around then. I think I should probably pack sandwhich supplies for that snack, and keep them in the room. After the park closes, until 10pm when the lounge closes, does the lounge still serve wine? Is wine only from 5-7? Is dessert available after 7 until 10pm? I know I have a lot of questions!

 

Originally Posted By DisneyDana

1. Technically, you CAN smoke on a balcony as it is outside. But if the smoke drifts in to your suite, you will be charged the $200 cleaning fee. The smoke can be offensive to those in rooms around you, so use common sense. It is always appreciated when folks that smoke use the desigated smoking area's.

2. The Craftsman's Club is located on the 6th floor just off of the Great Hall elevators. It is open every day from 6:30 - 22:00. 6:30-10, continental breakfast, 11-16:00, afternoon tea (finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, mickey scones, tea, cookies), 17-19:00 The Grand Hour (comp beer and wine, apps, and usually 1 hot app), 20-22:00 Sweet Endings (cookies and milk, dessert). Bottled water, juice, soda, and coffee are available all day. Remember that the lounge food is designed as snacks and not meals.

3. Concierge "level" means a level of service, not the level or floor you are on in the hotel. Concierge services can be extended to any hotel room but are usually avaliable to single rooms on the 6th floor and suites (which are located throughout the hotel). All of the suites at the 3 resort hotels are 1 bedroom with a parlor and have a door that can connect to a standard room to make it a 2 bedroom suite. Some can connect on the other side to another standard room to make it a 3 bedroom suite. I can let you know that there are no 3 bedroom suites on the 6th floor. The 3 bedroom suites are located down the 100 wing (68 and 69), down the 400 wing (51 and 50), in the 300 wing (59 and 60), and the 0 wing in the 14 stack. You are placed in the suite location based on the number of guests and/or your bedding request as the suite locations have different types of bedding. You will most likely be in the 100 wing or the 400 wing as there are more suites in those locations. Keep in mind that if you want the single concierge room near you, you will need to call the hotel and request this. Most likely, they will have that room on the 6th floor.

Hope that this helps.

 

Originally Posted By SuzieQ

Dana, is that a change in policy regarding smoking on the balconies? Last time I stayed at GCH, I specifically asked because this comes up so frequently on the boards.

I was told it was not allowed. They told me the only smoking on property was in designated smoking areas. You can not even walk around smoking, just like the parks. It did not matter that you were outside, you had to be in a smoking area.

I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke and spend a lot of time on my balcony while at the hotel. If smoke was drifting onto my balcony, you can bet I'd be calling to complain. Also, how do non-smokers prevent a neighbor's smoke from drifting into their room and being charged the cleaning fee?

 

Originally Posted By debtee

From my understanding what was explained to us when we last stayed at the GCH last Suzie, is what Dana said above. I don't know if this is a change on previous information.

The hotel technically can't really stop people smoking on the balcony as it is outside and they would have to catch someone in the act to do anything about it.

They just hope by mentioning the fact that it is a non-smoking hotel and the $200 fine will encourage people to not smoke on the balconies.

My husband smokes and he did not smoke on the balcony, as he didn't feel this was right and just went down to the smoking area in the hotel during our stay.
He didn't find it an issue and enjoyed people watching while he was smoking.

 

Originally Posted By Dalia3001

thanks for all the great info!! i think my inlaws will probably be happy to go to the smoking area to avoid any possible unpleasantness. thanks for the info on the food available too, i think i will definately pack snacks and sandwich ingrediants!

 

Originally Posted By debtee

Hi Dalia, I'm sorry I forgot to mention to you that we stayed with friends at the GCH during Christmas week to New Year 2005/06 in a 2 bedroom suite with concierge.

We throughly enjoyed the great service at concierge and I personally don't think you are going to need snacks.

The food there is yummy!

Us Aussie's certainly knew how to use the lounge, in fact the CM's were greeting us like old friends by name we were in there so much!

It was raining a fair bit when we were at the resort and we used the lounge as a haven from the Christmas crowds and rain.

 

Originally Posted By Dalia3001

debtee, did you know from one of my other postings that my husband and his family are australian?!?!

If not that is a happy coincidence! My wonderful new husband and I went for his first trip last fall before we were married, and now I am taking my parents, my brother, his parents and sister and her husband (all from Nowra, NSW, formerly from Canberra) to Disneyland to celebrate our belated wedding reception and my recovery and completion of treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It's his sister's first time out of Australia, and she is a big Winnie the Pooh fan. After we sent her Pooh gifts from our last trip, she wanted to come. So since they will all be in Northern California for our wedding reception, I thought this would be a once in a lifetime chance for us all to go. I had saved money to upgrade flowers and lights and stuff like that at the wedding reception, but decided that spending it on this would be much much better. I haven't been to DL with my parents and brother since we were under 10, so that's a big deal too.

OK, I've rambled a lot now, and much of this is already on another thread, so I'm sorry if I'm boring you guys by repeating myslelf. I'm just happy to be bringing more Aussies to the concierge lounge! I have a feeling they'll know us by name by the end of the trip too!

 

Originally Posted By alexbook

>>The hotel technically can't really stop people smoking on the balcony as it is outside and they would have to catch someone in the act to do anything about it.<<

Oddly enough, there are some areas which you or I might look at and call "outdoors," but which are legally "indoors," so yes, they probably could ban smoking on the balconies. Whether they could enforce the ban is a legitimate question.

 

Originally Posted By debtee

Hi Dalia,

No I'm sorry I have not read your other posting!
Congratulations on your wedding...
( you can't go wrong with a good Aussie bloke! lol ) and I'm very pleased to read that you are recovering from your illness and on the way to good health.

My best friend's extended family live in Nowra....such a small world isn't it!

Disneyland is the perfect place to have a celebration.
You will love the suite and concierge lounge.

Our suite numbers were 3312 & 3310 they are on the GCH map as 312 & 310. They had the most PERFECT view, just stunning!

I thought they would not have a great view being on the third floor but it was even better then when we had previously stayed on the 5th floor as you were closer to the action and no trees were in the way as some people have mentioned in the past on lp.

So I believe where-ever you are located in the hotel you will LOVE it!

Have a wonderful time!!!

 

Originally Posted By lilbluedonkey

Hello
I am looking for debtee wanted to ask her a question!
Thanks!

 

Originally Posted By MsLindanne

My son and I stayed at the GCH right after it opened for just 2 nights and really enjoyed it. I did notice though, while sitting out on the little balcony, there were a couple of guys out on their balcony too and the smell of "grass" was coming from their area. I was very surprised to say the least, for one because I told there was no smoking, even on the balcony, and secondly I just didn't need to smell "grass". I am not a prude by no means, but take it out somewhere else so it doesn't bother others. Just my opinion! Otherwise the food was great and the service at the Hotel was wonderful..enjoy! ºoº

 

Originally Posted By SuzieQ

^ Hi MsLindanne! I was thinking of you on Sunday. I wore the shirt you gave me from your cruise while I was out on the boat. I thought it was entirely appropriate that it return to waterborne pursuits, LOL

 

Originally Posted By MsLindanne

Hi Miss SuzieQ! Long time no talk, although I see your name on the boards many times...so glad you liked the shirt and are wearing it. That's great! One week from tomorrow, my son and I are going to be in Disneyland, so I will be wearing mine too...one can never have enough "Disney" shirts can one? ha..ha.. Anyway, thanks for thinking of me and great hearing from you!!

 

Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1

Dalia - Congrat's on your wedding and for your recovery of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That's so wonderful {

We are thinking of staying at GCH next year and if the no smoking on the balcony is the only thing, than that sounds pretty good to me. My husband will just have to trot his little bum down to the designated area.

Also glad to hear that the food is good in the concierge lounge. We stay concierge at the GF in Fla and we just love it. There is only 3 of us so to get a huge suite to me is a waste. Are the rooms a descent size or is it worth getting a suite? Sorry to intrude on your post.

 

Originally Posted By Dalia3001

I've never stayed at the GCH before, only PPH and DLH. We will have 7 people staying in the 3 room suite, so that should be worth it : )

In the DL hotel i would say 3 people in a regular room would be a bit too cozy for my taste, but I guess it could be doable.

 

Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1

That's what I was thinking as I like a lot of room. Yes, 7 people will do nicely in the 3 bedroom suite. I was on a website that showed the layout of the suites and they look really spacious.