Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I went to the Storytellers cafe for the character breakfast it was themed with mostly animal characters, the gorilla from Tarzan, chip and dale, some raccoon, I'm not sure who he was, lol.>> The raccoon is Meeko, from the animated feature Pocahontas.
Originally Posted By Jenn31 So what are some of the best rates you guys have gotten and what month did you go?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer >>You can request bunk beds for the kids. Our daughter loved them. She thought it was a real treat. For travel parties that have 2 adults and three children, you can even request a sleeping bag Very cool!<< Gee, talk about SPIN! First off, the Grand Californian does not GUARANTEE any room with Bunk Beds... Yes, you may ask for them, but Disney will NOT Guarantee them.... (And at the price per night, they SHOULD... HECK, the Hyatt at Harbor and Chapman in Garden Grove has VERY nice Kids suites with Bunk Beds. And less than half the price for "maybe" getting bunk beds at GCH... (Yes, the Hyatt will Guarantee the Bunk Beds....) As for the Sleeping Bag, the GCH are so small the Fire Marshall won't allow rollaways, so if you have a 5th person, you are FORCED to use the Sleeping Bag.... It isn't an "option", just a fact. Heck, I am in the HoJo's right now, and they will be happy to give you a Rollaway if needed....
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Do they have the lovely resort fees and parking fees added on? I have been monitoring fees on the discounted AP Rate Calendar online and the "former Value" Paradise Pier Resort is outrageous. So good luckfinding reasonable rates for any visit on property. Unless those hidden discounts are part of the 3 night packages and they are trying to entice those 1 or 2 night visitors to stay on property. The new WOC is making PP really expensive I guess.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Jenn, the best rates are usually the special AP rates that are posted on the AP part of the Disneyland website or a special buy 3 get 2 free. If these aren't available we usually call direct and book the room with our AP (10%) rate and then keep looking for better deals. Often the specials will pop up and we'll just rebook. So far there have not been rebooking fees as we have booked "directly" with the hotel. When you book, give your requests in the order of importance to you. One time we requested DTD, King and were given a room in a location that we didn't care for. They noted the first request and honored that. We were able to change it. Even if your room is not ready at check in they can tell you the configuration so you will at least know that much and possibly be able to change it if it's not to your liking. When your DH sees the total (sticker shock may ensue remind him that this was his choice We bounce between the 3 DLR hotels, sometimes the cost of the Grand just seems worth it
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I am in the HoJo's right now>> I hope you're having a nice honeymoon. But this thread is not about HoJo's. So regardless if what was written is "spin," some people like or even love the GCH, and no amount of spinning about how wonderful HoJo's is is going to change that.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo You might like Hojo's, but DL is very different for locals who live 8 miles away and are there all the time, and others who are not. There are no right answers, just options. The OP asked for reasons to go to the Grand, others have given them. FWIW, I always felt HOJO's was tacky and low rent.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 <sigh> This is what limits my LP time. I'm glad you made the decision to stay at the Grand Jenn31. I think you guys are going to have a blast. Take the time to enjoy the hotel and its many plusses to staying on property.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "FWIW, I always felt HOJO's was tacky and low rent." Let's call a spade a spade, it's a DUMP compared to the GCH. If someone has an annual pass and stays overnight quite a bit, then it might make a passable place to crash. But someone lives out of the area and is looking for the total resort experience and can afford it, then the GCH is the absolute way to go. I've soured on the DLH, as my recent thread covered, and since then we've had occasion to visit friends who were staying at the GCH. The rooms are just like Marriott rooms (and we really like the Marriotts we've stayed in places like Palm Desert, San Francisco, Phoenix and Chicago), which frankly is better than any PP or DLH room. We're looking forward to the GCH next December for my wife's annual birthday trip.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Let's look at what REAL folks think... <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g29092-Anaheim_California-Hotels.html" target="_blank">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hot...els.html</a> Anaheim Hotel Ratings (selected Hotels ONLY).... 5. Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel Anaheim 10. Grand Californian Hotel 14. Paradise Pier Hotel 29. Disneyland Hotel Seems like the DISNEY owned Hotels are a bunch of DUMPS based on those ratings..... And no, they are NOT Dumps, but neither is HoJo's!
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Personal preference, junior, and many prefer to think of it as a dump. No serious traveler rates the GCH over a freaking Howard Johnson's in terms of the quality of the hotel.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <If you request a resort view room that looks out over GRR you will be next to that secret staircase. the elevator is also not far and it takes you right down almost in front of the DCA entrance. very convenient. > Not necessarily. If you look at that map, the even numbers of the 400 wing do look out at GRR and are close to that staircase. (I've stayed there). But the rooms in the line of 333, 335, 337, etc. also look at GRR from a different angle but aren't right at that staircase (but not that far either). I've stayed in that line too. I've LOVED my stays at the GC and you will, too. Note that tripadvisor ratings are based on many things, including whether the person staying thought they got good value for the dollar. Obviously most people think HoJo's is that, but in no way does it compare to the Grand, if you can afford the latter. Nothing wrong with Hojo's, but it's just not in the same league. Though, of course, I understand why people on a budget will stay on Harbor - and I've done that too. You'll love the Grand. It really does feel like you haven't left "Disney," yet you've left the hubbub of the parks for something relaxed and sophisticated. Don't miss the chance to "watch the park wake up" from your balcony one morning if you have park view. Also, if you're there after WOC opens, you MIGHT be able to watch from the observation deck, though I have NO idea what their policy is going to be on that. Oh - and you can ride GRR just before break time and not have to walk around in wet clothes!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Also, I don't know about now, but last two times we stayed, Soarin' had exclusive ride time for Grand guests before they opened the gates to the general public.
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 I think that how it works is that you are allowed to enter the park a half hour before opening through the hotel guest only DCA entrance from the Grand. And Soarin' is generally operating during that half hour. I guess all resort guests would be able to take advantage of this, but it certainly is a nice little perk! : )
Originally Posted By Jenn31 That's great to know Dalia!! I love perks. Dabob, what and where is the observation deck? (Told you I'm a hopless GCH newbie)
Originally Posted By Jenn31 Heck, with the extra 30 minutes in DCA we could ride soarin and get my daily park mocha! yummm
Originally Posted By Mr X All this chatter finally convinced me to take a look at the HoJo's website. Okay, so PassHolder is right first of all. It's a dump compared to most Disney hotels, nevermind the Grand Californian. It looks cheap. The "water park" being bragged about looks like something you'd find at a McDonalds (plastic kid crap, only this time with water pouring out). On the other hand, compared to comparable low budget places, it looks pretty decent. I'd definitely stay there if I were on a budget and got a good price. I wouldn't choose to stay there over a Disney hotel however. No way no how! That sleeping bag situation does sound lame though. Sure, it'd be fine if it were by choice (choice of rollaway or sleeping bag...maybe some 4 year old would really dig "roughing it" in a 5 star but still...). Anyway, enjoy your stay! I'm jealous. I wanna stay at the Grand someday.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Dabob, what and where is the observation deck? (Told you I'm a hopless GCH newbie)> I believe they added it when they added the new wing with the new rooms and DVC units. It's designed for watching WOC, but I don't know how they're going to work it; if all guests can access it, if only DVC'ers can do so, if you need reservations... I asked these very questions on another thread and no on seemed to know (or, at least, no one chimed in). It's possible there ARE no answers to that yet because Disney itself hasn't decided yet, and we won't know till WOC premiers, or just before.
Originally Posted By Jenn31 Good to know^^^ Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll be for everyone not just DVC. That way if we come back early we could still watch the electrical parade or WOC. I'm really liking all these little extras.
Originally Posted By Jenn31 Darkbeer- Thanks for the info on the HYATT! I didn't even know that was over there. I looked at the pics and the rooms look really nice! I went ahead and booked with them for another trip we're taking to DL in September. Got a fantastic rate on a king suite because my hubby is military. I must say we do enjoy the HOJOS the beds are literally the most comfortable we've ever slept in and I love the little general store they have, we'd always grab a couple Ice Creams on our way up to our room. Most Disney trips we're on such a tight budget Hotel wise that we almost always stay on harbor. (except for the occasional great AP rate for the DLH) This trip I can really go "all out" without having to worry too much about a budget. I didn't have any desire to stay at the GCH but hubby really wanted to, so after all the info I received from the great folks on this thread and looking at countless pictures online, I decided to give it a try. It looks really nice. And while I do agree that the rooms are just ok, it's the overall theming and ammenities we'll be going for. I'm excited as this hotel isn't one we're able to stay at everyday and this will be a new disney experience for us.
