One Grand Californian visits another.
Written: Jan 24 '05 (Updated Jan 24 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: I would spend the money to stay here if this is a special occasion.
Cons: For the prices they want, it doesn't measure exactly 5 stars.
The Bottom Line: Granted, the prices are high; however, especially for children, can you really put a price on magic? Magic is what the Grand Californian is.
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| Pisces's Full Review: Disneys Grand Californian Anaheim |
I stayed a week at the Grand Californian from December 27th, 2004 to January 3, 2005. Yes, I was there for the illustrious New Years Eve. I hadn't been to Disneyland in over 25 years, and I'd never stayed at one of their hotels before.
Here are my thoughts on the Grand Californian experience:
MY REASONS FOR CHOOSING IT:
After 25 years of not having set foot on Disneyland whatsoever, I felt entitled to splurge. Maybe it would be different if I'd been going every year, but not having visited the Park in so long, I felt I deserved the best. I'm worth it; well, at least after 25 years of Disney deprivation.
The Grand Californian is the newest of the three On-Property Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, those being;
1. Paradise Pier, formerly known as the "Pan Pacific", and the most distant from the two Theme Parks.
2. The Original Disneyland Hotel, built by Jack Wrather, second husband of Lillian Disney (I think) in the 1960s. and of course,....
3. Grand Californian (the subject of this review), again, the newest of the hotels and built in 2001, to complement Disneyland's newest theme park---California Adventure.
I simply wanted to be right in the middle of, and staying in, all the newest attractions.
LOCATION:
And, in fact, staying at the Grand Californian puts you right in the center of everything. The Grand is right in the California Adventure Theme Park, with it's own private entrance. The reality is anyone can use Grand Californian's (GC) "private" entrance---provided you are a registered guest at one of the other On-Property (see above) hotels.
GC, which I'll use in place of Grand Californian from here on out, is also just steps away from the original Disneyland Theme Park. And, I do mean, only steps away from the Main Gate--Original Disneyland Park.
There are people who will say that there are closer properties, but don't believe them. There is nothing closer, and that can be a real life-saver if it's raining, as it did for much of the week I visited the Disneyland Resort and Parks.
EXPENSE AND HIGH COST OF "GC"----GRAND CALIFORNIAN:
Staying On-Property at Disneyland is very expensive period. In fact, no matter where you stay in Anaheim, they charge 15% sales tax at all their hotels in the city----which, admittedly, is highway robbery, but....we won't discuss the sham of Municipal Sales Taxes in this, here, review.
Ahem. Anyway, suffice it to say, a trip to Disneyland doesn't come cheap.
And so, being the most expensive of any and all hotels at the Disney Resort, or in Anaheim, what exactly is that buying you at GC?
FURNISHINGS, WORKMANSHIP, TOILETRIES;
From what I could tell, when you pay their high rates, you are getting very plush fixtures, both in their individual rooms, and in the common areas. The whole hotel is done in a very elegant turn-of-the-century "arts and crafts" theme. And, that theme is carried out in virtually every detail, from the mosaic hardwood flooring, to each Tiffany/Victorian light fixture, to the extensive paneling, and the beautiful exposed beams, which create a very rustic, but oh-so-elegant mood.
Think of the woodsy, rugged, but yet very plush, exclusive Lodge At Torrey Pines, or the Post Ranch Inn in Northern California. Both of those are also done in a very rugged, yet elegant, sort of woodsy, Arts and Crafts theme, and both are considered 5-star.
The toiletries in their standard-room bathrooms are some of the best I've ever used. It's all high-priced, quality stuff, from the herbal sage and mint shampoo, to the aromatherapy body creme and conditioner. Expect Disney quality in every detail. Things are done with a Disney flourish. Washclothes are folded into a fan shape. The arts and crafts bedside light fixtures have dimmers on them, you get beautiful robes and Chip-n-Dale chocolates, nightly. You are at a Disney property and all the little touches that implies.
IS GC REALLY REALLY REALLY FIVE-STAR FOR THE PRICES THEY CHARGE?:
Actually, in the common areas, the walkways, the incredible lobby, and their restaurants---at least those I tried.....Y-E-S.
When you walk into their "Great Hall" which is their incredible lobby.....you are immediately overtaken by the high ceilings, their 4-story Christmas Tree (Only during the Holidays, I think)........and there seems to be a lit fireplace everywhere you turn around, with a comforting chair, and pillow--I might add, to sit....all around everywhere. There are so many comforting and soothing nooks and crannies in the public areas of GC, that are awe-inspiring, yet totally elegant....that I'd have to say they more than carry out their theme, without ever compromising invite-ability, or 5-star elegance.
Also, the glamorous lighting throughout the hotel. All lighting is romantically dimmed 24 hours, to put the focus on the beautiful fireplaces.
WHERE THE GC LOSES FIVE STARS---SERVICE AND ROOM DETAIL:
Unfortunately, the perfection of the lobby, common areas, and restaurants doesn't carry over to some of the service and room detail.
For instance: There is a hysterically deep soaking tub in their standard bathroom. However, there is no armrest or bathmat in the tub. Heads up: Don't slip, and be sure to bring your own bathmats. The bathroom is otherwise great, (toiletries etc)...with the exception of the bathroom door, and separate water closet doors: They are flimsly sliding doors, (In the bathroom area, only) instead of traditional doors with knobs. This might seem picky, but at upwards of $300.00 a night, which is what GC wants (they are even more expensive in 2005, as their rates have increased).......you really do expect a little better, even if we are only talking flimsy bathroom doors.
I had a plumbing problem with the bathtub drain. The shower worked fine, but I wanted to utilize that deep deep soaking tub. Despite two phone calls to the front desk, no plumber ever came to fix it. Granted, it was New Years Eve, and probably hard to find a plumber anyway....still it was never acknowledged whatsoever.
It's that type of thing, for a hotel in this price-range, which really brings things down a few notches.
The service at the Front Desk, in general, is a bit abrupt. Oh they are polite, but just a bit too too too quick in their communication. Four Seasons, and Ritz Carlton, who have comparable rates, are always very very very solicitous and speak nice and serenely and slow, or at least a comfortable pace and octave, to their guests.
Bottom Line: As elegant as GC is, for Disney, don't expect Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton-like little touches---the kind of things that really bring things up to past 4-stars. Although, again, for Disney, this is absolute luxury at its finest.
RESTAURANTS AT GC:
The only two restaurants I tried were Storytellers Cafe and Whitewater Snacks.
With Whitewater Snacks, the title is misleading. It is a lot more than a snackbar. It's not exactly a sit-down dinner place, but the furnishings are incredibly elegant and soothing. They are located right off the elegant and tranquil pool area. You come in and tell a cashier what you'd like, and they bring it to your table.
All Disneyland food is over-priced, and Whitewater is no exception. I think my hamburger and fries came to about $15.00. However, they were some of the best fries I'd had, and the portions were large large large. The hamburger meat tasted fresh ground with a bit of pork. As good as it was, it was still burgers and fries, and you might want something a little fancier at such an elegant hotel.
The Storytellers Cafe Dinner is tremendous. Once again, "Cafe" is misleading. Storytellers, is the GC's full-scale buffet, and quite a stunningly decorated sit-down dinner restaurant. Again, this is pricey. At $30.00 a person, (I'm not sure if it costs that much for kids), you can have their all-you-can-eat buffet, at dinner. I found it to be spectacular. Every dish I tasted at Storytellers all-you-can-eat dinner buffet seemed made-from-scratch, with the best of flavor. Storytellers at GC is incredibly plush and the finest furnishings: raised damask silverware, patterned cloth napkins, a pepper grinder at each table, elegantly lit booths, mosaic flooring, lush ceiling designs.... by the way, this is all extremely kid-friendly too. They have mac-n-cheese, but again, my taste-buds told me it was made with an elegant cheese sauce and fresh pasta.
Storytellers has a character brunch, but I didn't feel that was a good value. I'm rarely filled up by omelets, and the quality of their foods increases dramatically at dinnertime. If you can do without the Characters running around at Brunch, I'd say skip their Brunch and go for Storytellers dinner, which they start at 5:00 pm.
CHOOSING YOUR VIEW OUT YOUR GC BALCONY WINDOW:
As I say, I spent an unbelievable amount of money on a once-in-a-life-time trip, after a 25 year absence. And, so, sigh, I did get the "Theme Park" view, which is their most exclusive.
The "Theme Park" in question is the California Adventure--the newer Park at Disney. Keep in mind, you will not be viewing Sleeping Beauty Castle--which is the older Park. You'll either get the Hollywood Tower of Terror, which I didn't want to see---who needs that bad karma? Or, you could get the Hollywood Pictures Studio Backlot---which seemed cheesy to me. The Grizzly Peak area is a wonderful forest with Grizzley Peak---a tall mountain, looking out a GC "Theme Park" view.
Or, you might get, what they gave me: a view of the big "Sun Wheel" and other assorted carnival-type rides. That's what they consider their "Theme Park" view, and that's what you'll pay $100--$150.00 extra dollars to look at.
Is it worth it? I think it is for one or two days. I got bored with the view after being there a week. I will say this: kids will go wild. If you have children and are staying one or two days, I'd go for it. I'd think kids would be transfixed and in a total fantasy to stare out at that sun-wheel all day long. And, it was raining during my week, so there were a lot of parents with their kids indoors.
As a parent, I'd think there'd be no better fantasy and treat for your kids than staying On-Property with a Theme Park view at the GC for one or two days.
It could be done, provided you cut costs on food. Food is so overpriced and you don't have to eat at Disney's expensive restaurants. You are provided a free refrigerator in every room, and, there is a free-use microwave in Whitewater Snacks, for food that you brought from home.
SMOKING AND THE NOISE LEVEL IN THE ROOMS:
All of GC is completely non-smoking, and I do mean a true non-smoking everywhere. I can't tell you how wonderful that is. Not on the sheets, not out the balconies, not anywhere do you smell a whiff of smoke. You do have the wonderful pine and birch smell of the woods and forest, though. And, my view of the Sun Wheel did come with a side view of GC's incredible Green Meadow----complete with fresh smells----too bad it was raining and I couldn't sit out on the balcony!!!
Also, I had a room right near the Great Hall (their lobby), which can get kind of loud, as they have a pianist who plays till 10:00 pm. In the end, I didn't mind, as the pianist was quite good, and it was very pleasant to be lulled to sleep by the serene sounds of the piano wafting in. However, if you are concerned with noise, or any noise at all---that's something to keep in mind. Also if you get a room overlooking Downtown Disney, which is their mall-area, there are strolling musicians who play and wander Downtown Disney till Midnight. The rooms that overlook Grizzly Peak might have a little of the background music that wafts in. Again, if noise a concern to anyone, I would talk to the Front Desk and specify you want an absolutely quiet room away from any noise. Otherwise, when assigning your room, the Front Desk staff assumes you expect a certain amount of noise, when you are out on the balcony and such, as you are in the center of theme parks at the GC.
IS GC (GRAND CALIFORNIAN) KID FRIENDLY TO BEGIN WITH:
Admittedly, from what I've described, and given the high prices, you might think this is an adults-only hotel. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are a variety of kids activities, that frankly, shouldn't be for kids only: There are arts and crafts tours daily. There is a daily story time, complete with cookies and milk near the fireplace off the lobby, or, I should say, one of the fireplaces--as there are so many---all with comfy chairs with pillows to sit on for the adults----- There are lots of crafts-making sessions, and babysitting.
The furnishings in my "Theme Park" room were delightful and charming, and I'm adult. I'm not really up-to-date on all my Disney Characters (I should be after my thorough week there), but the shower curtain in the bathroom has little giggling Chip-n-Dale characters hiding behind branches. The bedspreads have a beautiful owl and deer motif.
Mickey is everywhere throughout the Grand Californian (GC!!), and don't let anyone tell you any different. Granted, I've not stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, but I certainly had no trouble finding the "Disney" magic at GC, amidst the high-priced elegance and soothing comfort. Frankly, the kids I did see, and there were throngs, in the GC common areas, seemed to be the best behaved of anywhere in the whole Park.
IF YOU ARE DETERMINED TO STAY HERE----MAKING IT A LITTLE MORE AFFORDABLE:
If you must pay the high prices and stay at the GC----and everyone should save up to stay here at least once in their lifetime....there are ways to cut costs a little.
One way is to be sure to go "off-season"......in otherwords, don't do as I did and go the week before New Years.
If you go early early early in December, you can still view the beautiful Christmas decorations, which are an absolute MUST-SEE. The Christmas Tree, which seemed to span the length of all 5 stories, in the Center of the Great Hall (Lobby) was one of the most powerful I'd ever seen.
I wouldn't buy one of their packages. Again, there is a 15% tax on all hotel rooms in Anaheim, and I don't think a Disney Package discounts the hotel rooms that much to make a difference in knocking out that tax and high hotel rate. I would do everything ala carte, using AAA. I would simply buy the hotel separately, and get an AAA rate. And, then buy the Park Hopper (theme park) tickets, which don't have any tax on them.
Again, my advice: DON'T buy a package. Just try to knock down the price of the hotel room, alone, using discount rates, and then purchase the Park Hoppers separately, as they may already come with a discount if you buy multi-day Park Hoppers, I think.
CONCLUSION:
And so, does it really matter what the hotel and room are like, if you aren't going to be spending any time there, and all your time in the theme parks?
For me it does. No matter how much time I do, or don't, spend at a hotel and hotel room......I'll remember a bad hotel.
I'll remember a disagreeable room.
I'll remember a nasty odor, and dirty fixtures.
Oh, I can easily forget a bad meal here or there, but I won't forget a night in a rotten hotel and room.
Part of the Disneyland experience is the memories that you take away from it; memories that last a lifetime. A stay at The Grand Californian, with the quite-elegant Disney Magic in full force, can only add to that.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Pisces
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
Reviews written: 143
Trusted by: 24 members
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