Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland Resort is everything you would expect from deluxe accommodations. While staying on property at Disneyland Resort is typically very expensive and unnecessary, the Grand Californian offers an experience worth having, if only even for one night. Here’s everything to know about Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
Contents
- 1
- 2 Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Overview
- 3
- 4 Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Rooms
- 5
- 6 Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Pools and Grounds
- 7 Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Restaurants
- 8 Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Things to Do
- 9 Transportation and Parking at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
- 10 Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Map
- 11 Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Cost
- 12 Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Review
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Overview
This Disney Deluxe Resort at Disneyland Resort is a beautiful hotel with a rustic theme featuring craftsman-style architecture indicative of the Pacific Northwest. As such, the overall feeling here is warm and cozy. Heavy dark woods and warm-colored fabrics can be found throughout the hotel. With plenty of seating areas, this hotel has walkways that weave throughout the outdoor spaces as well. Little alcoves and seating areas are offset by the restaurants and gift shops that flank the main covered pathway. You can find a spa, upscale dining, lounges, a gift shop, Disney character dining, and conference spaces here.
A MAJOR perk of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is that it has a direct entrance into Disney’s Californian Adventure. This makes a huge difference if you’re hoping to maximize early park entry hours. Especially when you consider that with the private entrance from this hotel, you can skip the line at the entrance of the park and get to your rides as soon as possible. With the rising prices of Disney Genie+ consider those savings when deciding to stay here. Plus, there is also an entrance from Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel into Downtown Disney, which makes getting to Disneyland Park easy as well.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Rooms
The rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel are a good size and themed to a few different Disney characters. We were thrilled to see that the Disney decorations in these deluxe resort rooms are simple and subtle. Chip and Dale, Bambi, and other woodland friends are part of the headboard decorations and can be found in other elements in the room too.
Amenities
If you’ve ever stayed in a Disney Deluxe Resort you know the drill. These rooms typically have 2 queen beds, a smart tv that allows you to cast from your device, and plenty of drawers, and closet space. They include a desk, sofa, and depending on which room type you’ve secured, a view. This resort also has a fitness center just off the lobby.
Room Types
- Premium View ( Pool View) (Club-Level Service Available)
- Partial View ( California Adventure or Downtown Disney View)
- Standard View ( Disneyland Dr. Rooftop or Parking View) (Club-Level Service Available
- Wood’s Courtyard View ( Courtyard View)
- Suites: Available in 1, 2, or 3-bedroom suites
- Signature Suites: Arcadia, Arroyo, El Capitan, Mount Whitney
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Pools and Grounds
If you’re planning to stay awhile for a true resort experience, then you should plan to enjoy the pools. The Grand Californian Hotel has three pools and all are amazing. The Fountain Pool, Redwood Pool, and Mariposa Pool are positioned within the courtyard area and close enough to each other that you can enjoy the entire pool area, without having to walk back indoors. The children’s pool is just off the main Fountain Pool, while the Redwood pool is closest to the outdoor bar.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Restaurants
GCH Craftsman Bar and Grill
Located near Fountain Pool, this outdoor dining restaurant serves up some of the best food at the resort. It’s also the go-to place for drinks, water, and seasonal snacks. If you’re looking for fast food at the resort, prepared with care, then GCH is a great place to stop for any meal. In addition to hand-crafted dishes, you can also grab fun foods like a gourmet hot dog, and even a full-size pizza. Be sure to try the Double-Baked Nachos and Avocado Toast, as both are to die for. Plus, you can mobile order here too! View the GCH Craftsman Grill Menu.
Hearthstone Lounge
Offering table and bar service, Hearthstone Lounge can be found just off the main lobby and serves American cuisine. You can find burgers, chicken, artisanal flatbreads, and desserts here. All to go alongside a wide array of wines, beers, and cocktails. We also love that they have several mocktails well worth trying. Check out the Hearthstone Lounge Menu.
Napa Rose
Home to the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures, you can get a three-course breakfast, with visits from your favorite Disney princesses. For the dinner hour, you can enjoy fine dining at its best. Check out the Napa Rose Menu.
Storytellers Cafe
This Disney character dining restaurant at the Grand Californian Hotel serves up an American buffet/family-style meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Featuring Mickey and Friends, this is one not to miss if you’re bringing the little ones. Check out the Storytellers Cafe Menu.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Things to Do
Tenaya Stone Spa
If you’re looking for a spa day, then Tenaya Stone Spa is just what you need. Offering Spa services, Salon services, Herbal Wellness treatments, and more. Services here are pricey, but if you’re looking for “me time” while the family takes to the parks, then head to Tenaya.
Transportation and Parking at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is located about an hour from the Los Angeles Airport ( LAX), though the John Wayne Airport ( SNA) is closer to a 20-minute drive and the airport we recommend if you’re flying into Disneyland Resort. Once at Grand Californian both California Adventure and Disneyland are within walking distance of the resort. Luckily, the Grand Californian also has an entrance into Disney’s Downtown District. As such you can take the private entrance into Disney’s California Adventure from the resort, or the private entrance into Downtown Disney. Which means you’re just a short walk from the Disneyland Park entrance. Parking at Disney’s Californian Adventure is $40 a day for parking and $50 a day for valet.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Map
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Cost
The Anaheim area is filled with budget-friendly hotels within walking distance of Disneyland Resort. And the other hotels on Disney property, Disneyland Hotel, and Paradise Pier Hotel are both cheaper than the Grand Californian. That said, if you’re looking to break the bank on a resort night then plan for $475- 980 per night at Disney’s Californian Resort. For us, this is simply too expensive, especially when considering that our Disney trips are more about being in the parks. But that’s just our take!
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Review
All in all, we loved our stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. This resort felt cozy and elegant and had the amenities and the park proximity we’ve come to know and love from the Disney Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World. For us the location of this resort is amazing and in some cases could totally make the cost worth it. Of course, we’d try to use all of our tricks for saving money at Disney, in order to get a better price.
Is Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Good for Kids?
If you’re traveling to Disneyland Resort with kids and wondering where to stay then here are a few things to consider. If you have younger children the Paradise Pier Resort is being refurbished to have a stronger Disney presence and may be more appealing to kids. While the resort is completely appropriate for children, we wouldn’t recommend staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel if you’re prioritizing your child’s experience. As this resort is exquisite, kids may have a hard time finding the Disney experience here. Storytellers Cafe does offer character dining and Napa Rose offers a princess breakfast, both of which you can book without staying here. Outside of those experiences, you won’t find enough Disney elements at this resort to appease children. This isn’t a bad thing! Disney grown-ups need their fun too and we think this resort ticks many of those boxes.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Good for Adults?
Yes! If you’re looking for classy, elegant, and cozy then start saving up for a stay at the Grand Californian Hotel. This resort has some of the best lounges, a great atmosphere, and spaces that are wonderful for early morning coffee, or afternoon work breaks. We love the ability to walk easily into the parks, and Downtown Disney.
Compares to other Disneyland Area Hotels?
Is Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa better than Disneyland Hotel? Or other Disneyland Area hotels? In terms of quality, yes, Disney’s Grand Californian is “better.” Amenities are top-notch and the rooms have everything you need. While Castle Inn and Suites, Tropicana Inn, and The Anaheim Hotel are all fine options, but none compare to the grandeur of the Grand Californian.
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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