Grand Californian Super Thread

[Pluto468]

How much does it cost to add club level to a room at the Grand? I'm booking a standard room for Dapper Days because I can't book club, but am hoping to add it on if they have it available when we arrive.

Thanks!

 

[JeffCD]

Hi Pluto468, sounds like the Dapper Days for 2024 have been announced, but I haven't seen them. Would you mind sharing any info (also planning a GC stay for that time).
Jeffrey

 

[Pluto468]

Hi Pluto468, sounds like the Dapper Days for 2024 have been announced, but I haven't seen them. Would you mind sharing any info (also planning a GC stay for that time).
Jeffrey

Here you go

This has information on the event:

https://dapperday.com/pages/dapper-day-expo

And there's a link for booking the hotel, too:
https://dapperday.com/pages/events-overview

 

[JeffCD]

Thank you very much!!!

 

[DizMe]

How much does it cost to add club level to a room at the Grand? I'm booking a standard room for Dapper Days because I can't book club, but am hoping to add it on if they have it available when we arrive.

Thanks!

Pluto468, I don't know if this still holds true, but you used to be able to book a room through the DD site and then call the number on your DD reservation and ask to upgrade.

Edited to add: I'm not sure that applied to concierge/club level, but you could upgrade other room categories.

 

[Pluto468]

Pluto468, I don't know if this still holds true, but you used to be able to book a room through the DD site and then call the number on your DD reservation and ask to upgrade.

Edited to add: I'm not sure that applied to concierge/club level, but you could upgrade other room categories.

Thanks, DizMe! I called to ask about the upgrade but they said they won't know until I check in. I guess I'll just cross my fingers and be prepared to pay 300ish extra if I can get a club room.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Talk to me about those poolside cabanas. How much do they cost for a half day? And what exactly counts as a "half day?"

How far in advance do you need to try to book one?

 

[RoseColored97]

Talk to me about those poolside cabanas. How much do they cost for a half day? And what exactly counts as a "half day?"

How far in advance do you need to try to book one?

I think we paid $325 for a half day in off-season. It was going to be $385 for a full day, so not a bad deal. A half day depends on the hours it is open, but for us we had it from 9:00am-1:00pm. I believe afternoon is 1:00pm-5:00pm.

You get a fruit plate, water bottles, eucalyptus small towelettes, dedicated attendant, your own towel supply, and have the opportunity to order from Craftsman Bar. There are two loungers, a dining table with umbrella, inside lounger, television. They also gave us a small travel-sized sunscreen, aloe vera, sunglasses cleaner, and hand sanitizer. We really enjoyed it. They will allow 8 people per cabana, parties over that need to reserve two.

They book up very, very fast especially if going during the warmer months.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I wonder how much more expensive it would be in June compared to when you went. We usually take an afternoon break at the hotel for a couple hours. But doing a half-day cabana for a 'break' would be nice. Of course, I have no clue if our son would even want to be in it so I suppose my husband and I would maybe have to take turns relaxing while the other chases him around.

 

[RoseColored97]

I've personally seen it as much as $425/half day (we skipped it that trip because it was too difficult to fit it into the schedule), but that was also in March so it might be slightly higher for June. I think it fluctuates so much, hopefully someone who has done a cabana in June can chime in.

 

[Original Goofy]

We paid $575 a GCH cabana for a whole day in late July if that helps. I don't recall the half day rate but it was substantially more than half that. We did it because we had a group of us arriving early so we used it as a common room to gather during the day, given that our rooms weren't promised until 3 or so.

 

[Carolwoodpr]

Thinking of upgrading to club level when we arrive. Hopefully it will cost less at check-in. January 2 is fast approaching.

 

[RoseColored97]

Has anyone heard the reasoning behind the fire alarm going off fairly frequently? I guess it went off Christmas morning at around 4am-ish, and it also happened the week prior on the 21st. In both instances the whole hotel was evacuated. If I had to guess, it seems like it happens maybe once every month or so based on the FB group posts I see. Are the fire alarms just more sensitive at the Grand than other hotels? The evacs last about 45 mins (again, based on others' experience), so it seems like nothing major...maybe guests smoking in the room off the balcony?`

 

[DizMe]

Has anyone heard the reasoning behind the fire alarm going off fairly frequently? I guess it went off Christmas morning at around 4am-ish, and it also happened the week prior on the 21st. In both instances the whole hotel was evacuated. If I had to guess, it seems like it happens maybe once every month or so based on the FB group posts I see. Are the fire alarms just more sensitive at the Grand than other hotels? The evacs last about 45 mins (again, based on others' experience), so it seems like nothing major...maybe guests smoking in the room off the balcony?`

 

[DizMe]

I've never had it happen while I was there, but it happened to my sister and BIL in 2005 when the big Christmas tree in the lobby had smoke billowing out which triggered the fire alarms and sprinklers. The hotel was at full capacity and everyone had to get out. I think they all had to be relocated.

https://www.ocregister.com/2005/12/28/christmas-tree-ignites-at-disneys-grand-californian/

 

[ClaraOswald]

On a thread about the Christmas one, I saw someone on the DVC side say that they heard nothing. So sometimes it doesn't sound like it's the entire hotel.

I'd think maybe people cooking in their rooms or something but I really can't see many people cooking at 4am. So weird.

Hope it doesn't happen to us. Our son would have a hard time with it. Happened to us at a different hotel last year and it was a total nightmare.

 

[Nonsuch]

Has anyone heard the reasoning behind the fire alarm going off fairly frequently? I guess it went off Christmas morning at around 4am-ish, and it also happened the week prior on the 21st. In both instances the whole hotel was evacuated.

My guess is something burning in the Storyteller's kitchen.
Storytellers opens at 7AM, and Club Lounge and Room Service even earlier -- so there is likely kitchen activity at 4AM

While inconvenient, I prefer a hotel that evacuates too often -- checking in tomorrow

 

[StarlitNight05]

My guess is something burning in the Storyteller's kitchen.
Storytellers opens at 7AM, and Club Lounge and Room Service even earlier -- so there is likely kitchen activity at 4AM

While inconvenient, I prefer a hotel that evacuates too often -- checking in tomorrow

Enjoy your stay!

 

[klmcleod]

Clarify the process for me of adding club level access at check in...
We have woods view rooms booked, and at check in, I'd like to see if we could add access to the club level lounge (but still keep our woods view rooms). Is that a possibility? Do I just ask them at the desk what the price is to add the lounge access and if they have availability?

 

[Iceman93]

Do I just ask them at the desk what the price is to add the lounge access and if they have availability?

Yes, that's all you do. I would suggest having a price point in mind that you'd be willing to pay, and if it's more than that to simply pass. Otherwise, in the heat of the moment, you may agree to a higher-than-planned upcharge and then regret it later.