On my recent trip to Disneyland for the grand World of Color Premier, I had the opportunity to stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa! The hotel itself is inspired by the arts and craft era at the turn of the 20th century and holds architectural details that reminded me of the great works of Frank Lloyd Wright. Perhaps it was my admiration for the “turn of the century” inspired architecture or the warm glow of the fireplace burning in the background of the lobby that had me in such awe of what was surrounding me… OR perhaps it was the fact that I was hanging solo in a mom’s wonderland of bliss, surrounded by some of my favorite mom bloggers. Regardless of the reason, anyone would be amazed by the sheer size of the lobby itself and the hotel has the ability to draw you in and in no time you’ll be kicking up your heels with a sweet “end of the day drink”! Oh and Disneyland? Pfff..what’s that? You mean there’s a theme park that lyes just outside these doors? Who would have ever thought!
About Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
A luxury hotel offering breathtaking views of Disney’s Grand Californian and Downtown Disney, allows guests to immerse themselves in a stay they’ll never forget! Featuring 945 guest rooms, including 44 suites, guests will enjoy access to a gym, three pools, relaxing lounges, meeting rooms, multiple dining experiences, along with spa and health club services offered by the on site Mandara Spa & Health Club. The interior design evokes the towering Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, with its darkened wood paneling, oversized fireplace hearth, lofty ceilings and sweeping crossbeams. Chandeliers inspired by California woodlands glow above the vibrant yet rustic hues of the lavish lobby.
The Rooms
Let’s just say there’s alot of them…944 to be exact and that includes 44 luxurious suites that sweep you off your feet and have you feeling like you stepped into a fairytale! My good friend and fellow blogger Silvia and I shared a beautiful 2 queen room featuring 20th century design elements, with bits of Disney portrayed throughout. Our room came equipped with a two-sink vanity area (a feature I loved), a separate bathroom with shower and tub and a lovely patio that overlooked the courtyard. Rooms come in the following configurations: 1 King, 2 Queens or 1 Queen w/bunkbeds. The beds I have to say, were quite comfortable and offered plenty of room for both Silvia and I to move about. A standard room would be a wonderful introduction for a family of 4! Complimentary wireless and wired internet is provided for my your networking pleasure and refrigerators are available upon request. Additonal ammenities include iron/ironing board, hair dryers, robes, cribs, make-up mirrors, in room safe’s and more!
VIP TREATMENT
Staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, not only allows you take advantage of the hotels many amenities, but guests will also receive VIP treatment! Located in the center of downtown Disney, the hotel offers guests a VIP entrance into Disney’s California Adventure park, allowing guests a hassle free way to get inside the park in a matter of seconds! If that’s not enough, hotel guests wil also be given the opportunity to take part in “Magic Mornings”, giving guests early entry to select Disneyland attractions!
Hotel Services
The hotel offers far too many hotel services to list in just one post, however I do want to point out a few of my favorites:
– Pinocchio’s Workshop – Exclusively offered to hotel guests, Pinocchio’s Workshop is a licensed care facility providing on-site care services for children 5-12 years old, from 5 to midnight! There is an additional fee for this service.
– Story Time – It’s easy to forget where you are once you step inside the hotel, however it’s important to remember that most hotel guests are traveling with families! Story time is offered in the lobby at 5:30 and 7:30, for the young or….not so young guests (yes I enjoy story time too)!
– Daily Newspaper Delivery – I HEART my paper and coffee in the morning and I have a feeling that many of you do too!
– Around the Clock Room Service – Yes this is a big perk for me…I like my midnight snack!
– Built with Families in Mind – Family friendly rooms with bunk beds are available upon requests and for those traveling with a large family, sleeping bags with floor pads are also available!
– Laundry Room – parents, need I say more? Laundry and Dry Cleaning services are also available upon request.
– Complimentary Self Parking – this is a wonderful feature for families traveling on a budget as so many hotels and resorts charge fees of up to $20 a night for self parking! Valet parkig is also available.
A stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will have you quickly immersed in a time period that is all but lost, until you visit the resort. The members of the staff were professional, kind and very friendly, a feature that seems often unlikely these days! Whether we had a question, a suggestion or just wanted to know general information, the staff at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa were quickly at our service and eager to help. Whether your traveling for work or traveling with family in tow, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a luxury option while visiting Anaheim or the Disneyland theme parks!
Save 40% on Your Stay
For a limited time guests can enjoy 40% off standard room rates starting at just $213 per night! In order to qualify to receive the 40% discount, guests must stay two (2) consecutive nights or longer. Offer valid for arrivals May 1, 2010 through September 29, 2010 when booked between March 16, 2010 and September 1, 2010.
Disclaimer: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa provided me with a one night stayto facilitate my review. My thoughts and opinions remain my own!
Bethany Larrabee
Wow! It looks so nice…I wonder if my hubby and kids would get mad if I went without them…lol!
Frantic Holly
That looks like a fantastic place to stay. Can’t wait til we get to go again.
Annie @ Mama Dweeb
oh wow! That looks AMAZING! I can’t wait to take Lizzie, she loves all things Disney Princess!@
Tammy
That’s awesome! Looks like everyone had fun.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy
Wow, that looks amazing! If we ever take a trip to Disneyland we definitely know where to stay.
Tammy
What a wonderful place to stay! The last time we were at DisneyLand they were just building the new attractions and hotels. I’d like to go again and see all those new places.
Sara
So jealous! I love that place so much! I should have been there with you!
sarah
looks amazing
Candace
That hotel looks amazing!
jennydecki
What a fabulous hotel! I’d love to stay there 🙂
Kathleen
Awesome review! I love love love Disney and that resort looks just as wonderful as their others. We live 4 hours from Orlando and go on a long vacation to Disney at least once a year. We always stay at Disney resorts and I wouldn’t change that for anything.
nicóle
Staying at a Disney hotel while on a Disney vacation is wonderful. This place sounds positively amazing!
Virginia from Lady V dZine
Looks like loads of fun!@
Allison
That place looks absolutely incredible! My kids would flip out if they had the chance to stay there! Looks like so much fun!
Paula
Looks beautiful! I miss Florida so much! Wish I could go stay there.
Shasta
Wow! Great post! You answered a lot of my questions! I stayed at a cheaper resort and now I see that you get what you pay for!
Henrietta
Oh Wow! That looks like a really great place to stay! They seem to have everything covered too! Laundry Room! Awesome!
Jessica
We love going to the Storyteller Cafe at the Geand Californian for special occasions, we haven’t stayed at the hotel yet but we are dying to do so. Maybe someday.
Kristen
Oh my goodness that looks absolutely divine!! I’d probably spend all my time taking pictures of the place and never get to do any relaxing though!! 😉 Maybe one day…a gal can dream!
TerriAnn
We’ve seen it several times from the outside but never went in. It looks beautiful and what a treat to stay there. Thanks for writing such an in-depth review.
Robin
I love the style of this hotel. A calm atmosphere is essential after a racous day at the amusement park.
Silvia
WOW! great review Candace! your post brings great memories and makes me feel we have to do it again!!!
carla Pullum
I want to stay there so bad!!! Looks awsome!
Krista
This looks wonderful! We’ve stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel, and it was great, too. 🙂
Emily McConnell
Thank you for the write-up! I’m sold. Will get the family out there eventually!!