Disney’s Grand Californian Resort
Category: Travel
It’s been a long time since I spent the night in the Disneyland Resort. When I was young…very young, we used to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. That was the only hotel at Disneyland. There were, of course, small motels scattered about the area, but staying at the Disneyland Hotel was a real treat.
Today there are several hotels at the resort. I was recently lucky enough to stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa and let me say, I cannot wait to get back there. It is a beautiful hotel and the convenience to everything puts it at the top of my list when it comes to the Disneyland Resort.
The rooms are comfortable and the attention to Disney detail is apparent, down to the Bambi and Thumper shower curtain. The pools look inviting, although time did not permit me to take advantage of them. There is also Pinocchio’s Workshop, a child activity center where kids (ages 5-12) are welcome to come and play, create, and just hang out. Plus, several restaurants offer guests a variety of dining experiences.
When you walk into the lobby, besides being greeted by friendly Disney cast members, you enter an environment that you would find in Yosemite National Park. This is a stunning lobby.
Besides the beauty and comfort of the resort itself, not to mention the Mandara Spa and Health Club with all its amenities, I think my favorite aspect of this grand hotel is the location. As everyone knows, when it comes to property, location is the name of the game. Location, location, location.
There are several entrances to Disney’s Grand Californian Resort. The first one is the main entrance where guests enter when they arrive at the property. Valets are available, however if you want to self-park you are currently directed to the parking lot across the street. This is the only negative comment I have about this resort.
Another entrance/exit leads you right into Downtown Disney with all its shops and restaurants. You exit the hotel right into the center of all the activity. Go to the right and you can shop at the World of Disney before getting to the ticket gates for Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. If you turn to the left there are more stores and restaurants. Downtown Disney is itself a destination for vacationers and So Cal locals.
But wait. There is yet another entrance/exit to this hotel. This leads you – hold onto your hats (or your mouse ears) – right into Disney’s California Adventure. Of course, you still need to have a ticket to enter the park, but this entrance is the perfect way to get into and out of DCA when staying at the hotel. And now, with the expansion/upgrade and new Cars Land at DCA, the Disney Grand Californian is going to be a sought after hotel for visitors.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel made my stay at the Disney Resort a memorable one, not to mention very comfortable.
For room rates and to make a reservation, call 714/956-MICKEY (6425).
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
Like her on Facebook