This was our second time at the Grand Californian Hotel. It is an upscale hotel with a rustic mountain lodge vibe. The lobby is expansive with a large crackling fireplace, and often you can find a piano player filling the lobby with music. The service here is fantastic and everything is well maintained. It doesn’t feel like what you’d expect from a Disneyland hotel.
The room rate can range in cost. When we traveled the rate was around $700/night. Because of its location and amenities, and the convenience and relaxation it provided, the expense was worth it.
The guest rooms have plenty of storage, which is appreciated when traveling with kids. They have thought of the little details like providing a step stool by the bathroom sink for kids and coat hooks in the entryway.
You can view the video below if you’d like a quick tour of our guestroom.
Location, Location, Location!
The Grand Californian is conveniently attached to California Adventure, with a private entrance. Within minutes of leaving your room, you can step right into the park! This made it so easy for us to come back to our room if we wanted to change, use the restroom, or just get in a quick recharge. The hotel also has a private entrance into the Downtown Disney District where there are tons of restaurants and shops to enjoy. If you want to go to Disneyland, it is only about a 10-minute easy walk right to the park’s entrance. You really can’t beat the location of this hotel.
Grand Californian Hotel Restaurants
The Grand Californian has several dining options onsite. We at twice at the Craftsman Grill. Once in the restaurant while enjoying live music. Then the second time was poolside. They have a large food and drink menu and eating here gives you a break from the crowds at the parks.
The hotel is also home to Storytellers Cafe where you can have breakfast with Disney characters — but make sure to have reservations made well in advance. Other onsite restaurants include Napa Rose, Hearthstone Lounge, and of course room service — which we enjoyed for breakfast. After a long day at the parks, a room service breakfast is a nice touch! Make sure to order the Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles which were adorable and delicious!
Downtown Disney is right next to the hotel and there are many other great dining options located in this area. The restaurants range from upscale, casual, takeout, and everything in between. During the weekends this area is very busy, so if you want to enjoy a sit-down meal, I recommend making your reservations far in advance.
Our favorite spot so far has been the UVA Bar and Cafe. It has great service, delicious food and drinks, and central outdoor seating so you can view all the action.
Grand Californian Hotel Pool Complex
One of the things I love most about this hotel is the pool area. They have padded loungers with plenty of umbrellas and side tables. There are three separate pools, two hot tubs, and waterslides to accommodate big and small kids (or adults).
The poolside service is fantastic. We ordered cocktails and a filling lunch to fuel us for our evening adventures at Disneyland. We enjoy having some pool time to relax, swim, and get a different vibe for our Disney vacation. When we visited, they offered some water fitness classes in the daytime, and in the evenings the pool’s restaurant had live music.
Overall, this hotel is fantastic for families who want an upscale stay while visiting Disneyland. It is a large property that provides families with everything they need for a magical vacation. If you’re interested in learning more about our weekend trip and two-day Disneyland itinerary, then view this post. Until next time!
