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Grand Californian

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Last updated: October 25, 2024

Overview

Built in the rustic stone-and-timber style of the grand national-park lodges, Grand Californian is Disneyland's flagship hotel. Newer, more elaborately themed, and adjacent to the parks, this is the best place to stay...if you can afford it.

Cost Range

$475-$980

Category

Deluxe

Transportation

Walk

Guest Overall Rating

Based on 140 surveys. (See our Ratings and Research page for details)

Our Overall Rating

Room: A-

Room Quality
Check-in Efficiency
Quietness of Room
Park Transportation
Hotel Pool
Staff
Food Court

Tour of Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel

Grand Californian Hotel Review and Room Tour

Resort Strengths

Excellent theming

Excellent on-site sit-down dining options

Walking distance to both theme parks

Well-designed rooms with plenty of light

On-site spa; fitness center has instructor-led classes

Resort Weaknesses

Expensive

Noise from some California Adventure attractions can affect certain rooms

What Readers Are Saying About Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

The Grand Californian is beautiful for sure. But the amount of time it takes to go through security to get to Downtown Disney is absurd.

J

Josh M

August 10, 2022

Grand Californian is a beautiful place to stay, but they are sometimes understaffed.

S

Scott D

June 3, 2022

Our first 2 nights were at the Camelot and the last 2 nights were at the Grand Californian. I wish I had just splurged and spent the extra money for the Grand Californian!

J

Judy Z

April 12, 2022

The Grand Californian's proximity to the parks is AMAZING! I'm glad we did it but I'd almost be embarrassed to recommend it to someone else visiting DL because it's so expensive.

L

Lily R

June 4, 2018

Rooms

The features we like in these guest rooms include excellent light for reading in bed, more than adequate storage space, a two-sink vanity outside the toilet and bath, and, in some rooms, a balcony.

  • Room with Queen Bed(s) and en-suite bathroom
  • Dresser with drawers
  • Full-length mirror
  • Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
  • Flat-panel TV
  • Mini-fridge
  • Coffee maker and starter supply of coffee pods
  • Ironing board and iron
  • Hair dryer
  • Digital thermostat
  • In-room safe
  • Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bar soap

Lighting has been drastically improved, USB charging outlets are plentiful, and more storage space is available than before.

The features we like in these guest rooms include excellent light for reading in bed, more than adequate storage space, a two-sink vanity outside the toilet and bath, and, in some rooms, a balcony.

  • Room with Queen Bed(s) and en-suite bathroom
  • Dresser with drawers
  • Full-length mirror
  • Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
  • Flat-panel TV
  • Mini-fridge
  • Coffee maker and starter supply of coffee pods
  • Starter supply of disposable kitchenware: paper plates, bowls, and cups; plastic forks, knives, and spoons
  • Ironing board and iron
  • Hair dryer
  • Digital thermostat
  • In-room safe
  • Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bar soap

Lighting has been drastically improved, USB charging outlets are plentiful, and more storage space is available than before.

The features we like in these guest rooms include excellent light for reading in bed, more than adequate storage space, a two-sink vanity outside the toilet and bath, and, in some rooms, a balcony.

  • Room with Queen Bed(s) and en-suite bathroom
  • Room with King Bed and en-suite bathroom
  • Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
  • Four chairs
  • Dresser with drawers
  • Full-length mirror
  • Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
  • Flat-panel TV
  • Mini-fridge
  • Full-size refrigerator
  • In-room washer and dryer
  • Coffee maker and starter supply of coffee pods
  • Full set of kitchen and cooking utensils, including flatware, pots, pans, plates and bowls.
  • Ironing board and iron
  • Hair dryer
  • Digital thermostat
  • In-room safe
  • Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bar soap

Lighting has been drastically improved, USB charging outlets are plentiful, and more storage space is available than before.

Dining

GCH Craftsman Bar Grab some meals and drinks and eat at the poolside lounge at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. Both quick service and table service is available at this location. You may balk at the prices, but overall the food is very good.

Napa Rose Napa Rose may be the best restaurant in Orange County and has been at the top of most critics’ lists since its debut. Top talent in the kitchen (award-winning chef Andrew Sutton leads the charge) and in the dining room—a beautiful space with panoramic views and a wine cellar second to none—make this an incomparable gustatory experience. Every server has earned sommelier status, a designation that takes years of study and practical experience with wine and winemaking, easing the chore of choosing a wine from its cellar of more than 16,000 bottles. The waitstaff brings the whole experience, from wine rookies to experts, to match your level of knowledge and tastes. For food, look for unusual ingredients (Tahitian vanilla, smoked sturgeon, truffled quail eggs,lemongrass, almond oil) married to top-notch staples (lamb, Berkshire pork, pheasant breast, sustainable fresh fish), all deftly handled by a world-class kitchen crew. And though staff are very accommodating in the usual Disney manner, this is definitely not an adventure for the kids. Napa Rose should be on every adult’s Disney bucket list, a must-do at least once. An Albuquerque, New Mexico, woman tried Napa Rose and had this to say: Prices were quite high, but we had a very good time. Napa Rose was the highlight of the trip, and our waiter was very good.

Storytellers Cafe

GCH Craftsman Grill Grab some meals and drinks and eat inside a gloriously air conditioned room, or sip and dine in the poolside lounge at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. Both quick service and table service is available at this location. You may balk at the prices (such as over $25 for pizza), but overall the food is very good.

Hearthstone Lounge Lounge located off of the lobby of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. Service can be slow, but there's a good selection of drinks and a delicious bar menu.

Napa Rose Bar

Amenities

SWIPE TO EXPLORE

3 Pools

The Grand Californian has three pools - the Fountain, Mariposa, and Redwood.

Fitness

The Eureka Fitness Center is on-site and has weights, treadmills, and other equipment for your workout. Classes are also offered. Hours are typically 6 AM to 9 PM.

Early Theme Park Entry

Disneyland resort guests get into both theme parks 30 minutes earlier than off-site guests, every day.

Resort amenities at-a-glance
Disney-owned
Early Entry
Suites
Club Level
Room Service
Wireless Internet
Fitness Center
Water Sports
Marina
Tennis
Beach
Biking
Park Transportation
Airport Transportation

Practical Matters

Check In/Out Time

Check-in is 4:00pm
Check-out is 11:00am

Online Check-In

All Disney resorts participate in Disney’s Online Check-In program. If you’ve checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.

MagicBand+

You can purchase MagicBand+, a rubber and plastic wrist band that can function as your park ticket and more! MagicBand+ also "interacts" with various elements in the parks.

Theme Park Tickets

Park tickets are best purchased online in advance either directly through Disney or from a trusted third-party vendor. However, if you arrive without park tickets, head to the concierge desk in the hotel lobby.

Dining Reservations

Dining reservation are best made online in advance or on your phone during your visit. You can also use our Disneyland Reservation Finder.

Laundry

Washers and dryers are availabile in laundry facilities at each Disneyland hotel. Cost is $3 per wash, and another $3 per dry cycle. A small selection of soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets are also sold, for around $1 each. Only credit/debit cards can be used for payment.

Lost and Found

If you lose something during your stay, visit Disneyland's Lost and Found website.

Shopping

Disney hotels have gifts shops near their lobbies with a decent collection of Disney-branded souvenirs. You will also find basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. Resort hotels with Deluxe Villa rooms offer an assortment of groceries, as well.

Child Care

Disney suggests checking with the Hotel Front desk for third-party babysitting providers.

Transportation

Driving to the Resort
Getting to the Parks
and Downtown Disney District
Getting to Another Hotel from Grand Californian
Getting to Walt Disney World

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