Review: Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in 2024
If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland Resort, one of the best places to stay is Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.This hotel is ideal for those who want to stay as close to Disneyland Resort as possible, while also enjoying the benefits of staying at an on-site resort. After a long park day at Disneyland Resort, your tired feet will thank you for staying here. Here's everything you need to know before you book a stay at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in 2024.Booking Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
You can have the most magical and stress-free Disneyland vacation if you book through Be Our Guest Vacations. They do the work so you don’t have to. Be Our Guest Vacations can book and plan your hotel accommodations, advanced dining reservations, and park ticket options at the best prices. All of their agents are expertly trained and well-versed in all things Disney. 
Photo Credit Disney Parks
Overview of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is one of three Disney-operated hotels at Disneyland. The other two are the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel.It features 948 rooms, 44 suites, and 71 villas. Standard rooms can sleep up to five guests, with suites and villas available for larger families.Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is designed with Craftsman-style elegance. If you're familiar with Disney's Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort, then the vibe of that resort is similar to Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Both were designed by the same architect.Benefts of Staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Unbeatable Location
Private entrance to Disney’s California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney. The number one reason to stay at this resort is the accessibility. Early Entry to Theme Parks
Disneyland Resort hotel guests can enter one theme park 30 minutes before park opening. This gives you a jumpstart on knocking out select attractions before the park opens to non hotel guests.
The Look and Feel of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
The Grand Californian Hotel was built in the Craftsman style, a type of American architecture inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. The theming makes you feel like your staying at a fancy National-park lodge.
The first thing that’ll impress you when arrive at the hotel is this beautiful stained glass sliding doors. The lobby is a stunning with a vaulted ceiling that stretches all the way to the sixth floor of the hotel Beautiful natural light shines through during the daytime. Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa combines rugged craftsmanship and extravagant design. There's massive pillars made of boulders, relaxing piano music, and the exposed wooden beams really make you feel like you're visiting a national park lodge.
Get ready for cozy, cabin vibes during your stay! There's a cozy fireplace and plenty of comfy seating to lounge on. There’s several motifs used in the Grand Californian’s decor. One of them is a bear. Another motif is the sequoia tree. You’ll notice the tree on some of the light fixtures, and on the wallpaper.If you like visiting Disneyland Resort during the various season offerings, the lobby gets decorated for the holidays. During the Christmas season, you'll find a giant Christmas Tree and a gingerbread replica of the hotel. During this past Halloween season, the lobby had a huge Coco display out.
Location
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is located at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and is in between Downtown Disney and Disney's California Adventure Park. When exiting the hotel you are directly into Downtown Disney, and you’ll have a five-minute walk over to Disneyland, and the main entrance to Disney California Adventure.Grand Californian has its own dedicated entrance right into Disney California Adventure. The Disney California Adventure entrance puts you right in front of Grizzly Peak. There's also another hotel entrance into the park near Pixar Place.On the opposite side of the hotel you can walk to the two other Disney owned hotels – Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Pier Hotel. Disney's Grand Californian is hands down the most convenient hotel option while experiencing Disneyland Resort.Parking at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Parking isn’t included with a your stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. Self-parking is $35 per night and valet is $50 per night. Oversized vehicle parking is $40 per night.There’s a large porte-cochère as you arrive, with several valets available to help you with your suitcases. A separate area is available for those waiting for ride-share vehicles.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel General Info:
Check-in: 3:00 PMCheck-out: 11:00 AMPets not allowed (service animals allowed)6 floors in the main building24 accessible rooms availableBuildings have elevators and interior corridorsDisney character wake-up callsPreferred Access Reservation for Disneyland Resort restaurants
Check in Process at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Like with other Disney Hotels, you can check in via the Disneyland app. When your room is ready, you’ll be notified. 
If you loose your hotel room keys a lot like me, you can actually use the Disneyland app to open your hotel room door. if you do need to check-in in person, there is an awesome little space set up for kiddos to hang and watch Disney cartoons while you check in or while waiting for your room. I love that all the Disney properties have this little area.Rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
The craftsman design carries into the hotel rooms. Throughout the rooms, everything feels cozy, light and airy. Linens and pillows are a bright white. The oak headboards have an orange tree mural overhead—with Chip n’ Dale playing in the branches. California-inspired artwork are hung the room walls, including original designs of orange crate labels paying homage to Disney history. 
When opening the sofa sleeper bed, you’ll find artwork of Bambi and other woodland critters. (Available in select rooms)
Rooms Types at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Standard View
Sleeps up to 5 adultsViews of Disneyland Drive, Rooftop, or Parking Area1 King Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 1 King Bed, 1 Day Bed, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds
Woods-Courtyard View
Sleeps up to 5 adultsViews of the Courtyard1 King Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 1 King Bed, 1 Day Bed, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds
Pool View
Sleeps up to 5 adultsViews of Pool1 King Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 1 King Bed, 1 Day Bed, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds
Partial View
Sleeps 2-5 adultsComes with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 2 Queen Beds & 1 Day BedPool views
Downtown Disney View
Sleeps up to 5 adultsViews of the Downtown Disney District1 King Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 1 King Bed, 1 Day Bed, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds
Suites
1 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 6 adultsViews of Woods, Theme Park, Downtown Disney District, or Pool2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
2 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 11 adults
Views of Woods, Theme Park, Downtown Disney District, or Pool4 Queen Beds, 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, and 1 Day Bed or 2 King Beds, 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds, and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa or 2 King Beds, 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, and 1 Day Bed or 2 King Beds, 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, 1 Day Bed, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 4 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
3 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 12 adultsViews of Woods, Theme Park, Downtown Disney District, or Pool2 King Beds, 2 Queen Beds, 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair or 1 King Bed, 4 Queen Beds, and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa or 2 King Beds, 2 Queen Beds, 1 Day Bed, 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
Arcadia Signature Suites
1 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 4 adults1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
2 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 9 adults2 King Beds and 2 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofas or 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds, and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
3 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 11 adults2 King Beds, 2 Queen Beds, and 2 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofas
Arroyo Signature Suites
1 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 4 adults1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed, and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa or 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
2 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 8 adults2 King Beds, 1 Queen Bed, and 2 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofas or 2 King Beds and 2 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofas
3 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 13 adults2 King Beds, 3 Queen Beds, and 2 Queen Sleeper Sofas or 2 King Beds, 2 Queen Beds, and 2 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofas
El Capitan Signature Suites
1 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 4 adults1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
2-Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 9 adults1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds, and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
Mount Whitney Signature Suites
2 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 6 adults1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed, and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
3 Bedroom Suite
Sleeps up to 10 adults1 King Bed, 3 Queen Beds, and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
Woods-Courtyard View Room Tour
Most recently we stayed in the Woods-Courtyard View Room. Here's a full room tour and closer look at our two queen room.
From our balcony we overlooked tall trees, and in the distance we could see Space mountain to our left, Grizzly Peak below, and a little of the top of Ornament Valley- Cars Land to our right.These were some of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in. I had a really hard time wanting to get out of bed in the morning. Hehe.
This room offers lots of dresser and hanging closet space for our clothing, as well as lots of outlets for charging our multiple devices Both of us came with power banks, cameras, laptops, phones, etc. 
I really appreciate having plenty of storage options, and having the beds are raised so your suitcases can be stored underneath is awesome.If you have children- the shower nozzle is adjustable making it easier for bathing smaller kids. There’s also cute little wooden stools underneath the sink for them to use too.
Countertops of the room’s desk, dresser, and coffee station incorporate pieces of green glass from wine bottles, adding a bit of faux texture to the surface.Above the coffee bar, textured copper detailing adds depth to the aesthetic of the room while enforcing the Craftsman story.There is a turndown service at night, complete with bedside chocolates!
For those with babies or littles
While this room isn’t huge, I’ve been able to easily fit my baby travel items without feeling cramped. The stroller I kept near the door (without breaking it down) and the car seat I kept underneath the table.I really appreciated all the counter space in this hotel room. Having to pump multiple times a day— means constantly cleaning, and leaving the parts out to air dry. It can be stressful in some hotel rooms when there’s not enough space.It may be a tight squeeze depending on how many people are in your travel party, but I have been able to fit the complimentary crib pack 'n play.
Amenities in Each Grand Californian Hotel Room:
* Interior corridor access
* Air conditioning/heat
* High-speed Internet – WiFi service
* Evening turndown (available upon request)
* Mini-refrigerator
* Keurig
* Ice Bucket
* Bathroom amenities
* Shower with rain shower capability or bathtub with rain shower
* Vanity area with double sinks and step stool
* Make-up mirror
* Hair dryer
* Robes
* Iron & Board
* 55-inch Smart TV
* Alarm clock with USB charger
* Dual-line phone with voicemail
* Desk
* In-room safe
* Balcony or patio
* Crib pack 'n play (available upon request)
Amenities, Recreation and Shopping at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
3 Themed Pools
Relax at one of the three pools – Fountain, Redwood, and Mariposa. Each pool offers a relaxing experience with plenty of umbrellas and chairs available. Complimentary towels are provided at all pools, and all three pools are heated.. While you're at the pool, you can order drinks and food from the pool bar. Cabanas are available to rent by the Mariposa and Fountain pools.When you arrive at the pool area, you’ll have to check in to get a wristband for the day, which shows that you are a hotel guest.Fountain Pool
With its artisan-crafted turtle fountain, the Fountain Pool provides a relaxing respite amid a serene rural setting. Located next to Storyteller’s Café, the pool is set against a backdrop of tree-laden grounds, stone walls and rocky boulders.
Redwood Pool
This pool is for the thrill seekers. Redwood Pool includes a 90-foot-long waterslide that curves around the giant stump of a Redwood tree. A Mickey Mouse-shaped Children’s Pool and a whirlpool hot tub are located nearby.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks
Mariposa Pool
A circular leisure pool that pays homage to the hotel’s Arts and Crafts theme. Named after the Spanish word for “butterfly,” the Mariposa Pool features ornate butterflies and decorative lights in the pool deck area. A whirlpool spa is located nearby.
For those with children, it’s SO convenient to have a pool right next to the theme park so you can take a mid day break and cool off.Tenaya Stone Spa
The Tenaya Stone Spa is located on the property and is the perfect place to recharge during your Disneyland vacation. This 6,000-square-foot space offers the following:A relaxation roomMassagesFacialsBody treatmentsA retail shopSteam rooms and showersSalon services includingNail, hair, and makeup
Fitness Center
The Eureka Fitness Center open 24 hours a day! It’s equipped with high-tech treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers, bicycles (regular as well as recumbent), free weight’s and weight machines.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks
Laundry
Traveling with kids? You always have to be prepared for blow outs, spills and wet clothing. The laundry facilities are located on the first and second floors. Both are open 24 hours. Make sure you have a credit or debit card on you for payment.Housekeeping
Light housekeeping comes by every other day of your stay at this time to remove trash and used towels. If you need anything before that, just ask Guest Services. You can put used linens in the provided laundry basket.Room Charging Privileges
For convenience, you can charge select Disneyland Resort shopping and dining purchases right to your room through the Disneyland app.Acorn Gifts & Goods
Located right in the lobby. The souvenir shop has MagicBands, drinks, snacks, diapers, sunscreen, toiletries, apparel, toys and more. Purchases can be charged to your room.
Dining Options at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disney's Grand Californian has a wide variety of dinning options. There's Californian 2 character dining options, room service, and a couple of bars. There’s also several restaurants nearby at Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Hotel.
Storytellers Café
Storytellers Café offers buffet breakfast, brunch, and dinner. During breakfast and brunch (Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet and Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Brunch Buffet), Disney characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Chip 'n' Dale appear. Dinner is also a buffet, but no characters are present. 
Napa Rose
This is the Grand Californian Hotel's most luxurious restaurant. Napa Rose is next door to Storytellers. Napa Rose offers both an a la carte menu and a Vintner’s Table Menu for dinner. The cuisine is wine-country inspired.In the mornings, Napa Rose offers a three-course Princess Breakfast Adventures character dining experience. Breakfast is $135 per person.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks
Hearthstone Lounge
Located just off the lobby. It offers light bites and small plates and light bites from noon until midnight each day. There’s also a full drinks menu. You don't need a reservation to eat here.
Grand Californian Hotel Craftsman Bar
This poolside bar and lounge is a fan favorite casual outside dining spot. It’s open for lunch and dinner. The menu features pizzas, poke bowls, and quesadillas. 
Grand Californian Hotel Craftsman Grill
GCH Craftsman Grill is located near the pool at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It serves a range of options, from artisanal pizzas to California fusion cuisine. You can get grab ‘n’ go foods, hot food from the grill, or order in person. Inside and outside seating are available. GCH Craftsman Grill also has self-service Coke Freestyle machines!Menu is are pretty similar to the Grand Californian Hotel Craftsman Bar menu, but instead of table service, you get it quick service.
Room Service
Room Service is available at this hotel for breakfast and in the evening. You can call room service or place a door hanger on your door with your order, and it’ll arrive at your specified time..You can also use a QR code to order food from select Downtown Disney restaurants and have it delivered to the lobby.If you have a morning when you are not rope-dropping, treat yourself and order Mickey waffles to eat in bed!
Note— It’s strongly recommended to snag a reservation prior to your trip if you want to dine at Napa Rose, Storytellers Café, or the GCH Craftsman Bar.
Overall Impression
In addition to having great on-site amenities and dining options, you'll be as close as possible to Disneyland's two theme parks. This is the absolute perfect hotel option for anyone traveling with little ones who might need an afternoon break. Being able to take an easy hotel break as needed to cool off in the pool, or for nap time is an absolute game changer.No bus and no long walk to get your tired kiddos back to the hotel at any point during your trip.Having a private entrance to Disney's California Adventure allows you to quickly get into the park to knock out big ticket attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy and Radiator Springs Racers. Having access to Early Entry as Disney resort hotel guests means you can maximize your time in the parks each day. Having that extra 30 minutes inside the parks goes a long way in helping you experience more rides without Genie+. Aside from the entrance to Disney’s California Adventure Park, you are right IN Downtown Disney. All of the food and shopping is right at your doorstep.The Grand Californian Hotel is without a doubt the best place to stay if in your budget.To book a stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, I recommend booking through Be Our Guest Vacations!
