TIPS

Ginger and Jay visit the
Arcadia Suite
by GingerJ

Seek out the Sun Gate
by chezp

A lovely, new outdoor observation deck is on the 6th floor of the new wing. The open-air, trellised pavilion overlooks Disney California Adventure and offers unobstructed views of the night sky, making it the perfect spot to watch Disney’s World of Color show. 

Check in your room for a daily “Grand Adventures” sheet with daily activities, such as The Grand Quest (a free family treasure hunt). Of particular interest is the free “Art of the Craft” guided tour. This daily walking tour points out the delightful details of the Arts and Crafts decor, as well as a few Hidden Mickeys. We recommend you do it early in your stay as it will help you appreciate the architecture and decor that much more. You can call 714-635-2300 in advance of your visit to get details. 

Take the time to fully explore this magnificent resort hotel. Look for the intricate Sun Gate (it leads to the pool) and the Moon Gate (which leads to Downtown Disney District). The Brisa Courtyard (see map on page 48) is a quiet retreat on a busy day—look up and you’ll see that the monorail passes above and through the hotel (Note that the courtyard is sometimes reserved for private parties). Inside, delightful sitting areas are all over the place. And be sure to catch some storytelling at the hearth or listen to the pianist in the Great Hall. 

The nightly turndown service from housekeeping is complimentary for all guests. You’ll be treated to little cards with sweet sayings and chocolate. 

Refillable mugs are no longer available at White Water Snacks, or anywhere else on Disneyland property, for that matter. 

Doing business? There’s 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a full-service business center (8:00 am–5:00 pm), and free wireless Internet throughout the hotel. 

Concierge-level guests have access to a staffed concierge lounge on the 6th floor of the main building, which offers a continental breakfast in the morning, wines and cheeses in the afternoon, and goodies throughout the day. You can view the fireworks from the concierge lounge, and the music is piped in. All rooms now sport DVD players, and concierge-level guests can borrow DVD titles from the lounge. 

The four themed Signature Suites (Arroyo, El Capitan, Arcadia, and Mount Whitney) are truly breathtaking. If we had the money, this is the first place we’d stay. If you can afford it, go for it! 

Still not convinced you should splurge for this hotel? Check out contributor Rebecca Oberg’s “Top 10 (Actually 13) Reasons to Stay at the Grand Californian Hotel” at http://www.passporter.com/articles/grand-californian-hotel-disneyland.asp.