Let’s Discuss the Booking Options at the Grand Californian

For the longest time, Disney Vacation Club members had only one choice when visiting Disneyland Resort. We could stay at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and we were all great with that option.

It’s not coincidental that Disney has named this property similarly to The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. With both properties, Disney has signaled that they’re exceptional, even by DVC’s lofty standards.

More recently, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel opened, doubling the hotel options at The Happiest Place on Earth. Due to its larger inventory, the Disneyland Hotel is easier to book. Still, many of us, me included, feel the Grand Californian justifies the extra effort.

Let’s discuss the room options at the Grand Californian to see whether you agree.

Let’s Talk about the Studios

The Studios at the Grand Californian pack a tremendous amount of utility into 379 square feet of space. Before we discuss the rooms, you should understand the hotel’s theme, though. Disney celebrates the American Craftsman look and style combined with Redwoods and other signature sites of the Golden State.

From a guest’s perspective, you should expect plenty of wood elements to decorate the room. Even the frames for the paintings are made of wood. In a touch I quite like, the coffee tables in the studios look like mini picnic tables. Disney is bringing the great outdoors of California into your hotel room.

Overall, the design will look familiar to you, just woodsy. Disney doesn’t forget about the Craftsman element, though. The first picture you’ll see when you enter a studio is of a classic Craftsman home akin to ones that Walt Disney and many Imagineers owned while making classic films.

Inside the room, you’ll find a queen-sized bed and a sofa that converts into a queen-sized sleeper. Right beside it is a wooden nightstand, which separates the bed from the sofa. A wooden dresser with a television entertainment center sits across the room from the bed and sofa.

On the two sides of the dresser/entertainment center, you’ll find a wooden table and chairs, a kitchenette, and cabinets that consist of – you guessed it – redwood elements. So, the theming here isn’t subtle, but it is immersive in that you feel like you’re visiting a national lodge overflowing with redwood trees.

Similarly, when you look out the window, the odds are good that you’re staring at a tree or two. That’s true for many rooms that don’t overlook Disney California Adventure.

Let’s Talk about the One-Bedroom Villas

When you have the extra points, I usually recommend splurging on a One-Bedroom Villa here. That’s because you more than double your space to 865 square feet. These rooms also sleep five, as opposed to four in the Studios. So, the Villas are better for larger traveling parties.

I admire the layout of these rooms as well. You walk into a combined kitchen/living room space. Importantly, it’s a full-sized kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. Since I don’t cook on vacation, the kitchenette is fine for my purposes, but for anyone who does, the Villa is a must. 

You’ll discover spacious seating at a long, wooden dining room table. Since the kitchen island lacks seating, there are also chairs on the table side, which makes your chef feel less crowded. The bar area does have stools to make up for the lack of them in the island area.

A sofa containing a queen-sized sleeper sits in the living room area. Across from the sofa, you should pay attention to the chest beneath the television. It isn’t an entertainment center like in the studio. Instead, it cleverly hides a pull-down kid-sized bed. 

As you head toward the bedroom, you’ll notice a full-sized washer and dryer and a full bathroom. This is the guest bathroom, which includes a lovely shower and décor. Still, I suspect everyone will fight for the master bathroom, which is more spacious and includes a shower bench and a pretty vanity. Note that the vanity only has one sink, though. The master bedroom has a king-sized bed and lots more redwood styling.

Let’s Talk about the Two- and Three-Bedroom Villas 

Should you prefer more bathroom space and a bathtub with jets, you’ll love the Two-Bedroom Villa. These rooms are about 50 percent larger than the One-Bedroom Villas. They cover 1,257 square feet and are the deluxe version of the One-Bedroom Villas.

In addition to the bathtub, you add two queen-sized beds, which allows you to sleep nine. These Villas contain more hangout space, including a couples retreat patio outside the master bedroom.

The two bedrooms are pretty similar in style, with the main difference of two beds as opposed to one. The room with the queen beds also has an exterior sitting area.

Still, you may desire an even larger Villa or just want to go ultra-deluxe during your vacation. If so, Disney happily fulfills your request with a Three-Bedroom Grand Villa. These suites are massive, covering 2,462 square feet and sleeping 12. 

You double the queen-sized beds from the Two-Bedroom Villa, giving you a grand total of four, plus the queen-sized sleeper sofa and a double-sized sleeper sofa. Disney has cleverly designed these rooms so you’ll have gathering spots, including an eight-person dining room table and a den with a couch and a loveseat. 

However, you can go up to the second floor and hang out in the entertainment room. It’s fantastic for watching TV, playing pool, and possibly enjoying a view of Disney California Adventure. The one thing to know is that two of the bedrooms on the second floor share a connecting bathroom. Then again, you probably travel with people you love and don’t mind.

Meanwhile, you’ll treasure the four balconies you’ll find in the three bedrooms and dining room. These are the best places to admire the Pixar Pal-A-Round and The Incredicoaster. In short, you’ll feel like Disneyland royalty when you book the Grand Villa.