What DVC Members Love About Grand Californian

For Disney Vacation Club Members looking to enjoy some magic on the West Coast, one Disneyland resort stands out – Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. With only 48 total units, this resort is the smallest Disney Vacation Club property, meaning it is very highly sought after at the seven-month booking window. Its craftsman architecture is just one of its features that continually attract guests visiting Disneyland Resort. Let’s explore the other reasons that guests have fallen in love with Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa!

Location

As many Disney Vacation Club Members (and realtors) will tell you, it’s all about location, location, location! While all Disney-owned hotels at Disneyland Resort are within walking distance of the park, Grand Californian has something a little special – its own entrance to Disney’s California Adventure. This perk drastically cuts down on guests’ wait times to enter the park (especially around rope drop), and offers a quick escape back to the hotel when it’s time to take a midday break.

Photo Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog

Dining

The cuisine at the Grand Californian is the perfect mix of West Coast-inspired dishes and classic comfort food. At each location, guests will find something for the most adventurous palette – or the pickiest eater.

Both GCH Craftsman Grill and GCH Craftsman Bar offer delicious poolside dishes and cocktails, so you don’t have to stray far from the water when it’s time to eat. The Craftsman Grill’s claim to fame are the signature Baked Nachos, featuring shredded beef or chicken, sliced jalapenos, queso fresco, and house-made salsa. At Craftsman Bar, we recommend the GCH Craftsman Coffee if you need a little pick-me-up (and some bourbon) or the California Crush Cocktail if you’re looking for something a little sweet and very refreshing.

Storytellers Café is an ideal spot for parties with a variety of tastes – because it’s a buffet! During breakfast and brunch, guests can enjoy their Mickey waffles with Mickey Mouse and some of his friends. Guests dining during the dinner service can feast on classic comfort foods, such as slow roasted prime rib and macaroni and cheese.

If cozying up to a fireplace with a good cocktail sounds like your idea of vacation, head to the Hearthstone Lounge. The lounge’s menu features classic appetizers, flatbread pizzas, and unique drinks like the Blackberry Bramble.

Finally, the hotel’s signature restaurant is Napa Rose. During breakfast, this restaurant serves a meal fit for royalty, Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures. Here guests can meet some of their favorite Disney Princesses, while enjoying breakfast classics. For dinner, Napa Rose offers an extensive wine list and elevated dishes, inspired by the flavors of California.

Tenaya Stone Spa

A favorite amenity for hotel guests is the Tenaya Stone Spa. This recently refurbished, 6,000 square feet facility offers a full range of services – from massages to facials to signature body treatments. The space is inspired by the natural beauty of California, mixing stone water features and rich wood interiors. Reservations for this rejuvenating experience are highly recommended.

Resort Activities

The Grand Californian boasts three pools – The Fountain, The Redwood, and The Mariposa. All three pools are open year-round, as they are kept heated to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Looking to add some thrills to your splash time? The Redwood offers a great waterslide! Guests needing special assistance accessing the pools can find chair lift devices at The Fountain and The Redwood Pools. For those looking to feel like a VIP poolside, both half- and full-day cabana rentals are available 60 days from your check-in date.

If you’re the type of guest who loves to get  workout in while you’re on vacation, the Grand Californian also has a great fitness center – Eureka Fitness Center. Cardio equipment includes treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers and stationery bikes. Weight-training guests will be especially happy to see several weight machines, as well as free weights, available for their use.

Have you stayed at the Grand Californian? Let us know your favorite thing(s) about this resort in the comments!

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