Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

Let me start with the positives...location to California Adventure is amazing. It was raining and it was so nice to dart from the park back to the hotel and then return later. It is a very pretty hotel and it was clean. Room service was great and a nice treat! Now for the eh moments...We did a split stay between here and the Pixar Place and so we took advantage of the luggage transfer. Well, our luggage was forgotten, lost or misplaced and was not picked up or delivered...not sure exactly what happened, but we called Bell Services and after a few different conversations and about an hour and a half, a nice gentleman figured it out and delivered it to our room. We stayed at Christmas time and a family member had a gift delivered, but we were never told. A day or two later, our family asked if we got the gift and so we called the desk and they found it and told us we could come get it (it was a fruit edible arrangement so timeliness was important). This was how our experience went most of the stay...staff seemed annoyed, not friendly and in general dismissive. I was surprised as we love Disney and have stayed at 14 different Disney resorts. For the price of the stay and the reputation of this being a top tier resort, I expected more. When it was raining, the other Disneyland resorts had towels set up at the entrances...Grand Californian did not. All in all, this was definitely not worth the price tag...I would gladly pay less money and have a better experience at the Pixar Place or better yet, without the perk of early entry...save money and stay outside of the Disney bubble and have a better experience at one of the partner hotels located nearby.

We had a great overall stay. The location is fantastic to the parks and downtown disney. The pool slide was being repaired while we were there, so couldn't use, but we still had a great experience at the pool. The lounge chairs are very comfy and plentiful. Service at the pool was top notch. However, the hotel is very dated. They have maintained it well, but it is very much in need of a refresh to fully justify super high prices.

Over the years I have stayed at all 3 Disney properties and for sure this hotel is the best because of location and the gorgeous lobby. Disneyland hotel has better rooms (seem more high quality and more spacious with headboards that illuminate and play a song) But, even with that the location and refined beauty of the Grand will continue to bring me back. We had a partial Theme Park view and we were celebrating my cousin's bachelorette week from Thursday Feb 26 - March 1st. I did a half day at the pool which was pure perfection. Club sandwich and a mocktail to balance it all out. The hotel has a scent that I cannot get enough of - I think it's from the HVAC system and a proprietary scent. It's heavenly. I also noticed it at the Disneyland Hotel. The rooms themselves are basic but lovely with a super clean balcony to enjoy your morning coffee on. We could see the Goofy roller coaster and hear roars and laughter which was fun. Nightly turn down service was nice and staff even organized our bathroom sink area and rolled up our phone cords. Little touches like this was nice. Self parking was $45 per night and Valet option was $75 - steep so we opted for self park since we weren't leaving the hotel. My only complaint is that the rooms do not come with any bottled water so come prepared. Thankfully I suspected this and packed a bunch in my luggage. It was 95 degrees when we were there so hydration is essential. You can find a water station in the gym on site if need be. Over and over, if budget allows, I will continue to stay here. It is very expensive but again, if you can make it happen I say DO IT! Be sure to take time to smell the roses, enjoy the amenities like the pool and spa area and take a breather!

This review is for the Tenaya Stone Spa. I was staying at a neighboring hotel for a business trip and on my day off wanted a spa experience. I visited the spa at the Grand Californian twice over my stay. I received a 50 minute foot treatment and a 80 minute deep tissue massage. Overall the staff was professional, the facilities were impeccably clean, and the treatments were top notch. After visiting spas in Vegas and Northern California- I would say that I wish this spa was bigger in general. The locker room was tiny, and although had amenities like showers and a very enjoyable steam room- each time they brought a new guest in there was no privacy- because it was a slow day while I was visiting this did not take away from my experience, but if I can see that it would be an issue on a busier day. I would recommend this spa for treatments and their impeccable customer service and professionalism.

If you plan to power through as much of both parks as possible, this is the way to go. Also good if you have kids who need naps, multiple kids with varying energy levels, or adults who don't have the stamina to walk 20,000 steps in a day. And for us, it was good when we made the mistake of getting in a swinging gondola on the Mickey Mouse ferris wheel. Let's just say there's a reason they include barf bags for that ride. Yes, it's on the expensive side, and yes, it's not as spacious or modern as an Airbnb. But this is like paying for business class on a domestic flight. You know you don't need it, but if you're already splurging to take the family to Disney, why not splurge some more to make sure everyone doesn't have to walk so far?

An all time iconic hotel! The value for money isn’t quite up to par, but the rooms are clean, if not a bit outdated. You’re paying for the access, right on Downtown Disney and a private entrance to DCA makes this value feel a lot better. It’s a bit of an industrial sized operation, with a daunting reception but everything runs smoothly, and there were no hiccups. A trip to Disneyland with the Grand is the way to go.

First of all the staff are mostly all very friendly and I applaud them since they deal with a lot of people in a day. We paid about 1600usd per night in early January for a standard club level room. A few notes. You will never be recognized for staying many times, they always ask if it is your first time so they really do not care if you are a return guest or not nor do they check. You will never be upgraded, don't even bother hoping. The club level is nice but... it was severely crowded, they clearly needed more staff to help in the busy holiday season. Our room was not thoroughly cleaned. There was dust, finger prints and hair in a few areas that grossed me right out. I pulled out a tissue and it was wet, in fact the whole box was soaking wet, gross. I moved the couch a bit to fit my luggage and there was garbage under it. There used to be bottles of water for the coffee machine, nope no more. There used to be lots of amenities in the room including hand soaps and a loofah etc, no more. It is the most minimal now. The shower was not scrubbed properly, there was a lot of grime on the tile and hair all over. Club level appies need to change more often, for years it has been the same thing, this time around was the same two fried appies and the usual veggies, chips and dip, cold meats and cheese. It just needs more variety. My husband and I went out shopping during the day and came back, self parked and came up to the gate where there were about 15 people walking through, the guy at the gate was not checking keys but I pulled mine out anyway to be on it. The key reader wouldn't work and he gave me a hard time, made me stand there in the rain to try to get it to work while a bunch more people just walked on through. This guy was someone I almost made a formal complaint about. He was working Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 at about 3pm. This was ridiculous. The amount you pay at this hotel is really too much for what you get. The location is what sets it aside from others. I do enjoy Disney and coming to stay here for the ease of getting into the park but I am wondering if the price is worth it. To boot, our room was at the very end of the hall. Far away. This time around the magic was not there. Maybe everyone was exhausted from Christmas? I would say $1600 per night warrants top notch service. I would also say the club level needs more staff. They are building a new veranda but the front desk team could not tell me when it will be ready. All in all, this stay we were disappointed with the overall experience. I have stayed at the Westin down the road and for a quarter of the price you get a large room, new and clean with lots of amenities.

As if staying at the Grand California Hotel is not expensive already, the hotel now charges its overnight guests both a 15% Valet Parking Transient Tax equal to 15% of the valet parking charge of $75 or $11.25 and a Valet Tourism Improvement Tax equal to 2% or $1.50. So, to park your car overnight in valet at the hotel, you will pay a total of $88. The charge last year during November 2025 was simply a overnight valet charge of $75. No other taxes...

Have stayed here several times with my family and have found it increasingly difficult over the years to justify the expense of staying here. One of the few remaining factors that led us to stay here again was the soon to be discontinued early entry into the park. Disney’s decision is incredibly disappointing. The rides all three morning during early entry time into the park had lines and the crowds to enter were long so Disney’s assertion that few used the privilege seem somewhat suspect. Additionally early entry also gave guests of the hotel a leg up on packing rides in before the crowds took off. The new policy of providing one lighting lane for your entire stay is like a slap to the face. The standard hotel rooms are incredibly small and well worn, our housekeeping team was great though. Since our last stay they changed the fans in the bathroom to ones that run constantly, so if you can imagine a sound just below a refrigerator running, but running continuously during your stay it is rather annoying, especially at that price point. The hotel is also incredibly busy, from the many restaurants, people coming to view the lobby and guests from other hotels cutting through the lobby, it is loud and unappealing to linger long on the lobby area. It will get worse once the Pixar pier hotel entrance to California adventure is closed and everyone is rerouted through the hotel, and not to mention the long lines to get through security in the morning. Staff interactions were also mixed, several seem rather disinterested to be there, given the chaos in the lobby I don’t blame them, others were great, just wasn’t the immersive Disney bubble experience we felt when we first started staying there. Security guards into the park were also very much more short with guests, they have a lot on their plate, but short tempered employees seemed more prevalent this go around. There still are some good things, it’s the closest hotel so pretty easy to step out and take a break or change clothes if you get drenched on grizzly mountain and at least during our stay, they opened the security lines into downtown Disney well before the main gates so hotel guests were able to get to the front of the gates at Disneyland or California Adventure without much worry, but that privilege isn’t guaranteed. To get to the front of the line for security for when they opened at 6:45 during our stay we had to get there anywhere from 45 to 30 minutes in advance. But not sure these few perks really justify the cost. Overall an underwhelming experience, especially compared to the great stays we’ve had during equally busy periods of time. Without the early entry perk we may switch back to the Marriott with the water park across the street, bigger rooms and about half the price and it’s about the same distance away as the Disneyland Hotel.

Our stay at the Grand Californian was truly magical from the moment we walked in. The hotel is stunning — warm wood, beautiful details everywhere, and everything feels clean, cozy, and welcoming. It’s one of those places where you instantly relax. The rooms were spotless and felt like a peaceful escape after busy park days. One of the biggest perks for our family was having a private entrance straight into California Adventure. It made such a difference with kids. When they hit that “I’m done” moment in the afternoon, we could slip right back to the room for naps without trekking across the whole resort. That alone made the stay worth it. We also loved the pool area. There are options for every age — relaxing spaces for adults, fun areas for the kids, and plenty of room to unwind. It’s perfect for a mid-day break or a full “rest day” without ever leaving the hotel. The spa is beautiful too — calming, clean, and the perfect treat if you can sneak away for a little mom time. Overall, the Grand Californian feels luxurious but incredibly family-friendly. The atmosphere, convenience, and comfort made our trip smoother, happier, and so much easier with kids. We would absolutely stay here again.

Honestly the most disappointing hotel stay of the year. We travel a lot and have stayed at many off property hotels, everyone had told us about Grand Californian so we thought we should try it. What a complete joke of a hotel. Noise so bad it shook the headboards of our beds for almost 8 straight hours… front desk solution? Try ear plugs. We went to storybook cafe for character dining, waited over 75 mins and hadn’t seen half the characters, were told “too bad it can take up to 90 mins” (btw by the time we got our check and left it was past 90 mins and they still hadn’t show up. The hotel is super packed with people in every nook and cranny, it’s less a tranquil retreat as it is an extension of the park chaos. Do yourself a favor, save $300+ a night and stay across the way at the Westin. It’s a nicer property, with nicer amenities and less than 10 mins extra walk.

I want to give my complete unsponsored opinion about my stay and experience. Keeping in mind, this stay had been a bucket list item for me ever since the hotel opened. The Good: Convenience. Truthfully its about the only true benefit. Sure the lobby is beautiful, and the staff are A++. But just about everything falls flat when paying 600+ a night on a weeknight. The convenience of being able to walk straight in and out of Disney California Adventure is a HUGE benefit for families. The bad: The rooms are in desperate need for a renovation. If I'm paying 600+ a night the fixtures in the shower should be clean of grime and scaling and not have the water shoot in 50 different directions. While the bedding and entertainment are nice the bathroom and mini fridge need help. The mini fridge hardly keeps items cold so don't plan on keeping that can of beer or bottle of wine cold for a treat after a long day in the park. The "What the heck": Pricing. I get it, you're at Disney and they have you in a chokehold but come on. 14 bucks for a bottle of beer? I live 30 mins from New York City and have never seen that expensive of a bottle. Also, $70 per person for a breakfast buffet? Just because there are some characters walking around that is completely insane. Positive suggestions: reevaluate the menu and food options. This extends into Disneyland as well. Most kids have basic taste buds. Pasta, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken nuggs/grilled chicken, cheese pizza, etc. Sometimes as parents we don't want to fight another battle and just want a basic selection to choose from to get our kids some quick food. Also, what would it cost to have a bottle or two of complimentary water in the rooms. Most competitors do. Its a small gesture. Show a little value. Also, find a way to add a monorail stop. This would only add to the convenience level and drive more people to stay at this property. After a long 10+ hour marathon in the park it would be incredible to just hitch a ride to get back to the hotel.

This is outright one of Disney’s best resorts. Located next to Disney California Adventure, it’s a quant yet expansive resort with a large pool area, several dining options (Hearthstone Lounge, GCH Craftsman Grill, Storytellers Cafe, and Napa Rose) on top of room service, a three-pool pool area, fitness center, and spa. It also features access into Downtown Disney with Disneyland Park just a short walk away. Tips - Takeout is available at Hearthstone Lounge (bar drinks) and Craftsman Grill, which also features quick servicing dining. - You can many times join the walk-up list for GCH Craftsman Grill (table service), otherwise try to secure a reservation for other locations - Lounging in the lobby is a great rest option from the parks, which features a dessert and coffee bar (with some adult beverages)

I have stayed here a few times. And others should know. It’s only appeal is it’s connected to downtown Disney. Staff are great…but that’s it! Rooms are very dated even on the club level. Room service takes an hour. Club level Veranda Room for breakfast has no hot food except for bagels. Even a holiday inn does better than that. Security check to get into Downtown and into park from the hotel has a massive line in the mornings. It should be three times the size. Breakfast downstairs takes reservations only for the most part. They are not setup at all for the amount of people that come here. It’s that’s not a new situation.

The hotel staff were very accommodating. We asked for a microwave and they brought us one before we had even finished unpacking. Additionally, they went above and beyond to decorate our room during turn down because they knew that it was our daughter’s 6th birthday. Really fantastic effort. Park was super convenient for California adventure and also to Disney downtown and Disneyland. Pay attention to which days you get early admission as it’s different for each park. Only downside is the cost. Restaurants onsite, specifically the character breakfast was extremely overpriced. Breakfast for our family of 4 was over $250.

Rooms were clean and right on Disney California adventure park, easy access.

Ok so the elephant in the room here is the cost, we almost sold one of our kids organs to exchange AUD on a low rate to USD to pay for the 5 enjoyable nights here. Staff were wonderful, customer service was top notch and the magic was all there. All hotel staff were very kind to our kids that traded their pins, even the security guards were in on the action. We were here during Starwars week so it appears to have commanded a higher rate. We opted for the Downtown view room which was nice to watch the action but as others have mentioned it can be noisy, but the kids enjoyed it and would run out to the balcony to have a look. Early entry was the icing and we used those early entries to our full advantage, the park is essentially foot steps away from the hotel. Proximity of the hotel was also convenient for mid day breaks and sleeps for our younger family members. For those Australian's that have never visited, the security checks to go into the park can be more intrusive than what we experience at our domestic airports back home, its next level but i get it because of the constitution. I recommend a character meet breakfast, youll need to pay extra for it and dont expect your kids to finish their actual breakfast with all of Disney's greatest swinging by your table.

The hotel is very nice and extremely convenient when entering the parks, especially DCA. I would say that for the money the rooms should be better cared for. Our couch was frayed, the bathroom door sticks and the toilet rocks. There is live music every night which would be nice if it wasn’t so loud that you can’t hold a conversation with your dining partner and the music can be heard in the upper level rooms with the balcony doors closed. It’s actually really unpleasant. I’m not sure if I would spend the money to stay here again.

We’ve stayed at the Grand Californian many times but this was the first time that when we entered the room, our last name wasn’t on the tv screen. My daughter just turned 1 years old and we also purchased an in room celebration to make her birthday a special one and a small detail of the last name not on the screen is bothersome especially if your spending almost a thousand dollars per night. I talked to 3 different people to try and get the situation resolved and all 3 people told me a different story which was extremely frustrating. I was told it was a “computer glitch” to the WiFi needs to be reset in the room to we can reset it remotely without coming to the room and the issue never got resolved after being there for 5 days. May not be a big deal to some people but when you pay a premium price, I definitely want everything that I paid for.

Had another guest walk in our room while I was in the shower and wife was getting dressed. No call back from guest exp manager

The hotel located in Anaheim LA , 45 minutes from airport, it is a family friendly hotel with 5 swimming pools, the staff is friendly and helpful and it has private access to Adventure Park and downtown Disney

This is THE hotel to stay at in Disneyland! The location is fabulous, walkable to literally everything. We were a party of ten (with four children) and had a two bedroom suite. The room was spacious and beautiful with a view of the Grizzly River Run ride. We spent A LOT of time at the pool—perfect for our little ones and the food was AMAZING! The live music was SUCH a vibe! The pool chairs do fill up quickly but we got a table by the entrance every day. I have only one small (and petty) complaint— we stayed here four years ago and had access to the Verandah club, which is their club level lounge. For all 10 of us it was an extra $250 a night and we thought it was well worth it. This trip, the price was $880 and we couldn’t justify the price hike. Other than this, we really enjoyed our trip and will definitely be returning!!

My family and I visited the Grand Californian in July. While we've visited Disneyland many times this was actually our first stay at the hotel. First, it's a beautiful facility, a lodge-like oasis seemingly very far away from the heat/crowds at the park - but you're actually right in the middle of everything. This hotel provides awesome early access to the park unlike some of the other hotels. You get in at 7:30 and are literally walking around while the crew members are getting everything set up for the day. Very cool experience. Our room was spacious enough for four and included a couch/trundle bed larger enough for a child. It was also very quiet, spacious and cool. It overlooked downtown Disney and had a great view of the evening fireworks. It was also convenient to run down and grab food/shop/whatever. One other thing I've seen in the review that I wanted to help with; if you choose to self-park, the lot is across the street beside the Pixar place hotel. It's about a 5-minute walk from the front doors of the Californian to the lot. The valet team seemed awesome but if you prefer to self-park it's very convenient. Lastly, HUGE thank you to the housekeeping crew. We had an early flight and I left one of my favorite shirts in the room's closet. When we inquired about it, they had found it and the team were kind enough ship it to me a few days later. Really awesome.

We stayed at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel for two nights while visiting both Disneyland and California Adventure with our two kids. Previously, we stayed at the JW Marriott Anaheim, but this time we chose the Grand Californian mainly for its unbeatable location—especially since we were traveling with a toddler who still needed naps and went to bed early. The proximity was definitely the highlight: it’s only a 5–10 minute walk to the parks compared to 20 minutes from many other hotels. There’s also a direct entrance into California Adventure, just a 5-minute walk, but we only used it for re-entry in the afternoons and as it was not open for early morning rope drop, which was a little disappointing. The hotel itself has a beautiful grand lobby with warm wood details, and the staff were consistently friendly. My older son enjoyed the storytelling and movie activities, which were a nice touch. Our room, however, was fairly basic for the price. It was comfortable enough for two adults and two children, but definitely felt like the premium was for location rather than luxury. One downside was the in-room toiletries—their shampoo, body wash, and body lotion were very drying and not what I would expect from a hotel at this price point. Before our stay, I tried contacting the hotel several times to ask about late check-out, but wasn’t able to get through. In the end, I was happy to pay $149 to extend our stay until 5PM, which worked out perfectly with our midnight flight. We used the pools during our non-park day, and they were extremely crowded—busier than the parks themselves. We ordered lunch poolside, but the food was underwhelming and overpriced compared to what we found inside the parks. In hindsight, UberEats would have been a better option. On the plus side, the gym was large, air-conditioned, and nearly empty—I had it to myself for an hour aside from a couple of people refilling water bottles. One thing I overlooked when booking was checking which park offered early entry for hotel guests. During our stay, only California Adventure had early entry, not Disneyland. If I had known, I might have picked different dates to take advantage of both parks’ early access. Overall, despite some drawbacks, the Grand Californian’s location made our July visit much smoother. Being able to quickly return to the hotel to rest and cool off during the day was a huge benefit, especially with kids.

I am in love with the Grand Californian. I’m not sure what it is…everything is high quality and great service but the Disney VIBE is unbeatable. I’ve stayed at many many Disney resorts and there is just something about the Grand Californian that is ultimate magical. If you are a Disney nut and you can afford it, don’t even think about it and just book it. You won’t be disappointed. Location - access to DCA and Downtown Disney is the ultimate convenience. Pool area is fantastic and exactly what you would expect from this hotel. Our only disappointment was with the dining. When we visited, their kitchen was undergoing maintenance and their menu in every restaurant was very limited. That was too bad but the good news is there are lots of other options super close so it didn’t ruin our vacation. Counting down the days until our next visit…

We recently stayed at the Disney Grand Californian Hotel and Spa for 4 nights, and while there were certainly some positives, a few disappointing aspects kept this from being the five-star experience we expected for the extravagant price point they are charging families. On the plus side, the cast-members were consistently friendly, welcoming and eager to help. Their warm attitude added a lot to the overall atmosphere of the hotel. The location is incredibly convenient, being able to walk directly to the parks and back to our room for midday breaks in hot summer days was a big plus, especially with kids. HOWEVER, the condition of our room left much to be desired. For a room that costs over $1,000 a night, we expected a much higher standard of cleanliness and upkeep. The carpet was visibly soiled and frayed in multiple areas. The main overhead light (the one integrated into the crown molding) didn’t work at all, so we had to rely solely on the small bedside lamps for lighting. One of the bed duvets was completely torn down on one side, which was quite surprising given the hotel’s luxury branding. The Keurig machine was also unreliable, failing to work four out of five times we tried it. The bathroom stool had clusters of hair stuck to it, which raised immediate hygiene concerns. Overall, while the service and location were excellent, the room condition was far below what anyone should accept at this price point. Disney can—and should—do better to meet the expectations of guests paying these premium rates.

We stayed here for nearly a week in July 2025. The proximity to the parks and separate access to DCA are very handy, especially with young kids. Wish room was slightly larger, but overall an excellent stay.

This is just a wonderful warm resort, and the best jumping off point for a Disney vacation. Of course all folks need to decide abt price point - you’re paying at, near or even above true five star properties and there are plenty of very good four star options for less in the immediate area. I do think the hotel lobby in particular can feel as busy as an airport lounge, but you’re paying in part for a unique experience. Tip: I think most guests will prefer to be closer to that lobby (it’s a walk getting around the place) so do ask abt room location (we had a pool view room, I was taking my elderly father on holiday and while we didn’t get my first choice view of pool and DCA they did place us near enough to the lobby and I was happy). It’s a true resort: even squished a little between DCA and Downton Disney, the pool area and restaurants maintain the feel of a resort. The staff is to a person friendly. They go out of their way to be so. And I was most surprised by the room. They are not new, but I actually disagree with the claim they are too plain. I suppose it’s a matter of your taste. I liked the new rooms at the Grand Floridian in WDW, but these room are warm and full of wood. Smaller than some deluxe rooms at WDW, still very well laid out. The sofa was a little dated sure, but everything (everything - and I care abt this) felt clean, and the beds were terrific. We also had a larger balcony just bc we were at the end of the section so that was a joy for coffee in the morning. My biggest complaint would be again the crowds at times (and maybe when Napa Rose is back up that will make it less hectic), but I would spend on this location again. You don’t have to stay here to have an amazing Disney trip, and it’s less the location itself (which is incredible - I was able to let my dad nap every day, run to both parks and come back to get him to go back), than the special feeling of this place. I have stayed at her sister resorts — wilderness lodge and animal kingdom lodge — but this is probably my favorite. It’s just a special place. I actually take a little issue with the it’s not the Ritz/Four Seasons crowd. Of course it’s not! You’re staring at Disney. It’s a family resort, and it’s causal. But I have stayed at many of those properties around the world and this one is equally special in its own way, as a warm family resort. At times the crowds bothered me some, maybe there is something they can do abt the lobby crowds, but most of the time I just loved this property. I liked the rooms more than I thought, and the theming and the staff were better than I expected. It’s a special hotel experience and I would 10000% go back. If you’re a fan of Disney resorts, this is a great one and maybe the best one actually. Second tip: if you have a park hopper after 11am you really can easily cut through DCA to Disneyland via the dedicated entrance. You turn left as you come out and you are near the front gate in no time. Last tip: ride the rapids ride on the way out to hotel, you’re gonna get wet.

Beautiful hotel with excellent service and amenities connected to Disney’s California Adventure theme park and Downtown Disney. 10 min walk to Disneyland park. Gives you access to Early entry.

We recently visited Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for our daughter’s wedding—a momentous and deeply meaningful occasion for our family. While the hotel’s Craftsman-style architecture and prime location within the resort are undeniably impressive, the level of service we received did not reflect the standard one would expect from a property of this caliber, especially during such a significant life event. To begin, my wife and I were unable to check a small day bag at the bell desk—despite the fact that we were on property to host our daughter’s wedding and had spa appointments scheduled that afternoon. The bag contained a change of clothes for us to transition between the rehearsal, our spa visit, and the rehearsal dinner. Unfortunately, because we were not overnight guests, our request was declined. This inflexible policy, applied without regard to the context or nature of our visit, felt both impersonal and unnecessarily rigid. More disappointing, however, was the quality of service provided by the cast members assigned to the wedding itself. Those overseeing the ceremony and reception did not display the level of engagement, enthusiasm, or attentiveness we had hoped for. What should have been a joyful and seamless celebration often felt transactional and, at times, indifferent—far from the “Disney magic” that is so often promised. While the Grand Californian offers a stunning setting, the execution and service fell short—particularly given the importance of the event and the significant investment involved. We are grateful for the memories made with family and friends, but the hotel’s lack of flexibility and underwhelming support left us disappointed on what should have been an extraordinary day.

The reviews for this resort are really all over the map but I'm so glad I decided to stay here. This place is amazing! Absolutely impeccable service and cleanliness. The beds were extremely comfortable. One of the best things for our family of 5 was having the extra twin bed in the standard room. It's so hard to find a room that fits 5 people and usually when you do, you only get a sleeper sofa. Having a twin bed made it so everyone got a good night's sleep each night. The pools were wonderful, the restaurant near the pool served delicious food in a casual, inviting atmosphere. Having the direct entrance to California Adventure and nearby entrance to Disneyland were conveniences that made this hotel well worth it. You save so much time and hassle avoiding parking, shuttles, etc. Give the Grand Californian a try--you won't regret it!

OMG! Nicest hotel ive ever been too. Could not get enough of all the hidden disney details. Did not feel like we were completly just in Disneyland. It was the perfect combo of being so nice and still having that disney kick! Spa was to die for aboslolutly inlove with this hotel, easy access to the park and the firework show every night amazing! Would 100% recomend

I only attended a medical conference here so can speak to the upscale conference facilities, not the hotel rooms. Staff were engaging, helpful, and friendly. Enjoyed a lovely light lunch by the pool. Delightful venue and hotel with beautiful art everywhere!

I’ve stayed here numerous times and have always had excellent sleep, service, and amenities. The Disney cast members know how to make an incredible and unforgettable stay. The atmosphere here is exceptional. Possibly my favorite hotel ever!

This is literally the greatest hotel. It's beautiful and the proximity to the parks CANNOT be beat. The pool area is great. The service was FABULOUS. Housekeeping (mouse-keeping) was excellent including evening turn down service. This is truly Disney at its best. We will be back. If you are thinking about spending the extra money DO IT!!!!! We were booked at the DL Hotel and ended up switching last minute and I have ZERO regrets.

I come to Disneyland often and stay at the Disneyland Hotel. I decided to save up and try staying at the Grand Californian Hotel this time. I come here solo because my partner does not like Disney. However, based on the treatment I received at this hotel, I would not recommend it to solo travelers who are people of color. Because of this, I am pretty certain that if I brought my partner, who is not a person of color, we would have gotten completely different treatment. The Grand Californian Hotel is a wonderful hotel, with its amenities and access to the parks. Facility is clean, restaurants are great, spa is wonderful. What soured my experience was the poor customer service I received here, from the employees at check in, to the poolside employees, to the room service employees. I couldn't believe it since I just spent over 3K to stay here. Due to a reservation glitch from the third party reservation, the hotel could not locate my reservation and they were not able to give me a room until close to 5pm. That is fine- policy is policy. However, the employee was not welcoming and treated me as if I was trying to defraud the hotel. While at the check-in desk, I was treated differently and talked to differently than other people were getting treated right next to me. Not feeling welcomed at the front desk, I tried not to let it get to me by trying my luck at getting poolside service on a different day, and I was met with a similar attitude there. In the two days that I spent at the pool, a server never once actually took my order. Oh, I tried flagging some of them down several times, and was met with "oh, I'll send someone over to you", but it never happened. Meanwhile, people right next to me were getting served, and they were not people of color. I also experienced poor service in the room- service that I expected and paid for. Housekeeping services just didn't happen at all one day, and turn down service only happened one time during my stay. Again, when I called to request housekeeping service, I was met with "we'll send someone up", and it never happened. I ended up taking towels from a random cleaning cart in the hallway. I think I will keep to staying at the Disneyland Hotel, where if things happen to go wrong, I won't feel so bad because I didn't just drop thousands of dollars. I also experience a more welcoming environment there. I would stay at Grand Californian again, but I would be wary of booking through a third party now, and I would also probably not come by myself, as a solo woman of color.

We just returned from a fabulous trip to Disneyland Park. We went all out and stayed at the Disneyland Grand California…and it was worth every penny. We had booked a 3-bedroom suite and was met as we stepped off the shuttle by Flip who greeted us by name. He then whisked us off to Taline who took us directly to the concierge floor. We were checked in in the comfort of the lounge quickly, and as luck would have it our suite was ready. WE went to the room, changed had lunch then went down to the pool where we had booked a cabana for the day. Grandma Julie took excellent care of us and catered to our every need. I cannot say it enough that staying at one of the on-site properties is the way to go. No shuttles, parking, long walks!! Especially if the grandkids are still napping and the pool break was a nice diversion. We had opted for the meal package and it was both fabulous with a couple of “cons”. The convenience of it was great, the food for the most part was good and plentiful. We ate lunch there 4 days and the 4th day was the same sandwiches as the first. I feel they should at least have 4 different menus! The “dinner” meal is really not sufficient for adults. It was fine for us (grandma, grandpa) and the grandkids but the adult children went out for dinner each night. We especially enjoyed the beer and wine in the evening. I had a hard time justifying the cost when it was the same for our 3-year-old as it was for our 32-year-old son! With that said I would probably splurge on it again. Angelica and Karie (Chino) were our personal concierges (so it seemed). They answered all our questions, with knowledge and enthusiasm . If they didn’t know the answer, they found it out. We were treated like VIPs from the minute we stepped off the shuttle until we got back on. There was one issue that I brought to the attention of Karie and I felt it was taken care of before I even made it back to the room. At the Grand Californian the guests are the top priority as it should be a hotel of this caliber. We told our kids we are spending their inheritance on this trip but we all agreed it was top notch and we will absolutely do it again.

Perfect choice for a Disney getaway! We booked a Downtown Disney view and requested a high floor and king bed. I was beyond thrilled that all our requests were granted. Very nice room, comfortable beds, very clean and perfect for watching fireworks or enjoying the view of Downtown Disney. We were greeted with such friendly and magical cast members and absolutely loved it here!!

You pay a premium to stay at The Grand Californian but it is the perfect homebase for Disneyland, has the best location, and staying at a Disney property is worth it for the early entry perk. Being able to walk back to the room from the parks in minutes and to be able to rest and recharge at the Grand is amazing after long days at the parks. The rooms are comfortable and the pools are great for kids. We always stay for 3 nights which gives us an afternoon at the pool and dinner at Naples in Downtown Disney on arrival day, 1 day at each park, and then brunch at the hotel’s Storyteller’s Cafe on the last morning.

This was our second stay at the Grand Californian and we do love the convenience of being able to walk to the parks. It is especially nice after a water ride when we are soaking wet and want to zip back to our room to change- you can't beat the convenience! There were some major renovations during this last stay and with only one pool open, we were unable to get some pool time in, which was disappointing. They had an alternate entrance to the parks and it was not as convenient as the actual one we had used in the past, but even just walking through Downtown Disney is easy enough. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the bathroom is very nice, with a separate double sink area from the toilet and shower, so people can get ready without getting in each other's way. They have a convenient in-room fridge. Could it use some upgrades for the price? Yes, and it seems that is what they are doing. It's just a bit of a hassle during the process.

The thing that the grande California has is location, location, location. I stayed in March for a business event also. The rooms are average at best. Hotel definitely looks like it has not been updated in quite some time. I remember having to wait in my room for them to bring my luggage up to at least 45 minutes. The folks at the valet seem like they work pretty hard. The rest of the service definitely does not match the price you pay for this hotel. But they do have location. After you’re done in a long day at Disneyland you can walk back to your hotel from the park or go to Disney walk to have a great meal. I compare the grand California to the failed Acolyte series, they put out. It just needs to be better if it’s going to have the Disneyland name on it.

Prefacing this review with it was an Easter stay so it was busy. The Mix: Greeted at a gate where you need to give your name - and then proceeded to check in - there are 2 choices - self park and valet - with a 30 $ difference - so I went self park - bad choice. Upon saying "self park" the valet derisively told me I would have to park my car down the hill to the left then left and ONLY 20 mins he emphasized. I asked for luggage help as Im 56 with a back issue and my son had just pinched a nerve in his shoulder - it was one large piece and a backpack -the guy said "since you are self parking one of you should just take it while the other parks". Wow - far cry from a luxe experience. Check in WAY better and the front deck people were highly efficient and way more magical disney attitude - phew. We took our luggage (quite a ways to room) and were quite pleased with the theme park view especially knowing we would view World of Color (Note if you want Quiet DO NOT BOOK A THEME PARK VIEW - but we loved it. Ice machine - 3 separate tries - never worked. Called the service - in our stay it was never fixed and they cant bring you ice. Parking: self park is a LONG WAYS down the hill from resort crossing Disney drive (a busy intersection and then in this outside not great area. Its a 15 min plus journey from our room. Pay the extra 30. I had a very magical moment with customer service person Liz on the phone - again - she had "disney magic" and helped me get a robe so I would not have to purchase at store - and she was every bit the Disney magic we missed at the other stuff. Beds are comfy - rooms are getting a needed renovation right now but it was the weekend so no noise. Pool crowded but nice - bar at pool has an awesome espresso Martini with another magical bartender. We just got back from Disneyworld where we were at the waldorf astoria. The service there was amazing and we were in a suite. The price point was the same. We had just a standard room here. So for the price both of us were disappointed overall. At 1k a night - they can do better. I appreciated the very magical staff - and that made up for some but again when we checked out - we were told it was min 20 min wait plus for a bellman - so again we took it ourselves. The we waited in a line where we were ignored for a good 15 mins (along with the other people waiting) then it was another 10-15 finally getting someone. I would suggest having some staff that can "double up" as bellman during busier times - a note we left at a later check out and were told this was a better time to do this - I cant imagine how bad it is at actual check out time! I do want to say the bellman who got our luggage later that night was vey kind and attentive - and put our bag in the car for us. So at least we excited more gracefully. I debated the star rating - 5 star to some magical people - 1 star for the bell desk and valet (minus the last guy) and 3 stars for the room itself (but Im sure after updates a little better) and no ice machine (the closest one was 5 floors down - make a left then a right etc.) Ive had better rooms at the nearby Hilton and Hyatt Place.

None

Our recent stay at the Grand Californian (March 21–24) was deeply disappointing due to unexpected renovations and a lack of transparency. Upon arrival, we found that the only pool with a slide was closed—something our children had been looking forward to, but we weren’t informed beforehand. Dining was equally frustrating: Hearthstone Lounge had no children’s menu due to kitchen renovations, and Craftsman Bar’s stove was broken, leaving only a poke bowl and chips and salsa as meal options. At one point, we had to resort to ordering Domino’s—hardly what you expect from a luxury Disney resort. Even room service was severely limited, offering only cold breakfast items and a microwaved cup of oatmeal. To top it off, a glass of wine at Hearthstone Lounge was served in a plastic cup due to a glassware shortage. Disney is known for its high standards, but this experience did not reflect that. Had we been informed in advance, we could have planned accordingly, rather than paying a premium price for a subpar experience. Future guests deserve better transparency about ongoing renovations.

Just stayed at the Grand Californian for the weekend. We usually LOVE this hotel and would go back. Just be aware the pool area is completely under construction. The pool with slides that the kids usually love is completely closed off. As of leaving today there was only one useable pool. This is not listed anywhere on the website. It was a complete surprise to us when we arrived. Spring break is in full swing so surprising they would do this much work around this time. The staff was very gracious in trying to compensate us for the construction but definitely keep this in mind. I would book the Disneyland Hotel until construction is done. Definitely a misstep on Disney's part for not notifying guests of the lack of amenities especially when rooms are $700-$900 minimum during this time of year.

Wish I could give them six stars! Everything about our stay was PERFECT! Special shout out to Millena, who was so kind, patient, understanding, and helpful in our most stressful moment (flight cancelation) - thank you so much for going out of your way to help us to end on a high note. You’re the BEST!!

This has been a hotel we have been visiting for years. Of late the prices have increased an incredible amount while the service and experience has gone down greatly. Such a shame , I feel the magic has gone from this hotel that once was a true extension of the parks…

The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa We recently stayed at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for a special trip to celebrate my birthday. Overall, we had a great experience, but there were a few disappointments that kept it from being a perfect stay. The accommodations were fantastic—our room was clean, the beds were incredibly comfortable, and the staff was helpful and friendly throughout our stay. One issue we encountered was that only a few rooms have bathtubs, which we didn’t know in advance. Since my autistic 3-year-old is afraid of showers, we had to switch rooms the next day. Thankfully, the staff was very understanding and went above and beyond to make the transition smooth. Unfortunately, our kids got sick the first night, but again, the staff was amazing. They quickly helped us change the sheets and even allowed us to stay in our original room past 11 a.m. until the new room was ready. Their kindness and flexibility during a stressful situation made a big difference. However, there were some unexpected disappointments. One of the main reasons we splurged on this hotel was for the private entrance into Disney California Adventure, which was closed without any warning. This was a major letdown, especially since easy access to the park was a huge factor in our decision to stay here. Additionally, the pool with the slide was closed, which was a disappointment for our kids. We were also looking forward to dining at Storytellers Café, but it was relocated to a banquet room with a limited menu. While the food was still good, they didn’t mention ahead of time that the menu would be different, which was a bit of a letdown. Despite these setbacks, the overall experience was positive thanks to the outstanding service and comfortable accommodations. I would give the Grand Californian 4 stars and would consider staying again, but I’d definitely confirm what amenities will be available beforehand next time.

I’ve stayed at the Contemporary at Disney World and felt like this hotel should be comparable but was not. - bad water pressure - little hot water, and even at its hottest, it was never truly hot - shower in general was average - premium hotels at Universal, for example, have multiple shower heads to customize your shower - bedding is nothing different than a Hampton Inn - thin walls - terrible tv - when you get back from a long day in the parks, you might like to flop on the bed for a while and watch tv but your choices are almost laughably limited - requested connecting rooms months ahead of time, didn’t get it and didn’t even get close rooms - one room ready on time, the other room was 90 minutes late - lots of lobby seating but it’s not enough for the amount of people always in the lobby Every staff member we encountered was lovely. Having your own security line is immensely time saving. The early entry perk is nice. But for the price, it’s just not worth it. If this were a premium hotel, it still wouldn’t be worth it but I could justify it. But just the actual hotel itself, not considering the parks-related perks, this is not nearly up to par.

This was a bucket list resort for our family that didn’t live up to the expectations. I had booked a pool view room to accommodate 5 of us. They put us in a room that would only accommodate 4. After inquiring about being put in our requested room they stated they didn’t have the availability in our room class but could downgrade us voluntarily with no price adjustment. That wasn’t an acceptable solution to me. We were switched with the promise by management (Jaime)of a price adjustment only to not have that honored once we checked out. We absolutely needed to have a room that accommodated 5 as originally booked. Also, we were never informed that our last day visiting the park would also be void of the biggest reason for booking this hotel. The convenience of entering DCA from the hotel. If this is something that is motivating your booking the property they won’t have that option through May. How they are accommodating this I don’t know as it was never a conversation at check in. The rooms are just ok. For the price tag I would take Disneyland hotel over this. Grand Californian is nothing special sadly. The hallways smelled like a barn. The first room was small and tired and wouldn’t feel comfortable for two people much less four. A love seat that faces the bed. (Why ?) And a desk that is smack dab in the middle of the room that honestly just gets in the way. The set up is less than functional. The room we were switched to did what it needed to. We were told it would have scaffolding and no balcony access. We agreed with the promise of the difference of the price. Once we checked out they no longer cared. Which seems to be Disney’s attitude these days. Our family has visited World and Land since the 70’s throughout the years. Staying on property only. I don’t know why something always has to be lacking and a visit to the desk to stand and resolve it for an hour. I would have loved for the room to have been what we needed from the start. No trek back to the front desk. No negotiations to get us into a room we actually booked for a higher price tag. I would have really loved to have settled in after a long day of traveling and relaxed instead of that. Then I could have simply been disappointed that the bucket list item wasn’t what I had hoped it would be without the time involved trying to solve their mistake.

The lobby has become a sleeping spot for Park guests not staying here. I wrote to Guest Services and received NO response. Spoke with front desk and they smiled. This hotel is where thousands of Park visitors come to sleep on couches and eat and camp out and it’s crowded and loud and you can’t use these common areas if you stay here. The picture below was taken at 5PM. I hid their faces. I have never seen such a complete mess of a hotel lobby - it’s shocking.

Staff are very accomodating. Very close to the parks with early access if needed.

Enjoyed our stay, fabulous experience

Always a pleasure staying at The Grand. The bed did feel a bit more springy than usual, hence the 4 star rating. Would not deter another stay though

It was amazing!

The check in was smooth, the staff are great! Best time ever at the Disney Grad California Hotel!

For the amount of money it costs to stay here, I was disappointed. The rooms don’t live up to the hype. Very run of the mill and similar to a Holiday Inn. The grounds themselves and the lobby are spectacular, but the parking options are horrendous. $70 for valet or you can lug all of your stuff across the street to the end of the parking lot. Most of the days I stayed here, the lot was full so I had to park at Pixar place. Not convenient or close at all. The biggest perk in my opinion is being able to go right into California adventure and being so close to downtown disney.

Had great time only complaint would be not enough places to get coffee and also there are only two hot tubs available for everyone that stays there and it’s quite a bit so we were unable to use which is disappointing

Simply the best Disneyland Resort.

Its my favorite hotel during Christmas time

Best Customer Service! All employees were very friendly, helpful and went out of their way to assist you and answered all questions and provided information regarding location of shops, restaurants, in and round the property....etc.

Very Dated Property at a supe premium price. Lost luggage on arrival, waited 30 minute for luggage on departure. Staff's most common word is "NO"

Very Magical place

My granddaughter dream to stay at He Grand California Hotel nearest to Disneyland and California Adventure So this was her 5th Bday gift

3 rooms not ready at check in. Bag check line an hour long. Rooms available two hours late. No late check out available. Lost a half day just dealing with terrible operations.

The property is extremely nice and the staff is extremely helpful. Super convenient with easy access to the park.

Only bad thing about the stay was the fire alarms going off but minor inconvenience in what resulted in a fun trip.

This is a beautiful hotel and the staff is super friendly but for the price I was expecting more. I was traveling with a 5 year old and the noise from the piano and performer (though it sounded great) kept us up late into the night. Be sure and ask about your room location when you check in if you need to get a good night’s sleep or have an early flight.

All of the hotel staff were really welcoming and helpful. The room was nice and comfortable.

Great hotel! Pricey but so convenient for entry into California Adventure and Downtown Disney. Staff were friendly and very helpful.

It was a beautiful hotel; excellent service, and easy to enter both Disneyland and California Adventure without having to use the car for three days. It was however very expensive.

While our room was generally nice, we found strands of long hair in the shower (didn’t match our hair and didn’t belong to us). Restaurant staff at the hotel property were all super friendly as were valet. However, reception seemed stressed and short with us. It sort of took the magic and excitement out at the beginning of our weekend vacation. Glad Downtown Disney and the parks made up for it all did not disappoint. Next time, we might just stay at a different property.

It’s a classy hotel and very accommodating. I love this hotel and wish I could afford it all the time.

Beautiful hotel, great customer service, great location!! It’s certainly not cheap, but if you can manage to splurge this is the place to stay!

Will be staying here again in the future! Loved the in Hotel entrance to Disney California Adventure Park

I like it all! Wonderful staff , service, attention to detail.

Very welcoming

Our family always stay at the Grand California Hotel. We love it

Loved being able to walk in/out of Disney. Our little ones had a fantastic time at the pool.

Expensive

The staff is amazing! Sweet … smiling …helpful The furniture and carpets and over all wear is showing! The tree outside our window was dead as was a lot of the vegetation. We were excited for our green forest view. But we’re disappointed. The pool was nice but the music sounds like a dentist office or elevator. I understand that is conducive to the theme of the premises. Maybe instrumental Disney classics at the least. People around were commenting on it as well. The pool is a fun outdoor space. It didn’t make feel like you were at a Disney resort.

Great property at a super premium price. Lovely pools and excellent service. The disappointment is the food, which I’d expect to be fresher and higher quality. The food at Downtown Disney and in the parks is better.

Amazing stay! Staff was super friendly and professional. Being able to link hotel stay with park reservations add that extra touch.

It was very convenient to get to the parks and very quick.

I love the Disney hotel best please I ever stay.

Loved my stay

Everyone was very friendly, courteous and helpful! Beautiful property and comfortable rooms!

Our favorite Disney resort hands down. Connects to DCA and Downtown Disney district.

Amazing

Room was not worth the price. Dirty and poorly stocked. Additionally the evening staff were incredibly unhelpful and bell service was unreachable through the phone system.

For what is considered the best property at Disney this is a dated resort, completely dirty, not renovated and staff are clueless .

Really great option if you’re visiting the parks. Great pools, Restaraunt’s are solid, and super convenient.

The rooms were very noisy, you can hear all the conversations the neighbors are having

High price tag made worth it by the easy access to the parks and excellent customer service. Pools are a great escape from busy days at Disney.

This property is truly outstanding. Excellent service, immaculate, and thoughtfully designed for families. I love that the "two queen" rooms also have a large day bed. My very tall 15-year-olds slept there without complaint.

Highly recommend

Clean and safe property.

Excellent Disney stay, so comfortable and convenient for the parks! Don’t think we can stay elsewhere after this experience!

Amazing time with the grandkids. Will definitely stay again.

Location is convenient.