I stayed at Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa when it reopened - here's what it was like and how COVID changed things
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- Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa has the best location of Disneyland's 3 on-site hotels.
- Next to Downtown Disney and Californian Adventure, it's the most upscale and rooms have balconies.
- After closing for a year due to COVID, the resort reopened and I checked in to see what it was like.
I've lived in Southern California all my life and Disneyland has a special place in my heart. So being unable to visit as a result of COVID felt like a significant loss.
When it finally reopened this summer, I immediately made a reservation for my family to return to a favorite stay: Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa.
The Grand Californian was the first of the three Disneyland resort hotels to open. Since our stay, both Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotel have reopened as well. The Grand Californian is the most luxe of the three and the closest to the parks. It's quite large with 948 rooms and 50 two-bedroom villas and is also the priciest. Standard rooms start around $584 per night.
However, it might be well worth it if you plan to spend significant time at Disney's California Adventure, which is connected to the hotel. Guests of Grand Californian may bypass the incredibly long general admission line and walk right in. Similarly, the hotel has direct access to Downtown Disney, which leads into Disneyland.
I wasn't sure what to expect amid COVID. But Disney runs a notoriously tight ship, and although the stay was different from past visits, it was such a fantastic experience that we're already planning our next trip.
- The first impression
- The room
- On-site amenities
- What's nearby
- What others say
- What you need to know
- COVID-19 policies
- The bottom line
- Book Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa
Keep reading to see why I was so impressed by Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa.
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Nadine Jolie Courtney/Insider
It was evident that things were different from the first moment we pulled up to park. Valet was no longer an option and only self-parking was available.
Since my stay, however, valet was recently reintroduced, for $35 per night. Self-parking is $25 per night.
The entrance doors set the stage for the early 20th-century craftsman theme, with tall, colorful stained glass windows depicting a national park.
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Inside, the cavernous interior featured tiered wood balconies, golden lanterns, oversized floral arrangements, and subtle Chip 'n Dale theming (as well as, of course, those ubiquitous hidden Mickeys).
One of the lobby's highlights was a large alcove with seating arranged around a roaring fire. It's a hot ticket, so if you're looking to while away a few minutes and happen to find it unoccupied, snag a seat.
The main difference between now and the "before" times, however, were the masks. Unvaccinated guests are required to wear masks indoors — although vaccinated people can go without — while all the staff members we saw wore masks.
Considering that kids under 12 still aren't vaccinated, it gave me comfort to see so many people with face coverings indoors.
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Guests are encouraged to complete online check-in, which may be done five days prior to arrival.
I opted to do it in person as I wanted to see how it compared to previous visits. Luckily, there was no wait at all, though we did check-in during a quiet period.
Later on, I did see short lines, and the next morning, the front desk was very busy with guests checking out.
The check-in was quick and easy and the staff seemed thrilled to be welcoming us, offering directions and advice about how to navigate the new COVID-era resort experience.
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I initially booked in a Standard View King for $595, but chose to upgrade to a Premium View room, which had two Queen beds and a partial view of the pool complex for a total of $732 per night.
All rooms feature balconies and beds sit atop an open frame to allow for extra storage underneath.
During a previous stay in a similar room, there was a pull-down day bed, which our daughter loved. We were disappointed to find that our room didn't have this feature this time, even though they do exist in the category. When we requested a roll away bed instead, the hotel said it wasn't possible, so later that night she and I piled into a Queen bed together for a snuggle.
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There was also a dresser, a desk, mini-fridge, 55" smart TV, and Keurig coffeemaker. A charging station with several USB ports and outlets was located between the beds. The closet was smaller than average but came with bathrobes.
As you might expect from a Disney property, our room was spotlessly clean. The decor was surprisingly not overly child-centric. It was quite understated and in line with the outdoorsy lodge theme.
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The bathroom was not large but did have two sinks and a step stool, and came with Disney-branded H2O+ sea salt bath amenities.
There was a rain shower, which my husband and I appreciated, but made bathing our 1-year-old impractical. Given that it's a family-friendly resort, we would have preferred a tub.
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The fact that every room has a balcony or patio is an enormous plus — especially for parents crammed into a single room with their littles.
After we put the kids to bed, we were able to retire to the balcony with a glass of wine and cup of tea, slide the glass door shut, and enjoy some much-appreciated adult conversation.
Other room categories feature Downtown Disney views, Californian Adventure theme park views, rooftop, or parking views.
Because weather in Anaheim is pleasant year-round, there isn't really a low season, though rates are always more expensive during the summer and holidays when children aren't in school.
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Although each of the three Disneyland Resort hotels are open, they continue to be in a phased approach due to COVID. This means certain amenities, restaurants, and experiences may be closed.
Because restrictions remain so fluid, especially in California, it's best to check the Disneyland website for the most up-to-date information.
However, the Grand Californian has several bars and restaurants, and most are open. For breakfast, GCH Craftsman Grill offers quick-service dining and take-away, while guests can order a la carte at Storytellers Café. Pre-COVID, there was a buffet as well as character dining, but both were removed for the time being.
Storyteller's Cafe is extremely popular, so I highly recommend making reservations in advance — they can be booked online up to 60 days before your stay.
Additionally, the same Disneyland app that allows guests to order food within the theme parks may be used for dining reservations or to place orders at the hotel.
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Advance reservations are also a must if you wish to experience Napa Rose, the Grand Californian's upscale, signature-dining option.
By contrast, the poolside GCH Craftsman Bar and Hearthstone Lounge both accommodate walk-ins.
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The pool complex is one of the property's main draws. There are three pools to choose, and a large 90-foot waterslide winding around the stump of a Redwood tree that is the marquee attraction. There's also a much smaller mini-waterslide as well as numerous Jacuzzis. Poolside cabanas are available for a fee.
Because we were checking in just before dinner, we had no problem snagging several chairs in a quieter area.
Nadine Jolie Courtney/Insider
Currently, Tenaya Spa, Napa Rose Lounge, and the hotel's Club Lounge are still closed.
However, the Acorns Gifts & Goods shop is open, as is the 24-hour Eureka fitness center and the 24-hour laundry room.
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Of course, Disneyland is the main attraction here and the hotel's entrance faces directly onto the grounds of the California Adventure theme park. Many rooms even overlook it.
The hotel's proximity to Downtown Disney District is also a major plus, with its scores of restaurants and shops, plus entertainment like Splitsville Luxury Lanes bowling.
Further afield, Anaheim and its surrounding areas offer numerous other kid-approved spots, including Knott's Berry Farm theme park, Angel Stadium, the Honda Center (home to the NHL's Anaheim Ducks), a Medieval Times dinner show, and water park Great Wolf Lodge.
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A TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice 2021 award winner, Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa is ranked #38 of 128 hotels in Anaheim and has more than 5,161 reviews, averaging 4 stars, deemed "very good."
Many reviews praise the resort as being "magical" and "special." By contrast, negative reviews hone in on the diminished staff and the "frustrating" new systems put in place post-COVID, as well as the waitlists to eat at popular spots like Storytellers Café.
Reviews overwhelmingly praise the resort's location, with its proximity to California Adventure and entrance directly into the park "in less than five minutes" from the room a huge plus.
Read reviews, compare prices, and book on Trip Advisor.
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Who stays here: Families, multi-generational groups, and Disney-loving couples and singles
We like: The resort is still at reduced capacity, which gives comfort to those who are nervous about traveling with unvaccinated children. The hotel's waterslide is also a hit with parents and children alike: each member of my family rode it several times.
We love (don't miss this feature!): Because the Grand Californian is connected to California Adventure, guests may bypass an extremely long security line that all others must brave. This is probably the hotel's single biggest perk. It comes in handy for Disneyland, too as the hotel has an entrance directly into Downtown Disney, close to the Disneyland front gates.
We think you should know: Room service isn't available, housekeeping is only every other day, and bellhops won't deliver bags to your room unless you're there. Because service is slower than usual, this might mean (extremely) impatient children while waiting for your bags to be dropped off so you can finally explore the property, pools, or parks. We had to wait about 20 minutes for our bags. Additionally, perks like Magic Morning, Extra Magic Hour, and FASTPasses are not currently available.
We'd do this differently next time: Most of the complaints related to our trip were COVID-related and nothing we could change. Still, it would have been nice to do character dining at Storyteller's Café, or simply to enjoy multiple nights at the hotel for both more pool time and more park time.
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The resort is in a phased reopening with many COVID policies in place.
I felt that the Grand Californian's restrictions walked a fine line between providing extra comfort and safety without feeling overly intrusive. We were fine with the lack of housekeeping and room service, although if we were staying several nights it may have become a nuisance.
Mask usage was spotty: most children wore them, but adults were hit or miss and it is impossible to know whether everybody unmasked is actually vaccinated. Masks were non-existent by the pool and while dining, but this was consistent with CDC protocols.
On the whole, we felt comfortable because the resort was large enough to spread out and avoid other people.
Other policies include:
- Face coverings are required for unvaccinated guests (ages 2 and older) in indoor areas, except when dining.
- To enter a theme park, guests (ages 3 and older) need a valid ticket and a theme park reservation for the same day and park they want to visit. Theme park reservations are limited and subject to availability.
- Certain parks, hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings may be modified or unavailable, have limited capacity, and are subject to limited availability or closure, and park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.
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If you're planning a trip to Disneyland or California Adventure and want the added convenience of staying on property and skipping excess security lines, consider adding a stay at Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa.
With rates starting at $584 per night, Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa isn't the cheapest option near Disneyland and California Adventure, but it offers a fantastic — and, yes, magical — experience that adds more luster to an already special visit to the Happiest Place on Earth, even amid a global pandemic.
Book Disney's Grand Californian Resort & Spa starting at $584 per night
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