Everything You Need to Know About Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

Of the three Disney-run hotels at the Disneyland Resort, the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is by far the most luxurious. Not only does it boast the closest proximity to the Parks but also includes several restaurants (both quick service and table service) and bars, a huge pool area, and a positively gorgeous lobby. The rooms are also a step above the other hotels at the Disneyland Resort. We’ll take a closer look at these offerings and more as we explore all the magic that the Grand Californian has to offer. Let’s get started!

The Look and Feel of the Grand Californian Hotel

The Grand Californian Hotel was built in the Craftsman style, a type of American architecture inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. The style, which is most prominent in California, is a fitting choice for this hotel given that it is so closely associated with Disney California Adventure.

The first thing that greets you when you enter the hotel is this set of stained glass sliding doors. Stained glass is used relatively frequently in the hotel’s decor, but we’ll have more on that in a moment. You’ll notice there are two specific icons on these doors, the Sequoia tree in the foreground and Disney California Adventure’s Grizzly Peak in the background. The former is featured prominently on Grand Californian Hotel merchandise.

Next, let’s talk about that magnificent lobby. It features a soaring ceiling that showcases the six stories of the hotel. Plus you can admire the hotel’s beauty from a number of comfy places to sit a spell and take in the ambiance. You’ll hear piano renditions of familiar Disney tunes and occasionally they are played by a live pianist at the lobby’s grand piano.

You’ll find several fireplace nooks on the property. One in the lobby is cozily furnished with rows of rocking chairs. You won’t want to leave!

There’s a fireplace nook outside as well. 

Comfy seating is plentiful. If you see a hallway on the first floor, the odds are good that there are chairs nearby.

Outside the hotel, the grounds are just as lovely as it is inside. The green spaces are filled with flowers while soothing instrumental music plays in the background.

There are several different motifs used in the Grand Californian’s design and decor. One of them is a bear. And while this may be a nod to the nearby Disney California attraction, Grizzly River Run, it may also reference California’s state animal, the Grizzly Bear. Decorative tiles featuring different bears can be seen at the Guest Registration area as well as near the Valet station.

Another motif is the sequoia tree, seen here on the wallpaper and the light fixture near the elevators.

The sliding doors at the hotel’s entrance are not the only place stained glass was incorporated into a design. Many of the outdoor lights make use of stained glass. This butterfly-themed light, for example, is located in the pool area.

The last motif guests will spot is a cameo of the mischievous duo, Chip and Dale. Their profiles can be seen in the carpet on floors with rooms. But they figure most prominently inside the guests’ rooms.

Accommodations

As one would expect from the most expensive hotel on property, the accommodations are more extravagant compared to the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel.

The room covered in this article is a club-level – standard view room, specifically room #6128. All of the non-suite rooms sleep up to five adults, regardless of whether or not they include club level. All rooms include a desk (not pictured) and drawers. This one also had a daybed (currently seen in its couch form) that features a painting of Bambi and his mother as well as a sleeper chair. One of the especially nice things about the beds, aside from being very soft and plush, is that the bed frame is high enough to store your luggage underneath.

This room’s bathroom had a shower with rain shower capability but you can also request a bathtub with rain shower capability. 

Rooms at the Grand Californian Hotel have balconies. If your room has a view of Disney California Adventure (this one did not), you might catch Cast Members preparing the Park for guests early in the morning.

Every room is equipped with a Keurig Coffee Maker and a selection of K-Cup pods. This is very handy for you coffee drinkers out there. 

The flat-screen TV has a channel that cycles through different informative slides, like one about ordering delivery from Downtown Disney (we’ll cover that more in a bit) and park hours.

Woodblock art with complimentary wall paintings frame the beds. In addition, adjustable lights hang nearby and there are plenty of outlets for charging devices near the bedside tables (and other places, too).

The subjects of the room’s art are not limited to merely Chip and Dale. There is also art that pays homage to the orange groves that once grew where Disneyland now stands. And then, there is this little beauty. The painting, which also incorporates the poppy (Calfornia’s state flower), harkens back to Walt sitting on a bench and watching his daughters ride the carousel in Griffith Park. The desire to enjoy the ride with his daughters is what inspired the concept of Disneyland.

And to top off the fanciness, there is a turndown service at night, complete with bedside chocolates.

There is also a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) wing at the hotel, the only DVC rooms in the entire Disneyland Resort (a DVC tower is currently under construction at the Disneyland Hotel). 

Dining at the Grand California Hotel

Storyteller’s Cafe (Reservations Recommended)

Storyteller’s Cafe is a popular choice for family dining. It has a charming storybook theme with art of book covers from titles like Scott O’Dell’s Island of the Blue Dolphin and Mark Twain’s The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Every book included is set in California.

This location used to be a buffet-style affair but since reopening, it has switched to a family-style dining experience. Guests can choose between breakfast and dinner options. Here is a look at the dinner:

Disneyland Storytellers Cafe Offers New Family-Style Dining

Starting July 22, character dining has returned to the restaurant for Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast. Reservations are open now!

Napa Rose (Reservations Recommended)

The most upscale dining location at the Grand Californian Hotel is Napa Rose. It offers a regional wine list worthy of a restaurant named for California’s wine country. The menu is filled with dishes crafted by chef Andrew Sutton. And for families with younger diners, there is also a kids menu. Keep in mind that, at press time, much of the Napa Rose Lounge has been converted to dining space. 

Hearthstone Lounge

Just off the lobby, you’ll find the Hearthstone Lounge. Along with a variety of alcoholic beverages, this venue also has a good mix of snacks to choose from. Some of the food items, like Garlic-Soy-Glazed Chicken Wings, can be found elsewhere but there are also dishes such as the Vanilla Creme Brûlée that warrant a visit, even if you are not a drinker.

Craftsman Bar (Reservations Recommended)

The Craftsman Bar is what you might consider as a “pool bar with a sprinkle of pixie dust.” Given its location, you would imagine it to be noisy, busy, and just generally overstimulating but it is really quite the opposite. The Craftsman Bar is one of the most laid-back dining experiences you will find on property. Beyond cocktails, it also boasts a rather eclectic menu that includes dishes that range from the artsy, such as their black truffle and charred cauliflower grilled cheese sandwich, to the classic, like their Margherita pizza. Their lunch and dinner menus  also feature a “hot dog of the month.”

Craftsman Grill

Unsurprisingly, the Craftsman Grill has a similar menu to the Craftsman Bar. It lacks the Bar’s alcohol options but makes up for it with a fun breakfast menu (get the biscuit french toast!) and the ability to mobile order food from the Disneyland app.

Delivery from Downtown Disney (Yes, you read that right!)

Speaking of mobile ordering food, Disneyland Resort hotel guests have the option to order food from several different restaurants in Downtown Disney to be delivered to the lobby of their hotel. The QR code that directs to the mobile ordering page is scattered all over the Grand Californian.

The participating restaurants are Earl of Sandwich, Naples Ristorante e Bar, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, and Tortilla Jo’s.

 

After choosing where you want to order food from, you then select which hotel you are staying at.

 

It is important to keep in mind that there may be a minimum order amount, as seen on this form for Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen. It has an order minimum of $50. There may not be a delivery fee but please be sure to save some cash to tip the delivery-person. 

Amenities and Perks

Entrances to Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney

One of the biggest perks of staying at the Grand Californian Hotel is its close proximity to Disney California Adventure. It is so close, in fact, that the hotel has its entrance into the theme park, which lets you in right near Grizzly River Run. Until 11am, this entrance is only available to guests of the Disneyland Resort hotels and you may be asked to show your room key. But after 11am, anybody with a ticket and park reservation can use it.

The hotel also has an entrance to Downtown Disney, which lets out between Sephora and the Disney Dress Shop.

Pools

Hotel guests can enjoy three different pools as well as several hot tubs. Pool servers hover around to take and deliver orders to pool-goers from Craftsman Grill’s menu.

There are two water slides, one bigger one (that looks like a Sequoia trunk) and another tiny one. They open a bit later than the rest of the pool.

You can also choose to rent a cabana or a round chaise lounge chair.

If you don’t want to pay the upcharge for these special rental spaces, there is still plenty of seating around the pool that doesn’t cost extra. 

Acorns Gifts & Goods

Acorns Gifts & Goods is the hotel’s gift shop. Beyond sundries like toothbrushes and sunscreen, it also stocks a good amount of merchandise created for the hotel.

As we already saw, Chip and Dale are a popular pair in the Grand Californian. Exclusive art featuring the pair appear on a women’s shirt, a mug, and a travel tumbler. There are also several different versions of plushes.

Want something less “cartoony?” There is also the more subtle raglan shirt and baseball cap.

Remember that Sequoia we saw on the sliding glass doors at the hotel entrance? You can take it home in the form of a decorative tile, ornament, or on several shirts (made by Tommy Bahama!).

If you were won over by the Craftsman Bar’s relaxing atmosphere, you might be interested in the stainless steel tumbler, baseball cap, and ringer tee that bare the watering hole’s logo.

There are larger versions of the H20+ shampoos, lotions, and soaps stocked in the hotel rooms along with a few other products from the company. And if you are tempted to take room’s luxurious robe home, you can buy one for yourself.

Since this is a Disney Vacation Club resort (there is a wing full of villas, in fact), the shop also has merchandise created especially for DVC members. There is even a themed Dooney & Bourke tote.

Given that being Disney California Adventure-adjacent is a one of the Grand Californian’s biggest perks, it is not surprising to see the store stock a few bits of merchandise for the park’s newest land, Avengers Campus.

Not only can you purchase Disney pins, you can trade them as well! There is a pin trading board at the register. You may need to ask the Cast Member to see it.

Eureka Fitness Center

As many say, “calories don’t count at Disney.” But in the event you want to work up a good sweat (aside from traversing the parks), the Eureka Fitness Center is the place to be.

The fitness center offers many different workout options, including weights, treadmills, and even Peloton bikes.

Conference Center 

In the hallway that leads to the Grand Californian’s entrance to Downtown Disney, you’ll spot the hotel’s conference center. The area is filled with ballrooms, meeting space, and flexible use facilities. This space has been used for different symposiums, weddings, events and such. 

The Veranda AKA The Concierge Lounge

If you are able to splurge, you really can’t go wrong with the Grand Californian Hotel’s concierge lounge, The Veranda. Open every day from 6:30am to 10pm, the lounge supplies different food spreads throughout the day (I especially recommend the Afternoon Tea and Grand Hours segments).

Here is a look at some of the offerings while I visited. Keep in mind that some of the items change out each day. For example, one morning had passionfruit beignets (super-tasty!) and the next has hazelnut chocolate beignets.

The Veranda also boasts a very upscale coffee machine. You can make lattes and macchiatos and have them in the lounge in a porcelain coffee cup or take it in a travel cup to go.

One of my favorite benefits for staying at the club level was the fireworks viewing. During my stay, I watched Mickey’s Mix Magic from the lounge’s balcony. The show’s music is piped in and the lounge’s lights are dimmed. And as an extra bonus, the show took place during the Sweet Endings dessert service. So not only did I not have to contend with crowds to see the fireworks (the projections are unfortunately out of view but I think it is a fair trade off) but I also got to partake in delicious desserts during the show. 

Coming Soon – The Tenaya Stone Spa

The last word in the name of the hotel “Grand Californian Hotel and Spa” is, well, “spa.” But there actually isn’t one currently available to guests. Located near the Craftsman Bar, what was previously the Mandara Spa will “soon” reopen as the Tenaya Stone Spa with an all-new interior. The Tenaya Spa takes its inspiration from the natural California landscape. We don’t have exact dates for the spa’s opening, unfortunately. However, there are currently job postings for Spa Attendants, so hopefully, those can be filled soon and the spa can open.

Let’s Hear from You

Have you ever stayed at the Grand Californian Hotel? Please leave your thoughts/rating for us below to help future travelers make a decision.

 

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