What It is Prefer to Keep at Disneyland’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa

All of it occurred so quick. The rope fell and the gang took off, every particular person seemingly quicker, taller, or extra ready than me. My husband, Alex, along with his lengthy legs and razor-sharp willpower to get to Automobiles Land first, was amongst them. In the meantime, there I used to be, within the Mickey gear he picked out for me, falling behind whereas making an attempt to not stumble over any kids and nearly shedding sight of him if not for his Goofy-themed Hawaiian shirt.

I used to be nonetheless bleary-eyed and chilly, the Southern California solar not but excessive sufficient within the sky to heat the streets of Disneyland’s California Journey park—however realizing I’d higher not be the explanation we’d have to attend in line for Radiator Springs Racers, one in every of our favourite rides, I did my finest to hurry up.

We stay below an hour from Anaheim, however usually solely make it to Disneyland about twice a 12 months. Once we’re there, nonetheless, Alex treats a day on the parks like some kind of excessive, open-to-close problem. Don’t get me incorrect, I’m at all times excited to be alongside for the journey, however I grew up slowly herding my three youthful sisters round Disneyland, and the phrases “rope drop” meant nothing to me till I met Alex. He, alternatively, grew up flying to Orlando from the UK for 2 full weeks of continuous theme park motion at a time.

All of that is to say, every so often, we wish to deal with ourselves to a sleepover on the Happiest Place on Earth. For me, it’s comforting to know I can hit the pillow as quickly because the park closes (as a result of by now you understand we’re squeezing in another spin on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance earlier than the gates shut for the night time), or pop again to my room to alter my sneakers and seize a sweater. For Alex, it’s an immersive expertise meaning we now have early entry and may make absolutely the most of our Disney time.

Our Disneyland resort of selection is the Yosemite Nationwide Park—themed Grand Californian Resort & Spa, the place there are many perks we each love equally. A sizzling stone therapeutic massage with classical Disney covers enjoying softly within the background? Sure, please. A premium wine pairing with a rack of lamb or filet mignon? Signal us up. Swimming pools with a waterslide and floating train lessons? We’ll stick round for a while within the solar for positive. However better of all is Veranda, the Ritz Carlton-like club-level lounge that comes with all-day foods and drinks service and indoor-outdoor seating. The setup is so attractive, we even left the park early one night time to sit down with a glass of wine and a VIP view of the fireworks. (It was Alex’s concept, I swear.)

The Rooms

The resort has greater than 900 rooms, together with 44 suites, all designed with households in thoughts. The most important suites have three bedrooms and sleep between 10 and 13 adults. The smallest customary rooms can nonetheless sleep as much as 5. There are alternatives with views of the park, the pool, the courtyard, and Downtown Disney. Past the bushes, the balcony of our one-bedroom suite regarded out at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! (previously the Tower of Terror). Wooden and stone accents carry the nationwide park vibe all through, and extra on-theme particulars comparable to stained glass home windows and fireplaces might be present in some suites. (El Capitan is a favourite.) Membership stage rooms include entry to the Veranda lounge; extra on that beneath.

Meals and Drink

Napa Rose is the resort’s advantageous eating restaurant, excellent for particular events or Disney date nights. Right here, you may style seasonal California flavors in dishes like charred Pacific ahi tuna crudo, wild boar ragout, agnolotti crammed with braised greens, and maple leaf duck breast. A price-fixed menu and a number of wine pairing choices can be found. Editor’s Observe: Napa Rose is present process renovations and can reopen in fall 2025.

Storytellers Cafe is known for its character breakfasts, however you may hit the buffet there for each meal if you wish to. Beginning Could 16, they’ll even be a part of you for dinner at Donald’s Tales of Journey Dinner Buffet, the place you may meet Donald, Daisy, Clarabelle, Goofy, or Pluto whereas consuming prime rib, fried hen, s’mores bread pudding, and extra.

Hearthstone Lounge seems like being in a comfortable, upscale nationwide park lodge, with a crackling fire and hearty dishes like quick rib lasagna and truffle mac and cheese.

GCH Craftsman Bar serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks poolside—and often with sports activities on TV. If a pre-park drink is your fashion, that is your spot for morning cocktails, be it a bloody Mary, mimosa, or the favored Grand Candied Orange Espresso with brandy and Kahlua. GCH Craftsman Grill is the place for grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and extra.

Actions and Experiences

The resort’s three swimming pools are filled with motion, from the waterslide (which twists round a reproduction redwood tree stump) to the health lessons taught on floating boards, to the cabanas. There’s additionally Eureka Health Middle with health club tools and yoga lessons (in Disney Ears Yoga, character equipment are key), and bootcamp lessons are led via Disney California Journey park earlier than it opens. Month-to-month occasions are held on the Nice Corridor, like Star Wars music night time in Could, and Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures, full with royal actions and Mickey waffles, are held within the Trillium Room. Photos with the princesses are inspired, after all.

The Spa

The serene, full-service Tenaya Stone Spa feels worlds away from the parks, although your masseuse might ask in the event you’d wish to hearken to Disney tunes whereas they work their magic. Attempt the Tenaya river stone therapeutic massage or the gemstone sparkle facial, with a diamond collagen masks, and go away time to sit down within the rest room with a cup of tea and marvel at the truth that you’re truly at Disneyland Resort and never on a spa getaway within the mountains.

Accessibility

Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa has each wheelchair-accessible and hearing-accessible rooms, bookable on request. There are accessible journey paths into the foyer, car parking zone, eating places, retailers, and assembly rooms. Visitors with listening to or speech disabilities also can ask for Teletypewriter (TTY) units at check-in. Disney recommends utilizing ScooterBug to lease wheelchairs and mobility scooters, which might be preordered and delivered to the resort.

Location

The resort is situated on Disneyland Resort grounds and affords quick access to each parks and Downtown Disney’s eating, procuring, and leisure. It additionally has its personal entrance to Disney California Journey Park, which is below building via mid-Could. (Throughout this time, friends can use an alternate gate subsequent to the resort.) The Grand Californian additionally has its personal car parking zone, which prices $40 per night time for self-parking and $70 per night time for valet. These coming simply to go to the eating places or spa can get three to 5 hours of free parking.

Tips on how to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Though it is going to price you additional up entrance, one of the best ways to get probably the most out of your keep is to e-book a Membership Degree room, which comes with entry to the Veranda lounge. Disney clearly marks which rooms are thought-about Membership Degree on the resort’s web site. Once I tried on the web site for a number of spring dates, I discovered that choosing membership stage added about $500 to the nightly value, however it could possibly run greater.

Each visitor on the reservation will get membership entry as much as the utmost occupancy, which is excessive, starting from 5 to 13 relying on the room. Veranda, situated on the sixth ground, hosts meals and drinks from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every single day, from breakfast, to afternoon tea, to appetizers, to desserts. Alcoholic drinks are additionally included. (Simply take into consideration what a meal for the household and some beers for the adults would price you contained in the parks, particularly over the span of some days. Then add snacks, late-night dessert cravings, and a glass of wine or two…). Some rooms are eligible so as to add membership entry at check-in, pending availability.

When it comes to park entry, friends of the resort with park passes get half-hour of early entry into both Disneyland Park or Disney California Journey Park, relying on the day of the week.

Nightly charges at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa begin from $597.

Each T+L resort assessment is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every resort chosen aligns with our core values.