My wife and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this May with a cruise through the Caribbean and on our way back home we will be staying at the Grand Californian for one night and will be able to squeeze in an evening and morning at Disneyland (this happens to be the way our flights work). Never stayed at any Disney hotel before (my wife stayed as a child at the Disneyland Hotel 30+ years ago) - can anyone tell me what perks one can expect (if any, besides the obvious). We've been to the Park a number of times in the past and this will be our first time (since we were young) without the kids. Thanks for your help.

Congrats on your 25th! That is something to be very proud of! We stayed at the Grand Californian in 2003 and we enjoyed it, although I don't know that we would stay there again for financial reasons. For a special occassion I would say go for it. The hotel is beautiful. We found our room to be rather small and ordinary. We were expecting more, but it was still quiet and clean. Of course proximity to the parks is the biggest draw for me. And they do have some wonderful rooms with views. Definitely let the hotel know it is your 25th anniv. when you are booking.

Enjoy your stay and have a great time on your cruise. It sounds fab! :)

You know, I see a lot of people on here saying that the room is small??? I live in SF and have seen many hotel rooms when friends and family stay here and the ones in GC are quite big comparitively. Also they all have balconies making them FEEL bigger than they are. I have stayed in pricier hotels and cheaper hotels and the biggest difference to me is the bed. When I wake up in the morning in the GC I feel great having slept in a comfy bed!!!!

OK, that said...the biggest perk is that you are IN Disneyland (DCA to be specific) There is nothing better than leaving the park and getting to your hotel room lickety split!!!! Hanging out in the hotel is great and they have one of THE best cheese plates at NAPA ROSE!!!! You simply must try it and you can sit at the bar and enjoy it!!!!

Have fun and congrats!!!!

One benefit of staying at the Grand Californian (or any of the 3 Disney hotels) is that you get to participate in the Magic Mornings (Early Entry) every day it's offered, even if your ticket media doesn't provide for that.

You know, I see a lot of people on here saying that the room is small??? The rooms are small ;) Compared to most of the strip motels, the rooms are about 75-100 sf smaller. Compared to the Hojos, the rooms are about 100sf smaller. Compared to the Residence Inn, the rooms are about 200 sf smaller. Add on the price is about double to triple, for us, it is a major difference.

Most of the GCH hotel advantages are the obvious ones. The greatest advantage, of course, is the proximity. The pool area is lovely, there is drink service by the pool, there is great dining on site, and there are lovely bar areas. It is also fairly adult oriented, which would be nice for an anniversary. You can leave your bags with bell services on the way to the parks in the morning, and then when you are ready to go, just go to the check out counter and they'll get your bags for you and get you a cab right away.

You know, I see a lot of people on here saying that the room is small??? I live in SF and have seen many hotel rooms when friends and family stay here and the ones in GC are quite big comparitively. Also they all have balconies making them FEEL bigger than they are. I have stayed in pricier hotels and cheaper hotels and the biggest difference to me is the bed. When I wake up in the morning in the GC I feel great having slept in a comfy bed!!!!

OK, that said...the biggest perk is that you are IN Disneyland (DCA to be specific) There is nothing better than leaving the park and getting to your hotel room lickety split!!!! Hanging out in the hotel is great and they have one of THE best cheese plates at NAPA ROSE!!!! You simply must try it and you can sit at the bar and enjoy it!!!!

Have fun and congrats!!!!

I agree with some of that, above.

The balcony makes the room feel bigger on the Park View, and City Standard Side.

The Courtyard View (this past December) felt kind of closed in, and doesn't get too much sunlight.

I'm not a fan of the new beds, but I'm probably overly fussy about bedding. I feel GCH new beds are way too tall. You need a ladder to get in ! Also the beds in the double rooms take up way too much space.

The King rooms felt much roomier, and there's a small sofa, that isn't in the Doubles..... which adds a kind of a suite-like feel.

The ambience is the thing at the GCH, though. And, it really makes a difference and adds to the overall trip experience.

There normaly a tour of the hotel talking about Arts and Crafts movement. I have never gone on it, the timing was never right.

Also I have heard that there is an early morning power walk through DCA before it opens. I don't know how often that takes place.

And of course there is the special entrance to DCA.

I have heard that Napa Rose has a nice lounge area for a glass of wine and a cheese tray.

Congrats and enjoy!