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

All of it occurred so quick. The rope fell and the gang took off, every particular person seemingly sooner, 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 attempting to not stumble over any kids and virtually 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 figuring out I’d higher not be the explanation we’d have to attend in line for Radiator Springs Racers, one in all our favourite rides, I did my finest to hurry up.

We dwell beneath an hour from Anaheim, however usually solely make it to Disneyland about twice a 12 months. After we’re there, nevertheless, Alex treats a day on the parks like some kind of excessive, open-to-close problem. Don’t get me improper, I’m all the time 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, then again, 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, occasionally, 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 vary my footwear and seize a sweater. For Alex, it’s an immersive expertise which means we’ve got 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 Lodge & Spa, the place there are many perks we each love equally. A scorching 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 courses? We’ll stick round for a while within the solar for certain. However better of all is Veranda, the Ritz Carlton-like club-level lounge that comes with all-day food 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 biggest suites have three bedrooms and sleep between 10 and 13 adults. The smallest normal 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 timber, the balcony of our one-bedroom suite seemed 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 corresponding to stained glass home windows and fireplaces will be present in some suites. (El Capitan is a favourite.) Membership stage rooms include entry to the Veranda lounge; extra on that under.

Meals and Drink

Napa Rose is the resort’s high quality eating restaurant, ultimate for particular events or Disney date nights. Right here, you’ll be able to 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 Word: Napa Rose is present process renovations and can reopen in fall 2025.

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

Hearthstone Lounge looks like being in a comfortable, upscale nationwide park lodge, with a crackling fire and hearty dishes like brief 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 duplicate redwood tree stump) to the health courses taught on floating boards, to the cabanas. There’s additionally Eureka Health Heart with gymnasium gear and yoga courses (in Disney Ears Yoga, character equipment are key), and bootcamp courses are led by way of 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. Footage with the princesses are inspired, in fact.

The Spa

The serene, full-service Tenaya Stone Spa feels worlds away from the parks, although your masseuse might ask should 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 depart time to sit down within the leisure 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 Lodge & Spa has each wheelchair-accessible and hearing-accessible rooms, bookable on request. There are accessible journey paths into the foyer, parking zone, eating places, outlets, and assembly rooms. Company with listening to or speech disabilities may ask for Teletypewriter (TTY) gadgets at check-in. Disney recommends utilizing ScooterBug to lease wheelchairs and mobility scooters, which will be preordered and delivered to the resort.

Location

The resort is positioned on Disneyland Resort grounds and affords quick access to each parks and Downtown Disney’s eating, purchasing, and leisure. It additionally has its personal entrance to Disney California Journey Park, which is beneath building by way of mid-Could. (Throughout this time, friends can use an alternate gate subsequent to the resort.) The Grand Californian additionally has its personal 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.

Methods to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Though it should price you additional up entrance, one of the best ways to get essentially the most out of your keep is to ebook a Membership Stage room, which comes with entry to the Veranda lounge. Disney clearly marks which rooms are thought of Membership Stage on the resort’s web site. Once I tried on the web site for a number of spring dates, I discovered that deciding on membership stage added about $500 to the nightly worth, however it might probably run larger.

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, positioned on the sixth ground, hosts meals and drinks from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. each 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.

By way of 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 Lodge & Spa begin from $597.

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