The first time Nick & I visited the Disneyland Resort for our honeymoon in 2016, we stayed at Disney’s Paradise Pier Resort. Since there are only three Disneyland Area Resorts I thought it would be fun to knock out the last two on our next trip there for the D23 Expo in 2019.

We started our Disneyland get away with a night at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and on our last night we stayed at the Disneyland Resort! (You can read all about our stay at the Disneyland Resort here!)

Disney’s Grand Californian

This deluxe resort serves as the flagship resort for Disneyland Resort. In January, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa turned 20 — opening on six days before Disney California Adventure Park in the same year!

It was a part of the grand expansion for Disneyland Resort along with Disney California Adventure Park, and it fits right into the theming of DCA with its American Craftsmen style. Disney’s Grand Californian has been on my Disney Resort Bucket List since 2016, so getting to stay here for even one night was a dream come true.

Location

Disney’s Grand Californian is completely surrounded by the on-property magic, and that’s one of the biggest perks of splurging on a stay at this resort. If you’re staying here, you’ve got access to your own Downtown Disney District entrance and direct access to a back entrance of Disney California Adventure in the Grizzly Peak area. So whether you’re looking to do some late-night shopping and exploring in Downtown Disney or you’re interested in the quickest way to get into DCA, this resort is for you!

Resort Amenities

In addition to the great location, Disney’s Grand Californian also has great dining options, pools, and amenities for the whole family. We ate at Napa Rose for dinner during our stay, and the service was second to none! Our server was amazing, and truly made that meal one of the highlights of our time in California. Napa Rose features an extensive wine list paired with a signature dining experience.

Dinner at Napa Rose

Additional dining at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa includes Storytellers Cafe, GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill, Napa Rose Lounge, and Hearthstone Lounge. Click here to check out menus and reservation availability for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa dining!

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa also features three pools — the Fountain, Redwood, and Mariposa. Guests can rent poolside cabanas at both the Mariposa and the Fountain pools. If you’re keeping up with a workout schedule, this resort has got you covered. Their Eureka Fitness Center is equipped with any high-tech machines you’d need. Last but not least, the “spa” in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is coming soon! Once it’s open to the public, Tenaya Stone Spa will provide guests with a serene setting to relax on their vacation.

Rooms With A View

At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa there are a variety of room options and views. From Standard Level to Club Level and Suites, you’re in for an adventure no matter which room you choose! 

For our stay, we had a Downtown Disney View and we loved it. Having the ability to just sit on our balcony and people watch those enjoying the Downtown Disney District was a great way to end our night before bedtime. I’d have to say the next view on our bucket list would be a theme park view! Getting to wake up and go to sleep to views Disney California Adventure Park would truly be memorable.

Standard rooms feature either two queens or one king-size bed, and ours featured two queens. The theming fit right in with Disneyland’s history, blossoming orange trees! Hidden among the details, you’ll spot Chip and Dale playing in the branches. If your room has a sleeper bed, you’ll find some extra Disney artwork from Bambi, too!

Staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa really felt like the ultimate Disneyland area resort experience. It reminded me of staying right next to the magic at an EPCOT area resort back in Orlando, and I’d definitely love to experience this flagship resort again. 

With so many amenities and perks, it’s no wonder that this resort comes with a pretty big price tag! We were fortunate enough to find discounted rates for both the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which made splurging for one night each seem worth it in our book.

After only spending 24 hours soaking up this experience, I’d love to stay at least two nights on my next adventure at this resort! For now, I’m just grateful that I had this experience and the chance to knock all three Disneyland area resorts off of my list. 

*Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen once again with limited capacity on April 29, 2021!

Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa?