Updated January 6, 2026
This resort is Disneyland’s premier property for a number of reasons.
Location is at the top of this list!
Let’s dive in to see what makes this hotel so popular with guests.
Who to book your trip with – at a discount!
Get Away Today, my preferred partner, offers this hotel at a discount throughout the year.
Check their pricing at this link.
You can bundle your hotel with discounted tickets for additional savings.
The Basic Scoop on all Disneyland Resort Hotels
All three Disneyland Resort hotels include…
- Rooms that sleep up to 5
- Wi-Fi
- In-room safe
- Heated pools – year round
- Exercise facility
- Balconies! Yay!
The Grand Californian Hotel Details
- Average cost: $800-900/night
- The main idea: The most luxurious of the three DLR options with easy access to the parks
- Rooms: Turn down service; plush robes; 745 total rooms and suites
- Location: Includes a Downtown Disney entrance; closest to the parks with immediate access to California Adventure
- View: Downtown Disney and California Adventure
- History: Built in 2001, this is Disney’s Flagship Hotel and was a big part of the large expansion with California Adventure
- Design: California craftsmen
- Pools: Main pool, Pool (with slides), Smaller pool, kiddie pool, hot tubs, private cabanas available
- Special Features: Forested courtyard; elaborate fireplace; scenic lobby; live music; storytelling
- Character dining: Storyteller’s Cafe for Mickey’s Tales of Adventure and Napa Rose for Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures (here’s all about character dining)
- Restaurants: Napa Rose; Storyteller’s Cafe; Craftsman Bar & Grill; Hearthstone Lounge
- Tenaya Stone Spa on-site
- 24 wheelchair friendly/handicapped accessible rooms
- Extras – includes access to the 6th floor viewing terrace for World of Color (swipe your room key to enter – 10 minutes prior to the show is usually sufficient for a good spot)
Room Photos
Resort and Pool Photos
Kids Activity Book
If you don’t see one in your room, go by Guest Services to ask for a child activity book.
It’s comes with a small pack of crayons and will help with keeping kids busy in their stroller or at a meal.
It looks like this….
What you shouldn’t miss
- Free World of Color viewing – Your valid room key allows you onto the Paradise View Terrace. Take the Mariposa elevators to the 6th floor to find it. Arrive a few minutes before the show one night in your pjs (with a cocktail if you wish!) for a unique view with no traffic back to your room. It’s fabulous! (Here’s video)
- Free Art of the Craft Tour – This free tour takes place in the afternoon Tuesday through Thursday at 2:00pm. Go by the Concierge desk before the tour to reserve your spot. Or just call the front desk. This tour takes you around the hotel sharing all about interesting design details. I could bore you for HOURS with what I know about this hotel’s design. I’ve done the tour many times and highly recommend it.
- Free Kids Activity Book (detailed above)
- One of my favorite quick service breakfast options – Craftsman Grill is the best quick service option on site. It’s had many great dishes over the years. I love this spot for breakfast, as they have Mickey waffles for kids and so many decadent dishes, including the best breakfast burrito at the Disneyland Resort, for adults. I share lots of them in this post.
Find even more tips and secrets about Disneyland Resort Hotels (including the secret outdoor patio at the Grand Californian Hotel) in this post.
Additional Resources
Planning a trip? Start with this post. It shares all sorts of basic planning info that will help you get organized.
Need discounted tickets and hotels? Check out my travel partner, Get Away Today. In business since 1990, they’re the absolute best with both pricing and service. This link takes you to them. Or you can call 855.GET.AWAY toll free.
***Use code DDaily for an additional $10 off when you book hotel and tickets
Let me know how I can help you plan!
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