There’s one Disney Trip Membership resort that we completely adore, however haven’t but reviewed as a result of we’ve been not-so-patiently awaiting its long-overdue room renovations. With the up to date refurbishment calendar out and exhibiting that gained’t occur till 2025 on the earliest, it’s time for a fast have a look at the Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge (VGC) and whether or not it’s best to keep right here or on the new Villas at Disneyland Lodge.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge & Spa is, because the title suggests, situated on the flagship lodge overlooking Disney California Journey (DCA). Whereas the lodge itself opened with the DCA theme park, the DVC wing was an growth mission that began in 2007 and opened in 2009.
Our first Disneyland journey got here shortly after that, so I’ve no reminiscence of the lodge pre-VGC. Actually, I’ve a tough time even conceiving of it. Whereas most Disney Trip Membership wings are apparent expansions as they’re separate buildings with an obvious standalone high quality, the addition of the Villas at Grand Californian is pretty seamless. I imply, you may see the place it was added, however it feels and appears prefer it was at all times there. At the very least, to me, somebody who has solely been visiting because it was at all times there.
It undoubtedly helps that the DVC wing was designed by the late, nice Peter Dominick. If that title sounds acquainted, he was additionally the architect for Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge & Spa in addition to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World. The villas additionally replicate the identical California Arts & Crafts type of the principle lodge, which immerses company in a turn-of-the-Twentieth-century California Craftsman expertise.
The DVC wing is way smaller than the lodge itself in addition to most different Disney Trip Membership expansions. The unique Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge & Spa options 745 visitor rooms, together with 44 suites. With the addition of the growth wing, the lodge now presents 945 visitor rooms, together with 44 visitor suites, and 48 Disney Trip Membership two-bedroom equal trip villas.
These 48 villas embrace 23 Deluxe Studios (lock-offs), 23 1-Bedrooms (lock-offs), plus 23 devoted 2-Bed room items and a couple of Grand Villas. (We really had the prospect to tour one in all these spectacular Grand Villas a few years in the past because of a sort reader!) That makes for a complete most of 71 items, which remains to be small by Disney Trip Membership requirements. Between the low provide and excessive demand, the Villas at Grand Californian are fairly widespread with DVC members!
This property is in high-demand as a result of it presents the entire identical promoting factors on the Grand Californian, which is a fairly nice lodge. This can be a evaluation of the villas, particularly, so we’re not going to fixate on all of that. We’ll simply say that from the wealthy themed design and a spotlight to element to the personal entrance into DCA, the Grand Californian is unequalled.
The rooms within the villas versus the lodge are in all probability a reasonably large consideration for a lot of potential company, so let’s check out these…
The excellent news there’s that finally yr’s DVC Apartment Affiliation Assembly, Disney introduced plans for a prime to backside laborious items refurbishment of the Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian.
This was initially slated to occur final yr…then this yr…now it’s 2025. Right here’s hoping this isn’t delayed once more, as a result of this was overdue even a couple of years in the past. We love the Grand Californian and can keep within the previous rooms if it means not paying the lodge’s pricing, however they’re undoubtedly exhibiting their age–identical to Boulder Ridge at Wilderness Lodge previous to final yr’s reimagining.
Hopefully the idea takes thematic and stylistic components of the new-look GCH rooms–with a touch of Boulder Ridge–and combines that with the brand new Inova pull-down beds. That will be an enormous win.
Emulating the look of the wonderful new Boulder Ridge rooms could be an enormous win for the Villas at Grand Californian. These designs make important strides in space-saving design, whereas including progressive options just like the pull-down Murphy sleeper that’s someway each a cushty sofa and a cushty mattress.
These new rooms appear to be the end result of a whole lot of classes realized by DVC during the last decade–iterating on previous successes and disregarding previous failures–into one thing that coalesces completely. To that time, Disney Trip Membership has indicated that visitor satisfaction scores have elevated 20% amongst company who’ve stayed in new rooms.
Personally, I feel the present rooms at VGC are principally high quality. They’re previous and drained, to make certain, and missing the usability enhancements of their newer counterparts. There are apparent enhancements that may very well be made, however they’re not downright dangerous. On the plus aspect, they’ve thematic integrity.
I’d take the rooms on the Villas at Grand Californian over redone rooms from the 2016 to 2018 period (most of which are actually additionally being changed). These are superior from the attitude of performance, however function an aesthetic that’s attempting a bit too laborious to be stylish and classy.
They’re additionally missing in type and substance as in comparison with the latest rooms (like final yr’s replace at Boulder Ridge) as in comparison with the 2019 to current rooms. For my part, for this reason the VGC rooms are arguably the worst DVC rooms on the market–as a result of the present era of rooms are such an enchancment during the last one.
For my part, the Grand Californian ought to lean into its Arts & Crafts type with the 2025 reimagining. These rooms ought to have wealthy woods, lanterns, ornate particulars, and draw inspiration from the pure world. Visitors who don’t like that or dismiss it as “too rustic” (it’s actually not!) should purchase and keep elsewhere.
Making the whole lot trendy and “on pattern” additionally makes the whole lot bland and fewer distinct. Luckily, I don’t actually assume this occurred with the rooms on the lodge aspect of the Grand Californian and it additionally hasn’t occurred with the latest rooms at Wilderness Lodge.
The largest problem will likely be making the VGC rooms distinctly Craftsman–as it’s thematically totally different from Wilderness Lodge. Not dramatically so, however by sufficient that the Pacific Northwest-inspired rooms at Boulder Ridge could be very off on the Grand Californian.
I’m not too involved about this. The brand new DVC rooms from the previous couple of years have been wonderful, filled with particulars and little Easter Eggs. Previous to that, I’d’ve been apprehensive that Disney would’ve heard complaints in regards to the VGC rooms being “drab and dated” (as they undoubtedly have) by overcorrecting with sterile seems and overly shiny areas.
Now I’m rather more assured that they’ll thread the needle properly, updating the rooms whereas retaining the traits that make them particular. The woods, the headboards and the attractive paintings. Properly, perhaps not the very same artwork, however new items that marry traditional California with Disney characters. Once more, that’s what we noticed with Boulder Ridge, which was a really tasteful redo.
I just like the look and ambiance of the present Villas at Grand Californian rooms properly sufficient, at the least in idea. They’re cozy and cozy, a pleasant solution to decompress after a busy day within the parks. There’s a chilled sense to them–identical to the lodge as a complete (properly, when it’s not filled with folks) and the Arts & Crafts type.
Just like the properties in Pasadena, these rooms are enjoyable and lend themselves to indoor/outside residing. Sitting on the balcony or patio with a morning espresso or post-parks snack is a good way to unwind. You are feeling a world away from Disneyland, regardless of being within the coronary heart of all of it.
Once more, that’s in idea. The issue is that in particular person, that’s not precisely how the rooms current anymore. It’s troublesome to inform from the pictures, however the carpet is worn–as is the furnishings. We’ve stayed at VGC a couple of instances in as a few years, and had some espresso tables and couches that have been actually dinged up, and carpet that had noticeable put on and tear ‘paths’ in areas with extra site visitors.
Between that and staying in one of many brand-new rooms on the Villas at Disneyland Lodge, it’s clear how antiquated the rooms are at VGC. These pull-down beds and different little ‘high quality of life’ options all add up in mixture, and that sharp distinction makes these older rooms on the Grand Californian really feel much more drained and outdated.
Talking of which, should you’re attempting to determine between this and the Villas at Disneyland Lodge, try Grand Californian vs. Disneyland Lodge for a comparability (and distinction) of the promoting factors at every. That focuses on huge image stuff on the two lodges. That is primarily simply in regards to the rooms.
Whether or not the Villas at Disneyland Lodge or Villas at Grand Californian are best for you actually comes right down to how a lot newness and trendy luxurious matter to you. The rooms at VDH are very good and contemporary, providing each comfort and high quality company have come to anticipate.
The rooms at VGC are…not that. They’re for much less fussy vacationers who both need one thing calming or aren’t involved with the pretension of modernity. As a complete, the Grand Californian is clearly nicer, however it’s much less in-your-face. It’s refined luxurious for the subtle and discerning traveler.
Maybe extra to the purpose, the VGC is healthier for many who prioritize the resort as a complete over the rooms themselves. In nearly each different regard–from location to eating places–Grand Californian beats Disneyland Lodge. It’s the higher choice for many who care much less about rooms, and extra about the entire package deal.
Should you’re good with the extra mellow and earthy type of the present Villas at Grand Californian rooms, it’s a unbelievable choose. Having a kitchenette is nice, particularly when staying on the Grand Californian–the place you may order one of many scrumptious pizzas from GCH Craftsman Grill and save a part of it for leftovers to reheat.
Having your individual meals within the fridge can be helpful on the Grand Californian, usually, as you’re so near the parks and may simply do a noon break to have wholesome snacks–or perhaps a full breakfast or dinner within the room, should you so desired.
Staying within the Villas at Grand Californian studio rooms can be the most affordable solution to keep on the Grand Californian, whether or not which means utilizing your individual membership or saving cash by renting DVC factors. That is far and away our favourite of the three Motels of Disneyland Resort, and that’s true whether or not you’re staying within the older villas or newer lodge rooms. (Proper now, we’d undoubtedly take the latter if cash is not any difficulty, however it clearly is for lots of company!) See our our Grand Californian Lodge & Spa Assessment for an outline of facilities, why we adore it a lot, and many others.
After spending a whole lot of time on the Grand Californian, notably its frequent areas, I’ve come to actually recognize the resort. It’s like a mixture between Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Floridian: it has a way of cozy and earthiness like Wilderness Lodge, however with a extra polished and stylish pedigree. It’s clearly a luxurious resort, however an inviting and extra casual one–very in line with California. Its stage of distinction is instantly obvious in its furnishings and Craftsman design. The ostensibly “rustic” look would possibly seem less-refined at first blush, however upon nearer inspection, that couldn’t be farther from the reality. I’ll in all probability at all times have the Walt Disney World “house” resort bias, however with every keep, the Grand Californian comes nearer to dethroning Wilderness Lodge.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Ideas for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Lodge Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your ideas on the Villas at Grand Californian? Have you ever stayed at each VGC and the Villas at Disneyland Lodge? Which do you like? What do you consider the rooms, each at present and the seemingly final result of the refurbishment? How would your evaluation differ from mine? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Different ideas or considerations? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
