Last updated on May 29th, 2026
With average standard room rates starting at over $700 per night and frequently rising to over $1,100, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is easily the most expensive place to stay in Anaheim. But if you are looking for the most magical, memorable, and amenity-packed resort for your Disneyland vacation, it just might be worth the cost.
For many people – even frequent Disneyland visitors – staying at the Grand Californian is a bucket list experience. Featuring beautiful Craftsman-style architecture, upscale rooms, and an unbeatable location adjacent to Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure Park, the Grand Californian offers an elevated Disney vacation experience.
But as wonderful as it can be, Disney’s Grand Californian isn’t perfect.
Rather than write a traditional review of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, I’ve put together this list of 10 things to love and 5 things not-so-much – based on our personal experiences – about staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa to help you decide if splurging for a room at this hotel is worth the cost.
► Be sure to also check out this Complete Guide to Disneyland Hotels for a full breakdown of on-property Disney Resort Hotels and off-property nearby options.
10 Things to Love About Disney’s Grand Californian
1. Amazing Location
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel opened on January 2, 2001, just a few weeks before Disney California Adventure Park debuted on February 8, 2001. It was designed as the flagship hotel for Disneyland’s expansion, combining luxury, a prime location, and Disney storytelling into one immersive experience.
With all those things in mind, Disney’s Grand Californian was built to have direct access into DCA and Downtown Disney. This is truly its biggest draw and main justification for the resort’s high price tag. It is the only hotel with its own private entrance into Disney California Adventure Park, making it the closest lodging option to the parks. You can literally roll out of bed and be standing in the Grizzly Peak area of the park just a few minutes later.
You can also exit the hotel right into Downtown Disney. After a long park day, the ability to stroll straight back to your room – no trams or shuttles – is worth its weight in gold.
2. Stunning Craftsman-Style Architecture
The hotel itself is an attraction.
Inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, the wood-beamed lobby, stone hearth with roaring fireplace, and rich details will immerse you in a warm and cozy atmosphere. The hotel’s architecture – particularly its impressive lobby – is designed to feel like you’re inside one of the great lodges in a National Park.
Families often find themselves lingering in the lobby just to enjoy live piano music and the crackling fireplace. If you happen to be visiting Disneyland at Christmas, the lobby is home to a soaring Christmas tree and real gingerbread house. I encourage you to visit even if you are not staying there!
3. Comfortable Guest Rooms
The rooms at the Grand Californian combine elegance with comfort. The beds are plush and comfortable, the bathrooms big, and touches of Disney theming – like hidden Mickeys in the carpet and Chip and Dale artwork – are subtle but special.
Every room at this hotel comes with a furnished balcony, which is something you won’t find at either of the other on-property Disney Resort hotels. Of course, your view will vary. The better the view, the higher the room rate.
Little kids probably won’t find the room décor as exciting as rooms at the Disneyland Hotel (headboards that light up with fireworks) or Pixar Place (bright colors and familiar characters), but adults will appreciate the warm colors and subdued design.
If you book a room that allows you to see Disneyland’s fireworks from your balcony, you can enjoy it with the music piped in through your TV.
4. Seamless Disney Integration
Like the Disneyland Hotel, staying at the Grand Californian surrounds you with Disney touches everywhere. The hotel keeps the Disney magic alive even when you are not inside the parks.
Plus, when you download the Disneyland App (you’re going to need it for the parks anyway) you can take advantage of many great conveniences! Charge dining and shopping purchases to your room, make reservations right on your phone, and take advantage of Direct-to-Room Service when you check in. This will allow you to bypass the front desk and go straight to your hotel room, using your phone to unlock the door.
5. Impressive Pools & Recreation
While not as expansive and kid-friendly as the pools at the Disneyland Hotel, the Grand Californian features multiple pools, including one with a waterslide. There are also hot tubs and plenty of spaces to lounge and relax, all surrounded by lush landscaping that feels like a retreat from the parks.
GCH Craftsman Bar is located poolside and serves up casual bites and cocktails.
6. Exclusive Dining Experiences
Foodies staying at this hotel will not be disappointed. The Grand Californian has some of the best restaurants not just at the Disneyland Resort, but in all of Orange County.
Napa Rose is the resort’s signature fine dining location, offering wine-paired menus and seasonal cuisine. I wish I could say that I have eaten there, but I have not! (Note: Napa Rose is temporarily closed for refurbishment and expected to reopen in early 2026.)
However, we have been to Storytellers Café many times and it is my favorite restaurant at the Grand Californian. Although it is best known for its character dining breakfast, we like going there for dinner because the buffet is excellent. They have the best corn chowder!
The resort also offers Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures, an upscale 3-course breakfast that also comes with encounters with some favorite Disney Princesses, but I think it is very expensive (currently $149) when you can enjoy the same food for the most part at Storytellers Café for less than half the price.
Also worth noting, staying at Disney’s Grand Californian puts you steps away from all the great restaurants in Downtown Disney. From quick service spots to fantastic full-service restaurants, there are many options! It is also great to be so close if you want to grab Starbucks or find a casual place to enjoy breakfast in Downtown Disney.
7. Luxury Amenities & Services
Whether you’re booking a treatment at the award-winning Tenaya Stone Spa, enjoying concierge-level service, or reserving a cabana by the pool, the hotel offers luxury with a Disney twist.
Little extras like character wake-up calls can turn an ordinary morning into something magical for kids.
Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, or just want to kick off your vacation with an added blast of Disney magic? With Disneyland Hotel In-Room Celebrations, it will look like some of your favorite Disney friends dropped by to celebrate your arrival! Create a personalized welcome experience right in your hotel room.
There are also special perks reserved just for guests at the Disneyland Resort hotels. For example, if you are visiting Disneyland at Halloween Time, you can stop by the front desk to sign up for the complimentary Halloween Time Treat Trail or watch the Halloween Screams fireworks show from a private rooftop deck for free.
8. Grand Lobby Atmosphere
The Grand Californian’s lobby is truly the heartbeat of this resort.
We talked about the lobby when we talked about the hotel’s architecture, but it’s worth another mention here! Expansive, themed lobbies are something Disney always gets right at their deluxe resorts. Just think of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, or Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World.
The soaring lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian is a gathering space where families unwind, kids play by the fireplace, and live piano music drifts through the air. During the holidays, the massive Christmas tree and gingerbread house display are showstoppers.
During our last visit, we were relaxing in the lobby and who should come romping through but Pluto himself! It was a fun surprise to see a Disney character make an appearance, and for the kids in the lobby it was an absolute treat.
9. Fun Fitness Classes
Among the many fitness classes offered at the three Disneyland Resort hotels, there are some truly special classes you can take when staying at the Grand Californian.
I signed up for the Power Walking Workout in Disney California Adventure Park a while back. It used to be free for hotel guests, but there is now (unfortunately) a fee. Regardless, it is a great way to kick off the day with an energizing walk through Disney California Adventure before it opens in the morning.
The walk is a fast-paced two-mile loop. It begins at 6 a.m. and requires all guests to be able to keep a 15-minute mile pace. Some other very cool fitness class options include:
- Sunrise Yoga in Disneyland Park – a morning yoga session at the park before it opens
- Adventure Boot Camp – a high-intensity workout at DCA before the park opens
- Paddleboard Yoga – Floating workout combining cardio and strength exercises at the Fountain Pool at Disney Grand California Hotel & Spa
- Yoga in the Redwood Creek – Yoga class at DCA designed to connect with nature through a unique blend of soothing sounds and imagery
- Avengers Recruits Fitness Challenge – An action-packed class held in Avengers Campus and featuring a mix of Super Hero-inspired exercises and challenges
There are many more unique fitness class options! Here is a full list of Fitness Centers and Activities at the Disneyland Resorts.
10. Theme Park Perks
Guests of Disney’s Grand Californian (as well as the other two Disney hotels – Pixar Place and the Disneyland Hotel) receive one Lightning Lane entry per person registered to your room for a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction during your stay. (This is a downgrade for sure from the previous early entry perk!)
5 Things to Hate About Disney’s Grand Californian
1. Extremely High Room Rates
The Grand Californian is easily the most expensive hotel in Anaheim. While the perks of staying so close to the parks are a draw, tor many families, the hefty price tag makes it hard to justify compared to other nearby hotels.
2. The Hotel Can Get Crowded…
Because of its popularity and proximity to the theme parks, Disney’s Grand Californian can draw big crowds of people not even staying at the hotel, especially when the hotel is decorated for Christmas. (I am guilty of this!)
This makes the lobby seating area crowded at times, and fills up the hotel’s restaurants, too. The restaurants are excellent, but they’re also in high demand. Without an advance dining reservation, it can be nearly impossible to get a table at Storytellers Café or Napa Rose.
3. …And Noisy
When you have a hotel room that overlooks a theme park, things can get noisy. Some people might love the idea of a roller coaster or monorail zipping past your balcony; for others it is a deterrent. These are things you need to consider before booking a room.
The same goes for rooms overlooking Downtown Disney. With the theme parks, restaurants, and bars open late, don’t expect a quiet, peaceful experience if you step out onto your balcony.
That said, I will note that rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian are pretty well insulated. When you are in your room with windows and doors closed, you’ll rarely hear noise from outside or your neighbors in the next room.
4. Rooms Can Feel Small for the Price
While beautifully designed, standard rooms can feel cramped if you’re traveling with kids or extra luggage. Families expecting large, suite-style accommodations may be disappointed given the cost. Afterall, you can get a full-on suite at other fancy hotels for about the same amount of money you’ll pay for a regular room at Disney’s Grand Californian.
5. Expensive Parking Fees
On top of those sky-high room rates, hotel guests must also pay for parking. If your family is driving in, this extra fee can be frustrating.
Disney recently raised its Disneyland parking rates across the board, including at the on-property hotels. Current overnight parking rates at Disney’s Grand Californian are $45 per night for self-parking and $75 for valet service.
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Final Thoughts: Is Staying at the Grand Californian Worth It?
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa delivers an experience that’s hard to beat: unparalleled location, luxury touches, and Disney magic around every corner. Add in all the perks and it’s clear why this hotel is the dream stay for many Disney fans.
That said, the steep nightly rates and extra fees make some families think twice.
If budget is less of a concern, the Grand Californian is the ultimate Disneyland Resort experience. For those seeking slightly more affordable luxury with equally magical touches, the Disneyland Hotel offers incredible pools, immersive theming, and many of the same perks in a slightly different style. When you compare the Disneyland Hotel vs Grand Californian, you’ll find lots of pros and cons to each.
And if you just want a clean, comfortable, affordable hotel near Disneyland to sleep, shower, and maybe relax a bit when you’re not out having fun at the parks, there are plenty of nearby hotels that fit the bill. Check out these hotels walking distance to Disneyland that are very close to the parks, but come at a fraction of the price.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- 1600 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim
- (714) 635-2300
- Read more Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel reviews on Tripadvisor
- Reserve a hotel and ticket package and save! View discount rates for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel from Get Away Today and use code CFT10 for an additional $10 savings!
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