If you’re planning a Disneyland family vacation and searching for the perfect mix of luxury, location, and enchantment, look no further than Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Our stay at this premier Disneyland resort hotel exceeded expectations with exclusive park access, cozy accommodations, and family-friendly amenities that made our trip unforgettable.

Unbeatable Location and Exclusive Park Access

When we stayed at the Grand Californian Hotel, which is the closest hotel to both Disneyland Resort parks, we had such an amazing time. Upon arrival, Bell Services promptly helped us with our bags. We opted for self-parking, located conveniently across the street. Walking into the grand lobby, the rustic elegance and welcoming fireplace set the tone for a cozy January escape.

Pro Tip: The fireplace rocking chairs in the lobby are perfect for unwinding after a long park day.

One of the biggest perks of staying at the Grand Californian Hotel is its location—literally steps from Disney California Adventure Park. This is the only hotel that offers easy park entrance access, allowing guests to skip the lines and get more magic out of each day. We loves this exclusive benefit as it allowed us to maximize our time in the parks and made it easy to return to the hotel for midday breaks or quick changes.​

Accommodations Tailored for Families

The Grand Californian Hotel is known to be one of the most expensive hotels in the Disneyland Park Resort area. You can book the hotel on the Disneyland website as well as most travel websites.

The hotel is a top-tier choice for families, especially when booking via Disney Vacation Club (DVC) point rentals. Instead of paying full price, we saved nearly 50% by booking through David’s Vacation Club Rentals, which made this luxury stay more budget-friendly. We have booked through David’s Vacation Club Rental a handful of times now and they have been amazing to work with.

We stayed in a Deluxe Studio Villa that included:

• 1 queen-size bed
• 1 queen-size sleeper sofa
• Ample storage and a kitchenette
• Space for a portable crib (we brought our Baby Bjorn travel crib) Read more about our travel crib experience here.

Pools, Waterslide & Recreation

Our kids had a blast swimming at the hotel’s three pools. The 90-foot waterslide was a highlight! Access is limited to hotel guests—you’ll need a wristband from the Pool Concierge each day.

Dining Options for Every Taste

We loved the convenience of mobile ordering from GCH Craftsman Grill, especially while lounging near the pool. Their breakfast burritos and grab-and-go snacks were a hit with our crew. This restaurant also serves lunch and dinner.

Another highlight: Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet at Storytellers Cafe. Our kids were thrilled to meet Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale, snap photos, and collect autographs. The breakfast buffet has a wide array of breakfast/brunch items and we felt that it was worth the price that we paid especially with the character meet-and-greet.

Pro Tip: Didn’t meet all the characters? Let your server know—they’ll ensure your child meets them before you leave.

Rooftop View of World of Color

Too tired for nighttime crowds? The Paradise View Terrace, located on the 6th floor, offers a relaxed way to enjoy the World of Color show from above. While the view is from the side, it’s a great option with younger kids.

This came in very handy one of the nights during our stay as our kids were pretty worn out after a long day at the parks. We had been to the show a previous night in the park and we didn’t want to deal with the crowds that go along with the nighttime show again. We decided to go back to the hotel to view the show from the terrace.

Pro Tip: If you do want to view the World of Color nighttime show from the terrace be sure to get there plenty early as the best places to see the show along the railing can fill up fast.

Final Thoughts – Is Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Worth It?

Absolutely. Whether it’s your first Disneyland trip or a return visit, this hotel delivers unmatched Disney magic with premium comfort and convenience. I know our family will definitely stay here again in the future when we go back to Disneyland Resort.

✅ Closest hotel to the parks
✅ Family-friendly rooms and amenities
✅ Character dining and fun pools
✅ DVC rentals make it budget-accessible

Have you stayed at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear your tips!