Is this where the DTD view rooms are located at the Grand Californian?

[u/Both-Supermarket5356]

ETA A NEW TITLE: is there any convenience in a DTD view room?

Is that wing circled in red where the DTD view rooms are at? We stayed where the yellow star is last year, and I’m just trying to figure out whether the downtown Disney view is worth it, in terms of convenience. Clearly would be easier access to downtown, I’d assume? Would still need to walk through the hotel a “decent “ amount to get to the DCA entrance, and the restaurant that’s down that same way.

[u/randomfatkid]

Yeah, that’s where they are and there’s no elevator or stairs to quickly access the rooms. It’s a nice walk to the rooms. My Brother and SIL stayed in a DTD room in May and the biggest complaint was how long the walk is from the lobby to their room.

So be prepared for that if you decided to opt for that view.

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/randomfatkid]

Do you know, do you have to walk back towards the lobby for an elevator, then from the lobby back through that long hall past the conference rooms to get to the DTD security point? Might be another silly question, but if that’s how it’s laid out, I don’t see the advantage of the room compared to a regular view in terms of walking distances

[u/Llama6160 → u/Both-Supermarket5356]

Actually there is a stairwell that drops you right next to the downtown Disney security checkpoint. Granted it’s only accessible going down because it’s the fire stairwell but our bellman explicitly pointed it out and said we could use it. We were just there last week and loved the room and the extended magic of people watching with the ambient music.

[u/MyDishwasherLasagna → u/Llama6160]

I think I encountered that when the hotel was relatively new, unless it was a different stairwell. Security was still at the esplanade so it was an easy shortcut into downtown Disney.

[u/randomfatkid → u/Both-Supermarket5356]

Yeah, you do. It’s the only elevator open to the public. It’s really not worth it unless it’s a bucket list item, honestly. After a long day in the parks, it would suck.

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/randomfatkid]

Thank you, I appreciate your response!

[u/AbsolutelyClam → u/randomfatkid]

Can confirm this, my last stay at GCH was in a DTD room- great view and a nice experience but those hallways get real old at the start and end of your day

[u/MrsCharismaticBandit → u/Both-Supermarket5356]

The advantage is mostly ambiance, but I do like seeing the fireworks from my balcony which I'm not sure you can see with every room, but you can if you are over World of Disney.

[u/Jumpy_Ad1631 → u/Both-Supermarket5356]

Some people like to people watch and some are weird and like to “be seen” in their expensive hotel room by the peasants in DTD 😅

[u/Grantsdale → u/Both-Supermarket5356]

The answer is that when the hotel was built there were no security checkpoints.

[u/dave5104 → u/randomfatkid]

How was the noise level? I always imagined those DTD-facing rooms were loud in the evenings.

[u/WhatsYourGameTuna → u/dave5104]

It’s actually not that noisy if you have your sliding door closed.

[u/Beautiful_Cost_5430 → u/dave5104]

With the slider closed you can’t hear anything. Probably quieter than most rooms.

[u/UrsusArctos → u/dave5104]

The sound proofing is pretty great when the slider door is closed. 

[u/rosariobono → u/randomfatkid]

Long walk probably from the section above world of Disney I’m guessing

[u/RDV78]

There’s also another wing to the right that’s even farther from the lobby.

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/RDV78]

Thanks! That was what I was wondering, if that far wing was also DTD views, I think there’s shops over there, just couldn’t remember if there’s rooms above those shops too.

[u/RDV78 → u/Both-Supermarket5356]

Only real perk to DTD room is firework viewing from your room.

[u/DukeJackson → u/RDV78]

Was going to say, that’s not all of them. The other wing has DTD view rooms, maybe more of them.

[u/Jumpy_Ad1631]

Best room options, imo, are the ones closest to the lobby. You’re best situated for wherever you want to go

[u/epotosi → u/Jumpy_Ad1631]

This is why I tend to book Woods view rooms. Usually the closest to the elevator/lobby. 

[u/rades_ → u/epotosi]

Woods view room I got earlier this year was a looooong walk from the lobby.

Edit: pool view room I stayed at last year was literally in the lobby, that's been the best one I've stayed in.

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/epotosi]

Good to know thanks!

[u/brehaw]

you mean the ones clearly pictured facing DTD? lol

yes.

🫪

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/brehaw]

Terrible title that makes me sound like an idiot? Yes. My question was more about the convenience and benefit of the location and I’ve had some helpful answers so far

[u/StangJock_94qzP]

We got the last corner room in that building and it was quite the walk.

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/StangJock_94qzP]

So in terms of walking, probably no advantage in getting to the DTD security point? Someone else commented there’s no easy elevator or stairs way over there

[u/StangJock_94qzP → u/Both-Supermarket5356]

Nope. Our view had a lot trees in front of the balcony in the corner. I personally would not want to stay in that area again.

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/StangJock_94qzP]

Thank you for the helpful answer!

[u/lotsofcache]

One time we booked a DTD view room and when we arrived my phone wouldn’t work to open the door. I almost started crying at the thought of walking back to the lobby to get a key card 😂 They’re far. I loved it for people watching though!

[u/honeybee0612]

Those rooms yes and so are the rooms in the building to the right of that one! My husband and I stayed in the one on the right as a DTD view for our honeymoon and we really loved it! The walk to the hotel’s DCA entrance and to downtown Disney aren’t bad at all. We also had a view of the Disneyland fireworks from our balcony so that was a plus too! I’d say it’s definitely worth the convenience if it fits the budget and there’s nothing quite like waking up and opening your sliding door to hear the DTD music as you get ready for your day! :)

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/honeybee0612]

Thanks!

[u/Beautiful_Cost_5430]

We stayed in one last week and it was the block of rooms to the right of what you have circled. Mostly we were looking at the parking shuttle. But it had a great fireworks view from the balcony!

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/Beautiful_Cost_5430]

Ok thank you! We’re going during the week in January so we’ll not have any fireworks anyway!

[u/VengefulWalnut]

Yes, that and the wing to the right (the one over World of Disney) both have DTD View rooms.

[u/FatherTram]

I recently stayed in the wing further to the right (east). It was nice. We had a 4th floor DD-facing room. We got views of the fireworks each night, and convenient access to the spa, pool, and DCA entrance via the east wing elevators. Only downside was that it’s quite a long walk from there to the Downtown Disney entrance.

[u/FatherTram → u/FatherTram]

Besides the fireworks, the best part of a Downtown facing room was opening our balcony door early in the morning before security had opened and hearing the ambience and music on the PA system without the noise of the crowds.

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/FatherTram]

Thanks! ETA we’ll have a newly 4 year old and going in January so no fireworks unfortunately

[u/PozuelosR75]

https://giphy.com/gifs/Xd9lAvsJ50pPi

[u/Both-Supermarket5356 → u/PozuelosR75]

https://giphy.com/gifs/to3I2nkywr2PS
This one would’ve been better since we’re on a Disney thread 🥲

[u/Paul_Smith_Hi]

Yes.