The 3PM checkin was more like 4:30PM, which a luxury hotel could do much better. The staff was detached, the hotel a large factory, with the exception of the lobby, a disappointment. As a travelocity client, we were placed in a noisy room, overlooking downtown Disney with unending piped in music after midnight! The elevator access must have been a mile away! There are few other choices with the convenience of location to the parks, but for the cost, the guests are just another number in the Disney money machine. The luxury is only an illusion, with maid's carts in the hall at all hours, room service trays littering the halls, and an overall impersonal approach to the guests. I was disappointed, but there are no other options except to stay in LA and commute to the Parks. If you stay at the Grand Californian, expect a clean room close to the action, but much overpriced for anything else.

Hotel is absolutely beautiful. Staff is perfect. Rooms immaculate. Downtown Disney View Room is the best. Food excellent. Expensive to stay, but worth every penny you spend for the location. Only draw back was not being able to check-in to our rooms until 5pm. Instead of compaining, our family party of 10 headed to the park, to have some fun and exercise. The Grand Californian Hotel is the only place we will stay when we visit Disneyland. Thank you for all the wonderful memories, of our family time together.

We stayed during the Christmas season. The hotel was beautiful, Santa was in the main lobby, and the staff, for the most part, was great. The pools are large, but there were many unsupervised children in the hot tub... Valet parking is extra, you can park for free across the street, but it's a hike. The location cannot be beat. We were literally only a few steps from the private entrance to Calif. Adventure. Without asking we received an upgraded room, but the bunk beds were small, so they double upgraded us to a pool room. Worth the money? Well that depends. If you are looking for convenience, yes. If you expect superior service and super great food, no. Storyteller's cafe was pricey, loud, and the food was so-so. A hint: Lots of people bring in coolers full of food, refrigerators are in most rooms, that will save you a bundle.

The best part of the hotel is the location, you can walk directly into Disney's California Adventure from the hotel. This is the closest hotel to both parks. Excellent view from the room - we could view both the pool and California Adventure's roller coaster. Wonderful staff - except the valet which took over 30 mins to get our car. Rooms - nice and clean, but not exceptional - very comfy beds. Loved the craftsman style of the hotel and fireplace where kids could gather for storytelling. Overall the hotel had a very cozy feeling. The Napa Rose was an exceptional dining experience and a nice break from "theme-park" food, the Storyteller's Cafe was also a nice, though more casual alternative. Definitely a preferable place to stay for an enjoyable vacation, if you're willing to pay the price... However, I would expect better rooms for the price anywhere besides Disneyland.

This hotel draws on the great hotels of the past without sacrificing any of todays 'necessary' accoutrements.