If you have ever wondered if the Disneyland Grand Californian club level upgrade is worth it- this post is for you. When we visit Disneyland we like to stay on property because of the convenience. We started staying on property when the kids were young and napping; now we still love it to break up the day (especially on hot days- it’s nice to take a break from the park for a dip in the pool!). A few years ago we upgraded to a club level room and it completely changed the way we do Disney, here is our experience. This information is subject change depending on when you are reading this- please contact Disney prior to booking to confirm.
While I didn’t notice a difference in the room itself, booking/upgrading to a club-level room gives you access to dedicated concierge staff and the Veranda lounge, which I will explain in more detail below. Also, If you want to know the breakdown of the VIP tour and our experience- check out my post here.
Food and Beverage Offerings
The food and beverage options at the Disney Grand Californian club level lounge are fantastic and like any Disney food venue they will try to accommodate allergy requests if available. While the offerings are considered lighter fare, there is a lot of food and since my kids are older and don’t want to stop for sit down food options; we can usually have two meals (breakfast and dinner) at The Veranda.
They change up their offerings daily, but there are some snacks you can always count on (oatmeal, bagels, uncrustable sandwiches, chips, fruit, soda, waters, etc.). The drinks and snacks are available all day long.
My kids’ favorite breakfasts include; doughnut decorating station with various toppings (including Mickey sprinkles of course), coconut chia pudding, fresh fruit, avocado toast and hard boiled eggs. They love the skewers served some evenings, charcuterie board and of course all the dessert! The dessert buffet before bed is what they look most forward to. They offer a variety of beer and wine all day long; who can say no to mimosas before Mickey?!
The espresso machine is my favorite thing in The Veranda lounge, I think about those cappuccinos often! And the Mickey-shaped sugar! I don’t usually take sugar in my coffee but for some odd reason I do when it’s Mickey-shaped.
Here is their posted schedule:
- Coffee and Tea 6:30-7:00am (they offer this all day!)
- Grand Beginnings 7:00-11:00am (breakfast items- way more than your standard continental breakfast)
- Afternoon Tea 12:00-1:00pm (small sandwiches, small bites, sweets and more)
- Grand Hours 4:00-7:00pm (appetizers and more- my kids totally make a dinner out of this)
- Sweet Endings 8:00-10:00pm (cookies, pastries and other sweet treats)
Other Benefits Included
Guests of the Disneyland Grand Californian who have upgraded to the club level can bypass the main check in desk and check in upstairs. The cast members at the concierge level are helpful when it comes to securing reservations for restaurants. Last time they were able to help us get reservations at The Blue Bayou when we were unsuccessful. While there is no guarantee, they really do try to accommodate all their guests.
During our stays at the club level we got to join in on Learn to Draw workshops at 3:00pm on Wednesdays at The Veranda. Last time, Thomas a Disney animator taught us how to draw Jack Skellington and stayed a bit extra to show my son how to draw his favorite Disney character, Lightning McQueen. It was such a cool experience.
One trip we were lucky to stumble upon a special wine tasting hosted by Silver Oak and Twomey, our favorite Cabernet and Pinot Noir makers. It was a really cool experience to talk to the winery representatives and learn about dinner pairings they suggested at restaurants on property. This only happened one time but I hope Disney makes this more of a regular happening.
Downside of the Club Level at Disney Grand Californian
There weren’t really many downsides to the club level. The only heads up I would give is if you are planning on attending the Sweet Endings dessert service to grab a spot to watch the fireworks- don’t expect to see the whole show. The view of the fireworks is obstructed by trees and buildings. That being said, it’s still nice to have a place to go after a long day and grab a complimentary glass of bubbly while listening to the fireworks and catching a glimpse of the action.
Disney Grand Californian Club Level Cost
I know this is a question everyone asks and there is no clear cut answer. Prices fluctuate based on season, party size and availability. We have have paid anywhere from an extra $120 to $500 (on top of our room rate) a night. We have booked club level rooms ahead of our stay and have also been lucky upgrading when we get there.
Feel free to drop your questions below!
With love,
Shahla
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