• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

Disney’s Grand Californian

September 7, 2013 | Disney, runDisney, Travel

Whew! Yesterday was an insane day of playing catch up at home. I did 5 loads of laundry in between answering emails and chatting with clients. SO glad today is Saturday though and I get a slight break to catch up. Also glad it’s football time! You can bet I will be parked in front of the TV for the better part of the weekend…after my workout of course. Smile

Next week is going to be loaded with fun runDisney posts, I can’t wait to share everything from the meet up to the races, but I thought today I would start with the hotel.

We were lucky enough to stay at Disney’s Grand Californian. It is a beautiful resort steps from the parks (my favorite perk!) with a rustic theming. We had a gorgeous view of the pool and part of California Adventure park (Grizzly peak is so cool looking!)

014

We were on the fifth floor and had two queen beds.

018

019

015

Yummy fruit for us that was replenished daily (note: this was a special gift from the hotel.)

017

DSC_0608

DSC_0609

We also got to hang out in the concierge lounge on the 6th floor where they had food and drinks for us.

021

022

It was nice after a hot day in the parks to relax, look at the mountains and have a snack.

025

I may have even bumped into a buddy in the lounge.

026

The balcony of our room was nice to relax on, and I enjoyed people watching from it.

185

The convenience of the hotel cannot be beat, especially when you are used to Walt Disney World like me where you have to drive everywhere. The resort also has two great restaurants that we ate at, Storyteller’s on the first night and Napa Rose (much more formal) on the last night.

Both were great for different reasons I have outlined in this post.

DSC_0619

I plan to stay here in January for Tinkerbell and cannot wait to go back.

DSC_0644

DSC_0655

QOTD: What is your favorite Disneyland hotel? Or Walt Disney World Hotel?

*Don’t forget to enter my Raw Threads giveaway! 

I would love to book your Disney trip for you at no extra cost to you. Email me at heather@travelwiththemagic.com for details!

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sign up for my newsletter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says

    September 7, 2013 at 8:37 am

    The Grand Floridian Resort and Port Orleans Riverside are my favorite Disney World Resorts ( for 2 different reasons of course). The Grand Californian looks nice. Kind of reminds me of the Wilderness Lodge. Curious to see how that resort compares to the other Disneyland resorts. Have you stayed at any of the others?
    Thanks for sharing! You take great pictures. Love the details!

    • Heather says

      September 7, 2013 at 10:23 am

      no but planning to try to stay at DL hotel for a night during tink!

  2. Kristina @ Blog About Running says

    September 7, 2013 at 9:19 am

    The Grand Floridian is definitely my favorite of the Disney hotels. I’ve never been to the Grand Californian and I’m a little surprised by how it looks compared to the Floridian, but I do love that they brought you fresh fruit every a.m.! I guess it must be older than the Floridian?

    • Heather says

      September 7, 2013 at 10:22 am

      I’m not sure when it was built. it’s a mix of GF and wilderness lodge. it’s nice!

  3. Lesley says

    September 7, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    Looks very nice! We’ve only stayed at all of the Values at WDW but our favorite is POP. We are staying in our first moderate, CarIbbean Beach Resort in October for the ToT 10-Miler…cannot wait! Looking forward to your race recaps and pictures!

  4. Frank@The Fat Runner says

    September 9, 2013 at 10:22 am

    Well, now I know where I’m staying at when I decide to visit Disneyland. Pretty cool!

  5. Pamela says

    September 10, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    It looks very nice! I am leaning towards staying there for DL half weekend next year. I need reviews of all 3 from you. Hello DIsney please bring Heather back to stay in the other 2 so I can make my decision. 🙂

    • Heather says

      September 10, 2013 at 7:09 pm

      haha! I may stay a night at DL hotel for tink

Trackbacks

  1. runningwithsass says:
    September 7, 2013 at 1:46 am

    Disney’s Grand Californian

    Whew! Yesterday was an insane day of playing catch up at home. I did 5 loads of laundry in between answering

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Why Spring Is the Sweet Spot for Family Vacation on Alabama’s Beaches
  • You’ll Get It When You Get Here: A Spring Break on Alabama’s Beaches That Actually Feels Like a Break
  • A Word for 2026
  • Merry Christmas 2025
  • A Magical Christmas Weekend at Gaylord Opryland: Our Family Favorites

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
🏃‍♀️🌴 Running a 5K in paradise? Yes please. The C 🏃‍♀️🌴 Running a 5K in paradise? Yes please.

The Castaway Cay 5K was hands down one of our favorite memories from our @disneycruiseline cruise, just me and my girl, running along the most beautiful island with that Caribbean breeze and the bluest water cheering us on. It’s such a fun (and free!) way to experience Castaway Cay in a totally different way.

If you’re planning a cruise, this is your sign to do the 5K — even if you walk it! Grab water early, go first thing before it gets too hot, and don’t forget to stop for pictures because you won’t want to forget this one! 🏅 

If you’re ready to book your own Disney cruise, I’d love for you to use my link in my bio and plan through Best Day Ever Vacation. It’s completely free to have the book for you and they have over 1000 5 star reviews! 🤍

🚨 Right now there’s an incredible deal: 20% off select voyage fares PLUS a $250 onboard credit 🙌 
That onboard credit can go toward excursions, specialty dining, souvenirs, or spa time (yes please).

Let me know if you have questions about the 5K or cruising with kids, it truly was the best day ever! (Make sure you use my link in bio to get your free quote so they know that I sent you!!) 
(Affiliate) 

@bestdayevervacay #bdevambassador #bestdayevervacations #castawaycay5k #rundisney2026 #disneycruiseline
Spring break plans? Here is your sign to book Alab Spring break plans? Here is your sign to book Alabama’s beaches! 🌴☀️ (ad)

Here’s your list of reasons why:

🎡 Family fun, dining and entertainment at @thewharfob 

🐬 Private dolphin cruises with @cruisewithacaptain 

💆‍♀️ Total relaxation at @thebeachclubresortandspa 

🍽 Fresh coastal flavors and sunset views at @coastalorangebeach Restaurant

🎶 Iconic beachside fun at @_florabama and @fbyachtclub_ 

🏖 Stress free setups, grocery deliveries and more with @thebeachmoms 

🏰 Sandcastle lessons with @sand_castle_university 

🦖 A round of mini golf at Jurassic Golf

💦 Splash time plus amusement park rides at Tropic Falls at @visitowa 

There is truly something for everyone, whether you are planning a girls trip, couples getaway, or full family spring break. ☀️ 

Start planning with @visitalabamasbeaches and grab all the details at the 🔗 in bio.

#albeachblogger #alspringvacay #springbreak2026 #orangebeachalabama #gulfshores
West Philadelphia born and raised… can’t remember West Philadelphia born and raised… can’t remember my email password these days 😭🎶

#MillennialProblems #FreshPrinceForever #mombrain #MillennialMemory #RelatableContent
Posting this for future reference… because the rec Posting this for future reference… because the receipts are strong. 📲😂

And I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. 💛😭

#DisneyMom
#DisneyWorldMemories
#DisneyCruiseLine #momhumor #disneykids
🎭 Happy Mardi Gras! 💃🏻 From king cake to parades, 🎭 Happy Mardi Gras! 💃🏻 
From king cake to parades, beads, and that classic sidewalk versus neutral ground debate, New Orleans knows how to celebrate! 🎉 

Swipe through for some fun facts and join the party, No matter where you are! 💜 💚 💛 

#mardigras2026⚜️💜💚💛⚜️ #kingcake #happymardigras #neworleansmardigras #mardigras
Dark mode courtside ✨🏀 Haven’t dressed up in awhil Dark mode courtside ✨🏀 Haven’t dressed up in awhile… turns out I missed this. 🖤 

#CourtsideStyle #TennesseeVols #GameDayGlam #tennesseebasketball #rockytop
#AD Travel ball nights, school mornings, and every #AD Travel ball nights, school mornings, and everything in between… this is one small habit we actually stick to. 🙌

Quality ingredients, 10 essential vitamins & minerals, and a superfood blend from real fruits and veggies in a flavor she wants to eat. That’s a win in my book! 

Visit VitalPals.com and grab some for your kiddos! @vitalpalskids

Copyright © 2026 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

%d