[mickey]

Responding to a growing demand for Guest accommodations in Anaheim, the Disneyland® Resort recently celebrated an expansion of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa that will increase accommodations by more than 30 percent and will include the first Disney Vacation Club villas in Anaheim.

This expansion, which will involve 300 union construction jobs and result in 100 new hotel jobs, underscores Disney’s long-term commitment to growing and investing in Anaheim. The expansion also marks the latest in a series of major additions to the Resort that include the newly launched Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland® Park and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ at Disney’s California Adventure® Park.

“This expansion underscores our commitment to growing and investing in both the Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Resort Area,” said Ed Grier, president of the Disneyland Resort. “These new hotel rooms and villas will give more people the opportunity to enjoy the immersive vacation experience Disney is known for. We know that our Guests value being able to stay in the middle of the magic with our world-class Theme Parks, shopping and dining just steps away.”

The 2.5-acre expansion on the hotel’s south side will add more than 200 new hotel rooms and 50 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas. Those vacation villas, to include kitchens, living and dining areas and other home-like amenities, will mark the West Coast debut of Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s innovative vacation-ownership program.

“For more than 50 years, the Disneyland Resort has been investing in our community and they have helped us build a world-class resort destination in which all of Anaheim can be proud,” Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle said. “Thanks to Disneyland and the Anaheim Resort Area, Anaheim boasts one of the fastest growing markets in the country for hotel occupancy.”

Other elements planned for the project include a rooftop deck for viewing fireworks, a new swimming pool and about 300 underground parking spaces. Peter Dominick of 4240, architect for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as well as Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida is designing the ambitious expansion. It will reflect the same California Arts & Crafts architecture of the existing hotel, which immerses Guests in a turn-of-the-20th-century California experience.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa currently features 745 Guest rooms, including 44 suites. Upon completion of the expansion project, the hotel will feature 945 Guest rooms, including 44 Guest suites, and 50 Disney Vacation Club two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas.

Mickey's Take

This is great news for DVC members, particularly those on the West Coast. This also marks the fourth resort expansion to add the DVC to an existing Disney resort, following Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club and Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World. It will be interesting to see if Disney follows this pattern in the future with upcoming DVCs (Contemporary, anyone?) or if they revert back to free standing DVC resorts.

[DisneyTeacher]

That's great news for our West Coast DVC members.

[rshenry]

Yes, I saw it too! I am going to chat with the DVC people on my next trip in a few weeks. Maybe they will have a new display at DL.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Cool.

Might actually consider buying into DVC next year.

[WishUponAStar]

I think it's cool b/c I am assuming the point values to stay there will be considerably LESS than having to use them at the Grand Californian or the Disneyland Hotel, like we've done for the past 2 years.

Can't wait to hear more about it! I am glad I bought in when I did.

[WishUponAStar]

Wait a second, after re-reading that I just noticed that the expansion for DVC will only be including 250 accomodations. 50 of those being 2-bedroom villas and assuming that # also has to include 1-bedrooms villas AND studios it doesn't seem like a generous amount to go around? If there isn't a FURTHER expasion it sounds like I might not be able to get in there either (like the currect AKL situation). It sounds like most of the more popular times will be filled up with those who will have 11-month priority.

[mickey]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

Wait a second, after re-reading that I just noticed that the expansion for DVC will only be including 250 accomodations. 50 of those being 2-bedroom villas and assuming that # also has to include 1-bedrooms villas AND studios it doesn't seem like a generous amount to go around? If there isn't a FURTHER expasion it sounds like I might not be able to get in there either (like the currect AKL situation). It sounds like most of the more popular times will be filled up with those who will have 11-month priority.

Yes, it is going to be small. I was a bit surprised that they weren't making more of the expansion into DVC units, but I guess that could change before things open. If you are trying to go during Christmas, you will probably be out of luck. Summer might be tough too, but if your dates are flexible, my guess is you should be able to find something.

I hope Disney is looking at this as a test run for DVC at Disneyland. It would be great to see a free standing DVC just on the other side of Harbor with monorail access.

[Peppertink]

Very cool!!!!

[Boss Mouse]

If we unite and push hard, we can force out all of those non-DVC people and keep the place to ourselves!

Who's with me?

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by Boss Mouse

If we unite and push hard, we can force out all of those non-DVC people and keep the place to ourselves!

Who's with me?

Are you sure you're not a little confused there?

[delmarjohn]

good news since I am in san diego...obviously the point usage will be less than it it would ahve been for the existing resorts

[gemdisney]

I'm actually very happy to hear this. Until recently I didn't care about anyother place on earth but Disney World...Now being a member I am very excited to plan a trip to Disney Land! I agree though, my thoughts when I saw the news was I hope I can actually get in! I haven't been on the cruise either and it will be a big toss up for our next trip.

[woohoo]

Originally Posted by Experiment6-2-6

Cool.

Might actually consider buying into DVC next year.

there is your cue... its time to buy my friend! Heir Apparent would love the inheratance!

[MissDisney]

So... are we seven months out yet? LOL... a little ressie joke....

[Ready2Go]

Picture of DL DVC work from GC. DVC Picture 1 of 2 from Feb 17, 2008