Yes, the Grand Californian is expensive, but the location is worth it. We stayed here for three nights, and enjoyed the experience. Check-in was quick and easy, and we were given a room overlooking Downtown Disney. Worried at first about noise, we were really impressed with the quietness of the room when the balcony doors were shut. And the bonus - we were able to watch the fireworks from the balcony.

Not sure about the complaints about parking. The parking lot is just across the road from the hotel - a three minute walk. Luggage services were excellent. And, as you would expect at Disney, all staff were extremely friendly.

We didn't eat in the hotel itself, as there were so many options in Downtown Disney or in the parks themselves. But the kids loved the pool in the hotel which has a great water slide and watchful lifeguards.

The best thing about the hotel is the proximity to Disneyland and Californian Adventure; there is a connecting gate to the latter and a five minute walk to the former. So you can start early in the morning, come back to the hotel for a swim in the afternoon, and then get back to the parks in the evening with the minimum of walking.

What didn't we like? Not much. Although the room was good, the hotel's geography meant that we ended up walking a lot to get to the room (although we did have the benefit, as mentioned, of a view of Downtown Disney). And the drinks service at the pool is very slow. Had we relied on circulating drinks staff we would have waited 45 minutes. Fortunately you can go to the service window and get served there.

I stayed for 2 nights with a girlfriend and her two children (ages 4 and 6) and for the most part, we loved this hotel. It was worth the extra money to be so close to the park if the kids got grumpy and we needed a fast break! It's a very classy and adult hotel, but very kid and teen friendly.
The room, although not terribly large, was decorated tastefully with mission style furniture and had a flat-screen TV and DVD player that was great for the kids to watch movies on. We noticed that there was a pack and play in the closet. It also had double sinks and vanity in an area separated from the bath and toilet, which was nice when mutiple adults and children are getting ready at the same time. We payed extra for a great view of the fireworks from Disney and a room overloking Downtown Disney. It got a little loud at night with an outdoor band on the street below us, but if you closed the sliding glass door to the balcony, you couldn't really hear it and we all slept fine. But beware when you are booking your room - our room was a VERY long walk from the elevators, and I am NOT kidding around! If you have small children and are concerned about this, you may want to verify where your room is located when you make your reservation. We had an issue with the lock on our door breaking one night and it was a pain in the butt to go back and forth and deal with the reception desk, but in the end, they provided us with great customer service and $100 off our bill so that made it better. That's another thing - the customer service at the hotel - the pool waiters, bellboys, concierge, lounge bartenders, room service - everyone was very friendly and helpful. The restaurants and lounge are spacious and upscale, but child-friendly too. We also noticed in the huge lobby with atrium that there were tons of small gathering areas with tables and chairs and they provide board games and things to do - perfect for teens that need to "get away" and do their own thing but still be nearby. The hotel has it's own private park entrance to the California Adventure park - so if my husband and I had teens, I could see us enjoying a drink in the lounge and letting the kids go and ride a couple rides and then come back to check in - it's that close by!
The pool area was also very nice - they have a large cafe serving hot and cold sandwiches and salads and snacks, and there are two water slides that the kids went crazy over.
I gave 4 stars rather than a full 5 for the hotel being so expensive and our room being very far from the elevator and stairs, but all-in-all, we had a great experience with this property and would return again.

We have visited Disneyland / Disneyworld before but never stayed in Disney accommodation so thought we would give it a shot.

The valet service was excellent, our luggage and car were whisked away (buy guys wearing ridiculous pedal pusher trousers and silly caps). Check in was a real experience, dont miss it! We were seen by a lady called Linda - I dont recall ever remembering someone's name before. She was a real character and kept referring to herself in the third person and calling it "her" hotel. This is more than likely all Disney training. She was absolutely hilarious in a freaky kind of way, but we will always laugh about it and never forget it.

Our room was pretty much what we expected - a double with bunks and a roll out bed for our third child. It was robust and clean, well kitted out. Our view was of the Grizzly rapids ride. The best thing about it was the position - brilliant for popping in and out of the park, changing when you get wet and freshening up. You get the feeling that you are still in Disney when you are in the hotel and it is slightly strange, but it is what it is. If you stayed there and werent going to Disney it would feel terrible, but we are all there for the same reason.

The hall is quite amazing, high ceilings and a log fire in a chilly air conditioned atmosphere which us Brits found very amusing.

We had a Chip & Dale breakfast, we were a bit disappointed, there werent very many "critters" about, but my five year old was happy which I guess what it is all about. It would have been nice to see one of the big characters from Disney there - like Donald or Mickey.

An unforgettable experience, and we were glad to have tried it out.

You can't beat this location. A private entrance to California Adventure and next door to DowntownDisnney. But that's it.
You pay for a 5 star room and you get a 3 star room. Small, outdated, without enough number of lamps and the safe deposit box was the smallest I've ever seen.
Service is also average and not always efficient.
We didn't have a chance to try the hotel's restaurants. California Adventure closes at 10pm and the hotel's restaurants close at 10pm - so unless you have a fast food dinner at the park, room service will be your only option.
Breakfast starts at 7am but hotel guests early admition to Disneyland is also at 7am (and you should take advantage of early admition if you want to avoid huge waiting lines in the best attractions).