Hi Lauren, and welcome back to planDisney! I love the vibes at the
Grand Californian, from the Craftsman-style architecture to the live piano music in the lobby. And the proximity to
Downtown Disney and
California Adventure Park is a big perk, so let’s talk about the direct theme park entrance you mentioned.
To keep Disneyland Resort in top condition for guests, different parts of the theme parks and resort hotels are regularly renovated. Unfortunately, that means amenities are sometimes temporarily unavailable. Currently, the direct entrance from the Grand Californian into California Adventure Park is closed for refurbishment through mid-May, though this timing is subject to change. I totally understand that it’s a bummer when this downtime lines up with your trip.
While the renovations are happening, Grand Californian guests are welcome to use the entrance into California Adventure Park usually reserved for
Pixar Place Hotel guests. I stayed at Pixar Place last year and this entrance was convenient for accessing
Pixar Pier and
San Fransokyo Square (you’ll enter the park right by
Corn Dog Castle). I spoke to a Cast Member who confirmed that there are expanded hours for this entrance while the other one is closed, so check with the front desk to confirm the exact hours since they can vary from day to day.
When you’re at Disneyland in April, get ready for an out-of-this-world event—
Star Wars Season of the Force! I’m most excited for the nighttime entertainment, the new
Shadows of Memory nightly projection show and the
Fire of the Rising Moons nighttime experience (running on select nights). While I usually like to watch Disneyland’s fireworks from the front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, seeing them from
Batuu with Star Wars music is really cool! Check out the
Season of the Force guide on the Disney Parks Blog for the full event details.
I hope you have a magical stay at the Grand Californian next month! If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to visit us again at planDisney.
JoAnna