Hi there, Richard. Welcome to
planDisney, and thanks for bringing this great question to us. You must be really excited to be staying with family at
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. It's one of my favorite resorts on any Disney property for its beautiful lobby, excellent
pools, top-shelf
restaurants, and super convenient location. You're going to have a great time.
I believe you should be able to check in for both reservations through the
Disneyland Mobile App. Press the (☰) on the home page and scroll down to “Hotel Reservations." Follow the steps to input your reservation information, and you should be all set. Just add each reservation to your app, and when you click the reservation on the day of your arrival, it will display a check-in button. The great part about checking in online is that you can go about your day, and the app will notify you when your room is ready. Be sure to utilize bell services to store your luggage, and then you can start exploring the parks. When you're notified that your room is ready, simply stop by the front desk to complete the check-in process.
Did you know that if you exit the Grand Californian from the north gate, it's only .2 miles to the turnstiles for Disneyland Park? That same exit also leads you right to
Downtown Disney, where there are over 15 restaurants and a world of shopping and fun experiences. Also, if you think 0.2 miles is a short distance, the Grand Californian actually has a direct entrance into the
Grizzly Peak area of Disney California Adventure near the
Napa Rose. If you really love those types of shortcuts, you're also not far from the
Monorail entrance by the Star Wars Trading Post (though the Monorail is currently being refurbished), which can take you directly into
Tomorrowland.
Richard, you've made a good choice in which
Disneyland Resort Hotel to stay in. I hope you make many magical memories on this trip, and if you have any other planning questions, don't hesitate to bring them to us at planDisney. I hope you have a magical day.
Corey