Exterior work continues at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort, and the latest changes touch several areas guests use every day. Construction walls have grown, scaffolding is going up in some spots and coming down in others, and the front pool remains closed. If you have points booked here or plan to stay soon, here is a clear look at what is happening and how it may shape your visit.
Construction Walls Reach GCH Craftsman Grill
Crews have expanded the construction walls around the front pool, which closed last week. The barriers now stretch to the end of GCH Craftsman Grill. The restaurant is still serving guests, and a sign directs visitors to the entrance so they can find their way in despite the surrounding walls.
The patio dining area at Craftsman Grill sits inside the walled-off zone as well. From inside the restaurant, guests can see crew members and construction materials through the windows, which gives a sense of how close the work is to active guest spaces.
Scaffolding Going Up and Coming Down
The scaffolding picture is mixed right now. In one section, crews are taking scaffolding down, which points to finished work on that part of the building. Based on earlier activity, that likely included repainting and refurbishing the walls and balconies, similar to the balcony painting seen above the hotel’s Disney California Adventure entrance.
At the same time, more scaffolding and beige scrims have gone up on a wall overlooking the pool. A separate tower of scaffolding covered in beige scrims stands across the courtyard. In some areas, guests walk under the scaffolding to reach the pools that remain open, with signage marking the path.
The Front Pool Remains Closed
The front pool is closed and surrounded by construction walls. Interestingly, there are still no visible signs of work at the pool or deck itself, and the pool remains full of water. Disney has not officially announced why the pool is closed or when it will reopen, so members should treat its availability as uncertain for now.
At one closed pool gate, a new sign points guests toward the gate near GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill to reach the pools that are still operating. If pool time is part of your plan, expect to use that alternate route.
What This Means for DVC Members
For members with a stay on the books, the property is open and operating, so your trip can go forward. The main adjustments involve navigating around the walls, finding the marked entrances to Craftsman Grill, and using the open pools rather than the front pool.
A few practical steps can help. Build in extra time when moving between the lobby, dining, and pool areas. Watch for the directional signs, since routes have shifted. If a specific pool or the patio experience matters to your plans, consider calling ahead or checking with the front desk closer to your arrival for the current status.
Conclusion
The work at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is progressing in stages, with some sections wrapping up while others are just getting started. The front pool closure and the lack of an announced reopening date are the biggest open questions for now. Members and fans planning a stay can still enjoy the resort by staying flexible and keeping an eye on updates as the refurbishment continues.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
