Theme Park Entrance Reopens at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa



Grand Californian

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has reopened its exclusive entrance to Disney California Adventure following a two-month refurbishment period. This private entrance, a significant benefit for guests staying at the resort, underwent changes to enhance the overall visitor experience.

The reopening coincides with the conclusion of refurbishment work across the hotel’s Disney Vacation Club villa wing, offering refreshed amenities and updates for members. Below, we’ll explore the updates in detail and what they mean for DVC members and resort guests alike.

Enhancements to the Exclusive Theme Park Entrance

The dedicated theme park entrance connecting the Grand Californian Hotel to Disney California Adventure provides convenient access for hotel guests. The two-month closure allowed Disney to revamp the guest entry system, ensuring a smoother, more efficient experience.

With the reopening, guests can once again enjoy this direct connection, making it easier to immerse themselves in the magic of the parks!

Renovations Across the DVC Villas

The reopening of the entrance aligns with the removal of construction notices and scrims from the Disney Vacation Club villa wing. This marks the conclusion of a significant refurbishment project. Since their debut in 2009, this is the first comprehensive update across the Grand Californian villa accommodations.

What’s New in the Villas?

Villas-at-Disneys-Grand-Californian-Concept-2025-Hotel

Guest reports confirm updates to villa interiors, ranging from refreshed furnishings to modernized decorative touches. However, it’s important to note that the villa bathrooms remained unchanged during this refurbishment effort. While this may influence guest experiences in some ways, the broader changes still bring a renewed charm to the accommodations.

The renovated spaces aim to maintain the luxury and comfort that DVC members and resort guests anticipate while aligning with contemporary design standards.

Additional Updates Around the Resort

Storytellers Cafe
Storytellers Cafe. Photo: Emily Murray.

While these upgrades took place, select dining locations at the Grand Californian also saw enhancements. For instance, Storyteller’s Café recently completed its own renovation, reopening to guests with an updated experience. Meanwhile, updates to the Napa Rose restaurant are still on the horizon, with details expected to be unveiled later this year.

Villas-at-Disneys-Grand-Californian-Concept-2025-NapaRose
Napa Rose Refurbishment Artist Rendering

These updates contribute to the broader efforts to ensure the resort remains a premium destination for Disney enthusiasts.

Looking Ahead

The refurbishment at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa reflects Disney’s commitment to maintaining high standards across its properties. For Disney Vacation Club members, these upgrades reaffirm the value of their membership, ensuring continued access to world-class accommodations and facilities.

With the theme park entrance back in operation and refreshed villas offering an updated experience, now is an excellent opportunity for DVC members and guests to revisit the unique offerings of this signature Disneyland Resort property!

For more updates on the latest Disney developments, stay tuned to the DVC Shop blog and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest articles delivered to your inbox.

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

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.

Got Something On Your Mind?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.