$445 A NIGHT for GCH!! Are they serious?

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I have no problem with Disney charging a premium for the GCH since it is a deluxe hotel, I just wish they had a better "value" option. Rack rate at the PP (the cheapest Disney option) is around $250 per night and even on sale it usually runs around $160 per night.

Since there are a lot of off-site (within walking distance) options for less than $100 I just can't make myself pay the difference. I would love to fully "immerse" myself in Disney magic but their prices always send me back to reality each night.

 

[Big]

I remember it being a little less than 200 a night 5 years ago. Of course my wife being a cast member probably helped!

Funny thing about that is, when we stay on property, they usually put us in the worst, farthest room away from the lobby but in this instance at the GCH, they put us wayyyyy in the back near the back staircase, which just so happened to dump out right next to La Brea. Who's laughing now?? lol.

The GCH has the best lobby I've ever been in for a Disney hotel though, so would definitely recommend going at least once.

 

[kyra's mommy]

I have no problem with Disney charging a premium for the GCH since it is a deluxe hotel, I just wish they had a better "value" option. Rack rate at the PP (the cheapest Disney option) is around $250 per night and even on sale it usually runs around $160 per night. .

I totally agree, I would say there isn't even a moderate option. The prices of the three hotels are all comparable to what they charge for the deluxe options in Disneyworld. Furthermore, the only hotel that really embraces the magic of the Disneyworld resorts imo is the GCH, the other two are just ho hum. I agree with the other poster that I'd rather come more often and stay longer if the prices are ridiculously high and not worth what I'm getting in return for my money. There's a point at which I think the hotels just become ridiculous. I would feel guilty paying that much a night for a hotel and I'd be conflicted as to whether I'm truly being money wise. Please don't be offended though, that's just me and I am willing to spend alot coming several times a year, I'm sure many people would call that unwise!

 

[darph nader]

Anyone remember the thread last year about the Australian couple who paid $1,000 a night and couldn't get a bottle warmer or dish soap to clean the bottles?
I should have posted,"For $1,000 a night",
A. They 'will' provide a bottle warmer. (I've seen them)
B. They 'will' get dish soap,and
C. Someone 'will' come up and wash the bottles for them.

 

[kyra's mommy]

Anyone remember the thread last year about the Australian couple who paid $1,000 a night and couldn't get a bottle warmer or dish soap to clean the bottles?
I should have posted,"For $1,000 a night",
A. They 'will' provide a bottle warmer. (I've seen them)
B. They 'will' get dish soap,and
C. Someone 'will' come up and wash the bottles for them.

Agreed!!

 

[MrsPinup]

I felt this way exactly. However, there must be a lot of people who aren't feeling the same pain because it was super crowded this week. I am surprised that this economy is still struggling because when I was there (the last few days)- I was astounded that it was so full.

Must be nice to have that much extra money.

I have been saying this for years It must be part of the magic of DL - recession is a bad thing so it cannot exist in the happiest place on earth!

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

There's no magic for me in paying $445 a night, although I did stay at the GCH one way and it was lovely.

No, instead I'll take 2 rooms at the Hojo for $79 a night with Disney view. NOW THERE'S MAGIC!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I just checked on disney.com for spring break type rates--and they were not any where near 445.00 per night--unless you are talking concierge rooms or a suite. Especially when you factor in the discount they are having right now for spring visits to the Grand Californian. Did you check online for these prices or just phone an agent?

I also think you are mistaken about the 99.00 a night thing. If the agent said she thought she remembers that then either she was saying that to be nice, or she remembers wrong. 199.00 is usually the bottom price you will get for the Grand--even with other discounts thrown in. Most of the agents are actually in Florida, and don't seem to know a lot about Disneyland--they know more about Disney World.

Here are the prices for now through spring break time (special deal at the Grand California) depending on what date you stay there. This is for a 2 night stay, but the have another longer offer going as well. As you can see, not 445.00 per night--unless you are adding in the price of parkhopper tickets.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/fy11q2-resort-room-only/

$231 per night

$247 per night

$290 per night

 

[taaren]

Last trip we looked at the DVC and for Disneyland its GCH and while I will admit the suites are awsome. They are serious what anybody could dream of. But the cost is so much that our every 2-4 year trip would definetly be in the 4 year end of the spectrum.


We are the kind of travelers that just use a hotel to sleep in so the GCH is not for us. Now if at some point we become the kind of folks that take a day off and spend it at the pool or in our room then maybe.

Now if you think thats $$$ try a suite have seen some post 2 yers old and they where around $4,000 a night

This was exactly why we bought VGC. I looked at it, then did the math, th3en fell in love. I had been paying $130/nt + tax at BWPPI which is meh but close. By the time everything added up I was paying $1K for a weeks stay every year. W DVC I can stay that same week in a 1 bdr suite for $700 maintenance plus $400 per year initial investment (if you average cost of buying over 50 years). In my mind the extra $100/year was more than worth it since we will be going to Disney anyhow.
Could not would not pay $445/nt though. PPH prices were pushing it for me before I bought, much less GCH.

 

[papamouse1]

Go easy on the OP folks... like anything in life, we should determine "value" based on our own needs/wishes/philosophy and respect the right of others to determine theirs. I was amazed a few years ago, on our trip to DL when we stayed at the GC. We met a couple from England and struck up a conversation. They said they only get the chance to vacation every other year, so they make their bi-annual trek to DL and stay at GC to make it (in their words/opinion) "the most magical trip for their kids." They had done the Candy Cane, Park Place, Hojo approach to save money but once they stayed at GC they didn't want to go back.
Now here's the thing, I was totally understanding of their opinion and thought it was great they could do that for their family right up until they told me how much they spent for this bi-annual trip with airfare, food, etc. I about passed out. I thought, "I would NEVER spend that much". but guess what, maybe I would do the EXACT same thing if I was in their shoes and not mine.

Just because I wouldn't do it does not make it wrong that they do. Kudos to them for doing what they felt best to make the magic for their kids.

And kudos to ALL of you who have figured out what works best for you ... whether it's Hojo or GC.

BTW... on the same trip we met another couple at the pool who couldn't stop whining about how much they spent, and about why there wasn't a private chambermaid for these prices.... blah blah blah..
Seriously, don't spend the money if it's going to make you focus on the money instead of on the Magic, you know what I mean?

 

[papamouse1]

One of my fav stories was the year we were really tight financially. I had changed jobs and things were so tight we thought we'd have to cancel our yearly Disney trip for the very first time. My kids were bummed, heck I was bummes, I'm the biggest Disney geek in the fam.
Anyways, I had almost given up on the trip until my friend reminded me we could just take our 5th wheel trailer and park in a campground near DL, and maybe by cooking our meals, etc. we could do it. Long story short, we did it, we found a campground nearby that actually offered a Disney shuttle! We couldn't afford as many days in the park so one night we just climbed on the roof of our trailer and watched the fireworks show.
It was absolutely magical in every way, because we focused on what matters... take what you got and make it count.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Seriously, don't spend the money if it's going to make you focus on the money instead of on the Magic, you know what I mean?

 

[kyra's mommy]

I just checked on disney.com for spring break type rates--and they were not any where near 445.00 per night--unless you are talking concierge rooms or a suite. Especially when you factor in the discount they are having right now for spring visits to the Grand Californian. Did you check online for these prices or just phone an agent?

I also think you are mistaken about the 99.00 a night thing. If the agent said she thought she remembers that then either she was saying that to be nice, or she remembers wrong. 199.00 is usually the bottom price you will get for the Grand--even with other discounts thrown in. Most of the agents are actually in Florida, and don't seem to know a lot about Disneyland--they know more about Disney World.

Well I'm not really sure what your point is... if you are contending that it should'nt be surprising to me that's it's so expensive now because it could never have been $99 before or that the rates you were quoted are more reasonable??? Anyway, it was $99. I am NOT mistaken, I travel to Disneyland an average of 3-4 times a year and stay for several days each visit, I have been to Disney World several times in the past as well. I do all the booking for our trips and I KNOW what I pay for each hotel we stay at. Whether or not you can believe someone got that rate is not the issue. I did pay $99 and I'm not confused. Furthermore, here is my $445 link to show you that I didn't take the time to make up fake prices to ignite the board:http://bookdlr.reservations.disney....34180488885206524631931138900&errorCode=&CMP=

And in case you don't want to follow the link here is what my screen shows:

Arriving on 3/17/2011 for 1 night; 2 Adults and 2 Children (ages 2, 8)
$445.00
Room Type:Standard View Room
Package: None
Tickets:None
Add Park Tickets

Also, I did post later on that after I called I did receive a discounted price from the operator but with tax it was still over $300 and I still contend that it is excessive.

 

[kyra's mommy]

One of my fav stories was the year we were really tight financially. I had changed jobs and things were so tight we thought we'd have to cancel our yearly Disney trip for the very first time. My kids were bummed, heck I was bummes, I'm the biggest Disney geek in the fam.
Anyways, I had almost given up on the trip until my friend reminded me we could just take our 5th wheel trailer and park in a campground near DL, and maybe by cooking our meals, etc. we could do it. Long story short, we did it, we found a campground nearby that actually offered a Disney shuttle! We couldn't afford as many days in the park so one night we just climbed on the roof of our trailer and watched the fireworks show.
It was absolutely magical in every way, because we focused on what matters... take what you got and make it count.

Oh I love that story, good for you for taking back your trip and making it magical.

 

[Dobie]

I just ran a room only scenario for the first week of April and it was 335, including taxes. . .289 without. . . about 50% more than what we pay to stay in a decent, chainline, centrally located hotel in any major city. ..we Dobies think that the extra money for a four night stay is well worth it. . .but I can tell you when we were young and poor, we would have made a different choice. . .

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Well I'm not really sure what your point is... if you are contending that it should'nt be surprising to me that's it's so expensive now because it could never have been $99 before or that the rates you were quoted are more reasonable??? Anyway, it was $99. I am NOT mistaken, I travel to Disneyland an average of 3-4 times a year and stay for several days each visit, I have been to Disney World several times in the past as well. I do all the booking for our trips and I KNOW what I pay for each hotel we stay at. Whether or not you can believe someone got that rate is not the issue. I did pay $99 and I'm not confused. Furthermore, here is my $445 link to show you that I didn't take the time to make up fake prices to ignite the board:http://bookdlr.reservations.disney....34180488885206524631931138900&errorCode=&CMP=

And in case you don't want to follow the link here is what my screen shows:

Arriving on 3/17/2011 for 1 night; 2 Adults and 2 Children (ages 2, 8)
$445.00
Room Type:Standard View Room
Package: None
Tickets:None
Add Park Tickets

Also, I did post later on that after I called I did receive a discounted price from the operator but with tax it was still over $300 and I still contend that it is excessive.

Your link actually does not work.
My only point was that your quote was very high. If you look at the date calendar I linked, you will see that a room for the night you are requesting (March 17, 2011) is actually 290.00 per night, not 445.00. I know that at times when you call rather than look online, you can get a higher quote, and I thought you would appreciate a better quote that the one you originally got. The truth is that the Grand Californian is very expensive--but not as expensive as your title suggests. If you did get it at a rate of 99.00 per night, then you got an amazing deal. We paid about 129.00 to stay at the best western on harbor last year, and I have paid similar amounts to stay at Howard Johnsons. That is still a great deal compard to what it costs to stay on property at Disneyland--and I think we all understand that. Disneyland resorts are often more expensive that Walt Disney Resorts, for a variety of reasons.

Take care,
Lisa

 

[CrazyDuck]

Your link actually does not work.
My only point was that your quote was very high. If you look at the date calendar I linked, you will see that a room for the night you are requesting (March 17, 2011) is actually 290.00 per night, not 445.00. I know that at times when you call rather than look online, you can get a higher quote, and I thought you would appreciate a better quote that the one you originally got. The truth is that the Grand Californian is very expensive--but not as expensive as your title suggests. If you did get it at a rate of 99.00 per night, then you got an amazing deal. We paid about 129.00 to stay at the best western on harbor last year, and I have paid similar amounts to stay at Howard Johnsons. That is still a great deal compard to what it costs to stay on property at Disneyland--and I think we all understand that. Disneyland resorts are often more expensive that Walt Disney Resorts, for a variety of reasons.

Take care,
Lisa

The prices on the link you provided are $290/night but requires that you stay a minimum of 2 nights. The OP only wants to stay 1 night. So the $445 quote is correct if you go to www.disneyland.com and do a search for a "Hotel Only" room for the night of 3/17. She's not exaggerating!

 

[Maddie2]

Well I just checked online and the price for one night was $445!!!!!!!!!!! Just thought I'd vent.

I know, crazy, right? We couldn't even stay 2 nights at the GCH for what we paid 7 nights for at the Park Vue. I understand the "once in a lifetime" concept, but even as a once in a lifetime trip, we wouldn't do it ... besides, we spend most of our time in the parks and out and about anyway!

 

[kyra's mommy]

The prices on the link you provided are $290/night but requires that you stay a minimum of 2 nights. The OP only wants to stay 1 night. So the $445 quote is correct if you go to www.disneyland.com and do a search for a "Hotel Only" room for the night of 3/17. She's not exaggerating!

Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to look it up and confirm that what I said was true.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

The prices on the link you provided are $290/night but requires that you stay a minimum of 2 nights. The OP only wants to stay 1 night. So the $445 quote is correct if you go to www.disneyland.com and do a search for a "Hotel Only" room for the night of 3/17. She's not exaggerating!

I did do a search after her link didn't work--but there are are no rooms left to quote on March 17--except for Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotel. It will only quote me for the other hotels. I usually pay around 300.00-350.00 to stay at the G.C. Which is the main reason we don't stay there that often! That and the fact that we actually like the Disneyland Hotel better (when not under construction, that is!).