AP Discount @ The Grand Californian

[rsschneck]

I thought I would post this for my DIS friends. I called to inquire about AP discount rates for our July arrival. So far the only discount has been 10% (which is still the same for DLH and PPH). The Grand Californian has some AP discount rates you might want to check out. The Standard and DTD view were the same price @ $219 per night. The DTD view usually runs $410 per night. That is almost 50% savings. Of course you still have the 15% tax and resort fee.

Now I am trying to decide between two reservations.

5 nights @ the GCH with a DTD view for $1316.75
Pool and convenience is the big seller here

OR
5 nights @ the Candy Cane Inn for $686.55
Daily Breakfast included

Difference of $630.20
We stayed @ the Grand Californian in January and loved the convenience
We have never stayed @ the Candy Cane Inn

What to do

 

[hlbtimes2]

With out a doubt we would pick the CCI. We stayed there in March, and I went with friends in May. We really like it. My husband stayed at the grand in May for a business trip. When he returned I asked if we should stay at the grand next time, was it really that great, etc. He said no. He said for for the price and our needs it really wasnt worth it. The shuttle from the CCI gets you closer to the enterance then the rooms at the Grand. They way the hotel is set up, you pretty much have to go thru the lobby to get to your room. So, while some rooms look close, its really not all that close. The $600 saving would go a really long ways toward food and souviners for our family! Or we could stay there another day or two for that price.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Assuming money is no object...

I would definitely choose to stay at the GCH. It looks beautiful, and apparently the level of service is excellent. They also have some neat sounding activities. There's also a free early morning tour of DCA for GCH guests, if I remember right...? Awesome! My dream is to stay there at least once in my lifetime.

On the other hand, you could stay at CCI for nearly half the cost of GCH, and I understand that hotel is nice as well as convenient. If the choice were to stay once a year at the GCH, or get APs and stay twice a year at the CCI, I would choose two trips!
(Not that DH is ever likely to go for that option, I can hardly pry him away from work for one vacation a year...)

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We've never stayed at CCI, but have heard lots of wonderful things about it. I'm not one to wait around for shuttles, so we prefer to stay within walking distance and GCH is as close as your gonna get. We stayed at GCH last Oct and had a great time. If your gonna be at the park all day and are only using your hotel to sleep and get ready for the next day then I'd stick with CCI and use the $$$ on other things. But if you plan on going back to your hotel for a reprieve from the parks and may in fact utilize some of the many hotel ammenities, then I' d recommend GCH if $$$ isn't too much of an issue. Dh complained about how expensive GCH when planning that Oct trip, but after staying there, he said it was well worth the $$$ spent. We've even convinced his Mom & stepdad to join us there for our trip in August.

 

[cats mom]

For that kind of price difference, which will actually be a savings of MORE than $630.20 if you figure in breakfasts, I'd be booking CCI in a heartbeat.

But you have to take my opinion with a grain of salt since I think GC is way overpriced for what you get.
I've just never loved it the way some folks do.
Gotta be honest about that.

Something to consider since pool time is high on your list... last time we stayed at GC and went for a mid-day swim on a really HOT summer day, the pool area was absolutely PACKED. We finally scored one lounge chair for our whole family after hovering over anyone who looked like they were even thinking about leaving for what seemed like forever. (I thought I had been transported to the Mickey pool area on DCL for awhile)

It's not always that crazy, in fact we've gone off-season and had the pool almost all to ourselves, but it was just so darn hot and crowded at the parks that day, I guess everyone had the same idea.
And since you're looking at July...

Anyway, I'm sure you'll get lots of different opinions.
No matter what you decide I hope you have a GREAT time!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

man that is such a HUGE difference in price...that would be a hard one for me...there are so many things to factor in....on one hand you could use the savings for tons of stuff in the park...but being that its in the summer, the GCH is close and you wouldnt have to leave the property in mid day when its too overwhelming...thats a tough one...glad Im not having to make the decision...

 

[PattiPB]

If money were no object, GC in a heartbeat. For me, money is/was/always will be an object!

My suggestion: Split the stay. Do 2/3 nights at CCI at the beginning, hit the parks really hard. Move to GC for the last 2/3 nights, and relax and enjoy the amenities. Basically cutting your price diff in half, and having the best of both worlds.

Can't really go wrong, now can you? You're going to DL!!!!!

 

[thelionqueen]

Personally I would stay @ GCH. I personally prefer the DL hotel, but the difference between staying onsite and offsite is the deal breaker for me.

I would never stay offsite again, the experience, distance, convenience and quality are worth whatever the difference in price is.. Just my .02

 

[Scratch42]

Grand Californian!

You cannot beat the convenience!

j

 

[rsschneck]

Grand Californian!

You cannot beat the convenience!

j

Janet

Are you following me?

 

[CalGal]

$219 at the GCH during summer-- a bargain. Grab it!

 

[lulubelle]

I think it comes down to your financial situation. If the price difference is a big deal, by all means stay at the CCI. But if you can, stay at the Grand. It really is a treat and the convenience of the location is wonderful. I would hate to pick the CCI because it is the sensible thing to do and that little voice in your head keeps saying "wow, we could have stayed at the Grand CA for a great price instead". And the breakfast thing may not be a factor for you. My family doesn't usually eat breakfast and we enjoy having coffee and maybe some fruit or a granola bar on our balcony more than a free breakfast buffett. Good luck whatever you decide, I am sure you will have a great trip

 

[teacherkaren]

GC - without a doubt! the hotel goes directly into California Adventure, turn down is a nice touch, I felt totally spoiled and loved it. I've stayed there a number of times and hate even thinking of staying any place else when I'm there. That is a great price!

 

[rsschneck]

Called about the Disney resorts again today and the GCH is the only one showing Deep AP discount for the end of July. I will keep checking for the other two properties.

$219 for standard and DTD view
$249 for theme park view

We are still trying to decide what to do about hotels. I think we might try a split stay because I want to see if the CCI is as good as everyone says it is. DD and I arrive two days before DH so we might try the CCI by ourselves. Then we are thinking of moving over to the GCH for the last 3 nights when DH is with us since it is his B-day trip. That way we would save a couple hundred bucks for food and try a new hotel for future reference. Still have a few weeks to decide.

 

[hlbtimes2]

You will be disappointed in the CCI if you are comparing it to the GC. Its older. The rooms are small. It would not be as highly rated if it were anywhere else. But, for those of us that are looking for a clean, close room with a bed and shower it goes beyond the expectations.

The shuttle can't be beat- it runs on schedule every 1/2 hour and gets you closer to the gate then the GC is. The breakfast is fresh and saves money. The staff is friendly. The plants on the grounds are gorgeous. The rooms are nicely decorated.

Its a family owned motel. Its been owned by the same family since it was built in the 50's. The original owner moved to American as a young teen, from Turkey. He is now in his 80's and his son owns the hotel. He really saw Walts dream and took the chance.

 

[Shrunkenheadned]

Candy Cane Inn for sure. I love the GCH but, with the amount of money saved you could possibly put it into the next disney vacation instead. For Dh and I that would be almost 1/3 of our next trip already.

Your choice of course.

I think it really depends on wheather or not you are looking for a resort or just a great clean bed and shower. How much time are you going to be spending in your room.

Have a great trip whatever you decided.

 

[Dis Ohana]

WOW! I'm not an AP holder, and have to pay regular rates so to me those are amazing prices. I'd definitely choose the GCH!

 

[mamapenguin]

I just returned from a stay at GCH. The pool was cold, like 80 sad. When I came home on Monday night my pool at home was 90 without heat. Needless to say my toddler & I only used the pool once. Everyone else in our group used it anyway. Don't forget to turn on your air in your room, when you get there it will be turned off. It took us a day to figure that out. One of our rooms had no hot water more than once. That room had a park view. I think the hotel location is great, but service could be better. It's noisy when people are coming back from the parks at all hours of the night. All day there are house keeping carts everywhere.
GL & enjoy wherever you stay.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Personally I would stay @ GCH. I personally prefer the DL hotel, but the difference between staying onsite and offsite is the deal breaker for me.

I would never stay offsite again, the experience, distance, convenience and quality are worth whatever the difference in price is.. Just my .02

That's how we feel also. And for that price? Oh yeah, I'd stay there the whole trip for that price! Wouldn't even think twice!

 

[flipturngirl]

I would stay at the GCH!! THE CCI I stayed once and it really was horrible. WE got a smoking room when we asked for NON SMOKING. The pool did not work..THe breakfast. ha if you think that is a breakfast wow..they had stale toast and everything..but it might have changed since I stayed there 8 years ago.
Hope you have fun