Can someone compare Disneyland Resorts to DW?

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We are toying with the idea for next spring a west coast trip. Naturally, we would spend at least 4 days or so in Disneyland. How do the resorts compare? Especially for those who have used concierge services at DL? I'm leaning more towards to the Disneyland Hotel than the others.

Any thoughts or comparisons would be great!

Thanks

 

[missypie]

DLH is terrific. Ask for a room with a day bed - those are larger. I've heard that some of the king rooms can be small. The hotel is so cool. It has the Neverland Pool, the fountain show (I forgot what they call it), a neat water fall, a large spa, and Goofy's Kitchen for character meals. DTD is right across the street.

If you're used to WDW, you'll be thrilled with how close everything is at DL. You can park your car and walk everywhere easily...no trams, no boats, no busses. It's so relaxing. And you can get great prices on the hotels, which are "Deluxe" level. A couple of years ago, I got DLH for $139 a night during the week and $169 for the weekend (newspaper code/ not AP).


The Grand Californian looks cool, too. Some of the rooms are right above DTD and some look out onto DCA.

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

I really like their resorts especially because you can ususally get a great discount from 79.00 at Paradise Pier to 159.00 at the Grand Californian. The Grand is most like the Wilderness lodge, except instead of sprawling grounds its located inside the themed area of California Adventure park. The Disneyland Hotel has nice grounds and a Neverland Pool and is spread out in 3 towers, The Paradise Pier is just a one story skyrise but the beachside theme is carried out perfectly in the rooms and pool area. No you will not get the WDW grounds around each resort, because space is sparse, so instead you literally can walk everywhere is less than 7 minutes. All three hotels are next to Downtown Disney, no shuttles, no busses, just pure Disney.

 

[Texian@WDW]

We stayed at GC a few years ago. Had a great view from the balcony of the park. Watched fireworks at night. Loved the Downtown Disney area, everything was so close and the NICE weather made it better! VERY short walk from room to parks. Loved it!

 

[Dobie]

The Grand Californian is lovely. It has a beautiful, soaring lobby with comfy chairs, a grand piano with Disney classics, and a fireplace; my DH likes to sit there and read for a couple of hours each afternoon! The pool is smallish, but nicely themed, with a cool slide. There is also a smaller "quiet pool right next to it which never seems to have anyone in it. THere is a snack bar outside the pool area "Whitewater Snacks" that has yummy sandwiches, and you can get a drink poolside. The family restaurant has a really good dinner buffet. The character breakfast is so-so--only CHip and Dale, and they don't interact much. I didn't much care for the menu lunch. The GCH is literally in the California Adventure theme park, and is about a 5 minute walk from DL through DTD.

I was less impressed by the DLH; it is more of a hike, and seems dated to me.

 

[SEC]

The Grand Californian is a beautiful hotel, especially if you like the arts and crafts style. The main difference between being on property at CA versus FL is that you can walk to the parks in 5 minutes! CA is a great option for those who are not as mobile as they once were since you are so close the parks and everything in the parks are close together. My Mom can do disney again!

 

[Tikiman]

I am here in California and I will tell you my opinion is the Disneyland hotel is great but concierge is not worth a penny. The food, rooms and access to the parks is great at the Disneyland Hotel. Paradise Pier is nice but would be my 3rd choice out of the 3 Disney hotels. The Grand Californian is as close to a WDW resort as you will get with great concierge and the best access to the parks out of any resort Disney owns including the resorts at WDW.

I would do the GC if the price is not a problem and if you want to save a little the Disneyland Hotel is great also.

Aloha

Steve

 

[pearlieq]

I would agree with the previous poster--Grand Californian is about as close to a WDW hotel as you're going to get. Plus it's got the best location and park access.

I honestly found the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier to be a lot like a Hilton or Sheraton with Disney pictures on the wall. I'm not saying this to be disparaging, they were both fine hotels, but they didn't have the full WDW-type themed feel.

 

[*Susan*]

If the cost isn't an issue the Grand Californian is THE best of the three, no question (IMO). It is the most Disney and most WDWish in terms of theming. DLH is not very themed and - just my opinion - I disagree w/the previous poster that there is much of a theme at PP although it is a nice hotel. If you can swing the extra $$ go with the GC. We stay there when they have good deals, but stay off-site at the Embassy Suites when there are no good deals to be had. Personally I just don't think PP or DLH are worth the $$ but we go often - if I were coming from across the country and may not come back for a while I'd definitely stay on site.

I totally agree with Dobie that the DLH is quite a hike from the parks, but having Downtown Disney there makes it a more interesting walk. If you do go with the DLH request a room in the Sierra Tower which is the closest one to the parks. If you stay in one of the other ones that just adds to your walk.

Don't forget about the DL board, there is lots of great info there for trip planning.

 

[keys2kingdom]

My vote goes to the Grand Californian.