Compare Disneyland Hotel with Grand California

[DVCfan7]

Hi, would anyone give me some tips/hints on which resort would be better? I've found that both are similar in cost/points when added in taxes. Thank you.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Hi, would anyone give me some tips/hints on which resort would be better? I've found that both are similar in cost/points when added in taxes. Thank you.

Disney’s Grand Californian is currently under refurbs, so if you’re looking at the better option from that standpoint, you may want to go for the Disneyland Hotel.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is more of a celebration of the state than Disneyland Hotel, which leans more on elegance rather than theming. Grand Californian also has an exclusive DCA entrance, which will remain open even after Pixar Place Hotel closes its entrance. Disneyland Hotel doesn’t have that.

 

[LKing]

It depends on what your priorities are. I think most people will recommend the Grand if it is affordable.

• GCH is closer to the parks with an entrance directly from the hotel into DCA. DLH is farther away - You'll either walk through Downtown Disney to access the parks or take the monorail from DTD to Tomorrowland in Disneyland. The monorail at Disneyland is an attraction, not a mode of transportation. It doesn't run before park opening or when it is hot outside (no AC).
• Many with small children prefer the pool at DLH.
• Some complain that the lobby in GCH is more crowded and noisy.
• Some complain about the walk from DLH to the parks.

 

[eticketplease]

I assume you’re talking about the DVC accommodations.

We prefer the rooms themselves at Disneyland hotel however everything else at grand Californian.

It is very true that when you factor in point cost and the transient tax they are very close.

 

[maleficent55]

better is so determinate upon what is important to YOU

I've stayed at both and here are my PERSONAL thoughts

pros to DLH:
bigger rooms that feel real magical with light up musical headboards and the dark blue carpet
love the tropical theming around the pool and the food options from the pool service better
better pool with a better slide (monorail slides)
the magical nostalgic feel and pictures around the lobby
whimsical

cons to DLH:
the walk is longer and at the end of the night you really feel it
the pool scene is overall louder by far

pros to the Grand Californian:
the rooms are plush and the views are better from most (woods/courtyard view, i.e. monorail view and sometimes a great partial theme park view, i.e. DCA)
the overall feel of the hotel and lobby feels more all encompassing and the lobby feels like a place to spend time
proximity!!!!! private entrance to DCA and very close to the entrance to DL
for me, the staff is better/more friendly here
the pool is very relaxing, better loungers and also better cabanas (I have only had a cabana at the GCH but from pics and videos they look way nicer than the DLH cabanas)
there are REALLY good restaurants
viewing decl into DCA/World of Color
the smell

cons to GCH:
expensive

overall, the FEELING, unmistakable vibe that exists and permeates your psych and soul at the GCH is undeniable

 

[DVCfan7]

Disney’s Grand Californian is currently under refurbs, so if you’re looking at the better option from that standpoint, you may want to go for the Disneyland Hotel.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is more of a celebration of the state than Disneyland Hotel, which leans more on elegance rather than theming. Grand Californian also has an exclusive DCA entrance, which will remain open even after Pixar Place Hotel closes its entrance. Disneyland Hotel doesn’t have that.

I'll go next year so I guess the refurbs will be done. How about the pools?

 

[DVCfan7]

better is so determinate upon what is important to YOU

I've stayed at both and here are my PERSONAL thoughts

pros to DLH:
bigger rooms that feel real magical with light up musical headboards and the dark blue carpet
love the tropical theming around the pool and the food options from the pool service better
better pool with a better slide (monorail slides)
the magical nostalgic feel and pictures around the lobby
whimsical

cons to DLH:
the walk is longer and at the end of the night you really feel it
the pool scene is overall louder by far

pros to the Grand Californian:
the rooms are plush and the views are better from most (woods/courtyard view, i.e. monorail view and sometimes a great partial theme park view, i.e. DCA)
the overall feel of the hotel and lobby feels more all encompassing and the lobby feels like a place to spend time
proximity!!!!! private entrance to DCA and very close to the entrance to DL
for me, the staff is better/more friendly here
the pool is very relaxing, better loungers and also better cabanas (I have only had a cabana at the GCH but from pics and videos they look way nicer than the DLH cabanas)
there are REALLY good restaurants
viewing decl into DCA/World of Color
the smell

cons to GCH:
expensive

overall, the FEELING, unmistakable vibe that exists and permeates your psych and soul at the GCH is undeniable

Thanks so much for the details. I guess the monorail slide is very cool. Can we see any fire work from either place?

 

[DVCfan7]

I assume you’re talking about the DVC accommodations.

We prefer the rooms themselves at Disneyland hotel however everything else at grand Californian.

It is very true that when you factor in point cost and the transient tax they are very close.

Oh, could you tell me why Disneyland rooms are better? Are they newer? Thanks

 

[DVCfan7]

It depends on what your priorities are. I think most people will recommend the Grand if it is affordable.

• GCH is closer to the parks with an entrance directly from the hotel into DCA. DLH is farther away - You'll either walk through Downtown Disney to access the parks or take the monorail from DTD to Tomorrowland in Disneyland. The monorail at Disneyland is an attraction, not a mode of transportation. It doesn't run before park opening or when it is hot outside (no AC).
• Many with small children prefer the pool at DLH.
• Some complain that the lobby in GCH is more crowded and noisy.
• Some complain about the walk from DLH to the parks.

It's sad the monorail doesn't seem to be very practical. That's good to know. I've heard the early entry will be gone. I'm wondering whether we'd better split up a long stay to every day as an individual reservation, will we then get more free lightening lane passes? Can we use more than one on one day if we don't go to the parks everyday during our stay?

 

[longboard55]

The new Disneyland Hotel rooms are brighter, but they do not have the balcony. The walk from the Disneyland Hotel is a lot longer and security check is longer. But if you have toddlers the Disneyland Hotel pool has areas perfect for that age with 0-8" areas to splash in, where the Grand minimum pool depth is 36". We go to both, they are both wonderful, seems to be easier to get a pool chair at the Disneyland Hotel, but the Grand Lobby is amazing. Plus they have the fireplaces and often music in the lobby. If price was the same I would go with the Grand.

One other thing, we can usually check in at the Disneyland Hotel and get a room right away, even like 11 am. The Grand seems to always take a long time, usually after 3

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

You'll want to clarify whether you are staying in a DVC or hotel room as they are very different even within the same resort.

VGC has the bigger DVC rooms but nowhere near as new or updated as the VDH rooms, but all VGC rooms have balconies while most VDH studios don't.

On the hotel side GCH rooms are smaller but more recently updated vs the DLH rooms. DLH rooms do have far more Disney theming in the rooms.

 

[maleficent55]

Thanks so much for the details. I guess the monorail slide is very cool. Can we see any fire work from either place?

I have stayed in rooms at both where I could see the fireworks. Was it a good amazing perfectly clear view? No, and definitely better at the Grand californian. But that’s because at the Grand I’ve never had a downtown Disney views and some of those rooms offer really really good firework views

 

[LKing]

I wouldn't count on being able to watch fireworks from your hotel room. There is a chance you might get lucky but more of a chance that you won't.

What time of year are you planning on visiting? When fireworks are on the schedule, they are at 9:30 pm. You can watch them from the esplanade between the two parks, from the 2nd floor of Vista Parkside Market in DTD and from Pixar Place Hotel rooftop deck. You can even watch them from Pixar Pier in DCA. Pixar Place is the only location where the music is piped in.

As I mentioned, the monorail is an attraction. The station is not at the hotel, but is in DTD. The Disneyland station is at the far end of Tomorrowland. Don't use the monorail as a factor in making your decision.

The distance to walk from DLH to the entrance to both parks is approximately the same as the distance from the Contemporary Hotel to the Magic Kingdom entrance.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I like them both. If you are traveling with younger children and think you'll be back and forth to your room throughout the day, the Grand Californian will be much more convenient. The lobby can be very busy because many people visiting the park will pop over for a meal. Locals will also come for food and drinks.

The Villas at Disneyland are much more Disney themed. The property has stepped up it's game with some more dining options.

There are pages and pages of the two in the DVC forum. You can also watch YouTube videos that show walk throughs.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've stayed in both and for us the GC is the better choice. Love the atmosphere. The ability to enter DCA directly from the hotel is a nice bonus.