Disneyland Hotel or Grand California Hotel ?

[OFF TO WDW!]

Long story short, I called Disney for Prices.(I think it was 4 or 5 nights).

Disneyland hotel package:

Standard room - $2534.00
Theme park- $2784.00


Grand Californian:

Standard-$2859.10



My question is sticking with a standard room, is it worth it to upgrade to the Grand California Hotel for the Max difference of $325.00 and why?

I haven't looked on a map where these are located, but I am trying to justify to myself the extra Money. We are not frugal, but we are also the type of famiy that do not like to waste money either.The other option is we can use that money and it would almost cover the $360.00 JetBlue charges for the extra legroom seats round trip froM JFK in N.Y. and back. Not sure which way to go.

Any opinons would be appreciated!

 

[OFF TO WDW!]

I guess it's that much of a no brainer. I still don't unserstand why but I'll go along with it!

 

[rentayenta]

The GCH is amazing. I chose without a doubt however I really like a nice view so given the choice between a great view at the DLH and a parking lot view at the GCH, I may choose the DLH.

 

[MenchieMan87]

I'm going to be staying at Best Western Park Place because it's the closest hotel to the park, but if I was choosing between those two only I would choose Grand Californian because it's closer. Disneyland Hotel is all the way at the end of Downtown Disney. It isn't even that close to the monorail anymore (and the monorail can have such a wait that it's faster to walk.)

 

[MenchieMan87]

Here is a map:

 

[Tehls]

I would go with the Disneyland Hotel.

My wife and I stayed at the Grand Californian for our Honeymoon. It is the most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed in. However, our view was of the Monorail, not the park. The room is still a room, not really that different than some of the good neighbor hotels. Early park entry means nothing when so much is closed so don't worry about that.

I would say save the money, stay at the Disneyland Hotel and take that extra money into the park with you.

PS
I will admit that the short walk to the bottom floor to get to the park was great. Just not a few hundred dollars great.

PPS
Our room was messed up as well, they don't guarantee the kind of room you get. Being on our Honeymoon, we want a King bed, they gave us two queens. It got fixed luckly for us.

PPPS
The bar was great at the Grand Californian.

 

[OFF TO WDW!]

I would go with the Disneyland Hotel.

My wife and I stayed at the Grand Californian for our Honeymoon. It is the most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed in. However, our view was of the Monorail, not the park.
QUOTE]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not saying this sarcastically, but is there anything wrong with a view of the monorail (in terms of noise at night or anything else).

 

[3monkeys4me]

I loved the GCH so that would get my vote.

As a kid we mostly stayed offsite but we did stay at the DLH a few times. DH and I went to Disneyland twice before having kids and both times we stayed at the GCH and I loved it. We had a DTD view one time and I don't remember what our view was the second time.

This last time we went (as a family of 5) we stayed at the PPH and it was nice but I doubt I would stay there again (though we had a theme park view room and the view was awesome!)

I do think young children would probably enjoy the themeing at the DLH though.

 

[alyssa810]

We've stayed at DLH a couple of times, and we're making our 2nd stay at GC in September. Since we're DVC members staying on points, VGC is the only place we'll stay now! We fell in love with the place- it's spoiled me for anywhere else!
Of course if I were paying cash, I'd say go with whatever's cheapest

 

[nunzia]

I voted for the Grand Californian because I love it so much I bought DVC for it..but DLH is also VERY nice and a great experience.

 

[SeansMom]

I would go with the Disneyland Hotel.

My wife and I stayed at the Grand Californian for our Honeymoon. It is the most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed in. However, our view was of the Monorail, not the park.
QUOTE]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not saying this sarcastically, but is there anything wrong with a view of the monorail (in terms of noise at night or anything else).

We had a view of the monorail/courtyard and I loved it. Perhaps what the point is you don't have a park view but you pay a stiff price? Just a thought. Anyway, we've never stayed at the DL hotel but want to give it a try next time. With all the new rooms and pool, etc, it looks like a great experience!

 

[Mrsjvb]

as CA is our favorite of the 2 parks and we spend the most time there.. yeah it's worth it to US.

 

[twopeasonepod]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the monorail view. We always get a standard view and have had the monorail, pool, and parking views. Obviously I wouldn't complain if upgraded to a better view, but we don't spend enough time on the balcony or gazing out the window for it to matter to our family.

If your rezzie is for 5 nights, the $65 per night would be worth it for the walk alone. (Well, and the fact that I love GCH!)

 

[LisainCalifornia]

GC:
Spa like low slung hotel. Long hallways due to the fact that you only have 5 floors (6 if you count concierge, which I don't) to choose from. The lobby brings the hotel experiece up several notches, as does the proxitmity to the parks. Seems like a "resort" experience, especially at the pool if you can score a pool lounge seat. The money you pay for it is a little hard to swallow for the average person. You can't beat the close walk thru downtown disney from the parks--it is the closest option if you stay on property.

DLH: High Tower (i.e. great views) resort with remodeled rooms. Disney "brings it" with these rooms--light up head boards and disney touches abound. If you get a view room, all the better. Higher tower views give you a sweeping view of downtown disney/pools (or pool construction, if your luck is like mine and timing is just right!). If you are lucky enough to face away from the construction and get that downtown disney view with a view of the fireworks then you are golden. If you face backhoes and dirt piles, then you may be a bit testy for paying to stay there and come back to add your review of distaste to the pile of reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Have a great time!

 

[kikiq]

I voted GCH BUT if you have children, you need to stay at DLH at least once, even if it's a parking lot view. The rooms are renovated and even my DD who loves GCH wants to stay there at least once with her DD. Our family has very fond memories of the DLH, Christmas weekends and birthday stays.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Tough question to answer...totally depends on your situation, family dymanic, and what is a priority to you in your hotel. I LOVE the Grand Californian, but I value the proximity to the parks first and foremost. I have stayed in most levels and views, even with a WOC view and now prefer a standard GCA room that is close to the elevators. If i was traveling with kids, I would prefer the DL Hotel. To me DLH seems more kid-centric and GCA more adult-centric with more of a resort and spa feel. I am much more relaxed with a nice change of pace when I enter the GCA and DLH feels like an extension of the parks, fully keeping you immersed in the "magic" The further back rooms of the GCA can be almost as long of a walk as the DHL (or at least feels that way!). DLH has a better kids pool, GCA pool is more relaxing as an adult.

Either way you wont go wrong!