Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian, and why?

[MBIJ]

We're WDW veterans, but DLR rookies. We're thinking of visting DLR this summer - which on-siet hotel is best and why. We have 5 (3 kids) people.

 

[utahkennedys]

I have not stayed at either, and we are also staying with 2 kids at Disneyland Hotel next month. Here is why I chose it:

1. DL hotel has more "Disney" theming -- the rooms have Peter Pan theming, Neverland Pool, Goofy's Kitchen on-site, etc. It seems like from everything I read or hear, people love DL b/c it is "Magical".

2. DL hotel was cheaper (we used DVC points, but it was still less points that GC)

3. The rooms at DLH are bigger. Our friends just stayed at GC and said it felt "cramped"

There are obvious benefits to GC -- it is newer, classier, and closer to the parks, especially DCA since it has its own entrance.

But, still, DLH won it for me because of the kids and wanting as much space as possible since we are now spoiled by DVC and Marriott Villas!

 

[DangerMouse]

How old are your kids?

There's a big difference between the two hotels and lots of differing opinions on which is better and why.

DLH is the original, with awesome theming and nostalgic feel. It has the advantage of being steps away from the monorail which you can take in and out of DL. Otherwise, you have to walk through DTD to get to the front entry esplanade. Some of the rooms have 2 queens and a sofa sleeper couch so they would accomodate 5. The Neverland Pool is great for younger kids with a fun slide.

GCH is very luxurious looking from the outside and the lobby is breathtaking. Although I have found the rooms very unimpressive and smaller than the rooms at the DLH. You would have to request a room with a queen and bunks for your kids (they have a bunk with a trundle under it so it sleeps 3). If none of these rooms are available at check-in, they will hand you a sleeping bag. Kind of ridiculous for a $350+ room. The Grand has direct access to DCA and has a close walk to DTD go get to DL. It has a nice pool with slide as well with oudoorsy/woodsy theming.

I have stayed at both, and if I was offered both for the same price, I would choose the DLH.

HTH!

 

[JohnZ46]

If you have kids than the Disneyland Hotel is the way to go. It's more brightly colored and has stonger themeing that GC. Plus Goofy's kitchen is a fun restaurant for kids.

The Grand Californian seems more geared towards adults and has a luxury spa retreat atmosphere. The themeing is very subtle and the restaurants are more higher-end gourmet-type places.

Except for the breakfast brunch in the Storytellers Cafe, there's very little character interaction. Plus the characters emphasized at GC are the woodsy ones from Bambi, Chip & Dale, and Brother Bear.

Our philosophy is: When it's just the 2 of us we stay at the GC. When the grandkids are with us we stay at DLH.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

My dd 5 loves GCH (she calls it Chuck & Hank's Hotel- a trivia from their scavenger hunt) and doesn't understand why we can't stay there every trip. It's close to the park with an entrance into downtown disney and another to DCA. We love the lobby and the nightly storytelling by the hearth. It has more of a resort feel to us. There are 2 pools, 2 hot tubs, and 1 big slide and 1 little slide. We've always managed to snag a bunkbed room both times we've stayed there, but since it isn't guaranteed, I'd probably chose DLH with 3 kids since you'll probably get a 2 queen with a pullout.


DLH is the original disneyland hotel and it has a lot of disney theming (whereas GCH is more subdued). But since it is an older hotel, it has begun to show its age. The rooms themselves are more spacious than GCH and the pixie dust borders add the extra disney magic. The Neverland Pool is wonderful. Ds loved its slide and the Peter Pan theming. Dd was to scared to go down the big slide, but enjoyed herself on the little slide. There's another pool with sand, but we didn't go there. There's a waterfall by the Bonita tower and a place where you can drive your own r/c jungle boat cruise. It is a farther walk to DL & DCA, but most people don't mind since you can take the monorail to the park.

If you want to roll the dice on getting a bunkbed room, assuming your kids are still little enough for it to be comfortable, I'd chose GCH. Otherwise DLH is a great hotel as well. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

If none of these rooms are available at check-in, they will hand you a sleeping bag.

Is this for real???!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Is this for real???!!!

Yes it is. Which is why I prefer the DLH! I love GCH, its so incredilby close and feels very upscale. But the small rooms and possibility of shelling out big bucks to have one my kids sleeping on the floor is a deal breaker for me. I do have to say however, that the balconies at the GCH almost make up for that! You cannot go wrong with either. But if you are talking about this summer, book quickly, these hotels always sell out and rates are very high. Last I looked for my late June trip (which I have booked but I love to check anyway) the DLH was over $300 a night. So that means GCH is probably well over $400.

There is also the Paradise Pier Hotel. Great pool slide (think Boardwalk withouth the creepy clown face). Large rooms and each and every room has a couch that makes into a very comfortable twin size bed. Its also always the cheapest. It has a nice beach theme. I do prefer the DLH but also really enjoyed my two stays at PP.

 

[DangerMouse]

I thought the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in the DLH's Sierra Tower blew the GCH balcony away.

Someday I have to try the PP just so I can experience the "Great pool slide (think Boardwalk withouth the creepy clown face)."

 

[jayally]

I have stayed at all 3 DLR hotels and have to say the DL hotel is the best. The rooms were bigger, the beds felt softer and the theming was very nice and the view and pool area spectacular. We overlooked DTD. The monorail is not far and you can walk to the GCH and use their entrance to DCA. 2nd hotel would be PP because the rooms seem bigger and nicer than the GCH although a somewhat generic feel to it. The pool was ok but nothing to get to excited about, not much theming to it. The walk was long but not too bad when cutting through the GCH and about as far to walk as the DL hotel would be from the main entrance. The DL pool is the best out of all of them and my kids always want to swim there. DGC hotel is nice but overpriced and overhyped. Last time we stayed in a bunkbed room there were some type of mosquitos flying all over and it freaked my kids out. We were transferred to another room but it was not as nice as the DL rooms, considering the premium I had to pay. The pool would rate 2nd over the DL. Whitewater cafe next to the pool is a great place to eat and they accept all passholder discounts.

 

[GoofyBaby]

We wanted to stay at DLH a few weeks ago, but it was sold out so we reluctantly opted for the Grand Californian. I am so glad we stayed there! I need a firm bed and the GCH beds were heaven to my back! Tons of plush pillows too. The rooms were a bit small, but there were only two of us, so it was never a problem. I absolutely LOVED our balcony and our Downtown Disney view - we ate our room service breakfast on our balcony every morning while listening to the sounds of Downtown Disney. It was wonderful! I was also spoiled by the nightly turndown service and having the robes in the closet for our use. Oh and having the private entrance into DCA and being so close to the DL entrance was so cool!

With that said, I still can't wait to try the DLH someday!

 

[disneycruise_obessed]

the grand californian
i have only once had a good disnetyland hotel experience
when they bumped us up to a huge suite
but i dont particulary like the hotel staff there
the grand californian is AMAZING

the hotel staff is greaat
our room was ready eraly
you get a sheet of paper that lists all these special experiences exclusivly to the GC, like a tour of sephora and all this cool stuff
plus although the rooms are smaller, they are SOOOOO much nicer

i am fully a GC fann

 

[rentayenta]

Between all 3 DLR hotels I would choose the Paradise Pier but between the DLH and GCH, it's the DLH all the way. The Disney theme is apparent all over the hotel from the glow-in-the-dark Tink pixie dust wall border to the little Mickey hands that hold the bathroom lamps. There are character/animal topiary on the grounds and the Neverland Pool is terrific. The hotel is the original and is also showing it's wear a little.


The GCH while beautiful does not feel Disney to me. The rooms are smaller and like others have posted, if you have a party of 5 and a room with the bunk-beds is not available, they will give you a sleeping bag. That's ludicrous when they are charging over $300 a night. The proximity to the parks cannot be beat though.

 

["Got Disney"]

I have stayed at both and DLH is great if your kids are young. My kids are 10, 13 and they love the GC and don't want to stay anywhere else.

It is a beautiful Hotel and has a great pool. There pool loungeres are delux not just plastic like DLH. I have also found that the DLH pool is always dirty. The tiles are always covered in slime. Think it is due to all the little ones swimming in it.

If my kids were still around ages 8 and under than I would stay at DLH. It is also less expensive there. I love the rooms at GC...much nicer than the rooms at DLH but the rooms at DLH are also nice, just not as delux.

Yes they do give you sleeping bags and floor pads as extra beds the other Hotels are also stopping the rollaway beds. We just bring our inflatable beds when we need them.

Either way I would not hesitate to stay at either of the Hotels. Go to Expedia.com and type in under Hotels, Disneyland in Aneheim adn a whole bunch of Hotels will come up. Look for DLH, GC and Paradise pier and look and the pictures and reviews and wee what fits you.

At either Hotel you will not be disapointed. But if your kdis are older and you can afford the GC than stay there for sure

Have fun....

 

[caimakale]

There is a reason they hand out sleeping bags at the GCH, you need to understand why before "bagging" on it.

Look at the theming of the hotel, it's an arts and crafts hotel. Tree's, outdoors, nature, etc...it's the theme of the hotel. Yes it's a very nice hotel, so why would they hand out sleeping bags you ask? Well it's because of the overall theming they have. Many people get rooms at DLH for a similar reason...the disney theme.

Well the GCH has a theme too, and it's not as mickey and minnie (or tinkerbell) as the DLH, yes there are disney characters in the rooms at the GCH, ones from nature like bambi and thumper. They don't hand out sleeping bags because they are cheap and couldn't afford the rollaways, it's because they are following the theme of being outdoors in your room. Don't like it? Don't stay there, it means there will be more room for the rest of us!

The GCH is a very convenient place to stay. My girls (ages 3, 6, 9) prefer GCH over DLH as do my wife and I. You have to decide for yourself if the extra money and different atmosphere is worth the stay. As other posters have mentioned, DLH is getting older and showing the signs of it. The rooms are larger, but in my opinion, the convenience of the GCH outweighs the larger rooms, price, and theming of the DLH.

 

[tinkerbelt]

Look at the theming of the hotel, it's an arts and crafts hotel. Tree's, outdoors, nature, etc...it's the theme of the hotel. Yes it's a very nice hotel, so why would they hand out sleeping bags you ask? Well it's because of the overall theming they have. Many people get rooms at DLH for a similar reason...the disney theme.

Theme or not, a sleeping back in a $350+ hotel room is ridiculous. I would not pay that much to sleep on the floor somewhere.

 

[DangerMouse]

There is a reason they hand out sleeping bags at the GCH, you need to understand why before "bagging" on it.

Look at the theming of the hotel, it's an arts and crafts hotel. Tree's, outdoors, nature, etc...it's the theme of the hotel. Yes it's a very nice hotel, so why would they hand out sleeping bags you ask? Well it's because of the overall theming they have. Many people get rooms at DLH for a similar reason...the disney theme.

Well the GCH has a theme too, and it's not as mickey and minnie (or tinkerbell) as the DLH, yes there are disney characters in the rooms at the GCH, ones from nature like bambi and thumper. They don't hand out sleeping bags because they are cheap and couldn't afford the rollaways, it's because they are following the theme of being outdoors in your room. Don't like it? Don't stay there, it means there will be more room for the rest of us!

The GCH is a very convenient place to stay. My girls (ages 3, 6, 9) prefer GCH over DLH as do my wife and I. You have to decide for yourself if the extra money and different atmosphere is worth the stay. As other posters have mentioned, DLH is getting older and showing the signs of it. The rooms are larger, but in my opinion, the convenience of the GCH outweighs the larger rooms, price, and theming of the DLH.

I have a different take on it. The rooms are too small to provide a rollaway. It would go against the fire code because there wouldn't be enough floor space to get out the door. So they give you a sleeping bag and say it's the outdoorsy experience? PUH-LEASE!!!! Find me one other "Luxury hotel" outside of Disney in the country that offers their guests a sleeping bag.

 

[wendypooh22]

the other Hotels are also stopping the rollaway beds. [/COLOR]

Is this true?? They will be stopping the rollaway beds???

 

[SunBunny23]

Theme or not, a sleeping back in a $350+ hotel room is ridiculous. I would not pay that much to sleep on the floor somewhere.

Yeah, or at least plate the sleeping bags in 14k gold.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We've stayed and both, and I like both for different reasons. Now there is usually only the 3 of us. My son ends up getting the other queen sized bed all to himself, so we don't have the sleeping bag problem. If we did, yes I doubt we'd stay there. It's too much a night to have anyone sleeping on the floor!

We usually stay at the DLH, a lot has to do with it being some what cheaper. But we love the Peter Pan pool, the decorations in the pool. Goofy's Kitchen being right down stairs, all the Disney memorbilia all over the place (especially love to look at the old toys and pictures of Walt). Running in to Goofy in the lobby. The DLH makes me feel like we never really leave Disneyland by going back to the room.

Were now trying again to save up enough to go back to GCH in October. It's simply a beautiful hotel. We love having the balconies, and have had a awesome view of DCA. I could spend all day on that balcony! I don't really find the rooms small. But like I said it's only the 3 of us. I'm sure if we had 6 people MOST rooms would appear too small for us! I'd probably always want a huge suite for that many people! We also like how close GCH is. The walk to the DLH can be tiring, especially after a long day at the park, or after many days with tired feet. It's also a nice plus having it's own entrance to DCA.

Neither place is cheap. If costs are an issue we'll stay off site, at Hojo's or BWPPI. If we want to splurge and have one of those "one in a life time" trips, we stay at either of these. It does add to the magic of the trip that's for sure!

 

[kittysmommy]

Although the DH has been getting a lot of praise, I had the opposite experience when we stayed there in December. I was VERY unimpressed by the experience. Our room felt small, and my 10 year old DD didn't like the day bed in the room (said it was very uncormfortable). The bathrooms were cramped, and I hated having the vanity area in the bathroom so everyone had to wait their turn to get ready. We didn't experience the pool, but walked through the area. It was nice, but would not be the determining factor for me to stay there. The rooms were themed a little more Disney than the GC, but I wasn't very impresed by it. I thought it could be done better. Overall, I thought it didn't feel any nicer than some of the hotels we've stayed at on Harbor. The walk through DD was horrible with a tired 4 year old (and we forgot the stroller and the monorail was down). It seemed VERY far away!! This kept part of my family from going back to the park each night. The CMs were nice, but I found the CMs at the GC nicer. We also expected some of the extra activities that are availalbe at the GC, but were suprised when there was nothing really going on. I did LOVE Goofy's Kitchen though!

We have stayed at the GC too many times to count (plus I don't want those dollar signs adding up in my head!). We usually have 3 adults (DH and my mom) plus 2 DD (10 & 4). We have stayed in the day bed rooms before, and they are bigger and usually better for us. HOwever, I absolutely LOVE The DD view rooms. Some DD view rooms are much better than others, but it is so great to be able to sit on the balcony and still feel like you are sitting in the park (well, you're actually sleeping in the park since the hotel in DCA). When we've taken my little one through the past 4 years, it was nice to still catch the fireworks when she was too pooped to stay at the park. You can't beat the location of the hotel, and the pool is fun, but probably not quite as fun as the DL pool. My DD (4) loves the stories by the fire each night, and we enjoy sitting in the wonderful lobby listening to the pianist. At Christmas,you especially can't beat it with the huge tree and carolers that often roam the lobby (although I did see them once at the DLH too, but it was outside and dark and cold so I couldn't sit there and really enjoy them). Even though I've heard some people complain about the sleeping bags, my 10 year old thinks it's really cool! Remember, they aren't for adults, and the kids seem to like it!

Just as a cool story about the GC, when we were staying at the DLH in Dec, my DH asked the concierge at the GC for a couple of the coconut macaroons in the concierge lounge (we've been the Grand Family before and these are to DIE for!). I couldn't find them anywhere else since Whitewater was out of them. The concierge sent a HUGE plate full of them for me. It was totally COOL!

We are trying out the PP in May, so I'm anxious to see how it compares. I'm hoping it impresses me more than the DLH.

For what it's worth....