Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian?

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I want to know which would you choose? Give me your reasons, convince me to stay there.

 

[Geemo]

When members want help deciding on one over the other, it helps to know...
When are you going?
How many days do you plan to stay?
How many in the party? Adults? Children?

Geemo

 

[ludari]

I would select Grand California. I like the proximity to the parks and DTD, the décor, the restaurants, and as a DVC member I do like rooms and the option of visiting the private viewing for WOC for members only. I do have to admit that the Disneyland Hotel does have a better pool.

 

[AngiTN]

I picked DLH because we frequent WDW and often stay at WL when there. GCH and WL are similar. I wanted an experience more unique to DL. Plus, I love the more classic, quirky decor that if found at DLH. It just screams classic Disney to me

 

[BoomerThePirate]

We always choose DLH. I feel that it does a better job of keeping you in the "Disney Bubble" with the decor and general look to the grounds. it is in essence "more disney" than the GCH. Although it is technically the furthest walk to the parks you can cut through GCH to get to DCA and use the monorail to get into DL. Also walking through DTD makes the walk seem shorter.

In other words choose DLH if you're a disney fanatic like i am. Choose GCH if you want convenience

 

[pirate_smiles]

If traveling with young kids I would suggest DLH. Better pools, and a little more kid friendly IMO. And the monorail is right there which cuts down on a lot of walking.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I vote GCH if: budget not a concern & kids are stroller-age or younger, kids are junior high or older or no kids.

Budget: your buck goes farther staying at DLH, a no brainer if you've already checked rates. At GCH you pay location premium (we pay it b/c due to mobility issues it's worth it to us, but for others the walk from DLH is just fine)

Kids: with real little ones the closeness of GCH can be a lifesaver, with young ones the Disney themed hotel/rooms/pools & light up headboards are simply amazing at that age, older ones will be fine with the more simple theming of GCH & it's pool because the proximity to Downtown Disney & DCA. If no kids definitely do GCH, it's just nicer.

 

[5 Disney Fans]

I would select Grand California. I like the proximity to the parks and DTD, the décor, the restaurants, and as a DVC member I do like rooms and the option of visiting the private viewing for WOC for members only. I do have to admit that the Disneyland Hotel does have a better pool.

Wait, what? DVC members get a private viewing area for WOC? I had no idea. First time visit to DL coming up in July as a DVC member staying at GC. I'll have to go to the DVC website to see what else I didn't know!

Thanks!

 

[GatorChris]

I just showed pictures of each hotel (rooms, lobby, pools, where it is on a map), and they screamed for DLH. I think as adults, we see proximity and also see the price and think that GCH is the premium place. But really, DLH is the place where kids (who don't have a sense of money value) want to go. And kids just seem to get it better than us adults when it comes to vacations.

 

[nicolispicoli]

The DLH is much more Disney than GCH. While I liked GCH (I've only stayed there once during a very busy time), I have had much better service at the DLH (stayed there at least 5-6 times). I'd love to give the GCH another chance. The proximity to the parks is awesome, as are the pools/spas and on site dining. I would NEVER stay there during a time when rack rates are in place, then again I'd prefer it when it wasn't so busy. We stayed during dapper days and paid $249 a night, so it was definitely worth it. While the walk through DTD to the DLH can be pretty tedious, the monorail is right there and exclusive to on site people in the AM.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I think it depends on who you're traveling with, if you've ever been to one or the other already, how long you're staying, and personal preference.

I voted for DLH because it's where we stay with our kids, who are 1 and 5 years old. It's got more of the Disney vibe and kid-friendly feeling. However, if I were to choose right now for our next trip, is pick GCH because we've never stayed the night there, it's the most beautiful interior of any hotel I've ever seen, and I can get an awesome deal on the room for our next trip.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

When members want help deciding on one over the other, it helps to know...
When are you going?
How many days do you plan to stay?
How many in the party? Adults? Children?

Geemo

I don't really know yet, it all depends. We have 2 kids age 6 and 11 now. But I really just wanted to get everyone's personal opinion

 

[StormyCA]

GCH hands down. I love the Craftsman look and just the 'feel' of the place. My main reason is the closeness to the Main Gates. I'm slightly mobility impaired and the lesser distance walking really makes a difference at the end of the night. I agree that the DLH is more overtly 'Disney' than the GCH and if I travelled with kids I'd probably suck it up and stay there. The closeness to Trader Sam's is also a pretty good trade-off for the walking distance.

 

[GoBears 1980]

The DLH was not built or designed by TWDC. It is just a hotel tower on the lines of the Swan or Dolphin in WDW. They do work hard to Disneyfy the rooms, but the GCH FEELS like a Disney hotel should feel.

I also like the GCH location better.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I would select Grand California. I like the proximity to the parks and DTD, the décor, the restaurants, and as a DVC member I do like rooms and the option of visiting the private viewing for WOC for members only. I do have to admit that the Disneyland Hotel does have a better pool.

Is the private viewing for DVC members only or hotel guests? Any pics of the view?

 

[jenjersnap]

If GCH is in the budget, it is a no brainer to me...we loved everything about it. Now, full disclosure, never stayed at DLH (but will be next month!) and, when we visited, it was kind of an ugly mess, but the towers don't appeal to me much. The pool was my motivation for booking it this time.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I kind of like that they have the outdoor balconies at GCH... That's an appeal to me for me

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Now as a WDW person when I think of a Disney resort a place like GCH seems to have more of the Disney theme feel to it. DLH doesn't overtly seem Disney to me compared to the themed resorts of WDW.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

We have stayed at both. Our family ages 4-66 unanimously like the DLH better. The rooms are bright and cheery with disney touches everywhere, including the magical headboards. We love the tropical pool area, and of course the monorail slides are a blast. Each tower has its own unique theming that includes the music, surrounding plants, and of course decor. It feels magical being there, especially when you unexpectedly run into goofy or other characters roaming around the hotel grounds.

 

[SeaDis]

I've checked out the balcony each stay as both DVC and non-DVC (using GCH room key). Maybe something has changed in the last few months. Would be news to me. Hopefully a recent guest will confirm.

I'm thinking of a first DLH stay myself. When the GCH slide was under refurb a few years ago we pool-hopped to DLH just after the Monorail slides were built. Wow, the kids LOVED them.

I would gladly do DLH for the kids and stick with it if they preferred. But I would really miss the proximity, mellow vibe, & view decks at the GCH. Love sitting out there during afternoon breaks, and evening time as the the night scene comes alive.