Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian?

[Gretchen1973]

We have stayed at both and hands down prefer DLH. The GC is beautiful, but DLH has more charm and Disney magic. I will say that it takes a really long time once you get to the GC to get to some of the rooms and that drove me a little crazy. The DLH feels more like "Disney Home" to us and our family. DH and kiddoes also prefer DLH to the two other Disney properties.

 

[ludari]

I actually prefer the GCH but I'm DVC owner and those villa rooms are bigger than your standard room at both DLH and GCH. Aside from that I like the proximity to the parks (especially DCA) and getting room with a DCA view is a bonus because you can watch World of Color. The pool area at DLH is better but the pool area is not that important to me.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

We have stayed at both and hands down prefer DLH. The GC is beautiful, but DLH has more charm and Disney magic. I will say that it takes a really long time once you get to the GC to get to some of the rooms and that drove me a little crazy. The DLH feels more like "Disney Home" to us and our family. DH and kiddoes also prefer DLH to the two other Disney properties.

This is us exactly

 

[Miggee]

we love GC due to the location as I have 2 little ones that needs nap, so it's a quick walk back to our rooms..

 

[5forMickey]

Another vote for DLH but the Grand runs a close second. I just like the size of the rooms and the resort areas of the park better at the DLH>

 

[Terapin]

I love the Grand Cal. But this past weekend we had our first stay at the DL Hotel. It was great! The room was big and lovely. It was also half the price of the rooms at Grand Cal. We got our GCH fix by having breakfast there and walking around. I would have no issues picking DLH over GCH again, if the price was so different.

 

[Nonsuch]

Is there a thread where we can compare rates? Or is that a faux pas on these forums? I'm a Canadian coming the first week of March and have heard that prices can fluctuate quite a bit. We're staying with my Aunt nearby for the majority of our trip but I thought it would be fun to spend a night or two on the Resort.

Any comments on what a good price is? If I keep checking the Disney site daily, will prices fluctuate? Any other threads that you can point me to? I've looked around but it's hard to find Resort threads that aren't for WDW. We are considering both DLH and GCH.

DLH is likely a better choice for March, due to pool (and other) renovations at GCH.

Disney does not need to deeply discount their onsite hotels. The "rack rate" seems to fluctuate, but generally: GCH $500-600, DLR $400-500, PPH $300-400
20% discounts are common, but often with various restrictions: weekdays only, upgraded view only...
Discounts are often first offered to Disney Visa and AP holders, then everyone after a few weeks. Standard View rooms often sell out, essentially raising prices by forcing guests to book premium views.

50% discounts (convention rates) are offered for Gay Days (March 18-19 2017, October 6-8 2017) and Dapper Day (April 23 2017, November 5 2017), events which are open to everyone.

 

[Aladora]

50% discounts (convention rates) are offered for Gay Days (March 18-19 2017, October 6-8 2017) and Dapper Day (April 23 2017, November 5 2017), events which are open to everyone.

A couple of friends are looking at going down for the March Gay Days but have not been able to find the link to book the discounted hotels...do you happen to know if/when the hotel bookings are going to be opened up? (Or is it already open and my friends are just too blind to find it? )

Thanks!

 

[eeyore70]

We stay at both, but really prefer DLH. Love the theming and the rooms a larger. And enjoy the roaming characters.

What do you mean by "roaming characters" ?? I thought I only heard that they might be in the lobby at a certain time...is this not the case. I have a child that loves Disney but does not care for the characters at all.

 

[StarlitNight05]

Does anyone know exactly how long the renovations are expected to last for GCH? I am also planning an end of 2017 trip and wouldn't mind trying out GCH after our DLH stay to compare the two experiences.

 

[flyingjay]

DLH is likely a better choice for March, due to pool (and other) renovations at GCH.

Disney does not need to deeply discount their onsite hotels. The "rack rate" seems to fluctuate, but generally: GCH $500-600, DLR $400-500, PPH $300-400
20% discounts are common, but often with various restrictions: weekdays only, upgraded view only...
Discounts are often first offered to Disney Visa and AP holders, then everyone after a few weeks. Standard View rooms often sell out, essentially raising prices by forcing guests to book premium views.

50% discounts (convention rates) are offered for Gay Days (March 18-19 2017, October 6-8 2017) and Dapper Day (April 23 2017, November 5 2017), events which are open to everyone.

Thanks so much for this! This was an extremely helpful post!

Couple other questions:
1) Are the pools heated in winter? We are planning on going the first week of March and are wondering if lots of people still use the pool area this time of year.
2) If we check out at 11 AM, can we still use the pool area for the rest of the day?
3) Are there any restrictions re: checking out the other DL hotels while we're there?

 

[Malcon10t]

What do you mean by "roaming characters" ?? I thought I only heard that they might be in the lobby at a certain time...is this not the case. I have a child that loves Disney but does not care for the characters at all.

We've had Goofy and Pluto help my granddaughter get out of the car at valet, and most of the characters do stay in the lobby or the area outside in the walkways between the tower and the pool. During Christmas, the carolers will be in the lobby and in the walkway by the pool too.

 

[Malcon10t]

What do you mean by "roaming characters" ?? I thought I only heard that they might be in the lobby at a certain time...is this not the case. I have a child that loves Disney but does not care for the characters at all.

We've had Goofy and Pluto help my granddaughter get out of the car at valet, and most of the characters do stay in the lobby or the area outside in the walkways between the tower and the pool. During Christmas, the carolers will be in the lobby and in the walkway by the pool too.

 

[cruisehopeful]

A couple of friends are looking at going down for the March Gay Days but have not been able to find the link to book the discounted hotels...do you happen to know if/when the hotel bookings are going to be opened up? (Or is it already open and my friends are just too blind to find it? )

Thanks!

They are not up on the website, yet. It's important to join Gay Days and get on their email list. Even then, sometimes I find info on the website before they email the members. March Gay Days are not the big deal that October is. It seemed like the links to buy tickets and the hotel weren't up until a couple months before this year.

 

[whoever]

We prefer the Grand. Proximity to the parks and the A&C theming is something we absolutely adore, not to mention Napa right there. That being said, the DLH we really liked being concierge level, the room was significantly larger, had a great view, proximity to Trader Sam's and the cabanas at the DLH pools are actually worth it, at the Grand, the pools are largely underwhelming and the cabanas are on the Mariposa pool when they would be better suited on the Redwood Pool in my opinion. If you are looking for larger rooms (but missing the balcony), and superior pools/cabanas, the Disneyland hotel is the winner. The walk at the end of a long day or if you are soaked from Splash or Grizzly, the Grand CANNOT be beat.

 

[minniecarousel]

When we book at the 11 month mark, we stay at the DVC Villas. That said, I think we'all stay at the DLH in 2017 for a quick trip. We're spoiled by the convenience & proximity of the Grand, but willing to give the DLH a try for lower points!

 

[Nonsuch]

I'm not an expert on pools, so others please correct any errors...

1) Are the pools heated in winter? We are planning on going the first week of March and are wondering if lots of people still use the pool area this time of year.

Pools are heated year round.

2) If we check out at 11 AM, can we still use the pool area for the rest of the day?

You may continue to use the pool, but might need to get a new key from Guest Services.

3) Are there any restrictions re: checking out the other DL hotels while we're there?

DLR does not allow "pool hopping", guests may only use the pool at the hotel where they are staying.
Other than the pool areas, the hotel grounds are open to everyone.

 

[Darkbeer1]

As for the DLH pool rule, when a different resort has its pool are closed, then those keys do work in the DLH lots, such as early 2017 at the GCH. So PPH guests will be restricted to its pools, and GCH can use either of them.