Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian?

[StarlitNight05]

For those of you who have stayed at both the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian, which do you prefer and why? I am leaning toward booking the Disneyland Hotel since the overall look just seems nicer to me (the rooms that is, the lobby of the Grand Californian is stunning, but the rooms seem less exciting -- but correct me if I'm wrong). However, I'm on the fence since the Grand Californian seems a lot closer.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Darkbeer1]

When are you visiting? For about the first three months of 2017, the entire Pool area of the Grand Californian will be closed for a major refurb.

 

[lilmissfoodie]

I prefer the DLH over the GC. The DLH has a more magical feeling to it (tGC will going through a room refurbishment soon too and hopefully they'll brighten up the place and add some Disney magic). The difference in distance isn't that great depending on where your room is at the GC (there are some very long corridors).

 

[StarlitNight05]

When are you visiting? For about the first three months of 2017, the entire Poll area of the Grand Californian will be closed for a major refurb.

We are planning on going in late February, so maybe that seals the deal on staying at DLH. I hate staying in a hotel that is undergoing construction, and I'd like to have the option of utilizing the pool if we wanted.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We are planning on going in late February, so maybe that seals the deal on staying at DLH. I hate staying in a hotel that is undergoing construction, and I'd like to have the option of utilizing the pool if we wanted.

The rooms should also be under refurb by then. If you hate construction stay away from GCH in Feb.

 

[Laundress]

We have stayed at both and prefer DLH. We think it is more charming.
The long corridors of the GC took away some of the magic for us.

 

[Nonsuch]

We are planning on going in late February, so maybe that seals the deal on staying at DLH. I hate staying in a hotel that is undergoing construction, and I'd like to have the option of utilizing the pool if we wanted.

I'm a big fan of GCH (likely the biggest fan, if judged on the number of posts related to GCH), but DLH would be a better choice for February 2017.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I am HUGE GCH fan and love the proximity first and foremost but also love the coziness of the rooms. Some say dark and small, but as someone who stays in literally hundreds of rooms all over the country, they are on of the most comfortable cozy relaxing rooms to me. I have stayed at the GCH dozens of times and PPH and handful.

Just got to stay at the DLH for the first time a few weeks ago and loved it. I Always thought it would be too far of a hike but that was not the case at all. There was less inclination to just pop back into the room like we would at the GCH, but the theming, size of the rooms, and Disney touches that more than made up for that. I was really surprised how much I liked the DLH after being a GCH die hard.

 

[Malcon10t]

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

 

[closetmickey]

Dollar for dollar, I think the DLH is a much better "buy" with its amenities and accommodations. However, we are staying at the GCH this weekend and can hardly wait to enjoy coming/going in and out of the lobby and utilizing DCA's private entrance!

 

[McNs]

What would be perfect is the DLH in the GCH location with PPH rates!

We stayed at the GCH in 2014 and absolutely loved it. Room location was handy, overlooking Grizzly River. Really felt special staying there, right from check in. The location really is superb.

We have also had two stays at the DLH, the theming through out is wonderful, but I'm not a big fan of the 3 building layout. Pool area is great but I found the pools freezing on our visit in October last year, even with temps in the 90s. There were times walking back late at night that I looked enviously at the GCH walkway...

For a first on site stay I would probably pick DLH.

 

[goooof1]

Love GCH.......especially the LOCATION! (even if you are down a long corridor....it's STILL closer!!)

 

[Aladora]

Love GCH.......especially the LOCATION! (even if you are down a long corridor....it's STILL closer!!)

I'm pretty sure that step for step, our room at GCH was as far or further than our room at PPH!

 

[Darkbeer1]

Is GCH the closest?

Let's say you are staying at the Villa's at GCH (South end) and want to attend Disneyland Park when DCA opens later...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6986238

Compare that to the Park Vue Inn and BWPPPI&MS, and these two are clearly closer.....


http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6986240

 

[flyingjay]

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.

 

[closetmickey]

Is GCH the closest?

Let's say you are staying at the Villa's at GCH (South end) and want to attend Disneyland Park when DCA opens later...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6986238

Compare that to the Park Vue Inn and BWPPPI&MS, and these two are clearly closer.....


http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6986240

I think the difference may be psychological in that it sometimes "feels" like you have arrived once you walk in the hotel.

 

[goooof1]

I'm pretty sure that step for step, our room at GCH was as far or further than our room at PPH!

We were down the farthest hallway at GCH and still were watching people CROSSING THE STREET (after getting to the signal) from the PPH and just getting to the start of the walkway in front of GCH........ So, not even close!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I like GCH better, but the prices are ridiculous. I often wonder if people really pay $600./night for a standard hotel room and who those people are. That said it is my favorite local hotel and the favorite of both of my adult children. It is a dark hotel, but the rooms have patios. I use my patio/balcony each time that I stay there.

DLH is less expensive and looks much more Disney, so it's probably a better choice. PP is further away, but the rooms are larger and less expensive. It's an easy walk to the other hotels if you want to dine or drink in the other hotels.

 

[MacMama0930]

We stayed, as a family, at DLH last month and it was great. We loved it. Stayed in the Adventure Tower and you exited practically into downtown Disney. That walk through DTD, though, can seem long - especially at night and especially after doing it once during the day (for hotel breaks). The light up headboards are adorable.

Just my dad and I went the last few days and split stayed at DLH and then grand, just to see what it was like. I really liked it. The park felt much closer. On days when we were in DCA, it seemed so convenient to just hop over to our hotel room. And I enjoyed the balcony, got to sit and watch the monorail go by. It's really nice to have that fresh air come into your room, especially at night (for me anyways).

I think the next time I go with my kids, I may go with the Grand. But I also wouldn't be opposed to the DLH. The pool at DLH is awesome for kids! I didn't even check out the pool area at the Grand while I was there!

 

[rentayenta]

I like GCH better, but the prices are ridiculous. I often wonder if people really pay $600./night for a standard hotel room and who those people are. That said it is my favorite local hotel and the favorite of both of my adult children. It is a dark hotel, but the rooms have patios. I use my patio/balcony each time that I stay there.

DLH is less expensive and looks much more Disney, so it's probably a better choice. PP is further away, but the rooms are larger and less expensive. It's an easy walk to the other hotels if you want to dine or drink in the other hotels.

As far as those people paying $600 a night, we actually know some. LOL! I was talking with an acquaintance who's trip will overlap ours; they just booked the GCH a couple days ago. Unless they have access to some sort of deal I am unaware of, they'll be spending the $500+ night I was seeing a few weeks ago.





We love the rooms at the DLH but like the GCH better overall. Having said that we are giving the PPH a try in just a couple weeks. The price could not be beat so we will see. As far as the walk, hands down the GCH is our favorite.