Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian

[Captainkidd76]

If price was the same, which would you choose based on location, size of standard rooms, pool, food and Disney immersion?

 

[ParkHopper1]

If price was the same, which would you choose based on...

location

GHC hand down here. Closest property to the parks. GCH has its won gate to DCA. DHL is located at the end of DTD.

size of standard rooms

DHL. Larger rooms than the GCH. GCH is smaller, but they are much more "cozy" at the GCH IMO

pool

DLH for kids and families, GHC for adults and older kids

food

Both are about the same. Easy access to DTD. DLH Has Trader Sams which is a big hit.

Disney immersion

Both keep you in the bubble extremely well. DLH has more Disney touches and decor, GCH is more of a woodsy resort feel.

There is no right or wrong answer...all depends on what YOU value in your hotel room.

 

[Captainkidd76]

Are there any streets to be crossed walking to and from the Disneyland Hotel? Also, does it look and feel as old as it is? I know it's been renovated many times. From the videos I've seen, I like the look of the rooms and overall theme of the DLH better. Not crazy about the bathroom design, but obviously, not a huge concern.

 

[longboard55]

from the Disneyland hotel you walk thru dtd to the park, no streets to cross. Yes its been renovated several times, but it just does not compare to Grand Californian. The GCH lobby is so much better, no contest

 

[Geemo]

If price was the same, which would you choose based on location, size of standard rooms, pool, food and Disney immersion?

While both are a great place to stay on a trip to DLR, my choice depends on which grandkids are going with me.

The younger grandkids prefer the DLH. For the following reason...
Characters roaming through the lobby and Goofy's Kitchen
The pool area and slides
View from fantasy tower into DL. They don't even notice the parking lot.
The walk past the lego store as you cruise through DTD.
Close to the AMC theather
And you can ride the Monorail almost to the hotel!!

DLH room size isn't an issue due to the limited amount of time we're in the room.

Older grandkids and ME.... Prefer the GCH because....
Mainly due to location and less walking to and from the parks
Close for when you get soaked on GRR and need a quick change into dry clothes
White Water Shack for breakfast, lunch or snack.
Shade and room around the hot tub in the pool area.

With the GCH re-model rooms feel a little larger. Mainly due to being able to slide bags under the beds

Once I arrive at one of the DLR hotels the so called "Disney Bubble" is no different for me regardless of which hotel we stay in.
Since I'm generally budgeting for any where from 3 to 8 people going with me, it boils down to cost.

 

[mom2rtk]

I lean towards GCH just for convenience alone. But DLH is a close second for charm.

Do keep an eye on the calendar though. They are supposed to start construction in DTD this year and the charm factor at DLH might take a nosedive depending on how it goes.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Are there any streets to be crossed walking to and from the Disneyland Hotel? Also, does it look and feel as old as it is? I know it's been renovated many times. From the videos I've seen, I like the look of the rooms and overall theme of the DLH better. Not crazy about the bathroom design, but obviously, not a huge concern.

I voted DLH because I too like the theming. I think the light up headboard would be a lot of fun and I'm not a kid.
The lodge feel does nothing for me.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Maybe you could book both for now and then see how the construction is going as mom2rtk mentions.

 

[cruisehopeful]

GCH for proximity and ease of getting back to the room. White Water Snacks is a good place to grab a quick bite. The lobby area and bar are nice places to hang out. Rooms have balconies, although can be very small. Chances of a nice view are very high. However, rooms can be very loud during the day. I've had rooms by Goofy's Sky School (people screaming), WOC view (music from show is very loud), lobby rooms (lobby music is loud until 10pm). Usually, we aren't in the room, but when we are, we usually don't want to hear anything. It's still my top pick for a Disneyland Hotel, though.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I recently had to make the same choice (traveling with family, including my parents, my almost 3-year-old and my 4-year-old niece). I chose DLH and I was extremely happy with my choice! I fell in love with the DLH. Felt very Disney to me, frequently saw wandering characters, I love the grounds, the pools and Trader Sam's, and I love the history of the hotel. It is of course older than the GCH but I feel like it's aged very well. I've walked through the GCH several times and it is very grand, plus you can't beat the entrance directly into DCA. I did not feel like the DLH was a long walk at all though.

 

[limace]

We love both. I love the retro Disney theme at DLH-and the pool area is fantastic. Plus Trader Sam’s. My husband loves the Craftsman style of the Grand. Both these hotels are closer, I believe, than any WDW resort-the “long walk” from DLH to the parks that some complain about is maybe ten minutes.