Disneyland Hotel vs. Grand Californian

[Kittyblue]

I've stayed at both, though it's been while and we usually just go on the cheap now. I loved the decor and touches of the DLH and that's my preference when we've stayed on property. One trip we splurged to stay at the GC, but we thought for the increased price the room and the pool weren't that special. We also didn't use the separate entrance to DCA much because the hours of that park were more limited than DL then, so with park hoppers we'd always start and end the day at DL anyway. Now my favorite way to enjoy the GC is to go for a midday break in the lobby to have cocktails and appetizers. The lobby is the best part of GC imho anyway.

 

[Iceman93]

As expected, you're getting responses all over the map.

Have you considered the Paradise Pier? It's usually the most affordable, and in my opinion has a lot going for it.

I will probably never stay at the DLH again. As another poster mentioned, the buildings have about as much character as a suburban office park Hilton. And that goes for the rooms as well--having a Mickey-shaped knob on the sink faucet and a fiber-optic headboard that plays a hauntingly terrible version of "when you wish upon a star" does not qualify as great theming to me. But after a few experiences with the worst CMs we've experienced at any Disney property, I just don't see a need to give them my money any more. The best parts of the hotel (Steakhouse 55 and Trader Sam's) are accessible to anyone--you don't have to stay there for those.

The GCH is priciest for a reason. The location, quality of furnishings and decor, and amenities are really nice.

But I keep coming back to the fact that you're flying basic economy to get here. That means you prioritize cost over almost everything else. If you're going to splurge on an on-property stay, the value at the Paradise Pier simply can't be beat. The theming is better than the DLH, and we've actually had the BEST CM interactions there, even better than at the GCH.

 

[sgrap]

If cost is not a factor, Grand all the way. It is our favorite place. So much so that we eventually bought into Disney Vacation Club with Villas at the Grand Californian as our home resort. The atmosphere, the proximity, the arrangements of the rooms (balconies, 2 sinks separate from the toilet/shower), all of it is absolutely top notch.

We stayed at Paradise Pier once. It was fine, but we hated leaving the "Disney bubble." If we hadn't been spoiled by staying at the Grand previously, it probably wouldn't have been a big deal. But the elevators were horrendous (I've heard that has improved), the rooms were just OK, and it felt like just a regular hotel with a few Disney things thrown in here and there.
But honestly, if we weren't staying at the Grand, we'd probably do Paradise Pier instead. I don't think DLH is worth the $ (haven't stayed but hung out with a friend who was staying there). Obvioulsly, everyone has their own opinion and preferences!

 

[Marssiful]

The Grand is just magical at Christmas. The proximity can’t be beat and we love the entry into DCA. If it weren’t so dang expensive we’d stay there every time!

 

[TikiTikiFan]

But I keep coming back to the fact that you're flying basic economy to get here. That means you prioritize cost over almost everything else. If you're going to splurge on an on-property stay, the value at the Paradise Pier simply can't be beat. The theming is better than the DLH, and we've actually had the BEST CM interactions there, even better than at the GCH.

Well, not always. I don't mind flying cheap for airplanes or staying at cheaper hotels because I'm not too picky. This allows me to spend waaaaay too much in the parks haha!

The main reason I was discounting the Paradise Pier was the distance- on the Disneyland app map it just looks so far too me. Can you get through the other hotels to make the walk shorter or is that still a no no?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... The main reason I was discounting the Paradise Pier was the distance- on the Disneyland app map it just looks so far too me. Can you get through the other hotels to make the walk shorter or is that still a no no?

The walk to the parks is only about 5 minutes more than the walk from the DLH -- you'll walk from the PPH to the DLH bag check into DTD. No cutting through the GCH to get to DTD without a current GCH room key or a confirmed reservation at one of the GCH TS restaurants. However, you can cut through the GCH from DTD on your way back to the PPH.

 

[dismsn]

We stayed at the GCH for the first time in late February. We had a military discount and it was still ridiculously expensive but we wanted to splurge. We had previously stayed at PPH on two occasions--the last being 10 years ago.

The location is wonderful and we really enjoyed the special entrance to DCA (although we could use a special entrance both times we were at PPH--that is no longer the case). There were characters in the lobby if that is something that interests your family.

It was close to 90 degrees one day we were there so we cooled off in the pool. I thought the pool was a nice temperature. It seemed warmer in the water to me but my daughter didn't agree. I only used one hot tub and it was very large. I didn't see the other one. The slide was fun! We didn't order drinks by the pool but if we had wanted to, it took a LONG time for wait service to come around. There is free water available in dispensers which we drank.

We hung out in the lobby several times and the piano music is so relaxing after going at full speed in the parks.

Our daughter had training at the Disneyland Hotel mid-trip so we checked out her room there. It seemed bigger than our GCH room but there was no balcony which I really enjoyed at the GCH. I liked her room and wouldn't mind staying there in the future. We had drinks outside at the Tiki Bar and that was spectacular!

Good luck with your decision. I don't think you can go wrong with either hotel. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[mentos]

We stay at GCH every Thanksgiving week through our DVC contract, we look forward to that every year.

When DW and I were much younger and much poorer (and when so-cal passes were $99), we would walk into the lobby during the holidays, sit there, and pretend we were guests. It's special for us, and I feel lucky we can afford to stay here.

I met my high school ex-girlfriend at the DLH lobby. She was mean to me. Enough said.

Personal feelings aside, here are my brief/random thoughts:

GCH

1. Private entrance to DCA is a huuuuge benefit. Roll out of bed and go on Soarin'? Sold! It even gives us extra time the morning of check-out day without having to leave the room/store luggage.
2. Craftsman Grill (former Whitewater Snacks) near the pool has really good food (easy to take away and eat in the room). The burger is great.
3. There's a Peloton in the fitness center (so does PPH, but I've never used that one)
4. It can be noisy - for the DVC wing, it backs up against DCA and if there are musical performers, you can definitely hear it. If you are early risers/early to bed with kids, consider DLH or do as much as you can to pick your room.

DLH

1. Pools! But, maybe not in November.
2. The light up headboard and the music box music is reason enough to book DLH.
3. It's more Disney-ish, if that's important.
4. The walk through DD isn't that bad, but I'm also the guy who said a pro to GCH was having a Peloton on site. Haha. It is longer, though... but to me it's better than walking the esplanade and crossing Harbor Blvd.
   1. I'm always torn between staying at GCH over the summer (less walking in the sun) vs. over the holidays (decor).
5. Closer to Earl of Sandwich - IMO best value for the money on-site for food.

 

[gelatoni fan]

Closer to Earl of Sandwich - IMO best value for the money on-site for food.

Agreed. One time I attended a multi-day convention at the Convention Center and ate at Earl of Sandwich so much that I got enough points for the $5 discount in just that week.

 

[mentos]

and it felt like just a regular hotel with a few Disney things thrown in here and there.

Because it kind of was Tokyu group built it as the Emerald of Anaheim in the 80s, then it became the Pan Pacific Hotel. It was purchased in 1995 then eventually rebranded into PPH in 2000 by Disney as part of the DCA build. They had to theme it to the park since it was so tall and so close (no reasonable way to hide it).

https://www.yesterland.com/hotelgate.html

 

[mentos]

Agreed. On time I attended a multi-day convention at the Convention Center and ate at Earl of Sandwich so much that I got enough points for the $5 discount in just that week.

That is most impressive.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Awesome response, thank you everyone! I trust the DISers way more than reviews on blogs/yelp/etc. I appreciate it! I'm thinking if we come in December, as I hope we can, we'll do the Grand Californian because of that amazing holiday ambiance! I just love that hotel during the holidays, it feels so magical and just perfect to me.

If there's a chance that December doesn't work out because of everything going on and we have to come next summer, we'll do the Disneyland Hotel because of that awesome pool.

 

[azdisneylover]

I am sure this has been discussed again and again here. But hey, can we discuss again because social distancing is making my day pretty dull?

We were planning on coming end of July/first week of August but our airline offered those of us with basic economy tickets the chance to change flights/get a flight credit if we cancel by the 30th. And I'm just not optimistic the parks will be at the normal that makes Disney magic for us by then.

So as a way of making this a less depressing decision, I'm going to splurge for the first time (!!) on an on-site hotel since we'll have more time to save if we go in November or December. I'm usually always too cheap to pay the price but I think this might help give me something to look forward to and take the sting out of postponing our trip.

Grand Californian has been on my bucket list for a long time but woosh, that's a steep price. The biggest appeal of it for me is the proximity to the parks and just the overall beauty of the hotel. I love the way it's decorated for the holidays so that's a big plus. We often visit the lobby on our visits and eaten at the restaurants inside so I'm more familiar with it.

As for the Disneyland Hotel, I'ver never set foot in it. I've been trying to gauge walking distance and seems just so far when I think about how far that walk is through Downtown Disney. Does that feel significant when going back and forth? Does it feel like it has the Disney charm? What about holidays decorations?

Are the pools heated? Enough to enjoy them in November or December? Anything else I should know? How large is the deposit they put on your credit card when you check in?

Any and all opinions welcome. Help enable me to splurge.

What about a split stay? I don't know how many days you are thinking of staying, but perhaps you can stay the first half of your stay at the Disneyland Hotel, and the second half at the Grand Californian. This way, you will have the best of both worlds, so to speak. We have stayed at all three hotels, and when we can, we stay at the GCH, then DLH, then PPH. Nothing beats riding Grizzly Rapids over and over and over again, then hurry back to your room to change, (which is steps away from the exit of the said ride). What ever DLR hotel you decide, I humbly suggest you take advantage of MM/EE daily. That first hour in the morning really does allow you to ride quite a few attractions.

 

[Where's Wall-E]

Weigh what matters most to you, and also what is publicly accessible vs. for guests only (for instance, as someone mentioned earlier, the restaurants at the DLH are open to all so they don't feel the need to stay there). Yes, the GCH is gorgeous at Christmas, but if just seeing the lobby is what you require, anyone can do that - is that necessarily worth the extra cost of staying there?

 

[midnight star]

Reading all of these responses make me want to stay onsite now lol.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Reading all of these responses make me want to stay onsite now lol.

I've drooled over the Grand Californian ever since our first trip there... the proximity being the biggest plus. How nice it would be to not have to take the ART bus in the mornings! Those pools at DLH look amazing too.... split stay might be the way hah!

 

[MonocularVision]

We would stay onsite more if they offered a 6-person room that wasn’t $900 a night. That 5->6 person jump is gigantic.

 

[cmrdgrs]

I am sure this has been discussed again and again here. But hey, can we discuss again because social distancing is making my day pretty dull?

We were planning on coming end of July/first week of August but our airline offered those of us with basic economy tickets the chance to change flights/get a flight credit if we cancel by the 30th. And I'm just not optimistic the parks will be at the normal that makes Disney magic for us by then.

So as a way of making this a less depressing decision, I'm going to splurge for the first time (!!) on an on-site hotel since we'll have more time to save if we go in November or December. I'm usually always too cheap to pay the price but I think this might help give me something to look forward to and take the sting out of postponing our trip.

Grand Californian has been on my bucket list for a long time but woosh, that's a steep price. The biggest appeal of it for me is the proximity to the parks and just the overall beauty of the hotel. I love the way it's decorated for the holidays so that's a big plus. We often visit the lobby on our visits and eaten at the restaurants inside so I'm more familiar with it.

As for the Disneyland Hotel, I'ver never set foot in it. I've been trying to gauge walking distance and seems just so far when I think about how far that walk is through Downtown Disney. Does that feel significant when going back and forth? Does it feel like it has the Disney charm? What about holidays decorations?

Are the pools heated? Enough to enjoy them in November or December? Anything else I should know? How large is the deposit they put on your credit card when you check in?

Any and all opinions welcome. Help enable me to splurge.

I have stayed at the GCH, VGC and the DLH. I've been to the PPH to use the pool, but I haven't ever stayed at the hotel.

Out of the four, the GCH and the VGC are my favorite. The GCH hotel room IMO are a bit nicer than the VGC. I think they are more recently renovated. The VGC is looking a bit tired to me, but it is still one of my favorite DVC resorts in the network. As others stated the proximity to DTD and CA cannot be beat. When my family isn't able to stay at the Grand, we usually just choose to stay off property at the Orange County Hyatt. For us -- we just can't see spending the money to stay at the DLH or PP -- I'd rather just stay at the VGC or the GCH.

The DLH has two minor pluses over the GCH (VGC) that is the pool area with the Monorail themed slides. Just fun, and if you have kids, they will much prefer that over the slide at the GCH. The pool at the PP hotel has a slide, but the slide does not land in the pool -- it just slides down and ends in a small pool of water. The pool is separate from the slide. Sorta strange really

I know right now with brokers/rentals from owners its a touchy subject due to Covid-19 -- but, have you considered a VGC rental? Just a thought, if you're not comfortable with that I completely understand.

Happy planning! I'll be at the GCH myself at the end of July [hopefully]

 

[sgrap]

I have stayed at the GCH, VGC and the DLH. I've been to the PPH to use the pool, but I haven't ever stayed at the hotel.

Out of the four, the GCH and the VGC are my favorite. The GCH hotel room IMO are a bit nicer than the VGC. I think they are more recently renovated. The VGC is looking a bit tired to me, but it is still one of my favorite DVC resorts in the network. As others stated the proximity to DTD and CA cannot be beat. When my family isn't able to stay at the Grand, we usually just choose to stay off property at the Orange County Hyatt. For us -- we just can't see spending the money to stay at the DLH or PP -- I'd rather just stay at the VGC or the GCH.

The DLH has two minor pluses over the GCH (VGC) that is the pool area with the Monorail themed slides. Just fun, and if you have kids, they will much prefer that over the slide at the GCH. The pool at the PP hotel has a slide, but the slide does not land in the pool -- it just slides down and ends in a small pool of water. The pool is separate from the slide. Sorta strange really

I know right now with brokers/rentals from owners its a touchy subject due to Covid-19 -- but, have you considered a VGC rental? Just a thought, if you're not comfortable with that I completely understand.

Happy planning! I'll be at the GCH myself at the end of July [hopefully]

Weren't the VGC rooms renovated just a few years ago? We were there last in August. Seems like beds were different then last couple times we've been there than when we first bought our contract (2015). Regardless, it's our favorite place!

 

[cmrdgrs]

Weren't the VGC rooms renovated just a few years ago? We were there last in August. Seems like beds were different then last couple times we've been there than when we first bought our contract (2015). Regardless, it's our favorite place!

Yes, I think you are correct, VGC did do a soft refurb on the VGC rooms. Last time I was there I thought the beds were a bit better, but I just think the general problem is the VGC rooms are always at 100% capacity and take a lot of wear and tear through the constant use.

That said, I still love going to the VGC as well. This is probably my one of my top two resorts in the entire DVC network. I also love DL compared to WDW. The World is great, but I love the compactness DL offers to guests while packing a aweful lot into the smaller space.