Disneyland Hotel vs. Grand Californian

[Minnie1222]

I haven't stayed at either but am also trying to choose which hotel is better between GC and DLH

GC.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I haven't stayed at either but am also trying to choose which hotel is better between GC and DLH, for a longer stay of 6 nights, anticipating pool time. How is the walk in the evening, is it very lit and safe? Another of our group is going to be a 5 year old, so I'm concerned about the walk if it's too exhausting for them with coming back from the parks or if it would be easier to navigate the GC. It may sound silly, but I haven't been to this area in years and have no idea what it looks like anymore, and never was in the Downtown Disney area just the Harbor Blvd. side.

DTD appears well light and a safe walking area. There is a construction project to the west side (closer to DLH), but it is fenced-off like so many of Disney's projects that I wouldn't be worried about the safety of construction work being done. Guests need to pass through Disney security before entering the DTD area. I think Disney does a pretty good job with security, in my experience. Nothing is 100% safe obviously. There are crimes that take place inside Disney parks let alone business districts. So, there's always a risk. I cannot speak to the work that local law enforcement does along Harbor Blvd. to keep the sidewalks safe for DL/DCA guests. I'm speculating here but I would think there is a significant financial interest with Disney, the local hotels, tourism bureaus and local government to keep that area safe for travelers and visitors. There is a lot of money (and not just Disney, i.e. tax dollars) to be made with a safe, secure DL/DCA park.

I am not sure the dates of your vacation, but you should investigate whether the monorail is operational. The monorail has a station inside DTD and that is another option for getting closer to the DLH and shortening your walk. But, as a PP noted there are hotels on Harbor Blvd. that are shorter walk from the DL/DCA gates to the hotel lobby.

At the end of the day, you are taking a Disney vacation and I tell everyone that is taking a Disney vacation that you are going to have to walk whether you are refreshed and ready or whether you are weak and exhausted. It is what it is.

 

[maltdizzy]

Given the choice, I take DLH every time. I won't argue it's a "better" resort than the GC or has a better location, because I can't. But it is a great hotel, much more uniquely "Disneyana", and just feels more part of the spirit of DL.

That said, I also won't poo-poo the Anaheim Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance. Hotels just off property are still very convient to DLR and if it saves more money for churros, all the better. Don't spend more $$$ out of FOMO.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

thanks so much everyone, we just spent the night looking at youtube videos and decided on DLH! DH swears though that there's a room with a "star wars land view" - I dont see theme park view as an option though?

DLH and the Courtyard are my go-to hotels, with DLH being number one. There is no specific Star Wars land view rooms, but you do can see it off in the distance from the top floor rooms of the north facing Fantasy Tower and the east facing Adventure Tower. You can also see the fireworks from these rooms.

 

[ErinsMommy]

DLH and the Courtyard are my go-to hotels, with DLH being number one. There is no specific Star Wars land view rooms, but you do can see it off in the distance from the top floor rooms of the north facing Fantasy Tower and the east facing Adventure Tower. You can also see the fireworks from these rooms.

My understanding is the tower we'll be in is Adventure Tower.

 

[DLgal]

My understanding is the tower we'll be in is Adventure Tower.

Did you book Club Level or a Downtown Disney view? There is no other way to know which tower you will be in ahead of time.

 

[tink89]

We always choose DLH over GCH. DD has always preferred the pools at DLH she does not like how the pool at GCH is right next to the Craftsman Bar. She likes that all towers at DLH have an entrance to the pool just outside. The only plus to the GCH is the entrance to DCA and it is just a tiny bit closer. But rooms seem smaller and more people seem to be in the lobby at any given time and of course, the pools are there for everyone to sightsee.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Did you book Club Level or a Downtown Disney view? There is no other way to know which tower you will be in ahead of time.

We booked the downtown disney view.

 

[DLgal]

We booked the downtown disney view.

Gotcha. Be aware that these rooms are quite loud. There is a live performance stage set up right near that entrance to DTD (just past the security checkpoint) and there is often loud music that goes until 11pm or later. We could hear this noise quite loudly even up high on that side of the Adventure tower. Other than that, the view from these rooms is amazing and Adventure Tower is my favorite one (Fantasy second).

 

[ErinsMommy]

Gotcha. Be aware that these rooms are quite loud. There is a live performance stage set up right near that entrance to DTD (just past the security checkpoint) and there is often loud music that goes until 11pm or later. We could hear this noise quite loudly even up high on that side of the Adventure tower. Other than that, the view from these rooms is amazing and Adventure Tower is my favorite one (Fantasy second).

Ohh I wasn't aware of that. Are the live performances done on a regular basis and nightly? Or is it more special events going on?

 

[smartlabelprint]

I haven't stayed at either but am also trying to choose which hotel is better between GC and DLH, for a longer stay of 6 nights, anticipating pool time. How is the walk in the evening, is it very lit and safe? Another of our group is going to be a 5 year old, so I'm concerned about the walk if it's too exhausting for them with coming back from the parks or if it would be easier to navigate the GC. It may sound silly, but I haven't been to this area in years and have no idea what it looks like anymore, and never was in the Downtown Disney area just the Harbor Blvd. side.

We still bring a stroller for our 6&7 yo.

 

[DLgal]

Ohh I wasn't aware of that. Are the live performances done on a regular basis and nightly? Or is it more special events going on?

It's primarily on the weekends, Friday-Sunday nights, but in the summer it can be daily. They host a lot of local musicians throughout Downtown Disney, but the main stage is going to be right outside your windows and it is very loud. There has been a performer there the last several weekend nights in a row, and it's slow season. Summer is definitely going to have nightly entertainment at the stage.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Ohh I wasn't aware of that. Are the live performances done on a regular basis and nightly? Or is it more special events going on?

I don’t know if they’re always listed. But some are shown toward the bottom of the daily schedule. ://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/day/2022-02-26/

 

[austinelsa]

If you had to choose between a high floor DTD view in the DLH or a deluxe pool view that was on a lower floor, which would you choose?

 

[ktlm]

We booked the downtown disney view.

Be aware that means you will be directly facing the construction which is the area of downtown disney right by the hotel. Those rooms will be where you will hear the most construction noise during the day. They are also far from the lobby and gift shops.

 

[DizMe]

Be aware that means you will be directly facing the construction which is the area of downtown disney right by the hotel. Those rooms will be where you will hear the most construction noise during the day. They are also far from the lobby and gift shops.

I think you're likely to face construction from either side of Adventure in a view room. I didn't find the construction for the new DVC tower to impact us at all, but it could be different now as it has been a few months. Disney tries hard to minimize impact on guests but I'm completely in the dark about how the new construction in DTD will affect hotel guests. But it's a good point to mention that the premium DTD view room you're paying for in Adventure may not be so premium right now.

I never found the upper floors in Adventure with DTD views to be noisy, but maybe it's different now? I haven't stayed in that location since about a year pre-covid. The DTD stage faces away from the hotel. I stopped and listened on my way back to the hotel (couldn't resist the Beatles cover band) and I didn't notice the music once I was on the hotel grounds. I couldn't hear it at all from the room, but I was in the Fantasy tower on the back side of the 7th floor (not facing the pool) and towards DTD from the elevators. It had a fantastic view of the fireworks, BTW, Maybe it depends on the band, too.

The lobby and gift shops are in the main entrance tower (Fantasy) and I find them easily accessible from Adventure. Whether you are in a pool or DTD view room really has little/no effect on how far you have to walk to get to the lobby since everyone takes the same elevators, though it may be longer if you're on the side furthest from Fantasy. The Frontier tower is the one that is the farthest away and I avoid that tower unless I'm staying in a suite.

I'll be interested to hear what is reported about the impact of the new construction and how much the band noise affects the DTD-view rooms.

 

[tink89]

I think you're likely to face construction from either side of Adventure in a view room. I didn't find the construction for the new DVC tower to impact us at all, but it could be different now as it has been a few months. Disney tries hard to minimize impact on guests but I'm completely in the dark about how the new construction in DTD will affect hotel guests. But it's a good point to mention that the premium DTD view room you're paying for in Adventure may not be so premium right now.

I never found the upper floors in Adventure with DTD views to be noisy, but maybe it's different now? I haven't stayed in that location since about a year pre-covid. The DTD stage faces away from the hotel. I stopped and listened on my way back to the hotel (couldn't resist the Beatles cover band) and I didn't notice the music once I was on the hotel grounds. I couldn't hear it at all from the room, but I was in the Fantasy tower on the back side of the 7th floor (not facing the pool) and towards DTD from the elevators. It had a fantastic view of the fireworks, BTW, Maybe it depends on the band, too.

The lobby and gift shops are in the main entrance tower (Fantasy) and I find them easily accessible from Adventure. Whether you are in a pool or DTD view room really has little/no effect on how far you have to walk to get to the lobby since everyone takes the same elevators, though it may be longer if you're on the side furthest from Fantasy. The Frontier tower is the one that is the farthest away and I avoid that tower unless I'm staying in a suite.

I'll be interested to hear what is reported about the impact of the new construction and how much the band noise affects the DTD-view rooms.

We just stayed in adventure tower 4th floor Pool view. Construction from either side was not heard at all. At first, I thought they might not be working but I saw a few construction workers walking around. I only saw a band( no instruments just singing) there one night. I only heard them once we were at bag check.

I agree about the lobby and shops everything is a very easy walk. Like you Frontier is always last on my list.