Disneyland Review

[CHOPR]

I HAVE never been to Disneyland- California and with these recent discounts I am considering going in 2006. With three kids under 12 ,is there a preference/better hotel between the three? DIS-HOTEL, GR CAL. OR PARIDISE PIER? And what can I expect with room size,accomodations etc...? Thank you ahead of time.This board is great for info!

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

You'll find a wealth of information on the Disneyland board: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26. There are also some great trip reports http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27.

Unless you are DYING to use your DVC points, consider staying off-site and paying cash. The proximity to both DL and DCA will ASTOUND you by comparison to WDW, as will their rates. Several get rave reviews: Candy Cane Inn, Best Western Park Place Inn and HoJos come to mind immediately. Depending on the size of your family, there are also several suite hotels within IMMEDIATE walking distance--some closer to the parks than DLH and PP.

Jump over to the DL boards and join our discussions over there!

 

[4eeyore]

We are a family of five and we stayed in one room at Disneyland Hotel. I chose that hotel over the Grand Californian because I was guaranteed a daybed for the third child, whereas at GC there is no daybed. The room was plenty big for us. We loved staying onsite because we never had to deal with the outside "world" since we just walked through Downtown Disney to get to the parks. Although the offsite hotels are close I still would chose the Disney hotels. Have fun, we loved Disneyland!

 

[castleri]

We have stayed at both GC and DLH on points - The DLH has my vote for the better value. Both times I was able to get a room with a full size day bed and two queen sized beds at the DLH. The rooms were definitely bigger than the GC. The GC is the west coast version of WL. The GC provided a sleeping bag and thin floor mat when we needed the extra bed because of opposite sex teens who each needed their own bed. By the time that was on the floor it left very little floor space. Don't know if they have rollaways available now but they didn't then. When we checked in to DLH I explained the situation and they were very helpful. You can use any of the pools at the three hotels but we liked the one at DLH best. The room at the GC overlooked the entry portico but I guess depending on how many points you are willing to use you can get views of the park etc. When we were there this year for the 50th anniversary party we stayed the first nights at the Coast hotel a couple of blocks away and it was very nice also. I thought it was well worth the points this year at DLH but I know you can get some very good deals off site. Hope you have a wonderful trip if you decide to go. I will be visiting Long Island this weekend and hope we all have more of this warm weather.

 

[disney-super-mom]

All three hotels are great and close to the parks. The longest walk to any park from any hotel is at most 10 minutes (if that).

So to break it down:

Grand Californian: Most beautiful decor, arts and crafts theme, a GORGEOUS lobby, a nice themed pool with slide, child care, most centrally located and only a few steps (literally) from either DL or DCA - BUT - has the smallest rooms of the three hotels (not that they're small; they're probably similar in size to the rooms at AKL), and the longest hallways is some cases (you'll want to ask for a room close to the elevators). (Many rooms here have nice views of DCA and a few look over DTD)

Disneyland hotel: The true original hotel with lots of neat history, a super fun themed pool (the Neverland Pool from Peter Pan) with a great slide that the kids will love, large rooms (most are large) with fun Disney and Mickey touches, beautiful greenery with waterfalls and ponds all around the property, a nightly light show, and a fun area with toy boats that you can steer around a pond (my DS 6 loved these - okay, DH and I did too ). (All three towers of the DL hotel offer views of the Neverland Pool, and the Sierra tower offers great views of DTD and the nightly (or weekend) fireworks, especially if you're on the 5th floor or higher.)

Paradise Pier: Nice big rooms with a beach decor, some rooms have a great view of DCA, nice pool area with a great slide (no particular theme to the pool area), a great place to stay if you want to save a few points - But it's the furthest from the parks (if you consider 10 minutes far).

Hope that helps you.

(I wanted to add that pool hopping is not allowed at the GC.)

 

[AFMom]

Quick note - Pool hopping to the GC has been stopped. I beilieve you can pool hop between DLH and PPH if you are staying at one of the two - but no longer to the GCH.
The PPH is a great value, slightly further away - but we really enjoyed our stay there. The rooms were plenty big - think Holiday Inn sized. Pool area was re-themed and re-modled a few years back. I believe there is an On-Site Lilo Character Meal..... DLH has wonderful themeing, amazing pool theme (Neverland Pool shouldn't be missed!), and larger rooms than the GC. On site Goofy's Kitchen Character Meal, and a very short walk to the monorail that goes straight into Tomorrowland. GC has the most spectacular lobby, higher-end feel to it, it's own entrance to DCA, etc. On site Storytellers Cafe Character Meal, hotel tour, etc. I'm sure you'd love any of them!
Off site - I can reccomend the Candy Cane Inn. They have their own, free shuttle every 30 minutes. They have an extensive breakfast in the morning, clean , comfortable, nice rooms, and are right next to the parks. You can walk - but the shuttle is so convinient - you won't need to. I believe they were only ranked below the Grand Californian on some of the Travel sites as far as Customer Satisfaction.
Also - I've never personally stayed here, but on the DL boards, the HOJO is highly recommended.
Being originally from CA - DL will always be home sweet home for us! Completely different from WDW - but that isn't a bad thing! They are wonderful in thier own ways! Have a great time!

 

[ACDSNY]

Over the years we've stayed at many of the hotels around DLR and all three on-site hotels.

I prefer staying on-site now that I can afford it. It just keeps the Disney Magic going around the clock. For a family of five I would recommend the Disneyland Hotel for the room size and the pool, the Sierra Tower is the closest to DTD.

Have a great trip!

 

[boscoj]

The GC gets our vote, especially if you have kids. The proximity to the parks can't be beat, especially if you want to a break in the middle of the day. And, if you plan to go in 2006, the points are also reduced (~29/day) which is pretty comparable to the cash price.

 

[CHOPR]

Thanks for all the great information. I think we may end up at the DLH for the larger rooms, but don't have to decide just yet. We're probably going Oct. /06 and whichever is better for the kids will win out. Staying on-site I have learned in WDW is always the best for the pixiedust atmosphere. The only thing I will miss is with DVC the kitchen,laundry etc... is all right there. I guess we'll have to rough it. I was surprised by the affordable airfare rates offered. Only about $500.00 more total for 5 people and 2000 more miles. It will be the kids first trip to L.A. aGAIN THANK YOU.