Disneyland Split Stay?

[Amanda132]

Hello all! My boyfriend and I are in the beginning stages of planning a Disneyland vacation for 2015. We're hoping on staying 6 nights, on-site. We went to Disneyland last year (stayed with family) and walked through the hotels, and now we're divided on which resort to choose. I want to stay at the Disneyland Hotel because of the "magic factor" and because it's nothing like anything we have in Florida (we're WDW veterans). My bf wants to stay at the Grand Californian because he loves Wilderness Lodge here in Florida. We're considering compromising and trying to do a split stay, 3 nights at one and 3 at the other.

Has anyone ever done a split stay at DL? Is it relatively easy to check out of one resort and into another? If you were to do a split stay, which resort would you do for the first 3 nights, and which would you do for the last 3? Or if you don't think it's worth the hassle to do both, which resort would you choose?

Thanks in advance!

 

[emily94]

Congrats on your upcoming trip! I have never done a split stay at DL but have heard that it is very seamless and they are able to move your bags to your next hotel while you're enjoying the parks!

I have stayed at all three hotels on site and loved all of them! Of course, I would recommend the Grand Californian, its obviously so beautiful! I would suggest the Paradise Pier as your second hotel! Don't get me wrong, the Disneyland Hotel is a classic as well as beautiful and magical, but I found it a little too Mickey for my taste... I thought that the Mickey head on the toilet flush was a bit much haha! Though, they have a great pool! The Paradise Pier is a bit cheaper than the DLH. The views are amazing if you can get a room facing the Paradise Pier area of California Adventure. When I stayed there, we had a great view of World of Color and they pumped the music through one of the TV channels!

Hope all of this helps! You honestly can't go wrong with any of their hotels! I would definitely suggest a dinner at Steakhouse 55 at Disneyland Hotel

 

[MinnieMom13]

You may want to consider staying at the Disneyland Hotel first, then moving to the Grand Cal. Unlike WDW, you have to move your own bags. Since the Grand is on your way to the parks, it will keep you from backtracking the morning of your move.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Haven't done a split stay but have stayed at all 3 hotels. I won't recommend PP just because the terribly slow elevators. If I were you I'd choose DLH just because there is nothing like it at WDW and it's truly magical. I love the GC but since it's similar to WL I'd do something different.

 

[lightweight]

I did a split stay last year. First week at DLH, second at the Grand. It was very easy. The DLH is much nicer and more magical IMO but you can not beat the location of the Grand. We booked it for the last half knowing we wouldn't want to leave

 

[Amanda132]

Thanks for the tips, guys! I think we definitely are going to do a split stay, since we can't decide which hotel we want to stay in! I'm currently thinking to do DLH first and GC second, just because we'll probably be more tired by the second half of the trip and won't want to walk as far.

I saw someone said that they will move your bags for you, and someone said you have to move them yourselves. Which one is it?

 

[bumbershoot]

I would just do DLH.

While I've only stayed in a villa at WL and a normal hotel room at the Grand (I've toured the villas though), from my knowledge/experience the main part that reminds me of WL is the lobby. And the lobby is free and open to anyone who wishes to enter it.

I would rather stay at DLH and visit the Grand for food, booze, sitting at the fireplace, listening to the piano, lazing on the sofas...

 

[emily94]

I saw someone said that they will move your bags for you, and someone said you have to move them yourselves. Which one is it?

From a Touring Plans blog post, " On the morning that you’re done with your first hotel (Hotel A), check out and bring your luggage to the Bell Services desk. Tell them that you’ll be moving to your second hotel (Hotel B). Bell Services will tag your bags for transfer and give you a receipt. You can then be off on your merry way to enjoy some park touring."

 

[Stinkerbe11]

We are doing a split stay next month (GCH-DLH). I will gladly come back here and let you know how it goes! Please let me know if you have any more questions/concerns and I will try to get the answers for you

 

[Fantaluminishes]

DLR is so compact, I don't see any reason for a split stay. At WDW, the resorts are destinations themselves. This isn't the case at DLR. If you've stayed at WL, I see no reason to stay at GCH. PPH is truly unremarkable. You can call it Disney's overpriced version of "lipstick on a pig". That leaves DLH. This is the original (sort of). If you are going to stay onsite, and you are WDW vets, this is probably your best option.

 

[jina]

we just returned from a 4 night split stay - 2 nights @ HoJo's, 2 nights @ GCH. I definitely recommend GCH as your last hotel as you will so appreciate the location and CA is perfect for quick in and outs to do various things.

FYI I am now convinced early entry for DL is a total waste of time. We've done 3 DL EE/MM's over 3 different trips (1 in 2013, 2 this year) and each time MM/EM for DL was a zoo - FL was immediately packed wheres the day we did DL on a regular entry day it was fabulous - we covered 5 FL rides in that first hour while DH waited in line for A&E.All 3 were 8am MM/EA with 9am regular opening. Next trip we'll probably do something similar - start out at HoJo's or Park Place and do a DL regular entry day, then hop on property to mesh with some CA early entry days. We checked in for CA at 7am (stored our bags) and made it to EA by 8:05am. (5 minutes in).

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I would read every reasonable review--good and bad--before making your final choices, and not simply assume everyone has a great experience just because it's a Disney hotel. I loved PPH. I hated GCH. You never know.