Disney's WL vs Grand Californian

[goofy4wdw2]

Has anyone stayed at both WDW's WL and DL's GC? Which did you like better and why? We're debating using points for a few nights at Disney's Grand Californian in Disneyland. We'd come out about even if we sold our points and used the cash for the hotel, so we're thinking the points might be a little easier. We're just wondering what to expect with the GC. We love WL, but is it pretty much the same? What's different about the two resorts? Thanks!

 

[Caskbill]

We've been to both, twice to GC and numerous time to VWL.

They are very similar in a number of respects. Lobby's especially. Of course the GC is a regular hotel room, not villas such as at VWL, which I presume you meant to compare to since you are a DVC member. (I've never stayed at WL itself so can't compare those rooms to GC rooms if you really meant to compare WL to GC)

One nice thing about the GC is it has a private entrance into California Adventure for GC resort guests only.

If you use points to get a GC room, it includes everything and there is no other money due.

If you rent your points to get a room on cash, remember to add the hotel taxes to your room costs, and there's also some other hotel charges that are automatically added. Be sure you calculate all this when comparing renting points out or using them directly.

I really liked the pool at GC. Although it's somewhat similar to the WL pool. It might be a little bigger though.

Views out of the GC are nice, but there are different point levels (or cash prices) for views, so that's something you can consider if it's important to you. As you may already know, the 'views' at the VWL villas are nothing special. Mostly woods.

If you go to DL/CA, have a great trip.

 

[La2kw]

Been to both, prefer GC. It has a more upscale feel as opposed to the rustic feel of the WL. Both are gorgeous, but the GC is in a much better location than the WL in respect to the parks and Downtown Disney- they are right outside the door.

 

[debloco]

We've been to both, twice to GC and numerous time to VWL.

Once for the GC, once for the WL and numerous times to the VWL.

They are very similar in a number of respects. Lobby's especially. Of course the GC is a regular hotel room, not villas such as at VWL, which I presume you meant to compare to since you are a DVC member. (I've never stayed at WL itself so can't compare those rooms to GC rooms if you really meant to compare WL to GC)

WL rooms are similar to the GC rooms.

One nice thing about the GC is it has a private entrance into California Adventure for GC resort guests only.

We liked this very much.

If you use points to get a GC room, it includes everything and there is no other money due.
If you rent your points to get a room on cash, remember to add the hotel taxes to your room costs, and there's also some other hotel charges that are automatically added. Be sure you calculate all this when comparing renting points out or using them directly.

Right, no taxes and there's no "resort fee" if you stay on points.

I really liked the pool at GC. Although it's somewhat similar to the WL pool. It might be a little bigger though.

While the pool at the GC is bigger, we like the pool at the WL better.

Views out of the GC are nice, but there are different point levels (or cash prices) for views, so that's something you can consider if it's important to you. As you may already know, the 'views' at the VWL villas are nothing special. Mostly woods.

They were very nice to us regarding our room view. The standard view was only available for our first two nights and the next two nights were a DTD view. They gave us a DTD view for all four nights (we were right above the main entrance to the WOD store!) so we wouldn't have to move. Something like that happening cannot be counted on or guaranteed, but it was a nice "upgrade".

If you go to DL/CA, have a great trip.

I also agree with La2kw...the GC has a more elegant feel than the WL.
Oh, and given the cash room rate plus tax and resort fee, it was a better deal for us to stay on points. We think it was totally worth the points we spent. YMMV.

HTH!

 

[debloco]

so we're thinking the points might be a little easier. We're just wondering what to expect with the GC. We love WL, but is it pretty much the same? What's different about the two resorts? Thanks!

I think going with points is easier if it's that close in terms of "cost".
They are both deluxe resorts, with all the amenities that come with a "deluxe Disney" resort.
Since the GC is the "flagship" resort at DL, the feel of it in some ways is like the feel at the GF...the "flagship" resort at WDW. Obviously very different in theming, but the service was at that GF level and wonderful.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I've stayed at both, and think they are nothing alike. Yes, they are both "wood" resorts, but that's where the likeness ends in my opinion.

WL/VWL has very strong Native American overtones, right down to some of the resort music. Although the GC is a beautiful resort, there is no Native American theming.
The theme of the GC reminds me of the Giant Redwood forest (what is the proper name for that??)
The WL is also a "log" resort, where as the GC is just a "dark wood" resort.

The GC is also much, much darker than WL/VWL, so if you thought WL was dark.....

Elegance?? We only stayed GC concierge level and WL/VWL non concierge, so can't compare. They appeared to be about the same, however it should be noted that GC is the Disneyland flagship resort much like the Grand Floridian at WDW.

Overall we MUCH prefer WL/VWL.
With that said, we think GC is fantastic, and it's clearly the nicest resort at Disneyland in our opinion.
We like it so much that we are returning to the GC in two weeks!!

MG

 

[JimC]

Have stayed at both multiple times. GC is equivalent in theming quality to WL and AKL and maybe Poly. It is the best of the west coast hotels if you want Disney. It has a private direct access into CA. If you like the east coast resorts I mentioned, then I am confident you will enjoy GC.

We have stayed on points and cash at GC. Which is best depends on the deals at the time and how you value your points.

One note of caution: The concierge staff at GC was not up to the standards of WDW when we visited in 2005. They were okay, but not what you would expect at a first class resort. Hopefully they have worked on that aspect of the resort's services.

 

[JimC]

I've stayed at both, and think they are nothing alike. Yes, they are both "wood" resorts, but that's where the likeness ends in my opinion.

WL/VWL has very strong Native American overtones, right down to some of the resort music. Although the GC is a beautiful resort, there is no Native American theming.
The theme of the GC reminds me of the Giant Redwood forest (what is the proper name for that??)
The WL is also a "log" resort, where as the GC is just a "dark wood" resort...MG

That is because the GC is a Craftsman Style resort, while WL is a Pacific Northwest log lodge that mimics the National Park Service building program in the early 1900s.

 

[Deb & Bill]

That is because the GC is a Craftsman Style resort, while WL is a Pacific Northwest log lodge that mimics the National Park Service building program in the early 1900s.

Thanks, Jim. I was trying to think what the architectural style was for the GC and could not.

 

[castleri]

Has anyone stayed at both WDW's WL and DL's GC? Which did you like better and why? We're debating using points for a few nights at Disney's Grand Californian in Disneyland. We'd come out about even if we sold our points and used the cash for the hotel, so we're thinking the points might be a little easier. We're just wondering what to expect with the GC. We love WL, but is it pretty much the same? What's different about the two resorts? Thanks!

I am one of the few who did not think the GC was all that wonderful from the standpoint of the room itself. We were there in 2001 and the room was directly over the entance overlooking the parking lot with just a small window so it seemed very dark. It just didn't seem any better to me if as good as some of the moderate rooms at WDW. The main areas of the hotel and pool were very nice and the entrance into CA was great. I much preferred the rooms we had at the DLH in 2001 and 2005. The points were less, the rooms were bigger and the view of the pool area was wonderful. Since there are different point levels for GC I imagine that there are better rooms and views and I would opt for that if I ever decided to try it again. At the time we went I do not think this was the case.
We had a view of the waterway looking towards the MK and CR through the
woods at WL the one time we stayed there and although it also overlooked some sort of service building it was nicer than what we had at GC.

 

[disney-super-mom]

One nice thing about the GC is it has a private entrance into California Adventure for GC resort guests only.

This isn't a big deal or anything, but I just wanted to clarify that the private entrance into DCA at the GC is for ALL Disney resort guests (those that are staying at the PP and the DLH can also use the private entrace).

 

[Maistre Gracey]

That is because the GC is a Craftsman Style resort, while WL is a Pacific Northwest log lodge that mimics the National Park Service building program in the early 1900s.

Thanx, Jim. In a nutshell this is what I was trying to say, but I couldn't come up with exact theme/style of the GC.

I personally much prefer the WL/VWL, and really love the Native American influence.

MG

 

[50 years Too!]

We've been to GC twice and WL (not Dvc) twice. My husband has them both as the same resort in his mind and looked very blank when I mention the possibility of DVC at GC! Too many Disney trips, I guess.
I prefer the restaurants at WL, but you have DTD at your doorstep at GC with several good restaurants.
The grounds are much more relaxing and fun at WL.
I think the main difference is that WL requires transportation to get to the parks and GC is walking distane to both parks, and DTD.
I preferred the decor of the rooms more at GC, but that is personal, I guess.
More craftsman, less rustic.
All in all, love them both!