DL or GCH

[Emiems20]

OK so we have decided to go to DL!! Now where do we stay? I would feel more comfortable at a disney resort so we have been looking into GC and DL. We are going Dec. 19-22. There is only about a $200 between the two resorts so I am really really looking for opinions on which resort to book. Any suggestions, opinions, or advice would be fantastic.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Both the DLH and the GCH are beautiful in their own unique ways!

With the price difference being only $200.00, that makes the choice more difficult(in my opinion)!

If I were taking children, I would probably lean toward DLH, if just me and Hubby, maybe the GCH. (However, our children always loved the GCH when we stayed there.)

I don't think you can go wrong with either Hotel---they're both lovely!

 

[Emiems20]

Both the DLH and the GCH are beautiful in their own unique ways!

With the price difference being only $200.00, that makes the choice more difficult(in my opinion)!

I don't think you can go wrong with either Hotel---they're both lovely!

I know right!! If there was a huge difference it would be a no brainier, but since it is not that much its a real close call!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Maybe you could think of it this way----if you are less likely to stay at the GCH when the prices are higher, you might want to snap up that cheaper rate, and go ahead and stay there, since the price is similar to the DLH!

Then, next time you visit the Resort, you could check out the DLH! Chances are, that the DLH will usually, in most cases, be cheaper than the GCH!

 

[Sherry E]

OK so we have decided to go to DL!! Now where do we stay? I would feel more comfortable at a disney resort so we have been looking into GC and DL. We are going Dec. 19-22. There is only about a $200 between the two resorts so I am really really looking for opinions on which resort to book. Any suggestions, opinions, or advice would be fantastic.

Emiems20 --

This Hotels of the Disneyland Resort post has thumbnails of the 3 hotels during the holiday season (when you'll be there), as well as ideas for things to do (In-room celebrations, Winter Ornament Workshop, etc.). Santa Claus' schedule from 2013 is also there under each hotel listing -- just in case you want to get a photo taken with him!

Personally, I find the GCH rooms to be on the cramped side -- not spacious enough. I know others will disagree, but I know that there are some who share my opinion as well.

I think that the DLH rooms are much more spacious.

The GCH and the DLH have nice grounds to walk around and explore, with the true highlight of the GCH being the lovely lobby and hearth area (accessible to non-guests as well). This lobby/hearth area is pivotal during the holiday season, as it is filled with seasonal cheer, Santa, carolers and other Christmas music. People get drinks and snacks from the nearby Hearthstone Lounge and plunk down in the comfy chairs and sofas.

The DLH has a cool little geyser on the property, 3 different themed towers (which all have themed trees or décor during the holidays) and a great bar -- Trader Sam's. There is a good counter service place at the DLH too -- Tangaroa Terrace. Of course, the DLH is where the Goofy's Kitchen character meal can be found.

The Disneyland Hotel has the best Santa photo location of the 3 hotels, and it also has a giant fake gingerbread Castle (with accompanying piped-in gingerbread scent) in the lobby of the Fantasy Tower. Sometimes -- not always -- you will see Goofy hanging around in the lobby of the Fantasy Tower too, posing for photos.

At the GCH, the location of the hotel to the parks is a great plus, though some of the rooms are not as close as others. Storytellers Café is a good restaurant (with a freshly made, real gingerbread house holding court near the entrance), and many people love White Water Snacks (which also has its own mini-gingerbread "neighborhood").

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[Nonsuch]

...Personally, I find the GCH rooms to be on the cramped side -- not spacious enough. I know others will disagree, but I know that there are some who share my opinion as well...

I agree, GCH rooms are significantly smaller than rooms at DLH. The remodeled DLH also has larger bathrooms with a better layout

Offsetting the space issue, GCH rooms have balconies

 

[Malcon10t]

With ot without kids? How many in the party? Depending on your answer to make a suggestion. I am among the group that feels GCH rooms are too small. I prefer the layout of the DLH rooms. If you have kids, I think they may enjoy the rooms at the DLH better. Strictly adults and only 2-3 of you? You may enjoy GCH more.

 

[BensWife]

I would go with the GCH. We have stayed at both, with our first time at the DLH just this past July, and I have found out that I prefer the GCH. Even though I really liked the DLH, I just like the GCH better. You can't beat the location of the GCH. Seriously!! It is the closest and very convenient if you have tired kids needing a break (or tired cranky adults who need a break too)! At our stay at the DLH, we had planned on using the monorail to help with the distance, but every time we wanted to use it, it was down. For our 3 day trip, we only got to use it 1 time. The pools at both are lovely. While we were at the DLH, the splash area for the younger kids was down for the full day. If we had small kids with us (our DLH trip was just DH and me) it would have been a total bummer and it made the other pools super full (but again, it was July and a perfect day for a swim). I don't do water slides, so that wasn't a big deal with either pool for me, but DH did like both. The wait was a lot longer for the slide at the DLH than the GCH. I didn't like how the DLH had 3 towers. I liked that the GCH was all under 1 roof. At one point while at DLH, I needed to get some band aides and had to go to a whole other building to get them. The rooms are about the same in my view. I do think the DLH rooms are bigger, but I never really thought as the GCH rooms to be too small or even "dark" as so many people say. You really can't go wrong with either, but for $200 I would definitely go with GCH. Good luck on your decision!

 

[Emiems20]

With ot without kids? How many in the party? Depending on your answer to make a suggestion. I am among the group that feels GCH rooms are too small. I prefer the layout of the DLH rooms. If you have kids, I think they may enjoy the rooms at the DLH better. Strictly adults and only 2-3 of you? You may enjoy GCH more.

It's just going to be hubby and I. We thought an 8 hour plane ride for a 1-year-old was just too much.

 

[GatorChris]

If that's the case, go with GCH. It's more of an adult place than DLH. We're going in February, and when I asked my kids it was hands-down, lights-out DLH. I'll admit that I like the very Disney feel to it. But GC is right on property and has a great escape feel that you'll love.

 

[gogogoman5]

It's just going to be hubby and I. We thought an 8 hour plane ride for a 1-year-old was just too much.[/QUOTE]

If it is just going to be the two of you, then ABSOLUTELY stay at the Grand Californian. The Disneyland hotel is a great balance between the Paradise Pier (all kids) and the fancier Grand Californian hotel.

Stay at the Grand Californian and go to Napa Rose or Storytellers for dinner one night.

 

[whoever]

I normally advocate the GCH anyway, but in your case, with it just being the two of you, I can't recommend it enough.

 

[rentayenta]

GCH. Don't miss relaxing at the Hearthstone Lounge in the evenings post park time. Amazing.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I'd vote GCH. We stayed there in 2010 and are going again in January 2015. I love the direct entrance into DCA and the close proximity to the DL entrance. The staff was wonderful and it made for a great experience for the whole family.

 

[CapturedbyDisney]

We just stayed at the GCH for our 7th anniversary two weeks ago. I was a bit let down. I had been inside the lobby and it's gorgeous but the rooms were very mediocre with very little "Disney" decor. Getting to our room was a very long walk down 2 very long hallways, which was annoying. The story tellers cafe only had breakfast buffet when we were there over the weekend. We prefer menu service. Luckily carnation cafe inside Disneyland was amazing and it got us moving earlier into the park. The entrance into CA adventure was really awesome. Probably the only reason we would stay there again. You can still use that though staying at DLH. The balcony was nice and we did use that each night we stayed.

We had stayed at DLH a few years ago and I remember loving it and being very impressed. Nice sized rooms that was very Disney themed. The walk is a little farther but it's closer to the monorail.

My biggest thing was the long walk to our room. I felt like even though the hotel was close, our room was reaaally far.

If you stay at GCH ask for a room close to an elevator. That would have made a world of difference in our trip.