DL Resort Help

[~MandR~]

DW I know, DL I'm clueless. We're planning a trip the first week of June. We'll be staying onsite for eight nights. I've considered doing all three of the resorts but not sure if the family will want to checkout/checkin three times during the stay. The kids are 11 and 14. What are the upside/downside to each of the resorts. Has anyone visited all three of the resorts....what did you think?

Thanks,
Renee

 

[hlbtimes2]

I recomend you look up Hydroguys guide of WDW vets and his hotel guide. It will give you more then you need to know! Here are my opinions:

We stayed at PP as a family in Oct 05, dh stayed at the GC in May 06 for business and we have not been able to stay at the DLH yet.

The drawback to the PP is the distance. Its a bit of a walk. We would probably not stay there again unless the price came down or they offered a shuttle. We can stay offsite for 1/2 the price and have the use of a shuttle (Candy cane inn). The hotel was very nice, as was the staff. The beds were comfortable. The pool is sort of plain, but does have the nice slide near it. The slide does have limited hours, so we were only able to use it one day while we were there. It tends to be open mid day, and we are at the parks at that time.

GC is a beautiful hotel, and is as close as you can get to the parks. Drawback- price! I'm not willing to spend $300-500 a night for standard room. There are just so many other things I would rather spend money on. If we were in the room more I might consider it. But, being in the room is not our style. Dh said that knowing how we travel, he would pick the Candy cane over the GC, just because the cost isnt justified for us. Another drawback is that you have to go to the lobby, to access the rooms, when returning to the hotel. If you are staying at the end of one of the "wings" that can really add some walking on to your walk back.

The DLH has a wonderful pool area. Its more "classic" disney style. We wanted to stay there for our Oct 05 trip, but they didnt have room available. Depending on the cost, we would maybe consider a short stay at this hotel just for fun

 

[JasonShannon76]

The Grand Californian is the nicest of the 3 Disneyland Hotels. That's which one I would choose!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Well I love the Grand Californian so that would be my pick too! But to balance it out a little, I myself would probably do the first four nights and Paradise Pier and the last 4 nights at Grand Californian. That would help with the cost a little and you would get to experience both. My kids love the pools and slides at both, so I think yours would too!

Moving one time during the trip is not too bad, we've dont it. But I wouldn't want to waste time moving more than that! Sonds like a great trip! They are just both such a completely different feeling to me that it would feel like I was getting two seperate vacations! Who can argue with that??? LOL!


Andrea

 

[MATTERHORN]

Also, a lot of rooms at Paradise Pier are closer than the ones at the Disneyland Hotel if you cut through the GC lobby. I'll try to find the link to how many steps it is, but cutting through was about 500 feet closer to the main gates than the closest room at DLH. Something like that!!!


Andrea

 

[~MandR~]

Funny that you mention PP for 4 nights and GC for the remaining. That was the last option that I figured out last night. One thing....we are DVC members so this will be on points rather than "out of pocket". After flying us from Florida, we'd be staying in a tent out back if we weren't DVC. The pool is going to be a huge issue with the kids. Did I read somewhere that the pool at PP is rooftop? If so, that sounds like it would definitely be a winner with them. Do any of the pools really stand out? I know Stormalong wins hands down here in Florida, but wondered if there is anything comparable out west. Another option I was thinking about was a 1BR suite at DLH. We don't have enough points to do a 1br at PP or GC. If we don't do the suite then we'll have to have a standard room with bunk beds as I have one of each and they can't sleep together. Does PP and GC offer bunks as a bedding option?

It feels funny to be such a novice with "Disney" being the subject matter. Thanks so much for all the opinions and advice.

Renee

 

[MATTERHORN]

Paradise Pier offers two queens and a daybed. The daybed was big enough for me to sleep on (I am 5'4") and it was pretty comfortable too! GC does offer bunk neds, but it's not guaranteed.

The pool at PP is on the rooftop, but not of the big tower, it's on the rooftop of the looby which is about the 3rd floor. They have one big yellow curly slide that deposits you into a different little landing pool. The larger pool is just square.

The pool at the Grand Californian is a shaped pool with a slide that wraps around the trunk of a giant redwood tree. It's pretty neat and my kids love it! And I love that you can place an order to WWS and they deliver it to you so you can hang out and eat lunch by the pool. Their nachos and french dip are huge and yummy!

We are also staying on points for our April stay, and if you want to save points, stay at the PP during your weekend days since that uses way less weekend points. So say if you arrive Thursday night, I would stay Th, Fri, and Sat at PP, then move to GC for Sun-Th.

Andrea

 

[honeymom]

We are just back from a trip to the GCH. We have also stayed at DLH and we have done several WDW trips.

First of all, read HydroGuys writeup of DL for WDW veterans. They are very different parks. The first thing that I notice is the number of nights that you are planning. I actually think you will get bored unless you are planning it as your home base to do other things in LA or San Diego. I would suggest you stay at one DL hotel and stay near the beach in Orange County or move to LA or SD for more sightseeing. There just isn't as much to do at DL and you don't need as much time as you would WDW.

GCH has bunkbeds, but there is no guarantee that you will get them. We were a family of 4 with a boy and a girl. They have very few available and we couldn't get one (unless we switched rooms during the stay). They set them aside first for families of 5 (there is a trundle bed and can hold 5, otherwise fifth person sleeps on floor in a sleeping bag in a 2Q room). Then they hold ones that are part of a connecting room situation. Since there are only 35 bunkbed rooms in standard section (and we were told that is the most of any of the sections), the odds are against you. The GCH rooms are small, but the service, location, decor and pool area are nicer than DLH (I have never stayed at PP). We found the DLH very noisy, very plain, and very overcrowded in the pool area. However, there rooms are large and many have a daybed (which your kids may be too big for, however).

Do not go to DL with the thought that you will have a WDW experience. They are 2 very different parks. If you are looking for that overall resort experience that you get at WDW, you may be disappointed. DL is more about the rides, than the rest of the resort.

 

[fidoprincess]

I think DLH would be your best bet if you "have" to stay onsite since you are using points. You can get a room with 2 queen beds and a sofa sleeper(it's just a single) and then request a rollaway once you are there(it's free!) That way you can all have your own beds and space. We had plenty of room to spread out. The suite was nice but it is basically this same room with another "living" room attached that just has a regular sofabed (the kind that opens up with the bar in your back!) The big plus with the suite is that you get another 1/2 bath and I do have to admit that the suite we had did have a wonderful full bath with both a glass shower and a full bathtub so it was quick to get ready in the am. Pay the little difference per night and get the Sierra Tower DTD view! You will be able to see out over the GCH and the mountains of DL and most of CA and the view is wonderful. You can see the fireworks from your room too. DLH has the largest standard rooms of any of the resort hotels.

We don't think you will be bored staying 8 nights! We loved having all the time in the world to relax and enjoy. The DLH has the big (and best in my kids opinion) pool and you can walk over and get drinks and food from the bar/restaurant right there and bring them to the pool. They also have another pool area that has 2 smaller pools so you can get away from the crowds if it is busy. DLH has grounds the other 2 do not have. There is a waterfall area that is beautiful and the kids can feed the koi fish on Tue & Thur mornings at 9 or 9:30. If you are only at DL for a few days, you will not be doing that-you will be in the park-lol. There are also remote control boats the kids loved like the jungle cruise. If you have plenty of time at DL, you will be able to do everything without rushing and really kick back and enjoy your vacation. We did everything when we stayed 10 days and for once, when we got home, we were not exhausted! We would go to the park early (you get early entry every day that it is offered) when the crowds were low, taking the monorail in to bypass the entrance lines, do lots of rides and collect fastpasses to use later in the evening. Then we would go back to the hotel, via the monorail again (and you get to bypass this line too), go to the pool and really relax. A big plus is all the lifeguards! It is the only pool we've ever been at that I could actually blink and not panic because they have a lot of guards really doing a great job. Then we change and go to dinner at Goofys and head back to the park for fantasmic, fireworks and to use our fastpasses. Staying long lets you do things that you just can't fit in over a short 3 day trip. You will be able to see all the shows. We had tons of short trips and never once had we seen the Hillbillies. We finally got the chance and loved it! We went to EPSN Zone and had a wonderful dinner and played games for hours one day and the kids really loved it. There are lots of dining options in DTD too.

We love PP too but the rooms are smaller and they will not let you have a rollaway. We were cramped although the park view is spectacular if you are on the upper floors. No resort feel at all and the slide is fun but the pool is just okay and there is no service like drinks/food available at the pool. It it just a hotel IMHO and a longer walk too.

There is no doubt that GC is grand! The lobby and the restaurants and the pool are all really nice but for us, the big downfall is the size of the rooms and the "can't guarantee" anything in the way of sleeping arrangements. Plus they never seem to tell you that only certain views have certain room types. They let you request a park view with 2 qs and a sofa sleeper for example, and NEVER tell you that the ONLY rooms in the whole hotel with that bed configuration overlook the driveway-no park view. The DTD views are fun to have and people watch but I think they just come with 2 queens, no sofa sleeper so one of the kids will be stuck with a sleeping bag-no thanks! My kids are a bit younger than yours and even they don't think a sleeping bag is fun anymore. Then if you are "lucky" enough to get the room with the bunkbeds, and I think they are park view (at least before the trees grew) you only get one queen bed and the bunks are smaller/shorter than real bunks and are not suitable for larger people. I think the "age limit" was 12? The pool is good! with the added benefit of real service and the restaurants are pretty great too but really no grounds to wander around in. Nothing beats the entrance to CA especially after riding Grizzy River Run and popping back to change out of your wet clothes. The one thing that is a shame though is that CA opens after DL and closes before so you can not really cut through CA as a shortcut. You do get some perks like early entry to CA to do soaring and I've heard that the early walking tour is pretty fantastic. Anyway, as much as we love the hotel, we just don't stay here because of the rooms and beds.

Staying at all of the resort hotels give you pretty much the same perks, early entry to DL and build a bear and a few others. If you do decide to switch during your stay, know that it isn't a big deal at all. The bellman will get your luggage and walk it with you to check in at the other hotel then they will hold it until your room is ready-easy as pie but double tip. The only downside is that from 11-3 you will most likely not have a room to go to and someone will have to leave the park to get the room number or key or whatever when your room is ready.

There are plenty of really close okay hotels right across the street so maybe save some points for another trip and do half time over there. We like BWPPI for the queen queen mini suites that come with a full sofabed, a fridge and a microwave. We don't love the rooms, but we sure do love the easy walk! We like HoJos too but it is a bit longer walk. None of the resort hotels have microwaves so that is a bummer especially for a long stay when you end up with some leftovers to reheat. No matter where you stay, you will have a great trip! Really it is "tiny" compared to WDW so if your family is not the type to kick back and relax, you should take the other poster's advice to plan one or two day trips to maybe Universal Studios or see the beach.

 

[HydroGuy]

I recomend you look up Hydroguys guide of WDW vets and his hotel guide. It will give you more then you need to know!

Renee, FYI, here is a link:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[TwingleMum]

Renee~ We are DVC members and staying onsite for 9 nights using our points. We are staying 5 nights at the DLH and 4 nights at the GC concierge. I picked the DLH because it looked the most "themed" and the pool area is a Peter Pan fans dream. I don't think you could go wrong with either DLH or PP. I agree with you about SAB thats why BCV is our home resort!! Have fun.

 

[honeymom]

Renee~ We are DVC members and staying onsite for 9 nights using our points. We are staying 5 nights at the DLH and 4 nights at the GC concierge. I picked the DLH because it looked the most "themed" and the pool area is a Peter Pan fans dream. I don't think you could go wrong with either DLH or PP. I agree with you about SAB thats why BCV is our home resort!! Have fun.

I think that GCH is more "themed" than DLH. DLH rooms are pretty plain, a little bit of tink in the wallpaper and some mickey type spreads. The only thing themed about the pool is the slide, but you don't really get the themed pool feeling that you do at WDW. We've stayed at GCH and DLH and I am not a big DLH fan. But, back when we stayed there, they allowed PP guests to also use the Neverland Pool and it was way overcrowded.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have to agree with pretty much everything fidoprincess says! I have stayed at all three and prefer the DLH. In fact, we are using points for nine nights at the DLH in June (and doing two nights before that at the Candy Cane). We will probably be doing a few other things in the area but since our points are "free" it just helped the budget to stay at the DLH even on the days we won't be going to the parks as much. We love both DL and WDW but I also agree with Honeymom in that the Disneyland Resort is much different than WDW. Not in a bad way, just in a different way. I never get bored at Disneyland, I have stayed as long as 8 nights before. And I never left property in that time. This year our plan is to go to the beach, but we'll see! There's a lot packed into those two parks and DTD is right there as well. And since you are staying onsite, you will have a nice pool area to enjoy. My experience at both DL and WDW is that those days and nights fly by.

I really like the DLH. We have stayed there five times and had great stays each time. As far as theming, its Disney themed with all sorts of subtle touches in the rooms, bathrooms, grounds, etc. But the Grand Californian is more like WDW resort theming with that wow factor in the lobby. Its the only one of the three hotels that was built by Disney, the other two were only taken over by Disney. The GCH was designed by the same architect who did the AKL and WL and it looks and feels very similar. I love the GCH too and one very big plus is that almost all of the rooms have balconies. That is very nice. But I think I just have a special place in my heart for the DLH, it was the first Disney resort we ever stayed at, and we have just always had great stays there. But GCH might be for you since you are used to WDW deluxes, and it definitely has the most "deluxe" feel to it.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. But I think for someone who is used to WDW resorts and theming, PP will fit that bill the least. I like it, but only stay there when I want to stay onsite and want to save money. And for some reason, the DLH is currently cheaper on points than the PP which is strange to me. PP also has the fewest dining options of the three and is a longer walk.

And as far as the Disneyland Hotel's pool not being themed, I am not sure I agree with that. The big Peter Pan ship in the middle screams Disney. The GCH pool was also nice. PP's pool is boring and if it didn't have that slide, I doubt it would even draw much of a crowd. I love the grounds of the DLH and as someone else said, the other two have nothing in the way of that. Although the GCH has a nice courtyard area in the middle of it. But there is nothing about any of the three pool areas like Stormalong Bay, sorry! Still, the DLH's is probably the largest, with a main pool as well as the quiet pool area. The GCH has two pools but they are really connected to each other. Whereas the DLH's quiet pool area is separate and is usually very quiet. And they have a sandy area at the quiet pool too. If pool is a biggie, that really makes me think PP is not a good option. My kids love that slide, but there is only so many times you can go down that. It is pretty much the same slide as the one at Boardwalk but it empties into a trough, not the pool.

Good luck with your decision. And know that when you use points at the DLR, you won't have to pay that daily resort fee which includes your parking, athletic club use and internet access. Very nice perk!