DLH vs. GCH

[pouncingpluto]

Upon reading about the various Disneyland hotels to decide how to divide my stay, I feel pretty unimpressed with the descriptions of Paradise Pier so far, but will probably stay there a couple nights to try it out.

Regarding Grand Californian versus Disneyland Hotel: Disneyland Hotel sounds like it has a lot of Disney magic built in, whereas Grand Californian sounds like a nicer hotel but less Disney. Is that a fair summary?

 

[LuvTigger]

pouncingpluto,

I noticed this post has gone unanswered, so I thought I'd give it a shot!

I haven't stayed at GC yet, but I have a ressie for October. mouseplanet has some really great pix. I stayed at DLH a few years ago and was really impressed with the grounds and little Disney touches, but it wasn't like being at a WDW hotel. I'm not real sure of the history of DLH, but I kind of felt like maybe it was a "regular" hotel before, and that they landscaped and added touches to, rather than being built Disney from the ground up. (Does that make sense???)

We enjoyed our stay there, but I am very excited about staying at GC because it appears to be similiar to WL which is my favorite WL resort, with much attention to detail. At DLH, I don't recall that much detail in the rooms and corridors, but maybe it's changed since they've refurbished since my visit.

I guess it depends what you're looking for. The Neverland Pool looks great at DLH, and we loved the courtyard areas. DLH seems more "obviously" Disney with the characters on the "do not disturb" signs, and things like that, whereas GC seems more "subtley" Disney with more attention to detail as opposed to focus on the characters (but they have breakfast with Chip and Dale)!

 

[lucky1]

If I remember right the DLH was build after Disneyland, but was owned and managed by a different company with agreement from Disney. I can't remember when Disney aquired the ownership, but it wasn't until years later.

We have stayed more recently at DGC. DLH was about 5 years ago and PP (Then Disney's Pacific) about 3 years ago. We have recently walked the grounds of each hotel. DGC is very subtle with the Disney aspect. No Disney soaps in the room. Hidden mickys in the bedspread and few other places. The shower curtain has Thumper on it.
It is all non smoking. I did see several people smoking out on the balcony, but I think that is also a no no.
The only Deluxe I have stayed at in WDW was the boardwalk and I really perfer DGC over the Boardwalk.

The grounds of DLH have improved over the last 3 years, the pool area is great and the Disney touchs are around.
PP doesn't really have much of a ground area, but everything is so close together. When we stayed there 3 years ago, we felt we liked the rooms better than DLH and it was also cheaper.

PP like DGC has it's own entrance to DCA.

 

[Greg K.]

We stayed at the DLH last month. We love it. Rooms are light and airy and roomy; the pool is nicely themed; the lobby and shops just feel "Disneyfied." The buildings themselves are nothing special, not much fancier than a Ramada or Sheraton, but the place just manages to ooze Disney magic.

I wish I could say the same for the GC. We haven't stayed there, but we popped in during our visit to look around. It's an impressive, beautifully designed, magnificently executed facility. And it is indeed a close cousin of the Wildnerness Lodge. That said, it left us cold. The lobby is dark and gloomy (despite the soaring ceiling above!) and it felt rustic, not fun.

Maybe it's a matter of personal taste.

Also, personally, I don't think having a private entrance to DCA is that great of a perk. The park is nice, but not THAT nice. I'd rather walk five minutes from DLH to the monorail, and be deposited smack dab in the middle of Disneyland.