Favorite Hotel

[Epcot W]

What's your favortie DL Hotel? Mine is GC. Is there any doubt? Tell me where I go wrong.

 

[jdb in AZ]

It's a matter of personal preference. We also prefer the Grand Californian, but others prefer the DLH. To each their own. Some prefer Cadillacs; others prefer Mercedes or BMW. Any of the above would be a fine choice.

 

[nana50]

I prefer DL. I stayed at the GC a couple of months ago for the first time. The lobby is the best, but you don't have to stay there to enjoy it. I like that CA is right out the door, but that is it. I like the rooms at DL and the grounds are much nicer. It is a personal preference for sure.

 

[DizMe]

Depends with whom I'm traveling. With my young kids, DLH! We like the Disney feel, larger rooms, and used to prefer the grounds but haven't been there since the pool reno so not sure now. We always see characters at DLH (Goofy, Mickey, Donald) walking around in the lobby and outside.

Also, we like to eat at RFC as a family. It's very convenient from DLH. I also like Compass Bookstore (just next door) for coffee and morning treats, and LOVE Jazz Kitchen beignets in the take-out part. We also love breakfasting at Steakhouse 55. I'm eager to try out the new additions, particularly Tangaroa Terrace or whatever the Tiki-inspired restaurant is called.

I like that they have free coffee and 1/2 and 1/2 in the lobby of each tower in the morning.

Finally, at DLH we almost always get our tower choice (Adventure Tower, closest to DTD) so the walk is no big deal. We rarely get our choice in GCH, which makes the walk actually longer than DLH due to the layout of the hotel and lack of elevators.

BUT...when it's a girls only trip, I prefer GCH! It's a more adult hotel and you do feel kind of special when you stay there. With all adults, it's fun to have a drink by the fireplace, eat at Napa Rose, grab a Haagen Dazs, breakfast at La Brea's, hang out in the hot tub and be so close to CA. I don't usually find it a lot closer to DL than DLH due to the position of the rooms, but if feels closer because the hotel entrance is right there. And if I get a really good rate, I love doing concierge for the full-on splurge.

 

[tlovesdis]

Of the three Disney hotels, I actually prefer Paradise Pier! The rooms are much bigger, especially than the ones at the Grand. And the walk isn't bad at all, especially crossing over to the Grand.

 

[Davids-Coco]

We are a grand family But with small children and being DVC members, it is a perfect choice for us. We need the space the villas provide!

 

[jenniferrose]

Of the three Disney hotels, I actually prefer Paradise Pier! The rooms are much bigger, especially than the ones at the Grand. And the walk isn't bad at all, especially crossing over to the Grand.

Can I hijack and ask a question? If you stay at the PP, are you allowed to use the Grand entrance into DCA? Or is that only for Grand visitors?

 

[mydisneymoney]

Can I hijack and ask a question? If you stay at the PP, are you allowed to use the Grand entrance into DCA? Or is that only for Grand visitors?

Yes, the entrance to DCA is for any Disney Resort Hotel guests including PP. Very convenient. Also, if you are not going into DCA, make sure you still cut through the GCH to get to Downtown Disney. It will save you time. We stayed at the PP last Feb and used the cut through when come and going to DL.

 

[jenniferrose]

Yes, the entrance to DCA is for any Disney Resort Hotel guests including PP. Very convenient. Also, if you are not going into DCA, make sure you still cut through the GCH to get to Downtown Disney. It will save you time. We stayed at the PP last Feb and used the cut through when come and going to DL.

Thanks! We planned to use the GC to cut through but wasn't sure if we could only cut to DTD.

 

[llump41]

Can I hijack and ask a question? If you stay at the PP, are you allowed to use the Grand entrance into DCA? Or is that only for Grand visitors?

We've never been denied entrance there even when we weren't staying on property. I just wouldn't try it an early entrance time. They do check hotel keys then.

 

[larina]

Another vote for the Paradise Pier (request a room with a view of California Adventure, it is incredible at night and a lot of fun during the day too!). It is the lightest and most fun of the three and the rooms are good sized. We can't wait to go back!!!

 

[larina]

Oh, the lobby of the GC is beautiful and I recommend eating at Napa Rose if you can make it, but the rooms are smaller and the decor is darker.

 

[llump41]

View from our room 8/10/11

 

[llump41]

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2302209000461.138479.1406302301

some pics from our last visit.

 

[gundo870]

My kids (1/5) and I prefer the GC. They love the small waterslide and the bunk beds with the park view. My older DS really likes to people watch from the balcony too, however my younger DS (1.5 yr old) likes to throw things off the balcony so I have to really watch him.

The close access to the parks is great too.

However, when they both get alittle older, I think they will enjoy the DH. I love that hotel especially after they complete with the remodel.

 

[vettegirl]

I the DLH.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I the DLH.

me too--minus the backhoes and construction. When all done, I will love it once again

 

[KCmike]

GCH for sure. Location is unbeatable. Lobby, nice comfy rooms, best pool chaise lounge chairs, hot tub, balconies, fireplace outside, great viewing deck which offers a wonderful place to relax, entrance to DCA, and Napa Rose.

 

[snesguy]

Depends with whom I'm traveling. With my young kids, DLH! We like the Disney feel, larger rooms, and used to prefer the grounds but haven't been there since the pool reno so not sure now. We always see characters at DLH (Goofy, Mickey, Donald) walking around in the lobby and outside.

Also, we like to eat at RFC as a family. It's very convenient from DLH. I also like Compass Bookstore (just next door) for coffee and morning treats, and LOVE Jazz Kitchen beignets in the take-out part. We also love breakfasting at Steakhouse 55. I'm eager to try out the new additions, particularly Tangaroa Terrace or whatever the Tiki-inspired restaurant is called.

I like that they have free coffee and 1/2 and 1/2 in the lobby of each tower in the morning.

Finally, at DLH we almost always get our tower choice (Adventure Tower, closest to DTD) so the walk is no big deal. We rarely get our choice in GCH, which makes the walk actually longer than DLH due to the layout of the hotel and lack of elevators.

BUT...when it's a girls only trip, I prefer GCH! It's a more adult hotel and you do feel kind of special when you stay there. With all adults, it's fun to have a drink by the fireplace, eat at Napa Rose, grab a Haagen Dazs, breakfast at La Brea's, hang out in the hot tub and be so close to CA. I don't usually find it a lot closer to DL than DLH due to the position of the rooms, but if feels closer because the hotel entrance is right there. And if I get a really good rate, I love doing concierge for the full-on splurge.

I agree, DLH most of the time for the reasons you list. I would also add that I don't enjoy a lot of the food in the parks (I do sometimes like to eat at ESPN Zone in DTD) and I like go out to eat a bit at outside restaurants. When valet parking at DLH I can get a car in and out of there quickly. A couple of minutes and I'm on the road. I haven't stayed at GCH as often but when I valet parked at GCH it seemed to take much longer to get the car in and out of there. And I've had the same experience you have, rooms in the GCH can be far away from the entrance such that DLH seems only a little further, plus the monorail station is pretty close to the DLH.

 

[jenpace]

We've never been denied entrance there even when we weren't staying on property. I just wouldn't try it an early entrance time. They do check hotel keys then.

The DCA entrance from the Grand is for all DLR guests so there would be no reason why a DLH or PPH would be denied, it's one of the perks you get for staying onsite at a DLR hotel.