GCH is this worth it?

[GailT]

Last night I called and got the theme park view for $400.00 more for 4 nights, instead of a standard view...I saw a few pics and it looked nice. I don't think I'll be back to DL again so I figured why not, what do you think, is it worth it?

 

[caimakale]

Last night I called and got the theme park view for $400.00 more for 4 nights, instead of a standard view...I saw a few pics and it looked nice. I don't think I'll be back to DL again so I figured why not, what do you think, is it worth it?

It is soooooooo worth it! We loved our stay there in August and just rebooked another stay at the GC in May. This time we are going with a standard view whereas last time we had the theme park view. We will be back later this year and will splurge for the concierge level on our next trip.

You will love it, have fun on your trip!

 

[grimley1968]

I booked standard view for us. It's our first, and possibly only trip to DL. But we wanted to be as close to the pool as possible, and standard view rooms look to be as close to the pool as any of the park view rooms. We're not ones to sit in our room and admire the view. When we're in the room, we normally have the drapes shut and are sound asleep. If the drapes are open and we're awake, we're in a park, the pool or enjoying the rest of the resort 95% of that time. So views aren't that important to us. But that's us.

 

[Chumpson]

I don't know how anyone can answer these questions. It seems like the pocketbook of everyone is different, what might be "worth it" to me wouldn't be to you. I have been trying to ask similar questions, but don't know if the answers ever help me. Also some people seem to go a lot more regularly than I do which means they have A LOT more money to spend on vacations than I do so they can splurge more. Just some thoughts on these questions. Sure we all want the best, but some of us can't justify it.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I agree with chumpson, with seven of us, we would love to stay on site, but it is worth us to stay off site in a suite hotel. Disney does not really cater to larger family groups without gouging the pocketbook and the rooms are not that spacious. For those who can afford it, I am sure it is worth it. Would rather buy a lunch at club 33 if that were possible..(not)

Jack

 

[azgal81]

I wouldn't pay that much for a hotel room but that's just me. Some people want to stay at the best. I can stay for a week in an offsite hotel for the same price that I can stay there for a night. And plus I'm just in the room to sleep why do I want to pay so much!!!

 

[RADOPT]

For us it is worth it. We will be there when DL closes at 9pm and we spend more time in the room then most so the view will be nice. This is the second time we will be at GC and if I am going to spend the money to stay here, then we get a park view. Otherwise we stay across the street at the Desert inn & suites. This is also a birthday trip for my daughter, so I am splurging on the hotel.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We stayed at GCH for the 1st time last Oct in a standard view and absoultely fell in love with the hotel and its staff. Dh bickered about the cost but ended talking about what a great time we had to his mother that she's joing us in Aug to stay at GCH. Since all of our recent family vacation have been to Disneyland, we don't stay in the park from open to close. We actually go back to the hotel for a swim and a nap. We loved that the GCh had activities going on every day (scavenger hunt, storytelling by the hearth, brisk walk through DAC before opening, early entry into build-a-bear, sephora, napkin folding classes, drawing classes, etc..). My kids got a kick out of the bunkbed in the room as well as turndown service with chocolates. We got the most of our stay last Oct. If you don't really spend a lot of time in your room (using it only to sleep and get ready for the following day), then I wouldn't sepnd the $$$ to stay here. We enjoyed the ammenties of this hotel and are looking forward to staying here again in Aug.

 

[RADOPT]

We loved that the GCh had activities going on every day (scavenger hunt, storytelling by the hearth, brisk walk through DAC before opening, early entry into build-a-bear, sephora, napkin folding classes, drawing classes, etc..).

What are the ages for the classes? Early entry into build a bear - when & what time? Is the walk very brisk and do you have to use an admission ticket for this?

Thanks - we are going in 2 1/2 weeks!

 

[hlbtimes2]

It would not be worth it for my family. We spend very little time in our room. We stayed at PP last fall, theme park view conc. level, thinking we would use the hotel room and pool more. We didnt. We were still at the parks every waking moment. We are perfectly happy to spend $130 a night at the candy cane. The beds are comfy, the breakfast free, and the shuttle is quick. I can't imagine spending $100 a night just for the view.

 

[CalGal]

Last night I called and got the theme park view for $400.00 more for 4 nights, instead of a standard view...I saw a few pics and it looked nice. I don't think I'll be back to DL again so I figured why not, what do you think, is it worth it?

I love the theme park view at GCH! I have requested and gotten a Grizzly Peak view a couple of times. I like being able watching the rafts on GRR and watching the guests strolling by during our afternoon breaks. Some of Grizzly Peak rooms are the closest to the park. Others prefer the views of Paradise Pier; the rooms aren't as close to DCA, but the lights are very pretty at night. Our rooms at GCH have been pretty close to the elevators, and it is so incredibly convenient.

Whether it's worth $100 extra a night is dependent upon your budget. If you want and are willing and able to pay for the best, I'd say definitely. However, while I think $100/night may be the standard rack rate difference for view rooms, I've managed to get the view rooms for much less than $100/night extra when I've gone. Part of the lower cost differential may have been due to the demand during the times that I've booked. Also, I found that when I booked a GCH package through AAA (which also got me the Enhanced FP since I was staying on-site) and booking a room only stay through this website (through Dreams Unlimited; I now have an AP), I got a pretty good deal on the view room. I did some comparisons beteen booking through Disney directly and for booking through AAA and Dreams Unlimited, and it seemed that there wasn't much cost difference for standard rooms, but a noticable cost difference for view rooms -- at least for the particular times of our stay. I think it only amounted to around $25-$40 extra per night. That might not help you much now tho-.

 

[Harmony]

I certainly hope it's worth it since we have a room with a theme park view booked for the end of May! We've been to WDW many times but never to DL and after this one trip, probably won't be back so we figured...why not? The only reason it's Ca. instead of Fl. this year is due to the fact that we promised our 10y/o that we'd take him to Legoland.

And I agree with most posters...this question is really difficult to answer 'cause everyone's situation is different.

If you can afford it, then it's probably worth it for you and your family. However, if a family can't splurge like you can, then it probably wouldn't be worth it for them. KWIM? It's really an individual thing.

When DH and I were first married and in college, a Disney trip (even a tightly budgeted one) wouldn't have been worth the money since we could've lived off that $ for months. Now after many years and the fact that we are more settled, we can do vacations w/o breaking the bank. Again...it's all relative.

 

[diznefan76]

I absolutely LOVE GCH. My very first time staying there we had the Paradise Pier view...and we stayed there the week of the World Series (when Anaheim won)...they had the Baseball gala at Paradise Pier and I thought that it would be pretty noisy and we wouldn't be able to get to sleep because of the noise...but I was very surprised and once we closed the door to our verandah we couldn't hear a thing! It was great! I was very impressed! We'll be staying there again when we visit DL in September and I can't wait!!!! I love that it is so close to both parks!!! and Downtown Disney!

 

[Chicago526]

Personally, I don't think it's worth $400 just for a better view. If the room was also better (bigger, more amenities, etc.) then it could be. But not for just what the window looks out at. As long as I'm not looking at the dumpsters and loading dock, I could care less. I'd rather have the $400 and eat at more expensive restaurants and/or buy more souvineers.

I do, however, think that a stay at GCH is worth the extra you pay over rates at the DLH and PPI. GCH is a wonderful hotel!

 

[Marilynbn]

I will simply add my thoughts to this matter since it is true that everyone's situation is different. We LOVE the Grand Californian and we stay there nearly 3 times per year since it opened! The difference for me is huge. The first time we stayed there we were put in a far corner standard view room that actually faced the parking lot in front of the hotel. The room was so dark and felt remote that I vowed not to spend the money and return there again. I decided on our second visit to give the hotel one more try with a pool view. It was awesome! Lots of morning light and you started to feel the Disney magic right away. We love to eat our breakfast on the balcony and watch the hustle and bustle start in the morning. We always bring our own breakfast food and store stuff in the requested refrigerator. The best room is #5015. Mostly because there is no balcony above you and you have a wonderful open feeling. The rooms in this location on every floor are also slightly larger than others and contain a king bed with a sofa sleeper. I never book the city view/standard view room anymore. I like to feel like I am a part of the hotel and the Disney activity and the "view" rooms really give you that feeling. I would especially recommend you splurge if this may be your only visit to this wonderful, beautiful hotel! Have a great time.... Marilyn

 

[GailT]

Thanks everyone for your coments, I was so excited today in work knowing I am going to DL and getting the theme park view...I work in a tanning salon so I hear all about everyone elses vacation so I get excited for them then cound the months down till my trip....sounds silly but that keeps me going

 

[victorandbellasmom]

What are the ages for the classes? Early entry into build a bear - when & what time? Is the walk very brisk and do you have to use an admission ticket for this?

Thanks - we are going in 2 1/2 weeks!

I don't think there were any age specifications for the classes. Daily activities will be on a sheet delivered to your room during turndown service. So if your 1st night is Monday, that evening you will have a sheet with Tuesday's activities on your nightstand. We didn't do build a bear as my kids have way too many to count but I am assuming it is before regular oepning hours. There might be a fee ($20-$25, i think) that gets credited towards your purchase. The brisk walk is brisk, not for th faint of heart. Dh did this with my dad. I don't believe you need a park ticket for that day as they do escort you out of DCA and back into GCH. Have a great trip RADOPT.

 

[JulieNMM]

I just booked our vacation at the GC and I'm so happy to see this thread! I was very intent that we would stay at the DLH and changed my mind at the last minute and here's why:

We've been to DLR a million times and usually stay offsite. While those hotels are close, they're not close enough! I have 2 kids who get tired in the evening and it's horrible having to try to carry one and listen to the other whine. They also like to go back to the hotel midday for a swim and that 15 minute walk to the hotel and back adds up!

Also, my father will be with us and he had a stroke and is in a wheelchair and gets tired easily, so this way it will be easy for him to go back to the room for a nap. Since someone has to stay with him, we need a good view so I booked the Downtown Disney view because I've always looked up at those balconies before and wished I'd been there! LOL

Finally, I just want to be as close as possible to the parks and I think GC is the closest. When we stayed at PP it was a long walk just to the Monorail. I was afraid if I booked at the DLH, I would get a room in a corner far, far away from DTD and then I might as well just have gotten a room at the PP!!

DH got a good bonus this year so we're splurging. With 4 kids, (shhh, don't tell!) we're going to be squished in the room, but at least it will be a nice room with a nice view!!!

JULIE

 

[minniecarousel]

When it's just DH & I - you bet! Our kids are grown & the last time we went with them along, we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, but when they were little & money was tight for vacations, we stayed mostly at the places surrounding Disneyland. It's nice to be able spend the money on it now, but I wouldn't if I worried about it!
We love the GCH, but some of those rooms are a looong walk from the elevators!

 

[CHOPR]

We booked GC for a week in Oct '06 and I know the view will be worth it! Three kids under 12 and I just know they will love looking out into the park in the morning and at the end of the night (if we get into the room while the DCA lights are still on : ) Thanks to the Dis and great advice I also reserved Grizzly Peak view. We are WDW veterans and do not plan too many trips to the left coast