GCH or DLH Standard Room for Family of 5

[hookem81]

My family and I (DD12, DS10, and DS5) are DL vets taking a trip there every year for the past few years. Since there are 5 of us, we have always stayed off property in a suite. However, I'm thinking I might shoot for an on property hotel this year. I am leery of crowding all 5 of us in a standard hotel room. What are the thoughts of the board on how practical this would be. This board is terrific - I really have learned so much here over the years!

 

[Presley]

I think it depends on how you normally vacation. If you don't spend much time in the room, it shouldn't make any difference. If you spend lots of time in the room, you will be unhappy.

You could rent a villa at California Grand from an owner there. It will be very expensive, but it will give you more room.

 

[disneyrand]

I'd say if you ARE going to do it, I'd do it now. It's a lot easier with a 5 year old in the group than a 10 year old and two teenagers, IMHO.

 

[mama2dutchies]

We actually chose PPH, because I from what I saw the room at GCH and DLH were smaller, where PPH were larger and most of the PPH came with a pull out day bed for our 5th.

 

[smiles33]

My family and I (DD12, DS10, and DS5) are DL vets taking a trip there every year for the past few years. Since there are 5 of us, we have always stayed off property in a suite. However, I'm thinking I might shoot for an on property hotel this year. I am leery of crowding all 5 of us in a standard hotel room. What are the thoughts of the board on how practical this would be. This board is terrific - I really have learned so much here over the years!

OT but OP, which off-site suites within walking distance does your family prefer?

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

Have you considered PP? We stayed there in 2007 when the kids were 7, 10, and 14 and with the pull out sofa bed, had plenty of room. However, we were only there for 5 days and we pretty much spent all of our time in the parks, and when we weren't in the parks, we were in the pool. If we were in the room, it was to shower/sleep.

Given the choice of GC or DLH, I'd probably choose DLH, as the rooms are probably all larger than GC. The GC is gorgeous, but IMO, the room was a lot smaller. I was only there that trip with one of my children, so it was okay, but not sure how it would have worked out with all 5 of us.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I do not find the expense for a Villa out of line with what it offers. We have stayed in a DQ with day bed and we found it tight and if everyone is happy with the conjoined slumber party, things should work out.

Jack

 

[jenpace]

We've stayed at both the DLH and the GCH with 5 people in the room a bunch of times.

The rooms at the DLH might be slightly larger than the GCH but since the recent DLH re-model, their rooms' windows are stationary (don't actually open). All the GCH standard rooms with 2 queens & a daybed are situated over the reception desk, facing the DLH and they all have balconies with sliding patio doors and two large, padded patio chairs and a small table.

For me personally, the balcony space w the GCH rooms and especially the fact that you can't even open the DLH windows are a huge deal.

 

[hookem81]

OT but OP, which off-site suites within walking distance does your family prefer?

We have always stayed at the Embassy Suites South, so we have never been walking distance - we are looking forward to it!

 

[smiles33]

Thanks for answering! I really want to stay close as we have a double stroller to lug, but thanks anyway.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

I agree with some of the others, you might want to consider staying at PP. The rooms are slightly larger and have the daybed.

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

We recently stayed at the GCH with a party of 5 (including DD10, DD7 & DS5) in a Queen plus bunks/trundle room. Yes the room was crowded but we didn't find it a problem, we were able to sit on the balcony whilst the kids settled down to sleep and we were all so busy at DL every day that we were happy to share a similar bedtime! The pools at GCH are lovely and the kids went to Pinocchio's workshop one night to allow us a special night out at Napa Rose. The short walk to the parks and the direct entry into California Adventure Park was a real plus.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

We have a family of five, and have stayed at all three hotels.

As others have said, the Grand Californian provides the least amount of space. Typically, they place parties of five in the front rooms (overlooking the car park/vallet). Most of these rooms DON'T have a balcony--which is something to remember if that is important to you. It was to us, and was a bit of a disappointment for us. 90% of the hotel has balconies off their rooms, but not the slightly larger rooms in the front with a daybed. We have stayed at the GC three times, and have always been placed in these rooms. This summer I am just going with my girls, and am paying for a downtown disney view, and we look forward to actually having a view and balcony for once. The rooms are quite a bit darker and feel smaller than the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier rooms.

We typically love the Disneyland Hotel because it offers the largest (see square footage below) rooms and great views from it's high towers. Right now we are avoiding it until the construction of the pool area is complete sometime in 2012.

Here are the facts on the Grand Californian:
The Grand Californian has 745 rooms and suites. Standard rooms are 353 square feet, with either a king-size bed and sleeper sofa, two queen-size beds, two queen-size beds and a day bed, or one queen-size bed and and a set of two bunk beds available.

Here are the facts on The Paradise Pier:
The Paradise Pier Hotel has 481 rooms and suites. Standard rooms are 364 square feet with either a king-size bed or two queen-size beds. Many rooms have a day bed and will accommodate up to five people. the Paradise Pier:


Here are the facts on the Disneyland Hotel:
The Disneyland Hotel has 990 rooms and suites. Standard rooms are are 364-415 square feet with either a king-size bed or two queen-size beds. Many rooms have a day bed and will accommodate up to five people.

 

[Disney Liz]

Between your 2 choices, please go with the DLH....newly remodeled rooms and the wonderful daybed!!! 2 Queens and a daybed is the usual configuration. And these DLH rooms are big...Have stayed at the GC many times and those rooms are small...now we are owners at the Villas at GC and I would suggest that you rent a one bedroom villa, if you have the funds. Two bathrooms and a full kitchen are so worth the extra money!!!! You will love the extra room and this is so important to our family, as we are big ole people who love to all be in one room, hanging out! Have fun!

 

[ttfn2u2pooh]

Between your 2 choices, please go with the DLH....newly remodeled rooms and the wonderful daybed!!! 2 Queens and a daybed is the usual configuration. And these DLH rooms are big...Have stayed at the GC many times and those rooms are small...now we are owners at the Villas at GC and I would suggest that you rent a one bedroom villa, if you have the funds. Two bathrooms and a full kitchen are so worth the extra money!!!! You will love the extra room and this is so important to our family, as we are big ole people who love to all be in one room, hanging out! Have fun!

How does one go about renting on of the Villas from a vacation club owner? Do you go directly through an owner or can you contact GC and they will handle it for you? We have a concierge level room at DGC in Sept. so I'm wondering what the price difference between that and a Villa room might be. I might opt for a little extra room over the concierge benefits.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

How does one go about renting on of the Villas from a vacation club owner? Do you go directly through an owner or can you contact GC and they will handle it for you? We have a concierge level room at DGC in Sept. so I'm wondering what the price difference between that and a Villa room might be. I might opt for a little extra room over the concierge benefits.

We also own at GCV. You can pop over to the DVC-Rent/Trade board for owners who are willing to rent their points. There are also companies that rent out points for owners. David's Vacation Club Rentals is one that is approved to advertise on the disboards. You can find a link at the top of the rent/trade board. If renting directly from owners, you can expect to pay $10+ per point. You can find point charts for DVC villas on David's site, too.

We love staying at the villas at The Grand! It is so nice to have the extra room and the extra bathroom. I know it goes against the grain when being on vacation, but I also love having the washer and dryer in the room so I don't have to do a ton of laundry when I get home.

All that said, we also love the concierge lounge! I would be thrilled with either option.