GCH Theme Park View

[iKristin]

I am curious, when booking through DL.com and paying the extra $500 for the theme park view, is it a good view or is it just a partial view? I am getting ready to book this but I want to make sure I am getting an upper level good view. Thanks!!

 

[clb79]

I am curious, when booking through DL.com and paying the extra $500 for the theme park view, is it a good view or is it just a partial view? I am getting ready to book this but I want to make sure I am getting an upper level good view. Thanks!!

I just booked as standard view at GCH and have been wondering if I should have splurged too. I know there are some good views, but unless you can guarantee a specific room, there is always that chance that it won't be as good as you anticipate or even as good as one you have previously...

I also have a hard time justifying the theme park view because I would rather be able to spend that extra cash doing things in the park, than just looking at the view, LOL

I am sure that the view can be really magical or spectacular though!!!

 

[iKristin]

We just got back two weeks ago and stayed at HoJo, so next year we're spending the money to splurge I might call and make sure we get a good view

 

[lark]

A few years ago, we paid for the theme park view and the room we got was unacceptable. You could barely see into the park, and it looked over a big tar roof and air conditioning units. If it had been on a higher floor, it would be have been good.

We had put in a request for a high floor, but they basically ignored it. We complained and ultimately got the manager who said it was theme park and there was nothing he could do. We just wouldn't accept that answer, and they ultimately moved us to a higher floor room that was not classified theme park view, but actually had a decent view of the park if you stood on the balcony and twisted a bit. They didn't reduce our price, though. They either said we could take that room or go to our original "theme park" room. The whole transaction took over an hour.

I think the price difference was about $150/night, and I don't think I would do it again. Maybe we just got unlucky and got one of the few bad theme park views, but I wish we'd paid for standard. I got the sense they were very adept at dealing with people complaining about room view.

 

[clb79]

I think the price difference was about $150/night, and I don't think I would do it again. Maybe we just got unlucky and got one of the few bad theme park views, but I wish we'd paid for standard. I got the sense they were very adept at dealing with people complaining about room view.

That was exactly what I was eluding to in my post above. You don't really know for sure what you will get since you can't reserve an exact room to guarantee the view. I am sure they don't bend that far with the ones that have obstructions because if they move you to another room, I bet there are more than enough people that would ask for the upgrade when they get there and pay the extra $$$ not knowing what they were getting into.

If you read the fine print almost all hotels are really good with their guarantee long with views and stuff (it usually says something about not all views being equal or that some may be obstructed etc). Just enough info to cover their rears so they really don't have to do anything to resolve a complaint. Then they can get away with offering whatever they want and that makes it look like they are going above and beyond what they have to do. LOL

 

[rmom]

we stayed there twice with a park view.

The first time we had a good view - which was a good thing because my daughter wanted to leave until she saw what was what was outside our window. All I could think of was that we had to return to the airport to try and get back onthe plan and I was out 2 airline tickects and atleast one night lodging. Thankfully I was able to get her into the room on the pretense of using the bathroom.

The second time was ok. Nothing great and not as nice as the first time.

Unless you can get a good view, I would not pay the extra price. There is enought special things to use the money for at DL and how much time are you really going to be looking out the window.

Good luck deciding. It is a beautiful hotel.

 

[jescal75]

1st time I stayed there we got park views and i was a waste of money all we could see was the tip of something (can't remember the name) and the big hole in the ground surrounded by construction stuff. The next time we got the regular room but requested bunk beds we got them and they turned out to be right over down town disney we didnt pay extra but that view was A LOT better at night we could see the fireworks it was awesome..we figured it was making up for the crappy view we got the year before.

 

[nunzia]

When the park first opened we had a theme park view that was amazing..now, we have noticed that the trees are filling in and have really blocked the views, so we won't pay for the view any longer. I really like the DTD view better. That said, if you are booking the new wing, where the DVC rooms are, this might be a different story. When I go in May and stay at DVC I'll request a theme park view as what I've seen posted of those look great. Actually, our worst view was in a Concierge room Really..DTD view is very pleasant.

 

[Caseystigger]

The first year we were there we had a DTD view and while it was great it was too loud for us. Since then we've gotten the standard view and have had some awesome views, even of the parks. Once we were down at the end on a higher floor and from the balcony we could see the back of condor flats in CA and the entrance to both parks. It wasn't overly loud, the view of the fireworks was amazing and even though it was a hike to our room it was all worth it. Another time we had pool view and could see some of CA to our right. Those were the best views in the standard view we ever had. Given that we just can't see spending the extra money for the park view especially when we aren't in the room all that often anyway. Aside from the one bad experience we had this past year we will still be staying there again in the future, it is a wonderful hotel.

 

[blackjackdelta]

The first year we were there we had a DTD view and while it was great it was too loud for us. Since then we've gotten the standard view and have had some awesome views, even of the parks. Once we were down at the end on a higher floor and from the balcony we could see the back of condor flats in CA and the entrance to both parks. It wasn't overly loud, the view of the fireworks was amazing and even though it was a hike to our room it was all worth it. Another time we had pool view and could see some of CA to our right. Those were the best views in the standard view we ever had. Given that we just can't see spending the extra money for the park view especially when we aren't in the room all that often anyway. Aside from the one bad experience we had this past year we will still be staying there again in the future, it is a wonderful hotel.

We stayed there in August with the DTD view and loved it. Had the option of the theme park view and turned it down. We could not hear anything once the sliders were closed. My DGF is a very light sleeper and she had no complaints.

Jack

 

[Caseystigger]

We stayed there in August with the DTD view and loved it. Had the option of the theme park view and turned it down. We could not hear anything once the sliders were closed. My DGF is a very light sleeper and she had no complaints.

Jack

Really? Well that's good to hear I wouldn't mind giving the DTD view another try. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[lark]

Really? Well that's good to hear I wouldn't mind giving the DTD view another try. Thanks for sharing your experience.

We had DTD view this summer, and were right above the little fountain. There was a musical artist there pretty much every night. Except for one guy who played acoustic guitar, the sliders muffled it but did not block it all. The percussion guy was really lound. They always finished by 10:00 though.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Really? Well that's good to hear I wouldn't mind giving the DTD view another try. Thanks for sharing your experience.

We had an electric violinist by the name of Drew Tretick right below and slightly opposite our balcony for 3 of the nights, this guy is absolutely AMAZING. Close the sliders and not a peep. Then one night after listening to him for a few minutes I went over and listened to ZZ Top, also amazing.
Great time with night music.

Jack

 

[DebbieB]

I had a theme park view in September, we were above the GCH entrance to DCA. I don't think it was worth it, it was mostly trees and the park closed early everynight, so not much to see.

Now here's a view (PPH):

 

[ScooterL]

When people think "theme park view" they think Paradise Pier, but an awful lot of the theme park view rooms at the Grand overlook Soarin' and Grizzly Rapids, so they're pretty similar to the view in DebbieB's photo above. I agree with her that it's not worth it.

And I also agree with her that if you're going to splurge for a view room, go with the Paradise Pier Hotel - there are some wonderful views of Paradise Pier from there, especially if you get high floor. It's just beautiful at night - the lights are on ALL night.

 

[albertamom]

Last November, we had a view very similar to DebbieB's of Soarin' and Grizzly Peak, and we absolutely loved it! We've asked for the same general area this year. I loved being able to hear all the sounds of the park, and the peak was beautiful glowing in the dark. It was very peaceful, but we still felt like we were right in the middle of the action.

Everybody's likes and dislikes are different for sure, but we couldn't have been happier!

 

[KelliLee702]

We stayed here with a Downtown Disney View off our balcony and LOVED it! You could people watch and listen to the music. We had the room with bunk beds and there was plenty of room for all 4 of us!

 

[daneenm]

Like others have said, we have had good and bad luck with Theme Park view. The last time we booked it, you had to get at just the right angle to look through the trees to see anything. Not worth it.

So the last time we visited, we tried DTD view. I must say, we LOVED it! Besides just people watching, we were able to see the fireworks from our balcony. I'm sure they don't all have a view of fireworks, but we lucked out.

 

[Ed J]

We paid $150 more (total not per night) for 4 nights with this 5th floor theme park view.

Pretty good view of the fire works too.

I’d pay the additional money next trip. It was so cool to walk down to the GRR in pool attire and then come back and get changed after getting soaked. We rode the single rider line and went on it more than 5 times in a row, the extra money out of pocket is a good value IMO.

 

[kerickson]

When people think "theme park view" they think Paradise Pier, but an awful lot of the theme park view rooms at the Grand overlook Soarin' and Grizzly Rapids, so they're pretty similar to the view in DebbieB's photo above. I agree with her that it's not worth it.

And I also agree with her that if you're going to splurge for a view room, go with the Paradise Pier Hotel - there are some wonderful views of Paradise Pier from there, especially if you get high floor. It's just beautiful at night - the lights are on ALL night.

I'm pretty sure that now that the Villas are built, they are the only rooms that have a PP view (I think some of the new hotel wing might, but it's way to the right, behind Mulholland so I'm not sure what you can see.)
We always book standard, as the DCA view is mostly trees now. Our garden view concierge room was great, it had a view of the Monorail which my kids loved and we could see the DL fireworks from our balcony. Glad I didn't pay extra for the Park View!

But, it will be a different story now when we stay in the Villas. I know I'll be happy with either a Park or Pool view, but the PP view looks amazing!