Grand Cal, seriously $800 .....

[HIRyeDVC]

The bus transportation was horrible. We always had to go to either Poly/GF or Ft. Wilderness and it took forever to get anywhere. The rooms are so small and only have sleeping space for 4 with no daybed option (my teen boys don't like sharing a bed so this isn't ideal). There is not enough seating indoors for the counter service Roaring Forks so we had to eat outside in the heat or rain a couple times. The pool is too small for the size of the resort. People are on top of you in the water. There were too many bugs around the pool area.

This resort was great in its early days but it's gotten too big with all the DVC additions and they didn't beef up the amenities to match.

I agree about the room sizes and transportation options. When we visited the resort, I thought the theming of WL was stunning. And the restaurants were awesome, especially Geyser Point and Whispering Canyon. But we never stayed there and I kinda understand what you mean with the pool and the lack of amenities. I think the biggest challenge to resorts like WL and AKL is their remoteness and the amount of amenities for all of its rooms and guests. Resorts like Riviera, Board Walk, and any on the monorail loop enjoy being able to quickly get to other resorts, basically sharing all those amenities amongst each other while WL and AKL are left to themselves. But many also love the remoteness of these resorts as they offer that true sense of being isolated in PNW or Africa, all the while being in WDW. We own at Copper Creek and wanna stay there but I always look to Beach Club and Baylake Tower due to sheer convenience and location. And while I agree the VGC is much nicer and sophisticated than WL, there is something really magical about being in the WDW bubble.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

This resort was great in its early days but it's gotten too big with all the DVC additions and they didn't beef up the amenities to match.

I'm afraid that this will be the same mistake in DLT. Getting reservations at Napa Rose and Storytellers is going to become next to impossible now.

 

[Wesley815]

I'm afraid that this will be the same mistake in DLT. Getting reservations at Napa Rose and Storytellers is going to become next to impossible now.

Apologies, what does DLT stand for? or is that in reference to GCH/Grand Californian Hotel and their DVC additions (along with DL Hotel and the DVC tower being built)?

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Apologies, what does DLT stand for? or is that in reference to GCH/Grand Californian Hotel and their DVC additions (along with DL Hotel and the DVC tower being built)?

No worries! I hate DVC acronyms sometimes too. DLT = Disneyland Tower, the new DVC addition of Disneyland Hotel.

 

[StormyCA]

I'm afraid that this will be the same mistake in DLT. Getting reservations at Napa Rose and Storytellers is going to become next to impossible now.

I didn't even think about that! I hope that the DLT planners have included new eateries on par with Storytellers and Napa Rose in the DLT area. I wonder if 'food plans' have anything to do with the closing of SH55?

 

[DLgal]

I didn't even think about that! I hope that the DLT planners have included new eateries on par with Storytellers and Napa Rose in the DLT area. I wonder if 'food plans' have anything to do with the closing of SH55?

They need to open at least 2 more TS restaurants at the DLH, add a full service bar/lounge in the lobby, and significantly increase the offerings at Tangaroa Terrace before they open that DVC tower. The limited food offerings at this hotel are a real head scratcher.

 

[Malcon10t]

I didn't even think about that! I hope that the DLT planners have included new eateries on par with Storytellers and Napa Rose in the DLT area. I wonder if 'food plans' have anything to do with the closing of SH55?

There are food plans. I was told I would be happy and to have some trust. But it will be a while.

 

[PirateBrigade]

I take a more expansive view on food -- there's so much good food within a 20 minute drive of the resort + the ability to have it delivered to your hotel, Disney would be leaving a ton of $$ on the table by not having higher-margin offerings for on-site guests.

And if there's one thing I trust in, it's the Disney getting the money.

(and before anyone blows up and tags me, yes I completely get the point that it's inconvenient to hoof it down Katella to a hole in the wall/delicious falafel joint -- but if I'm visiting and can't get upscale dining, I'm going to corn dog it until check out, and then spend whatever Disney didn't extort from me on the outside)

 

[meethinx]

I love this post. We’ve only stayed at the DLH once, never at the GCH. Every time we go in , neither one of us can figure out what the big deal is. We prefer DLH. I love the grounds, the pool, the rooms, the views, and Trader Sam’s!

I could not agree more. I like the DLH better than GCH. GCH is nice if you can stay there, but I believe it is overrated, personally. Walking through downtown Disney to get to the park is no big deal, but the monorail is also close to DLH anyway. Trader Sam's is the best!

 

[Disneyland1084]

I could not agree more. I like the DLH better than GCH. GCH is nice if you can stay there, but I believe it is overrated, personally. Walking through downtown Disney to get to the park is no big deal, but the monorail is also close to DLH anyway. Trader Sam's is the best!

I love both places,but think DLH has the nicest pool. I love the beauty of the Grand Cal, but until some or most of the pre-pandemic benefits come back, I just can't justify the cost of staying at either one.

 

[xipotec]

It is. People seem to love the Grand but I haven’t been able to tell why exactly it’s “worth” so much more. The rooms seem about the same size from pictures. The location is a little closer, but not all that much closer (not $250+ closer). You can make use of the restaurants and stuff even if not staying there…

Like if the Grand literally had a monorail stop in it/directly outside it and you could use that for Early Morning hours to get in the park, AND you were able to pull a boarding group for new/highly popular rides before the general public, and maybe if they gave 30 days earlier booking for Chefs Counter at Napa Rose… maybe then the Grand would be worth the extra price.

But as it stands, the DLH has beautiful grounds (even if you don’t swim, they look wonderful walking around), possibly better general views since the towers are taller (I’m not talking about $1000+ theme park view rooms at the Grand), Trader Sam’s, pretty good location (full bubble, no walking along a parking lot like PP)…

I could see Grand having certain rooms being more expensive by a decent amount (view rooms, etc) but I’m a little surprised the lowest rooms aren’t more like +$50/night over DLH instead of such a huge jump.

Same at the Grande Floridian in WDW.

We stayed once as a split stay at Poly.

Its not really worth it. You can go eat at Narcossees , walk around and enjoy the lobby anytime.

We realized the Poly was not really worth it either, after many years, its just too expensive , and that expense does not really get you much. Its way to packed all the time now.

Shame. Once I could justify 300-400 a night with all the perks…now? Nope save that money for Uber or lyft door to door service to the parks.

I didnt see anything at DL whicj was even close to tempting at the price point …..

 

[Version 6]

I thought I loved the Grand. Turns out what I really loved was EMH at DCA.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I love both places,but think DLH has the nicest pool. I love the beauty of the Grand Cal, but until some or most of the pre-pandemic benefits come back, I just can't justify the cost of staying at either one.

that's why we buy DVC!

 

[meethinx]

that's why we buy DVC!

Same here.

 

[DizMe]

Eh...there are work-arounds. You just have to take advantage of the discounted prices when they come up. For instance, you could stay at GCH during fall Dapper Day for $456. There are often spring discounts, fall discounts, etc that reduce that rack rate quite a bit.

 

[blabbermouth]

Eh...there are work-arounds. You just have to take advantage of the discounted prices when they come up. For instance, you could stay at GCH during fall Dapper Day for $456. There are often spring discounts, fall discounts, etc that reduce that rack rate quite a bit.

Yeah it's kind of like a store that always has 25% off sales and I really like having a balcony!

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Eh...there are work-arounds. You just have to take advantage of the discounted prices when they come up. For instance, you could stay at GCH during fall Dapper Day for $456. There are often spring discounts, fall discounts, etc that reduce that rack rate quite a bit.

Agree! I never agreed with comparing DVC to rack rates. People rarely EVER pay non-discounted rack rates at a Disney hotel unless you're completely clueless. Given that, there is something to be said about those who bought VGC in 2010 at $100pp. 12 years of amazing stays at that hotel for the price of annual dues. And their contracts are now worth $300pp in the resale market. If that's not a great deal, I don't know what is.

 

[legler2250]

They can charge as much as people are willing to pay...

 

[Chickinvic]

Agree! I never agreed with comparing DVC to rack rates. People rarely EVER pay non-discounted rack rates at a Disney hotel unless you're completely clueless. Given that, there is something to be said about those who bought VGC in 2010 at $100pp. 12 years of amazing stays at that hotel for the price of annual dues. And their contracts are now worth $300pp in the resale market. If that's not a great deal, I don't know what is.

I would imagine that a lot of people pay the rack rates. I wouldn't, but I'm sure a lot do.

 

[twodogs]

I would imagine that a lot of people pay the rack rates. I wouldn't, but I'm sure a lot do.

Outside of general public offers of discounts from Disney, what other discounts are you guys getting? If you are not a Magic Key or Cali resident, what are the other discounts besides convention rates and Dapper Days?