Grand Cali or good neighbor

[snoangel]

Hi all,
I just wanted your opinion. We are considering a holiday disney vacay and I'm wondering if you think it's worth paying the extra $$ to stay in the Grand Californian over a good neighbor. I figure much of our time will be spent in the parks and not our hotel room. I am, however, traveling with a baby (10 months at the time of the trip) and may need to go back to the room for nap or rest. I know I am basically paying for the whole ambiance...
I have been at christmas, but it was unseasonably cold and we didn't swim- do you swim during december stays- because I do think the gch has a nice pool over good neighbor...

We're looking at a $1000 more p/p with the stay...we can afford it, but I like to save $ when I can.

 

[AuntieKels]

Hmm. I have to say that it really comes down to preference in your situation. I think you might really like being so close to the parks and having a larger hotel room for your baby. If you've never traveled with a baby before you might be surprised how much time you do end up in your hotel room. I also can't really say if you should spend your money on the hotel or otherwise because you and your family have to be comfortable with that choice. Have you considered the Disneyland Hotel? They are also close to the parks but you might save a few $$.

If it were me and I truely had the money available for my vacation then I would stay at a Disney hotel.

 

[cpster]

I think I would check out how much the Disneyland Hotel is too. We have had the pleasure of staying at the GCH and had a 2 year old with us at the time. During the summer it was soooooo nice to be able to pop back to our room quickly and escape the heat. The room is on the smaller side though and I believe most of the Disnelyand Hotel rooms are larger. It's a bit longer of a walk, but at least it's through DTD. My guess is maybe 10 minutes...so not long at all.

Rates for the GCH seem high compared to last summer due to the specials at the time. If staying onsite is a must, I would really consider DLH as the rooms will have all been recently remodeled so will probably feel even nicer than the ones at the GCH.

Our next trip is at a non-walkable off site so we will really be able to answer the is it worth it question.

 

[snoangel]

disney hotel is roughly $800 more p/p than a good neighbor. So $2400 more to stay in a disney hotel vs. good neighbor for my family. I've been to disney several times and have never stayed on disney property. It seems like several of the good neighbors are just as close as disney hotel or gch but just in the opposite direction. Am I just paying for the ambiance by staying on disney property, or is the location really that much closer to the parks? It seemed almost the same distance as the other hotels- depending on which one. Is there anything else I am forgetting or should take into consideration?

I have traveled with a baby. We just got back from maui with the 5 month old, and yes, there is a lot of break time and things we had to pass on because we had a baby. I think traveling with a baby to disneyland would be easier than traveling with a baby to maui because disney is so family friendly. Also, I took my daughter to disney when she was 4 months and 16 months. At that time I wished I was closer to my hotel but we were staying at an RV resort. I want my hotel to be close. hojo is almost too far.

 

[d1sneymom]

I've traveled to DL with little ones (my DS being only 11 weeks old) and staying at GCH doesn't always mean close. Depending on the location of your room you could be walking just as far as to HoJo's (which isn't that far 10 min tops). We had a room so far down the hallway I was just laughing to myself how far we really were. And staying at the DLH is just as far of a walk to the gate (unless you use the monorail but that drops off and picks up at Tomorrowland only).

You stay on property for ambiance and that's it (at least for me). I mean it was fabulous and pretty and customer service cannot be beat but HoJo's has great customer service (just not as much Pixie Dust as the CMs! ). The rooms we have stayed at in the GCH seemed small in comparison to HoJos maybe even CCI (and CCI has a very "cozy" feel to it ) I've stayed at the DLH before the renovations and it was ok. It was very themed and pretty but we didn't use the pool or anything that would "wow" us. But YMMV.

Staying on property is great if you can swing it but personally the walk is just as long and at night trying to fight the crowds at DTD would be cumbersome with a stroller. People stop to look at fireworks, listen to music. At certain spots in DTD the crowds just stop (at night). There are perks (like MM) which is great. It just depends on what you want.

Don't forget the baby centers at DL (near the red corn dog cart/Plaza Inn) and CA (next to Ghirardelli). It's helpful for when you need to feed or change baby and you need a little break but don't necessarily need to go back to the room. And make use of the parent swap to ride rides.

 

[TheZue]

If you can swing it go with the grand. The patio is a nice escape when the baby is napping. All the rooms come with playpens so you don't have to ask/wait for a bed when you arrive. It is a very nice hotel.

 

[Lisa808]

we priced around and for 3 adults and 3-day hoppers the grand cali was an awesome deal (Still pricey but we were surprised at the price) we would have only saved a couple hundred staying at an off site hotel and getting the same tickets... we want the plus of early entrance and the convenience... and the awesome pool!!!

 

[sechelt]

We have 4 kids and have been going to Disneyland since they were small. Not babies, but preschool. The youngest is now 27. We always stayed in the hotels along Harbor except for once. I decided to splurge on 2 nights in the DLH. Yes, it was before the reno but I was soooo disappointed and swore never again. It just wasn't worth it to us when we could use that money for souvenirs, character meals, etc.

We became DVC owners in 2009 and stay at GC now. It's wonderful, but I wouldn't hesitate to go back to the hotels on Harbor if I didn't have points available. I still can't bring myself to pay what Disney is asking.

If you can justify the extra money then go for an on-site hotel. Otherwise, check out the good neighbor ones. The BW Park Place Inn is closer to walk than the DL hotel and a decent place to stay.

 

[skiingfast]

Hi all,
I just wanted your opinion. We are considering a holiday disney vacay

When exactly. In the week that includes Christmas, New Years or Thanksgiving it may be helpful to stay onsite.

You will get the Extra Morning Hour when crowds are much less, and then want naps during the mid day if baby is up a lot at night.

While what you are paying for onsite is mostly toward ambiance, remember the Disney hotels are 4 star, plus at the GCH and offsite are mostly 2 stars.

 

[snoangel]

we priced around and for 3 adults and 3-day hoppers the grand cali was an awesome deal (Still pricey but we were surprised at the price) we would have only saved a couple hundred staying at an off site hotel and getting the same tickets... we want the plus of early entrance and the convenience... and the awesome pool!!!

Ohh. When are you planning on going? Did you make reservations through disney or an online source like expedia?

 

[snoangel]

When exactly. In the week that includes Christmas, New Years or Thanksgiving it may be helpful to stay onsite.

You will get the Extra Morning Hour when crowds are much less, and then want naps during the mid day if baby is up a lot at night.

While what you are paying for onsite is mostly toward ambiance, remember the Disney hotels are 4 star, plus at the GCH and offsite are mostly 2 stars.

We plan on going during Christmas week.

 

[skiingfast]

We plan on going during Christmas week.

The crowds are going to be really bad. EMH will be incredible for the low crowds compared to rest of the day. It's the best time of the year to have that onsite perk.

 

[larina]

If it is Christmas, I'd choose on-site. Like skiingfast said, the morning park time alone will make it worth it (if you can afford it, which it sounds like you can). I don't think I'd consider a Christmas trip without staying on-site. We loved those morning hours in the park!!!

 

[CoCoMo]

We have 4 kids and have been going to Disneyland since they were small. Not babies, but preschool. The youngest is now 27. We always stayed in the hotels along Harbor except for once. I decided to splurge on 2 nights in the DLH. Yes, it was before the reno but I was soooo disappointed and swore never again. It just wasn't worth it to us when we could use that money for souvenirs, character meals, etc.

We became DVC owners in 2009 and stay at GC now. It's wonderful, but I wouldn't hesitate to go back to the hotels on Harbor if I didn't have points available. I still can't bring myself to pay what Disney is asking.

If you can justify the extra money then go for an on-site hotel. Otherwise, check out the good neighbor ones. The BW Park Place Inn is closer to walk than the DL hotel and a decent place to stay.

It was great to hear your insight this morning! I am planning my first trip ever to DL with my DH and teenagers and I have been stressing about this very aspect. We've been to WDW numerous time and always stay on property. I make up my mind to stay at HoJo or CCI and then keep second guessing myself. I'd rather have the extra money to spend on dinners and other things too. I will look again at BWPPI. Thanks!

 

[Lisa808]

Ohh. When are you planning on going? Did you make reservations through disney or an online source like expedia?

we went straight through disneyland's site... and I got an in room celebration to top it off We are going end of sept into oct, 3 nights 4 days... we are checking in early the first day and doing a pool day as they get our room ready (they let you come as early as you want and call you when the room is ready ) then celebrating in the room and goofy's for dinner