Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel and why?

[.snow.white.]

...Go!

 

[ParkHopper1]

...search function!

 

[ParkHopper1]

well, OK...GCH!

 

[ParkHopper1]

forgot why...CUZ!

 

[Susie63]

I loved the DLH.We stayed the first couple nights in an unrenovated suite(nice upgrade )It had the Tinkerbell border and the carved tv armoire.It was lovely. Then we stayed in a renovated standard for 6 nights.It was AWESOME! Yes it is just a regular hotel room....with Mickey magic all over the place. The taps are MM. The glass tiles in the shower are MM. The headboards light up and the bedside lamp plays music. The housekeeping staff leave litlle toiletry bottles with Mickey ears for bottle tops.And if you are in your room in the evening,the housekeeping staff will knock on your door and ask if you need anything before she leaves....then she will fill your hand with chocolate Disney coins It is a 4 star hotel and that is why it is expensive.
As for the GCH.....that is my next stay

 

[taaren]

As a PP stated, there are a bunch of threads on this.

We love the GCH the most (though we've only stayed at the VGC) because of the proximity. Location, location, location. Love walking down from my room in rubber slippers, onto GRR, riding 2-3x, then walking back up to my room, throwing my wet clothes in the dryer, having a snack then heading out for more rides in more durable walking attire. This is the reason that we spent so much on our DVC and don't regret a penny.

We did get to stay at the DLH a few times last year, and it is lovely. Rooms are brighter, more fun, and the pools are spectacular now. If they build a DVC here, (which Iger said they won't recently) I'd buy enough points for a few weekends. Though I enjoy walking through DTD more than walking on Harbor, its still quite a bit of walking and the monorail always seems to go down on our trips (we don't mind the extra time and love being dropped off in Tomorrowland, just wish it were operating more consistently in low seasons).

If I have a long trip, mostly adults with lots of nap time, GC. It is elegant, romantic, and close. A kid trip or a shorter trip where we're going to be more park-intensive and leave the room in the morning and not take breaks as often, or want to spend more time in the pool, then DLH.

VGC FTW!

 

[Argento]

The GCH, ahh, what can I say? It's terribly expensive, the rooms are small and I can't wait to go back.

 

[msheriffm]

We have not stayed at the Disneyland Hotel since they finished the renovation and never at the Grand Californian. I agree that the rooms at the DLH have a nice theme but they are not completely 4 star to me. The rooms are clean and you have everything you need but they are small and really aren't that fancy. I think I had very high expectations the first time I went and was a little disappointed. With that being said we have stayed there every time but once. We go about every 2 years. The location is wonderful and makes it worth the extra money. By the way make a reservation at Goofy's Kitchen, we usually go for dinner rather than breakfast. We have not stayed at the GC because it is so much more expensive and we feel satisfied with DLH. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[gardengirl2790]

We have stayed at both, and prefer the GCH for our needs. Beautiful hotel, love the pool area and spend every afternoon while we are there swimming, reading, relaxing. The location is great too. It's certainly not cheap though .

 

[MissSlimskys]

We've always stayed at GCH but thought we'd check out the renovation and new pools at DHL last week. The hotel is nice and the renovations are nice and the rooms are bigger but we really decided we will go back to the GCH. It is a tiny bit more expensive but seems much more upscale. The pools at DLH are fun but our 6 year old had just as much fun at GCH's pools. Finally, we did concierge at both and GCH is SO much better. You don't have a view of the fireworks like you do from the E-Ticket Club lounge but the service and food is MUCH better at GCH. And the lounge was so crowded we hardly saw much of the fireworks anyway...

DLH isn't worth the price. GCH, even though it is the most expensive is, IMHO, worth every penny.

The best part of DLH is Trader Sams and you don't have to stay at DLH to enjoy that!

 

[RuthieT]

I like the GCH for the walking distance, but the rooms and price are much better at the DLH!

 

[8lovesmickey]

I have to say DLH all the way for me. It's more magical and holds great memories sor me too.

That said, the non-Disney nuts may prefer DGC. We went with extended family a few years ago and stayed there- a few of my relatives who aren't addicted to the Mouse like me thought it was a beautiful not-in-your-face Disney hotel. They also liked the shorter walk to the parks.

For me, even if the price was the same I would pick DLH ... And since it's less expensive it's a no-brainer to me.