Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel?

[wowsmom]

We stayed at GCH in June and our room was the equivalent or further away than any room we’ve ever had in the DLH Adventure tower. We had a DTD view, but our was at the very end of the wing of the building with no direct access to it, so we had to walk all the way through the hotel and then double-back. It was sooooo tiring. I’d much prefer walking through DTD to our usual concierge room in the Adventure tower. We will be staying at DLH for our next trip in October. We love the pools, Trader Sams, and the concierge lounge.

This was our experience last time we stayed at GCH - there were only 2 rooms further away. I felt like I should have saved the $$ and stayed at DLH since I had to walk that far.

I requested a room near the Napa Rose elevators due to medical issues but they chose to put me as far away as they could. We haven't stayed at GCH since.

 

[brentm77]

Although it is a close call for me, I prefer DLH. Don't get me wrong, GCH is beautiful and our stay several weeks ago rocked. But, I like the old-school lobby and tropical courtyard at DLH, and don't feel the walk is materially different when going to Disneyland, particularly if your room is far from the lobby. GCH is great for California Adventure days - it was so easy to run up to the room when I need some Advil and a powernap. It felt like I didn't even leave the park. But, I still prefer the style of DLH, the rooms, and the non-negligible price savings for what I still consider a great location. My older teens prefer DLH too. (We don't use the pools, so that isn't a factor in our preference)

 

[PirateBrigade]

Approx. furthest room at GCH (~2050 ft from Esplanade)




Closeset DLH tower entrance (~2390 ft from Esplanade)


Advantage GCH, but if you're paying purely for distance, you might be disappointed if your advantage is only ~350 feet.

 

[bennifer]

Approx. furthest room at GCH (~2050 ft from Esplanade)

View attachment 595961


Closeset DLH tower entrance (~2390 ft from Esplanade)
View attachment 595962

Advantage GCH, but if you're paying purely for distance, you might be disappointed if your advantage is only ~350 feet.

Thank you! This does make a lot of sense. Because I've never been there it's hard for me to determine exactly how far things are.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Thank you! This does make a lot of sense. Because I've never been there it's hard for me to determine exactly how far things are.

And even with the hard numbers, it's hard to explain the intangibles of the different walks. Example:

1) Walking through DTD to DLH may be pleasurable for some, a distraction for others. On a hot summer's day (July/Aug/Sept), 2300 feet in the part sun/part shade of DTD is completely different from ducking into the GCH at 1200 feet and being in cool AC/shade the rest of the way to your room.

2) Walking the short 1250 feet to the Best Western on Harbor is one of the shortest walks ever, but you're mostly in the sun and accompanied by loud busses/shuttles, vendors/peddlers on Harbor, and an occasional unhoused individual at the bus shelter.

Also, the security line is much more comfortable at GCH. You're inside (vs. under a tent or possibly in the sun at the DLH/DTD interface) or in the shaded courtyard (AM entry lately), and it tends to be less crowded. Utilizing the DCA entrance is also a time saver if you plan your day appropriately (we would end our day at Soarin' and walk 370 feet to the GCH entrance/exit.

But I must say, the headboard alone is worth staying at the DLH for. We try to stay there once every year or so.

 

[DizMe]

Best views and location IMHO is right above Napa Rose. My favorite room blocks

That's what I always request, Matt! Love that back elevator bank and coming out right near the entrance to DCA.

 

[Pluto468]

I love the DLH. It isn't as close of a walk, but I really like taking the monorail straight into Tomorrowland. Some of our best days were when we started there on EMH mornings. (I don't think those are open right now, but during normal times.)
I also love the decor and whole feel of DLH. We were in a deluxe room in adventure tower with a pool view last time and it was very nice.

 

[whoever]

Also, the security line is much more comfortable at GCH. You're inside (vs. under a tent or possibly in the sun at the DLH/DTD interface) or in the shaded courtyard (AM entry lately), and it tends to be less crowded. Utilizing the DCA entrance is also a time saver if you plan your day appropriately (we would end our day at Soarin' and walk 370 feet to the GCH entrance/exit.

Neither of the GCH security checkpoints are inside. They are simply under cover.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Approx. furthest room at GCH (~2050 ft from Esplanade)

View attachment 595961


Closeset DLH tower entrance (~2390 ft from Esplanade)
View attachment 595962

Advantage GCH, but if you're paying purely for distance, you might be disappointed if your advantage is only ~350 feet.

You can enter the Adventure Tower from the DTD side but that doesn’t cut off that much of the walk.

 

[brentm77]

Don't want to side-track the thread - but is the Adventure Tower refurbished like the Fantasy Tower now?

 

[PirateBrigade]

Neither of the GCH security checkpoints are inside. They are simply under cover.

Tunnel might be a more apt description than inside or under cover -- it has walls and a roof, but open ended.

 

[PirateBrigade]

I love the DLH. It isn't as close of a walk, but I really like taking the monorail straight into Tomorrowland. Some of our best days were when we started there on EMH mornings. (I don't think those are open right now, but during normal times.)

I always had issues with the monorail, I think I've just had bad luck.

1) If you have small kids with stroller, it's annoying folding the thing and hoofing it up the stairs. Elevator takes too long. I even have a fancy schmansy stroller that folds with a one hand pull and am physically fit enough to sprint up the stairs carrying it, but still no fun.

2) It just didn't seem to be running when I wanted it to run, it was even worse on rainy days.

I gave up on relying on it as a reliable method to enter the parks.

 

[Malcon10t]

Don't want to side-track the thread - but is the Adventure Tower refurbished like the Fantasy Tower now?

Yes, I believe all 3 towers have been completed. The carpet in the hallways is going to disappoint my DGD, she loved walking "the loops" down the hallway.

 

[99Wendy]

im just back from three days at DLH stay in the fantasy tower. We had an amazing stay (i didn’t see or hear any construction).

 

[PirateBrigade]

im just back from three days at DLH stay in the fantasy tower. We had an amazing stay (i didn’t see or hear any construction).

They usually don't have construction activities over the weekend, nor do they do it in the evenings...might be something to consider for the OP.

 

[polynor]

We’ve done two stays at DLH and three at GCH. With the youngest one that is out of a stroller but will complain about walking too much, GCH was great. We favor GCH - closer to DCA - which now has Avengers and other rides my kids love - love the theming, food options work for us, love all the views we’ve had so far, and the beds - best sleep we’ve had in a while (coupled with being very tired). Pools are fine.
DLH pool is better, headboard makes you smile, rooms are bigger, and if you happen to have a theme park view with a kidwho doesn’t like fireworks, it’s a perfect way to close a night. But with the monorail closed and the longer walk, our most recent we chose DGC. We also lucked out with a room around the corner from the Napa rose elevators which was bonus.

 

[Malcon10t]

This was our experience last time we stayed at GCH - there were only 2 rooms further away. I felt like I should have saved the $$ and stayed at DLH since I had to walk that far.

I requested a room near the Napa Rose elevators due to medical issues but they chose to put me as far away as they could. We haven't stayed at GCH since.

Here's the thing, EVERYBODY (well, except us) requests a room near the Napa Rose elevators. The rooms near there are mainly Theme Park view or Pool view, with a few courtyard views. About 25-30% of the rooms are actually close to there. And if you do get a room there and are starting your day at DL, or your day is only Disneyland, those rooms are a hike to the park anyway.

 

[wowsmom]

Here's the thing, EVERYBODY (well, except us) requests a room near the Napa Rose elevators. The rooms near there are mainly Theme Park view or Pool view, with a few courtyard views. About 25-30% of the rooms are actually close to there. And if you do get a room there and are starting your day at DL, or your day is only Disneyland, those rooms are a hike to the park anyway.

We had a Theme Park view, so it would have fit the description, but I do realize not everybody can have a room there and that's why I didn't push for a room over there. I was just disappointed because it's the only time I've requested a specific area at any of the 3 hotels (with many stays over the years) and it was only due to medical issues.

The CM was less than friendly from the time we approached check in, so that was just a bummer on top of it all. People talk about how GCH has the best customer service, but that just hasn't been my experience.

 

[DizMe]

Here's the thing, EVERYBODY (well, except us) requests a room near the Napa Rose elevators. The rooms near there are mainly Theme Park view or Pool view, with a few courtyard views. About 25-30% of the rooms are actually close to there. And if you do get a room there and are starting your day at DL, or your day is only Disneyland, those rooms are a hike to the park anyway.

You come out right next to Storyteller's, walk past it and into the hotel. It's a little farther (you have to pass Storyteller's and the gift shop to get to where you'd come out on the big elevators, but it's a minimal difference considering you've got easy access to both exits. You're steps away from the DCA entrance and not much more of a walk to the DTD exit than if you came down the main elevators. But being near either elevator bank is a huge plus. I don't care about a view at GCH so I'm usually able to get a good location near one or the other.

 

[Malcon10t]

I agree, but it is also double the walk, because you walk out by Napa, walk thru the hotel, turn right down that hallway, turn right to the next hallway (pretty much walking back to Napa Rosa, just in the outside courtyard) to get into DTD.

Everyone has their preferences. We are usually in the wing closer to the VGC (our preference for a medical reason.) But we are at DLH as it really isn't much further than the Grand.