Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel

[Terk-1]

Heading for Disneyland for a couple of days in October, and as I have never stayed there before, which resort would you recommend and why? I want to hear the good, the bad & the ugly about both resorts. I would like to stay at one of these, as I am going solo. How far are these from the actual Disneyland park? Is there bus service to the parks? How often do they run? How far is DTD from these hotels?

 

[daannzzz]

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html
Check this out. You can see the location of the hotels.
The Disneyland Hotel is older and a bit farther away but the rooms (in general are much bigger than at the GC. The decore of the rooms is more "Disney" and fun yet still classy and nice. They do not have balconies at the DLH but the slider doors open up against a railing which is very pleasent.
The Grand Californian is much prettier and more impressive than the DLH and its location can't be beat (unless they open up rooms in Sleeping Beuaty's Castle). As said before, the rooms are smaller and a bit more upsclae and less ""Disneyfied". They are nice and comfortable and some have great close up views inside DCA. From the GC you can walk into DCA in just a couple of minutes and over to Disneyland in a few minutes longer.
From the Disneyland hotel the walk to the parks is about 7-10 minutes or you can stop at the DownTown Disney Monorail station which is a 3-6 minutye walk from the DLH rooms.

 

[tinknsnow]

Hey, I am going to DL for the first time and after some waffling, decided to go with the DLH. It just seems to have more of a "Disneyland" feel. And since we always stay (and love) the Wilderness Lodge, I wondered if the Grand Californian might be too similar.

I also was able to get a great deal to stay concierge level at the DLH which helped make my decision easier.

Reviews seem very positive for both... good luck with your decision!