Grand Californian or Paradise Pier Concierge Theme Park View?

[grits98]

I need some advice from some DL pros! I'm looking at going to DL in two weeks. It will be my two young children, husband (home for R&R!), and me. We've stayed at both GC and PP before. I'm inclined to stay at GC again because of the convenience for our children.

The prices are pretty much identical for a regular GC room and a PP Concierge Theme Park View room. Which one would you pick? Any particular reason why? I like concierge stuff, but is it worth it at PP for the slightly extra walking distance?

Thanks for any and all advice!!!

 

[bdmphs]

2 kids = shorter walk to gc. I have stayed at both and the pool at gc is way better also.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I would pick GC over PP. We stayed PP concierge in July and were not impressed at all. I love GC. I love how close it is to the parks as well as the theming in general. When we stayed at PP, there was no priority check-in. We did not get turn down service and the lounge closed at 8 PM (after being told by the front desk CM who checked us in that it closed at 10 PM). I thought the CM's at GC were also much nicer. I would definitely choose GC over PP.

 

[jenniferrose]

2 kids = shorter walk to gc. I have stayed at both and the pool at gc is way better also.

Just curious, what about the GC pool makes it better. I have never stayed at either, but am very curious. PP seems better with the big water slide and we are staying there next weekend. What makes GC pool better?

 

[hawaii08]

Just curious, what about the GC pool makes it better. I have never stayed at either, but am very curious. PP seems better with the big water slide and we are staying there next weekend. What makes GC pool better?

I haven't stayed at PP before but there is a waterside at GC too.

 

[DizMe]

I just went through the same debate (with myself). I finally chose DLH upper level resort view, and here are my reasons:

*my kids are older (8-yr-old twins and and 11-yr-old) so walking isn't an issue
*they love waterslides, so they're eager to try the new monorail slides at DLH
*I have 2 gift cards for Rainforest Cafe, which is very convenient to DLH
*upper level resort view puts you right in DTD (practically) so the walk is not bad, whereas a standard room at GCH generally puts you way off in no-man's land and can be a very long walk
*I find the food/restaurant choices better at DLH (I can't afford GCH food except Whitewater Snacks, which I detest). Anxious to try the new Tangaroa Terrace!
*The monorail is very close. My kids love it.
*Compass Bookstore is right there and has good coffee and stuff like bagels, yogurt, fruit, milk
*DLH has free coffee with 1/2 and 1/2 in the lobby of each tower in the morning
*Characters are often in the lobby
*Very Disney

The cost is about the same as the other options you mentioned. I have to admit that I keep second guessing myself on this one!! But I'm *pretty* sure we'll stick with DLH. If we did change, it would be to GCH and I would request a room near the elevators or on the ground floor. I haven't had much luck with my requests there, though.

ETA: forgot one reason! I love getting take-out beignets from Jazz Kitchen!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Grand Californian. You are practically inside California Adventure.

 

[sonnyjane]

Just curious, what about the GC pool makes it better. I have never stayed at either, but am very curious. PP seems better with the big water slide and we are staying there next weekend. What makes GC pool better?

I recently stayed at PP and while the slide is fun, it doesn't dump into the pool. The pool is very standard, small, and rectangular. The GC pool looked much more inviting, though I haven't stayed there. PP also had very few chairs. I'm not sure if GC has more or not. As the PP mentioned, GC also has a water slide.

To answer your question, if the prices were similar, I'd absolutely choose GC. You cannot beat the location. True, from GC, PP doesn't seem that much farther away, but after doing the walk from the parks to PP several nights in a row, I was wishing I could have afforded the GCH

 

[grits98]

Thanks, everyone, for all the advice! After reading your responses, it looks like we're headed for the GC!

I really appreciate your help!!!

 

[larina]

...When we stayed at PP, there was no priority check-in...

There's priority check-in in the concierge lounge. It's part of what we love.

 

[larina]

If we go next summer, I might check out the new slides at DLH. Since it will be winter and we won't spend much time at the pools, we're returning to the PP. My kids asked for it specifically when we mentioned the trip to them.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

There's priority check-in in the concierge lounge. It's part of what we love.

Have you been there recently? We were told in July that they weren't doing it anymore because they didn't have the staff? There was a huge line when we were checking in and I went and asked before I got in line and was told that they weren't doing it anymore. After waiting in line for over 15 min. to check-in, I asked the CM checking me in why they weren't doing priority check-in anymore after I had been told they did offer it when I made my reservation and was told that they didn't have anyone to bring people upstairs. I was kind of irritated because I really felt like what was the point of paying extra for Concierge. I have stayed PP concierge 3 times now and have never been brought upstairs for priority check-in but the 2 previous times, I didn't ask because there wasn't a line so I didn't mind. This time the line was huge so I would have used it if it was available.

 

[larina]

Hmmm, I used it in May and was told by the manager to make sure to remember to use it in December. I'll have to check back with her. Heck, they sent us up even though there was nobody in front of us in line, just the people already at the counter.

 

[larina]

I just called (had to know) and they haven't cancelled concierge check in. They did some touch up and repair in there and it was down for a week or so, but not long. They assured me they still have it for concierge guests!

 

[DizMe]

Ok, so after my long post about why I decided on DLH I ended up switching us today to GCH!

I've been reading things about the construction at DLH that made me a little uneasy about paying that much to be in the midst of construction walls and unfinished pool areas, so when a new rate came out today from Costco ("half marathon special" that got us a premium view room at GCH for less than we were paying at DLH, with premium character meal and $20 voucher thrown in, I switched over.

 

[grits98]

Ok, so after my long post about why I decided on DLH I ended up switching us today to GCH!

I've been reading things about the construction at DLH that made me a little uneasy about paying that much to be in the midst of construction walls and unfinished pool areas, so when a new rate came out today from Costco ("half marathon special" that got us a premium view room at GCH for less than we were paying at DLH, with premium character meal and $20 voucher thrown in, I switched over.

Glad you found such a great deal!