?? Grand Californian Pool

[tyandbash]

Hi, Could someone tell me about this pool area? My DH wants to stay at this hotel, but I feel that the DL hotel pool would be more fun for our kids (11,9,5). We are going in August so the pool would be very important. What do you think?? If we stayed at the G.C. would be able to use the D.L. hotel pool?? Thanks!!

 

[CoolPool]

There are two large pools, a wading pool/kids pool, and hot tubs. One pool has a large slide which is fun for the kids. It curves around a redwood tree stump. The space has a more upscale feel to it than the DLH Neverland Pool area.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

My kids (6 & 9) enjoy both DLH and GCH's pool/slide. If you're trying to decide between DLH & GCH, I'd chose GCH. The lounge chairs are more comfortable at GCH than at DLH and you'd have White Water Snacks near you.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Both pool areas are fun for kids. I prefer the DLH because it has more landscaping and there is also a separate (as in completely separate) quiet pool area which we really enjoyed. There is a laundry room right there by the quiet pool as well as a sand area with a volleyball net which my kids thought was very neat. And they have the remote control jungle cruise boats and arcade near the pool area. Again, all things my kids loved (no arcade at the GCH if you have a teenage son as I do that is not a good thing!). The Neverland Pool at the DLH also has more shade, the GCH pool area is a bunch of concrete and not much else in the way of landscaping. Both pools have food available, Whitewater Snacks is a bit more upscale with more variety than Crocs Bits n Bites, but both are good. There is also a coffee shop right near the DLH pool that has muffins and pastries to snack on. The GCH pool has a nice view of DCA and the Sun Wheel which really makes you feel very connected to the parks. I think both pools are very nice and about equal in pros and cons. I just like the palm trees at the DLH pool. Since I live in Colorado, the pine trees and mountain theme of the GCH don't feel that exoctic to me! And I much prefer the lighter, brighter, larger rooms of the DLH and the fact that if you don't get a daybed you get a rollaway as opposed to the GCH where you might end up with a sleeping bag if you don't get a bunkbed or daybed room. The GCH does have balconies in most rooms which is a huge plus.

I don't think you can go wrong either way. I am just very partial to the DLH and in seven stays have never been disappointed. And for once in my life, I actually prefer the cheaper option!

 

[MamaKate]

Both pool areas are fun for kids. I prefer the DLH because it has more landscaping and there is also a separate (as in completely separate) quiet pool area which we really enjoyed. There is a laundry room right there by the quiet pool as well as a sand area with a volleyball net which my kids thought was very neat. And they have the remote control jungle cruise boats and arcade near the pool area. Again, all things my kids loved (no arcade at the GCH if you have a teenage son as I do that is not a good thing!). The Neverland Pool at the DLH also has more shade, the GCH pool area is a bunch of concrete and not much else in the way of landscaping. Both pools have food available, Whitewater Snacks is a bit more upscale with more variety than Crocs Bits n Bites, but both are good. There is also a coffee shop right near the DLH pool that has muffins and pastries to snack on. The GCH pool has a nice view of DCA and the Sun Wheel which really makes you feel very connected to the parks. I think both pools are very nice and about equal in pros and cons. I just like the palm trees at the DLH pool. Since I live in Colorado, the pine trees and mountain theme of the GCH don't feel that exoctic to me! And I much prefer the lighter, brighter, larger rooms of the DLH and the fact that if you don't get a daybed you get a rollaway as opposed to the GCH where you might end up with a sleeping bag if you don't get a bunkbed or daybed room. The GCH does have balconies in most rooms which is a huge plus.

I don't think you can go wrong either way. I am just very partial to the DLH and in seven stays have never been disappointed. And for once in my life, I actually prefer the cheaper option!

Totally agree with everything you said .

 

[tyandbash]

WOW!! Thanks so much!! VERY helpful!!!

 

[honeymom]

We went to the DLH in August 2002 ( a while ago) when my kids were 6 and 3 years old. We stayed there because we thought it would be more fun for the kids, especially the pool area.

The pool, while massive, was filled with wall to wall people. Plus, it was cold. Even my kids didn't want to play in it. It just was not inviting, even if the Neverland slide was cute. We wound up mostly going to the quiet pools on that trip.

Last year we went to GCH in January. As it was quite cool (in the upper 50's), we seemed to be one of the few families swimming so crowds were not an issue. The kids loved the pool. It is less tropical feeling, but I guess the hotel is overall so much nicer (even the much nicer lounge chairs at the pool), that it doesn't bother us. I doubt we can ever afford to stay there again (we had a lot of disney reward dollars), but my son keeps saying that he wants to stay at the same hotel as last time (he was 8 on that trip).

I believe there were several arcade games in Whitewater Snacks even if there wasn't a separate game room. Personally, I would never choose a hotel for arcade games - I would go broke. I also try to encourage the kids to do outdoor activities when I can. There are always arcades in the parks.

To my knowledge, you can't use the pool at the other hotel. But, I would pick the hotel that suits you and your husband best and not overworry the pool. Chances are your kids will have fun at either pool.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I believe there were several arcade games in Whitewater Snacks even if there wasn't a separate game room. Personally, I would never choose a hotel for arcade games - I would go broke. I also try to encourage the kids to do outdoor activities when I can. There are always arcades in the parks.

Um, I would never choose a hotel for an arcade either. My son has a change jar, he turns all that loose change into quarters before we go to Disney (World or Land) and then plays arcade games with it. Not too uncommon for a teenage boy. So I don't go broke and for that matter he doesn't either. I know from your many posts how much you disliked your stay at the DLH five years ago. I don't discount that for one minute. I just posted some comments that pertained to my stays, which in the end is all I can do.


Oh and there is no pool hopping at the Disneyland Resort (even if you are staying on DVC points, this is not allowed). Each pool area is accessed by room keys. Now that said, I have heard of people being told by cm's there is, but I would agree with Honeymom, stay at the hotel you for sure want to because chances are, you will only be able to use that pool and chances are your kids will have fun at either one.

 

[MamaKate]

Um, I would never choose a hotel for an arcade either. My son has a change jar, he turns all that loose change into quarters before we go to Disney (World or Land) and then plays arcade games with it. Not too uncommon for a teenage boy. So I don't go broke and for that matter he doesn't either. I know from your many posts how much you disliked your stay at the DLH five years ago. I don't discount that for one minute. I just posted some comments that pertained to my stays, which in the end is all I can do.


Oh and there is no pool hopping at the Disneyland Resort (even if you are staying on DVC points, this is not allowed). Each pool area is accessed by room keys. Now that said, I have heard of people being told by cm's there is, but I would agree with Honeymom, stay at the hotel you for sure want to because chances are, you will only be able to use that pool and chances are your kids will have fun at either one.

I agree with you again .

Yes, there is no pool hopping unless one of the pools is being refurbished and then you can pool hop. But this is unlikely to happen in August.

And yes, the pools will be a lot less crowded in January vs August. We we're at GC in October during a weekday and for some reason the pool was packed . I couldn't even get the pool server to stop so I could order some smoothies . She kept saying should would come back, but in the end we never got our smoothies .

 

[ShawnaF]

Wow, what a difficult question! They're all spectacular and so fun in different ways. I prefer the Disneyland Hotel pool for the kids - just a really cool place and neat areas just catering to kids. I personally like GCH better and like the different crowds at that hotel. My daughter is just getting ready to get into the pool stuff, but when we went last February (we're all from Colorado), the DLH pool was a HUGE hit with the kids (then aged 9, 5, 3, and 1)