Grand Californian vs. Disneyland Hotel (during construction, late summer)?

[dinanicj]

My family (husband, me and two kids - ages 10 and 16) are planning our first trip to Disneyland in late August (though we've been to Disneyworld many times). We love the idea of the GC since it's so close to the parks (and one of my kids has autism and anxiety, so proximity is helpful as we can go back to the room late afternoon and chill). But, I've had a difficult time getting information on the status of the renovations that will be in place by then. Does anybody know? Or, can anybody tell me how disruptive the renovations have been if you've stayed there lately? Overall, with kids this age - what would your recommendation be? Thank you!!!

 

[ParkHopper1]

I have stayed there several times and other then the pool being closed have had zero impact or heard any noise. I saw one hallway draped off and a few scaffolds outside. Other have reported hearing pool construction during the day depending on location, but they are doing a great job of managing the guest rooms.

By late August I believe renovation is scheduled to be complete.

 

[Traver Freeman]

I've never stayed at the hotels as I'm a local, but I've been in them plenty of times. I haven't been in the GC recently to tell you about construction, but from what I've heard it's mostly the outside courtyard areas and shouldn't affect an enjoyable stay. However, I will say that the GC is more of an adult resort (IMO). It's very grand (hence the name) and reminds me a lot of AK Lodge in appearance without all the animals to look at. It's a super nice hotel, but the kids might enjoy the DLH more possibly.

The themes of the DLH courtyard area is really nice and we love walking around there before the park opens to kill time. It is pretty close to the parks as well. Only Paradise Pier is relatively far away and even that is still much closer than several good neighbor hotels that we have stayed at in times past before we moved here.

I would say the DLH is maybe an extra 5-8 minute walk past the GC if that and it's all through Downtown Disney. GC is the only one with a park entrance though to DCA.

 

[Sun_soakin]

Stay at GCH, you'll love being so close to the parks! No Disney transportation! I think Disney does a good job of keeping construction disruption to a minimum. We stayed there once last month during const and will do so again next month...it's fine.

 

[DLgal]

Be careful! They are also going to renovate the entire lobby and it is a MAJOR project. It will NOT be done by August. I think the timeline is completion by the end of 2017. The lobby will be the last part and should be in full swing by the end of summer. Personally, I was there during the pool construction and it was INSANELY loud. I have two autistic kids and neither is a fan of jackhammer type noise. Luckily they were not with me. The lobby being worked on will take away a Huge aspect of staying there.

I would recommend the Disneyland Hotel. It has a great pool and slides (much better than GCH) and it is a very quiet and peaceful hotel. It's really not much further to walk there and you can also take the monorail most of the way if you are in Disneyland. The rooms are larger and have better views. And the food at the restaurants there is better than the options at GCH. Save GCH for when the renovations are complete. It will be wonderful at that point.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

We are staying there in July and are super nervous about the LOBBY CONSTUCTION... ahhh! No Disney rep has any answers about what they will be doing in terms of the renovation so it is very frustrating not knowing what to expect. We have stayed exclusively at the Grand for the last 4 or 5 years and have always loved it ..so we're hoping everything will run smoothly as normal!

 

[hjgaus]

I was there 1st week of March & have reservations for April, June & Aug. WE were on the 1st floor of the villas facing pool side. The view for us was a complete coverage so not that bad UNTIL you open the door for some air during the day and hear construction going on. The workers come in and out but no big deal really.
I think the pool area should be finished by Aug. for you to enjoy! We have taken our 2 kids to this hotel since they were around the same age of yours and they seem to like it BUT depending on the size of the kids bunk beds might not be a good idea. Both of my boys at the time were very close to being 6 feet tall (NOW one of them is OVER 6 ft) so maybe with the new daybeds it should be fine ! We brought our own air mattress back in those days. Really all the DLR hotels are good but The Grand will always have that little advantage of being THAT close to the park but go with your gut and or your wallet when you decide !

Enjoy your time @ Disney !!

 

[rentayenta]

The pool should be completed but from what I have read, the lobby will still be under construction. We will be there in early July. I will report back.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

The pool should be completed but from what I have read, the lobby will still be under construction. We will be there in early July. I will report back.

Any ideas as to what to expect with the lobby? The only thing we've gotten out of a Disney Rep was .."limited access" ...hmm? With all the people and all the comings and goings of summertime, i'm just curious how things are going to run.

 

[rentayenta]

Any ideas as to what to expect with the lobby? The only thing we've gotten out of a Disney Rep was .."limited access" ...hmm? With all the people and all the comings and goings of summertime, i'm just curious how things are going to run.

I wish I knew. We love the lobby.

 

[Nevada Jen]

If your child is sensitive to repeated noise issues and meltdowns, play it safe and stay at dlh. When people are talking about the walk being longer we are really talking minimal distance in WDW terms. You could easily end up with an equally long walk staying at GCH if your room is in the wrong spot.

 

[DLgal]

Any ideas as to what to expect with the lobby? The only thing we've gotten out of a Disney Rep was .."limited access" ...hmm? With all the people and all the comings and goings of summertime, i'm just curious how things are going to run.

I have heard they are ripping out the entire floor, replacing ALL the furniture and lighting fixtures, painting, refinishing the wood...Think Polynesian resort level lobby renovation. It's supposed to be essentially inaccessible to the guests except for narrow pass throughs.

 

[Nonsuch]

I have heard they are ripping out the entire floor, replacing ALL the furniture and lighting fixtures, painting, refinishing the wood...Think Polynesian resort level lobby renovation. It's supposed to be essentially inaccessible to the guests except for narrow pass throughs.

It would also make logistical sense to renovate the guests rooms that surround the lobby at the same time. Other areas of GCH can be closed off (one hallway at a time), but it's difficult to isolate the hallways that surround the lobby.

 

[azdisneylover]

Nonsuch is right about closing off the guest rooms that surround the lobby. When the flooring is being ripped up/put in, no one is allowed on it until it finished. So, it will be interesting to see how they decide to handle the lobby flooring. Plus, the scaffolds that will be set up for the painters and wallpaper hangers take up a lot of room, plus, they stay up until the work is completed. I feel for the construction crews. Usually, the finishing trades (paint, wallpaper, flooring, finished carpentry) start at 7am on refurbish hotels, and finish time 6pm. The hours 9-5 is very limiting for these trades with the glues, pastes, adhesives, etc they use. I will be surprised if the Grand will be completed with the remodel before the beginning of 2018.

 

[dinanicj]

Thanks for all of your input - I think we are going to book the Disneyland Hotel. Maybe on another trip we'll get back to the GCH.

 

[Mommy to Kayla]

Unfortunately I haven't been on the disboards in quite a few months so I missed all this! We booked our room at the Grand Californian June 29-July 5th, can anyone tell me what they think will be under construction at that time??

Thank you!!

 

[otten]

Unfortunately I haven't been on the disboards in quite a few months so I missed all this! We booked our room at the Grand Californian June 29-July 5th, can anyone tell me what they think will be under construction at that time??

Thank you!!

According to the Disneyland website the lobby refurbishment starts the beginning of June.