Grand Californian vs Westin?

[magicmountainmama]

We're planning our first Disneyland trip & I'm wondering if the GC is worth nearly double the price of the Westin? We're a family of 5 & would be booking 2 rooms, so the difference is quite a bit. The Westin looks really nice...maybe nicer even than the GC? But we want to be close. We only have 2 days, & quick entry into the parks is a must. For comparison, we normally stay at BLT when at WDW. Would the walk from the Westin be similar to the walk from BLT to MK?

 

[Timandalicia]

We're planning our first Disneyland trip & I'm wondering if the GC is worth nearly double the price of the Westin? We're a family of 5 & would be booking 2 rooms, so the difference is quite a bit. The Westin looks really nice...maybe nicer even than the GC? But we want to be close. We only have 2 days, & quick entry into the parks is a must. For comparison, we normally stay at BLT when at WDW. Would the walk from the Westin be similar to the walk from BLT to MK?

I feel like Disneyland is a different beast. For us, staying at the Disneyland Hotel is comparable to the feeling you get when staying at the Contemporary times 5 (it’s Mecca). The history is palpable, it’s nostalgic and sentimental. I don’t feel like you get that at the Grand. So if the Beach Club is as sentimental for you as it is for us, I dare say you won’t get what you crave from the Grand. Also, staying off property for Disneyland does not give you that feeling of missing out on the Magic the way that it feels with Disney World. But that’s us.

…And I love me a Westin. They are so clean and comfortable and I feel like they’ve even upped their game recently.

 

[jbanse]

We just returned from a stay at the Westin. Walk is definitely longer than BLT to Magic Kingdom, but not overly long. I would guess 15-20 minutes to gate. The Westin was very nice.

 

[SeaDis]

When is your trip? If it's down the road a bit, it's *possible* Early Entry will be restored and that could increase the "value" of GCH; especially since you mention being close and maximizing only two days. Early Entry is very productive, as you know. I always tell friends the "value" is something only you can determine based on priorities.

IF trip is down the road, don't bank on the "rack rates" you are seeing right now. In the past, they released the typical specials... but not very far in advance. 1.5-3 months, depending on occupancy, I think is a fair estimate. If you don't mind tying up deposit money, you can easily book GCH now (direct) and cancel/rebook, or just call for a price match if a special is released down the road.

The walk from the Westin to the Parks will be longer than BLT to MK; I'm pretty sure on that. With the previous security setup, you will not be able to cut through GCH to the parks on your way "IN". You may be able to cut through GCH to the Westin on your way "OUT". We walked from BLT to MK only once. You can Google map both walks on foot (or other apps). But, from memory, I would guess 2.5 to 3.5x+longer on the way in. And on the way back maybe 2x+ longer.

If your focus is really on being close, my sense is you will be walking from the Westin and kicking yourself on the way past GCH a couple times a day. It's a small Wilderness Lodge, only closer. If this is your first and maybe infrequent trip to DLR, I would try to work on any specials and reconsider the value proposition if they come available.

Lastly, there was a great recent review of the new Westin on this forum. Should come up in a search. It does look awesome and it's a great "sneaker" hotel; there really isn't anything like it on that SW corner of the resort. Entering on the West side/DTD does seem to be an advantage for security/crowds, currently.

 

[Buson808]

Grand californian or NO trip!

 

[Matrixleos]

As a WDW veteran, planning my family's first Disneyland Resorts vacation in July. I only joined this board in May but I've read every single thread posted here and watched countless hours of YouTube videos to best prepare for our trip.

Here's my Top 3 advice for you planning you're first Disneyland vacation...

1) Hotels: In my opinion, it's not as vital to stay at a Disney onsite hotel in DLR as it is in WDW. In fact, unless you get lucky and your Grand Californian room is near the entry to DCA, most of the Harbor side hotels will be closer to the park entrance then parts of the Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier.

We're staying at the Tropicana, since it's only a 5 minutes walk if we wanted to return to our rooms for a break or on our way back once the parks close. We're also a family of 5 and they can fit us with one room with 2 queen size beds and a pull out.

2) Meal reservations: DLR is not like WDW, there are no Disney Dining Plans. Plus you have to be more active in securing your sit down meal reservations. Not all the restaurants or locations will release their availability at the same time. You have to be proactive to secure your reservations for the exact dates/times you want them.

3) Disneyland and DCA are extremely close and perfect for getting a Park Hopper and traveling back and forth both parks.

Finally, download the Disneyland app and get used to how to do Virtual Que Boarding Groups, Mobile Ordering and Meal Reservations.

Good luck and have fun planning, I've really enjoyed doing my research and can't wait to visit the parks in July!

 

[DizMe]

There is simply no comparison between off-site and GCH except for the price, which I admit is a huge factor. I've stayed off site many times, in some very nice places, but nothing for me comes close to staying at GCH. It isn't just the distance of the walk, it's where you're walking. You can get into DCA without stepping out of the GCH grounds. You have your own security entrances. You go through DTD to get to the monorail or Disneyland and you're surrounded by shopping and dining venues. The lobby is incredible and the pool area lovely, with food and drink service (I think-not sure post-covid). There is a beautiful bar/lounge off the lobby.

However, the fact that you want to book 2 rooms for your family of 5 makes the cost a very significant factor. One thing I will note is that my family of 5 all stay in one room at GCH, but that of course depends on ages and so on. Just thought I'd mention that they do allow 5/room there. I have no experience with the new Westin and I'm sure it's nice, but I've stayed in that area and walked over, and would absolutely choose GCH if it were an option.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I'll echo others. Off-site just doesn't compare to on-site. We consistently stayed on Harbor until I decided to splurge on GCH one year. Well, that ruined us because now it's so hard to go back! The Harbor hotels are a great value, and I won't knock them at all, but for us, we would rather go less often and stay on property. It feels like you are immersed in Disney from start to finish.

Have you considered the DLH? It's a bit cheaper than GCH. We've also stayed there and adored it. If you're a big Disney fan you will appreciate all the historic aspects of the hotel. Trader Sam's is a blast and we love Steakhouse 55. If you're a big pool person, theirs is amazing! Sometimes there are even roaming characters in the lobby (pre COVID).

 

[BayGirl22]

I'm a Marriott/former Starwood person and prefer the Westin level of hotels. We're used to business travel so Disney Moderates feel like a step down and we want a nicer vacation experience. That said, I do DLR in two ways:

Option 1: shorter trips where I stay as close as possible on Harbor (Park Vue or similar, and there are now 2 Marriott options). For these trips I compromise on hotel tier because we're mainly in the parks or DtD and not using the room that much. Most of the hotels there are sufficient for sleeping and grabbing a quick breakfast.

Option 2: longer splurgy trips where we stay onsite at GCH or DLH. For these we expect to have a day off from the parks to enjoy the pool, take more time to go to hotel restaurants, and generally spend more time in the room.

I did break this pattern one time to stay at the Sheraton, which is about the same walking distance as the Westin. While it was nice to stay in a more full service hotel on points, after 2 days I was really annoyed with the walk. you have to exit and go all the way around DCA on the outside. That trip was just a long weekend, but had it been a longer once in a long time type trip I would have regretted the choice.

I know our hotel preferences do not apply to everyone. At WDW we prefer EPCOT or Monorail resorts for convenience and facilities.

 

[Wesley815]

It also depends on your style of park visits, some families leave mid-day to relax/nap back at hotel and then finish late night at park. However if you stay in the park all day it won't matter as much the distance (just be ready for walk back after closing).

 

[SammyStamper]

We just returned from DL and for the first time stayed offsite at Marriott Courtyard. Our past two trips we stayed at Grand CA. Our trips to WDW was at Boardwalk. Unless they bring back Magic Morning, I have no plans to pay those prices again. I’m a Gold Marriott member (Starwood prior), love Westin hotels, we went for the Water Park this trip. The walk wasn’t a big dea and my son is 8. The room had two queens and a bunk bed. My favorite part was two showers!!
I’m not a “Disney Person” as in I feel zero Disney Magic at their hotels. I do want a nice place to stay though! There was nothing special to me about the Grand other then than the price tag.

 

[Sun_soakin]

I always like Westin, but at DL, GCH is our favorite. My family would rather cram 5 people into a room than stay somewhere else. When we stay at GCH, we go back and forth from the hotel (pool time, rain, whatever). Whenever we’ve stayed offsite, or even the other DL hotels, it’s only back to the room for bed.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

The rooms off site aren’t bad depending on the hotel. The main reason I prefer the Disney hotels is that you don’t haveto walk past all the homeless and weirdos selling stuff. I feel much safer walking back to the Disneyland hotel or the Grand, especially at night.

 

[Howry]

It is hard to justify the price of the GCH but it depends on the immersion factor. We always have stayed off site but our last stay, February 2020 made us seriously question our decision. We have maybe 10 trips in total that have been off site but on the last one we ran into more homeless issues then normal. There was a guy that had a boombox that was walking up and down the sidewalk playing gangster rap with tons of cusswords as families with small children walked by. I confronted him about and it and he pulled out his cell phone and started recording me trying to get me to hit him. It was so odd. I talked to the police about the issue outside of Disney and basically got the "Welcome to California" speech. Homeless people sleeping on the bus stop benches.

Next time I go I will do my best to stay on property. It was an uncomfortable experience when you spend a lot of money to get away for what is supposed to be a vacation.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

It is hard to justify the price of the GCH but it depends on the immersion factor. We always have stayed off site but our last stay, February 2020 made us seriously question our decision. We have maybe 10 trips in total that have been off site but on the last one we ran into more homeless issues then normal. There was a guy that had a boombox that was walking up and down the sidewalk playing gangster rap with tons of cusswords as families with small children walked by. I confronted him about and it and he pulled out his cell phone and started recording me trying to get me to hit him. It was so odd. I talked to the police about the issue outside of Disney and basically got the "Welcome to California" speech. Homeless people sleeping on the bus stop benches.

Next time I go I will do my best to stay on property. It was an uncomfortable experience when you spend a lot of money to get away for what is supposed to be a vacation.

Whoa that’s so scary. Homelessness is gotten really bad, especially in Anaheim. I wish Disneyland could extend its bubble somehow.

 

[Buson808]

The street behind of Incredicoaster, bunch of homeless. You should see around Staples Center 20x worst.

Staying on property is a must for my Family. Like I said Grand Cali or NO TRIP.

I see enough homeless here in Hawaii….

 

[Zerzura]

We have stayed offsite twice, and much prefer onsite. For us it is worth it. I actually prefer Disneyland Hotel, even with its longer walk; you could compare rates there to the Westin.

We live in an urban area, so to stay on Disney property is much more of a true vacation for us And feels far more posh.

 

[DLgal]

Whoa that’s so scary. Homelessness is gotten really bad, especially in Anaheim. I wish Disneyland could extend its bubble somehow.

I try to warn people about this here and I usually get a bunch of responses that it was "not that bad." And I always wonder to myself whether these people visit the same Harbor Blvd and Katella Ave that I have driven hundreds of times as a local. I have never once driven either of those streets and not seen at least 5 homeless people and/or and panhandlers at the intersections. It's pervasive and would prevent me from ever booking an off property stay.

I suppose maybe people who say it isn't a big deal live in places where they see this every day, like my sister who live in San Francisco and Los Angeles. I guess the Anaheim homeless problem is small potatoes compared to what they encounter in their everyday life. Last time we visited San Francisco, in 2017, my son who was 12 at the time was literally assaulted by a homeless guy while my husband and I were standing right next to him,, inside the Macy's at Union Square. It was scary as hell. I had to grab the guy and tell him to let go of my son, he was just a kid and didn't have any money for him. My husband had a PTSD flashback to his time in Iraq and had to stop himself from literally choking this man to death right there. If I had not been there, that would been the likely outcome. When I told my sister about it, she kind of shrugged and was like "yeah, we don't go there anymore because something similar happened to me last time I went to the Disney Store in Union Square. The guy was probably tweaked out on meth."

However, for people who don't see these issues w every day, you have to really think about whether you want to deal with it during a Disneyland vacation. I sure don't. No amount of money saved is worth that.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I try to warn people about this here and I usually get a bunch of responses that it was "not that bad." And I always wonder to myself whether these people visit the same Harbor Blvd and Katella Ave that I have driven hundreds of times as a local. I have never once driven either of those streets and not seen at least 5 homeless people and/or and panhandlers at the intersections. It's pervasive and would prevent me from ever booking an off property stay.

I suppose maybe people who say it isn't a big deal live in places where they see this every day, like my sister who live in San Francisco and Los Angeles. I guess the Anaheim homeless problem is small potatoes compared to what they encounter in their everyday life. Last time we visited San Francisco, in 2017, my son who was 12 at the time was literally assaulted by a homeless guy while my husband and I were standing right next to him,, inside the Macy's at Union Square. It was scary as hell. I had to grab the guy and tell him to let go of my son, he was just a kid and didn't have any money for him. My husband had a PTSD flashback to his time in Iraq and had to stop himself from literally choking this man to death right there. If I had not been there, that would been the likely outcome. When I told my sister about it, she kind of shrugged and was like "yeah, we don't go there anymore because something similar happened to me last time I went to the Disney Store in Union Square. The guy was probably tweaked out on meth."

However, for people who don't see these issues w every day, you have to really think about whether you want to deal with it during a Disneyland vacation. I sure don't. No amount of money saved is worth that.

I live in Honolulu and see it all the time, though probably not as bad as SF, LA, and other big cities. I mostly don’t get bothered by it but being high on drugs is a whole other factor. Scary!

 

[magicmountainmama]

Thank you all so much for your responses, it's been super helpful. We don't like to leave the Disney bubble when we're in WDW & it doesn't sound like we'd really enjoy leaving the Disney bubble when in DLR so we've decided to stay on-site.

When I originally posted, the Disneyland Hotel wasn't available for booking but that has changed & we're booked in a 1-bedroom suite at DLH for our trip!

Thank you to those that suggested it. I'm a huge fan of vintage Disney, the Contemporary is my favorite WDW hotel, I love all things mid-century, so I'm super excited to stay there!