Help! I don't understand the resorts!

[snowwhitemom]

I am a WDW regular but will be coming to C.A. this spring, are the hotels at DL the samee as in WDW? Do they have value, moderate and premium? Can some One give me the overall picture? thank you very much for your help!!!It will be my only trip there so I really wont it to be a good one.

 

[WDW2002]

Disneyland Reort has 3 hotels/resorts, all would probably be comparable to a deluxe/premium at WDW.

Depending on how much money you are willing to spend, there are many great hotels accross the street or within walking distance and most offer shuttle/bussing.

 

[LuvTigger]

I'm not sure how much you know about DL, but it is not like WDW. I like to think of them as two unrelated places, even though they're both Disney.

DL is not it's own city like WDW is, rather it is a park plopped right in the middle of a city.

As WDW2002 mentioned, there are 3 hotels, the Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier Hotel, and the Grand Californian Hotel. They are all comparable to deluxe resorts at WDW, though Paradise Pier is the least themed of the 3, and seem to have the most discounts available. DL Hotel is the next likely to have discounts available, and GC the least likely.

GC is really gorgeous, I just came back from a 4 night stay there. It can be best compared to Wilderness Lodge at WDW, yet very unique in it's theming. If you can afford it and it won't break the bank, I highly recommend it. Discounts are not easy to come by at DL as they are at WDW though. DC will give you 10% off the room rate. Sometimes Travelocity and Expedia have good rates at PP or DLH ($120-$150), but I've found it to be hit-and-miss as far as dates go.

Though I am one of those people who must stay onsite at WDW, I don't feel the same way about DL. I would love to stay at GC all the time, but I wouldn't be heartbroken if I had to stay at the Howard Johnson's across the street. If the DL Hotels are out of your price range, there are dozens of nice hotels that are very convenient (walking distance).

If you want to splurge and can afford it, I would go for GC or DLH. (But again, I REALLY liked GC!!!)

 

[snowwhitemom]

Thanks for the insight! Luv tigger- I am not familar with Disneyland at all, I go to WDW about 3 times a year , I have stayed at AKL and GF on my last 3 visits so I am thinking if I am going to fly coast to coast I should go all the way. I will probally go with GC, Any help is so appreciated!

 

[daannzzz]

The Paradise Pier and Disneyland hotel are both standard hotel style buildings like you would see on Hotel Plaza Blvd at WDW. Paradise Pier has been "decorated" so it blends in better as a background from the DCA Park. Paradise Pier Hotel has virtually no grounds to speak of and its pool as a standard rectangular unthemed pool on top of the parking structure for the hotel.
The towers at Disneyland Hotel have not been decorated but the grounds are pretty and extensive. It is also located next to downtown Disney. There are three pools, one of them themed to Neverland.
The Grand Californian ( as indicated above) is themed and on par with the hotels at WDW. It was designed by the man who designed The Wildernes Lodge and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is part of Downtown Disney and is "in" the DCA park. It is worth it.

 

[LuvTigger]

Another "perk" of staying at GC is a private entrance to California Adventure (DCA). Besides being beautiful, it is very convenient. Less than 5 minutes walk to DCA, maybe 5 minutes to DL, and DD is right there. It is also a quick walk to the DL Hotel and PP if you want to explore. I really couldn't find much to look at at PP, but we did go to the gift shop. As Daannzzz mentioned, DLH is beautifully landscaped, and is worth taking some time (if you have it) to explore. If you do have the time to explore DLH, I highly recommend watching the Fantasy Waters show that takes place several times nightly.

At GC, there are lots of nooks and crannies to explore, and a beautiful fireplace which is both inside and outside, to sit in front of. There is a daily tour at 2:30 p.m. which lasts about an hour, also highly recommended if you have the time. It provided a lot of insight to the design of the hotel.

There are 3 dining places, Whitewater Snacks which is a quick-service place near the pool. I really liked the breakfast I had there. I was also impressed with Storyteller's Cafe. We had dinner there one night, and breakfast buffet (with Chip, Dale, and Pluto) another time. They have a dinner buffet also, but we ordered off the menu. Corn Chowder is to die for!!! Napa Rose looked beautiful, we got to take a peak during the tour even though they weren't open for lunch. Unfortunately, didn't have a chance to eat there.

I recently posted a trip report in several parts on the trip report board which might give you more insight. Also, I posted lots of restaurant reports in a thread near the top of the page. I hope that helps!

 

[snowwhitemom]

Thank you so much! That was just the kind of insight I was speaking of. I am going to go read d the trip report now....If I can find it...I'm new at this but learning quickly. I appreciate you guys help.

 

[mickey4ver]

We just returned from our first trip to DL in California, and we stayed at the Paradise Pier, which was enjoyable.....but no way compares to the resorts at WDW. I was fortunate to receive a great rate at the Paradise Pier, that is why I chose it, but after seeing the area around DL first hand, I would have been just as happy to stay at one of the many hotels that were located right across the street from the main entrance, like the Best Western Park Place Inn etc. They have quite reasonable rates. Staying at WDW is like being at a resort away from it all, whereas DL just doesn't quite have that feel to it. But whatever you choose, just enjoy, DL was a treat and I'm so glad I finally got to visit it. I did go walk around DisneyLand Hotel, and thought I might like to try staying there sometime.

 

[Tamickey]

Thank you LuvTigger. Your comments here have helped me also in making a decision. Currently we have GC ressies and are leaning toward keeping them. We are also use to WDW hotel theming now. Makes it difficult to choose a hotel for DL. Thanks again.