Help me choose a Disneyland Resort Hotel!

[Terry S]

Okay, we are planning a trip to Disneyland either August or October 2005. I have never been to Disneyland. Been to WDW many times. I will probably be getting a suite, either the one bedroom or 2 bedroom, but I don't know which hotel.

I am admittedly kind of spoiled and I like luxury. But, I don't like a woodsy theme! (see my problem?) I like more light colors and a bright atmoshphere. Please help which hotel sounds like something that I would like!

FYI... I have two kids that will be 8 and 9 at the time we go.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lap3]

I can't say how the other hotels are because we've only stayed at the DLH. But, when my family(DW, DS5, & DD3) go, we've always had a great time there. My DW and I like it because it captures that Disney "magic". My kids love it because of the pool, Goofy's Kitchen, and the way it is decorated. From what I've heard on these boards, PP has nothing special about the hotel while DGC is very nice, extremely close to the parks, but can be pricey. Sorry if this doesn't help any.

 

[daannzzz]

The Grand Californian Hotel is most like the WDW Deluxe Hotels. It was designed by the architect who did the WL and the AKL. The lobby is a bit darker than either of the two WDW resorts but is still spectacular. The rooms are the same size as WL and AKL, are not as dark as those at the AKL and are about the same as the WL. http://images.google.com/imgres?img...images?q=Grand+Californian+Hotel&hl=en&lr=The grounds are beautiful and the location is superb with a direct entrance to DCA. It would be like the Beach Club being located above the International Gateway at Epcot. I have note stayed in the suites but the photos I have seen make them look beautiful.
The Disneyland Hotel is older and sort of more in the vein of the Contemporary as far as the building exteriors go. The rooms are generally large ( on par with the GF and the Polynesian, though in the Marina tower are smaller) and very nicely decorated. http://images.hotelsdiscounted.com/hotel-images/l/ANA_disneyland-hotel_4.jpgThe colors are lighter with loads of Disney touches. I would assume the suites here are decorated in a similar light tone. The walk to the parks from here would be like walking from the Yacht club or Dolphin to Epcot.
The Paradise Pier Hotel is the least expensive and IMHO least interesting though the rooms were just remodled with a nice light beach theme. The views from the one side of the hotel are wonderfull as it overlooks DCA.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Hi Terry,

I've been asking about the DL resort hotels recently myself, and my family and I will be staying at the DLH for the first time in 13 days - YEH! Normally we stay at a Good neighbor hotel.

Anyway, I'll pass on to you the advice I've been given.

The Disneyland Hotel is very nice with little Disneyl touches throughout the hotel and rooms. Most people have said that it adds to the "Magical Disney Experience". The rooms have glow-in-the-dark pixie wallpaper border, Disneyland map on the entertainment center, Mickey hands holding light fixtuers, and other Disney features on the bedding and bathroom wallpaper. The kids should love the pool themed after Peter Pan's Capt. Hook, and the character meals at Goofy's kitchen, located inside the hotel, are reported as being very fun and not to be missed. However, I've read many reviews from people who normally go to WDW and stay at a WDW resort, but tried Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel for the first time, and they were disappointed with the hotel because it lacked that strong themeing that is so well done at the WDW resorts.

The Grand California Hotel does have a bit of a "woodsy" feel to it, but the architecture is a Frank Lloyd Wright style, although to me it looks like a craftsman style. This hotel has that strong themeing that you are used to at the WDW resorts, but if you don't like a bit of a woodsy theme (although I don't think it's a strong woodsy theme like at the Wilderness Lodge in WDW) then you might want to consider the Disneyland Hotel.

I broke up what the pro's and cons of each might be for you to make it simpler for you to make a decision.

Disneyland Hotel: Pro's - Has lots of special Disney touches.
Great & fun themed pool and slide.
No woodsy theme.
Beautiful grounds w/waterfalls, ponds
A little larger rooms.

Con's - Older resort
No theme (just lots of Disney touches)
A little further from parks (but still close)


Grand California: Pro's - Newer and beautiful hotel.
Easier access to parks and DTD.
More like a WDW resort hotel.
Also has nice pool with slide.
A little more luxurious

Con's - A bit of a woodsy feel/theme
Very few Disney touches
Rooms are a little smaller
More expensive


I'm sure I'm missing a few pro's and con's of each, but I hope I helped a little.

I would also recommend you visit in October when the crowds are light and the temperature is more comfortable. August can be hot and crowded. (I've been there in both October and August, and October is just a more enjoyable time to visit)

Good luck!

 

[sierranevada]

Here is my reply to someone else you was asking about the DLR hotels - I have stayed at all three hotels and all three towers at DLH so here are my thoughts:

PPH - least expensive; nice size rooms; great view of DCA at upper resort view; discontinued the private entrance into DCA - now you go through the GC - not sure if this is permanent or just for off season; recently rennovated rooms - much more Disney theming to tie in with Paradise Pier beach theme; new roller coaster slide at the pool; furthest from the park (but honestly, it is not that bad!); has mini fridge & coffee maker; no balconies. Overall, a great Disney hotel if you want to stay onsite but need to watch the budget.

GC - most expensive; smaller rooms; best location with private entrance into DCA; beautiful architechure, however, more woodsy; can be a long walk to rooms from elevator; only hotel with bunk beds (they aren't full size twins and you can only request them - no guarantees); great pool with redwood tree slide; easy to relax poolside and still see your kids swimming; spa services; special peak for GC guests only in DCA about 15 min before opening - CM shares some DCA trivia and you get to ride Soarin'; has coffee maker; must special request mini fridge but has mini bar (beware, items are on sensor and if you move them, they show up on your bill); upgraded soaps and shampoos; real balconies; if you have DTD view, you can see the fireworks. Overall, wonderful luxury hotel right in DCA but more like Yosemite, not Disney.

DLH - my personal fave!! Great Disney touches everywhere; great pool with slide but can get crowded; pixie dust in room wallpaper borders that glows in the dark; rooms with 2 queens and daybeds are 50 sq ft larger than regular rooms with just 2 queens; feel like you never leave the park; very small balconies; has mini fridge, no coffee maker but they will bring you one if you ask. As far as the towers go: Bonita Tower is quietest with waterfalls and koi pond but slightly further away; you can watch Fantasy Water Show from balcony if you have lagoon view; Marina is main tower, older rooms; convenient to everything; Sierra Tower is most recently rennovated; closest to Monorail and DTD; either view is great - pool/resort or DTD (if you are high enough up with DTD view, you can see the fireworks. Overall, my favorite, especially the Sierra Tower. When we stay there, we feel more immersed in the magic!!

Now, the GC is the most luxurious but no getting around the "woodsy" feel! When we first pulled up, I felt like I was arriving at the Awanhee in Yosemite. Now, I love Yosemite but it was not what I was expecting at Disney. That said, we had the two bedroom Artisian suite at the GC and it was HUGH and quite nice! While I have not yet stayed at the suites in the DLH, I believe when you reserve them, you know at that time which tower - Sierra Tower is the most recently rennovated and modern. It is also the tower you want if you are going to add concierge service - it is on the 10th floor of Sierra Tower. Here is the link at disney.com that shows pictures of the suites (it is in the meeting section):

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlm/content?id=HotelsAndMeetingsHMFPage

And I would second the advice from disney-super-mom about visiting in Oct instead of Aug - much smaller crowds!

 

[ADisneyPrincess]

If you don't like woodsy you probably won't like the Grand Californian. It's beautiful, but it is dark with lots of wood. I would suggest the Disney Hotel. I've never stayed in a suite, but their standard rooms are a bit brighter with lots of Disney touches.

 

[Terry S]

Thank you everyone for all of the information and advice. I do not care for the the AKL or WL because they are dark so I kind of figured that I would probably not like the GC even though it is the most luxurious. My preferred resort to stay at at WDW is Beach Club. I think the DLH sounds like it might be the best fit for me.

Is there baconies at all at DLH? Or just a sliding glass door that opens to nothing? Can you even step out at all?

Thank you sierranevada for the link to the meeting area. I went to the Disneyland site, but could not find many pictures and certainly not floorplans like they have at the meeting site. They really should have those on the regular site as well.

Thanks again everyone! Can't wait to go to Disneyland! I am sure I will have a million other questions about the resort, the resturants, the attractions. It is kind of neat being a newbie again, but also kind of scary, because I know after the first time I went to WDW I realized all the things I did wrong and was able to change those things the 2nd time. I probably won't be going to DL often so I don't want to make a lot of newbie mistakes.

 

[sierranevada]

The balconies at DLH have enough room to just barely step out! But, you still enjoy the view!

I also think it is strange that the only way to get good pictures and floorplans of the hotel rooms and suites is through the meeting section! Oh well, at least we know where to find it now!

Have a great trip and remember not to compare - just enjoy the differences!!

 

[daannzzz]

I personally love the way the sliding doors open agains the railing at the DLH. It brings the outside in and was refreshing. I liked it so much I requested one of the 2n'd floor rooms at the Polynesian as they have the same set up but it wasn't quite as good.
Do not worry about a Disneyland resort vacation being as overwhelming as doinf WDW. Here is a nice overhead view that shows you how compact everything is.
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

 

[daannzzz]

And another.


http://zansstuff.com/aerialdl.html

 

[sierranevada]

daannzzz - that was a cool aerial view!!

 

[daannzzz]

I love that view...both of them.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Hi Terry S,

Now I'm not positive, but from what others have told me, DLH does have a few rooms with actual balconies, but I'm not sure which rooms they are. The rooms with balconies could be suites?

Someone else may be able to confirm this.

I do think that the DLH is a good choice for you and your family.

Hope your visit is Super-de-Duper!

 

[suz72]

Daannzz-

Thanks for posting the aerial pix. I spent about half an hour looking at it.

Of course I've looked at park maps many times, but the photo is so much cooler. You get to see all of the behind the scenes stuff.


Susan

 

[disney-super-mom]

Hi again,

If you go to,
www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/photos/disneyland_hotel
you will be able to see lots of pictures of the DLH and resort grounds, and if you look at picture #32, you can see some balconies.

Anyway, hope this helps you.

 

[Terry S]

Thanks for the links to the overheads and to the pictures on wdwinfo. They both help a lot.