Help me decide - GC or DLH??

[GinnyFavers]

It looks like hubby and I will be heading to Disneyland for a long weekend next April! Of course I am already planning.

My problem is that I just can not decide on a hotel. Narrowed it down to the Grand Californian or the Disneyland Hotel, but now I'm stuck.

I've never seen the Disneyland Hotel in person, but I've seen photos online of the refurbished grounds, and they look lovely! I also adore the fact that the monorail stops there.

Joe and I walked around the grounds of the Grand Californian and went inside, and we honestly weren't that impressed. We thought it was nice, don't get me wrong, but it's so much like the Wilderness Lodge in many ways, it didn't feel special to us. And the grounds and pool were so tiny. I found the lobby to be very hectic and there was trash laying around.

Also, we just got done with a 10 day stay at the Wilderness Lodge Villas this September, and I'm not sure I'm up for something totally different, which would more be the Disneyland Hotel for me than the GC.

BUT, everyone says the Grand Californian is the best hotel they've ever stayed at, and maybe I'm really missing something? It would be cool to walk into California Adventure, but it would be cooler to ride the monorail from our resort.

Another factor is the wonderful pool at the DL Hotel -- my son would LOVE it, and he can't be with me this particular trip. I definitely want to take him with us to DL someday, and would like to stay with him at the DL Hotel, so I'm thinking I should save it for when he's with me?

Is there anyone here who is a big fan of the DL Hotel, and can you tell me why?

It's cheaper than the GC, so maybe I'm looking for someone to talk me into it.

OMG that's enough rambling! Now it's time to hear anything you have to say about your impressions of either hotel, and I'd love to hear comparisons from people who've stayed at both.

Oh, did I mention a KING sized bed is a big factor for us? We really don't like to sleep in queens if we can help it, and doubles are a no-no.

Thanks!!!

 

[DL4my2kids]

I loved it when it did but now it is in Downtown Disney.

We have stayed at DLH several times and have never been disappointed.

This will be our first year at GCH. I say go for DLH so you can see if it would be great for your son in future trips.

 

[ter-moo]

It sounds to me like you should stay in the Disneyland Hotel! The GC is beautiful, but you've seen it, and stayed in something similar already, so I'd go for something different this time.

The Disneyland Hotel is very original Disney. The rooms have some whimsical touches and vintage prints. Make sure you look up around the top of the walls after you turn off your lights at night.

I think you'll have fun here.

 

[DangerMouse]

I have stayed at both, and prefer the DLH. Larger rooms, better theming, cheaper rates!!

The monorail stops just steps away from the DLH, in DTD.

 

[tinkermell]

I loved it when it did but now it is in Downtown Disney.

We have stayed at DLH several times and have never been disappointed.

This will be our first year at GCH. I say go for DLH so you can see if it would be great for your son in future trips.

I know it seems like it's farther away now, .............but the Monorail station is at the exact location as is was years ago.

And to the OP...sounds like you need to try the DLH. IMO, I love the GC the most, but the DLH is a very fun and nice place to stay too.

Have a great time planning!

 

[drag n' fly]

I would never stay in a hotel that I was not impressed with. I would definitely choose DLH.

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

I don't think the GC is the best hotel I've ever stayed at. You're right, it's very much like the WL both in theming and size of rooms, meaning they are on the smaller side compared to resorts such as the Poly and the YC. I see from your siggy that you have stayed in those resorts, so have I, and to me, the GC is not nearly as nice as either one of them. Proximity to the park is nice with GC, but having stayed at both the DLH and the GC, I don't think it's really worth the difference in price. To me, the DLH is more magical, more of a nostalgic Disney feeling.

 

[BillyFan]

We've stayed at both, and we love the Grand. When it is just the two of us, and we're wanting to splurge, that's where we like to stay. Otherwise, we stay off site. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge last year, and they do have their similarities. I would only stay at the Disneyland Hotel if we had kids with us.

 

[DL4my2kids]

I know it seems like it's farther away now, .............but the Monorail station is at the exact location as is was years ago.

And to the OP...sounds like you need to try the DLH. IMO, I love the GC the most, but the DLH is a very fun and nice place to stay too.

Have a great time planning!

about all of those store you had to walk by to get to the monorail back in the days. Seems so much farther now but it could be that I am so much older.

 

[Iggipolka]

We absolutely love the Grand Californian. I've never seen trash in the lobby before!
I haven't stayed at the DL hotel, but we have found the rooms at GC to be more than big enough for two people. The beds are so comphy with the softest sheets. We love storytime every night by the fireplace (perfect with a glass of wine from the nearby bar ) and the Art of the Craft tour is not to be missed.

We have pretty much decided that we are not staying anyplace else but the GC when we visit DL. We love it that much.

 

[honeymom]

I really like the GCH better than the DLH, but it isn't for everyone. I don't find DLH that themed, pool is a zoo and too much of a zoo for me to find nice. GCH theming may not be your style though and I can see where it wouldn't be for everyone. Sounds like you belong at DLH this time - save your money.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

After my recent first time stay at the GC I would have to whole heartedly reccommend DLH. The rate for the GC is too high and I did not find the hotel to be anything special. I have stayed at WL in WDW and liked that hotel way better than the GC. The rooms we have had in the past at the DLH were much larger and nicer than the one we had at the GC.

 

[KirklandTutu]

If the rate is fine for you, then I'd go with the GC. I don't find the DLH to be whimsical or interesting in any way...well, except for the Tink border. I'm actually a bit worried about being let down by the Wilderness Lodge after after a perfect vacation at the GC.

 

[Bluestars]

Our family has stayed at both the DLH and GC. I prefer the DLH. The rooms are larger, the pool is nicer, it is closer to the monorail, and it is less expensive.

Although the GC is a very nice hotel, it wasn't worth the money to us. Although we did like the special entrance to DCA and the whitewater snacks, the room just wasn't that great. The lobby was beautiful, but we didn't spend any time there.

My vote is for the DLH.