Hilton vs DLH vs GCH

[lana772]

Also... I was just reading your original question again and you should be aware that traditionally Disney Resorts have a great room promotion that comes out end of Aug beginning of Sept. It has been as good as "buy 3 nights get 2 free ". No guarantee, but something to think about. If you book now and a sale comes up before your trip just call and they will honor the sale price. (Dreams does this for you)

 

[coopersmom]

Also... I was just reading your original question again and you should be aware that traditionally Disney Resorts have a great room promotion that comes out end of Aug beginning of Sept. It has been as good as "buy 3 nights get 2 free ". No guarantee, but something to think about. If you book now and a sale comes up before your trip just call and they will honor the sale price. (Dreams does this for you)

Thanks. I am hopeful something will come out and am booking through Dreams. Right now I think we're going with the Disneyland hotel, though they did find comparable rooms (both "premium" view) at the CGH for "only" $80/night more, which is the best price I'd seen so far. Can reassess at later date if I want ... Though I'm sure I'm driving the poor agent nuts with my indecision.

Is the CGH worth $80/night more than the DLH? Opinions welcome.

 

[Momrow]

That is a really good question. I booked DLH this time to save some $$ but we've already stayed at GCH and wanted to try the DLH. If you've never stayed, it really is a great place. We loved going to Storyteller's for breakfast. Not crowded at all and not over the top with characters like Goofy's (which we love but Storyteller's is nice for a low key thing, IMO). Plus, Napa Rose is right there and it is so so good. You can take your kids (we did) or send them to Pinnochio's. Especially with Carsland, the GCH might be worth it, if you've never been.

There are also bunk beds which made the rooms seem larger. And I loved sitting on my balcony in the morning enjoying a cup of coffee. I don't think many rooms at DLH have a balcony.

My kids are disappointed that we are not staying at the GCH, but I know they will love DLH.

 

[toodles2009]

We have not stayed at the DLH since the remodel, so cannot compare, but we are hotel snobs and we love the GCH. Although the rooms are nothing special, they are more than adequate, we have always found the beds comfortable, there are DVD players in the rooms, and the room service is one of our favorites (as good or better, to us, than some of the Four Seasons type hotels we have stayed at--I think the food is from Storyteller's Cafe and it has always been great quality). I can't imagine the DLH rooms are noticeably better, the pictures look pretty much the same to me. With a young child, I really cannot stress enough the convenience of the location. Especially if you plan to spend time in DCA, you are literally in the park in less than a couple minutes. We have young kids and this was worth its weight in gold.

I saw that you are looking at rates for premium view at GCH. We have had the "Woods" view (I think only one step up from standard) the last 2 stays, and had views of fireworks from our room both times, we looked out over the monorail courtyard. I'm not sure if this is typical or if we were just lucky. If premium view at GCH is only $80 less/night than your room at the DLH, the "Woods" view may be the same price as DLH or even less. And echoing the comment above, you will enjoy the GCH balcony, which the DLH does not have (our kids' favorite place to play was on the balcony, where they could watch the monorail go by).

 

[lana772]

Yes. Worth every penny.

 

[nana50]

Yeah, one or two-bed DVC looks to be ideal ... Unfortunately trip came together too late for us and there was nothing available when we looked at points rental. Major bummer. (If anyone knows differently, please let me know!)

Why would you recommend the Grand over the Disneyland hotel? I looked at room pics and, unless I'm missing something, the newly-rennovated DLH looked "nicer" to my eye ... But this is coming from someone who has never stayed at either and never even been inside, unless you count a 5th grade DLH lobby visit. (Not even sure it's same DLH as monorail ran through lobby then.)

Is there something, besides location, and what appears to be a truly stunning lobby, about the GCH I'm just not getting?

I've stayed at both and I love the DLH. The new rooms and pools are fantastic. Yes, the lobby at the Grand is .....well grand, but really I can just walk over anytime and enjoy it. If you have children the DLH is your best bet.

 

[coopersmom]

Well, OP here to update ... Went ahead and bit the bullet (or, in this case, the credit card) and booked the Grand Californian, premium view. Still hoping like heck that a discount comes out for end of September because that one HURT. (So much that I am not promising I won't still change my mind and downgrade to another resort.)

But, my eventual reasoning was (in a nutshell, I've given more details in too many other threads RE: my neurosis) I didn't want to spend my vacation wondering "what if?" What if we'd just spent a little bit more, etc. This way, if we're disappointed we can't say it was because I was being cheap!

 

[lana772]

Wishing you a wonderful vacation.
I still have to wait until Dec 21st for mine.

 

[sechelt]

Congratulations. I don't think you'll regret it.

I'm curious. Did they tell you where a Premium View faces?

 

[dalstitch45]

As a frequent visitor to WDW, I like the BC villas and BW villas as my favorites. As with PP's, I agree about the Poly and GF. I liked the lobby/atrium in the GF, but was unimpressed with the rooms in relation to the price. It is the location and the theming. Having said that, I feel the same way about the GC. The lobby is very nice, but it is very similar to the WL at WDW. WL is another of my skip resorts.

The GC is location and theming. As for the Anaheim Hilton, it is a convention hotel. It is located adjacent to the Convention Center. I have stayed there several times, and never had a problem. Always get a "Disney View," and with my last stay also had a balcony. I could watch the fireworks from my room, and the higher sprays of water for the WOC show. The only issue I have with the Hilton is the coupons for the continental breakfast. Using Starbucks (personally I don't see the hype), can be time consuming. Most of the time, the line is really long.

I am one of those people who would rather be front and center in the park watching the fireworks, so most of the time I didn't watch them from my room. I dragged everybody to the park.

 

[coopersmom]

Congratulations. I don't think you'll regret it.

I'm curious. Did they tell you where a Premium View faces?

"Upper level resort view or Downtown Disney district" according to the reservation.