Honest opinion ... Which Disney Hotel at Christmas Time?

[Self-Rescuing Princess]

Hey Everyone.

So this year instead of buying gifts for the adults, MY hubby,sis and I are going to put the money into staying at one of Disney Hotels from December 30-Jan 2. Right now there are no pass holder discounts, and from what I am hearing there won't be, so the prices I see are what we will get.

We have a reservation at the Candy Cane Inn, But we would love for my 5 year old to be surrounded by christmas. It's been a very challenging year for her with all the changes in her life, and we really want to celebrate as a family. Disneyland no matter how packed is always our happy place.

That said, which hotel would you choose and why? Please give me some opinions, I am having abugger of time making this decision!

Thanks!

 

[taniahappy]

I would do GC just because I find it cozier and im kinda obsessed with the place, LOL ... Just look at this pic

 

[tlovesdis]

For a 5 year old I would choose the DLH!!

 

[Sherry E]

I would do GC just because I find it cozier and im kinda obsessed with the place, LOL ... Just look at this pic

It goes way beyond the tree, although the tree is lovely -- just take a look at the photos of the GCH posted by everyone last week (this post starts the week, but lots of people posted after it) - http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...i-november-13th.3358217/page-77#post-54454222.

 

[Sherry E]

I don't know what to tell you. I'm no help! I've stayed at all 3 of the hotels during the holiday season, and each one has its charm. Your 5-year-old might enjoy the giant faux gingerbread Castle in the DLH lobby, or the real gingerbread house in the GCH lobby. The GCH also has smaller gingerbread houses in Storytellers Café and White Water Snacks, and wicker reindeer (or whatever they are made of) outside of the entrance to the GCH. The Santa photo spot in the DLH lobby is the prettiest one out of all 3 of the hotels, but the Carolers performing at the GCH by the tree cannot be matched or rivaled.

At the same time, while not as extravagant, the whimsical sea-themed tree at the PPH may be to your daughter's liking.

But I think that ultimately your choice should be between the DLH and the GCH, as those two are more likely to surround you with Christmas. Even a place like Tangaroa Terrace at the DLH has a cool theme-specific tropical Christmas tree, and the rooms at the DLH are more spacious.

The GCH also has an ornament workshop during the holiday season, but I think that it's open to any guest of any of the onsite hotels.

 

[Self-Rescuing Princess]

Last year we saw the GCH gingerbread house, and she loved it. We took pictures with Santa and had breakfast at the PCH.

Can you guys give me opinions on which would be the best for my daughter and why? I have heard about the cocoa at GCH. What about over New Years? Anything interesting? Also with DLH do you ride the monorail into the park? Or do you walk, cause it is bit of a walk from the hotel to Disneyland.

 

[millie0312]

We LOVE the holiday feel of GCH. We toured the other hotel lobbies but to us the most holiday was GCH. They have Santa, gingerbread houses, hot cocoa, a huge tree- all in the lobby. I think there is a reason people go there just to sit and soak up the atmosphere! Plus for the parks you can't beat the view and how close you are

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We are staying at PPH this year, but have stayed at both the GCH and DLH over the holidays in the past. While all have been great trips, I would chose the GCH hands down. First, as a previous poster mentioned, there is a coziness and warmth in that hotel that goes hand in hand with the holidays for me. I love the feeling of that lobby and while everybody can emjoy it, that hotel feels like Christmas to me. Second, with the busy days, I think being so close will come in helpful. I do love the DLH, but because of the layout of the lobby, I feel like things are kind of squeezed in where they fit, where at the GCH they are front and center.

In any case, I don't think you can wrong.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would go with GCH for Christmas. DLH would probably be my favorite overall "Disney" hotel, and it does have some very charming little touches, there is not the one "wow" overwhelming Christmas location in the hotel. I agree with Sherry that the Santa meet location is the BEST at DLH, but it's tucked off in a corner. And the lobby isn't very large. The lobby of the GCH seals the deal for me. Definitely a "wow" Christmas spot.

 

[Bud Ice]

Don't forget the Christmas Carollers at DGC...

 

[mom2rtk]

Don't forget the Christmas Carollers at DGC...

The carolers actually appear at all 3 hotels and are definitely not to be missed!

 

[Malcon10t]

We prefer the DLH. You get Carolers, the Gingerbread Castle, Santa, there are trees in each tower (though not as grand as the one in the Grand) and you can always walk thru the Grand to see everything there too. Walking - It is 4 minutes from pool of the DLH to where the Grand exits out into DTD.

If you opt to stay at the Candy Cane, you can still visit all 3 hotels and all that is happening there.

 

[Pinktink11]

We've done both the Grand and DLH at Christmas time. They're both great hotels but I would pick the GCH for Christmas. We're taking my extended family for Christmas this year, they've never stayed on-site and that's where we're staying. It just feels more magical to me around the holidays. I have young kids and they enjoy the GCH just as much as the DLH. Either way, you can't go wrong!

 

[Malcon10t]

Whatever you do opt for (we will be at the DLH those dates!) visit all 3 hotels. Since it is after Christmas Santa will be gone, but there is still a lot to enjoy in all 3.

 

[chrisaman]

What I would do is decide by taking Christmas out of it for a second. If you have ever stayed at these hotels before or would stay at them in the future, I would stay at the best Christmas hotel and that would be the Grand Californian. If this will be your one time stay in a Disney Hotel, I would stay at the Disneyland Hotel as their room is better and it is much more enjoyable as a general hotel. All the Grand Californian Christmas stuff can be enjoyed without staying there as it is all in the lobby. So basically, if you would stay at the Disneyland Hotel in the future at a non christmas time, then choose the Grand. If you will never stay in one of these hotels again choose the Disneyland Hotel. This is my opinion.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I arrived last year on Dec 31, and I do not think the carolers were still performing. Santa in the park was also not around (understandable). But it was nice to see most of the holiday offerings at DL for the first time (for us).

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Your 5 year old would love the DLH the best. It is so magical from the headboards to the characters in the lobby. GCH does have the best lobby with a warm holiday feel to it, but if you stay at the DLH you will be passing through the GCH lobby everytime you go to DCA anyway. So you wouldn't be missing out on anything.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Also with DLH do you ride the monorail into the park? Or do you walk, cause it is bit of a walk from the hotel to Disneyland.

You'll have to walk to DTD to catch the monorail to DL. It cuts down on the walking CS continuing all the way to the front gate and drops you in the middle of Tomorrowland on the plus side; it can be a long multiple monorail wait in the morning on the downside. Even staying GCH you'll have a walk to get to DL. (It too is less of a walk if you opt to walk to the monorail, which we will often do.) Walking wise it IS amazing to be able to step right inside the hotel from DCA! Haven't been during Xmas so can't comment there. Best of luck, what a fun decision!