How 'Disney' is the Grand Californian?

Sherry E · May 29, 2009

That's a good point, Amy&Dan! - the DLH walk to the gates is roughly about the same as the one from PPH through the GCH to the gates - just on a slightly different course. And even though I do appreciate the close proximity of the GCH to DL, and we did get a lot more accomplished when we stayed 'closer' like that (in a standard room) than at early trips to the PPH, I have also been in a DTD view room in GCH, where we wandered down seemingly endless corridors to get to the room and the close proximity to the parks was suddenly negated. So once you turn from DTD into the GCH, if you have a DTD view room, you may very well end up walking just about as far and long as you would if you stayed at PPH across the street. Only the GCH rooms which are right next to the elevator cut down walking time substantially.

DisneyFairytale · May 29, 2009

Disneyland during halloween is absolutely gorgeous. I have hundredsssss of photos from lasy year's halloween and the year prior.

I'll mark this page and post photos when I get home late tonight. YOU WILL LOVE THEM!

The park is still aimed for all age groups. Make sure you bring your kid's costumes as well as your own. Disney has special trick or treat give aways during that week of halloween and have a lot of free shows and candy give aways to anyone who is dressed up.

What a good choice. I'll post pictures later.

mollies_mum · May 29, 2009

Thanks again guys, I'm sooo excited I could scream and I've still got ages to wait.... :headache:

Still, that leaves me plenty of time to plan meticulously.... :love:

Sherry E · May 29, 2009

Hester · May 29, 2009

Sherry E said:
With all due respect, though, Hester, the walk from PPH to DTD and on to the gates of the parks is not a big deal to everyone...

Surely, some won't mind the walk - and personal preference should be the only factor one uses to make their decision.

But here are the facts: GCH is closer ... period. Quite a bit closer as far as accessibility to the parks.

Make your own decision according to your personal preference, but also do consider that the GCH is indeed, by matter of fact, closer. I've stayed at all three hotels, and there is a difference.

Of course, you're at Disney and the walk is enjoyable as far as window shopping, etc. But if your mission is simply to get to your hotel or in the parks, there is the matter of convenience to consider.

On my trip several weeks ago (staying at the DLH) - I found myself walking back and forth many more times that I wanted to or had expected. The monorail wasn't always available for a variety of reasons, etc. The DCA entrance and the closeness would have been a huge convenience could have we stayed there. The walk all the way back to the DLH was indeed inconvenient and tiring. FYI, I'm a thirty-something, healthy male. Granted, I had my 3 1/2 year old who needed naps midday, etc. The back and forth walks were tiring and time consuming.

Really just depends on your personal preference and needs.

Sherry E · May 29, 2009

Hester said:
Surely, some won't mind the walk - and personal preference should be the only factor one uses to make their decision.

But here are the facts: GCH is closer ... period. Quite a bit closer as far as accessibility to the parks.

Make your own decision according to your personal preference, but also do consider that the GCH is indeed, by matter of fact, closer. I've stayed at all three hotels, and there is a difference.

Of course, you're at Disney and the walk is enjoyable as far as window shopping, etc. But if your mission is simply to get to your hotel or in the parks, there is the matter of convenience to consider.

On my trip several weeks ago (staying at the DLH) - I found myself walking back and forth many more times that I wanted to or had expected. The monorail wasn't always available for a variety of reasons, etc. The DCA entrance and the closeness would have been a huge convenience could have we stayed there. The walk all the way back to the DLH was indeed inconvenient and tiring. FYI, I'm a thirty-something, healthy male. Granted, I had my 3 1/2 year old who needed naps midday, etc. The back and forth walks were tiring and time consuming.

Really just depends on your personal preference and needs.

It is a matter of personal preference but it is also perception. In other words, sometimes if you keep telling someone that something is really daunting, they will buy into it and not make what could be a better decision for themselves based on it. I just don't want the OP thinking that the PPH is way out in the hinterlands because it simply is not.

Many of us have stayed at all 3 hotels, and that is how I know personally what the walks are like and can address the comparison of distances - as do Amy&Dan, etc. We got much more accomplished when staying at GCH in 2007 because mainly my friend was more willing to rest at the GCH and then go back to the parks for a second wind. At the PPH (only in the beginning) she was too daunted by what she perceived to be an incredibly long walk to go back to the parks. However, the more we stayed at PPH (due to lack of money to stay at GCH), she was fine with it and realized it is not bad. Once you get used to it the first time you stay at PPH, you realize it is not bad. And the PPH really comes in handy when money is an issue but you want a taste of DLR magic, along with the perks you get from staying onsite. And as Amy&Dan and I pointed out above, if you get a room at the GCH that is down all the endless halls, that negates any convenience gained by the 'close proximity' to the parks.

Amy&Dan · May 29, 2009

Okay, I too have stayed at all three hotels. As I said earlier, that walk was fine for my mom who had cancer. It was fine for my stepdad who was 80. It was fine for my nieces who were just shy of 4. I know some people will disagree with me on this, and I understand that. I am just saying for us its not been a problem or made me think I wish I had stayed at GCH for the location alone.

We can talk distances and stamina until the end of time. I think Sherry made a very valid point about perceptions however, and I know I have my own when I stay not only at DL but WDW as well. I'll pay for preferred at a WDW value and feel like I save a lot of steps and then I'll look over and see a non preferred building and realize I paid for very little in the way of steps saved. And I have to say, I feel the same way about the GCH. If my main critieria for staying there was the distance factor, I would feel less than happy since from my standpoint, again based on 10+ onsite DLR stays is that it is not that much closer when you average everything in. This is all not to say I don't think GCH is wonderful, heck the balcony alone is priceless. But for distance, I guess I feel how I feel based on my own experiences.

It is aslo definitely a matter of where in the hotels your room is located, DLH and GCH in particular. From my room in the Dreams Tower, I was right near the elevator. One day for grins and giggles since this little issue comes up quite often around here, I timed myself as I left the room. From that room, to the entrance on DTD (right where Club Libby Lu was) it took me four minutes to get there. That was where I entered the GCH eacn and every day coming back from DL when I stayed there. Once in that entrance, it took me probably four minutes give or take to get up to my room at the GCH. So to me that was pretty equal as far as how long it took me to get to and from DL to my rooms, not just the lobby or grounds area. Even from the Bonita (what is that called now, I can't even remember) I would have had to tack a minute or two to my walk.

In the end the original question of "How Disney is the GCH" has been answered! I think all 3 hotels are great, each for unique reasons. They all three have perks which is why I enjoy them all and will gladly stay at all three of them again. I guess my main point was that for me, the draw of the GCH is not the location, based on my experience is all.

Sherry E · May 29, 2009

Yep!^^

Amy&Dan, you are rght. You can't go wrong with any of the 3 hotels, and they all have perks. Given the right money situation and occasion, it is nice to be able to do the GCH once in a while, and then do the other two hotels here and there just to get the full spectrum. But you really can't make a bad choice with any of them.

Hester · May 29, 2009

Sherry E said:
It is a matter of personal preference but it is also perception. In other words, sometimes if you keep telling someone that something is really daunting, they will buy into it and not make what could be a better decision for themselves based on it. ...

I know that perception is reality for many folks (especially these days). I'm not necessarily interested in debating opinion, rather, I'm simply offering a differing viewpoint. The distance of the walk is either something to consider, or not something to consider.

For me, it is a consideration and I think it's fair for someone asking the question to get opposing opinions. :confused3

Whether the walk is "daunting" (words I haven't used) or whether it's not, is certainly a subjective matter and worthy of discussion here.

Regardless, the facts aren't debatable and should be stated and considered as part of making an educated opinion or choice. The GCH is closer than DLH or PP. As such, the walk is longer by fact. The GCH is indeed also more expensive. The GCH has it's own private entrance for DCA.

Take it for what you will. I was simply responding to the original question with my opinion.

Hester · May 29, 2009

Sherry E said:
Yep!^^ Amy&Dan, you are rght. You can't go wrong with any of the 3 hotels, and they all have perks. Given the right money situation and occasion, it is nice to be able to do the GCH once in a while, and then do the other two hotels here and there just to get the full spectrum. But you really can't make a bad choice with any of them.

Agreed here. You can't go wrong with a trip to Disney period. The GCH is luxurious, and when you can afford it, it's great. But the others are still Disney hotels and have their own 'thang'.

It's definitely nice to get your own feel for which hotel you like best given all the factors.

I think that the GCH is very "Disney" simply with it's attention to design detail and immersion. PP probably lacks the most "charm" (imho). Definitely walk through the GCH & DLH to check them out, regardless of where you stay!

Sherry E · May 29, 2009

Hester said:
Agreed here. You can't go wrong with a trip to Disney period. The GCH is luxurious, and when you can afford it, it's great. But the others are still Disney hotels and have their own 'thang'.

It's definitely nice to get your own feel for which hotel you like best given all the factors.

I think that the GCH is very "Disney" simply with it's attention to design detail and immersion. PP probably lacks the most "charm" (imho). Definitely walk through the GCH & DLH to check them out, regardless of where you stay!

Oh, yes, definitely stroll around all of the hotels! The last few stays at the PPH we had, we spent a large chunk of time just sitting in the GCH lobby (and not in the PPH lobby at all)!! We just found comfy chairs or sofas to plunk down in at GCH and stayed there for a long time, chatting and people watching. In December, it was especially nice sitting there by the enormous Christmas tree, because the PhotoPass people were there with Santa, and at night there was a guitar player by the fireplace strumming some holiday tunes, as well as the piano player entertaining guests with Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and the carolers came in to sing by the tree. I definitely think the GCH tends to lend itself really well to the holiday season and its decorations. It almost makes you feel as if all that is missing is snow on the ground outside (and I am surprised Disney hasn't made that happen yet). It is not ostentatious and gaudy by any means, but it really kind of reminds me of a nice elegant lodge somewhere in the mountains, with the whole sort of earthy/woodsy/rustic feeling. It somehow captures or embodies the holiday feeling in a different way than the other two hotels do. If I had the $$$, I would definitely be staying at GCH every holidaytime just for that overall seasonal immersion!

Buttercup26 · May 29, 2009

Mollies Mum -

If you can't get a theme park view room in your budget, request a room on the 3rd floor pool side. Rooms 315 & 317 are good ones.

We loved the rooms along there, you have a little patio area and can go straight from your patio to the pool. It's nice to be able to sit on your patio in the evening, I felt like the room was much larger with that patio.

You can also walk to end the the building on that level (outside) and see the fireworks pretty darn well.

My dd (16) & I really preferred PPH over DLH, it seems brighter, newer, cleaner. It doesn't have the grounds or as much disney "magic" but it felt very disney and I would choose it over the DLH again.

We did as many other posters suggested and walked thru the GCH almost everytime we went anywhere. A couple times we took the monorail or wanted to go to Rainforest or Compass Books so would go towards the DLH and thru DTD.

I had no issue with the walk at all. Having stayed at the HoJo on Harbor in the past I thought the walk from PPH was great!

Sherry E · May 29, 2009

DisneyFairytale said:
Disneyland during halloween is absolutely gorgeous. I have hundredsssss of photos from lasy year's halloween and the year prior.

I'll mark this page and post photos when I get home late tonight. YOU WILL LOVE THEM!

The park is still aimed for all age groups. Make sure you bring your kid's costumes as well as your own. Disney has special trick or treat give aways during that week of halloween and have a lot of free shows and candy give aways to anyone who is dressed up.

What a good choice. I'll post pictures later.

Off topic a bit, but don't forget to post your Halloweentime pictures, DisneyFairyTale! I, for one, love looking at pictures and I am sure Mollies Mum would love to see them too. We only stayed at the Trick or Treat party last year for maybe 2 hours tops (possibly less than that), so even though we got tons of candy, I know we missed out on some of the other character photo locations besides Woody and Jack Sparrow.

Hound 109 · May 29, 2009

The GCH has it's own private entrance for DCA

Not private exclusively to GCH guests.

The entrance to DCA located in the GCH (between Napa Rose & Whitewater Snacks) is available to all DLR hotel guests (even for those schlepping over from the PP & the DLH

) ...even for entrance before DCA opening.

& available to all disney guests during regular park hours.

mollies_mum · May 30, 2009

Thankyou again to everyone for your opinions, I really do resepct them all, you are all obviously very experienced in Disneyland and it puts me to shame!

Thankyou Sherry for the FANTASTIC pictures :goodvibes

I am very happy with my choice of PP now, I've only ever stayed in a WDW value hotel and we loved it so as long as it's the same standards of cleanliness and brightness in the PP we will be over the moon with it :cheer2:

I promise to share the pics and do a trip report when we return, but you're going to have to wait until October 2010 :wizard:

Thanks again everyone :worship:

Amy&Dan · May 30, 2009

Mollie's Mum: The PPH is wonderful and while I love the WDW values (am staying at ASMU for a week very soon here), the PPH is above and beyond a value. The room is much larger, has a much nicer bathroom, a sofa bed, queen beds, interior hallways, oniste full serve restaurant, room service and probably some other things I forgot!

Now you won't have the icons, mulitple pools and grounds but having DTD, the other two hotels and the parks all within walking distance is so nice.

And the pool deck is a great place to watch the fireworks, they normally pipe the music in.

Also, the slide at the PPH is amazing, if you have ever seen the slide at the Boardwalk Resort in WDW, its pretty identical (without the creepy clown face).

I think you made a great choice. It sounds like you are coming a very long way for this trip to DL and I think your resort will just ice the cake so to speak!

Be sure to do the Lilo and Stitch breakfast, its right there at the hotel and one of our favorites.

Oh, and there used to be two levels of theme park views, a lower one and an upper one. I think we paid for the lower one and then got a suprise upgrade to the upper one. It was amazing. I also enjoyed our pool view too.

Have fun and enjoy your planning!

mollies_mum · May 31, 2009

Amy&Dan said:
Mollie's Mum: The PPH is wonderful and while I love the WDW values (am staying at ASMU for a week very soon here), the PPH is above and beyond a value. The room is much larger, has a much nicer bathroom, a sofa bed, queen beds, interior hallways, oniste full serve restaurant, room service and probably some other things I forgot!

Now you won't have the icons, mulitple pools and grounds but having DTD, the other two hotels and the parks all within walking distance is so nice.

And the pool deck is a great place to watch the fireworks, they normally pipe the music in.

Also, the slide at the PPH is amazing, if you have ever seen the slide at the Boardwalk Resort in WDW, its pretty identical (without the creepy clown face).

I think you made a great choice. It sounds like you are coming a very long way for this trip to DL and I think your resort will just ice the cake so to speak!

Be sure to do the Lilo and Stitch breakfast, its right there at the hotel and one of our favorites.

Oh, and there used to be two levels of theme park views, a lower one and an upper one. I think we paid for the lower one and then got a suprise upgrade to the upper one. It was amazing. I also enjoyed our pool view too.

Have fun and enjoy your planning!

Sherry E · May 31, 2009

mollies_mum said:
Thankyou again to everyone for your opinions, I really do resepct them all, you are all obviously very experienced in Disneyland and it puts me to shame!

Thankyou Sherry for the FANTASTIC pictures

I am very happy with my choice of PP now, I've only ever stayed in a WDW value hotel and we loved it so as long as it's the same standards of cleanliness and brightness in the PP we will be over the moon with it

I promise to share the pics and do a trip report when we return, but you're going to have to wait until October 2010

Thanks again everyone

You're welcome and thanks for looking at and enjoying the photos! :goodvibes

As you see, I took lots of pictures in and around the PPH room, but I know there are other folks out there who have more photos around the hotel itself, like of the Surfer Goofy statue in the lobby and so on. I am trying to remember whose Trip Report it was that had more external PPH pictures. Maybe it was Jennifer03's TR? I can't recall off hand.

Too bad your trip is so far away! Now I am eager for you to get to DLR!! :yay:

I hope that DLR does more things for the Halloween season as the time progresses. They have just started to make a bigger deal of it in the last few years, and the decorations and giant Mickey pumpkin and giant Candy Corn are really cool, but the whole seasonal feeling at DLR is not as all-encompassing and immersive as the Christmas season at DLR is - where every inch of the entire resort (parks, restaurants, shops, hotels, DTD and all) is just oozing with holiday magic. They have not quite been able to pull that off with the Halloweentime season yet, but they are adding more and more things as time passes, so hopefully by the time you get out here there will be double the Halloweentime decorations!!

Boo Bear · May 31, 2009

I love the photos Sherry E, thanks for sharing! This was also beneficial for me to read because I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the different hotels. Everybody have a wonderful day! :flower3:

Sherry E · May 31, 2009

Boo Bear said:
I love the photos Sherry E, thanks for sharing! This was also beneficial for me to read because I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the different hotels. Everybody have a wonderful day!

Oh, thank you so much, and you're welcome - all rolled into one!! :goodvibes

How 'Disney' is the Grand Californian?

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