I got GCH this morning - deciding between that and the westin - help please

[DontSpamMe]

For only $150 night difference, I would go with GCH as well.

The Westin is nicer and generally a better hotel all around, but you can't beat the location of the GCH for convenience alone.

 

[crystal1313]

Oh boy….. that’s a bad stay. I stayed at a Ritz Carlton once and when we went to the room someone was inside taking a shower with clothes and suitcases everywhere. So disconcerting.

We’re going to give it a shot and manifest the perfect stay.

You guys will have a great stay!! I’m putting it out there in the universe. Go, have fun, relax!!

And wow, shocking at the Ritz Carlton!!! I guess that can happen anywhere!!! Scary. That’s why we always lock the extra top lock. Lol.

 

[DonnerB]

I got upgraded to a park view at the Westin in July, but I was on the second floor so it was partial at best. The traffic noise was also pretty noticeable. I'm sure the upper floor views are amazing (hopefully they save those for the ones actually paying for the view, otherwise I would have been super disappointed)! I'd take the convenience of the Grand over a view from the Westin for a "minimal" cost difference.

 

[tink89]

We just stayed at the Westin last weekend for Oogie Boogie Bash, and it is a lovely hotel with many dining options. Due to our Bonvoy status, we were upgraded to a one bedroom park view suite with concierge lounge access. The room was much nicer than most of the DLH or GCH one bedroom suites - modern, well designed (bright, airy, HUGE bathroom, 2 large closets in the bedroom) and the extra half bath was clutch with our tween and teen. We tried out the JW a few months ago, and I much preferred the Westin.

BUT…that 15-20 min walk twice a day wasn’t great. We had a large, mixed-age group and actually ended up Ubering a few times to save people’s feet. So, I’ll agree with the above poster: if the $150/nt is something you can deal with, the proximity of the GCH can’t be beat. If you would prefer to save some money and don’t mind the walk, the Westin really is wonderful.

When we stayed there in Aug we were also upgraded but only to a partial theme park view, which DD loved. We are Bonvoy members but had almost no status at that time. I think we just got upgraded because we arrived late and they didn't have the room we booked ready. We had stayed at the Westin a few months before and our standard room view was sad lol

 

[sophy1996]

I love the Westin, but since we get up early, the early entry benefit (combined with proximity to the parks) might move me to the Grand for a short trip. But $150 a night isn’t insignificant.

Oh boy….. that’s a bad stay. I stayed at a Ritz Carlton once and when we went to the room someone was inside taking a shower with clothes and suitcases everywhere. So disconcerting.

We’re going to give it a shot and manifest the perfect stay.

You guys will have a great stay!! I’m putting it out there in the universe. Go, have fun, relax!!

And wow, shocking at the Ritz Carlton!!! I guess that can happen anywhere!!! Scary. That’s why we always lock the extra top lock. Lol.

Same thing happened to us, also at a Ritz Carlton! We walked into our newly assigned room to find stuff in the room and someone in the shower! We were told he checked out but then went back to the room (which really shouldn’t be possible, but whatever).

 

[DisneylandFan22]

Since you describe the extra cost as not much difference I would pick the GCH. We stayed for the first time at the beginning of October and it was one of the best parts of our trip. Staff were excellent. You can’t beat the location. It definitely spoiled us.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

I love the Westin, but since we get up early, the early entry benefit (combined with proximity to the parks) might move me to the Grand for a short trip. But $150 a night isn’t insignificant.





Same thing happened to us, also at a Ritz Carlton! We walked into our newly assigned room to find stuff in the room and someone in the shower! We were told he checked out but then went back to the room (which really shouldn’t be possible, but whatever).

Wow, we also have had this experience at a Ritz Carlton - twice in the same stay. Suitcase on the bed with clothes laying out next to it and the person was in the shower. It was 6pm so I highly doubt someone checked out and came back in this scenario. Seemed like someone had just walked in, laid out their clothes, and went to take a shower. Went back, got a new room, and as we tried to open the door another couple walked out. They were SUPER pissed and walked to the front desk with us. The person at the front desk tried to say we went to the wrong room, but the number on our envelope was the same as their room number. We ended up staying that night for free. But it was SUCH a hassle walking back and forth to the room and we ended up being late for our dinner reservation.

 

[starlite_]

Wow, we also have had this experience at a Ritz Carlton - twice in the same stay. Suitcase on the bed with clothes laying out next to it and the person was in the shower. It was 6pm so I highly doubt someone checked out and came back in this scenario. Seemed like someone had just walked in, laid out their clothes, and went to take a shower. Went back, got a new room, and as we tried to open the door another couple walked out. They were SUPER pissed and walked to the front desk with us. The person at the front desk tried to say we went to the wrong room, but the number on our envelope was the same as their room number. We ended up staying that night for free. But it was SUCH a hassle walking back and forth to the room and we ended up being late for our dinner reservation.

I would be so pissed. Goes to show that expensive doesn't necessarily mean better service.

 

[Jojo Cat Lady]

We had always stayed at GCH until one year we waited too long to make a reservation and they were booked. The travel agent assured us Disneyland Hotel was just as nice so we booked there. Never again. Yes. it was nice. But after a long day at the parks it seemed like it was 10 miles further. I can't imagine staying off-site which really is a long ways. And we love the convenience of going back to the room and having direct access to California Adventure. And the early entrance gives you a head start on the rides.

 

[mouschievous]

For me it would depend on a lot of things.

An extra $150 isn't much, but things that by 4 nights and is $600. That's not insignificant, but in some cases I might be willing. For example, if it's long park hour days (summer and holidays), I'd do a midday break. I tend to get cranky midday, especially if it's hot and crowded, so that break is essential if we want to rope drop and also close down the park at midnight. In that case I'd spend the extra because it's an easy walk and I don't want to walk an extra 3-4 miles a day.

But if it's a shorter park hours day, like closing at 8, then I wouldn't do a midday break and would likely save the $600.

 

[gelatoni fan]

If not for early entry, I would pick the Westin even if it were a little bit more expensive than the Grand Californian.
With early entry, I still wouldn't pay an extra $150 to stay at the Grand Californian but I can completely understand why some people would.
But I know a lot of people get more bothered by the walk than I do.

Pros of the Grand Californian: proximity to the parks, early entry, pool, and for some people FOMO or bucket list
Pros of the Westin: room quality, food quality, gym, price

 

[ColoradoLime]

We stayed at The Westin two weeks ago and won't stay anywhere else now. I had two requirements for a hotel out there, one that it was quiet (I'm a light sleeper and easily annoyed) and two that the beds were comfortable. Westin is famous for it's bedding so that was a no brainer. Our room was seriously sound proof. In the hallway we could hear the neighbor's music but inside DEAD quiet. It was the best. No outside noise whatsoever.

We spent a day at the pool and were the only ones there. It's hidden among the trees so you feel secluded in there and we didn't hear the traffic although I knew we were close to the road.

We knew ahead of time that it would be a long walk back and forth but looked up Lyft & Uber rates and ended up taking those the whole trip. Each trip was an avg $8 incl tip. And we felt special being dropped off and picked up each night even if it was in a minivan. lol

 

[goooof1]

You are going there for Disney, right ? Cannot beat the atmosphere, proximity, etc. of the Grand. Even at the times the lobby is busy, it still has so much great ambiance. AND the parks are right there !
GCH all the way !!

 

[Iceman93]

I wonder how many of the people raving about the Grand, saying it's "only" $150 more per night, etc. have stayed there since COVID. Yes, it is still in the same convenient location has the same beautiful design and decor, and allows access to the parks 30 minutes early in the mornings. But it has lost as much of the magic as the parks in terms of nickel-and-diming and cutbacks, has more grumpy/indifferent CMs than ever before, is actually difficult to get food & beverage, and is simply not comparable to other hotels anywhere at its price point. I used to be a big proponent of the Grand, but my family won't be staying there again until things change, and unless the benefits I described far outweigh any other factors, can't recommend others stay there either. Sadly we had the same experience at our one post-COVID DLH stay, and I can't bring myself to stay at the PPH until the renovations are complete and they at the very least offer on-site dining again. Meanwhile, the area in the immediate vicinity of Disneyland has added upscale options like the Westin and JW Marriott that deliver a full guest experience at a more reasonable price.

 

[Aurora0427]

I wonder how many of the people raving about the Grand, saying it's "only" $150 more per night, etc. have stayed there since COVID. Yes, it is still in the same convenient location has the same beautiful design and decor, and allows access to the parks 30 minutes early in the mornings. But it has lost as much of the magic as the parks in terms of nickel-and-diming and cutbacks, has more grumpy/indifferent CMs than ever before, is actually difficult to get food & beverage, and is simply not comparable to other hotels anywhere at its price point. I used to be a big proponent of the Grand, but my family won't be staying there again until things change, and unless the benefits I described far outweigh any other factors, can't recommend others stay there either. Sadly we had the same experience at our one post-COVID DLH stay, and I can't bring myself to stay at the PPH until the renovations are complete and they at the very least offer on-site dining again. Meanwhile, the area in the immediate vicinity of Disneyland has added upscale options like the Westin and JW Marriott that deliver a full guest experience at a more reasonable price.

I looked this weekend since Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island sent out it’s holiday information…. We can stay there on a Saturday night during December for $300 less than what the Grand Californian is charging on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in November. I mean, that’s crazy.

 

[crystal1313]

I wonder how many of the people raving about the Grand, saying it's "only" $150 more per night, etc. have stayed there since COVID. Yes, it is still in the same convenient location has the same beautiful design and decor, and allows access to the parks 30 minutes early in the mornings. But it has lost as much of the magic as the parks in terms of nickel-and-diming and cutbacks, has more grumpy/indifferent CMs than ever before, is actually difficult to get food & beverage, and is simply not comparable to other hotels anywhere at its price point. I used to be a big proponent of the Grand, but my family won't be staying there again until things change, and unless the benefits I described far outweigh any other factors, can't recommend others stay there either. Sadly we had the same experience at our one post-COVID DLH stay, and I can't bring myself to stay at the PPH until the renovations are complete and they at the very least offer on-site dining again. Meanwhile, the area in the immediate vicinity of Disneyland has added upscale options like the Westin and JW Marriott that deliver a full guest experience at a more reasonable price.

agree sadly. Very good points.

 

[DizMe]

I wonder how many of the people raving about the Grand, saying it's "only" $150 more per night, etc. have stayed there since COVID. Yes, it is still in the same convenient location has the same beautiful design and decor, and allows access to the parks 30 minutes early in the mornings. But it has lost as much of the magic as the parks in terms of nickel-and-diming and cutbacks, has more grumpy/indifferent CMs than ever before, is actually difficult to get food & beverage, and is simply not comparable to other hotels anywhere at its price point. I used to be a big proponent of the Grand, but my family won't be staying there again until things change, and unless the benefits I described far outweigh any other factors, can't recommend others stay there either. Sadly we had the same experience at our one post-COVID DLH stay, and I can't bring myself to stay at the PPH until the renovations are complete and they at the very least offer on-site dining again. Meanwhile, the area in the immediate vicinity of Disneyland has added upscale options like the Westin and JW Marriott that deliver a full guest experience at a more reasonable price.

I have, twice. Both times it was not quite the same as pre-C (housekeeping wasn't daily, no chocolates in the room), but we had wonderful stays--fantastic CMs & great rooms. We go again in early Dec and I hope it is as good for us as it has been the last few times. I'll report back.

 

[crystal1313]

Because of all the great reviews of the Westin on this thread, we decided to try it out on our next stay in a couple weeks. Super excited to stay there!!

 

[starlite_]

"only" $150 more per night. I wish I had so much cash to throw at a hotel. I think I can stop wondering why so many folks here seem to complain so much about how expensive it is to go to DLR.

 

[DizMe]

"only" $150 more per night. I wish I had so much cash to throw at a hotel. I think I can stop wondering why so many folks here seem to complain so much about how expensive it is to go to DLR.

Yes, $150 per night is not a negligible amount for most people. There are plenty of things I could do with that much money! But to be fair, there is something of a return on that money spent at GCH. For one, early entry. I honestly don't know yet how much of a bonus that is but I'll find out soon. For another, walking that distance. To many people, the Westin walk is just too far when you factor in all of the additional walking you do in the parks. You could ride share, but that's an expense not figured into the Westin cost. Granted, $20/day to ride share isn't going to come close to balancing the cost, but it's also taking time.

There are also intangible benefits for many from being on Disney property, like the feeling of being "in the bubble," having park access directly from the hotel, being able to go back and forth easily, and so on.

So staying on site can provide something for that extra money and staying off property can come with hidden costs. It's not going to be equal by any means, but it's enough to make it worth the extra for a lot of people, but there are still many who either can't or won't pay it. I've been in both sets of shoes.