Is Grand Californian Worth it?

[TheLittles]

If you had the money to, would you suggest staying at Grand Californian or is there not that big of a difference in the 3 DL resorts? I have never been to DL so I have no idea what I am dealing with and the GC looks super nice but it is a little pricey. I guess I am trying to see if it is worth it.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I only have experience at GC so I can comment on that one, though we've briefly visited DH. We like GC because of its entrance to DCA right across from Grizzly Rapids, and love the darker colors & subtle Disney touches throughout as our family is older in age. On the downside the rooms do seem a bit small. If more distinct "Disney" theming is important to you check into the DH. If pools are important the pools in GC have less theming than at DH, check the photos online to get a feel for each of them. Never seen PP so can't help there. Whether it's worth the extra money depends on what you are looking for in your hotel- like theming, location, room size. Good luck!

 

[elaw]

If you had the money to, would you suggest staying at Grand Californian or is there not that big of a difference in the 3 DL resorts? I have never been to DL so I have no idea what I am dealing with and the GC looks super nice but it is a little pricey. I guess I am trying to see if it is worth it.

If you had the money to, would you suggest staying at Grand Californian Yep

is there not that big of a difference in the 3 DL resorts? There is a Big Difference IMO. DLH is classic Disney theming whereas GCH is themed to the early 20th Century Arts and Crafts era. PP is nice but was not originally a Disney designed or owned hotel so it's not your typical disney property.

 

[alvernon90]

YMMV, but I think the Grand Californian is absolutely not worth the money.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I love the Grand and would pick it every time if possible. We've stayed at both of the other two onsite hotels and I prefer PP to the DLH. I saw on your other post that you are considering Thanksgiving week, so even if you don't stay there, make sure to walk through the lobby!

 

[gunka]

Yes.

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

We love the GC. It's not heavily themed, and I'm told the rooms are smaller than DLH, but they are very comfortable. We've always gotten spectacular service, and never felt like just part of the crowd, even when it's very busy. It's also VERY convenient to the parks (though how convenient depends on your room location) and makes it very easy to take breaks mid-day.

All that said, we usually go when we can get discounted rates. I think I'd seriously consider my other options if it came to paying rack.

 

[kellygirlmay12]

Thanks for posting this question... I have been wondering the same thing.

We went with our son (two years old) for the first time this last spring and stayed off property, and it was just too far with trying to fit in a nap.

For our next trip, we are trying to decide between GC and DLH, and a few people have told me that with young children, DLH is fun because it is more themed. We probably wouldn't have a lot of time to spend in the pool, so we wouldn't be able to make good use of that at GC.

Hopefully we get a few more responses on here

 

[Drusilla99]

I've stayed at GC 3 times and that will probably be it. I much prefer dh. Unless you get a room over looking Anaheim, which isn't that attractive, you have A LOT of noise from dtd until 1or 2 in the morning. Yes, there's the dca entrance, but the monorail entrance is super close to dh with out the noise & super cute rooms! Plus, steakhouse 55 on site, my personal favorite restaurant in all resort.

 

[whoever]

Its totally worth it (to us). This meme pretty much sums up our family:

 

[rentayenta]

The GCH is amazing! The pool and lounge and lobby and service. The proximity to the parks cannot be beat. We stay in the villas so I can't comment on the rooms as it's been a while since we've stayed in one.

The Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier are also cool properties but the Grand is our favorite.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

I need a price and a date before I can tell you whether it's worth it! We stayed a couple summers ago at $400. Worth it. But then we stayed at $225 last year and wished we had stayed at DLH, so not worth it, even though it cost only about half as much as our previous stay. At the $500+ it's running for summer, not worth it IMO.

 

[TNS_Tinkerbell]

I stayed at the grand in 2010. It was on special for $299/ night in late August.

It was a nice room, that was on the corner and over looked the inner courtyard and the world of disney store.
It was smaller than I would have liked, and it was a King bed, so I can only image what the spacing would have been with two queens.
Not too disney theme, subtle touches.

It was nice to walk from grizzled run, soaking wet and change in be back in the park for WOC in under 20.

However, for less money Paradise Pier is across the street from the grand and is maybe another 10-15 minute walk. Still closer than the DH hotel, which looks nice after Reno but is further than most non disney motels on Katella, or even the Hilton at the convention center.

If money isn't am option, and you want to be the closest to the park, DTD and the ombiunce, then go for it.
If your on a budget try the Hilton it's way bigger space, nicer pool area IMO and less than half the current going cost for the grand.

 

[goooof1]

YES, it's "worth it". Rooms are not huge but we had 4 larger adults in one room with NO issues....can't beat the proximity.
DLH is nice, too....closer than convention center or Katella Ave. hotels and motels with a much more scenic walk (DTD). very short walk to the monorail station as well.

 

[5forMickey]

...closer than convention center or Katella Ave. hotels and motels with a much more scenic walk

Thanks for that, I was thinking the hilton was further away also. I know there are a lot of debates about which hotel is closer to the gate based on which room you get and which walk you take, but they all sure FEEL further away to me. I'm sure it has to do with the Disney bubble.

 

[tstidm1]

If you can afford the Grand Californian (such as a Military discount) without hurting other special things, I would say stay there. If I had to choose special things like a Character meal or the Grand Californian, I would stay somewhere off site that's just as close such as the Anabella hotel or Candy Cane Inn. I really enjoyed the Grand Californian when I stayed there last week, but I don't think it's the best Value place to stay at in the DL area.

 

[GatorChris]

If I could afford to stay 6 nights (the length of my next trip) at GC.... I would stay at WDW instead. I've never ever seen it less than $400/night. There might be some discount somewhere, but I've never seen it lower outside of Dapper Days. For $2400, I can fly the family out to FL and have enough left over for at least 3 nights at a moderate resort. And the moderates at WDW are pretty awesome, IMHO.

So my answer is, no. If I had the money, I still wouldn't stay at the GC.

 

[TheLittles]

If I could afford to stay 6 nights (the length of my next trip) at GC.... I would stay at WDW instead. I've never ever seen it less than $400/night. There might be some discount somewhere, but I've never seen it lower outside of Dapper Days. For $2400, I can fly the family out to FL and have enough left over for at least 3 nights at a moderate resort. And the moderates at WDW are pretty awesome, IMHO. So my answer is, no. If I had the money, I still wouldn't stay at the GC.

.

This is my vey first time ever going to DL. I have been to WDW 13 times and am going again in Sep for seven days. So I was thinking I wanted to see DL since I haven't ever and to change things up. If anyone has been to both, how does GC compare to WDW Deluxe hotels?

 

[GeneralTso]

You're going to get responses from across the spectrum.
Some think it's silly to spend that much on a hotel room when you can stay at HoJo for a fraction of the price.

Others think it's well worth it because of the location, theming, etc.

I think Disneyland Hotel is more FUN. If you have kids, I'd go with that for an on property experience.

GC is similar to Animal Kingdom Lodge in WDW. Very grand, beautiful, relaxing.

 

[BadBoyBill]

I absolutely love the G.C. But the D.L.H. has more Disney theming so you can't go wrong either way. I think the G.C. Has a more upscale feel to it and it is certainly convienant. The prices can widely fluctuate and I never book G. C. Unless I get a really good rate and it's not more than say $50 over D.L.H. I agree that it is not as important to stay at a Disney hotel in CA. There are plenty of cheaper hotels that are just as nice and just as close. Still there is a more immersed feel staying on property.