Is the GCH worth the money?

[Mouse13]

To me it isn't worth it. We have the money but choose to stay longer or have another trip during the year and stay at HOJO. Or somewhere comparable.

We haven't ever stayed on site because we feel the same way. We would rather take two trips to DLR or somewhere else with the $ we save. Plus, I get a kick out of finding the best deals. I'm obsessed with finding the best deals on hotel rooms and rental cars.

 

[nunzia]

If you have that kind of money, it is TOTALLY worth it, especially if you can stay on the Concierge level. You get exclusive first rides on TSMM, it is so convenient for entry into the park. I'm staying in the Villas next month and am so crossing my fingers for a park view room.

I agree with the person who said, you only live once!

You do ? I stayed Concierge and didn't hear anything about it..of course you could do the early line up.march/hustle to TSM...
I've been noticing the prices at GC falling, probably since they opened the new wing it isn't selling out so fast. When I went in May of 08 we paid about 350 per night. There have been reports lately of about 250. Still not cheap, no, but we found it worth it. We live very frugally and our Disney trips are our one big splurge. That said, we've stayed off site many times and had great times also. Some people aren't all that impressed with the Grand for a vairety of reasons, while some lovelovelove it (I fall in the later camp). I say you should try it once if you can and then you can decide if it's worth it to you.

 

[HydroGuy]

You do ? I stayed Concierge and didn't hear anything about it..of course you could do the early line up.march/hustle to TSM...
I've been noticing the prices at GC falling, probably since they opened the new wing it isn't selling out so fast. When I went in May of 08 we paid about 350 per night. There have been reports lately of about 250. Still not cheap, no, but we found it worth it. We live very frugally and our Disney trips are our one big splurge. That said, we've stayed off site many times and had great times also. Some people aren't all that impressed with the Grand for a vairety of reasons, while some lovelovelove it (I fall in the later camp). I say you should try it once if you can and then you can decide if it's worth it to you.

There are rumors of this but it sounds like it is not a for sure thing. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. I would be interested though in finding out how often this happens and whether it is worth trying to get over there for that. BTW, we got the rate this summer for closer to $260 a night and decided to upgrade to park view.

 

[franandaj]

You do ? I stayed Concierge and didn't hear anything about it..of course you could do the early line up.march/hustle to TSM...
I've been noticing the prices at GC falling, probably since they opened the new wing it isn't selling out so fast. When I went in May of 08 we paid about 350 per night. There have been reports lately of about 250. Still not cheap, no, but we found it worth it. We live very frugally and our Disney trips are our one big splurge. That said, we've stayed off site many times and had great times also. Some people aren't all that impressed with the Grand for a vairety of reasons, while some lovelovelove it (I fall in the later camp). I say you should try it once if you can and then you can decide if it's worth it to you.

In rereading my post I realize how it sounded misleading. I modified it to be more clear.

 

[carolinamama]

First of all, let me say I've never been there, but am in the planning process myself.

DH just said this afternoon that he's convinced that we should stay at GCH. I am a Disney nut, and when we started planning this SoCal trip, we initially thought we would stay some place on Harbor like Embassy Suites b/c we like r-o-o-m, and we're going to be in SoCal for a week.

We had it narrowed down to Embassy Suites South, Hampton Inn & Suites and Doubletree Suites (see the theme?), then Disney announced their 5 for 3 deal. We priced out Disneyland Hotel, and it was just a bit more than these hotels for the same time period, but after a lot of research, we decided we didn't want to stay at DLH this go round. We weren't interested in PPH at all. That left GCH. The package for 5 nights at the end of June/start of July for our family in a standard view room at GCH + tickets is going to be a grand total of just over $2200, which is about $600 more than Embassy Suites.

Hmmm.......

This wasn't as bad as the difference before the deal was announced, and we started asking ourselves questions. How much value and utility can we get out of an extra $600? If we book through Costco, we can also get a $20 gc and vouchers for a premium character meal. That is definitely of value and will save us money towards the price difference. The package also includes a 5 day PH for the price of a 3 day, so we get a few extra days if we wish! We like Disney quality and ambiance, and frankly, even at rack rates, GCH isn't as expensive as what we've payed for rooms at WDW over the past few years, it's just that we're doing more than Disneyland. We understand that Disney commands a premium price, and we're not getting a room comparable to the Ritz. We know that the kiddos will enjoy staying at GCH more than an Embassy Suites that's basically identical to the one they stayed at in Atlanta a few months back. We love the idea of being close to the action and not at the mercy of ART. This is our first DLR trip, and who knows when we can go again. Even though we'll not even be at the parks on two of the days, it's still fun to think about staying at GCH anyway. And most importantly, the $$ is in there. We're not going to not pay a bill, go in to debt or get in a world of hurt if we upgrade - still cheaper than the Disney cruise we considered!

Sorry this is long, but having had this same conversation over the past few days, I wanted to share our process!

 

[nunzia]

Great thoughts! And even if you aren't planning to hit the parks for 2 of the days ,when you get back from somewhere else you will have the option to pop in the park for Fantasmic or something, or go get a cookie and coffee...so nice to be able to just come and go without worrying about HAVING to stay all day.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

In rereading my post I realize how it sounded misleading. I modified it to be more clear.

I re-read your post and am wondering if you were in the same line that everyone could get in. Meaning, at 9:30 the main entrance to DCA is opened for people to ride Soarin'. There is the rope drop over by the street where Animation Academy is, the rope drop over on the side of GRR near Bugs Land and the rope drop over by GRR/Soarin'. Anyone can get to those areas at 9:30 and wait. The times we have been there, the line that has gathered by the rope drop by GRR/Soarin' - they have not led over to TSMM prior to 10:00, but I have heard others say that there have been times that they have led that line over to TSMM a few minutes prior to opening.

So after that long, confusing paragraph I just typed - I am just wondering if you were in the line with everyone else by GRR/Soarin' or actually in a line only for GC people?

 

[franandaj]

So after that long, confusing paragraph I just typed - I am just wondering if you were in the line with everyone else by GRR/Soarin' or actually in a line only for GC people?

That's a good question. We walked out the gates of the GCH and they immediately directed us into that line, so we thought it was something special for hotel guests. I didn't see anyone come from the Soarin' area to get in that line, only hotel guests, so I assumed that they held the guests who came in the main gate back farther soemwhere else.

As I said, I've never been there for the rope drop. We're very local and go often enough that we more go for lunch or dinner and get in one maybe two rides each time we go. With a disabled spouse who has a hard time getting in and out of the rides, we mainly go for the food and ambience. We made a point to ride TSMM last year since we had never been on it and knew we didn't want to wait in the long lines after the park opened.

Perhaps I was completely mistaken! And here I thought we had something special!

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

You do ? I stayed Concierge and didn't hear anything about it..of course you could do the early line up.march/hustle to TSM...
I've been noticing the prices at GC falling, probably since they opened the new wing it isn't selling out so fast. When I went in May of 08 we paid about 350 per night. There have been reports lately of about 250. Still not cheap, no, but we found it worth it. We live very frugally and our Disney trips are our one big splurge. That said, we've stayed off site many times and had great times also. Some people aren't all that impressed with the Grand for a vairety of reasons, while some lovelovelove it (I fall in the later camp). I say you should try it once if you can and then you can decide if it's worth it to you.

One more opinion here. We've been to DL yearly since 2000 when we felt our kids were old enough. Our first few trips we stayed across from the main gate at a Good Neighbor hotel and loved everything about the trips. Fast forward a couple of years and we could afford the splurge to the Grand. We immediately felt it was worth it! The ambiance of the hotel, the lovely rooms and views (we've now stayed in every category- parking lot view, garden view, park view, pool view, DTD view). Concierge level is incredible, but other than the food and the fireworks/storytelling shows, I think most of the perks are the same no matter what category of room you have. The access to the park and the ease of getting everywhere quickly is lovely! We now own DVC and consider the Grand our home away from home! We will be staying in the new villas in a few weeks and I am curious to see how we like the views and the villas. These might be an option for a family of 5 depending on the cost difference between the 1br villa and a Grand suite. A couple other bonuses when staying there is that they do a fitness walk through the California Adventure Park for hotel guests before the park opens. It is a great workout and a fun experience every time you do it! You do a very brisk 3 mile walk through the park with no guests there! The Disney guide shares a lot of insider information. We have benefited from the early entry into the parks on many of our stays. For our family, the Grand is worth every penny! Have a great trip no matter where you stay!

 

[franandaj]

We now own DVC and consider the Grand our home away from home! We will be staying in the new villas in a few weeks and I am curious to see how we like the views and the villas. These might be an option for a family of 5 depending on the cost difference between the 1br villa and a Grand suite.

We also own DVC at the Grand and I think I've seen you on the VGC owners thread, I remember someone mentioning that they haven't seen the villas in CA available for cash rental. Perhaps since CA and FL have different laws all the villas are only for rental on points. I'm probably wrong, but I remember reading that somewhere.

I will be staying there at the villas for my first time on the opening weekend of F&W! I can't wait, but it will also be my first stay in a studio, I hope I haven't become too spoiled staying in the larger units in Florida!

 

[alagen]

Yes, I definitely think the GCH is worth the money! I just got back from a 3 day solo trip so staying at GCH helped me feel better about being alone since it was so close to the parks and felt very secure. I've stayed at the Grand Floridian at WDW (which I loved) and I found the GCH even better due to it being less than 10 minutes from the gates to the CA park for afternoon breaks at the pool and naps. Everything was so indulgent, from the rooms to the lobby and service, even the chairs by the GCH pools. They're more like chaises since all of them have thick cushions...I think I spent more than 2 hours there the day before I left. I still dream about those lounge chairs!

 

[AliceCullen]

Thanks for the advice everyone. We talked it over and decided to go for it. It's within our budget and as another poster said, you only live once!

 

[franandaj]

Thanks for the advice everyone. We talked it over and decided to go for it. It's within our budget and as another poster said, you only live once!

Post a trip report and tell us if you think it was worth it!

 

[nunzia]

We also own DVC at the Grand and I think I've seen you on the VGC owners thread, I remember someone mentioning that they haven't seen the villas in CA available for cash rental. Perhaps since CA and FL have different laws all the villas are only for rental on points. I'm probably wrong, but I remember reading that somewhere.

I will be staying there at the villas for my first time on the opening weekend of F&W! I can't wait, but it will also be my first stay in a studio, I hope I haven't become too spoiled staying in the larger units in Florida!

That may have been me..I was trying to price out what a 1 br would cost as a cash rate to justify to myself when I will 'pay off' my DVC..(the little tricks we play ) and I couldn't find that info anywhere. Anyway, I guess they are available for cash guests when available. It was posted that the 1 br were quoted at 1,010 a night, and that of course is before taxes and resort tax ..so my DVC will be 'paid off' pretty quick.
I'll also be there for Food & Wine and am looking very forward to my first stay at the villas and my first Food & Wine event.

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

We also own DVC at the Grand and I think I've seen you on the VGC owners thread, I remember someone mentioning that they haven't seen the villas in CA available for cash rental. Perhaps since CA and FL have different laws all the villas are only for rental on points. I'm probably wrong, but I remember reading that somewhere.

I will be staying there at the villas for my first time on the opening weekend of F&W! I can't wait, but it will also be my first stay in a studio, I hope I haven't become too spoiled staying in the larger units in Florida!

I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to post something that wasn't accurate. I am not a pro at DVC yet (unless you count using my points!). I just assumed (yes, I know what that implies!) that if they rent the villas in FL, they would rent them if they were not reserved in CA as well. Sorry!!