Just back from our first time at the Grand Californian

[AustinTink]

I think we are in big trouble... I never want to stay anywhere else!! We loved every minute in this hotel. Our room faced GRR (through the trees) and overlooked the DCA entrance. It could not have been more perfect. We were able to pop into the room throughout the day with zero hassle. It was literally two minutes from room to the park.

We took the advice here and did not use the hotel entrance to DCA during EMH. We went through DTD to the main gate and it still only took 5 minutes. On our EMH day, we skipped past Carsland to Toy Story in the hopes of riding it several times at 7am.

Toy Story was down when we got there. My guys rode Screamin instead and I milled about the entrance of Toy Story just in case it opened. I ended up talking to a manager-type in a tie and he said that they were running late because of grad night the night before. He said they just got a late start that morning because of it. I found that to be an interesting little tidbit of info. All the other CMs were giving the standard "technical difficulties" spiel.

Since the manager gave me the scoop that is was close to opening, I decided to wait right in front, it was about 7:20 by now. Funny enough, people just started randomly lining up behind me, so many that the CMs were forced to create a real line. LOL.

Long story short, my family was the first to ride TSM that morning at 7:30!! We were able to ride 5 times by just after park opening. Since it's a favorite of ours, that was quite the treat!

Just one great perk of staying onsite for the first time. We had never been in the park at 7am. We are WDW vets and well accustomed to EMH there, but never in Cali. And, being so darn close to the parks was just amazing!!!

The hotel is quite beautiful. Love the Arts and Crafts architecture, the pool was perfect for our midday breaks, the room was very clean and the food we sampled was delicious. We WILL be back!!

 

[love2go2disney2]

Glad you had a great experience!! We love the Grand, location can not be beat!!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

That sentiment is so true for so many of us -once you've stayed onsite (and especially the Grand for me) you never want to stay anywhere else! I warned a friend about this last Nov when she was staying at the DLH and she had to send me a text to let me know her family said they were never staying offsite again!

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

Grand Californian is the best isn't it? I stayed there for a 1 night and it was so beautiful and lovely. I really would like to stay there again but since I am close enough to Disneyland I don't really need to stay on property I'm so glad you enjoyed it though!

I love TSMM as well and when it was Early Morning for DCA I just went straight to TSMM and rode it for a good half of the hour... and then completed the hour by riding TOT multiple times.

I am so glad you had a good time at DL!

 

[nunzia]

I agree! I loved it so much I bought a bunch of DVC points there..now it's really 'home'

 

[whoever]

The Grand is the best, and it is the only place we stay as a family. I stayed offsite for my solo trip, and I was pretty sad on my walk through DTD that I couldn't just head to my room at the Grand.

 

[HydroGuy]

I too love GCH but there are so many schools of thought on this. The GCH is really expensive. If you can a deal that is great, but paying full price is a hit on the wallet for sure.

This next trip we decided to try the DLH for the first time. It is still pricey but not as much as GCH. I paid extra to get a room with a better view. But it is still a lot less than the GCH.

When I was younger and kids were younger and budget was tighter, there is just no way we could make the GCH work. Now I do when I can get a decent enough discount.

It is a great experience for those who can make it work with their budget. I remember one night seeing a late WOC show and when the show ended I was back at the GCH and in my bed in 5 minutes. Awesome.

 

[Califlove]

I love the Grand too. And I agree it is very pricey. We have tried DLH as well and loved it. This trip we rented DVC points for a studio. Hoping DH and two teenagers fit in it : )
Enjoy the DLH, it is a beautiful hotel as well.

 

[whoever]

When I've priced out trips, the difference between GCH and DLH was negligible. I'm talking $150 over a five night stay.

 

[AustinTink]

I too love GCH but there are so many schools of thought on this. The GCH is really expensive. If you can a deal that is great, but paying full price is a hit on the wallet for sure.

This next trip we decided to try the DLH for the first time. It is still pricey but not as much as GCH. I paid extra to get a room with a better view. But it is still a lot less than the GCH.

When I was younger and kids were younger and budget was tighter, there is just no way we could make the GCH work. Now I do when I can get a decent enough discount.

It is a great experience for those who can make it work with their budget. I remember one night seeing a late WOC show and when the show ended I was back at the GCH and in my bed in 5 minutes. Awesome.

I hear you. I know it's very expensive and not doable for many, including us. This was not only our first time at the Grand, but our first time on site. It was our 9th trip to DLR and our first time on property. Sorry if it came across as bragging, it was just super exciting for my family and quite the treat.

 

[Malcon10t]

When I've priced out trips, the difference between GCH and DLH was negligible. I'm talking $150 over a five night stay.

To be fair, you priced out a discounted rate with Dapper Days and the such. I just looked at the difference between a standard room at both hotels for an upcoming 4 night stay using AP rates. The GCH with tax included was $2152 and the DLH was $1857, which was about $73 per night difference.

Getting a discounted rate if you are with a convention is really great. Last time I stayed at GCH, I got it at $200 a night, but DLH was going to be $300, so opted to stay at the GCH. I've gotten DLH for $179 for a trade show I was with in March, where GCH was $429. To me, it really is a toss up.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I hear you. I know it's very expensive and not doable for many, including us. This was not only our first time at the Grand, but our first time on site. It was our 9th trip to DLR and our first time on property. Sorry if it came across as bragging, it was just super exciting for my family and quite the treat.

You didn't come across as braggy at all! You should be excited.

I know there are thousands of way to enjoy Disneyland and every family has what is right for them in a trip - I was just agreeing with you that once you've stayed onsite (especially the GCH) it's hard to go back to staying offsite. That isn't to say I wouldn't do it, but it would be hard

 

[HydroGuy]

I hear you. I know it's very expensive and not doable for many, including us. This was not only our first time at the Grand, but our first time on site. It was our 9th trip to DLR and our first time on property. Sorry if it came across as bragging, it was just super exciting for my family and quite the treat.

I did not take it that way. I was glad you had a great experience.

I just know there are some people on the forum who struggle even to make it into one of the good neighbor hotels and all the other costs. I know for me it was a challenge when my kids were in the 10 and under stage some 12 years ago.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Is it like the Grand Floridian, or is the Disneyland Hotel the more upscale?

 

[Angrose]

I did not take it that way. I was glad you had a great experience.

I just know there are some people on the forum who struggle even to make it into one of the good neighbor hotels and all the other costs. I know for me it was a challenge when my kids were in the 10 and under stage some 12 years ago.

I didn't think the OP was bragging either. I appreciate the comments about the Grand, especially since we are considering it for our November stay. I am in a unique situation in that my DS6, at this age, may not appreciate all that GCH or DLH has to offer, BUT we will be bringing my MIL for her very first, and possibly only, visit to DLR. She will be visiting from the UK, so I really want to spoil her. Maybe we'll break the bank this time and do budget the next few years, but like PP said, it may be hard for us to go back to budget places after having a taste of the good life

 

[AustinTink]

Thanks everyone. Glad my post was taken the way it was intended.

This trip was like a dream come true! A bucket list kind of stay. I will be more than fine going back to the CCI (which I love) but I will always remember our stay at the Grand Californian!!

 

[AustinTink]

Is it like the Grand Floridian, or is the Disneyland Hotel the more upscale?

It's on par with the upper level deluxe hotels at WDW. We have stayed at the Beach Club and Boardwalk for half the price we paid for the Grand Californian. They just seem to run more specials at WDW. And I would say they are all on the same level.

The location however is the absolute best part. You can't beat basically staying IN the park. It's amazing!!!

 

[whoever]

To be fair, you priced out a discounted rate with Dapper Days and the such. I just looked at the difference between a standard room at both hotels for an upcoming 4 night stay using AP rates. The GCH with tax included was $2152 and the DLH was $1857, which was about $73 per night difference.

Getting a discounted rate if you are with a convention is really great. Last time I stayed at GCH, I got it at $200 a night, but DLH was going to be $300, so opted to stay at the GCH. I've gotten DLH for $179 for a trade show I was with in March, where GCH was $429. To me, it really is a toss up.

Just now:

Disneyland Hotel
Arriving on 10/13/2014 for 6 nights; 2 Adults and 3 Children (ages 7, 5, 2)
$2,442.00 + Tax


Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Arriving on 10/13/2014 for 6 nights; 2 Adults and 3 Children (ages 7, 5, 2)
$2,632.00 + Tax


That's $190 over a SIX night stay.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Just now:

Disneyland Hotel
Arriving on 10/13/2014 for 6 nights; 2 Adults and 3 Children (ages 7, 5, 2)
$2,442.00 + Tax

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Arriving on 10/13/2014 for 6 nights; 2 Adults and 3 Children (ages 7, 5, 2)
$2,632.00 + Tax

That's $190 over a SIX night stay.

You aren't comparing the same type of room though. You have a DLH view room to a GCH standard room.

 

[whoever]

You aren't comparing the same type of room though. You have a DLH view room to a GCH standard room.

There is no lower level room available at the DLH. I've only ever booked standard at the grand.