Just back from the Grand Californian in DL

[RLevy29]

We spent 4 nights at the GC. We paid for 2 nights and used points for 2 nights. The hotel is beautiful and very convenient.
You have your own entrance to CA and it is a 5 minute walk to Disneyland. The theming is similar to WL with lots of little nooks to hang out and relax. The room we stayed in was beautiful with little touches of luxury such as soft robes and herb shampoo and conditioner, oatmeal soap and almond lotion. (not MM soap and shampoo.)
We checked out the DH and PP and we were glad that we spent the extra points to stay in the GC. We are so glad that we have this option of using our points this way because without them, we would probably never have tried this beautiful hotel.
If you have any questions, I will be glad to answer them. Right now jet lag and the change to Daylight Savings Time is catching up to me.

 

[Bennet]

Sounds cool. Thanks for the update.

 

[dan and scott]

We agree the Grand Cal was worth every point we spent on our January visit.
Very easy access to Downtown(at your back door),DCA, and Disneyland.
Would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

Scott

 

[CarolAnnC]

I stayed there last January and I have another trip booked for May using both points and cash. I agree, it is a beautiful resort and you cannot beat the convenient location! Looking forward to it...

 

[Terry S]

Which of the 3 resorts would be best for small childern (ages 5 and 6, probably a year older by the time we get there). I like the idea of the luxury at the GC, but heard that the DH has more for kids. Please give me your opinion. Thank in advance.

 

[ceejay13]

We, too, love the GC and will return next month for our 3rd visit. Last year we had a perfect view of Grizzly River Rapids. Nothing better than feeling you are in the middle of the magic. As far as which hotel for young children, you might check the DL board. It is just my DH and I. There have been several posts that have discussed this very point.

 

[Wislodgers]

We have stayed at both the GC and the DLH. Overall I did love the GC, but for kids I would lean more towards the DLH.

We were at the GC with our 3 kids in March. A few disapointments, slide closed at 5:00 (before the parks), the food court closed at 8:00(Disneyland closed @ 8:00). Coming back from the parks to have those closed was not real fun! I did send a letter inquiring why, and was sent a "form" letter, that everything has to close at some time. Oh, well.... We were surprised because we had just been to VWL end of January and amenities at the resort were open much later!

As for the hotels, I don't think you could go wrong with either of them!

 

[Minybear]

We stayed at the GC this last September. I loved that hotel and we loved the Storytellers Cafe. I cannot wait to use our pts to stay there again. The GC is so convenient to the parks and Downtown Disney.

 

[RLevy29]

To TerryS
I would say that the DH is the best for small children. They have a great pool area.
Happy Planning!

 

[sueg]

Last Aug., we used pts. to stay at GC for three nights & felt our pts. were very well spent. We loved our room at GC, even if it wasn't a 2BD unit. (LOL) We used our HH pts., which we usually used for an Aug./summer HH vacation. The only "downside" to this use of pts. is the rules about cancellations. We are not big "cancellers", but occassionally, we tweak our ressies to meet other demands, such as airfares. The Calif. trip was a heavily planned trip for us & I was a little nervous knowing that if I needed to adjust our pts. usage for GC, they would end up in a holding acct., which would limit their useability. Luckily, everything went as planned.