Making my DL Dream a reality

[Geemo]

I've only been in WL once to eat at Whispering Canyon so I've only seen that area, lobby, & gift shop. The 'vibe' to me at WL is more 'Old Faithful Inn' aka the 'Parkitecture' style of the National Park 'great lodges'. The 'vibe' at DGC is more '1920s Art Deco/Stickley Mission-ish/Craftsman' style. Both are 'rustic' but with a very different feel to them. I wouldn't feel like I'm in 'familiar territory' at WL just because I normally stay at the Grand. I think you'll find DGC to be different enough.

My nDH is not a Disney person. That's why he's nDH (non-Disney Husband). He loves the Grand for its closeness and its beautiful 'common areas' to relax in. The DLH to us isn't all that relaxing. Cute and very Disney-ish, but not relaxing. And just 'that much further' from the turnstiles to make a difference.

Typically nDH hangs with me until after lunch then goes back to the room (at WDW, its our trailer at FtW) while I 'carry on' (translation...shop!). Sometimes he comes back later, sometimes he doesn't. Works for me!

As far as homelessness, it's not to the level of SF or LA, but you will see homelessness if you stay offsite. It's just a fact of life in large areas with good year round weather, unfortunately.

FYI, our kids are grown, if you have kidlets the DLH would probably be more to their taste. But if it's 'adults only' or you have teens the Grand is the way to go.

I have read through all the posts up to this point.
While the kids will be 3 and 6, they aren't really going to know the difference of the DLH pool vs GCH pool. With a "nDH" I would go with the GCH for your trip. The DLH Monorail pool also has limited hours (I think it closes at 5pm) and if you are not planning a pool day you might not be able to use the slides.

I also have a nDH and he would be absolutely bored at the DLH. When he has gone with us to DLR we have stayed at GCH because of the variety right there in the hotel during the non-park time.

He enjoys grabbing a lounge chair by the pool while our young grandkids would play in the pool. In the evenings he would join them by the fireplace in the lobby for story time. There are kids rockers in the lobby where they can watch Disney cartoons. Food options are family friendly, White Water Shack is a favorite when hanging out by the pool or to grab a fast breakfast.

Making a room request is a necessity for us. Our first stay, we had one of the rooms that was the farthest from the lobby and everyone was moaning on the walk back to the room at the end of the day. Now I always request a room near the lobby. When I have little ones in the group I ask for a room near the lobby with a view of the Monorail. The little ones get a big charge when we are in the room and the monorail wizzes by.

I have attached a couple of items - a map of the 3 Disney Hotels and the other is of the GCH. There are only 3 room numbers on the GCH map. There are actually 4 number to each room with the first number being the floor level of the room.

They each have their own special touches, you really can not go wrong with either hotel.

 

[KaystotheKingdom]

Truthfully, we are doing our first cruise in the days leading up to this and will probably need all the walking we can get haha. And yes, I am looking for something that feels distinctly Disney- at least for this first trip. So it would like the Disneyland Hotel might be the best fit this time around.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Truthfully, we are doing our first cruise in the days leading up to this and will probably need all the walking we can get haha. And yes, I am looking for something that feels distinctly Disney- at least for this first trip. So it would like the Disneyland Hotel might be the best fit this time around.

Those DLH headboards are the dream, really.

If they’re not part of the new DVC tower, I’m walking away from that contract!

 

[Malcon10t]

I have read through all the posts up to this point.
While the kids will be 3 and 6, they aren't really going to know the difference of the DLH pool vs GCH pool. With a "nDH" I would go with the GCH for your trip. The DLH Monorail pool also has limited hours (I think it closes at 5pm) and if you are not planning a pool day you might not be able to use the slides.

I also have a nDH and he would be absolutely bored at the DLH. When he has gone with us to DLR we have stayed at GCH because of the variety right there in the hotel during the non-park time.

He enjoys grabbing a lounge chair by the pool while our young grandkids would play in the pool. In the evenings he would join them by the fireplace in the lobby for story time. There are kids rockers in the lobby where they can watch Disney cartoons. Food options are family friendly, White Water Shack is a favorite when hanging out by the pool or to grab a fast breakfast.

Just a few clarifications, the pool slides close at 7 Mon-Thurs and 8 Fri-Sun, I believe this is both hotels. Pools close at 10 at both hotels.

Be aware the television rocking chairs, television, and story time are not currently being offered. The monorail is not currently running.

And you can grab food from California Grill when hanging out at the GCH pool and Tangaroa Terrace when hanging at the DLH pool.

 

[ray3127]

Can't go wrong with either. In your situation, I think DLH makes the most sense. Our first on-site stay was there, and it was truly magical. We now own DVC at Grand Cal, but will be adding on some points when they open the Disneyland Hotel Tower because the property just oozes Disney like no place else. While it is a longer walk than GCH, it is by no means a long walk. Again, can't go wrong with either, but I'd go DLH this time.

 

[cruisehopeful]

now for lodging: I always hear GC GC GC. Here’s the thing: Our home resort is Wilderness Lodge, and I love it but whatever we do I want the Disneyland experience.
Should I do the Disneyland hotel?

Based on what you said, I'd steer you to DLH. It will be more of a Disney themed experience. You can still spend as much time eating and hanging around the Grand as you want to, if you even want to.

The offsite options are okay. There aren't a lot of higher end hotels. If you just need a place to shower and sleep, they are fine for that. Candy Cane should be open by then and they have a dedicated shuttle. It's a short walk to the property, but if you don't want to walk by any homeless, the shuttle will take care of that. There's a new Westin and a JW Marriott, but both of those involve a walk that you will likely see homeless people.

 

[Matrixleos]

Until the construction of the new Disneyland hotel tower is completed, I'd select Grand Californian.

I know the construction noise is not all day long but the times when they are active, that's the last thing I'd want to hear while on vacation.