Onsite Disneyland Hotels.

[WanderlustNZ]

Has anyone ever stayed in any of them? If so, what did you think?
Or, even if you haven't stayed in any of them, which of the 3 would you pick for a one night stay and why?

I made a slight change to my itinerary which now means I have a free night in which to fill.
Also, after getting some really helpful advice here on the Australian boards, I have decided to now visit Universal mid week to avoid paying extra for VIP or front of line passes. Because we'll save quite a bit of money by doing this, it's been easier to justify splashing out on a nice hotel for our extra night. The first thing that came to mind was a Disney owned hotel so we can get EMH for Cars Land.

At present Disneyland Hotel is probably the top contender, but I'm keen to hear people's opinions.

Also, I am open to people suggesting something completely different, such as a night in a nice beach hotel. At present nothing is set in stone.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Incase it makes a difference, here is our new itinerary.

Thursday: Arrive late and stay at LAX hotel
Friday: Hire car, and drive to San Diego Zoo for the afternoon. Check into hotel. I'm looking at Hotel Vyvant.
Sat: Full day in Balboa Park visiting museums.
Sun: Drive to Carlsbad and spend the day at Legoland with an hour or two crossing over to the Waterpark. The waterpark is only open in weekends and I think my son will love the new Chima part. Hence the reason we decided to cut our San Diego stay short and head back to Anaheim on Sunday instead of Monday.
Continue on to holiday home in Anaheim.
Mon - Wed: DIsneyland Resort. Halloween Party on Tuesday.
Thu: Universal Studios
Fri: Perhaps a few hours Disneyland in the morning followed by some shopping.
Sat: Undecided. Probably some LA sightseeing.
Sun: Check out of holiday home and check into Disney hotel. Thinking of brunch at Goofy's Kitchen. Relaxing day at hotel. Perhaps go into the park for the fireworks, or preferably watch them from a room that has a good view.
Mon: EMH for Carsland. Spend our day in the parks and pick up bags late avo and head for the airport. Night in LAX hotel
Tue: Early morning flight to Hawaii.

 

[LizfromOz]

We stayed at the Grand Californian in Sept 2012 - AMAZING!!!

Our visit coincided with Gay Days and I was able to get a great rate, so good that I upgraded to concierge level. Gay Days are at the beginning of Oct next year, but they usually have the hotels available for a few days before and after.

You will need to register in the Gay Days website, it's easy to find on google.

 

[aussie shaz]

I was just reading on 'the other side' of someone who was quite disappointed with the Disneyland hotel, especially when it came to views. Apparently PPH has good views??

I think I would pick The Grand Californian. I guess it depends what you'll be doing, but the foyer/fireplace area is gorgeous and you're close to DTD. Also possible buzzing back and forth from DCA through the special entrance. I guess you won't have a lot of time to do that though.

 

[vincev33]

We stayed at the DL hotel 2 years ago right when the refurbishments were complete. We had a great view and loved the new rooms. The walk through downtown was really nice in the morning and evening. Highly recommend hanging out at trader SAMs for a nightcap.

 

[Royal Consort]

Disneyland Hotel all the way. The recent refurb has made these rooms more comfortable than the older and smaller Grand Californian. The rooms have a contemporary feel whilst at the same time capturing the essence of Disney with their subtle touches. Beautiful.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

We stayed at the Grand Californian in Sept 2012 - AMAZING!!! Our visit coincided with Gay Days and I was able to get a great rate, so good that I upgraded to concierge level. Gay Days are at the beginning of Oct next year, but they usually have the hotels available for a few days before and after. You will need to register in the Gay Days website, it's easy to find on google.

Thanks for the advice. I've sent you a private message with a few more questions.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I was just reading on 'the other side' of someone who was quite disappointed with the Disneyland hotel, especially when it came to views. Apparently PPH has good views?? I think I would pick The Grand Californian. I guess it depends what you'll be doing, but the foyer/fireplace area is gorgeous and you're close to DTD. Also possible buzzing back and forth from DCA through the special entrance. I guess you won't have a lot of time to do that though.

Thanks Aussie Shaz. I saw the thread you a referring to and it did get me thinking. It's a tough choice as all 3 hotels have their pros and cons.

PPH - the price is by far the cheapest (we could afford concierge) and the views sound lovely. On the downside, the theme doesn't grab me and neither does the pool area.

GCH - the location is great and the lobby looks like it will have the lovely feel I got from the Animal Kingdom Lodge. On the downside, the rooms don't look that appealing to me and the price is hard to justify. (It would be a stretch to afford a standard room)

DLH - I love the look of the bed headboards. I think the pools look best for my son. It has Goofy's kitchen where we are thinking of having brunch on the Sunday and also Trader Sams, that looks great for a quiet drink. I would also love a fireworks view room incase we can't be bothered braving the in park crowds Sunday night. The only downsides I see is that there is no real theme (I have a soft spot for theming) and it is also quite expensive; I could pay extra for a view room but still not be guaranteed to see the fireworks.

My other completely different alternative is to spend that night at a hotel across from Universal Studios and go there on the Monday instead.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

We stayed at the DL hotel 2 years ago right when the refurbishments were complete. We had a great view and loved the new rooms. The walk through downtown was really nice in the morning and evening. Highly recommend hanging out at trader SAMs for a nightcap.

Thanks Vincev. Great to hear that you had a positive experience. Did you find it difficult to get a seat at Trader SAMs?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Disneyland Hotel all the way. The recent refurb has made these rooms more comfortable than the older and smaller Grand Californian. The rooms have a contemporary feel whilst at the same time capturing the essence of Disney with their subtle touches. Beautiful.

Thanks Royal Consort. This is the way I'm leaning.

 

[shushh]

Have you considered renting DVC points to stay at one of the villas at the Grand Californian? We stayed in a 2 bedroom last time and it was amazing. The space was wonderful. This time around, we are also staying there but in a 1 bedroom. You get more for your money if you were already thinking of staying there.

 

[ssour]

I have stayed in all three of the Disney hotels and the Grand Californian feels the most Disney to me in terms of immersive theming. As a frequent WDW visitor, this screams Disney more to me than the subtle Disneyland references at the Disneyland Hotel (although I love the models in the tower foyers here). That said, a lot of people don't like the lodge theming, it is similar to the Wilderness Lodge I suppose. The non-guaranteed views at DLH are a pain, it's a lot to pay to be looking at the pool. The theme park views at Paradise Pier are probably the best value for money in terms of views. We opt for a garden/courtyard view when staying at GCH to avoid the views of the driveway and road. The DLH has some better standard view rooms. I had a nice garden view in the Adventure Tower. It's not a huge trek between the hotels, so you could definitely head to the DLH for dinner easily enough if you opted for one of the others.

 

[Aust]

I've stayed at all three (although Disneyland Hotel was prior to the renovations a couple of years ago, I have seen the new pools though).

For one night I'd stay at the Grand Californian, it's my favourite in terms of the look, and it's the closest to the parks, and being the most expensive I'd splurge for a night.

For longer stays my favourite now is Paradise Pier but that's mainly for the affordability and size of the rooms over a longer period.

Disneyland Hotel has the best grounds and pools in my opinion, but for a one night stay you may not have a great deal of time to enjoy them.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Grand Californian is the only one I've stayed at and we loved it but we were DVC it was just so close to everything and we chilled by the pool on checkout day whilst they stored our luggage which I'm sure all 3 do but I love GCH

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Have you considered renting DVC points to stay at one of the villas at the Grand Californian? We stayed in a 2 bedroom last time and it was amazing. The space was wonderful. This time around, we are also staying there but in a 1 bedroom. You get more for your money if you were already thinking of staying there.

Thanks Shushh,

I did consider it, but the brokers don't like dealing with one night stays and smaller amounts of points. I also thought about staying longer at GCH so I could try and rent points, but I'm actually really looking forward to our VRBO property and the space it will give us. A whole holiday sharing a room with my Mother in Law would probably drive us all insane. This is just one night to get a taste of the Disney magic.

I'm wait listed at present for Aulani and have all fingers and toes firmly crossed for that one.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I have stayed in all three of the Disney hotels and the Grand Californian feels the most Disney to me in terms of immersive theming. As a frequent WDW visitor, this screams Disney more to me than the subtle Disneyland references at the Disneyland Hotel (although I love the models in the tower foyers here). That said, a lot of people don't like the lodge theming, it is similar to the Wilderness Lodge I suppose. The non-guaranteed views at DLH are a pain, it's a lot to pay to be looking at the pool. The theme park views at Paradise Pier are probably the best value for money in terms of views. We opt for a garden/courtyard view when staying at GCH to avoid the views of the driveway and road. The DLH has some better standard view rooms. I had a nice garden view in the Adventure Tower. It's not a huge trek between the hotels, so you could definitely head to the DLH for dinner easily enough if you opted for one of the others.

Thanks ssour. How lucky to have tried them all.

I absolutely love the look of the Wilderness Lodge and, if I ever return to WDW, it's the only hotel that could possibly tempt me from returning to the Animal Kingdom Lodge (which, to date, is the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in). So, as far as lodge/wood themes go, I'm a big fan. However, looking at pics, the GCH doesn't quite have the same rustic beauty that appeals to me about the WL and AKL, and I'm thinking it is one of those hotels that I'll either love or be disappointed in by comparison. I'm wondering if I should avoid comparisons altogether and try something completely different.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Thanks Aust and WAMUMOF4. It sounds like the GCH has been a hit with many people. You're not making my decision any easier

 

[Royal Consort]

Wanderlust- the GC isn't the same rustic property as WL. We adore wilderness but don't get the same feeling from GC. The GC has a lot of fans and it is so close. I don't mind the walk from the Disneyland Hotel and can always take the monorail into the park. We had booked last year at the GC but changed our reservation back to the Disneyland Hotel. Check out YouTube walkthroughs of each room in the hotels to compare. Personally I feel you get better bang for your buck at DLH and its also cheaper but others disagree. I love the Disney touches such as the mickey taps on the sinks and the castle headboards. I think the GC has a nice lobby but the rooms need improvements for the price.

 

[becpee]

We stayed at the Grand Californian in Sept 2012 - AMAZING!!!

Our visit coincided with Gay Days and I was able to get a great rate, so good that I upgraded to concierge level. Gay Days are at the beginning of Oct next year, but they usually have the hotels available for a few days before and after.

You will need to register in the Gay Days website, it's easy to find on google.

Great info!

I fly out on the ninth, so will need to book a night separate...

 

[LizfromOz]

Great info! I fly out on the ninth, so will need to book a night separate...

Happy to help....just think, tomorrow we can say "we're going to the US this year!" YEAH!