Please help us decide - Disneyland hotel or Grand Californian?

[ZerasPride]

I know this one has been discussed numerous times but search is not working so please humor me. DH and I will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary in November and I want to surprise him with a trip to California and use our points at one of these two hotels. Does anyone have a preference and care to share? Also, I was thinking about splurging and doing concierge but is it worth it at DLH or GCR? I don't want to waste points but if someone that has experienced concierge at either resort cares to share, I would so much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance for the advice and sharing your experiences. I can't wait to see the look on his face when I surprise him with this trip! He is a car nut and there is some type of car museum, Mattel or Matchbox or something there that I want to investigate and take him to it. He will just flip!

 

[Mtnman44]

We recently stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. I enjoyed the courtyard/pool/waterfall atmosphere. The hotel was nice, but nothing of the ordinary really. I've never stayed at the GC, but for the extra special trip, that definately looks like the place to stay!

for that reason I would suggest the GC. I personally have no interest in spending points for concierge, just get the theme park view and enjoy.

 

[disneylvrnMS]

I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel last month. It seemed very old and worn to me compared to all hotels at Disney World. The rooms were extremely small as were the bathrooms. I will definately stay at the Grand Californian the next time I go to Disneyland.

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

It's got to be the Grand Californian. The Grand Californian is a fantastic hotel with all you could hope for. The Disneyland hotel is still nice, but you will spend your whole vacation going past the Grand Californian on your way to the parks and wishing you would have stayed there.

 

[marjamsmom]

Went to DL this past January. Stayed at the GC, and it was GREAT!! The hotel has its own entrance to DC and DD. That alone is reason to stay and it is beautiful. Try to get a view of DC, the lights are amazing.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!

 

[grizbuzz]

Another vote for Grand Californian view room!


I haven't yet tried it myself, but Napa Rose sounds like a pretty great place for fine dining.

 

[drag n' fly]

For an anniversary I would stay the the GC. We just stayed there in November and it was lovely. The DL hotel is more family oriented. Make reservations at Napa Rose. Their is direct access to DD which is very convenient and it comes out at Grizzly River Rapids. Staying concierge is an entirely personal choice. Have a great time

 

[nunzia]

I always vote for Grand Californian as it's my favorite hotel.
Did not like Napa Rose at all, but that's just me (and the entire group I was with)

 

[bnlbebes]

Have stayed at both the DH and GC. Would recommend GC hands-down. Although it is right on top of the CA Park it seems removed from the "hub-bub" much like the resorts in WDW. We reserved a "value" room - whatever the title is - with the least number of points and ended up with a CA Park view. It was great! When we stayed in DH, we had a fireworks view which was also cool, but their pools were always overcrowded, adn it was a far trip to most of the eating palces.

 

[ZerasPride]

Thanks so much everyone for your opinions, this helps alot. I have so much planning to do! I am concerned that the rooms at the GC are reported to be smaller than the ones at the DLH but DH and I can snuggly - no problem. I'm so used to the one bedroom at the DVCs that I hope I don't feel claustrophobic!

You guys are great for sharing your experiences, I appreciate it!

 

[RobPickles]

The GC was awesome!

We stayed in it a few years back and it was amazing. Beautiful and exciting.

Rob

 

[La2kw]

The GC is the most like the WDW resorts. It's a great resort and has an upscale feel to it. We love the DH also, since we stayed there many times when it was the only Disneyland resort.

 

[funhouse8]

We stayed at the GC and it was amazing while we didn't do concierge they do turn down your beds at night and put a little treat. I will post a picture below. My sisiter & I did the power walk in the park before it opened which is available for hotel guests their were four of us and the CM. It was a wonderful way to start the day. Back to the room quick shower and we were at the gate(inside the hotel) to be let in 1/2hour early so you can ride Soaring first. I didn't see this anywhere at the hotel but read it here on line. Sure enough we got in early and were in the front row. The hotel is well worth the extra points, and to think I tried to get DLH but it was booked. I'm so glad it was. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[nunzia]

There is a power walk in the park option???? I've never heard of this. Please tell.

 

[funhouse8]

They do this a couple days of the week. I not sure which I forgot, sorry. But you meet at the gate around 7:20 and a CM will take you into the park and you get to power walk for about 1/2 hour while the park is empty. You get to see the staff coming in for the day setting up shop. It was great. There was only four of us tht showed up so pretty much we had the park to ourselves.

 

[agamich]

Definitely GC. We have stayed at all 3 DLHs and GC is the best. Easy access, beautiful views and great eats.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thank you zeraspride for asking this question

I am trying to decide where to stay in August before our Repo Cruise.

 

[La2kw]

Maybe these pics will help you decide. We took these during our stay last month.

Napa Rose Restaurant, overlooks DCA.

Lobby.

Rooftop deck.

You might have views like this:

 

[toocherie]

Beautiful pictures! To the OP--I have only stayed at GC (and get to go stay there for three nights on developer's points in just over a month) and have really enjoyed it--I think for your special occasion that's where you should go!

 

[ZerasPride]

Just wanted to stop by and say thanks again to everyone, especially la2kw and funhouse8 for posting your pics. I admit, I started to waiver and thought DLH would be a better fit along with the cheaper points but after all the additional comments and the pictures, I am 100% completely sold! DH is not a big Disney lover to begin with so a more toned down Disney theme would be just what he is looking for. DISers are the best! Thanks again everyone!!

P.S. I'm going to have to look into that powerwalk through the park. That sounds awesome!