PPH concierge or GCH standard - which would you choose?

[edit1]

Have never stayed onsite before and thought I might take advantage of some AP rates in September: $179/night for PPH concierge or $209/night for GCH standard room (no concierge for GCH -- this would be too much over the budget). I'm planning to stay 6 nights. I could split it up and try both, or book all nights at the same hotel. Does anyone have any recommendations?

We're celebrating DS's bday and I thought it would be nice to splurge this time and stay onsite. I probably won't renew my AP so this might be the only time I get to use the AP rates. Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I'm interested in people's opinion on this as well, so I'm giving you a little bump.

 

[kc10family]

in 2003 we stay at the CGH and loved it, the concierge was fabulous and we would love to do it again someday.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

GCH is great but most things can be enjoyed without staying there. My vote is for PPH concierge. But here are the pros for each.

GCH pros:
access to the pool and slide
Ability to Participate in scavenger hunt (the Grand Quest)
Proximity to parks.
Turn down service with chocolates on night stand.
Bunkbed rooms.

PPH concierge:
Slide does not require a swim test for young kids.
Food budget is low since you can eat most meals in the lounge.
Wine and beer hour in the evenings.
Complimentary plate of rice crispy treat your first night.
Turn down service with chocolates on night stand.

I'm know I'm missing some other pros since it's getting late. If I think of any more, I'll edit later.

If you've never stayed at either, I'd probably do a split stay to experience each hotel though.

 

[gatorfreud]

What are your dates?

I would pick GCH.

Kim

 

[maleficent's goon]

Took advantage of the rates myself for just ONE night of a 3 night stay at PPH Concierge. Taking my mother for her b-day to get the freebie since I wasn't able to get mine. First time concierge so I'm excited to see what its about. Personally I think PPH is the nicest of the 3 hotels by price...at least until the DH upgrade though I'm sure the price will "upgrade" as well. I would never pay GCH prices for what I've seen (although $209 isn't as appalling) --if I want the ambiance I'll just sit in the lobby...or the bar..or eat at Storyteller's and save myself $250 a night.

Does anyone know since I'm only staying the one night how long are you allowed to access the lounge? I'm thinking till noon checkout

 

[dizzyami]

I would definitely go with the GCH. It is not that I don't love both hotels - but concierge at the PPH - especially during a time with shorter park hours - was not really useful for us. Sure we could grab a snack in the morning - but the 5-7pm cheese/wine seemed to cut big time into the park hours - we didn't want to rush back because there was free food when we wanted to spend the last little bit at the park.

 

[funatdisney]

I have done both. Although, I love being able to grab something to eat and taking a few items for the morning before heading to the parks, saving time and money. and the rice crispy Mickey treat with chocolate coated ears when you first arrive in your room, I would pick GCH over PPH concierge. I love the style of elegance that GCH provides. It feel like a Disney themed hotel. I just don't get that at the PPH. I like to stay where I feel like I have an Disney experience. GCH provides that for ME, whereas PPH doesn't give me the same feeling. When I stay at the GCH, I

My vote: The Grand Californian Hotel, standard.

 

[TheZue]

I'd got GCH standard. Mainly because the lounge at PPH closes at 8...I don't want to feel rushed back so we can get a bedtime snack or annoyed when I get back that I would have loved to have gone and grabbed a drink.

 

[edit1]

Well, I went ahead and booked 3 days at each in early September. They both sound awesome, and I am sure we will have a great time no matter where we stay. Please keep your opinions coming, because I may still adjust the number of days at each hotel. I just wanted to book something before the days I needed weren't available anymore. This is a last-minute trip so I'm just trying to pull everything together.

The concierge would be a real treat for us at PPH, but I don't know how much we'll be able to take advantage of the lounge because I don't want to keep going back and forth to the hotel, and it's too bad that it closes at 8 pm. However, even with the concierge it's still $30/night cheaper than the standard GCH room. Plus, DH may want to take a break from the park and I think it would be nice for him to hang out in the lounge with his snacks!

If only all decisions could be this fun to make!

 

[maleficent's goon]

I would definitely go with the GCH. It is not that I don't love both hotels - but concierge at the PPH - especially during a time with shorter park hours - was not really useful for us. Sure we could grab a snack in the morning - but the 5-7pm cheese/wine seemed to cut big time into the park hours - we didn't want to rush back because there was free food when we wanted to spend the last little bit at the park.

I will add that I've been enough times where I no longer have a need to be in the parks at opening or for any length of time. I just sorta wander aimlessly thru the day soaking it all in with no "to do" list anymore---so that definitely skews my opinion. My mother won't even leave the room before noon so at least for this trip PPH concierge works out for us.

Closes at 8pm???...I've never read that anywhere before.

 

[Queenbillabong]

Does anyone know since I'm only staying the one night how long are you allowed to access the lounge? I'm thinking till noon checkout

FYI - Checkout is before 11:00 a.m., not noon.

Well, I went ahead and booked 3 days at each in early September. They both sound awesome, and I am sure we will have a great time no matter where we stay. Please keep your opinions coming, because I may still adjust the number of days at each hotel. I just wanted to book something before the days I needed weren't available anymore. This is a last-minute trip so I'm just trying to pull everything together.

The concierge would be a real treat for us at PPH, but I don't know how much we'll be able to take advantage of the lounge because I don't want to keep going back and forth to the hotel, and it's too bad that it closes at 8 pm. However, even with the concierge it's still $30/night cheaper than the standard GCH room. Plus, DH may want to take a break from the park and I think it would be nice for him to hang out in the lounge with his snacks!

If only all decisions could be this fun to make!

That sounds like a good choice to me - a bit of both! The Grand is nice, but staying concierge is NIIICE

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Well, I went ahead and booked 3 days at each in early September. They both sound awesome, and I am sure we will have a great time no matter where we stay. Please keep your opinions coming, because I may still adjust the number of days at each hotel. I just wanted to book something before the days I needed weren't available anymore. This is a last-minute trip so I'm just trying to pull everything together.

The concierge would be a real treat for us at PPH, but I don't know how much we'll be able to take advantage of the lounge because I don't want to keep going back and forth to the hotel, and it's too bad that it closes at 8 pm. However, even with the concierge it's still $30/night cheaper than the standard GCH room. Plus, DH may want to take a break from the park and I think it would be nice for him to hang out in the lounge with his snacks!

If only all decisions could be this fun to make!

I'm curious, which did you book for the 1st half of your trip? When I read your OP, I thought a split stay may be nice. Then I thought, which would I go to 1st. If you do PPH 1st, you may miss the concierge service making GCH's service seem lacking compared to what you experiencer earlier. If you do GCH 1st, will the walk to PPH seem like forever & make you wish you were still at GCH? Oh well, aren't you glad I'm so helpful. This is what went through my head & I was thinking it would be hard to choose the order of the hotels.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

Well, I went ahead and booked 3 days at each in early September. They both sound awesome, and I am sure we will have a great time no matter where we stay. Please keep your opinions coming, because I may still adjust the number of days at each hotel. I just wanted to book something before the days I needed weren't available anymore. This is a last-minute trip so I'm just trying to pull everything together.

The concierge would be a real treat for us at PPH, but I don't know how much we'll be able to take advantage of the lounge because I don't want to keep going back and forth to the hotel, and it's too bad that it closes at 8 pm. However, even with the concierge it's still $30/night cheaper than the standard GCH room. Plus, DH may want to take a break from the park and I think it would be nice for him to hang out in the lounge with his snacks!

If only all decisions could be this fun to make!

I think that's a great choice. You'll be able to experience each hotel. I'm sure you'll have a great trip.

Closes at 8pm???...I've never read that anywhere before.

Yes, PPH concierge closes at 8pm while DLH & GCH both close at 10pm.

I'm curious, which did you book for the 1st half of your trip? When I read your OP, I thought a split stay may be nice. Then I thought, which would I go to 1st. If you do PPH 1st, you may miss the concierge service making GCH's service seem lacking compared to what you experiencer earlier. If you do GCH 1st, will the walk to PPH seem like forever & make you wish you were still at GCH? Oh well, aren't you glad I'm so helpful. This is what went through my head & I was thinking it would be hard to choose the order of the hotels.

I was wondering the same thing. Which order did you book the hotels?

 

[lulubelle]

I am so glad you booked half and half - I was going to say that is what I would do! Have a magical trip.

I think you will find you really enjoy different aspects of both. Some people will poo-poo moving mid trip, but I have done it and think it's worth it.

Soooooo, stop the suspense and tell us all which order you are doing....DGC, PP-Conc or PP-Conc, DGC?

 

[edit1]

I booked the PPH concierge for the first half of the stay, and then the GCH for the second half. I just kind of picked this randomly, because I couldn't decide which would be better. We'll probably arrive about noon on the first day, so it would be nice if they let us hang out at the lounge when we get in and eat some snacks before we hit the parks.

I am leaning a bit towards changing to more nights at the PPH. We are a family of 2 adults, 3 kids. I booked a 2 Q + daybed room at PPH, and a 1Q + bunkbed room at the GCH. The PPH room sounds comfortable enough for 5 -- will the GCH room really accommodate us 5 easily? The agent that I talked to assured me that the Grand's bunkbed room does sleep 5 comfortably but I'm a little worried that it might be a bit cramped.

Also, since we are going to be celebrating my son's bday, will either hotel do anything special? I thought I read before that people have gotten an autographed picture of a Disney character. The agent did ask me for my son's favourite Disney character but I didn't ask why. Will he likely get a picture?

 

[teatime]

Have never stayed onsite before and thought I might take advantage of some AP rates in September: $179/night for PPH concierge or $209/night for GCH standard room (no concierge for GCH -- this would be too much over the budget). I'm planning to stay 6 nights. I could split it up and try both, or book all nights at the same hotel. Does anyone have any recommendations?

We're celebrating DS's bday and I thought it would be nice to splurge this time and stay onsite. I probably won't renew my AP so this might be the only time I get to use the AP rates. Thanks in advance for any input!

PPH with concierge !!!
you will save a bundle!!!!!!!!

 

[maleficent's goon]

I thought I read before that people have gotten an autographed picture of a Disney character.

I just made mention of my mother's b-day in an email to Disney and confirmed that you get an autographed photo and a birthday button at check-in. I have read of other little magic touches but I think that just depends on luck. Either way any acknowledgment to me is enough...and just enough to (lightly) embarrass her

 

[edit1]

I thought I read before that people have gotten an autographed picture of a Disney character.

I just made mention of my mother's b-day in an email to Disney and confirmed that you get an autographed photo and a birthday button at check-in. I have read of other little magic touches but I think that just depends on luck. Either way any acknowledgment to me is enough...and just enough to (lightly) embarrass her

I agree, any acknowledgement is great, even if they just say "Happy Birthday", but a picture and a button would be a nice surprise for my son!

 

[maleficent's goon]

I agree, any acknowledgement is great, even if they just say "Happy Birthday", but a picture and a button would be a nice surprise for my son!

Reviving this to tell you my experience having just come back. First off despite the email acknowledgement there was NO picture or b-day button at check-in and despite me specifically saying I was with my mother I got a king bed NO turn down chocolates or any other kind of upgrade...though I did get my mickey krispies. In the end none of this mattered because my mother bailed on me at the last minute and because it was too late to get a refund I went solo The point being edit1 send a second email to be sure they get your surprise ready for your son.

The other thing I would say is that Paradise concierge is really NOT worth it. Even the host of the lounge said its really only a deal for people with kids who take advantage of the free drinks. Breakfast was like any other continental breakfast albeit fresh rather then store bought....pastries, melon plate, and juice. Mid-day was cookies....ONLY. Then dinner was one hot dish which was basically deep fried raviolis (though tasty) a cheese plate and a (equally tasty) dessert tray of pecan pie tarts, a fruit tart, and choc strawberries. I guess I was spoiled by pics of WDW concierge but it was a real letdown....oh well I can at least cross it off the "list" of things to try.