Rooms at Grand Californian Hotel?

[sammysmom]

I have a club level room booked at Paradise Pier for our first trip in August. I am now wondering if it would be easier to stay at the Grand Californian Hotel. Can anyone that has stayed there let me know what is better about that hotel? Also, if we book a standard room there, what are the odds that we'll get a room that isn't viewing the parking lot? Just trying to weigh all of our options and make the best choice. We are only going to be there for 3 nights. Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

Personally, I would choose GC just for the proximity to the parks. We did that once and absolutely loved it.

That said, if you book a standard room, I think you need to be prepared to have a view of the parking lot. We didn't care because we spend most of our time in the parks anyway.

 

[Malcon10t]

I would stick with the PPH. View will be much nicer. Walk is only maybe 3-5 mins further. Rooms are larger at PPH. I am one of the few who really doesn't care for the smaller dark rooms at GCH.

 

[Jerryp49]

We have stayed at all three Resort Hotels and prefer the GCH. You can upgrade from a standard room to a courtyard view for I think $11 / night more. Courtyard is very peaceful with the monorail running through it . If you stick with the Standard room at the GCH , when you check in ask if there are any free upgrades available. If it isn`t a too busy time of the year you may get bumped up. We booked a Standard room and they bumped us up to a Pool View. What ever you do , don`t get a room overlooking Downtown Disney . The noise goes on until 10pm. We were given a DTD room once and after being in it for a couple hours , I called the front desk and told them the noise was unacceptible and the moved us to a quiet location.

 

[DG24]

I would stick with the PPH. View will be much nicer. Walk is only maybe 3-5 mins further. Rooms are larger at PPH. I am one of the few who really doesn't care for the smaller dark rooms at GCH.

I am also one of the few who prefer the PPH over the GC. We have stayed at both many many times. If it is just me I choose the PPH. If we have little ones dlh, if we have ex DH we go the gc. I like the gc don't get me wrong it is one of my favorites, but I can never justify the rate, $200 or $300 more, I have never had a good view and I have paid for them. I have never been upgraded, I feel we have been down graded, but not upgraded. And for a 3 minute walk, with a larger, brighter more comfortable room, I prefer PPH. But do stop in look at the lobby, relax by the piano and have a drink from the lounge. I will also say, it does really really make a difference how many in your party and what age. My sister, takes over the bathroom, inside the tub and toilet and outside at the sinks. My dad needs a bathroom, and when he says that he needs it right then, not two seconds from then. Then with five cell phones and no room in the hotel room, the gc makes you feel rich but squished to heck. At PPH, it is much bigger and much better set up.

 

[Magic Band Defender]

I prefer GCH's public spaces, amenities, and location BUT the rooms are pretty small. The location wins me over.

 

[Magic Band Defender]

You also might be able to rent DVC points to stay in the GCH villas. It's often less expensive than a standard hotel room and the views are usually better, due to the location of the villas.

We are renting a one bedroom villa in October. I'll report back!

 

[DVCFan1994]

Does anyone know if you can guarantee your room set-up at any of these hotels? I walked through a dummy booking trying to figure it out and couldn't. I would pay extra to stay at GC if I knew I could get the room that had a queen and two bunks for my kids, who hate sharing a bed. But, if I can't guarantee that I am not sure I would pay the extra cost ($200/night for my dates) for location if the rooms are actually bigger in terms of square footage at PPH.

 

[Nonsuch]

Does anyone know if you can guarantee your room set-up at any of these hotels?

Bed configurations are only guaranteed for Accessible Rooms.

 

[Geemo]

It would be nice to be able to book exactly what you want.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

Does anyone know if you can guarantee your room set-up at any of these hotels? I walked through a dummy booking trying to figure it out and couldn't. I would pay extra to stay at GC if I knew I could get the room that had a queen and two bunks for my kids, who hate sharing a bed. But, if I can't guarantee that I am not sure I would pay the extra cost ($200/night for my dates) for location if the rooms are actually bigger in terms of square footage at PPH.

We stayed 4 nights at GCH for spring dapper day this year. We requested a bunk bed room close to entrance to DTD, thinking we wouldn't likely get one. I was very happy that we did get one. My boys loved it! They have requested to stay there from now on (we usually stay at DLH). Even if we didn't get a bunk bed, we felt spoiled with its location and the pools were awesome.

 

[Malcon10t]

Does anyone know if you can guarantee your room set-up at any of these hotels? I walked through a dummy booking trying to figure it out and couldn't. I would pay extra to stay at GC if I knew I could get the room that had a queen and two bunks for my kids, who hate sharing a bed. But, if I can't guarantee that I am not sure I would pay the extra cost ($200/night for my dates) for location if the rooms are actually bigger in terms of square footage at PPH.

No, there are guarantees on the room. You can request, but unknown if you will receive until you arrive. You can get a sleeping bag and a mat as a spare bed at GCH.

My kids learned at an early age they were required to share beds on trips. If they didn't like sharing, they could always make a pallet on the floor.

 

[l4dyj8]

We booked a standard room and faced west, partial DTD view. The area near what is now Starbucks can be seen. Below us was the courtyard and monorail. It was a nice room. The room was rather dark so it was nice to face the afternoon sun. The room is much smaller than PPH. Where PPH has a sofa couch and desk, GCH had a small table and the balcony. We had 2 queens. I've read that rooms, view and balconies can vary.

The pluses are location! Our wing entrance was next to Napa Rose (near the CA entrance). The service was very friendly and attentive. PPH you almost have to hunt them down. The lobby, hotel amenities can't be beat. All resort guests have access to many activities. GCH takes the time to tell you about them. PPH just has it posted in the lobby.

All that being said, I like the PPH rooms.