Still can't decide on hotel!

[Aya]

I have to make a decision on our hotel today. We're going to California 5/8 to 5/16; the first three nights we'll be in Huntington Beach, then four nights in DLR. The prices that I get for hotel and four day ticket are:

Grand California: $1990
Disneyland Hotel: $1554
Paradise Pier: $1354

Is the GC worth $600 more than PP? or even $400 more than DH? I don't have a problem paying it if it's worth it.

The trip will be me, my DH and our 2 1/2 year old DS. I want to be able to take my DS to the Playhouse Disney show each day (he loves MM Clubhouse and Little Einsteins!). We typically stay at Sheratons, Westins, Marriotts if that helps. We're staying at the Hyatt while we're in Huntington Beach.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Ann

 

[tnd]

We just stayed at the DLH and loved it. It's not much further than the GCH to get to the parks and I couldn't justify the extra cost, though the GCH looks lovely. I've also always wanted to stay there since I was a kid. I really liked the room, with the subtle Disney touches. The pools were great too. Since you have a 2.5 year old, you might like the cove pools for him. When we were there a few weeks ago, they were almost totally empty and the one behind the main one has a 2 foot section which was perfect for my 2.5 year old son.

I think you'll be happy with any of the 3, but we loved the DLH and we would stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[VegasMike21]

I would say save the $400 and stay at the DL Hotel, almost as nice and for a fraction for the cost.

 

[ballarinamom]

We love the Disneyland Hotel. Each hotel is different as far as decor. If money is not an issue, I would skip PP because if the distance to the parks. The GC is themed like a forest lodge. Totems with Disney characters, big rock fire place. It is a little closer to DLR than DLH and it does have it's own entrance into DCA.

DLH has lots of whimsical themeing. Pixie Dust on the ceiling, mickey's gloved hands for lights, a great Peter Pan pool. It is only about 50 yards further than GC from DLR if that
We took DD for her first trip at 2 1/2. She LOVED it! I know Playhouse Disney is a big draw dor your DS. But he will fall in love with Bug's Life area and the smaller rides in Fantasy Land.

Have a great trip

 

[tink2dw]

Have you thought about staying in one of the Harbor Blvd Hotels? They are a little closer to the DL Entrance. Look at the map. And will save you a ton of money.
http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

 

[rentayenta]

We like the PPH best! Having stayed at all 3 Disney properties, the PPH fits us best. It's got a beach meets Mickey theme. Next I'd choose the DLH. It's old school Disney! Lots of Mickey touches everywhere. My least favorite is the GCH because it feels more like a place we'd stay in Yellowstone than Disney. It's a beautiful hotel just not enough Disney for me. The DLH is closer than the PPH and the price difference is not that much.

 

[grizbuzz]

We love GCH and it has a private entrance to get into California Adventure for the Playhouse Disney show. I personally think it's the nicest Disneyland hotel. Whether it's worth $400...that's hard to say.

Looks like you have opinions across the board. You'll just have to stay at all properties at some point, so we can decide for yourself

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

I've stayed at all three and it's definitely a personal preference thing ~ for me, DLH and GCA are tied. PP for me, although it hosts my favorite character breakfast, was too generic of a feel and I would not stay again if DLH or GCA were available. Last time I stayed on property I did a split stay at GCA first, so I took the kids to CA more those days; the room was high end 'rustic', nice w/ a queen bed and bunks w/ a trundle; then checked in to DLH, which had a lovely Mary Poppins feel to it, at least our gorgeous room did. The room at DLH was also slightly bigger w/ a DTD view, no balcony. The room at GCA had a balcony overlooking the resort pool and DCA, so I think it was a tie btwn the two.

 

[lulubelle]

I think for the prices you listed and having a toddler, I vote for DLH. It is a short walk to the monorail (by Rainforest Cafe) where you can get into/out of DL quickly or you can leisurely walk through DTD to get to either park. The Grand is nicer and closer, but again a two year old would like DLH better and for $400 more, no. PP is a favorite of ours, too, but we are all adults and that makes a difference. Good luck deciding .

 

[pixiewings71]

My vote would be GCH hands down. I love that hotel, it's soooooooo nice!! Definitely my fave. BUT, I haven't stayed at the DLH yet so I can't compare that. PP is nice, more generic but still quite the nice hotel, we liked it there.