Torn between Disneyland vs WDW DVC

[bumbershoot]

Can I ask why you don't like the Grand Californian, besides the fact that it isn't any closer to the esplanade than some Harbor hotels?

I'll call out a distinction that was in my head but didn't make it to the screen. I stayed there in 2009 on our brand new bay lake points, on the hotel side.

Dark, long corridors. (AK kidani and jambo, not to mention BWV have long corridors as well, but not as dark) The service we received was not in keeping with a fancy resort. One tiny example: there was a fork on the floor in the hallway the whole time we were there. It was being batted around by people passing, but at no point did housekeeping pick it up. As we were leaving, it was gone! Ah, no, someone had picked it up and placed it on a table at the turning of the hallway. It might still be there. No way for me to know.

The distance was important because everyone goes ON about how close it is. Well, sure, if you're in a close room and you only want to enter DCA to be in DCA. But if you're heading to DL, it doesn't make sense to crowd the morning DCA line, walk to the exit of DCA, and go to DL. (I've mapped it out LOL) And when I mapped going from room to lobby down the corridor to DTD and out to the esplanade, it was the same distance as from the outside of Hojo, which "disney bubble" people think is AGES away. And it bugged me especially because on our last day there we decided to truly take advantage of DCA being right there and rode Grizzly a million times in a row. Had a cold cold boy by the time we needed to get back, and his lips were turning blue by the time we finally got to the room, because it was such a distance and the hallways were so cold.

The lobby is the best part of the place. And even that is so dark I can't see across the lobby without squinting, even when I had 20/20. (lasik destroyed my easy light-to-dark and dark-to-light vision, so this is an issue for me)

 

[bumbershoot]

I’m curious if it’s a similar situation to people comparing Swan/Dolphin to DVC. Never really heard complaints about VGC before now.

To be clear, I said Grand Californian, not VGC, but since you're not in my head it makes sense that you didn't get that. I stayed at the hotel side when that was all you could do, back in 2009.

I'd prefer to save my points, use them at WDW, and stay at the variety of offsite places at DL. Well no, I'd love to stay at PPH like I've done many times, but they have priced me all the way out.

 

[AC168]

I've been through having a young kid twice. My two kids are ten years apart.

With respect to DL and CA, the reason VGC is a no-brainer to me (in addition to booking and economics) is that it is tremendously convenient for CA as the entrance is downstairs. For DL, VGC isn't as convenient, but it's not bad -- this is partly because the monorail seems to be broken more often than it runs making the DL Hotel not convenient either. In 90* weather in August my last trip, the monorail was broken every day except the one day when it started working at 5pm. So I would say VGC will be equal relative to VDH for someone with young kids for DL. (If you have older kids, VGC is just one good option among many as there are many good options within a 15 minute walk or car ride.)

If I were OP, I would buy 1/3 the points at VGC resale he/she needs for a trip in two years and go from there. I spent $4,000 for a 3-day GC Hotel stay once that would have cost around $1,300 if I just bought VGC first. ($2,700 "waste" factoring in MF, deprectiation, time value of money/opportunity cost of capital.)

With WDW, I don't think there is such an obvious choice. There's a lot to be said about the unique characteristics of each DVC, there's a high chance you'll visit multiple parks per trip, and none of the DVC's are super close to a park. Trying-out makes a lot more sense in WDW. In fact, you can stay at Marriott Sabal Palms 2-bedroom for $250 per night and just go visit/tour each DVC.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I'll call out a distinction that was in my head but didn't make it to the screen. I stayed there in 2009 on our brand new bay lake points, on the hotel side.

Dark, long corridors. (AK kidani and jambo, not to mention BWV have long corridors as well, but not as dark) The service we received was not in keeping with a fancy resort. One tiny example: there was a fork on the floor in the hallway the whole time we were there. It was being batted around by people passing, but at no point did housekeeping pick it up. As we were leaving, it was gone! Ah, no, someone had picked it up and placed it on a table at the turning of the hallway. It might still be there. No way for me to know.

The distance was important because everyone goes ON about how close it is. Well, sure, if you're in a close room and you only want to enter DCA to be in DCA. But if you're heading to DL, it doesn't make sense to crowd the morning DCA line, walk to the exit of DCA, and go to DL. (I've mapped it out LOL) And when I mapped going from room to lobby down the corridor to DTD and out to the esplanade, it was the same distance as from the outside of Hojo, which "disney bubble" people think is AGES away. And it bugged me especially because on our last day there we decided to truly take advantage of DCA being right there and rode Grizzly a million times in a row. Had a cold cold boy by the time we needed to get back, and his lips were turning blue by the time we finally got to the room, because it was such a distance and the hallways were so cold.

The lobby is the best part of the place. And even that is so dark I can't see across the lobby without squinting, even when I had 20/20. (lasik destroyed my easy light-to-dark and dark-to-light vision, so this is an issue for me)

Interesting to hear other people's experiences. We stayed there for the first time this month. We have always stayed on Harbor (Desert Inn, Park Vue, and years ago Anaheim Plaza.) We were in one of the farthest rooms from the security check point to get into DTD and Disneyland. While the walk was a bit further than when we stayed at Park Vue it didn't seem that bad to me, probably because it's a more interesting walk and it had more shade. Plus the security line was never more than a couple people long, unlike the Harbor security that was always crazy for us.

We were pleased with the staff at the Grand Californian. Hallways sometimes had people's room service trays out but they were always picked up later in the day. The staff was super friendly too. I also didn't think the hallways were dark and I love the light fixtures. The lobby is pretty dimly lit but we weren't in there much so I guess it didn't bother me.

 

[DonMacGregor]

For DL, VGC isn't as convenient, but it's not bad -- this is partly because the monorail seems to be broken more often than it runs making the DL Hotel not convenient either. In 90* weather in August my last trip, the monorail was broken every day except the one day when it started working at 5pm.

As an aside, and not an excuse, the DL Monorails aren't air conditioned and that's the reason, 90+% of the time if they aren't running, or start running later in the day. WDW Monorails have AC because they are integral to the whole transportation system (and we know Florida weather). In 90 degree weather, you can be certain the DL Monorail is not going to be running because it's just too hot in the cars.

Broken, or simply not running, doesn't really matter if you're trying to utilize it for park entry, but just a note on why it's usually down.