Tram to on site hotels?

[MagicalMomAZ]

I think I remember it in front of the DGC....does it also go to the DH & PPH? Is the walk longer for one more than the other?

Is DGC the only hotel that you can walk right into the park.....does that REALLY matter?

I saw some poor reviews for DGC & I'm rethinking our choice.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

I meant Monorail....doh.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think that tram you saw sort of in front of the GCH in DTD is the tram that goes to the parking garage. It does not go or stop at the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier. There is no tram for the onsite hotel guest to use. GCH does not need one since it is so close to DL and does have an entrance right into DCA. The other two hotels, DLH and PP are a further walk but its not a bad walk. Paradise Pier is the furthest although there are three towers of the DLH complex and one of them the Bonita is almost as far as PP. But the walk from either of these two hotels is between 10 and 15 minutes up DTD depending on how fast you walk. And then of course you can take the monorail. The monorail stop in DTD is about a 2-5 minute walk from the various points inside PP and DLH and will take you right into Tomorrowland. I happen to enjoy the walk up DTD and never mind it. If you have mobility issues or kids that are in that grey area of too young to walk long distances but too old to be content in a stroller I can see it being a bit far I guess. Also, when you are going to and from DCA to any of the three onsite hotels, you can use the GCH private entrance, cut through the hotel and save some steps. You are often asked to show your room key to prove you are an onsite guest and you are often not asked to show it. But it can make a nice shortcut.

As far as bad reviews of the GCH, are you maybe referring to Tripadvisor reviews? I enjoy tripadvisor but take many of the reviews of the onsite Disney hotels with a grain of salt. Tripadvisor is a site that many bargain hounds use, looking for a good place for the money. While I love all three onsite DLR properties, their hefty price tag can make many people have really high expectations that can be hard to meet. For what its worth, GCH usually gets great reviews, I enjoyed it very much as have most disers who have stayed there. As with any hotel, if you have issues, bring them up as soon as they happen and likely the Disney customer service will kick in and make it right. Its a lot of money but the location, service and theming of GCH are worth quite a bit. All hotels get bad reviews on various sites, I always remember someone is more likely to post a bad review than a good one. I only get alarmed when a property I want to stay at gets consistently bad reviews regarding the same issues, especially concerning, cleanliness, safety, bugs etc. I have not seen anything in the way of consistent, bad reviews of the GCH. I hope maybe this puts you at ease a bit, I know it can be nerve wracking shelling out that kind of money for a hotel!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Okay I was posting as you were. Yes there is a monorail, it does stop in DTD near the DLH and PP. It can save some steps, anyone can take it but you have to have a park ticket since it goes directly into Tomorrowland. And be aware that as a hotel guest, you have a preferred boarding area in Tomorrowland for the ride back. Sometimes the lines can be long to board the monorail both in DTD and Tomorrowland and it can be easier to just walk it back. But if you are staying at the GCH, you would not want to take the monorail, since it stops further down DTD than you would need. The walk from DL to the GCH would be around five minutes or less.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Thank you!!

Yes it was TripAdvisor...After reading the GCH reviews I went on to the other DL hotels & people were just as picky on those! Oh well. We went for DD's 4th Bday...DS will be 4 in 08 & we want to go all out. Spend the dough, see as much as we can AND make it convenient for a 4 yo's legs!

My kids sleep better when they're seperated that's why I liked GCH - the bunk beds.....so I'd still liek to plan for that hotel.

Thanks for the super fast replies!!!

 

[hlbtimes2]

Thank you!!

Yes it was TripAdvisor...After reading the GCH reviews I went on to the other DL hotels & people were just as picky on those! Oh well. We went for DD's 4th Bday...DS will be 4 in 08 & we want to go all out. Spend the dough, see as much as we can AND make it convenient for a 4 yo's legs!

My kids sleep better when they're seperated that's why I liked GCH - the bunk beds.....so I'd still liek to plan for that hotel.

Thanks for the super fast replies!!!

Disney charges a LOT of money. For the money many people expect perfection. We all know "perfect" is not possible. Some people roll with it, others complain and expect more. You have to read reviews for any hotel with a grain of salt. Look at the good vs the bad. Are the "bad" reviews things you can live with? Are they real complaints or petty ones?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you!!

Yes it was TripAdvisor...After reading the GCH reviews I went on to the other DL hotels & people were just as picky on those! Oh well. We went for DD's 4th Bday...DS will be 4 in 08 & we want to go all out. Spend the dough, see as much as we can AND make it convenient for a 4 yo's legs!

My kids sleep better when they're seperated that's why I liked GCH - the bunk beds.....so I'd still liek to plan for that hotel.

Thanks for the super fast replies!!!

I sort of figured it was tripadvisor! Like I said, its a very helpful site but it can be maddening as well! I value the dis as a helpful hotel review site and very seldom see any bad reviews of the GCH. One thing I do want to mention however is that not all rooms at the GCH have bunkbeds. You can request either a bunkbed or a daybed room. If you don't get one they will provide a sleeping bag with a pad. I understand, my kids never did well when they slept together either! Many of the rooms at the DLH have daybeds and if they don't rollaways are provided for free (no rollaways at the GCH). All rooms at the Paradise Pier have a daybed. But both of those are not as convenient of a walk to the parks as the GCH is (10--15 minutes vs. 5 minutes or less). But the monorail can help in that area. Seriously though, I would stick with the GCH, if you have already budgeted for it, the location cannot be beat! Its a wonderful hotel.