What Disney Resort should we stay at for next year?

[*Fantasia*]

We are planning to go to California next year in mid Aug. I don't know much about the resorts there. I think there are only three there. We are a family of four. me, hubby, son (who will be 5 at that time) and daughter (who will be 3 at that time). What would be a nice resort for us? I'd like to get everyones reviews on them...the good...the bad...and anything you want to add to that. Thanks in advance!!

Telly

 

[Douglas Dubh]

It really depends on how much you're willing to spend. The nicest is the Grand Californian - it's a lot like WDW's Wilderness Lodge in looks but with slightly better ammenities. It's only a year old and is closest to the parks. Next is the Disneyland Hotel, which has been around since the fifties but was recently renovated. It isn't themed, but it is decorated with Disneyland stuff, and has beautiful grounds. Last is Paradise Pier, which was built some years ago but bought by Disney in the 90's and redone. It's not quite as nice as the DLH, but the rooms are a little larger. And it's a little farther from the park.

All of the DL hotels are quite pricey compared to those at WDW - the DLH and PPH are moderates at luxury prices, but it's nice to have the access to the parks. Each also have Concierge service, where you pay a little more for a nicer room and access to a special lounge. We got a great rate on this the last time we stayed at the DLH, and loved it so much we will probably pay extra for it from now on.

There's lot of nice hotels nearby that aren't quite so pricey. Most are still pretty convenient.

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at all three. The Grand Californian is the nicest, newest and best location. It compares to all the deluxe resorts at WDW. The rooms are not really big....about the size of the Wilderness lodge. The Disneyland hotel is nice though not particularly themed. The grounds are nice and the pool is the most interesting of the three hotels. The rooms are really big at the Disneyland hotel which might be nice with the kids. The Paradise Pier Hotel is (for me) the least interesting. It is nice enough but not a big deal. The rooms are standard size and the pool is on the top of the parking garage with no theme at all. The views from the theme park side of this hotel are spectacular.

 

[LuvTigger]

Another vote for GC. I just came back from there and was totally awed!!!

We explored PP and really weren't that impressed. DLH is beautifully landscaped, and the rooms bigger, but GC is a true "Disney" resort in every aspect. Look for my trip report within the next few days.

Also, I think someone else mentioned this, but there are lots of other hotels nearby which are nice and cost a lot less. (Although after staying at GC, going back to the Howard Johnson might not ever be the same!!!)

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks guys for the infos and your comments on the resorts! Can anyone tell me which one would be a kid friendly resort? Do all of them have playgrounds and kiddie pools? Sorry...I'm just trying to get as much infos on these resorts.

My hubbby said we could stay on-sight in Disneyland. So I'm just doing my reserch here. Any more infos you guys would like to share....you are very welcome to post them! Thanks!!

 

[daannzzz]

The Disneyland hotel probably has the most stuff for kids to do. There are two pools, one themed as sort of a beach side area and the other as Neverland. I don't remember if there is a play area. There is the nightly fantasy waters show. There are the miniature Jungle Cruise remote control boats. There is also an arcade.
The Grand Californian has two pools one with a slight redwood theme. There was some story telling at the fireplace when we were there in March.
Paradise Pier Hotel has an unthemed pool and I would assume there is an arcade there.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks daannzzz! You would think that Paradise Pier would be the most themed resort because of the name, it just sounded like it is truely a paradasie...but now I know it is the least themed out of the three.

So it sounds like it is between Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel. I just have to find some pictures of these two. If Disneyland Hotel looks nice, then maybe we should just go with this one since you guys say that it is more kid friendly.

Anyone else care to add any comments or their experience to their stay? Thanks!! I learn something everyday!!

 

[daannzzz]

If you go to Laughingplace.com and click on the Disneyland link in the left hand column ( second link down) and then click on trip planning guide. Scroll down and there will be some links to the hotels. They have a few pictures which can help you decide.

 

[goofyfordisney]

I have only stayed at GC. It was very nice. It was actually very peaceful. It was nice to come back from the parks and relax at the hotel. My kids are alittle older that yours (8 & 13)--so we weren't as concerned about the kid friendly thing. The pool area was very nice. There were a couple of slides. I don't know if there was a playground--don't remember seeing one. The GC does offer bunkbeds.

We usually go to DL at least once a year. This is the first time we have ever stayed on-site. It was great! If money allows, we will probably stay at GC again when we go in June '02--if not we might try DLH.

Good luck in your planning!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks daannzzz for the website!! And thanks goofyfordisney for sharing your experience on CG! I will now check out that site!!

 

[stlrod]

Personally, it would depend upon the price being offered at each. Last summer, we stayed at PP. Next weekend, we're staying one night at each DH and GC. Here's my take. WHen we stayed at PP last summer, we paid $120 per night. I thought the hotel was very nice (large rooms, personable staff, a great restaraunt and a terrific view.) It's an easy walk to DH and there is an entrance to DCA right across the street just for you. My impression might have been swayed by the low expectations I had. We stayed at DH a few years ago and thought it was a dump. Of course, that was before the Neverland Pool was built and the rooms were refurbished. I am anxious to see what the rooms look like now. Last summer, we swam at both DH and GC (before pool-hopping to GC was restricted.) We never swam at PP. Dh has the best pool theme. On the other hand, if I were going to be there a long time the pool at PP might be a nice place to get away from it all--you don't have to fight for a deck chair. As for GC, while I am looking forward to trying it, I am not expecting to be impressed when I stay there. The rooms are fairly small, the California redwoods theme doesn't work when your view by the pool is a roller coaster and Storytellers was one of my worst Disney disning experiences ever (breakfast was $60 for 4, the muffins were black (shows the cooks didn't care one bit for how food looked yet alone how it tasted), the characters didn't come once, the waitress was a witch and I had to go beg the hostess to bring me a second cup of coffee. On the other hand, the snack bar by the pool was great. Even next weekend when I have a rate of $169 at GC, I'm thinking of just staying 2 nights at DH. Don't get me wrong, I'm not cheap (I have stayed at all the deluxe resorts at WDW except AKL--just visited.) It's just that I believe in getting value for my money. In my opinion, GC doesn't deliver in that department. I think with the ages of your kids, they would like DH best. When we told our kids today that we were going back to LA, they both asked whether we could eat at Goofy's Kitchen again (Believe me, it's ok by me too.) I would probably choose PP if there is a substantial (more than $50) difference in price or DH if not. If Disney were to restrict PP guests from the Neverland Pool (I don't think that will happen--they can still go even though PP and DH guests are no longer allowed at GC), DH would definitely be the way to go.

 

[stlrod]

By the way, here's my oldest daughter's impression (she's 11.) Today, she sad "Dad, we don't have to stay at the most expensive hotel like we did last summer." I chuckled and asked what she meant. She said that she had figured PP was the most expensive due to the great view we had. I corrected her and she seemed surprised when I told her it was the least expensive. She said she had thought the DH was w/ GC being in the middle. This comes from a kid who's stayed among other places at The Plaza and the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. I guess that just goes to show you--perhaps we should choose what would be best for us rather than our kids (understanding that with kids your age--convenience is a huge factor in that department.) As far as our kids are concerned, the Howard Johnson down the street from Disneyland would be great as long as they get to go to go to Disneyland.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

I'm pretty sure there is a little kids play area at the DLH. It's near the Cove pool. It was definitely there a few years ago.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks everyone for sharing your inputs and experiences!! I mean it!! Like I said before, I don't know much about these resorts, so this is a great way to get some infos from someone who has been there.

For some reason, I can't find anything on DL in ourlaughingplace.com But anyway...I went to the official website disney.com and saw just a few photos of the three resorts. Well...considering that we have two young kids (2 and just turned 5) and love playing in the pool and any kind of fun thing to do, Disneyland Hotel seems to the right pick for us. I love the look of the Neverland Pool...it looks very fun and refreshing!! We would also like to try the Goofy's Kitchen for character meal.

I didn't search deeply as to where and what with all the three resorts in the official website. So I will just ask here if you guys don't mind anymore questions...but you guys seems to be an expert on their hotels. Please don't mind me if this questions may be stupid.

Are all or any have monorail to one park or both parks? Or is it just buses?

Which one is the closest to the park? Can you walk it to one or both parks?

What are the advantages for staying on-sight?

Is it hard to get room reservations at these hotels (especially DLH) during summer in mid Aug?

Are there usually any discount code rate during those times?

Sorry....too many questions! Thanks for your help!

 

[daannzzz]

Fantasia. Try going to Laughingplace.com not ourlaughingplace.com.

The Monorail serves mostly the Disneyland hotel and makes one stop inside Tomorrowland and then back to the hotel. You can also use the monorail if you stay at the Paradise Pier Hotel but it is a bit of a walk from the hotel to the monorail station. The Grand Californian is the closest to the parks. It is virtually in DCA (from our room to the private GC entrance to DCA was one two two minutes) and across the walkway from Disneyland. The Disneyland hotel is definately walkable to both Parks. ( similar to walkng from the Contemporary to the MK). Paradise Pier has a private Entrance to DCA (which is across the street) and it used to have tram service to Disneyland, ( I am unsure if this is still going on).

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks daannzzz for your quick response!! Ok, I'll try that site again for more pixs!!

 

[goofyfordisney]

Fantasia,

We are also planning our trip in June '02 for DL. Have you heard about www.getawaytoday.org? They might be able to help you with good rates--We haven't used them ourselves--but are considering it if we can't get good rates on our own. I think Dreams Unlimited can do bookings for DL as well--haven't used them either--but would consider it! We are AAA & Disney Club members so I'm hoping to get a good rate. I haven't tried calling the hotel directly--sometimes you can do better calling the hotel directly. We were booked at PP in April this year and my husband really wanted to stay at GC--AAA said their were no rooms available--we called the GC directly and got our rooms during spring break. We paid around $200/night I think. Sometimes, when you book too far in advance the prices aren't as good as when you get closer to your travel dates. We probably will book within the next couple of months and keep checking for better deals.

I would really like to stay on-site again--It does help (especially with smaller kids). The summer hours are usually really good--they are open usually till at least midnight every night! Going back to the hotel mid-day is a must! It's so nice to just walk back--not have to deal with shuttles. The GC is the closest hotel to the parks--but DLH isn't that much farther. Sometimes, the monorail isn't necessarily the fastest way back to the hotel because the line to get on the monorail at Tommorrow land is sooooo long!

Hope this helps!
Happy Planning!
Sue

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks Sue! Your infos does help me. I am also a AAA member, but not DC (though I used to have MKC before they discontinued it-it was free from my company). No, I never heard of that site before and I haven't used Dreams Unlimited before. Too bad I can't use my neice's DL AP. She lives in Long Beach and loves disney but never stayed on sight as far as I know.

My husband said that instead of staying at my brother's house in LB, we can stay on disney hotel, so this is great! And I agree with you, staying on sight is better for families with young children so they can get back to their resort when necessary in a matter of a few minutes. Besides, we only live once, so we might as well live to the fullest and enjoy ourselves!!

As soon as I find out anything about discounts for next year particulary summer in Aug, then I will book the hotel, but for now, I will gather as much info as I can to prepare myself for this coming trip and this means finding out what there is to see and do in DL and CGA as well as the resort we want to stay at. I've been to DL 3x but it was about 15 yrs ago!! I'm sure there are a lot of changes and added new things. So, I'm excited about learning about DL!!