What do you think of the Disneyland hotel as apposed to...

[DisDancerina]

Paradise Pier? We've stayed at Paradise Pier and really enjoyed it. Disneyland Hotel is about a hundred more, is it worth the switch or no? Also, would say 300 dollars more be alot for Grand Californian? It's that much more than Paradise. Idk if it's worth it. November 12th-16th.

 

[Sherry E]

Paradise Pier? We've stayed at Paradise Pier and really enjoyed it. Disneyland Hotel is about a hundred more, is it worth the switch or no? Also, would say 300 dollars more be alot for Grand Californian? It's that much more than Paradise. Idk if it's worth it. November 12th-16th.

I have stayed at all three hotels. Grand Californian is where I would be all the time if I could afford it because it is convenient and gorgeous. Grand Californian is very expensive. Disneyland Hotel is more 'Disney' than Paradise Pier or Grand Californian are. The grounds are prettier, the pool is better. I don't know if it is worth $100 more per night, but it is worth staying there once if you haven't already, just to check it out. A lot of the Disney touches are things you could see simply walking from the Paradise Pier over to the Disneyland Hotel. You don't necessarily have to stay at that hotel to see those things, but I think you should one time! If you liked PPH, you should like DLH. GCH is the most sophisticated and elegant of the three.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I have stayed at all three hotels. Grand Californian is where I would be all the time if I could afford it because it is convenient and gorgeous. Grand Californian is very expensive. Disneyland Hotel is more 'Disney' than Paradise Pier or Grand Californian are. The grounds are prettier, the pool is better. I don't know if it is worth $100 more per night, but it is worth staying there once if you haven't already, just to check it out. A lot of the Disney touches are things you could see simply walking from the Paradise Pier over to the Disneyland Hotel. You don't necessarily have to stay at that hotel to see those things, but I think you should one time! If you liked PPH, you should like DLH. GCH is the most sophisticated and elegant of the three.

I mirror sherry to the tee...except my personal favorite is the disneyland hotel...I like to be immersed 24 7 in disney magic and I completely feel it when Im at DLH, moreso than at PP...PP is nice its just not the same ambiance...and GCH doesnt feel disney at all to me but it is very lovely

 

[avalon451]

If money's a concern, would you consider offsite? HoJo Ent rate is available all during your stay. $74 a night for a deluxe room with a park view and balcony....

 

[Sherry E]

I mirror sherry to the tee...except my personal favorite is the disneyland hotel...I like to be immersed 24 7 in disney magic and I completely feel it when Im at DLH, moreso than at PP...PP is nice its just not the same ambiance...and GCH doesnt feel disney at all to me but it is very lovely

Yeah, I used to stay at DLH all the time, before there ever were the options of Paradise Pier and GCH. I loved it. I loved the old shops and lounges there, the restaurants and the waterfalls, the koi fish - everything. I have some really great memories of going with a group of 12 people to DL in 1991, and squeezing all but two of them into one room (I know, I know, that was ethically wrong to do but trust me - I value my sleep and my money too much now to ever let that many people hog up my room on my dime! I would never do that sort of sneaky thing now - I was young and stupid). Some of us split from the other ones in the middle of the day and went back to the hotel room, and two of my male friends - both of them musicians - sat on the well-worn turquoise blue daybed, took out their guitars and began playing a little mini-set for us. Then, someone in the next room over banged on the wall for us to be quiet! And I had many other great summer trips to DLH with two or three other girlfriends where we would share a room and then eat at the Monorail cafe and take a ride on the pedal boats around the marina.

In fact, I only discovered PPH in 2000 and stayed there to save some money, and I was really excited to try the GCH in 2001, and my friend (who was being treated to the hotel by me) actually complained that she liked DLH better than GCH and she wanted to stay at DLH! Since then, I have either gone 'economical' with the PPH (which isn't very economical) or all out with the GCH. Somehow, DLH got lost in the shuffle. Even this year, when I got the PIN# discount that was floating around, my first instinct was to save the most money and use the PIN for the PPH. It was only after I booked the room that I realized I should have gone with a return visit to the DLH, but when I called Central Reservations to switch hotels, DLH was already booked for my weekend. I just didn't think quickly enough. I am still holding out hope that something will open up spur of the moment a few days before my trip and I can make the last minute switcheroo to DLH! Of course, I always eat at Goofy's and I always wander around the DLH property just to see what is happening, but I have not actually slept there since, oh, probably 1994 or 1995.

 

[Hester]

Agreed for the most part, we've stayed at all 3...

The Grand Californian is absolutely worth it 100%. Not only is it a beautifully designed hotel, you cannot beat the proximity to the parks, especially if you have young kids.

Bottom line, you pay for what you get, in an all around experience in this order...

1) TGC
2) DLH
3) PP

Hence the pricing structure.

Some people may say that TGC isn't worth the money, but I say it absolutely is. The DLH is more "Disney" as disneegrl4eva put it, as far as it having more characters and a "cartoony" feel. There is a sense of nostalgia to the DLH, but for me it feels a bit old and unkept... begging for a refurb or teardown (which is actually in the works.) But TGC is a true work of architectural art, and that feel and experience is also distinctively Disney in my opinon.

If you feel "special", say, going to dinner at a really nice restaurant... you will feel "special" staying at TGC.

 

[DisDancerina]

Figured out it's a 500 dollar difference.... Should we go for it?

 

[Hester]

Figured out it's a 500 dollar difference.... Should we go for it?

YES!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

You know, we can all tell you to do it, but the bottom line is for you to take a look at your finances and then decide what is right for you from that perspective. If you can't do the full upgrade to the GCH, but can afford easily to do DLH, then by all means take the baby step and do DLH. It may be worth it to you to save that cash for souveniers, fine dining, or even better - the next visit! Since you obviously are coming back, you could simply plan to survey the territory on this trip (take the free 2:30 pm GCH hotel tour) and then budget the GCH for your next one.

Just so you know our perspective, we own DVC and were married at the GCH. The last few times, however, we've stayed at the DLH for the variety, trying their pool, etc. (It also helps that we burn much fewer points by staying there vs GCH, so it's a "cost factor" for us, too.) I've always wanted to just try PP for a night, just to see what they have to offer, but haven't yet - one day! We'll be at the GCH, though, for the Half Marathon next weekend - no rooms at DLH!

 

[heatherleigh]

I would stay at the DLH. It's right in the middle. Our plan has always been to work our way up. We stayed at PPH, and were supposed to do DLH last year. Since my mom ended up coming, we had to pay for her room too, so we wound up back at PPH last year as well. This year, we're moving up to the DLH. Next year, we're trying the GCH!

Since the price difference between the PPH and DLH is so insignificant, I would start off at the DLH if I were you. Hope this makes some sense.

 

[northshoremama]

i'm glad someone asked this question. i was thinking the same thing. i am already in the planning phase of possibly celebrating my dd's 3rd bday at DL next may....and i was thinking of staying onsite. i know we can afford either DLH or PPH...but i keep thinking that if we stay off-site, that would be more cash for souvies, eating at DL, character breakfast, etc. i don't know...my sister and her family went to DL this past may and they were going to stay at DLH...but figured out if they stayed off-site, they could go to DL twice this year...and they are...they are going again this october and staying off-site again. hmmm...i guess i have a few more months to think about this. if i got a PIN in the mail, i might consider staying on-site wishful thinking!

 

[Sherry E]

i'm glad someone asked this question. i was thinking the same thing. i am already in the planning phase of possibly celebrating my dd's 3rd bday at DL next may....and i was thinking of staying onsite. i know we can afford either DLH or PPH...but i keep thinking that if we stay off-site, that would be more cash for souvies, eating at DL, character breakfast, etc. i don't know...my sister and her family went to DL this past may and they were going to stay at DLH...but figured out if they stayed off-site, they could go to DL twice this year...and they are...they are going again this october and staying off-site again. hmmm...i guess i have a few more months to think about this. if i got a PIN in the mail, i might consider staying on-site wishful thinking!

I am one of those people who always - perhaps unwisely - thinks I should stay at one of the three Disney hotels when I am there to sort of complete the whole Disney experience. I love being at the Disney hotels! I always feel I need to do it in order to get the full Disney experience. But, to be honest, when staying at PPH, after we go back to the hotel to rest, it is tough to get whoever I am traveling with to go back out into the parks again because the walk seems very daunting to them, while staying at the GCH is where we got the most accomplished due to its convenient location. There was no ominous walk, no complaints of not wanting to go back to the park at night and we got much more done overall when we stayed at the closer hotel. So I got the PIN# offer and booked PPH for this October because it was the cheapest and GCH is not in the budget at this point in time, but I know what staying at the PPH means. It means that my companions will be too tired to walk back into the parks at night and I will probably have to fly solo and be out cruising around DL by myself at 10:00 p.m.!

Unless I get an AP that will provide me nifty discounts on Disney hotels in the future, I will have to seriously rethink the pros and cons of staying at the PPH or DLH if money is tight. GCH would be a go-to in a hot second if funds were available just because I see how much we get done when we are closer to the parks. But is the money really worth it for me in the future to stay at PPH or DLH if I am going to be met with complaints or sluggish travel-mates upon trying to get back into DL at night? In that case, I could be saving hundreds of dollars by staying at one of the off-site hotels, and that extra money saved could go towards a longer stay, more souvenirs, more food, whatever.

There are quite a few smart folks on this board who always stay off-property and make a very good argument for why it makes more sense to do so. There is really no counter-argument for their points, because they make great sense. So, as YellowMickeyPonchos said, it really all comes down to what your own personal financial situation is and what you feel you can afford, or what is worth it to you to spend the money on, and it may change from trip to trip. Maybe one trip might be more economical and so an off-site hotel would be better, and another trip may be all about splurging so the GCH would be in order.

 

[KCSunshine60]

Hi - We've stayed at all three and really enjoy them all for different reasons. We've also stayed offsite and those trips have been good as well. Our decision on where to stay really depends on who is going and what our finances are.

My husband likes the DLH for the steakhouse, the workout facility, the wine cellar and how close it is to ESPN zone. My kids like PP for the pool (faster slide they say). I like GCH for the balconies.

GCH is really nice but it is hard for us to justify the cost difference. We stayed there when it first opened but we never spend enough time at the hotel to justify the difference in price. We'd rather spend the extra $$$ on some nice splurge dinners.

GCH is most convenient if going in through the private CA entrance but we usually go to Disneyland first since it opens earlier and we like to go in using the monorail so DLH is best.

I remember reading something once where the person had calculated the walking distance from each hotel and CGH didn't have a big advantage unless you were using the CA enterance. The walking distance can vary a lot based on where in the GCH your room is located. I remember when we stayed there, our room was at the very end of the hall towards the Disney enterance so we had quite a hike to get out of the hotel. The GCH enterance puts you in about the middle of Downtown Disney. With the backtracking within the hotel and the trek through DD, it wasn't any shorter than walking from the DLH or any of the hotels across on Harbor for that matter. But, part of the fun is walking and browsing through DD!

 

[cccdisney]

We have stayed at all three Disney hotels as well as off-site many times. I MUCH prefer to stay on-site than off-site however because we have annual passes and go often we can't afford to stay on-site a couple of times a year. We usually only stay on-site once a year.
We prefer the GC but have not stayed there for years since we can't justify the high price. I actually prefer the PP over the DH because the rooms seem cleaner and more up-to-date to me. I also prefer the walk from the PP since I like going through the GC. We don't usually use the Monorail since we find unloading everybody and everything from the stroller a hassle - easier to walk.
We are staying at the DLH this November because my kids haven't stayed there in awhile and requested it over the PP.
One more thing - we were just down there last week at stayed at HOJO. We do like this hotel and the kids LOVED the new pirates water area. However the walk does get old fast. Even though the walk to the PP or DH might be just as long it doesn't seem it because you are walking through Downtown Disney - which is still Disney and fun to be in. Walking down Harbor is no fun - even if you cross at Machester to avoid all the people. You still have to walk past the bus stop and such. We never even went to Downtown Disney last week because it just seemed so out of the way and we didn't want to add MORE walking!

 

[heatherleigh]

I always think once my kids are older, we'll wind up staying off-site. I'm not sure though. I really like being fully immersed in everything Disney. At this point, I would rather hold off on a trip (if I had to) to save money up, rather than stay off-campus. I vaguely remember staying off-campus several yrs ago, and it just didn't seem the same. I didn't spend as much time in the parks for sure. I didn't have kids then either, so that probably made a difference.

 

[cccdisney]

I always think once my kids are older, we'll wind up staying off-site. I'm not sure though. I really like being fully immersed in everything Disney. At this point, I would rather hold off on a trip (if I had to) to save money up, rather than stay off-campus. I vaguely remember staying off-campus several yrs ago, and it just didn't seem the same. I didn't spend as much time in the parks for sure. I didn't have kids then either, so that probably made a difference.

It isn't the same - still good but not the same.

I love to be able to look out the window of the hotel and see everything Disney! Something you can't do at an off-site hotel. Even if they say they have a "disney view" it is usually through tress and you really just see the top of the matterhorn or SM.

 

[Sherry E]

It isn't the same - still good but not the same.

I love to be able to look out the window of the hotel and see everything Disney! Something you can't do at an off-site hotel. Even if they say they have a "disney view" it is usually through tress and you really just see the top of the matterhorn or SM.

I agree with you and Heather! It just wouldn't be the same. I can see where many people are just interested in getting into the parks and having the best and most effective day, so a hotel might just be a place to rest their weary heads for the night. But for me, or so I have convinced myself, the hotel is PART of the Disney experience for me. It completes the adventure to stay at one of the three DLR hotels. I get excited just walking into the lobby of whatever hotel it is, browsing the gift shop, getting my pink Disneyland Resort folder with all my brochures in it and my room keys with Mickey and the child on them and the whole thing! Plus, I really like the benefit of having my packages from the parks sent back to the hotel, waiting for me at 7:00 a.m. the next morning. I like the option of Early Entry. I like seeing the bath products when I walk into the bathrooms!

But I know that eventually, unless finances improve, I will probably end up at an off-site hotel sooner or later. It does make a lot of financial sense, and I am sure some of the Good Neighbor hotels are great, but it just wouldn't be the same for me. I know it wouldn't be!

 

[bumbershoot]

i'm glad someone asked this question. i was thinking the same thing. i am already in the planning phase of possibly celebrating my dd's 3rd bday at DL next may....and i was thinking of staying onsite. i know we can afford either DLH or PPH...but i keep thinking that if we stay off-site, that would be more cash for souvies, eating at DL, character breakfast, etc. i don't know...my sister and her family went to DL this past may and they were going to stay at DLH...but figured out if they stayed off-site, they could go to DL twice this year...and they are...they are going again this october and staying off-site again. hmmm...i guess i have a few more months to think about this. if i got a PIN in the mail, i might consider staying on-site wishful thinking!

Only PIN I've gotten for DLR is for the Jolly Roger. A place I would never stay at.


I've stayed at PPH and offsite (and actually at DLH but I was a kid and barely remember anything beyond adjoining rooms, scrambled eggs, and my mom getting a brutal migraine from the teacups).

I prefer offsite. I prefer more money for souvies and food than spending it all on the room.

Since we go relatively often I don't really feel the MM days are a must (especially since it's difficult waking hubby and son up for them...in real life I sleep in but at Disneyland I do NOT) so they aren't worth paying more for.

I do not like walking through DTD to get to the parks, b/c I have a son who wants wants want everything and asks asks asks all the time, so I prefer to stay on Harbor and avoid that (until we get in the parks).

When we stayed at PPH, the monorail was down the whole time, so we never got the benefit of going by monorail into the parks.

When we checked into PPH, relatively late (mysterious black hole caused our 7 hour drive from my dad's in Santa Cruz to be 12 hours), we were put in a room that smelled of cigarette smoke, had a dirty towel in the hamper, and had no toiletries. Their princess good night stories on TV was ALWAYS Snow White, and I can't deal with her voice.

The elevators took ages and I nearly fainted when I took the fast, glass, elevator (so even when DH and DS took that one, I took the slow enclosed ones).


I just didn't enjoy the onsite thing enough for it to be necessary.

Walking back to HoJo on the Disney side allowed us to hear Disney music the whole way back, and we could hear the music like we were in the parks while standing in the parking lot (walking back from dinner on a blocked out day). It felt more Disney to us than dealing with the commerce of DTD!

I'm sure we'll stay onsite again just so I can speak with knowledge of the others, but it would have to be a kick-booty rate at GCH. I won't pay those rack rates unless it's a Westin or higher in Hawaii, LOL. (and HoJo's has Westin-style beds!)

But the cost/benefit analysis for us means that offsite will usually win for us.



OP, if you like PPH stick with it. If you want to try something new, try something new!

 

[northshoremama]

speaking of PINs, my sister just got one in the mail today for dlh, pph, or gc! i was sooo jealous! but of course, she's not going to use it since she already has her reservations for an off-site property. i think dlh was $169/night and pph was $159/night...tgc i think was going for $259/night (or maybe $249?). maybe i still have a chance to get one for next year. her offer is good for the remainder of the year (of course, there are blackout dates...but the dates we're going on october weren't listed as part of the backout dates).

 

[Sherry E]

speaking of PINs, my sister just got one in the mail today for dlh, pph, or gc! i was sooo jealous! but of course, she's not going to use it since she already has her reservations for an off-site property. i think dlh was $169/night and pph was $159/night...tgc i think was going for $259/night (or maybe $249?). maybe i still have a chance to get one for next year. her offer is good for the remainder of the year (of course, there are blackout dates...but the dates we're going on october weren't listed as part of the backout dates).

Thank you for telling us that, and I will explain why! My reservation at PPH is already made. I tried repeatedly to change the weekend because my friend preferred another weekend and they kept telling me in Reservations that all the rooms blocked for the PIN# offer were all booked up (and the dates are between August to December 18th, right?). I asked if both PPH and DLH were booked, and they said yes. Well, now, as it turns out, the weekend my friend wanted is not necessary and we can keep the same dates, BUT I still thought that I might like to switch over to the DLH just because I hadn't been there since 1994 and I don't know if it is going to be refurbished or destroyed or what! They said no availability at DLH for the PIN rooms on my dates. Now that you tell me that people are STILL receiving those offers as recently as TODAY, that leads me to think there ARE still rooms available at all the hotels, and I am going to call them back and mention that people are still getting the PIN offers. I never believe them when they say there is no availability. I always think they can 'find' rooms if they want to! In fact, they told me all the PIN rooms at PPH and DLH were booked up for the rest of the year, but there were still GCH rooms available. Maybe that is what they are trying to do - fill up the GCH rooms! That IS a good deal for the GCH, but in this bad economy, still too expensive to afford, sadly. And they only let you use the PIN once, so I could not use mine a second time for December, darn it!