Which hotel..4 adults, 2 rooms..help!

[SnoWhite]

My parents surprised my boyfriend and I with news that we will have a family vacation to Disneyland in Feb. Unfortunately we will be there on the Monday of presidents day weekend, but at least we get to see the MSEP that night! Here is the dilemma. My parents want to have separate rooms which is causing this to get a bit spendy. We would all like to stay at a Disney property, so right now I have reservations at Paradise Pier, with upper level theme park view rooms. The rate was pretty good at $146 a night. However, we could potentially get a room at the GC for $159 a night "over the shops of DT Disney". I'm not sure if this would be too loud, etc. for my parents. I guess the only thing I'm concerned about at Paradise Pier is the walk we will have to get to the parks. I know GC has it's own entrance, but we will probably spend more time in DL. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. We would also consider non-Disney hotels but mom does want to stay "somewhere nice". Thanks guys, you are the best!

 

[daannzzz]

I would go for the Grand Californian rooms for $159. That is an awesome price. We did not have a room over the Downtown Disney area but were 25 feet away from the Monorail beam. With the door closed it was very quiet and I have heard others with the view of DD say that it was nice and quiet with the door closed. The location is incredible for convenience to the parks.

 

[LuvTigger]

I agree, a rate of $159 at GC is hard to come by. Also, when the balcony door is closed, you shouldn't hear much (if any) outside noise. We had a theme park view and when we opened the door, we could hear the music from the park, but when we closed it, no sound at all! In fact, I think we heard more from people walking into the room across the hall from us!

If you're still concerned, maybe what you could do is request an upper floor? That is what we did.

We LOVED GC. We loved our theme park view, but while exploring the resort, BF and I commented that we would've been happy with any room there. Also, if you have the time, take the hotel tour. You can sign up for it at Guest Services, it's every afternoon, I think at 2 p.m. and lasts about an hour. Really gives great insight into the hotel and made us appreciate it even more!

 

[lmj]

We are thinking of going the same dates. I would love to know how you got such a great rate at the Grand Californian. I really want to stay there but so far the budget won't allow it. Thanks.

 

[Lynn-Marie]

I agree that $159 per night at the GC is a fantastic rate - especially with a DTD view. Take it! While you might be concerned about the noise, bear in mind that Paradise Pier park views have one drawback in terms of noise - they're over a main street that has traffic and, as such, some traffic noise once in awhile. I think you'll have more quiet at the GC, even if it is over DTD. DTD isn't too noisy - unless you're talking about NYE!

Other considerations: the walk from Paradise Pier isn't bad - it's the equivalent of one block more to the parks. If you're a total couch potato or have parents who are up in age this may be a factor. If not, then I wouldn't put that on the decision scale. Also, there's a backdoor entrance to the California Adventure for all Paradise Pier guests - it's a beautiful entrance - I'd say even nicer than the one for GC guests. If you want to have a nice park view - PP is the hotel for you. For your needs, you might consider going for a 2 BR suite at the PP. It might be competitive with rates at the GC. (Might.) The benefit of a suite at the PP is you get a living room to share between the two bedrooms and concierge service - a bonus for things like priority seating, daytime "free" snacks and "free" movie rentals.

Either would be great if the price is right.

--LM
(Frequent PP guest. Fan of the California Adventure.)

 

[SnoWhite]

I got the $159 rate because I am buying an annual pass. It just works better for me, and we will get discounts on food, purchases etc. I'm the only one in my party getting one so in the end we will still save money. As for why we don't want to walk, both of my parents have bad knees and it's hard for them to get around, so I figured the closer the better. I called back today and got a room in the Sierra tower of the DL hotel for $119 though, so that is even better considering we do need 2 rooms. (I did check on the suites but they turned out to be more money, but it was a great suggestion). We have stayed in the DL hotel before and I think that will work out well. The monorail is right there as well as DTD. We have a Theme park View there as well so I don't feel like we are losing much by switching other than $30 a night per room. They did still have the $159 GC rates, but we decided that we would do that when it's just the BF and I later in the year. I hope I made the right decision, but I know we will have fun regardless. Thank you all for your great input, I can't wait to stay in the GC later this year!

 

[the Legend]

We stayed in the GC DTD view last October and can vouch that there is no noise unless you leave the sliding doors open. We found when doing this that most noise was in the morning.
However remember we stayed the first week of October and there was zero crowd except on the weekends. There were nighttime crowds watching the Angels games both in and outside of ESPN and the Jazz Kitchen and House of Blues were doing great business, but still no noise in the room. Enjoy your stay, you got a good rate!

 

[tink2dw]

I just got back from DL I also have bad knees,so I rented a ECV[scooter] from Alan's offsite. I highly reccommend them they arranged to deliver a scooter for me to our hotel Jan 31 as we were arriving Jan.1,03 it cost $20.extra because they weren't sceduled to work the 12/31 or 1/1 But for 7 days it cost $153.

Alan's Wheelchairs & rentals. (800)693-4344. http://awmp.getwebnet.com/

They delivered the ECV to my Hotel & picked it up.

 

[almostGoofy]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the monrail only stops at DTD and Tomorrowland. The DTD station use to be the front of the DL hotel station before DTD was built. They pushed the front of the hotel back but kept the station where it was which is now DTD.

 

[the Legend]

Yes!

Like most Disney rides, the Monorail now ends at a Gift store (Metaphoricly Downtown Disney is the biggest Gift store of all). Obviously done so you can continue spending at Disney after the Parks close.

And explains why GCH has both a DCA and DTD entrance and why DPP has its own DCA entrance etc. They really do need to brng the trams back.