Which hotel has easiest access in August?

[ursula500]

We will be at DL in August with our two kids and grandmother, dealing with the crowds. Is it feasible to stay at DLH or GC and walk to Disneyland Park? If not, would it be better to stay at a cheaper hotel and park-tram or shuttle to the park? We'll only be spending one day at the park, unfortunately, so we'd like to make the most of it.

 

[Dobie]

The GCH is very, very close, like five minutes, through DTD. The DLH. is a bit longer, but is still walkable. For only one day, I would stay at the GCH.

For four days, I would stay at the GCH.

For fourteen days, I would stay at the GCH. . .

 

[boosmom96]

If you stay in the Marina Tower at DLH it is probably closer to the monorail stop then walking from the GC to DL. The GC does have an entrance directly into DCA from the lobby, but DL is a (very) short walk through DTD. I would not stay off-site if you only have 1 day. The shuttles are going to eat up alot of time.
I guess the bottom line is this - GC is the closest, hands down. It is also the most expensive and books the quickest. The DLH is a very short walk to the monorail and a slightly longer walk to the park. We generally stay at the DLH because I think it's more kid friendly.
Good luck deciding and have a great trip!!!

 

[cstraub]

GCH is by far the closest to the Monorail that takes you to the MK. It also has a private entrance right into California Adventure.

 

[CalGal]

If you want to make the most of one day and the added cost is not a factor, start very early and stay at the GCH. As the previous poster pointed out, the Sierra Tower at the DLH is nice and is convenient to the monorail, but you'll have to pay for a park view room to get a room in this tower. Also, it's nice to not count on the monorail since the line for the monorail can be long at certain times of day, especially after parades and fireworks. Even with just one day, you may wish to take a break midday when the park is warm and the crowds are heavy. I'd also recommend that you make a PS for dinner and/or lunch.

 

[meandthree]

We are just back from a one night stay at GCH. We were so impressed with how convenient it was to DL and how awesome to just go down the elevator and out into California Adventure Park. We were so pleased with the ease that we are going to forego WDW next year and will be taking our children back to DL.

 

[LucyKate]

GCH is without doubt the most convenient (guests have been known to pop out, take a few trips on Grizzly River Run to cool off, then go back to their rooms!) but it is also the most expensive hotel by far. It is the only hotel that can be truly considered on-site (though only for DCA - it is still a short walk to Disneyland itself).

DL and PP are both within walking distrance, though some might consider it a bit too far (especially for PP). Just as close, and a lot cheaper are a heap of hotels on Harbor Boulevarde, including two which are highly praised - the Howard Johnson and Candy Cane Inn.

If you can afford the CGH go for it, if not, there's plenty of non-Disney convenient options.