Which Hotel?

[davidc1]

Which of the three Disney Resort hotel would you stay at and why? Thanks Guys!

 

[Briarrose1306]

I've only stayed at the PPH, but would love to stay at the DLH. PPH is beautiful and I really enjoyed the stay. The rooms are a nice size and you get the Disney magic for only a little bit more than off property. However, the walk back to the hotel can be a bit much from the front gates and especially if you decide to have a meal at Denny's or something and then to walk back. Taking the monorail to the park cuts this down a lot though.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I would stay in the only hotel actually built by Disney!

 

[goldies 5]

We have stayed at all three many times. PP for price and room size, DLH for its theming, and GC for the convenience and atmosphere. All three have comfortable beds IMO. We prefer the GC at this point in our lives. We just find it to be more relaxing and enjoyable for our family. It is great to have your room steps from the park when you have little tired legs. Our teenagers and little ones prefer it too.

 

[suzy021372]

If money is not as issue, The GC is the way to go. It is the most luxerious and the closest to the parks. Everything about it is awesome, except the price. I bought in to DVC just so I could stay there!

 

[skiingfast]

PP for price and room size, DLH for its theming, and GC for the convenience and atmosphere.

Very Simple and very true.

 

[algae]

We've stayed at all 3 many times.

GC pros: usually good view; great atmosphere; Napa Rose!; quick access to DCA
GC cons: high cost, parking is a bit far

PPH pros: low cost; nice rooms; good view if you get the park view; parking garage is right there.
PPH cons: kinda far from DL; character dining not all that great

DLH pros: one of the towers is close to the Monorail; Goofy's kitchen is there; nice koi pond/waterfall
DLH cons: views not all that great; some towers are basically as far from DL as PPH.

We usually go for: PPH for a good balance between convenience and cost; GC if we want to splurge (corner suite is real nice!); DLH if nothing else is available at the other 2 properties.

 

[Darth Boeder]

I like PPH. You can cut through GC for a shorter walk.

 

[Jana0326]

If money isn't an issue, I'd stay at the Grand Californian. Besides being the nicest/most upscale of the 3, it is much closer to the parks than the other two.

 

[SilentFeline]

My boyfriend and I will always stay at the DLH if we can afford it. I haven't had the privilege of staying in a new room yet, but the room we stayed in back in 2009 in the Magic Tower was perfect. I love the walk through DTD to get to the parks, and the theming of the hotel is excellent. Very Disney! You should go just to check out the new rooms. I hear great things!

 

[DahliaRW]

We've stayed at all 3 many times.

GC pros: usually good view; great atmosphere; Napa Rose!; quick access to DCA
GC cons: high cost, parking is a bit far

PPH pros: low cost; nice rooms; good view if you get the park view; parking garage is right there.
PPH cons: kinda far from DL; character dining not all that great

DLH pros: one of the towers is close to the Monorail; Goofy's kitchen is there; nice koi pond/waterfall
DLH cons: views not all that great; some towers are basically as far from DL as PPH.

We usually go for: PPH for a good balance between convenience and cost; GC if we want to splurge (corner suite is real nice!); DLH if nothing else is available at the other 2 properties.

Koi and waterfalls are gone, but a new themed pool area will be in soon.. We loved the breakfast at PCH Grill (we went when it was Mickey's, may not have been as good back when it was Lilo and Stitch). I walked from DLH to PPH and PPH is further, IMO, than the wonder tower, by a few minutes walk. I was walking from dreams to pph to do laundry and just between the hotels it felt like a long walk!

 

[algae]

Koi and waterfalls are gone, but a new themed pool area will be in soon..

That's too bad. Guess we haven't walked through there in a while.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

We've stayed at all 3 many times.

GC pros: usually good view; great atmosphere; Napa Rose!; quick access to DCA
GC cons: high cost, parking is a bit far

PPH pros: low cost; nice rooms; good view if you get the park view; parking garage is right there.
PPH cons: kinda far from DL; character dining not all that great

DLH pros: one of the towers is close to the Monorail; Goofy's kitchen is there; nice koi pond/waterfall
DLH cons: views not all that great; some towers are basically as far from DL as PPH.

We usually go for: PPH for a good balance between convenience and cost; GC if we want to splurge (corner suite is real nice!); DLH if nothing else is available at the other 2 properties.

The Disneyland Hotel actually has some of the very best views out of the 3 hotels due to the high towers. You can have a downtown Disney view that over looks Disneyland iteself and watch the fireworks from your room with the TV tuned to the fireworks channel. When the pool is not under construction, the pool view is very resort like and beautiful too. It will be even better next summer with the pool remodel is complete. And yes--no more waterfalls or koi ponds for a while now--they are gone because the new pool/restaurant are is being built right now with a monorail themed pool.

For the OP:

If you want to see pictures of the resorts or videos, just google images to see what they have to offer.
Grand Californian: Spa like. A low slung (this is not a high tower hotel, so views can be limited from many vantage points) building that was designed to look like the Ahwani Lodge in Yosemite. It is done in a rustic arts and crafts style and boasts a beautiful, open lobby with plenty of sofas and a big hearth fireplace. Rooms are smallish and a bit dark in keeping with the arts and crafts theme. Located right in the heart of downtown Disney and closest to Disneyland/DCA. Separate back entrance to DCA. At Christmas there is an amazing Christmas tree in the lobby and tons of old fashioned decor. If you have a family of 5, this hotel can be a bit risky to book--because some times they run out of rooms with daybeds and the only option they provide is a sleeping bag on the floor of the room (due to firecodes and room size). Beautiful, natural looking pools like you would see at a major resort. Lots of lounge chairs around pools.

Disneyland Hotel: The new rooms are sleek and contemporary, featuring some subtle and not so subtle disney theming throughout. Dark wood furniture with plush beds and bedding. The headboards have LED lights showing the disneyland fireworks over the castle. This hotel is located at the base of downtown disney. You can either walk through downtown Disney to get there, or walk part way and take the monorail into Tomorrowland. I find this hotel better suits the needs of a family with 3 kids better than the Grand Californian, because the rooms are bigger. Each room has 2 queen beds and a daybed for a family of five. Pool area can be a free for all with lots of little kiddies! The new pool area should be amazing and I can't wait to see it next summer.

Paradise Pier: This is the farthest resort hotel from Disneyland Park. It is themed in a California beach style with blonde wood furniture and casual styling. The rooms are similar size and configuration to Disneyland Hotel, making this another good choice for a family of five. Good views of California Adventure if you are willing to pay for a theme park view (or are lucky to get a free upgrade). A basic rectangle pool with a good slide.

 

[mystic_path]

If I had to stay I would choose the Disneyland Hotel. Due to all it's Disney touches I just like being on a Disney vacation and being close to the magic the whole trip. If its convenience and dont mind spending the extra money, then the Grand Californian. Its nice and comfortable.

 

[davidc1]

Thanks for the tips! Do the grand californian hotel have king beds?

 

[CrazyDuck]

Thanks for the tips! Do the grand californian hotel have king beds?

Yes...

 

[yupikgal]

I sure wish the DL hotel's pool was done, we're heading to DL this summer..they did say that we could use the GC or PP pool if we stay there, since it's not done, which is a nice option, but kind of a pain to go back and forth. I am just hoping for a really good special for the hotels soon, or at the very least, a good park hopper deal!

 

[davidc1]

Yeah I heard about that too. The grand californian is most expensive and the Disneyland hotel is middle priced. Is it worth it even if there are construction and if anyone know when the construction of all the towers and pools/restaurant is done?