Which resort to stay at: GC, DL Hotel, or PP?

[ScottNBecky]

Our family are DVC members, and have visited WDW 6 times in the last few years, and next summer we are going to go to DL. It will be our first trip out west and DD's 8 and 6 are so excited. We want to make this trip something special, and are going to use our DVC points for a resort (the cash prices are really high arent they?) So anyone who can compare the resorts from apst experience feel free to chime in here and help me decide where to stay. It would be for 3-4 days. I am assuming that we can see Dl and DCA in 3-4 days right?

 

[RonnieJo66]

Don't know how many pts. it would be, but my opinion is to stay at the Grand Californian. It is so beautiful....plus direct access to C.A.

If you go to (Paradise Pier...I whole-heartedly suggest The Lilo & Stitch Aloha Breakfast!!) It was fantastic!!! Character interaction was great and not as crowded as Goofy's Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel. My kids are 13 & 15...they LOVED it! (and so did I!)

Hope you have a great time...

Hugs,

RonnieJo

 

[LucyKate]

It all comes down to how much you want to spend.

GCA costs about 2-3 times what the others do, but is the only hotel which is actually "on-site" and has a direct entry into the parks (DCA).

PP and DL are off-site, but much cheaper. They are both about a 10 minute walk or short shuttle from the parks, and are no closer that about a dozen other non-Disney hotels.

If you check out trip advisor you will see the GC is rated the best hotel in Anaheim, but two off site hotels, the Candy Cane Inn and Howard Johnson are second and third.

 

[CalGal]

First, I recommend that you check out Mary Jo's sticky thread at the top of this board that details the DL Resort and Good Neighbor Hotels. It has a lot of great information on all 3 hotels.

The Grand Californian is the most like a premium WDW resort. It's lovely, and it's pretty new. It's location is awesome! It definitely has my vote. The Disneyland Hotel is a little dated, but is still lots of fun. It's Neverland Pool is fun, Goofy's Kitchen is great, and the grounds are nice. The DLH is just a nice stroll through DTD (smaller than WDW's DTD) from the entrance to DL or DCA, or you can take the monorail adjacent to DLH into DL's Tomorrowland. The rooms at the DLH are a little bigger than at the GCH. Since it's cheaper than the GCH, it's a good choice also, especialy with kids. The Paradise Pier is the least themed and the furthest away (but still within walking distance). I might recommend it for someone trying to save a few bucks and if they want something a little quieter. I don't think it's the best choice for your family.

 

[Tahoe]

Since this is your first trip, definitely the Grand Californian! You just can't beat the location and the atmosphere. It's easier to take a break during the day. We don't stay anywhere else anymore.

 

[mwehttam]

Since this coming trip (7 days till we're there ) will be DW and my first trip to DL, we are staying at GC the whole time (6 nights). We figured that since we are from the East Coast, this might be our only time to visit DL. We will be starting a family soon (DL is the Happiest Place On Earth, nudge nudge, wink wink) this will probably be our last big vacation for a while and we will take our kids to WDW. However if we ever join DVC and they put a DVC section into GC...

Another factor to consider, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, by staying at GC you can use both the DLH and PP pool as well as GC. If you stay at DLH, it's only PP and PP, and finally, statying at PP you only get to use PP pool. So if pools are important, that could be a big factor.

-Matthew

 

[DVC Daisy]

The point costs for DLH is much less than for the other two (on sale so to speak). Plus, depending on when you are going they could be reduced even more. We were able to get 2 rooms at DLH for less than one at GC. Did you check the Member Site for point costs? It is updated so don't go by what is in your book, check out the site. Don't know if this will make a difference to you, but something to think about.

I consider DLH a short walk to the parks, nothing like WDW. Have you stayed at BWV (my fave ) it is about the same as a walk down the looooonnnng hallways Really, the "long walks" at DLR are nothing compared to WDW!

 

[FanOfStitch]

I stayed at the GC on points in June with a Downtown Disney view. I really enjoyed GC. My room was on the third floor directly across from Basin. If we were back to the room early enough, we could see the fireworks every night. And you can't beat the entrance to DCA. If we ever get back to DL again, I know where I'll be staying.

 

[Amy&Dan]

It all comes down to how much you want to spend.

GCA costs about 2-3 times what the others do, but is the only hotel which is actually "on-site" and has a direct entry into the parks (DCA).

PP and DL are off-site, but much cheaper. They are both about a 10 minute walk or short shuttle from the parks, and are no closer that about a dozen other non-Disney hotels.

If you check out trip advisor you will see the GC is rated the best hotel in Anaheim, but two off site hotels, the Candy Cane Inn and Howard Johnson are second and third.

The Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier are on site hotels as well. On site refers to being in a hotel owned and operated by Disney. It actually has nothing to do with proximity to the parks. Even in WDW there are very few onsite hotels that are inside or even next to a Disney park. Since the OP is using DVC points she has to stay onsite. I recommend The Disneyland Hotel, I have stayed there 5 times and my family loves it. The Neverland Pool really appeals to children. Paradise Pier is also nice but I believe right now points are lower at the Disneyland Hotel and it is nicer in my opinion. The Grand Californian is the nicest and obviously the most expensive cash or points but has a great location to Downtown Disney and California Adventure. For Disneyland its not much closer than the other two, but that is relative since all three onsite properties are within a 10-15 minute walk.

 

[ParkFreak]

DVC Daisy, you cracked me up! But you are probably right, some of the rooms at BWV ARE as far away from the lobby as the rooms from DLH or PPH are to the front gates!

We're going in October, and got GCH thru Hotels.com for 4 nights (stay 3, get the 4th free) averaging about 200/night. We only have 200 DVC points/year so we figure we're getting a better deal using them at WDW (OKW is our fave!) and paying cash for the DL hotels. I've only stayed at PPH in the past and while it's nice, I would definitely recommend DLH over that if you're using points since it's actually cheaper during the 50th celebration. GCH is closer and nicer, and if you have points to use up, go for it. But I think the better "bargain" would be with DLH. If you've never been to the Disneyland Resort, they are LITERALLY across the street from each other! and all the Disney hotels are closer to the park than either the Contemporary or Grand Floridian in Orlando! (well, maybe not, but it's a much nicer walk in California!)

Anyway, hope this helps!

 

[boosmom96]

Another factor to consider, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, by staying at GC you can use both the DLH and PP pool as well as GC. If you stay at DLH, it's only PP and PP, and finally, statying at PP you only get to use PP pool. So if pools are important, that could be a big factor.

-Matthew

DLR Has discontinued pool hopping. This was mainly implemented when the pool at PP was being renovated.
We have stayed at the DLH many times and I love it. We leave tomorrow and will be at the GC, so I'll have some point of comparison when we get back. We picked the GC for this trip because we are anticipating crowds and long hour and really want to be able to go back and rest during the day. We'll be traveling with my step-daughter and her youngest just turned 5 and we know he'll need a break during the day. In the past when we've been at the DLH we haven't needed to go back during t the day.