Would you stay at Grand Calif or Paradise Pier?

[ReneeQ]

My husband and I have the opportunity to go to San Diego in June 2003 with his family. Neither of us have ever been to the West Coast before! I jumped at the chance, though the trip is going to cost us a good bit. We will stay 4-5 extra days and go to Disneyland.

My question is, we are Disney Vacation Club members and can use points to stay at a Disneyland hotel. (Not having to pay for the hotel is helping us afford to go!) It is just about the same number of points for us to stay at the Grand Californian in a park view room as it is to stay in a conceierge room at Paradise Pier.
To those who have been to both, which would you choose?

This is probably our once in a lifetime chance to go to Disneyland, so most of our time will be spent in the parks, not in the room. I'm also wondering what is provided at the conceierge level. I'd be willing to stay at the "less deluxe" hotel if it meant not having to buy some meals (thus making the trip even more affordable), if the conceierge food provided would be enough for breakfast, and possibly even lunch.

Thanks for any opinions and suggestions!

 

[saturday97]

The Grand Californian is beautiful and has the added convenience of being inside DCA-- might turn out to be more valuable to you than the concierge service.

And as a San Diego native, I insist that you try to make it to the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park!

 

[WDW2002]

With out a doubt GC!! I have not seen the rooms but the lobby area is amazing!!!

 

[GeorgeY]

The Grand Californian. The convenience of the location overpowers anything else.

George

 

[daannzzz]

Absolutely the Grand Californian.
While the Paradise Pier Hotel is fine it was a non Disney average looking highrise hotel until a few years ago when Disney Bought it and spruced it up. The rooms are fine and the view on one side is awesome.
The Grand Californian is a Major themed hotel similar to the WL and AKL at WDW. Everything is wonderful here except that the rooms are a little small ( same size as at WL and AKL) which hurts the reputation a bit. From our room at the Grand Californian to inside DCA via the privat entrance was 1 minute! The walk to Disneyland is 5 minutes or less.

 

[jillhou]

Just stayed at the GC and it was lovely. Convenience was GREAT! I have read that the concierge is about the same at all the DL hotels. We were in the GC concierge and it was nice - but breakfast is the only meal you can plan on having here. I think that is all that concierge strives to do. They had cookies during the day and veggies and cheese from 5-7 with wine. If we were around between 5 and 7 - the snack was nice. We usually ate lunch about 3 - so sometimes the snack was nice.

I would probably not base my decision on concierge vs no concierge - although we enjoyed it - WDW concierge service is a little better. But the convenience and the beautiful hotel would be a big plus!!!

The Storyteller Cafe at the GC was really nice also. We hate lunch there one day and all were very satisfied with the meal. One of the best places we ate. Soap Opera Bistro was WAAAAAY overrated - food was average at best - at BEST!

Sorry - kinda rambled on there for a minute....

Have fun!

 

[ReneeQ]

Thanks everyone!