Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel? About This Page:

[julz19929]

Disney experience as well.

I've already made a reservation for Grand Californian, but now am second guessing myself and wonder if we should stay at the Disneyland Hotel. I'm thinking the boys will like the pirate stuff and the slide, but don't know how much time we'll have to actually hang out at the pool.

We'll be checking out of our time share in LA on Friday morning and hightailing it over to DL and spending two nights, flying back to the east coast on Sunday.

Given all the rambling info I'm giving you, should I stay at Grand or move over to DL Hotel?

THANKS!!!

[chezp]

I don't think you can go wrong with ither, but I'm voting for moving to the Disneyland Hotel, as I think your boys will love the theming of it and the pool.

[loobyoxlip]

I agree w/Chez, you really can't go wrong with either. What was your original reasoning for picking GCH? Maybe really thinking about that will help you make your decision. I voted for stay at GCH as the proximity to the parks is great , esp. with 3 kids! It's nice when they're tired to just be right there. Also you can have a balcony at GCH, which is really nice.

[julz19929]

Thanks for the input so far ... but I'd love to get more opinions!

[DisneyLifer]

Grand Californian! It is the best hotel at Disneyland. It is closer, newer, nicer, and friendlier. I just stayed at the Disneyland hotel last september and had the worst experience ever. Things were broken, the smell was horrible, didn't get the room made up one day, They never replaced our shampoo and soap we used up, and the list goes on, and on. If I can't stay at Grand Californian, I will stay offsite. I wrote a nice letter to Disney about my specific problems (Didn't just say it was bad), and never heard back. Grand Californian is a little closer as well so it's a little nicer during the day to just go back for a bit. You can still use the pools at Disneyland hotel so that shouldn't be a problem. Also, since Grand Californian is DTD, it is much easier to run down for a snack, especially late at night when everything except the bar is closed at Disneyland Hotel. After my past experience at Disneyland Hotel, versus a stay at Grand Californian a year ago, I will never recommend Disneyland Hotel again. I know a lot of people love it, but I was very dissapointed.

[Diz]

This will be a lop-sided opinion - we've only stayed at the GCH.

I absolutely love it. The theming is so Californian. It really is nice being able to use the CA entrance - even if you're going to the Magic Kingdom. The security lines are so much shorter! A zip down the street and around the corner, through the gate and you're right at the MK entrance way. During our June trip, it saved a lot of time! The pool does not have a good theme, but the kids I saw there were having just as much fun. There is a great evening "show" for everyone - storytelling, songs by the fireplace. It is a fun time!

I would always say - choose GCH first.

But reading your post, I don't think your heart is set on GCH. However, it seems your mom radar is honed in on the DLH pool for your Dkids. That alone says to me - you really want to stay there to make their trip more magical. So I guess in the long run, my vote would be for DLH. It sounds like all of you would be happier giving it a try.

Have fun choosing. You really can't go wrong - you're going to DL!

[paradox]

We have never stayed at either, but just a show on Travel Chanel about them. Grand Californian has a private entrance right into the park from the hotel, you can't beat that.

[mttafire]

Originally Posted by chezp

I don't think you can go wrong with ither, but I'm voting for moving to the Disneyland Hotel, as I think your boys will love the theming of it and the pool.

Agreed

[DopeyGirl]

I have only STAYED at the Disneyland Hotel but have been in rooms at the GCH.

My vote, since you have kids, is to move to the DLH. The themeing of the entire resort is fantastic and fun. It is a little bit further a walk (through DTD) to the parks, but worth it. If you don't feel like walking the entire way to to the Esplanade and going through the main gates of the parks, you can take the monorail from DTD into Disneyland park or you can cut through the GCH and go through the side entrance to DCA.

The GCH themeing is more laid-back, woodsy, Wilderness Lodge-like. And, while nice and relaxing, just not as . . . "fun" . . . for me.

IMO, you can't go wrong with the original.

[w-steele]

We have stayed in both and to me, it would be a toss up. Each has advantages over each other. GCH has a direct entry into CA but a short walk from DH and you can take the monorail into Tomorrowland and beat the lines.
We are going to be spending New Years at the DH and which ever you pick, you can't go wrong. Oh, the cost is lower at DH (usually) than at GCH.

[Flik]

We debated about this, too.
In the end, we have chose GC (for our upcoming May trip). For us, it will be our 1st ever DL trip, so we decided we wanted to splurge. We LOVE the WL at WDW, so we think the theming will be a perfect match for our taste.

In the end, it's all Disney... so I am sure you cannot go wrong!

[snoozy]

If you got the cash to spend on the GCH I would do it. You can always go over to the pool at the DLH and use it, you can even go to the PPH and use their roof top pool. The Grand has the best location - hotel is part of DCA and Downtown Disney, close to the Monorail Station which is always a better choice on entering Disneyland. Its nice to run back to the room after you have riden Grizzly River Run and change.

[Grandmasam]

I the GCH - especially the stained glass door! If it were me, I'd stay with the GCH. But I don't have kids traveling with me, so that clouds my opinion a bit. One advantage I can think of for GCH and its closeness is that you will be "home" with less walking, which can be a great advantage if the boys are really tired of an evening!

[gsanchez]

I have stayed at all 3 hotels.We are annual passport holders. we only stay on property. I do not like The Disneyland Hotel. The staff is not friendly we had a bad experience. You can use the Disneyland pool if you stay at the Grand Californian you cannot use the pools at the Grand Californian if you do not stay there. You need your activated room key to access the gate. We loved the Grand so much we probably will not stay anywhere else. The Paradise Pier we loved as well. The Themepark view is incredible. You have to make sure you are high eneough to actually have a great view. we stayed on the 13th floor. You can view the fireworks from the pool area They chime the actual music in. You can only view the fireworks at The Grand Californian from The Concierge room and you can only go in if you are staying concierge level. The Grand has great storytelling. A daily planned sheet with walks/a tour/scavenger hunt etc. The gate to California Adventure can be accessed with a room key from any of the 3 hotels They check. They use to just let you through but they do check every time.
The robes at The Grand are great/rooms are beautiful. the piano player is great. The paradise Pier/Disneyland Hotels give you shampoos etc w/Mickey on them the Grand does not.They are better but kids may like the other.The monorail is right outside one of the doors from The Grand very convenient! Downtown Disney is right there .We stayed Concierge level and we went through the side gate at lunch they made us pb&J sandwiches and we could take them into C A
They give you glass bottles for soda that you have to pour into plastic cups that they supply but water bottles are plastic.I have too much info sorry.

[NanaTink]

WE love GC....we stayed there in 2005 and are headed back this August! It's a lovely hotel, theming is beautiful and the rooms large and spacious. I can't tell you about the Disneyland Hotel, but the pictures from the outside remind me of a Holiday Inn. Sorry. I don't know what the inside is like or the rooms, so I can't truly make a judgement. I'm so excited about going back! Hope you find the one that's right for you. What is right for one, is not always for another!