Originally Posted By liveforvacations I have a friend who is considering booking a vacation through Expedia. She is determined to stay at one of the three resort hotels but is unsure of which to pick. I always stay off property so I could not give her any advice but told her I'd ask all the "experts" at LaughingPlace. The most expensive room is a concierge room at the Disneyland Hotel. For about $700.00 less she can get a standard room at the Grand Californian. A standard room at the Paradise Pier will cost her about $1300.00 less than the room at the Grand Californian. The money is not that important-I think she is looking for the best experience. It is her and her husband and their two children who are 2 and 4. What would you pick and why?
Originally Posted By dlkozy If money is not that important to her, I am surprised that she is using Expedia. I find that booking rooms yourself give you a bit more control on what you end up with.
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP To me, I think it would depend on what she was planning on doing with the difference, burn it? If she is just going to throw away the difference I think I'd pick grand californian because it's the absolute closest, and, in my opinion, has the best lobby. From what I've heard about concierge level it comes down to some available snacks at the hotel (possibly very yummy snacks) and the feeling of being pampered. Me personally I'd rather buy my snacks in the park, but that is totally just me. In my own trip planning I tend to pick the cheapest Disney Hotel (PP in this case) and spend the difference to upgrade my food. Take my opinion for what it's worth, considering I've never stayed on property at the DL Resort (or off either) we live way too close to justify it.
Originally Posted By kari12177 I would stay at GC, we stayed there in Jan and now we love it, it's close to everything! I don't think we'll stay any where else but there, from now on!
Originally Posted By dlkozy I am a DLH gal-but that being said, we stayed at the PPH last October and the service was OUTSTANDING! MUCH better than ANYTHING I have ever experienced at the DLH
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 If money isn't an issue, with a 2 and 4 year old, I'd pick the Grand and bring my own stroller I'd also explore prices, room sizes etc. through the internet and then phone the hotel directly to make the reservation. I'm not good at providing links but Lisann posted a really good link that shows the layout of the rooms at all 3 hotels. It's in a Disneyland Planning thread begun by smoaky about CGH suites. You may want to take a look and see if that might help your friend. We seriously like all three hotels for different reasons. PPH for the simplicity of one tower, the view of DCA and the friendliness of the staff. DLH for the grounds, the closeness of the monorail station and because that's where we always stayed when our kids were young. The Grand for the closness to DCA and DTD. We choose where to stay by what we want out of a particular vacation.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Since her children are so young, they'll be happy with just about anything, so I would recommend the GCH.
Originally Posted By mater4 I also would choose GCH because of the short walk to the parks. When my son was a baby we stayed there and ordered food to go from Storytellers Cafe. It was nice to eat a good meal in the comfort of our room.
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy The DLH has the Cove Pools, which are perfect for little kids. Are they going during a time when they would be using the pools? The Cove pools are always much less crowded too, so it is a nice spot to relax. And since these pools are shallow, they stay warmer.
Originally Posted By GoofBall I recommend the Grand with little ones. The walk is so easy. We used the DCA entrance even to go over to DL because the security check is so much faster. Then you have storytime, Disney tunes on the piano in the lobby, scavenger hunts, its all good.
Originally Posted By Main Street Dad Since they're taking the little ones I'd vote for the DL Hotel, even with the longer walk.
Originally Posted By 73baloo I love DHL just because it is the original and even though it has been remodeled numerous times it just has that feel. The others are great but...
Originally Posted By Main Street Dad Last summer we stayed at the GC for the first time after spending the previous few trips at the DLH. The GC was very nice, but we missed the DLH. The GC gets the nod for proximity to the parks, and the atmosphere and style are both great! The DLH just "feels" more Disney for us. And even though a two year old probably wouldnt remember too much the four year old will! With all the great themeing, and the pool and Disney touches in the lobby and rooms, the DLH feels almost like an extension of DL.
Originally Posted By jodiefra I agree with Main Street Dad. The proximity of the GC was great, and it was especially nice when we traveled with a family of not-yet-converted Disney fans, since the GC is posh with less of an in-your-face Disney feel. That said, we LOVE the in-your-face Disney feel, so we're staying at the DLH this trip. It's a little more walking, but it really is like living with Mickey : )
Originally Posted By dlkozy Is there anything better than entering the DLH lobbies and hearing Disney music? LOVE IT!
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF In other words...you can't miss no matter where you stay....it will be great.....
Originally Posted By RoJo For what you get at the GCH for one tiny room you can get PP with concierge,which is outstanding, by the way. I've stayed many times at all 3 hotels, and for the money you save at the PP, you can enjoy many extras like character meals and tours during your trip. Sure, the GCH is nice, but you can enjoy all the eminities of the GCH while staying at one of the other 2 Disney Hotels. Plus the theme park view at the PP is the best view of any hotel at the resort!
