Originally Posted By Jenn31 I don't really have any desire to stay here, however, my husband really wants to. We've stayed at some really top notch hotels over the last 10 years and to me, the GCH seems like your average hotel? So, Tell me why i'd love it, convince me to stay!
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 Appetizers and cocktails in the Napa Rose Bar, then only having to stagger upstairs to your room.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I love having the Great Hall with the fire and piano player. A great bar and restaurants on offer. Waking up in the morning, walking down to the pool and watching the sun rise reflect off of Paradise Pier from the Jacuzzi. A room view of either the park, the monorail or the fireworks. It is the only nice option in Anaheim IMHO. I have stayed at some of the world greats in my time - Burj Dubai, Waldorf Astoria, The Ritz, Beverly Wiltshire etc. and the GRand is one of my favs. But I am biased in that I love Arts and Crafts movement and the location. Room wise, not that special - an arts and craft small Marriott style room.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I say go for it. If your DH wants to stay there and it isn't your "cup of tea" it will be all his fault J/K The main reason we stay there is for the location. Yes, some rooms are crazy far into the web of the hotel, but you are inside walking not in the rain or heat The hotel itself has grown on us over the years. The balcony is nice.
Originally Posted By Jenn31 LOL Dalia! I love it! Dave, I have been inside the GCH a few times and you're right, the property, lobby, and details of the place are really lovely. So you're saying it's not so much about the room as it is the overall ambiance of the place?
Originally Posted By Jenn31 Amazed, I didn't realize they had balconies, do all the rooms or just the suites?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo That's my view. The rooms are fine - some complain about them being small and dark (I live in Europe these days, so I am used to that). But actually waking up and going for a swim at sunrise, up for some French toast on your balcony overlooking Grizzly Peak, a short walk and being in the parks, going on Grizzly, getting soaked and changing quickly afterwards, having dinner and wine in the Napa Rose and staggering (I mean walking) straight up to your room, now that is the magic. The Grand is the only hotel in Anaheim where you can feel like you are not in the middle of an urban sprawl, it feels like a vacation.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Not all of them do, but a lot of the theme park view or breezia court yard rooms have them. My first morning ever in the GRand, we had a view of the Brezia courtyard and had room service breakfast on the balcony watching the monorail go past!
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Let's see, here I am sitting in a room at HoJo's for less than $100 a night, including free parking and internet. NICE Large rooms, and planning to go to the Hearthstone Lounge at the Grand Californian and have a few adult beverages tonight. Also, we have a nice Balcony here at HoJo's (Heck, larger than most GCH Balconies). So my vote is to be SMART and save your money on the Hotel... And maybe use it for a meal at Napa Rose
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hojo's feels too much like a "work" hotel with too many real world intrusions.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>Let's see, here I am sitting in a room at HoJo's for less than $100 a night, including free parking and internet. NICE Large rooms, and planning to go to the Hearthstone Lounge at the Grand Californian and have a few adult beverages tonight.<< See, I just think it's personal preference. It's hard for me to justify the cost of the GCH, but I will never, ever walk down Harbor Blvd again. I despise that walk. I know others will just roll their eyes or wonder what the big deal is. But I'm with Dave on that one, it makes me feel like I'm in an urban sprawl. Even if you don't want to spring for the Grand Californian, go with the DLH or Paradise Pier. The walk and access to the Monorail is much nicer, though the overall hotels aren't quite as good.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer HUH? Here I sit with a view of the Monorail, and can hear the trains.... I am overlooking Castaway Cove, a wonderful Water Play area. Enjoying a cup of coffee from the Keurig Coffee Maker proveded by HoJo's. I have a few beers in the fridge, and have a Microwave to heat up a snack later today. The distance from HoJo's is the same basic walking distance to the Main Entrance Plaza as the new wing of GCH. I can go next door to Mimi's and have a GREAT meal (OK, not as good as Napa Rose, but, IMHO, better than Storyteller's). I can also pick up a sandwich at Quizno's or even partake at the Dollar Menu at McDonald's. So yes, I do have to walk down Harbor Blvd. one block instead of walking through a shopping mall. But for a savings of over $300 a night, I am VERY happy to make that walk.
Originally Posted By ecdc Like I say, personal preference. I like Hojo's fine (though our last stay was disappointing). But a bunch of that stuff you just mentioned - Mimi's, McDonald's, etc., are exactly what I don't want on my vacation. And DtD is a shopping area, but it's much better than Harbor and a little bit nicer than most malls. I don't see a VIP Nail Salon or 24/7 Title Loans anywhere nearby....
Originally Posted By Darkbeer But heck, I saw a SWAP Meet like set of tents (heck, selling imitation Snuggies) at Disneyland's Main Entrance area this Christmas season... talk about tacky!!!! Alas, it didn't matter if you entered the East or West Security Check, it was just as tacky.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Hands down HoJo's has the best water play area out of all the hotels (yes, Disney included). If you are traveling sans kids that won't weigh into your decision though. But, if you are taking kids be aware that the pricey GC does have rooms where they hand out sleeping bags to sleep in. Nothing screams 5 star like that! LOL!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<--expecting DB to now tell us how much better a value Knott's is over DL.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Jenn's post was about convincing her to go, not the value of other properties. This has been hashed over and over again on LP, with both sides firmly planted on either side of Harbor. Let's answer the question and not make this a typical "lets bash Disney properties" thread. Come on guys, can't you try just this once Jenn, most of the rooms at GH have a balcony. When or if you decide to stay we can give you ideas for what is available so you can put in your requests.
Originally Posted By Jenn31 Thank you everyone for all the info so far. I posted this thread not wanting to stay at the GCH. Now with all of the good things I've read I'm at the point where I think I'd like to give it a go. The IRS was EXTREMELY generous with our refund this year so worrying about $$$ this trip isn't an issue for us. I really liked what Dave said about it being an "immersive" experience, more like a real vacation. I hadn't thought of that before. I've stayed at PPH and DLH quite a few times, and even HOJO'S (which I do love), and I think this time i'd like to give the Grand a try. YOU GUYS CONVINCED ME!! I really don't know ANYTHING about this property so all the info you guys could give me would be GREATLY appreciated. Such as: is there a family style restaurant on property? Is there a coffee maker or a fridge in the room? What about a microwave? I think I read in a previous post that there is a pool?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss It not too different than when folks discuss staying on or off property at WDW. I've stayed on and off property at both DLR and WDW; either way has its merits. Disney hotels cost a lot more, but I've never regretted staying at one.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 No, the rooms are not spectacularly awesome to other high end hotel rooms but they do have their Disney charm. It's more about location and convenience. As Dave and amazedncal2 pointed out. Three places to eat on property; Napa Rose, Storytellers and White Water make it very nice. Having the Hearthstone to end the night with is very cool. For me staying at the Grand has always made my trip more relaxing. As we have tended to slow down a bit and enjoy the amenities of the hotel. So we do a lot more breaks by going back and enjoying our time there as well as in the parks. Making me feel more like I really took a vacation vs. running around in the parks commando style. I too, hate the walk down Harbor. I like staying on the property and being immersed in the atmosphere of the Resort.
