Originally Posted By neekerbell Just booked 2 nights at the Grand Californian in early December. Normally we stay at one of the neighbor hotels for 1/2 the price but I've always wanted to stay here. Is it worth it? When calling Disney, they had no rooms left on my dates and I booked on travelocity, which did. Will Dec 7th and 8th be swamped at the parks?
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy Splurges are always fun! I have stayed there three times in the past, and loved it. It is hard to justify the price if you go as often as we do, so it is an occasional splurge for us too. But especially since you have never been, I say go for it! The hotel itself is beautiful, but being right dab in the middle of everything is really, really great! And during the holidays the hotel is decorated so nicely, I think you are going to love it!
Originally Posted By fkurucz I can't speak for the GC, but some years ago we splurged and stayed at the DLH. To be honest, that experience was not worth it to us, and we had young children at the time. In the end it was just a place to sleep at the end of the day, and an expensive place to sleep. But, if you have money to burn who knows? Maybe you find that out was worth it, at least to you.
Originally Posted By rockcow1 I agree with MickeyMommy. Everyone should stay their once if they can. The entrance to DCA is great. If you get wet on Grizzly River Rapids you can just run up to your room and change and be right back in the park.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 If the splurge is affordable to you then YES go for it How will you know whether you like it or not unless you give yourself the opportunity. We love it now, our first visit there was a bit of a disappointment but I think we had expected too much. We tried it again and again and again and obviously have become a fan Have fun planning and I hope you enjoy your trip.
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy I should also add that the splurge is fun only if you don't make it a complete plundering of your bank account! Rates can be crazy high, so we only stay when we have gotten relatively good rate via AP rate or special Expedia rate. And even then the hubby grumbles! But to me, it is a fun luxury once in a while. Others will not be able to justify the extra expense. So it really depends. As a matter of fact I just canceled our November ressies at the GCH because we can priceline a 3.5 or 4 star hotel for 50 or 60 bucks. So we can stay 4 nights in one of those hotels for the price of one night at the GCH, even with the 40% off special fall rate I got! But if I had never stayed there, I would have definitely kept our GCH reservation at that rate. It was $228 for a standard view, and came to $263 with taxes, not including the resort fee. So it comes down to just how much extra you are willing to pay to stay there. It is a beautiful hotel with a can't be beat location. The only problem with staying there once, is that you will want to stay again!
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 We just got back from a stay at the Grand, and we had a wonderful time. It's not a perfect, Ritz Carlton type experience where every detail is exceptional in every way, but it is great fun, the location is fantastic, and for us, the perks make up for the price. Over the holidays I think it's even more wonderful, as the decor in the lobby is amazing. I know that you can visit the lobby even if you don't stay in the hotel, but you don't get to walk through it eight or ten times a day on the way in and out of your room, and it doesn't end up feeling like your own space for a period of time, which it does for me when I stay there. I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 Um, I hadn't had any coffee yet, and I'm not sure how I decided that I walked through the lobby ten times a day, ha ha. Four times a day is probably more accurate. I guess I really like the lobby. : )
Originally Posted By smeeeko SeanYoda & I stayed here last Fall for a Haunted Mansion event and we liked it so much we decided buy into the DVC there and stayed there again back in April for the DPN (Disney Podcast Network) "Westfest" weekend.. We really like it.. I think that it's worth the stay once a year.. they have activities for you that I wish I had time to enjoy when we were there in the mornings. When you stay be sure and check with the front desk.. They also seem to have gotten really strict about the re-entry thing so staying at Grand Cal can be a plus for getting into DCA from the hotel or getting early entry.. not sure what days those are as we didn't have time to do early entry when we stayed there.
Originally Posted By noahbear2008 We love the Grand and since we don't get to more than every two or three years I can justify it. But I still try to get the best rates we can (228 for our Nov trip). The Grand during Christmas is truly magical with the decorations, the fire, the tree, the carolers, the piano player playing Christmas songs and Santa.
Originally Posted By noahbear2008 Dalia3001 did you have a good trip? I can't wait to read your trip report, they are always fun to read. Hope you had fun!
Originally Posted By iamsally I have never had a real desire to stay at the GCH. I do love walking through from my *much cheaper* hotel though. But, I also feel that if this is something you really want to do; you should. I hope the experience meets or exceeds all of your expectations. I have lots of souveniers that would not interest some folks. Given the choice between a leather jacket or gold jewlery or a fancy hotel; I take the stuff. If you can afford both, yippee. To each his own. Main thing, have a great Disneyland trip.
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 I had a wonderful trip, thanks Naohbear! I posted a massive trip report: <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-116778-P-1.asp" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms...-P-1.asp</a> "Given the choice between a leather jacket or gold jewlery or a fancy hotel; I take the stuff. If you can afford both, yippee. To each his own." I totally agree with you iamsally that it all depends on what your priorities are and where you want to spend your money. : )
Originally Posted By MrDisneyGeek No its a room with a bed. you need to be spending every waing moment in the parks anyway >$80 a night across Harbor Blvd. or $200+ a night at the GCH?
Originally Posted By officerminnie I think it's totally worth it, especially at the holidays. DL & DCA close early that time of year, so you really won't be spending every waking moment in the parks. The atmosphere in the hotel is festive and the decor amazing. And if you get a DTD view, you can sit on the balcony and listen to strolling musicians while you people-watch. I would go for it!
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