Originally Posted By bnlkin Hi everyone! We usually stay at the CCI (which I really like) but for our next trip we thought we would "live it up" a little and stay at one of the Disney Resort Hotels. We are trying to decide between the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian. I need some advice as to which one to choose, as well as where or who we should go through to book our reservations. We are trying to go in either March or June and will be staying about 5 days. Any advice would be helpful since I don't know much about either hotel. Thanks in advance!!
Originally Posted By goodgirl Both are great hotels. Disneyland - Older but nicely themed - very magical. Rooms are spacious. Grand Californian - More expensive. Newer. Gorgeous hotel. Closer walking distance to DL; has its own entrance to DCA. I've stayed at both and love both. When I can afford it though, I choose the GCH, primarily because its closer to the parks and I enjoy the elegance of the hotel. You might want to go to the Disneyland web site. You can play around with booking rooms and packages to see what the cost differences are. You can book that way or call the number listed on the web site. If you don't need park hopper tickets you can call the hotel directly. If you are an AAA member they also can assist with packages.
Originally Posted By nemopoppins I recommend the Disneyland Hotel. I have always loved it and still do, even if it is just a shadow of its former self. To me, the Grand Californian is a really really nice hotel but it feels like it could be anywhere (unless you have theme park view), and it costs A LOT. You can use the Grand Californian entrance to DCA even if you're staying at the Disneyland Hotel. Also, if you are five people, the Disneyland Hotel rooms accomodate you much better. Those GCH rooms are quite small.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ That really, really nice hotel feeling is why I love staying at the Grand. I switched after several unsatisfactory stays at the DLH. My favorite view is DTD. I didn't care for the theme park view rooms I've had. I enjoy sitting on my balcony, people watching. The theme park view was boring to me. For the first hour or so that DCA is open, only GCH guests can use the hotel's park entrance. Occasionally, they enforce the policy all day.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I think it's hard to give advice on which hotel without knowing the travel party. Each hotel brings it's own unique experience to the DL Resort. My preference is GCH but I like DLH also. The DLH rooms are much bigger and you are immersed in Disney 24/7 when you stay there. You also have more dining choices. However the GCH is much more elegant with a touch of Disney. The close proximity to everything is the selling point for me. Plus, I like the Arts n Craft decorum. It's a quieter hotel. I disagree with a lot of folks that say that DLH is a much more family oriented hotel over GCH. The kids in my family will scream GCH anytime asked for their preference. They LOVED this hotel. My 5 year old godson doesn't understand why we can't stay there every trip. LOL! They loved the pools, the white robes, the fireplace, the storytelling, the lounge, the outside fireplace, our balcony views and the fanciness of it over DLH. So, it's really about what kind of experience you want.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I also feel plenty "immersed in Disney" at the Grand. We've always had theme park (GRR/TOT) views, which I love, but even when not looking out your window it's hard (for me) to forget where I am. It is more expensive, though.
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy I love both, but usually go with price since the GCH is usually alot more expensive. On our last visit in July we had a park view with bunkbeds at the Grand, and boy oh boy were the kids impressed. But then again, the night before we stayed at the HoJo in building 1 on the second floor directly facing the freeway, and the kids thought THAT was WAY cool! LOL! But I think the Disneyland Hotel Sierra Tower facing Downtown Disney is my favorite of all. But whichever hotel you choose is going to be great!
Originally Posted By nemopoppins I used to favor the Sierra Tower facing Downtown Disney until I got a room on the 10th floor of the Bonita Tower, facing the hotel. You see the whole world! It's breathtaking. You see the beautiful grounds including the pools and the falls, some DTD, some parks (including Knotts!), the other towers and well past them in all directions (except behind). The GCH theme park view that we had comes nowhere near it! I don't think I'd like the GCH DTD view because it's not on the sunny side.
Originally Posted By bnlkin Thank you so much for all of your feedback! You guys know so much about all the hotels at Disney!
Originally Posted By dlkozy While the GCH is a pretty hotel-if you have a family staying in a room there not only is it cozy-some of you may be sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor-and that does not equal elegance to me.
