Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian? - The DIS Discussion Forums

AshleeH · 06-17-2012, 11:44 PM

I keep going back and forth on which hotel we should stay in when we make our California trip. Which is your favorite? Which has the best amenities, etc.?

skiingfast · 06-21-2012, 01:58 AM

I went with DLH.

I think your kids will enjoy it much more. Also since you have stayed at other Disney resorts the DLH will be more different and unique.

Monica D · 06-22-2012, 12:03 AM

Personally, I like the DLH. The pool area is much better (for kids, if you have them), and we like the restaurants on-site more than those at GC. The atmosphere is better at GC, but the rooms are nothing fancy. I think the biggest positive for GC is the proximity to the parks, which is nice if you have little kids or someone who needs to rest frequently.

DisneytheKid · 06-22-2012, 09:56 PM

If I had the money, it would be the GCH every time!

disney-inspired · 07-07-2012, 02:27 AM

If you're going with smaller kids, I'd say go to DLH. But I voted GCH because I love being able to see the park from my window and the entry directly to DCA is awesome, especially now with the crazy crowds for Carsland.

sandysue · 08-28-2012, 03:26 PM

We loved going back to GC at lunchtime and spending time in the pool. We picked up Fast Passes to Grizzly River run earlier in the day and it was a blast to be able to walk into the park in our swim suits and take a ride!

blearbear4 · 08-28-2012, 04:30 PM

I personally love the GCH- great location, beautiful rooms, awesome lobby, and some sweet bunk beds for kids! But, primarily location. After a long day in the parks, or if you just had to run back to the hotel to change shoes, nothing was longer than the trek back to the DLH.

Tiradan · 08-28-2012, 05:00 PM

I vote for GCH, however I've never been to either of the other hotels and I don't have kids. I'm going to make it a point to visit the hotels during my October trip though, just to take a look around a snap some pictures

KCmike · 08-28-2012, 08:46 PM

Location, location, location.

With your kids' ages I would definitely go GCH.

You will enjoy the huge lobby, gorgeous pool areas with one more than one oversized hot tub, white water snacks for counter service type restaurant, and did I mention location?

DLH is fun as well. They did a great job of redoing the pool area but I still have to vote GCH. You can always visit Goofy's Kitchen or Steakhouse 55 when you take a stroll through Downtown Disney one day but GCH can't be beat. Trust me when your done with the parks each night you will love walking back to the GCH vs. DLH.

GoinPlaces63 · 01-09-2013, 12:32 AM

I was told it was a hike to the park from the GCH. My Dad will be with us in a wheelchair... Thoughts?

Casemily · 01-09-2013, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinPlaces63

I was told it was a hike to the park from the GCH. My Dad will be with us in a wheelchair... Thoughts?

We stayed at the paradise pier hotel which is across the street from GCH. With waiting for the light to turn and behind a group of slow moving people, the longest we took to walk to DL was 8 minutes.

GoinPlaces63 · 01-09-2013, 07:58 AM

Thank you... Ill have a look at that!

View Poll Results: Which hotel would you choose?
Grand Californian	19	65.52%
Disneyland Hotel	10	34.48%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll

06-17-2012, 11:44 PM	#1
AshleeH DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,055	Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian? I keep going back and forth on which hotel we should stay in when we make our California trip. Which is your favorite? Which has the best amenities, etc.? __________________ DH - ~ Me - ~ DS9 - ~ DS6 - ~ It's a girl!! EDD: 5/19 - 1985 - Disneyland; 1990 & 1994 - WDW; 1997 - Disneyland Paris; 2003 - WDW; Oct. 2010 - WDW (Animal Kingdom: Kidani Village); Oct. 2011 - WDW (Contemporary/Wilderness Lodge); Oct. 2012 - WDW (Bay Lake); 2013 - Disneyland (Grand Californian)

06-22-2012, 12:03 AM	#3
Monica D Ready to plan my next cruise! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 407	Personally, I like the DLH. The pool area is much better (for kids, if you have them), and we like the restaurants on-site more than those at GC. The atmosphere is better at GC, but the rooms are nothing fancy. I think the biggest positive for GC is the proximity to the parks, which is nice if you have little kids or someone who needs to rest frequently. __________________ Monica Dh Me Ds (15) Dd (12)

06-22-2012, 09:56 PM	#4
DisneytheKid A bad attempt at Billy the Kid Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,279	If I had the money, it would be the GCH every time! __________________ Jan 2013 Bucketlist trip, Jan 2009 Engagement trip Nov 2007 Our first trip togeather, Dec 2005 Family trip Nov 2004 School Trip, Nov 2003 School Trip Countless times during the 80's and 90's

07-07-2012, 02:27 AM	#5
disney-inspired Disney on the brain 24/7/365! grumble stupid cm grumble Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 58.6 miles from Disneyland Posts: 4,023	If you're going with smaller kids, I'd say go to DLH. But I voted GCH because I love being able to see the park from my window and the entry directly to DCA is awesome, especially now with the crazy crowds for Carsland. __________________ Cristabel ♥

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06-21-2012, 01:58 AM	#2
skiingfast Has had no bacon Skiing fast to chocolate But, will he succeed? Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Drive to DL, Fly to WDW Posts: 28,456	I went with DLH. I think your kids will enjoy it much more. Also since you have stayed at other Disney resorts the DLH will be more different and unique.

08-28-2012, 03:26 PM	#6
sandysue Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 29	Grizzly River Run We loved going back to GC at lunchtime and spending time in the pool. We picked up Fast Passes to Grizzly River run earlier in the day and it was a blast to be able to walk into the park in our swim suits and take a ride!

08-28-2012, 04:30 PM	#7
blearbear4 Choose Wisely Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Golden State Posts: 150	I personally love the GCH- great location, beautiful rooms, awesome lobby, and some sweet bunk beds for kids! But, primarily location. After a long day in the parks, or if you just had to run back to the hotel to change shoes, nothing was longer than the trek back to the DLH. __________________ Walt Disney World College Program Member: Magic Kingdom Quick Service Food and Beverage '09 Casey's Corner, Fireworks Dessert Party, Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station Premier Pass Holder: WDW and DL too many times to count! Disneyland Paris '07 Disney Magic Mediterranean Cruise '11 Hoping for Tokyo Disney one day!

08-28-2012, 05:00 PM	#8
Tiradan All five in one year Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 212	I vote for GCH, however I've never been to either of the other hotels and I don't have kids. I'm going to make it a point to visit the hotels during my October trip though, just to take a look around a snap some pictures __________________ . All five Disneylands in the same year, mission complete. May 2013, all five Disneylands in the same month. .

08-28-2012, 08:46 PM	#9
KCmike Never have fallen asleep on any attraction Nothing wrong for dreaming for sure Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kansas City Posts: 7,671	Location, location, location. With your kids' ages I would definitely go GCH. You will enjoy the huge lobby, gorgeous pool areas with one more than one oversized hot tub, white water snacks for counter service type restaurant, and did I mention location? DLH is fun as well. They did a great job of redoing the pool area but I still have to vote GCH. You can always visit Goofy's Kitchen or Steakhouse 55 when you take a stroll through Downtown Disney one day but GCH can't be beat. Trust me when your done with the parks each night you will love walking back to the GCH vs. DLH. __________________ "WDW Vet Who Found His New Home in Disneyland" 2013 Disneyland Christmas 2013 Plan to go in May to WDW, Universal, and SeaWorld with the kids and their High School Marching Band Event 2012 Back to Disneyland for a late June/Early July Vacation\|2011- WDW Grand Floridian/Port Orleans Riverside \|2010 - Disneyland/Monterey 20th Anniversary Day trip and 1st time to see Christmas at any park (BWPPI) 2010 - Disneyland (Grand Californian) \|2009 - Disneyland/San Francisco/Monterey/ Yosemite National Park (Disneyland Hotel) \|2008 - Disneyland/San Diego (Hotel Del Coronado & Hojo) \|2007 - Disneyland (Fairfield Inn) \|2006 - WDW - Port Orleans Riverside \|2004 - WDW - Port Orleans Riverside \|1996 - WDW - Dixie Landings \|1993 - WDW - Offsite \|1992 - WDW - Condo in Kissimmee \|1990 - WDW - Condo in Kissimmee Gear:Canon 60d, Canon xti, and a few lenses

01-09-2013, 12:32 AM	#10
GoinPlaces63 Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 104	I was told it was a hike to the park from the GCH. My Dad will be with us in a wheelchair... Thoughts?

01-09-2013, 07:58 AM	#12
GoinPlaces63 Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 104	Thank you... Ill have a look at that!

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