GCH OR DLH worth it?

[irlandaise]

Also do you know, god forbid something happens and we have to reschedule, will Disneyland let me change my tickets & pay the difference since the kids tickets are that special promo that expires in March? I have never booked a package directly through Disney before.

Tickets retain their value and can be applied to higher-priced tickets later. However, if you're getting a hotel/ticket package, I'm not sure whether that affects that policy. Anyone here know? Do be aware that Disney's packages require a 30-day cancellation if you want a full refund.

 

[LAS2AMS]

What hotels across the street would you consider to be better? We already own our home and 3 vehicles so we don't expect to have any major purchases coming up anytime soon. I want to be as close as possible due to not being able to walk far.

If you’re financially secure, I’d go with the GCH.

I grew up with family confined to a wheelchair. The ART buses have full handicap ramps - they’re amazing. It yields plenty of options to stay within the Anaheim Resort vicinity. I’m not referring to you, but I’ve always been amazed by the number of posters who plan to spend 16 hours in the parks, but limit themselves to the closest hotels due to their handicap. Just not rational.

 

[kittyklawz]

If you’re financially secure, I’d go with the GCH.

I grew up with family confined to a wheelchair. The ART buses have full handicap ramps - they’re amazing. It yields plenty of options to stay within the Anaheim Resort vicinity. I’m not referring to you, but I’ve always been amazed by the number of posters who plan to spend 16 hours in the parks, but limit themselves to the closest hotels due to their handicap. Just not rational.

We also have a double BOB because we have 2 special needs children, so lugging that on and off a bus is not ideal, especially if they fall asleep in the stroller.

 

[kittyklawz]

Tickets retain their value and can be applied to higher-priced tickets later. However, if you're getting a hotel/ticket package, I'm not sure whether that affects that policy. Anyone here know? Do be aware that Disney's packages require a 30-day cancellation if you want a full refund.

If we had to cancel we would be okay with just rescheduling, as long as we wouldn't lose the value of the tickets.

 

[LKing]

Given your kids age, I would say the DLH for the theming, the pool and the overall Disney feel of the hotel. For location, the GCH cannot be beat. Shorther walk to/from the park which is particularly helpful if your kiddos need a break. Yes, you can take the monorail to shorten the walk.

Both Candy Cane Inn and Disneyland Hotel are a half mile from the park turnstiles. The monorail is often not open for EE or even for park opening. It is going down for refurbishment. I wouldn't book a hotel with the expectation that it will be running in March.

 

[OlliePop27]

Both Candy Cane Inn and Disneyland Hotel are a half mile from the park turnstiles. The monorail is often not open for EE or even for park opening. It is going down for refurbishment. I wouldn't book a hotel with the expectation that it will be running in March.

Great points. OP is going in March, but I also want to add that the monorail frequently closes midday during summer and fall when hot. It doesn't run in hot weather. If you have a stroller, you also have to break it down which can be a pain, unlike at WDW.

 

[Aladora]

We are considering splurging and staying at GCH or DLH in March for 4 nights and wondering if it's worth it? We could also stay at one of the other hotels on Harbor. We usually stay at Candy Cane Inn which I have considered as well because it's so nice, but the walk is staring to be a bit much for me (I have an autoimmune issue that causes me to have fatigue) and I ended up having to rent a scooter last trip. We have never stayed on Disney property and would love to surprise our kids but I don't know if its better to save some money and just stay at one of the ones right across the street on Harbor. Help me decide!! Kids are ages 3 and 7. We want to take advantage of the 3 day kids special tickets. The rooms at each hotel are about the same price for the dates we are looking at which is making the decision hard!

As you can see in my signature, we have stayed at multiple Harbor Blvd motels as well as all 3 of the DLR hotels. If it is not going to be a stretch financially then I will always recommend The Grand every single time. The walk back to the room, especially if you have kids who still nap, is absolutely priceless imo. Heck, the adults in our group still love to head back to the room for a rest most days!

 

[kittyklawz]

I booked the grand

 

[KimberMama]

Only you know your budget and financial situation, as well as how you feel about spending money. I know people who can afford to stay on property but would never choose to. I know people who can't afford to stay on property but do anyway. Possibly neither of these are good decisions. We stay on property if we will be there 2 nights or more.

 

[kittyklawz]

Only you know your budget and financial situation, as well as how you feel about spending money. I know people who can afford to stay on property but would never choose to. I know people who can't afford to stay on property but do anyway. Possibly neither of these are good decisions. We stay on property if we will be there 2 nights or more.

I can afford it, just feels weird to spend so much money but this might be our last trip for a view years so kind of wanted to do something special.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I can afford it, just feels weird to spend so much money but this might be our last trip for a view years so kind of wanted to do something special.

What’s the hesitation? It seems like you have your heart set on these properties. If you’re financially comfortable, book it. There’s a sale ongoing covering most of this year - we’re seeing some of the lowest pricing for DLR and deluxe WDW properties in years. I doubt prices will drop, and if they do you can always cancel penalty free and rebook.

 

[kittyklawz]

What’s the hesitation? It seems like you have your heart set on these properties. If you’re financially comfortable, book it. There’s a sale ongoing covering most of this year - we’re seeing some of the lowest pricing for DLR and deluxe WDW properties in years. I doubt prices will drop, and if they do you can always cancel penalty free and rebook.

I booked the grand already.

 

[KimberMama]

I can afford it, just feels weird to spend so much money but this might be our last trip for a view years so kind of wanted to do something special.

I don't think you'll regret it, especially with a disability that causes fatigue and two children in a stroller. I use a walker at DL (multiple autoimmune diseases and major fatigue, plus I get super dizzy and unstable from anemia as an autoimmune complication), and it's so nice to stay at the GCH. I don't love hanging out in hotel rooms, however. Our next stay we've booked a one bedroom suite at the GCH just for the two of us. Sure, it's a splurge, but I think we'll enjoy it more than having a club level room.

I grew up poor (like welfare poor for part of my childhood). Scrimping and saving and never spending an extra penny was how I grew up, and how I lived the first two decades of my adult life. I'd taught myself to get satisfaction from not spending money. Now I'm working on letting money be a tool. We can't take it with us.

You can afford it, so let your money buy you wonderful experiences and yes, the convenience of location. I was so fatigued on our trip in December that I nearly wept in relief when we left DL and all I had to do was walk to the GCH.

 

[Pluto468]

I booked the grand

Wonderful! You'll love it. Just one thing...I suggest asking to be close to the lobby. ( Some of the further away rooms are quite a trek once you're inside the hotel.)

 

[kittyklawz]

I don't think you'll regret it, especially with a disability that causes fatigue and two children in a stroller. I use a walker at DL (multiple autoimmune diseases and major fatigue, plus I get super dizzy and unstable from anemia as an autoimmune complication), and it's so nice to stay at the GCH. I don't love hanging out in hotel rooms, however. Our next stay we've booked a one bedroom suite at the GCH just for the two of us. Sure, it's a splurge, but I think we'll enjoy it more than having a club level room.

I grew up poor (like welfare poor for part of my childhood). Scrimping and saving and never spending an extra penny was how I grew up, and how I lived the first two decades of my adult life. I'd taught myself to get satisfaction from not spending money. Now I'm working on letting money be a tool. We can't take it with us.

You can afford it, so let your money buy you wonderful experiences and yes, the convenience of location. I was so fatigued on our trip in December that I nearly wept in relief when we left DL and all I had to do was walk to the GCH.

That’s kind of how I grew up as well, so it feels strange to be able to take my kids so often. We went October 23 and March 24. I guess I feel like people I know irl will be judging me because they don’t like Disney the way I do, and I prioritize travel over other things because that’s what our family enjoys. We usually get a decent tax return & use that for our big yearly vacation.

Wonderful! You'll love it. Just one thing...I suggest asking to be close to the lobby. ( Some of the further away rooms are quite a trek once you're inside the hotel.)

Thanks for the tip! I did the wood/courtyard view as that seems to have good reviews on the location of the rooms.

 

[irlandaise]

I did the wood/courtyard view as that seems to have good reviews on the location of the rooms.

The Brisa Courtyard is very relaxing to sit and look out at. If the monorail is running, it's fun to see that glide past.

 

[pineapplepalms]

I booked the grand

I think you’ll love staying at the GCH! Especially if priorities are proximity and convenience. We have young kids too and with a double stroller, we rarely take the monorail when we stay at the DLH since it’s too much of pain to fold up the stroller. We stay at both with DVC and have also stayed on the hotel side at both. While I love the pool area and vibe at DLH (and Dole Whip!), there’s nothing quite like going from DCA back to your room in a few minutes.

 

[Jojo Cat Lady]

I think you’ll love staying at the GCH! Especially if priorities are proximity and convenience. We have young kids too and with a double stroller, we rarely take the monorail when we stay at the DLH since it’s too much of pain to fold up the stroller. We stay at both with DVC and have also stayed on the hotel side at both. While I love the pool area and vibe at DLH (and Dole Whip!), there’s nothing quite like going from DCA back to your room in a few minutes.

We have been to Disneyland many times. We thought GCH was too expensive. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer the same day my husband went into Hospice. He died two days before my surgery. When you go through something like that, you realize how quickly life can change and you enjoy the time you have without fretting over a few hundred dollars.

 

[LAS2AMS]

We have been to Disneyland many times. We thought GCH was too expensive. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer the same day my husband went into Hospice. He died two days before my surgery. When you go through something like that, you realize how quickly life can change and you enjoy the time you have without fretting over a few hundred dollars.

My condolences to you. I get where you’re coming from, but again, my career is based in financial planning so I want to point out that medical emergencies are the biggest thing that breaks people.

E.g. a 40-something has a young family, gets breast cancer, loses their job, has no savings or extra insurance to cover the emergency, loses everything… then beats the cancer but it still won in the sense that they’re unable to pick up the pieces and rebuild.

“I might be dead tomorrow” is the wrong approach many people take. If you’re finically comfortable, stay at the GCH. But if a couple thousand dollars will make a difference elsewhere in your life - even toward savings - don’t do it. And most people fall on that category, no shame.

 

[tlovesdis]

Worth it is very subjective. If money isn't an issue then I always recommend onsite. We love DLH but will be giving GCH a try this November.