Grand Californian vs Disneyland Hotel

[Chickinvic]

This is great info. We are def leaning towards June so we can go for longer. Husband teaches and both kids are in school. We got looking at May because of prices, but I think we'd prefer to have the extra time. I noticed middle/end of August seems to have a drop in pricing too. Thoughts on mid/end Aug vs June? Our schools go back the week before Labor Day.

I also couldn't decide between more park days vs hoppers.... or both? We have annual passes for Disney World and we like to hop in and out for our favorites and take afternoon breaks. We've never done Disneyland so I expect us to be in the parks longer and maximizing our time. Is it easy to go between parks or not worth it?

Will def. be trying for the 1 bedroom... would prefer to use our points and have some space if we decide to go for longer!

Park Hoppers for sure. I never do DL without them. WDW I never bother with hoppers since it is so much more of a hassle (IMO), but at DL just sprint across and use the hoppers.

 

[evilmommie]

I have never once seen the GCH lobby so crowded that I would call it a "madhouse."

It's a public space. A HUGE public space. There is plenty of room for everyone.

What is this "camping" that people are referring to? I've never seen that. There are chairs. They are for sitting. We have sat in them for HOURS (as GCH guests). It's never been a problem to get one. We have stayed there numerous times and have never had a problem. I've never seen anyone having a picnic in the hallway. It is definitely not "a thing." I can't speak to the DVC wing, though.

I love how everyone assumes that the people in the lobby AREN'T guests. It's a HUGE hotel with 750 guest rooms, and it's often fully booked. There will be people there, everywhere.

Glad that you haven’t had to experience non guests disrupting hotel guest stays. That isn’t the case for many people.

I stayed at “HUGE” hotel last week -1500 rooms. It’s a destination for the Holidays and they have figured out how to have hotel guest only hours for the Holiday attractions. Based on the room night price for GCH and DLH, it would be a nice perk for them to figure out the same.

 

[ComeToSocialize]

I totally agree that at ~dinner time, particularly during Christmas, the GCH lobby area gets quite packed. I've been several times where there are no seats. And people definitely use it as an indoor, covered shortcut to get from DCA to DTD, with the added benefit of being able to check out the nice lobby on the way.

I've personally sat at the fire at GCH while not a hotel guest, so it definitely does happen. Having the lobby be for guests only would be a very simple move - they could maintain non-guest access to the restaurants for those with reservations. I think they'd only really need to do this from ~5pm onward as it's not a problem during the day.

I haven't experienced the picnics that people are commenting on but doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

 

[TinkAgainU]

I will toss out one comment for the "in the bubble" - if you stay at a hotel directly across from the entrance (there are a number of them) you are basically staring at the Disneyland Sign and watching everyone with strollers and Disney TShirts waiting to cross the street with you. Shorter walk to the turnstiles than from the Disney Hotel. If paying Disney Hotel rate is in your budget, go for it - if not, don't be shy about the adjacent hotels - they all have a little Disney vibe to them for obvious reasons.

 

[LilyJC]

We just finished our VGC staycation, and I can 100% corroborate reports that the lobby is incredibly crowded and gross feeling throughout the day. The lobby was difficult to walk through due to the hordes of people everywhere, and the people scooping up armfuls of treats (mostly the gingerbread Mickey’s) was repulsive. Thankfully the VGC wing was still our quiet respite, and we definitely did not see any signs of picnics in the hallways.

 

[SLThomas318]

We just finished our VGC staycation, and I can 100% corroborate reports that the lobby is incredibly crowded and gross feeling throughout the day. The lobby was difficult to walk through due to the hordes of people everywhere, and the people scooping up armfuls of treats (mostly the gingerbread Mickey’s) was repulsive. Thankfully the VGC wing was still our quiet respite, and we definitely did not see any signs of picnics in the hallways.

I wonder if this is more of a holiday issue and maybe not as much of an issue when it isn't decorated?

 

[DizMe]

I wonder if this is more of a holiday issue and maybe not as much of an issue when it isn't decorated?

Maybe, and probably a great deal to do with being so close to Christmas. We were at GCH Dec 5-9, staying at DLH the 9-10, and we didn't experience this. There were always people but we had no issues with the overcrowding, hoarding, etc that has been mentioned. It was busy, but we could always get a chair and it wasn't hard to purchase goodies (we didn't, but could have) though the lines were long at certain times of day. I never saw anything gross, just people enjoying the season.

I'd say the closer you get to Christmas, the more people will be in the lobby. It's too bad, because it's a bit unfair to those staying there but it's also such a beautiful place during the holidays. Since people pay so much to stay, though, it might be nice if they could limit visitors to certain times of the day so guests can enjoy what they've paid that much to experience.

 

[SLThomas318]

Maybe, and probably a great deal to do with being so close to Christmas. We were at GCH Dec 5-9, staying at DLH the 9-10, and we didn't experience this. There were always people but we had no issues with the overcrowding, hoarding, etc that has been mentioned. It was busy, but we could always get a chair and it wasn't hard to purchase goodies (we didn't, but could have) though the lines were long at certain times of day. I never saw anything gross, just people enjoying the season.

I'd say the closer you get to Christmas, the more people will be in the lobby. It's too bad, because it's a bit unfair to those staying there but it's also such a beautiful place during the holidays. Since people pay so much to stay, though, it might be nice if they could limit visitors to certain times of the day so guests can enjoy what they've paid that much to experience.

We are looking at Summer (June or late August) so hopefully this won't be a thing. We like to check out the lobby, but with younger kids we typically don't hang out there so I assume we'll be good either way. I think we are leaning towards DLH anyway, but if I snag a room with our points then we will def. be going for Grand Californian!

 

[LilyJC]

I wonder if this is more of a holiday issue and maybe not as much of an issue when it isn't decorated?

Definitely, we own at VGC and have never seen it this bad.

 

[ktlm]

The WL is a scaled down GCH. The GCH is larger, both in terms of rooms and footprint. It also has a larger pool area.

That is interesting to know! We have stayed at WL multiple times (starting before we ever made a family trip to DLR), and from our perspective GC has always seemed smaller when we have been inside it and walked the grounds. Must be the WDW perspective. LOL.

 

[ComeToSocialize]

I wonder if this is more of a holiday issue and maybe not as much of an issue when it isn't decorated?

Yes, I think so. Two factors: It's a little colder out so sitting inside by the fire or just in the lobby has more appeal. And the decorations, tree, carolers, etc all create a nice environment that people want to enjoy.

 

[DLgal]

That is interesting to know! We have stayed at WL multiple times (starting before we ever made a family trip to DLR), and from our perspective GC has always seemed smaller when we have been inside it and walked the grounds. Must be the WDW perspective. LOL.

It's easy to underestimate how sprawling GCH is. When you look at a satellite view on Google Maps, and compare the two, you can see that GCH is larger. I think the lakeside location and layout makes WL feel larger, even though it's not. (I am not including the separate DVC building adjacent to WL). The WL has more stuff outside, naturally. WL is also 7 stories vs GCH 6 stories.

 

[DizMe]

We are looking at Summer (June or late August) so hopefully this won't be a thing. We like to check out the lobby, but with younger kids we typically don't hang out there so I assume we'll be good either way. I think we are leaning towards DLH anyway, but if I snag a room with our points then we will def. be going for Grand Californian!

I don't normally go in June or August so I'm not sure, but I've been several times mid-July and it hasn't been bad.

My kids loved both DLH & GCH. They liked DLH when they were younger because there were sometimes characters walking around and the pools were fun. We also all loved breakfast at Steakhouse 55, where my 3 girls were treated like royalty and the atmosphere was posh without a posh price (I'm only referring to breakfast). If it's true that it's coming back, I hope they still offer the wonderful, affordable breakfasts. The DLH rooms are a bit larger so with 5 of us in a room, that was a consideration.

When they got a little older, though, they preferred GCH. They loved the look and layout, the DCA entrance, dining options, and proximity to DTD and the parks. We didn't even mind that the rooms were slightly smaller, mostly because at that point they liked to go off together and explore. I prefer the bathroom layout at GCH, where you have the double sink vanity area outside of the shower/toilet room. It doesn't tie up the whole bathroom while someone is showering (etc ). However, they do have nice family suites at DLH that have an extra half bath, which is great. Sometimes they're affordable and other times, not so much.

I just stayed at both hotels this Dec, standard at GCH and premium concierge at DLH. I still preferred GCH though the view from our DLH room was incredible. It's so dependent on where you are in life, who is with you, what you're willing/able to spend, how much time you spend at the hotel, and so on. But the bottom line is that you can't go wrong!! They're both incredible hotels . Look forward to hearing about your trip!

 

[Chickinvic]

We are looking at Summer (June or late August) so hopefully this won't be a thing. We like to check out the lobby, but with younger kids we typically don't hang out there so I assume we'll be good either way. I think we are leaning towards DLH anyway, but if I snag a room with our points then we will def. be going for Grand Californian!

I've never hung out in hotel lobbies in my life lol. I check in and go. Never knew this was a thing.

 

[AZMermaid]

Before we owned DVC we stayed at the Embassy Suites by the Target. We would occasionally do a 2 hour midday break in the lobby of GCH. So…. I canverify it happens! Now that we stay there, we never hang out in the lobby, lol!

 

[Dreams&wishes]

I like to stay in deluxe but between the two I prefer DLH.
Especially if at the GCH you end up with a room facing the main stroll, I thought it was nosy and not worth the money

 

[DizMe]

I like to stay in deluxe but between the two I prefer DLH.
Especially if at the GCH you end up with a room facing the main stroll, I thought it was nosy and not worth the money

I agree! I feel sorry for people who pay extra for DTD view, when what you're getting is often a noisy room with a long walk.

 

[DLgal]

I agree! I feel sorry for people who pay extra for DTD view, when what you're getting is often a noisy room with a long walk.

Those rooms should absolutely be the cheapest. I agree.

 

[mouschievous]

This is great info. We are def leaning towards June so we can go for longer. Husband teaches and both kids are in school. We got looking at May because of prices, but I think we'd prefer to have the extra time. I noticed middle/end of August seems to have a drop in pricing too. Thoughts on mid/end Aug vs June? Our schools go back the week before Labor Day.

I also couldn't decide between more park days vs hoppers.... or both? We have annual passes for Disney World and we like to hop in and out for our favorites and take afternoon breaks. We've never done Disneyland so I expect us to be in the parks longer and maximizing our time. Is it easy to go between parks or not worth it?

Will def. be trying for the 1 bedroom... would prefer to use our points and have some space if we decide to go for longer!

I am also a teacher, so we also stick to breaks. We went July 4-8 this year and while it was well attended, there was only one time in our 3 park days that we felt it was overwhelmingly crowded. We rope dropped and closed down the park each night, with a mid-day break. We were at VGC on rented points, so our midday break was super easy. If that's your touring style, I can definitely recommend staying closer. We've stayed at a place that is just as far as the Westin and adding that walk to the beginning and end of the day was...not great, let alone doing it 4 times a day if you take a break at the hotel. It's also a very different walk than walking from one of the WDW hotels to Studios or Epcot. You're on a public street, passing homes, non Disney businesses and possibly houseless folks...it definitely doesn't have the same vibe. (Please note I'm not here to pass judgement, just offer an observation).

I would do more park days - the cost is negligible, really - and park hoppers. Park hopping is SO easy. Plus, if you do decide to stay at GCH, you can hop and then do rides on your way to the hotel

I wonder if this is more of a holiday issue and maybe not as much of an issue when it isn't decorated?

I think it must be. When we were there in July, it was really busy but the only time the lobby felt overwhelmingly crowded was on our departure day, both at check out time, and at check in time. We checked out at 11, and the lobby was busy with everyone checking out. Our flight wasn't until evening, so we spent the day at the pool. We came back in around 4 to get our bags and meet our Uber and it was so crowded I wasn't sure we were going to find a seat! But otherwise it was easily navigated and, at times, pretty bare of people.

 

[Aurora0427]

I wonder if this is more of a holiday issue and maybe not as much of an issue when it isn't decorated?

Definitely…. Although we were there in early July for the Napa Rose Princess breakfast and the lobby was a madhouse. I wonder if it’s the weather…. There’s not much AC at DtD…. The Grand Californian Lobby is nice and cool during Anaheim summers. Plus it’s warm when it’s cold.

We stayed overnight 11/30-12/1, and the lobby was less crowded than when we were there in July. However, as we were checking out on that Thursday about 5:30pm, it was crazy town. Lots of people checking in and I bet it only gets worse the closer you get to Christmas.