Should I change hotels?

mom2rb · Nov 18, 2018

I got a great deal at Paradise Pier for my trip in February. I am going with my brother and sil, DH might go too. I can switch to Grand California for $386 more for 3 nights. Is it worth it or should I be happy at $738?

Malcon10t · Nov 18, 2018

Is it going to be 4 in the room? Just a heads up, the rooms at the Grand are on the smaller side. Personally, if you are getting one room for you, one for your brother, I'd go to the Grand, if the 4 of you are in one room, I'd stay with the considerably larger PPH.

pharmama · Nov 18, 2018

It’s always difficult to say how much is too much for someone else.

That said, it sounds like you found a pretty good rate at the GCH. I love the Grand and it’s by far my favorite on site hotel at DLR so I would do it. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you.

Will all 3 (or 4) adults be in one room? The rooms at PPH are larger than at the Grand for sure so you will have quite a bit more space at PPH. On the flip side, the bathroom setup at the Grand might be better as the sink/mirror area is outside the toilet/shower so someone can shower while others have access to the sink area (though the toilet/shower area is small). PPH has a small mirror/makeup area outside the bathroom but there’s no sink or anything.

The location and park access from the Grand simply can’t be beat and the hotel is absolutely gorgeous. But $386 goes a long way toward a nice dinner or dining package (or WoC dessert party, if it’s back) so you’ll have to decide what your priorities are.

mom2rb · Nov 18, 2018

We will be in the same room. How much bigger are the rooms at Paradise Pier? How far is the walk to the parks? Both are great deals, It is a hard decision.

Tinkerbell19672 · Nov 18, 2018

I think it depends how much time you spend in the room. I don’t know how much smaller the rooms are at GCH but the location is better by far. If you just go to the room to sleep and maybe a short break, it may not matter if it’s smaller. I’d choose GCH. Saves a lot of walking time and much easier to go back to room for breaks.

MamaRoo · Nov 18, 2018

as far as difference in length of walk, Because of the way the GC is spread out, I've stayed in rooms there that were not much closer than the PPH. The walk isn’t bad from PPH. You cross the street and then walk through the GC.

The rooms at PPH are larger and brighter. If you’re planning to use a lot of the amenities at the GC then it might be worth it. If you’re going to be in the parks for the majority I would stay at PPH. I love that you get the best of both worlds because you still have the ambiance of the GC on your walk to the parks.

rentayenta · Nov 18, 2018

Having stayed at both, I’d stick with the PPH when staying in a hotel room. I love the rooms there.

pharmama · Nov 18, 2018

MamaRoo said:
as far as difference in length of walk, Because of the way the GC is spread out, I've stayed in rooms there that were not much closer than the PPH. The walk isn’t bad from PPH. You cross the street and then walk through the GC.

You can't do this route any more. PPH guests now must go up to the end of DTD by the DLH and go through security there. You will be asked to show a GCH room key if you try to cut through the GCH like you used to be able to. You CAN still go through the GCH going back to PPH but not going to the parks.

bumbershoot · Nov 18, 2018

mom2rb said:
I got a great deal at Paradise Pier for my trip in February. I am going with my brother and sil, DH might go too. I can switch to Grand California for $386 more for 3 nights. Is it worth it or should I be happy at $738?

You will be happy at pph. Big bright rooms. Pullout couch in the room along with the 2q beds.

The rooms at the grand are small and dark.

mom2rb said:
We will be in the same room. How much bigger are the rooms at Paradise Pier? How far is the walk to the parks? Both are great deals, It is a hard decision.

Wr had a room at the grand that was almost as long to walk from (to the center of the esplanade) as walking from the sidewalk outside hojo.

I never found that the shortcut was that short. All it did for me was keep me from having to go through ALL of the Disney mall.

Later I’ll hop on my computer and open mapmyrun where I saved mileage info.

pharmama said:
PPH guests now must go up to the end of DTD by the DLH and go through security there.

Which is how it was always signed, fwiw. (apart from security being there, which is new)

gottalovepluto · Nov 18, 2018

bumbershoot said:
...The rooms at the grand are small and dark...

They’re much lighter after the refurb.

Personally I’d go GCH. Yes, rooms are smaller but the refurb really helped with the feel of that (space is used better). It will feel like a nicer hotel than PP. The beds are now raised so there is lots of storage for suitcases, shoes, merchandise. The rain showers are wonderful! The convenience cannot be beat!

Idk what PP bathrooms are like. At GCH the toilet & shower/bath(only some have baths) are behind one door leaving the double sinks accessible for others. So nice when getting ready in the morning!

Malcon10t · Nov 18, 2018

As you can see, everyone has a difference of opinion on rooms. For us, the rooms are still too small at the Grand, but they aren't quite as dark as they were before refurb. The difference in the walk is under 5 mins. The difference in room size for me is a major issue. When Disney Meetings used to list the room sizes, the GCH was just at 300sf, Disneyland Hotel was 350sf, and PPH was about 415sf. They removed this info from the site. Allears lists the two hotels as being under 20sf difference, but I know that isn't true. I generally carry a tape measure, so one of the next trips I will try to measure.

mom2rb · Nov 18, 2018

My brother is working today, so I can’t talk to him, but I love having all the opinions for when I can talk to him.

DebbieB · Nov 18, 2018

I stayed at both last month, although GC was in a studio villa. Can't beat GC location and the lobby is beautiful. PP lobby is small plus the elevators are very slow, especially during busy times. Rooms are both nice, PP bathroom is all one room.

StormyCA · Nov 18, 2018

I'd pop for the Grand. We've done three (females) in a room and have managed to make it work, bathroom-wise. It's all about being considerate about the time you spend in the shower or at the sink. The separate shower/vanity set up makes it much easier getting ready in the morning or for bed. Two of us could be doing makeup or brushing teeth whilst the third was in the shower area. We all managed quick bedtime showers, too. I'd think two couples could make it work easy enough.

I agree that if you were going to spend hours in the room it might be a bit crowded, but if all you're doing is getting ready to hit the parks, then ready for bed you'll be fine, as long as you don't have a bathroom hog in the group.

LizzyS · Nov 19, 2018

I just booked the DLH on their current deal for our February trip as we're staying Sunday through Wednesday, so I'd say do it if you really want to stay at GCH.

Can non-GCH guests still visit the lobby? They can, right? Do you just go in the main entrance or... where is it ok to go in now if you're not a guest? My in-laws will be at DLR in exactly a week and I'd like to be able to tell them to check it out.

GeneralTso · Nov 19, 2018

Grand Cal for sure! The lobby alone is worth it! It's a completely different experience in my book.
If you can make the switch, I think it's well worth it.

mom2rtk · Nov 19, 2018

LizzyS said:
I just booked the DLH on their current deal for our February trip as we're staying Sunday through Wednesday, so I'd say do it if you really want to stay at GCH.

Can non-GCH guests still visit the lobby? They can, right? Do you just go in the main entrance or... where is it ok to go in now if you're not a guest? My in-laws will be at DLR in exactly a week and I'd like to be able to tell them to check it out.

Unless you are registered there or have an ADR scheduled, you can only enter GCH through DTD or DCA. You can't go in the front doors.

Malcon10t · Nov 19, 2018

LizzyS said:
Can non-GCH guests still visit the lobby? They can, right? Do you just go in the main entrance or... where is it ok to go in now if you're not a guest? My in-laws will be at DLR in exactly a week and I'd like to be able to tell them to check it out.

There is an entrance between Sephora and The Dress Shop in DTD. Easy in and out. Everyone is welcome to visit. Santa will be there, and the tree is very nice.

audrey2580 · Nov 19, 2018

The walk back to the Grand through DCA after a long day at the park is worth every penny. The security line from the Grand into DTD in the morning is practically non existent since only hotel guests are entering that way in the morning. Honestly I like Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotel. but nothing in the world is like the Grand.

edited to add - I just booked a 2 night stay there for April !!

LizzyS · Nov 19, 2018

Malcon10t said:
There is an entrance between Sephora and The Dress Shop in DTD. Easy in and out. Everyone is welcome to visit. Santa will be there, and the tree is very nice.

Thank you, that's what I was looking for!

Should I change hotels?

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