Disneyland Hotel Concierge or Grand Californian Premium View - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Disneyland Hotel Concierge or Grand Californian Premium View
I have to stop torturing myself about our hotel choice for our 1 and only trip to Disneyland. Which one would you pick and why??
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1996-Offsite, 1998-All Star Music, 2003-All Star Movies, 2005-All Star Movies, 2006-All Star Movies, 2007-Pop Century, 2008-Pop Century, 2009-Pop Century,2010-Beach Club Resort, 2011- Beach Club Resort, 2012-Yacht Club, 2013-Beach Club Resort, 2014-Beach Club Resort
I'm no help...I've never stayed at either. With so many great hotels near the park with much lower rates, I just cannot justify a stay at a Disney Hotel at DLR. (PS: That's just me...everyone else, your money, your choice, and I say go for it! )
(Oh, and IF I did stay in one...I would choose Grand Californian!)
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I have heard good and bad about all of the Disney hotels. We want to definitely stay at the hotel that has the best options for our trip. I like the theming at the Disneyland Hotel, but am wondering if the proximity of the Grand Californian would be better. We are Disney World people so I have never been to Disneyland so I am very unsure of what the best option would be.
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1996-Offsite, 1998-All Star Music, 2003-All Star Movies, 2005-All Star Movies, 2006-All Star Movies, 2007-Pop Century, 2008-Pop Century, 2009-Pop Century,2010-Beach Club Resort, 2011- Beach Club Resort, 2012-Yacht Club, 2013-Beach Club Resort, 2014-Beach Club Resort
The proximity of the Grand Californian is a major advantage. Although the walking distance from the Disneyland Hotel to the park entrances isn't that much worse that walking distances within some of the Walt Disney World value and moderate resorts, the ability to walk from your hotel right into California Adventure is fabulous.
I have never stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, so I can't comment on the value of the rooms or concierge lounge. I have visited the concierge lounge at the Grand California, which gave a good view of the evening fireworks and a good spread of food -- I would guess the one at the Disneyland Hotel is similar. So, you need to think about which is more important to you: concierge services and lounge, or quicker access to the parks and Downtown Disney?
That is my current dilemna. Always wanted to stay concierge, but am starting to think it might be worth switching over to the Grand and just grabbing snacks at Walmart. Torn since I have never been and can't decide.
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1996-Offsite, 1998-All Star Music, 2003-All Star Movies, 2005-All Star Movies, 2006-All Star Movies, 2007-Pop Century, 2008-Pop Century, 2009-Pop Century,2010-Beach Club Resort, 2011- Beach Club Resort, 2012-Yacht Club, 2013-Beach Club Resort, 2014-Beach Club Resort
We have been to both.
Disneyland Hotel has a lot of charm and nostalgia, the grounds are very pretty and Trader Sam's is worth a visit whether you stay there or not. We found the rooms to be comparable to the WDW moderates in size but concierge level may have more space.
The Grand Californian has a very deluxe feel and there are rooms that look right out over the theme park so when you are sitting on the patio you hear the theme music and sounds from the park or you are looking over Downtown. If you like being in the middle of it all you can't get closer. In contrast to that the resort itself is very mellow. The lighting is subdued, music calming, darker woods so it was a nice retreat to the hustle & bustle outside.
Personally if it were my one and only trip to Disneyland I would choose the Grand Californian because it is rare that you can feel that close to the action. We went on the water ride and walked 5 minutes to the room to dry off. If you like the Wilderness Lodge at all think of it like that with a lot more polish and less rustic. You can visit the Disneyland Hotel easily and have a meal at Goofy's Kitchen (I highly recommend it!) or a drink at Trader Sam's. If you are going to soak in the history of it all then Disneyland Hotel will give you that sense of being transported back to when it all began.
I haven't stayed at either of them. But if I had to choose I'd go with the Grand Californian premium view room. I've seen photos and videos of this hotel and it looks spectacular. It has it's own entrance into DCA. And with a premium view... I'd never come out of the room.
I would live in the Grand Californian if I had the option. Year around. Minus four or ten weeks to go to Walt Disney World. I am one winning lottery ticket away from living my dream!!!
WDW August 1987 (wife), 4 trips before kids (married), Oct 2012, April 2013, Nov 2013, March 2014, Sep 2014, Nov 2015. DCL March 2014. DL May 1985 (me..Senior Trip), plus 4 trips or so before kids (married), June 2015.
I would live in the Grand Californian if I had the option. Year around. Minus four or ten weeks to go to Walt Disney World. I am one winning lottery ticket away from living my dream!!!
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1996-Offsite, 1998-All Star Music, 2003-All Star Movies, 2005-All Star Movies, 2006-All Star Movies, 2007-Pop Century, 2008-Pop Century, 2009-Pop Century,2010-Beach Club Resort, 2011- Beach Club Resort, 2012-Yacht Club, 2013-Beach Club Resort, 2014-Beach Club Resort
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