Choose One: Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian Hotel or Paradise Pier

[Micoofy Duck]

I'm eager to start planning my next trip to Disneyland in 2007 but I'm not sure if I should return to the Grand Californian Hotel or save money and book the Disneyland Hotel or the Paradise Pier Hotel...

And I'm sure there are other MiceChatters dealing with this same problem, which too choose if you've already chosen another on your last trip.

Go ahead and add your 2 cents.

Write down your reasons for staying at a hotel. Write down your reasons for NOT staying at a hotel.

Let's get started.

[Ride Warrior]

As enjoyable as the other two hotels are, the Grand Californian is superior in every sense.

[Speedway]

What a bizarre question!
The Grand Californian of course!
A more suitable would be the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier, as they are more similar in what they are.
The GC flies higher, far higher.

[JiminyCricketFan]

If you are looking to save money, then don't stay at a Disney hotel at all. There are really some nice choices very near Disneyland. The one that gets talked about the most is Howard Johnson's. But if I were to pick a Disney Hotel that has atmosphere, then the Grand Californian for sure.

[DisneyPrincess4590]

If you are going to spend the money to stay in a DLR hotel, definately make it the GRAND CALIFORNIAN. There is not that much difference between the DLH cost and the GCH cost.

I agree with Jiminy Cricket Fan. If you want to save money, stay off property - I like the Candy Cane Inn.

[Radiobarry]

Especially since I have stayed there, I say that the Grand Californian is better in every way, by far. Disneyland Hotel second, because it is part of the "original experience" in many ways...I don't like the Paradise Pier much.

I hear the PPH or DLH may be better if you have small children. The GCH has a more "mature" feel about it...although they have things for kids as well.

Overall, GCH hands down.

--Barry

[KDR]

We used to stay at the DLH almost every time before the GCH opened -- but once the GCH opened up, it was GCH all the way!

Until this last year. We started staying at the DLH again (often using our Disney Vacation Club points) and have really been enjoying it. There's no doubt that the GCH has something very special going on, but the DLH has a certain vibe happening, and I wouldn't count it out of the running.

[fidoprincess]

The problem with the Grand, for our family, is that they can not guarantee the bedding/sleeping arrangements! No one wants a sleeping bag on the floor, not fun in our book! and with no rollaways, we just go to DLH instead! Not only can we be sure to get a 2Q/SS room but we can get a free rollaway too.

IF we could be sure of getting a 2Q/sofasleeper, we would stay there but all of us have heard horror stories of elderly people having to sleep in the bunks or the dad ending up in the sleeping bag on the floor furious thinking of all the money he just spent-lol! Dh would like the bunkbeds configuration but then thinks having "just a queen" would be a tough adjustment for us since we have a king at home and he is over 6'3". Then if you want the 2Q/sofasleeper configuration, you can not have a "view."

Nope, won't stay there, we stick to the DLH. There the biggest worry is "what will be the view"-lol!

[FigmentFruitcake]

It all started when my family stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in WDW and the GCH has got that same feel to it, it's hard to stay anywhere else when we go to Disneyland. True the DLH is a little old and needs an update, but it's a classic. I haven't stayed at DLH since they ripped out the Oriental Gardens area and all of the shopping to make room for Downtown Disney, but the towers haven't changed much I imagine.

[NeverNeverland]

I voted before i read the topic, so change my vote to DLH.

GCH would be my choice but you've alrteady stayed there so why not stay somewhere else? i'd love to stay at all of 'em, so I say DLH this time!

[wulfblat]

We've stayed at all three Disneyland property hotels, and think the Grand Californian is the best of the lot, with the Disneyland Hotel coming in a distant second, and the Paradise Pier Hotel coming in an even more distant third.

[SusieP.]

It depends on so many things. For me, I would stay at the DLH and then use the "extra" money to go to the Napa Rose for dinner. To me, that is a better use of the cash, rather than spend it on a hotel room that I would hardly be in.

That said, I would looooove to stay at the GCH sometime, but I'd want to hang out there and use all the amenities and not worry about the park as much. It's just harder to justify since I live here already.

[MickeyMania]

With no Marina and no Monorail Cafe, my love affair with the DLH is over. The GCH embodies all the wonderful aspects of the resorts located in the other parks around that world that DL visitors didn't get to see until now.

Go GCH!

[Loomis]

Well, if I had to choose one, Grand Californian wins hands down. I didn't stay there, but I would have gladly slept in the lobby if they'd let me.

However, if "saving money" is a consideration, then why not stay off-property? Nothing beats the 'experience' of staying and playing in a Disney hotel, as JiminyCricketFan has already suggested. I will second the HoJo recommendation and/or the Raddison Maingate.

I'm never sure if the on-property advantages out-weigh the money saved that can be spent on loads of merchandise. For me, I'm just as happy to have an adequate off-property hotel and some extra cash in my wallet. However, I see you are from Texas. Do you get there often? Probably more often than I would, but it may be worth your while just to 'go the extra mile' if it is going to be a while before your next trip AND if you can afford it.