[WishUponAStar]

So I think we've pretty much decided to put Tokyo on hold until 2008, so we're going to do Vegas, Palm Springs, and Disneyland this coming June.

So here's what I can't decide, we are going to get the 4-day park hopper just like I did this past trip. With the amount of DVC points I will have left for the year I can either do 4 nights at the DL Hotel or 3 nights at the Grand Californian.

This is how it would go...

-We would arrive into LAX at 9:30am on day 1, giving us about 1/2 a day at DCA.

Day 2: Disneyland Park

Day 3: Disneyland Park

Day 4: DCA morning
*if we choose Grand Californian we depart around 1pm and drive to
Palm Springs (about an hour & 30 min drive).

* if we choose DL Hotel we have a FULL day on this day, an extra night
at DL Hotel, then leave for the Palm Springs area in the morning on day
5.


What would you do? Insight would be great too

[WishUponAStar]

Oh, just in case it makes a difference to anyone; I've stayed at DL Hotel before, but I've never stayed at Grand Californian. DH has not stayed at either, this would be his first time staying on property in Disneyland. Both rooms would be "standard view" at either hotel.

[jk8]

I looked at pics of both since I have not before. They both look really nice. If you don't really care that you don't get an extra day at DL then do GC. To me it just really comes down to that.

[ingamba]

Well I was going through the same thing for my Feb trip, and I decided on Disneyland Hotel.

But I probably came to that decision for different reasons than you. I chose it because it's my first ever trip to DLR, and DLH has always kind of been my ideal hotel to stay at for my first trip.

Having said that, GCH looks gorgeous, and I'd love to stay there someday.

But since if you stay at DLH you get an extra night, I'm going to vote for it here on your poll.

[BaaBeE9]

I vote for Grand Californian since you haven't stayed there before. I stayed there when I went and since I had no idea when I would get back, I splurged on the theme park view. I was so cool to be litterally in the park! Everything was so close. (I know DL Resort isn't exactly far away). We went on Grizzly Rapid River Run and then ran back to the room to change and were back in the park in less than 10 minutes!

[Andrea]

I'm voting for Disneyland Hotel because as gorgeous as the Grand Californian is, inside I just felt like it was not as warm as the Wilderness Lodge. I just find it impossible not to compare them! GC used to be my dream resort, but after checking out the lobby, I'm not as gung ho as I was from just seeing pictures.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by Andrea

I'm voting for Disneyland Hotel because as gorgeous as the Grand Californian is, inside I just felt like it was not as warm as the Wilderness Lodge. I just find it impossible not to compare them! GC used to be my dream resort, but after checking out the lobby, I'm not as gung ho as I was from just seeing pictures.

I know, I am afraid of comparing it to Wilderness Lodge too. When I went in June we ate breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe and took plenty of time to look around the lobby. I can identify the distinct design differences and it does have a different feel overall but it is indeed "grand." I really don't know where I lay on this issue honestly. Since going to DL is not as frequent an occassion as visiting WDW for us I kinda thought it would be silly to repeat a resort and stay at DL Hotel again. Ya know, try something different. I am also not sure if DH would appreciate the subtle DL nostalgia as DL Hotel as I would, he definately tends to lean towards the "grand" more. Hmm, this is tough.

I also think 3 nights would be just fine b/c thats how long my Dad and I had and we felt like we had EXTRA time!!

OOOOOOHHHHH, there is ALSO the possibility of staying 2 nights GC, 2 nights DL Hotel. What do you think about that?

[unamadreditre]

Personally I would stay at the DLH just for the sake of having an extra day. Sure the GC looks really nice but to sacrifice a day at Disneyland. I don't know if it would be worth it just to sleep in a bed that is pretty much like the one at the DLH. You can still enjoy the lobby and the restaurants of the GC without staying at the hotel. When we were there in June we would cut through the GC everytime we went to and from DCA. I've always wanted to stay at the GC but not if it was going to cost me a whole day of fun.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by unamadreditre

Personally I would stay at the DLH just for the sake of having an extra day. Sure the GC looks really nice but to sacrifice a day at Disneyland. I don't know if it would be worth it just to sleep in a bed that is pretty much like the one at the DLH. You can still enjoy the lobby and the restaurants of the GC without staying at the hotel. When we were there in June we would cut through the GC everytime we went to and from DCA. I've always wanted to stay at the GC but not if it was going to cost me a whole day of fun.

Well, it's really just 1/2 a day. If we stay at GC we'd still have the morning of the fourth day. If we do the extra night at DL Hotel we'd leave FIRST THING in the morning of the 5th day. So it's not like we'd be gaining the 5th day, just 1/2 of the 4th day and sleeping in a DL Hotel room again.

[diisneygeek]

Grand Californian!! It's breath-taking and absolutely beautiful! And plus, you mentioned you've already stayed at the DL resort...

[daisyd]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

Well, it's really just 1/2 a day. If we stay at GC we'd still have the morning of the fourth day. If we do the extra night at DL Hotel we'd leave FIRST THING in the morning of the 5th day. So it's not like we'd be gaining the 5th day, just 1/2 of the 4th day and sleeping in a DL Hotel room again.

This sealed my vote!

I was leaning towards 4 at the DLH, but now that I understand completely, stay at the Grand for 3!!! You have enough nights planned to see the fireworks and parades, and you really can leave DLR anytime to drive to Palm Springs, it's what? 90 miles? Just avoid commute time if you can, and take advantage of the carpool lanes when available Breakfast in Disneyland, dinner in Palm Springs!

Oh yeah, Another bonus of having stayed at the GC is that it will make the decesion of where to stay next time that much easier, lol. (even though that won't be for a couple years)

[unamadreditre]

Originally Posted by daisyd

This sealed my vote!

I was leaning towards 4 at the DLH, but now that I understand completely, stay at the Grand for 3!!! You have enough nights planned to see the fireworks and parades, and you really can leave DLR anytime to drive to Palm Springs, it's what? 90 miles? Just avoid commute time if you can, and take advantage of the carpool lanes when available Breakfast in Disneyland, dinner in Palm Springs!

Oh yeah, Another bonus of having stayed at the GC is that it will make the decesion of where to stay next time that much easier, lol. (even though that won't be for a couple years)

I totally agree with daisyd. For just a half days difference, I would stay at GC. You did just go in June so it isn't like it is your first time there and have to see everything in three days.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

OOOOOOHHHHH, there is ALSO the possibility of staying 2 nights GC, 2 nights DL Hotel. What do you think about that?

Oooh! Do that! Do that!

I just hate making a drive after a day in the park. It's deflating, and I'm always feeling so tired.

(And I know what you're saying about design differences... WL and GC are totally different... and yet they're both big barns of buildings with lots of wood. I dunno... something about the craftsman style just left me a feeling a little distanced, and I usually love that style.)

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

OOOOOOHHHHH, there is ALSO the possibility of staying 2 nights GC, 2 nights DL Hotel. What do you think about that?

This is probably the best option.

I have never stayed on Disney Property, couldn't afford it.

Even one night is worth it, and two nights in each hotel sounds like a nice compromise.

[jk8]

After reading your comments I now vote for GC.