[Andrea]

My dad wants to stay someplace nice. He's into magic and pixie dust... but underneath all of those, it had better be pretty nice place. He's a Hilton Concierge level kind of guy. The beds are really nice, the king-sized sheets actually fit the bed, that sort of thing. Nothing tacky, nothing worn, etc.

GC- my absolute dream of ALL Disney resorts anywhere- is too pricey since he's springing for a trip for the whole family (he'll be getting two rooms).

So... the true lowdown on the Disneyland Hotel would be great. I've read around for a lot of opinions, they seem to fall into two camps: "not all that nice" and "so magical!". The people who say it's not so nice always seem to be bitter about something, so I have to consider that in reading their reviews. I guess what I want to know is this: pixie dust aside, how does DLH rate against other nice places to stay?

Any info on Paradise Pier would be welcomed, too.

Because really, I'm doing all this research out of the goodness of my heart. The fact that I am a beneficiary of this trip has nothing to do with it. Really. :

Thanks!

[7nqb00]

We stayed in both the GC and the DLH during the week of the 50th. The GC in great, a cross between the GF and WL. Best of both.

There is nothing wrong with the DLH. The room are very much like the Comp. Park view at DLH is not worth it. CF park view is nice, ? worth.

If you have the bucks go for the GC, but if not the DLH will meet all your needs and can be magical (if you want)

You did not ask, but the breakfast is PPH with Stitch. Beats Goofy's kitchen hands down. Even thought GK has the better Pluto photo ops!

[Andrea]

Bumping this up in the vain hope that I'll get some answers....

[jodilt]

I love the GC. It is close to the DL entrance, the heart of DTD, and has it's own entrance to DCA. Prices can be high, but I have often gotten much better rates on cheaptickets or expedia.
DLH is my second choice. Love the theming in the rooms. The armoire has a map of DL on it, the wall border is tinkerbell and pixie dust - which glows in the dark, and the lights above the sink are held by big mickey hands! It is a bit of a walk to the DCA entrance, but you can take the monorail into DL. It sits at the very end of DTD.
I have not stayed at PP, but have noticed that it is quite a walk to the park entrances (it used to have it's own entry into DCA but it has been closed off).

[mickey]

I love Grand California. A great description above:

The GC in great, a cross between the GF and WL. Best of both.

Exactly how I feel about it. Wonderul lobby, great location and great views of the parks and resorts. Oh, and the rooms are really nice as well. I have stayed in all three room views, and honestly, I enjoyed my Downtown Disney view the best. I could see the entrance to Disneyland, as well as a good portion of DTD. It was not noisy at night at all, and was a great place to sit and people watch. My room was right above the World of Disney store.

Disneyland Hotel is nice, but it just doesn't have the feel of the Grand Californian. Nice rooms, nice common areas and a fun pool. You won't be disappointed if you stay here.

I would suggest you stay away from PP. While it is ok since it has been remodeled (it was a dump before), it is a long walk to anything, the pool isn't very nice and the rooms are just ok.

If you can swing the GC, you will love it, if not, the DLH isn't a bad option.

[quartz7]

We have stayed in the DLH twice before and we are going to stay there again this year. We have never had a bad experience here. On our first stay, we told them that this was our 5yr old daughters very first Disney Trip. They asked us to wait a minute and they would be right back. When the CM got back, they gave her a mickey balloon, some coloring pages and a autograph picture of minnie mouse. She was thrilled!!! So were we, how nice, but it got better.
We went to the Magic Kingdom for a little while and when we returned to our room there was a plate of Mickey Mouse cookies, those yummy ones with chocolate, and 3 glasses of Milk. Now that was as magical moment as any.
We have always had this service there. The CM are very nice and very helpful.
I have to say, I am a little picky on the hotel rooms too, and these rooms have been great. Clean and neat.
Hope this helps!

Janelle

[inluvwithdisney]

We love the DLH! I feel it is very nice! Room 2000 in the main bldg is bigger than the average if you can get it!! We loved everything about it, not one complaint!!!

[The Goof Father]

My DW, kids and myself looOOOoooOOOOoooove the GC! We are currently agonizing over staying at the GC or possibly the DH in December, mainly because we want to stay within our vacation budget and still be able to put a bunch of loot under the Christmas Tree. Money aside, we want the GC overwhelmingly...

But back to your question, if I remember correctly, the price difference for concierge at the DH and the GC differ only by about $100 a night. So if the order of the day is to splurge, then it isn't a tremendous price difference. But $100 more a night adds up quick if the money is an issue or many rooms are booked...

Maybe if we start talking about quartz7 her gold mouse ears will start burning and she will come and add something to this thread, because she is a DH concierge pro...

As for the PP, well, my family went there once, but I doubt it will ever happen again... It was nice, don't get me wrong, but we felt that we could do better across the street (God forbid!) or pay a little more and go to the DH.

[Andrea]

Thanks for all the great input. I really appreciate it!

[quartz7]

Originally Posted by ksdonaldson

Maybe if we start talking about quartz7 her gold mouse ears will start burning and she will come and add something to this thread, because she is a DH concierge pro..

Thank You, Thank you!! LOL

I really enjoy the concierge!! Yeah its more money, but to us it is worth it. The breakfast saves you a bundle as does the bottles of water you can take with you.
Another bonus is you have a whole other room you can relax in. There are many mornings I wake up before the rest of the nuts and need my COFFEE!! I can head to concierge and enjoy a nice relaxing coffee. It's a "folgers" moment. So to me, the extra $$ is worth it!

Janelle

[yesimaprncss]

We're going in early Nov - and I was surprised that NOTHING is available at GC or DLH right now, so I got my foot in the door w/ reservations at PP for the Concierge Level there (that's all they had). The CM I spoke w/ said that they'll release rooms that are currently reserved for some convention 30-days prior, so I should check back then - and even before, just to see what's available. Personally, I'm willing to splurge for GC or even nice DLH rooms (stayed in a mini-suite once... very nice!), but not for PP. So if nothing opens up before then, we'll probably cancel (up to 72 hours in advance - thank goodness) and stay cheaply at a good neighbor (which if the PP isn't that special, you might as well do a neighbor).

Do you all agree?

[quartz7]

Originally Posted by yesimaprncss

We're going in early Nov - and I was surprised that NOTHING is available at GC or DLH right now, so I got my foot in the door w/ reservations at PP for the Concierge Level there (that's all they had). The CM I spoke w/ said that they'll release rooms that are currently reserved for some convention 30-days prior, so I should check back then - and even before, just to see what's available. Personally, I'm willing to splurge for GC or even nice DLH rooms (stayed in a mini-suite once... very nice!), but not for PP. So if nothing opens up before then, we'll probably cancel (up to 72 hours in advance - thank goodness) and stay cheaply at a good neighbor (which if the PP isn't that special, you might as well do a neighbor).

Do you all agree?

I hope something open ups for you!! Kinda makes me nervous that nothing is available. Hopefully they just have opened up all the rooms. Hope it won't be to crowded. Doesn't matter though, still going to Disney!

Janelle