Disneyland is house to 2 nice lodges: Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa (GCH) and Disneyland Resort (DLH). This head-to-head comparability weighs the professionals & cons of every, selecting a “winner” in theme, eating places, location, swimming pools, value, and different classes. (Up to date August 2, 2024.)
This marks the primary (and ultimate) access into our ongoing Disney Resort Comparability Collection, which in a different way addresses tricky dilemmas chances are you’ll face when attempting to select the precise hotel at Walt Disney International. There are a large number of shut calls or less expensive opposite numbers there, while there are most effective 3 on-site resorts at Disneyland Hotel, and a type of isn’t worthy of attention.
Conversely, the argument might be made that both of those are Disneyland Hotel’s flagship resort. There’s Disneyland Resort, which is the unique and has the crown jewel fort park proper in its identify. The case may also be made for Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa, which is extra lavish and opulent, has a personal front immediately into Disney California Journey, and is typically dearer.
Along with those all-stars, Disneyland Hotel could also be house to Pixar Position Resort, which used to be prior to now Paradise Pier Resort. The resort used to be overhauled over the past couple of years, and that reimagining is now entire. We made no secret about our disdain for Paradise Pier Resort, calling it Resort Dino-Rama (minus the dinosaurs) as it put lipstick on a pig similarly.
Pixar Position Resort is a night-and-day distinction. It’s nonetheless now not superb, but it surely’s a dramatic growth over its predecessor, and it would possibly be best for you. Learn our Pixar Position Resort Assessment for footage & complete observation. Pixar Position Resort is these days the most cost effective approach to keep on-site at Disneyland Hotel, which is its greatest promoting level and why chances are you’ll need to e-book it over Disneyland Resort.
With that stated, the majority of guests to Disneyland Hotel will need to keep off-site. There merely don’t seem to be sufficient perks to justify Disney costs for the resorts, and there are superb lodging inside strolling distance. See our Disneyland House Resort Ratings & Opinions for recommendation on the place to stick.
As for the Disneyland Resort vs. Grand Californian comparability, it’s a surprisingly shut name. Whilst we will be able to draw our personal conclusions as to which is best, we’ll additionally give an explanation for our reasoning alongside the way in which, so you’ll shape your personal critiques. Since such a lot of this can be a topic of subjective, non-public desire, that’s one of the simplest ways to way those comparisons. Plus, it might be an attractive brief weblog put up if we didn’t be offering explanatory textual content at the side of the winner of every component.
Theme: It Relies – Theme is one of these tough matter since such a lot of it’s predicated in non-public desire. Moderately than making a worth judgment about which theme is inherently “higher,” we way this from their respective execution in their kinds.
Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa is indubitably essentially the most chic and subtle resort at Disneyland Hotel. It’s, because the identify suggests, grand. From the hovering foyer to the ornate woodwork to the pretty stained glass, Grand Californian is refined and upscale in some way that Disneyland Resort merely isn’t.
It’s additionally misunderstood. Some would possibly use the phrases “rustic” and “outdoorsy” to explain GCH, however in truth, the resort has extra in commonplace with a luxurious hotel than it does a hotel within the geographical region. This may well be extra pronounced within the Disney fan group, as there are a large number of superficial similarities between the Grand Californian and Barren region Hotel, resulting in the (misguided) conclusion that GCH could also be basically impressed by means of the long-lasting U.S. Nationwide Park Accommodations of the early twentieth Century within the American West.
That’s true to a definite level. Each Barren region Hotel and the GCH had been designed by means of the similar architect, and percentage bloodlines. There also are some stylistic similarities between the Grand Cal and the Ahwahnee Resort in Yosemite Nationwide Park. Then again, it’s most definitely fairer to mention that the Ahwahnee and Grand Californian each function California Craftsman taste.
Moderately than taking a look to Northern California to search out inspiration for the Grand Californian, Disney appeared most commonly to the close by town of Pasadena, house to many masterpieces of the Arts & Crafts motion by means of architects Charles and Henry Greene. The obvious supply of inspiration is the Gamble Space, which is the crown jewel of the California Craftsman taste.
DLH is a a lot more easy resort, and its theme is actually “Disneyland.” Above all else, the resort is a self-referential love letter to Walt Disney and his unique magic kingdom in beautiful unusual bundle. Those are same old resort towers that, a minimum of upon first influence, aren’t all that other from what you’d to find right through Anaheim or Los Angeles.
That’s overly reductionist, even though. Disneyland Resort’s towers every have their very own theme: Fantasyland, Adventureland, or Frontierland. (Plus the brand new DVC tower, which is encouraged by means of “Blandland,” I suppose.) Once more, that is completed by way of tributes somewhat than true theme, but it surely’s finished in a surprisingly loving and thorough means. There are fashions within the lobbies, posters, and nice intensity of element. Every tower has its personal distinct persona, and sufficient nods that it feels such as you’re immersed within the resort model of the respective lands.
Disneyland Resort additionally contains mid-century fashionable design into its towers and commonplace spaces, giving it larger persona and a way that it’s in point of fact a tribute to Walt Disney’s park. Somewhere else, DLH weaves in combination each tiki tradition and fresh taste and facilities, whilst preserving its self-referential appeal entrance and middle. It’s in point of fact spectacular the way it manages to effectively steadiness all of those parts, and not does it really feel like an affordable try to tug on the heartstrings of Disney enthusiasts.
The entire of DLH is sort of a mashup of the Polynesian and Recent Inns at Walt Disney International, plus perhaps a splash of Coronado Springs. At strange comparability, however on the finish of the day, Disneyland Resort simply works. It’s now not a thematic exemplar just like the Grand Californian, however for lots of Disney enthusiasts, it’s going to “click on” higher and be extra interesting.
Because of this, we’ll name this one an “it relies.” In my opinion, we’d be susceptible to present victory to the Grand Californian (and by means of a large margin) however now not everybody goes to agree. In reality, there used to be a time when even we would now not accept as true with that evaluation, as mentioned within the verdict on the conclusion of the comparability.
Rooms: Grand Californian – Each resorts have rooms that had been just lately up to date, however the Grand Californian rooms had been absolutely redone, while the Disneyland Resort rooms had been superficially refreshed. The room reimagining at GCH brightened up the rooms, toned down a bit of of the (arguably) dated themed design, and injected amusing Disney main points and historical nods.
Those reimagined rooms deftly steadiness themed design, visitor expectancies, and comfort–they’re in point of fact outstanding, and an important improve from their predecessors. You’ll see a show off of the visitor rooms in our Footage & Movies: New Rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa put up.
Observe: Disney Holiday Membership rooms on the Grand Californian have now not been up to date, and received’t be till 2025. There’s a definite appeal to them, however they’re for sure appearing their age in each shape and serve as. Additionally they glance completely not anything like what’s pictured right here. Simply one thing to imagine if you happen to’re making plans on renting DVC issues to save cash on a keep on the VGC. (I’d nonetheless move that direction, as the associated fee distinction is vital.)
The defining function of the rooms on the Disneyland Resort is the “goodnight kiss” transfer that lighting fixtures up the fiber optics within the headboard and performs “When You Want Upon a Superstar,” track field taste. Whoever concept up this selection is a genius, as it’s all the time the very first thing discussed when discussing the rooms at Disneyland Resort. If in case you have youngsters, they’ll love this. If you’re an grownup who’s unduly inspired with issues that remove darkness from and make sound, like me, it would be best to go away this on all evening.
The opposite memorable function of the visitor rooms at Disneyland Resort is the fireworks-infused (I suppose?) carpet, which appears explosively just right. There also are historical footage of Walt Disney, and (if you happen to’re fortunate) ephemera within the room you’ll take house. Differently, the rooms are extremely variable in structure and dimension, and wholly forgettable. However you’ll now not fail to remember that headboard (or the carpet), and that on my own may well be the trump card that is helping surpass Grand Californian, regardless of its rooms being in a different way objectively awesome in each means.
With that stated, arguably the nicest rooms of all may also be discovered within the Villas at Disneyland Resort. That is the brand-new Disney Holiday Membership tower, which may also be booked by means of non-DVC visitors paying money charges. The Villas at Disneyland Resort rooms function a large number of considerate design options that assist maximize the ‘really feel’ of the sq. photos, whilst additionally providing a refreshing design that melds Disney characters with sumptuous facilities.
The largest problem is that the majority of Disneyland Resort rooms don’t have balconies, while Grand Californian rooms do. One of the vital rooms at Disneyland Resort already really feel a bit of cramped, and that most effective exacerbates the problem. (Additionally, that is Southern California, now not Central Florida–sitting out of doors at the balcony within the morning or at evening is beautiful.) However what Disneyland Resort lacks in balcony house, some would possibly argue it makes up in light-up headboards!
Eating: Grand Californian – Either one of those lodges have a number of sturdy eating choices that serve other functions. In case you seek the advice of our Listing of the 24 Absolute best Eating places at Disneyland Hotel, you’ll to find that 3 places on there are at Disneyland Resort, and some other 3 spots are on the Grand Californian. So it must be a draw, proper?
On paper, this comparability would possibly appear shut. In fact, it’s by no means. The Grand Californian is house to the eating places at which we dine maximum in all of Disneyland Hotel, GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill. Those sister spots (bar out of doors by means of the pool, counter provider grill inside of) be offering improbable and deep menus that surpass Tangaroa Terrace or Palm Breeze Bar at Disneyland Resort
At the persona eating entrance, Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Resort will get the brink over Storytellers Cafe on the Grand Californian, however each are in point of fact just right. (Goofy’s Kitchen is goofier and extra amusing, getting the nod for that and its flagship persona meal standing.) Dealer Sam’s is in a league of its personal as a themed bar, however don’t underestimate Hearthstone Front room–it’s extra at ease and has higher the whole thing fit for human consumption.
The place issues in point of fact fall aside for Disneyland Resort is at the desk provider entrance. Following the closure of Steakhouse 55, it doesn’t have a normal desk provider eating place (sans characters). The loss of nice eating choices is a large misstep for a hotel of this caliber, particularly when contrasted towards the top-tier Napa Rose on the Grand Californian.
Location: Grand Californian – Objectively, this is a straightforward one. Disneyland Resort is situated at the different aspect of Downtown Disney, that means that you need to stroll via that buying groceries and eating district a minimum of partly to get entry to Disneyland or Disney California Journey. It’s both a couple of mins to the monorail station or about 10-12 mins throughout.
Now that Pixar Position Resort is open, you additionally have the ability of taking the personal front from that resort into Disney California Journey. However that’s nonetheless now not direct, and would require backtracking via a car park, throughout a boulevard, after which via a hall subsequent to the Grand Californian. It’s for sure a sooner approach to get to Pixar Pier, but it surely’s anything else however direct.
Against this, the Grand Californian Resort used to be constructed with Disney California Journey, has a personal front immediately into the park, and overlooks Grizzly Height and parts of Pixar Pier. It’s 0 mins from DCA and most effective ~5 mins from Disneyland.
How a lot this issues depends upon the level to which you wish to have to scale back your day-to-day steps and in addition while you’d be strolling via Downtown Disney. Very first thing within the morning or overdue at evening after park last, Downtown Disney is blissfully uncrowded. It’s a leisurely walk in a pleasant surroundings with amusing track. Throughout height hours, Downtown Disney is crowded and ugly, and navigating it may be a chore.
When you do the personal front of GCH, it’s tricky to return to Disneyland Resort. It will look like a slight distinction, but it surely opens up a global of probabilities. You’ll use your room as a locker, grabbing snacks, beverages, or coats when the solar is going down. You’ll trip (and inevitably get soaked on) Grizzly River Run prior to returning for a metamorphosis of garments. You’ll keep Membership Degree and breeze as much as the living room every time you’re hungry, by no means wanting to trouble with Cell Order or desk provider foods within the parks. In our view, the Grand Californian’s location is a game-changer.
Swimming pools: Disneyland Resort – This one is most definitely demographic-dependent. Disney’s Grand Californian Resort boasts 3 swimming pools—the Fountain, Redwood, and Mariposa–in its central courtyard, certainly one of which includes a water slide extending from a redwood tree trunk. Radiating from round those swimming pools are pretty front room chairs, one of the maximum relaxed you’ll to find at any pool.
There’s additionally the adjoining GCH Craftsman Bar, which is amazingly handy to the pool for grabbing beverages or a noon chunk to devour. It additionally gives up are living track on sure days and evenings, which amps up the ambience. Talking of which, the design of the pool space is superb, with tree-laden grounds, stone partitions, rocky boulders, stained glass lamps, critter fountains and extra all including to a way of serenity. Each swimming pools can get busy and crowded, however we’ve all the time controlled to discover a sense of seclusion and calm clear of the Redwood Pool at GCH.
Then there’s Disneyland Resort, the place the large 4,800-square-foot E-Price ticket Pool lives as much as its identify. This options 2 winding waterslides, each function replicas of the unique Mark 1 Monorail trains. There’s the 25-foot-high, 180-foot-long Crimson Monorail slide or the 13-foot-high, 80-foot-long Yellow Monorail slide (the latter is analogous to the Redwood Pool Slide at GCH).
There’s additionally a 2-lane mini slide for smaller kids with pop jets, fountains, and a waterfall upload to the joys. This nostalgic water play space is crowned by means of a “Disneyland” signal harking back to the park’s vintage years. This complete pool space is top-notch; it’s greater and has extra amusing on be offering than its counterpart at GCH. If in case you have youngsters of any age, there’s no doubt that they’ll desire the swimming pools at Disneyland Resort.
We’re going to present DLH the win since that’ll be the consensus, however truthfully, we desire the swimming pools on the Grand Californian. The vibe is extra mellow, and that’s what we’re on the lookout for when taking time clear of the parks to chill out and decompress. Kids will disagree, however {couples} would possibly give the brink to GCH’s swimming pools.
Value: Disneyland Resort – Those are the 2 most costly resorts on reasonable at Disneyland Hotel. Each automatically get started within the $400 or $500 vary, and that’s with a cut price. At the excessive finish, rack charges exceeding $1,000 isn’t unusual.
Costs range by means of season and room class, however you’ll be expecting to pay about 20% to twenty-five% extra for a similar room on the Grand Californian on reasonable. There are occasions when the charges are inexplicably decrease at GCH, however that’s the exception somewhat than the rule of thumb. (And typically because of same old rooms being not able at DLH.)
Membership Degree: Grand Californian – If $500+ according to evening is just too reasonable on your tastes, you’ll all the time improve to Membership Degree for some other couple hundred greenbacks or so according to evening! Disneyland Resort’s Membership Degree is the E-Price ticket Front room, which is situated at the height ground of the Journey Tower, and provides increased perspectives of Downtown Disney (it’s these days overlooking the building zone to make bigger the district). It’s a tight view of the fireworks at Disneyland within the distance, and the night time setting of Downtown Disney may also be stress-free.
Grand Californian’s Membership Degree is the Veranda, which gives indoor seating and an outside terrace. This front room is greater, extra fashionable, and has much better selection (and better high quality) foods and drinks spreads. In case you’re involved in a complete take a look at a number of days’ price of what we ate right here, see our Assessment: Veranda Membership Degree at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort.
The E-Price ticket Front room is okay. It will use an replace and the meals spreads aren’t just about as spectacular, particularly after gaining access to the superlative Veranda Membership Degree on the Grand Californian. (I’ll stage with you: the one reason why I incorporated this phase used to be as a result of I don’t really feel like writing a standalone evaluation of the E-Price ticket Front room. “It’s nice” is just about the level of my ideas.)
Verdict: Grand Californian – Households with young children will most definitely desire the Disneyland Resort itself for the awesome pool and larger stage of caprice to the rooms and assets as a complete. Even then, the proximity to the parks, awesome eating choices, and higher general rooms with balconies would possibly make GCH win out.
{Couples} or the ones with outdated youngsters will most definitely desire Grand Californian for its extra refined and grownup sensibilities, in addition to all the above. Even then, diehard Disney enthusiasts would possibly desire the nostalgia, amusing of Dealer Sam’s, and different ways in which DLH simply “oozes” all issues Walt Disney and Disneyland. It’s a in point of fact shut name and there’s no person dimension suits all resolution for everybody. Heck, the exact same other folks would possibly desire DLH at some issues and GCH at different instances. Which brings issues complete circle to our reports with each resorts of Disneyland Hotel.
For us, Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa is the winner in a landslide. Then again, that has now not all the time been the case. After we first began visiting the California parks, we instantly fell in love with Disneyland Resort. As massive enthusiasts of the historical past and legacy of Walt Disney, the resort received us over right away and entirely–similar to the park itself.
Disneyland Resort felt like an extension of the eponymous park, and we completely couldn’t get sufficient of Disneyland. Returning to the hotel and visiting Dealer Sam’s after observing “Bear in mind… Desires Come True” used to be only a pitch-perfect nostalgia overload. The mid-century fashionable stylization used to be additionally a winner (this used to be all over the height of Mad Males) and in contrast to anything else we had again “house” at Walt Disney International.
However, the Grand Californian used to be admittedly a bit of complicated. There have been facets of it that blew us away, but in addition some bizarre stuff. Sides of the design struck us as darkish, dreary, and dated. Like a Nationwide Park Hotel, however attempting a bit of too onerous to be each fancy and rustic, and feeling drained. (This used to be virtually 15 years in the past–means prior to the brand new rooms.) All in all, it felt like an strange early-aughts imitation of Barren region Hotel.
That used to be an overly floor stage evaluation, coloured by means of a passion for Barren region Hotel, incomplete wisdom of DCA’s shortcomings, and spending too little time in fact exploring the Grand Californian. It wasn’t till our subsequent seek advice from that we spent extra time on the GCH and began to know what it used to be doing otherwise from Barren region Hotel.
In truth, even though, it wasn’t till we frolicked in Pasadena, together with a excursion of the Gamble Space at the side of different properties within the historical district there that it in point of fact “clicked” for us. (In case you’re in a position to pair a keep at GCH with an afternoon in Pasadena, we extremely suggest it. See our 1-Day Pasadena, California Itinerary on TravelCaffeine.com.)
Since then, our fondness for the Arts & Crafts taste has most effective higher, and the similar is correct for the Grand Californian. We’ve stayed on the resort a number of instances and visited (actually) masses since then, and we nonetheless see new main points and design quirks with every seek advice from. Our appreciation of the Grand Californian assists in keeping rising deeper. I now like it up to I like Barren region Hotel, which is in point of fact announcing one thing.
We percentage this so as to add context but in addition a caveat. It actually took us years to get thus far with the Grand Californian. Even if it has a long way surpassed Disneyland Resort for us, that’s now not how the tale started. For us, it used to be love to start with stick with Disneyland Resort…and extra like worried appreciation with the Grand Californian. Most likely you’re extra refined than us, and the enchantment of the GCH and distinctions from Barren region Hotel shall be instantly obvious for you, however there’s a great opportunity fellow Disney enthusiasts will revel in a an identical response. Since this can be a comparability geared toward your first keep somewhat than your 14th, it looked like a related tale to incorporate.
Nonetheless now not positive which resort at Disneyland Hotel is best for you? Get skilled assist free of charge from an Approved Disney Holiday Planner (Disney’s time period for a shuttle agent). They obtain fee from Disney, so maximum approved planners is not going to fee you for reserving the holiday bundle and making plans products and services. The associated fee-free Approved Disney Holiday Planner that we suggest is Be Our Visitor Holidays. Their products and services don’t value additional, they’ll assist make a choice the precise hotel for you, e-book your holiday, mean you can with eating reservations and itineraries, and practice the most efficient reductions in your reservation.
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Guidelines for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Resort Opinions & Ratings. For the place to devour, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Opinions. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll support your go back and forth, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In spite of everything, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and plenty of different SoCal towns!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Which of those two just right resorts at Disneyland Hotel is the simpler one, on your opinion? Does value, rooms, location, swimming pools, eating, or one thing else topic maximum to you? Is there anything else you’ll recall to mind to make Disneyland Resort the simpler select? Are we lacking a key variable that would, probably tilt the scales? Do you settle or disagree with our alternatives? Any questions we will mean you can resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
