Disneyland Talk

We have stayed at all three. I prefer the Grand. I like fresh air and they have balconies in every room. But I think it's only worth the cost if you have a park view room. Watching the park wake up and go to sleep is awesome. Plus, you are so close to GRR that you can go on 10 x. Get soaked then go change. Lol. The DL hotel is nice. The light up beds are great but no fresh air unless you are on a top floor. PP is great for the view and the rooms are bigger. But I would only stay with an upper floor view room. But honestly, you will love whichever one you stay at. After all... It's Disney! ;-) - SueBayou  2012.0 #34 8-5-12 6:41PM Like(6)  Reply

I have stayed at the Grand Californian. It is an awesome hotel. Not only is it beautiful but it is also the closest to the parks. Unfortunately it is also the most expensive but so worth it. - CinderellasMom  264.5 #879 8-5-12 6:06PM Like(3)  Reply

I've only stayed at the Disneyland Hotel but it is beautiful and very magical. The walk to and from isn't bad either. It's just at the end of Downtown Disney. - VeloMouseGirl  549.7 #203 8-5-12 5:58PM Like(2)  Reply

The Grand is closer, so a short walk, but I like the Disneyland Hotel for the decor and real "Disney" feel! - duckchub  290.7 #668 8-5-12 6:09PM Like(2)  Reply

Our family has stayed at all three and each one is magical in unique ways...Grand Californian is the closest to the parks and has a great environment that allows you to explore all the grounds and take the complimentary Art of the Craft Tour...Disneyland Hotel has been completely remodeled and the rooms are top notch in amenities and has many close dining options...Paradise Pier Hotel is the most intimate of the hotels and provides food, shopping, and dining options all without having to physically exiting the interior of the hotel...plus if you cut through the Grand Californian the walk from the parks is pretty short...whichever you choose, just know that all the CM's will do their very best in making your stay a very magical and memorable one :-) - uscdisneyteacher  3089.5 #14 8-5-12 6:18PM Like(2)  Reply

I've stayed at all 3 and love , love love the Disneyland hotel. The refurbished rooms are wonderful and the hotel has the best Disney history on display - chancesr  238.3 #1133 8-5-12 6:38PM Like(2)  Reply

Personally we love the grand Californian, the hotel is beautiful and is perfect location wise for those who stay from open to close. - DisneyDreamer18  168.4 #2026 8-5-12 6:09PM Like(1)  Reply

I like the Paradise Pier for its room size. It is the cheapest of the three hotels. I havent been to the Disneyland since the remodel. Grand is well grand, but the most expensive. - Dizkid  284.2 #707 8-5-12 6:14PM Like(1)  Reply

You will definitely pay for the convenience at the Grand, down the elevator, across the hall and you're inside DCA. But Disneyland Hotel might be just as easy since your kids are big and probably don't mind a short walk. For 3nights, it might be more reasonable. Happy planning! - iloveprinceEric  219.5 #1365 8-5-12 6:19PM Like(1)  Reply

I love the Disneyland Hotel! I would definitely recommend it. I haven't stayed at either of the others so I can't say anything about them, but the DL Hotel has that Disney magic and real Disney feel to it! It is a perfect distance from the parks and a nice walk through Downtown Disney. - diamondangels  132.9 #2551 8-5-12 6:23PM Like(1)  Reply

I have only stayed at the paradise pier. It was wonderful! The beds were the most comfortable I have EVER slept in at any hotel. There was one night where my feet hurt so bad that I didn't think I would make it to the hotel. (ended up crawling a bit in the hall) but, all in all, I will definitely stay there again!! - dsnymom2bandb  305.3 #585 8-5-12 6:31PM Like(1)  Reply

We have stayed at the grand and Disney many times. My family all have said the grand is their favorite. It may be a little more but well worth it. - pbrdad  57.2 #3621 8-5-12 7:19PM Like(1)  Reply

We've stayed at DL and the Grand hotels and I'd choose the grand over the Disneyland hotel although it was lovely. We had a view over the grizzly river rapids area, and to sit out on our balcony and watch the parks after closing and before opening and to hear the music was so magical and now I don't know how I could stay anywhere else, I also don't know how I'm going to afford to stay just there lol - TrueFromOzLovesDisney  312.3 #548 8-5-12 7:26PM Like(1)  Reply

I have stayed at the PPH and the GC in the past, and I think it depends on what exactly you're looking for. Really, you can't go wrong!! The grand is closer, and VERY nice, but unfortunately also more $$$. The only slight negative about the grand is that sometimes your room is located at the end of the hallway... And then really you are walking about as much as you would if you stayed at the pier, lol! The pier is also quite nice for a lower price, but a bit further away. Another aspect that may or may not affect your decision is the elevators of the PPH. They are VERY slow.... But that was my only complaint of the PPH! All in all, I think any of the three would serve you well... They're all Disney! Enjoy your trip! :) - LoveDisneyDucklings  28.6 #4445 8-5-12 7:27PM Like(1)  Reply

I have stayed at all 3, would go for DL first. Has the Disney feel all around. - Lelundrial  341.4 #429 8-5-12 7:53PM Like(1)  Reply

I have stayed at all 3 and like them each for different reasons. I have stayed at the Grand the most often and decided that it really depends on the room you get. One time we had concierge level with a park view and it was magical. I have also had pool views, partial park view (even when we paid for a "park view") and a view of the valet area. For the price, some of these views were terrible. It's true you can't beat the location of the Grand. I thought the rooms were very small too. I have gone on adult-only trips and would hands down pick the grand everytime for this type of trip. I have two young kids (1 and 4) and the DL hotel had a ton of Disney magic that my kids took more notice of here than anywhere. It is at the end of downtown Disney but you can use the monorail too so that's pretty fun. There's also the Trader Sams Bar for the adults and really fun water slides. I have stayed at PP too and felt this was the best view out of them all. The key to this hotel is the view. Not sure what the view on the non-park side looked like. I agree with what someone else said - the elevator took forever and there was a big line to go up to the room at night. They are all wonderful and the CM's at each have been amazing. Whatever you pick you will love. Have fun! - tballzz  390.1 #346 8-5-12 8:25PM Like(1)  Reply

I haven't stayed at the Pier. Either the DL hotel or Frand Californian is great. The rooms are larger at the DL hotel. The pool at the GC is more sophisticated. But the waterslides at the DL hotel are fun. You can't go wrong either way! - NurseJennJillO  307.5 #574 8-5-12 6:14PM Like  Reply

Paradise Pier a long walk? Not that it matters but you know how it is at the end of a long day...so ready for bed and dreams for the next day! - mrscttlemstr  236.9 #1146 8-5-12 6:23PM Like  Reply

We stayed @ Grand CA last summer and DL Hotel this summer and the DL was a bad experience unfortunately right down to getting our new car back from the valet dirty (on the inside?). The Grand CA may cost a little more but so very worth it!! - TigrLvnMomma  146.0 #2351 8-5-12 6:36PM Like  Reply

Thank you EVERYONE! Totally getting excited! - mrscttlemstr  236.9 #1146 8-5-12 7:19PM Like  Reply

We've stayed at the DL and the Grand. For some reason we prefer the DL hotel. The rooms have more spaced in them and the pool is more fun at the DL hotel. I have 7 year old triplet boys and when we stayed at the Grand, we had a nice park view but we didn't feel as though we had quite enough room for all of us. The DL hotel has a sofa in the room that turns into a bed. The Grand doesn't have that option in their standard rooms. IDK about the rooms on the concierge level. Also, the bathrooms in the Grand were much smaller than the bathrooms in the DL hotel. - hueydeweyandlouie  49.1 #3776 8-5-12 7:34PM Like  Reply