Return to Question of the Week Highlights Have you stayed in one of the Disney resorts at Disneyland? What did you think of the experience? Answers posted to the list: The most luxurious hotel I have ever stayed in, disney's Grand Californian, was breathtaking. Being a Disney Vacation club member, this was one of the main reasons that I joined the DVC..to always stay in a nice hotel. I am 50 years old today, and I had never gone to a resort where they knocked on your door in the evening to turn down your bed (the 1st night that they did that, I thought it was a joke..I answered, I think that I can handle that myself). Robes in the bathroom, my goodness, great for the times that I went to the pool The lobby of the hotel reminded me a great deal of the Animal Kingdom lodge, very dark wood, very plush, with a gentleman playing the piano from noon onwards. A fireplace was in the lobby (mornings were quite chilly, so the fire was appreciated). The snack bar was our restaurant of choice..even AFTER we checked out of the hotel..it was the same kind of food/prices that I look forward to having when I am in the ALL-STAR hotels at WDW. plus it is so close to the DCA entrance-such a great perk no LONG LINES to enter the park..the private entrance to DCA..GREAT IDEA We did room service from our 1st hotel (paradise pier), then were ready to spend the day at the parks...Soaring over California was such an incredible experience...slow, flowing ...all the sights and SMELLS that a person could take in (if you are a ride/heights coward like I am..ask for the 3rd row, it is the lowest to the ground). My wife and I took this ride 5 different times, and each time it gave me such a thrill, especially since the ride ends each time with the appearance of Tinkerbell in the middle of Disneyland, introducing a great fireworks display... hope this ride (or at least the technology comes to WDW.) As wonderful as it was to have the ability to watch the fireworks from a person's bed, I wonder if it was not a mistake to put this luxurious hotel so close to DOWNTOWN DISNEY, it was too easy to hear all of the sounds from below, every evening around 7:30 pm, We would hear a group that sounded like they were with the DCA show BLAST!..the drums were pounding quite loud...other than that, I loved the entire experience ed ----- We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel Nov. 7-11, 2002 and really, really liked it. It's close enough that we parked on the first day and didn't get back in our car until it was time to go home. I haven't stayed at either of the other two resort hotels, so I can't compare it to anything except proximity. The Grand Californian would have been more convenient, as it is closer. The Disneyland Hotel has little touches that are really neat. The wallpaper border around the room is Tinker Bell and her pixie dust, the lamp on the table has Mickey silhouette's when it's turned on, the lights in the sink area are Mickey glove hands holding the lights, the wallpaper in the bathrooms have Disney character topiaries, the armoire has a map drawing of Disneyland, the headboards have a drawing of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, the blankets on the beds have drawings of Disneyland rides... excuse me, attractions and when you're in the lobby they play Disney songs. I would definitely stay there again. I've created a photo album in the Photo section with a few of the pictures taken in the room, so you can see if you like. Go to Photos and click on the album titled 'Werner' They are scanned photo's and it was n\my first attempt at scanning, so they are a little off, and only scanned at screen resolution, and for a couple of the pictures, that wasn't the best, but you can see what the pictures are. We had a view of the parking lot, so any other view would have been better :) but we didn't spend a whole lot of time staring out the windows, except to see if it had stopped RAINING yet :) It's a quiet hotel too, you don't hear other people returning to their rooms and talking as they walk by. My favorite feature of the hotel, is probably all those little Disney touches it has. My kids ask when we're going back to the Disneyland Hotel, not when we're going back to Disneyland :) We have 2 of those disposable plastic water cups from the Lost Bar, that they don't want me to throw away. They will crack some day and I'll have to sneak them in the trash. Glenda ----- We've stayed at all 3 resort hotels...... Paradise Pier- pier view is THE BEST room at any resort (based only on view possible). Be sure to get 5th floor or higher. Grand Californian- park view.....nice, but not worth the extra $$. Standard room/view is fine. I personally love the Disneyland Hotel! I think the room decorations are "Vintage Disney" in feel, which I find charming. We had a 5th floor room that faced Downtown Disney. That was lots of fun to be able to look at all the lights and festivities! (We got room service and found it to be good, served late, and decently priced.) The Disneyland hotel overall is "nicer" than the Paradise Pier (but you cannot beat the Pier view there), not as "themed" as the Grand Californian, but does have a special charm all it's own. BTW- the Disneyland Hotel has great gift shops, a decent restaurant selection, and a fabulous Neverland pool to take advantage of on your vacation. Just a few more reasons to check out this hotel. Jane ----- I have stayed at both DH and GC and really like the GC better, but I have not stayed at the DH since it was refurbished. Things I like about the GC: It has an elegant woodsy/rustic theme, the lobby is very impressive. Seeing the monorail going through the courtyard from your room. Downtown Disney and DCA right outside your door and DL is a short walk away The Napa Rose and Storytellers Cafe -Steve ----- My wife and I got "hooked" on the official DLR hotels when I was still getting my CM discount rate. Now we usually stay at the Paradise Pier Hotel because it's the cheapest of the three. We still try to get the AP discount rate when it's available. If money were no problem, then I would definately stay at the Grand Californian Hotel. We especially enjoy these hotels because of their Magic Mornings (early entry into the park), walking distance to both parks and Downtown Disney (for those afternoon naps, for us, no kids!), and finally because we can have packages delivered to the front desk from within the parks. Disneyspirit  Return to Question of the Week Highlights     Larison Travel LLP - www.familytravelgurus.com is independently owned and operated. 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