We are planning a small trip to Disneyland. Is there really a difference between the Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel? Better yet, is it worth the extra $s? I am traveling with my husband, 4 yr. son and 2 yr old daughter.

I think Disneyland Hotel is more "kid friendly"- well, all of the resorts are kid friendly, but DH has a great pool area (Peter Pan!), neat murals/designs, and it seems more of a kid friendly atmosphere than GC. More "classic". But GC has a great lobby!

And the extra $s are definitely worth it, at least if you're taking young kids Location wise and services wise...

The Grand Californian is the luxury resort at Disneyland-- Arts & Crafts architecture and interior design, high-end appointments, quite swanky. The Disneyland Hotel is a large midlevel hotel, nice but not at the same level as the Grand Californian.

It's always better, when you have small kids who can go from "deliriously happy" to "grouchy and cranky" at the drop of their Mickey Mouse ears, to stay "on-property" at Disney parks. Being able to go back and forth for little rests is wonderful.

The Grand Califorian is sort of "national park-y" in decor. I thought the decor of the Disneyland Hotel seemed more "Disney" (the wall sconces that ar mickey's hand, etc.) We just loved the Disneyland hotel. The DLH also has Goofy's Kitchen for a great character meal, lots of characters hanging around in the lobby, and a great pool.

I agree that the GC is more "swanky" and the DL Hotel is more kid-friendly. The GC has direct access to the California Adventure park. The DL hotel is closer to the Monorail which only goes between Downtown Disney (near ESPN zone) and Tomorrowland at Disneyland. If you are focusing on Disneyland, I would probably go with DL Hotel. Without the small children, and an unlimited budget, Grand Californian all the way!.

We have stayed in both the Grand Californian and the Disneyland hotel. We even had a two bedroom suite at the GC! Like others have posted the GC is swanky and has a unique cabin type feel. However(!), I did not think it was worth the 5 star price. Our room was a long walk to an elevator and the room appointments (furniture and bedding) are THE SAME as the DH. All in all we stay at the DH everytime we visit now- specifically in the Sierra tower overlooking Downtown Disney. By no means cheap though, just cheaper than the GC for sure!

If you are on a budget, you may want to consider the Paradise Pier Hotel. It's the lesser know hotel but owned by Disney. Very nice and very clean. Best part is that you are able to use the pool at the Disneyland Hotel sine the Paradise Pier pool leaves a little to be desired. The bell staff will even take cart you over to the pool area.

I concur with the other posts. DH is a lot more kid-friendly. But GC is a great place to relax for some adult time.

Before booking Paradise Pier, double check to see if you can still pool-hop. I know that they renovated the pool fairly recently - it now has a water slide, so I don't know if you can still pool hp.

I'd actually suggest you look off property. I booked a year or two ago on property because I thought it would be more convenient to go back and forth but in reality you have to trek over a long distance to get back to the hotel through a big shopping area. We would walk for 10-15 min to get to the entrance and then see people being dropped off at the gate by shuttles from nearby hotels. So I think its just as easy or easier and for sure cheaper to stay close by offsite. The hotel room itself was not that special either.

We have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel several times when our kids were young and loved it. Last Nov. we took our teenage daughter and her friend to the GC for a night. The GC really is very, very nice. I asked her where she wanted to stay when we go next time and she prefered the GC over the Disnelyland Hotel. A few of our kids will be in Disneyland on NYE this year, such fun! Happy Holidays! ***kim***

The Grand Californian is very close to the entrances of both Disneyland and California Adventure and has a back entrance to California Adventure. The Disneyland Hotel is a long walk through the Downtown Disney shopping area. So if your kids melt down fast, and money is no object, the Grand Californian is more convienent. I personally liked the Grand Californian better than the Disneyland Hotel, just because it was less Disney. It made a nice sanctuary.