Disneyland is house to 2 nice resorts: Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge & Spa (GCH) and Disneyland Lodge (DLH). This head-to-head comparability weighs the professionals & cons of every, choosing a “winner” in theme, eating places, location, swimming pools, price, and different classes. (Up to date August 2, 2024.)
This marks the primary (and final) entry into our ongoing Disney Lodge Comparability Sequence, which in any other case addresses troublesome dilemmas you may face when attempting to decide on the fitting resort at Walt Disney World. There are loads of shut calls or cheaper counterparts there, whereas there are solely 3 on-site accommodations at Disneyland Resort, and a kind of isn’t worthy of consideration.
Conversely, the argument might be made that both of those are Disneyland Resort’s flagship resort. There’s Disneyland Lodge, 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 Lodge & Spa, which is extra lavish and opulent, has a personal entrance straight into Disney California Journey, and is normally costlier.
Along with these all-stars, Disneyland Resort can be house to Pixar Place Lodge, which was beforehand Paradise Pier Lodge. The resort was overhauled over the past couple of years, and that reimagining is now full. We made no secret about our disdain for Paradise Pier Lodge, calling it Lodge Dino-Rama (minus the dinosaurs) as a result of it put lipstick on a pig in a similar way.
Pixar Place Lodge is a night-and-day distinction. It’s nonetheless not good, but it surely’s a dramatic enchancment over its predecessor, and it may be best for you. Learn our Pixar Place Lodge Evaluation for pictures & complete commentary. Pixar Place Lodge is at the moment the most cost effective solution to keep on-site at Disneyland Resort, which is its greatest promoting level and why you may wish to e book it over Disneyland Lodge.
With that stated, the overwhelming majority of tourists to Disneyland Resort will wish to keep off-site. There merely are usually not sufficient perks to justify Disney costs for the accommodations, and there are wonderful lodging inside strolling distance. See our Disneyland Space Lodge Rankings & Opinions for recommendation on the place to remain.
As for the Disneyland Lodge vs. Grand Californian comparability, it’s an extremely shut name. Whereas we’ll draw our personal conclusions as to which is best, we’ll additionally clarify our reasoning alongside the way in which, so you possibly can kind your personal opinions. Since a lot of it is a matter of subjective, private desire, that’s one of the best ways to strategy these comparisons. Plus, it will be a fairly quick weblog submit if we didn’t supply explanatory textual content together with the winner of every ingredient.
Theme: It Relies upon – Theme is such a tough topic since a lot of it’s predicated in private desire. Reasonably than making a price judgment about which theme is inherently “higher,” we strategy this from their respective execution of their kinds.
Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge & Spa is little question essentially the most elegant and refined resort at Disneyland Resort. It’s, because the identify suggests, grand. From the hovering foyer to the ornate woodwork to the beautiful stained glass, Grand Californian is subtle and upscale in a method that Disneyland Lodge merely isn’t.
It’s additionally misunderstood. Some may use the phrases “rustic” and “outdoorsy” to explain GCH, however in actuality, the resort has extra in widespread with a luxurious resort than it does a lodge within the countryside. This is likely to be extra pronounced within the Disney fan neighborhood, as there are loads of superficial similarities between the Grand Californian and Wilderness Lodge, resulting in the (misguided) conclusion that GCH can be primarily impressed by the enduring U.S. Nationwide Park Lodges of the early twentieth Century within the American West.
That’s true to a sure diploma. Each Wilderness Lodge and the GCH had been designed by the identical architect, and share bloodlines. There are additionally some stylistic similarities between the Grand Cal and the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite Nationwide Park. Nevertheless, it’s most likely fairer to say that the Ahwahnee and Grand Californian each function California Craftsman type.
Reasonably than seeking to Northern California to seek out inspiration for the Grand Californian, Disney appeared largely to the close by metropolis of Pasadena, house to many masterpieces of the Arts & Crafts motion by architects Charles and Henry Greene. The obvious supply of inspiration is the Gamble Home, which is the crown jewel of the California Craftsman type.
DLH is a way more simple 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 fairly extraordinary bundle. These are commonplace resort towers that, not less than upon first impression, aren’t all that totally different from what you’d discover all through Anaheim or Los Angeles.
That’s overly reductionist, although. Disneyland Lodge’s towers every have their very own theme: Fantasyland, Adventureland, or Frontierland. (Plus the brand new DVC tower, which is impressed by “Blandland,” I suppose.) Once more, that is completed through tributes fairly than true theme, but it surely’s finished in an extremely loving and thorough method. There are fashions within the lobbies, posters, and nice depth 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 Lodge additionally incorporates mid-century fashionable design into its towers and customary areas, giving it better persona and a way that it’s really a tribute to Walt Disney’s park. Somewhere else, DLH weaves collectively each tiki tradition and up to date type and facilities, whereas preserving its self-referential allure entrance and middle. It’s really spectacular the way it manages to efficiently stability all of those components, and by no means does it really feel like an affordable try to tug on the heartstrings of Disney followers.
The entire of DLH is sort of a mashup of the Polynesian and Modern Resorts at Walt Disney World, plus possibly a splash of Coronado Springs. At odd comparability, however on the finish of the day, Disneyland Lodge simply works. It’s not a thematic exemplar just like the Grand Californian, however for a lot of Disney followers, it’s going to “click on” higher and be extra interesting.
For that purpose, we’ll name this one an “it relies upon.” Personally, we’d be inclined to offer victory to the Grand Californian (and by a large margin) however not everybody goes to agree. In truth, there was a time when even we wouldn’t agree with that evaluation, as mentioned within the verdict on the conclusion of the comparability.
Rooms: Grand Californian – Each accommodations have rooms that had been not too long ago up to date, however the Grand Californian rooms had been absolutely redone, whereas the Disneyland Lodge rooms had been superficially refreshed. The room reimagining at GCH brightened up the rooms, toned down a little bit of the (arguably) dated themed design, and injected enjoyable Disney particulars and historic nods.
These reimagined rooms deftly stability themed design, visitor expectations, and luxurious–they’re really distinctive, and a big improve from their predecessors. You possibly can see a showcase of the visitor rooms in our Images & Movies: New Rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge & Spa submit.
Word: Disney Trip Membership rooms on the Grand Californian haven’t been up to date, and gained’t be till 2025. There’s a sure allure to them, however they’re positively exhibiting their age in each kind and performance. Additionally they look completely nothing like what’s pictured right here. Simply one thing to contemplate if you happen to’re planning on renting DVC factors to economize on a keep on the VGC. (I’d nonetheless go that route, as the price distinction is important.)
The defining function of the rooms on the Disneyland Lodge is the “goodnight kiss” change that lights up the fiber optics within the headboard and performs “When You Want Upon a Star,” music field type. Whoever thought up this function is a genius, as a result of it’s at all times the very first thing talked about when discussing the rooms at Disneyland Lodge. If in case you have children, they’ll love this. In case you are an grownup who’s unduly impressed with issues that gentle up and make sound, like me, it would be best to go away this on all night time.
The opposite memorable function of the visitor rooms at Disneyland Lodge is the fireworks-infused (I suppose?) carpet, which seems explosively good. There are additionally historic pictures of Walt Disney, and (if you happen to’re fortunate) ephemera within the room you possibly can take house. In any other case, the rooms are extremely variable in structure and measurement, and wholly forgettable. However you’ll not neglect that headboard (or the carpet), and that alone is likely to be the trump card that helps surpass Grand Californian, regardless of its rooms being in any other case objectively superior in each method.
With that stated, arguably the nicest rooms of all might be discovered within the Villas at Disneyland Lodge. That is the brand-new Disney Trip Membership tower, which may also be booked by non-DVC friends paying money charges. The Villas at Disneyland Lodge rooms function loads of considerate design options that assist maximize the ‘really feel’ of the sq. footage, whereas additionally providing a refreshing design that melds Disney characters with luxurious facilities.
The most important draw back is that the overwhelming majority of Disneyland Lodge rooms don’t have balconies, whereas Grand Californian rooms do. A few of the rooms at Disneyland Lodge already really feel a bit cramped, and that solely exacerbates the difficulty. (Additionally, that is Southern California, not Central Florida–sitting exterior on the balcony within the morning or at night time is beautiful.) However what Disneyland Lodge lacks in balcony area, some may argue it makes up in light-up headboards!
Eating: Grand Californian – Each of those resorts have a number of sturdy eating choices that serve totally different functions. In case you seek the advice of our Checklist of the 24 Finest Eating places at Disneyland Resort, you’ll discover that 3 places on there are at Disneyland Lodge, and one other 3 spots are on the Grand Californian. So it must be a draw, proper?
On paper, this comparability might sound shut. In actuality, it’s under no circumstances. The Grand Californian is house to the eating places at which we dine most in all of Disneyland Resort, GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill. These sister spots (bar exterior by the pool, counter service grill inside) supply improbable and deep menus that surpass Tangaroa Terrace or Palm Breeze Bar at Disneyland Lodge
On the character eating entrance, Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Lodge will get the sting over Storytellers Cafe on the Grand Californian, however each are actually good. (Goofy’s Kitchen is goofier and extra enjoyable, getting the nod for that and its flagship character meal standing.) Dealer Sam’s is in a league of its personal as a themed bar, however don’t underestimate Hearthstone Lounge–it’s extra relaxed and has higher every part edible.
The place issues actually disintegrate for Disneyland Lodge is on the desk service entrance. Following the closure of Steakhouse 55, it doesn’t have a normal desk service restaurant (sans characters). The shortage of tremendous eating choices is an enormous misstep for a resort of this caliber, particularly when contrasted towards the top-tier Napa Rose on the Grand Californian.
Location: Grand Californian – Objectively, that is a simple one. Disneyland Lodge is situated on the opposite facet of Downtown Disney, which means that you must stroll via that buying and eating district not less than partially to entry Disneyland or Disney California Journey. It’s both a couple of minutes to the monorail station or about 10-12 minutes during.
Now that Pixar Place Lodge is open, you even have the choice of taking the personal entrance from that resort into Disney California Journey. However that’s nonetheless not direct, and would require backtracking via a parking zone, throughout a road, after which via a hall subsequent to the Grand Californian. It’s positively a quicker solution to get to Pixar Pier, but it surely’s something however direct.
Against this, the Grand Californian Lodge was constructed with Disney California Journey, has a personal entrance straight into the park, and overlooks Grizzly Peak and parts of Pixar Pier. It’s 0 minutes from DCA and solely ~5 minutes from Disneyland.
How a lot this issues is dependent upon the diploma to which you wish to cut back your each day steps and in addition whenever you’d be strolling via Downtown Disney. Very first thing within the morning or late at night time after park closing, Downtown Disney is blissfully uncrowded. It’s a leisurely stroll in a pleasant setting with enjoyable music. Throughout peak hours, Downtown Disney is crowded and unsightly, and navigating it may be a chore.
When you do the personal entrance of GCH, it’s troublesome to return to Disneyland Lodge. It might look like a slight distinction, but it surely opens up a world of potentialities. You should use your room as a locker, grabbing snacks, drinks, or coats when the solar goes down. You possibly can experience (and inevitably get soaked on) Grizzly River Run earlier than returning for a change of garments. You possibly can keep Membership Degree and breeze as much as the lounge everytime you’re hungry, by no means needing to trouble with Cellular Order or desk service meals within the parks. In our view, the Grand Californian’s location is a game-changer.
Swimming pools: Disneyland Lodge – This one might be demographic-dependent. Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge boasts 3 swimming pools—the Fountain, Redwood, and Mariposa–in its central courtyard, considered one of which encompasses a water slide extending from a redwood tree trunk. Radiating from round these swimming pools are beautiful lounge chairs, among the most snug you’ll discover at any pool.
There’s additionally the adjoining GCH Craftsman Bar, which is extremely handy to the pool for grabbing drinks or a noon chew to eat. It additionally presents up stay music on sure days and evenings, which amps up the ambiance. 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 at all times managed to discover a sense of seclusion and calm away from the Redwood Pool at GCH.
Then there’s Disneyland Lodge, the place the large 4,800-square-foot E-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 Purple Monorail slide or the 13-foot-high, 80-foot-long Yellow Monorail slide (the latter is corresponding 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 add to the enjoyable. This nostalgic water play space is topped by a “Disneyland” signal harking back to the park’s traditional years. This whole pool space is top-notch; it’s bigger and has extra enjoyable on supply than its counterpart at GCH. If in case you have children of any age, there’s little doubt that they’ll favor the swimming pools at Disneyland Lodge.
We’re going to offer DLH the win since that’ll be the consensus, however actually, we favor the swimming pools on the Grand Californian. The vibe is extra mellow, and that’s what we’re in search of when taking time away from the parks to loosen up and decompress. Kids will disagree, however {couples} may give the sting to GCH’s swimming pools.
Value: Disneyland Lodge – These are the 2 most costly accommodations on common at Disneyland Resort. Each routinely begin within the $400 or $500 vary, and that’s with a reduction. On the excessive finish, rack charges exceeding $1,000 isn’t unusual.
Costs differ by season and room class, however you possibly can anticipate to pay about 20% to 25% extra for a comparable room on the Grand Californian on common. There are occasions when the charges are inexplicably decrease at GCH, however that’s the exception fairly than the rule. (And normally as a result of commonplace rooms being unable at DLH.)
Membership Degree: Grand Californian – If $500+ per night time is just too low cost to your tastes, you possibly can at all times improve to Membership Degree for an additional couple hundred {dollars} or so per night time! Disneyland Lodge’s Membership Degree is the E-Ticket Lounge, which is situated on the highest ground of the Journey Tower, and presents elevated views of Downtown Disney (it’s at the moment overlooking the development zone to increase the district). It’s an honest view of the fireworks at Disneyland within the distance, and the night ambiance of Downtown Disney might be pleasant.
Grand Californian’s Membership Degree is the Veranda, which presents indoor seating and an outside terrace. This lounge is bigger, extra fashionable, and has considerably higher selection (and better high quality) foods and drinks spreads. In case you’re concerned with a complete have a look at a number of days’ value of what we ate right here, see our Evaluation: Veranda Membership Degree at Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge.
The E-Ticket Lounge is okay. It might use an replace and the meals spreads aren’t almost as spectacular, particularly after accessing the superlative Veranda Membership Degree on the Grand Californian. (I’ll degree with you: the one purpose I included this part was as a result of I don’t really feel like writing a standalone assessment of the E-Ticket Lounge. “It’s tremendous” is just about the extent of my ideas.)
Verdict: Grand Californian – Households with babies will most likely favor the Disneyland Lodge itself for the superior pool and better degree of caprice to the rooms and property as a complete. Even then, the proximity to the parks, superior eating choices, and higher total rooms with balconies may make GCH win out.
{Couples} or these with previous children will most likely favor Grand Californian for its extra subtle and grownup sensibilities, in addition to all the above. Even then, diehard Disney followers may favor the nostalgia, enjoyable of Dealer Sam’s, and different ways in which DLH simply “oozes” all issues Walt Disney and Disneyland. It’s a extremely shut name and there’s nobody measurement suits all reply for everybody. Heck, the exact same folks may favor DLH at some factors and GCH at different occasions. Which brings issues full circle to our experiences with each accommodations of Disneyland Resort.
For us, Disney’s Grand Californian Lodge & Spa is the winner in a landslide. Nevertheless, that has not at all times been the case. After we first began visiting the California parks, we instantly fell in love with Disneyland Lodge. As large followers of the historical past and legacy of Walt Disney, the resort gained us over immediately and fully–very similar to the park itself.
Disneyland Lodge felt like an extension of the eponymous park, and we completely couldn’t get sufficient of Disneyland. Returning to the resort and visiting Dealer Sam’s after watching “Keep in mind… Desires Come True” was only a pitch-perfect nostalgia overload. The mid-century fashionable stylization was additionally a winner (this was in the course of the peak of Mad Males) and in contrast to something we had again “house” at Walt Disney World.
Alternatively, the Grand Californian was admittedly a bit complicated. There have been points of it that blew us away, but additionally some bizarre stuff. Points of the design struck us as darkish, dreary, and dated. Like a Nationwide Park Lodge, however attempting a bit too arduous to be each fancy and rustic, and feeling drained. (This was nearly 15 years in the past–method earlier than the brand new rooms.) All in all, it felt like an odd early-aughts imitation of Wilderness Lodge.
That was a really floor degree evaluation, coloured by a keenness for Wilderness Lodge, incomplete information of DCA’s shortcomings, and spending too little time truly exploring the Grand Californian. It wasn’t till our subsequent go to that we spent extra time on the GCH and began to grasp what it was doing in another way from Wilderness Lodge.
Actually, although, it wasn’t till we hung out in Pasadena, together with a tour of the Gamble Home together with different properties within the historic district there that it actually “clicked” for us. (In case you’re capable of pair a keep at GCH with a day in Pasadena, we extremely advocate it. See our 1-Day Pasadena, California Itinerary on TravelCaffeine.com.)
Since then, our fondness for the Arts & Crafts type has solely elevated, and the identical is true for the Grand Californian. We’ve stayed on the resort a number of occasions and visited (actually) tons of since then, and we nonetheless see new particulars and design quirks with every go to. Our appreciation of the Grand Californian retains rising deeper. I now like it as a lot as I like Wilderness Lodge, which is actually saying one thing.
We share this so as to add context but additionally a caveat. It actually took us years to get thus far with the Grand Californian. Though it has far surpassed Disneyland Lodge for us, that’s not how the story started. For us, it was love at first stick with Disneyland Lodge…and extra like apprehensive appreciation with the Grand Californian. Maybe you’re extra subtle than us, and the enchantment of the GCH and distinctions from Wilderness Lodge shall be instantly obvious for you, however there’s probability fellow Disney followers will expertise an identical response. Since it is a comparability geared toward your first keep fairly than your 14th, it appeared like a related story to incorporate.
Nonetheless unsure which resort at Disneyland Resort is best for you? Get skilled assist without spending a dime from an Licensed Disney Trip Planner (Disney’s time period for a journey agent). They obtain fee from Disney, so most licensed planners won’t cost you for reserving the holiday bundle and planning providers. The fee-free Licensed Disney Trip Planner that we advocate is Be Our Visitor Holidays. Their providers don’t price further, they’ll assist select the fitting resort for you, e book your trip, provide help to with eating reservations and itineraries, and apply one of the best reductions to your reservation.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site accommodations in our Anaheim Lodge Opinions & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Opinions. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, 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 cities!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Which of those two good accommodations at Disneyland Resort is the higher one, in your opinion? Does price, rooms, location, swimming pools, eating, or one thing else matter most to you? Is there something you possibly can consider to make Disneyland Lodge the higher decide? Are we lacking a key variable that would, doubtlessly tilt the scales? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
