Is Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian the better hotel?

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Let’s make these two hotels go head to head! I have stayed at both hotels, so let’s break down which one is the best!

Disneyland hotels

Staying onsite at Disneyland is much different than Disney World. While Disney World has 30+ official Disney Resorts, Disneyland only has 3. This can make your decision on where to stay much easier. Most of the offsite hotels are cheaper and within closer proximity to the parks.

However, onsite perks may entice you to consider a stay at one of Disneyland’s three hotels: Grand Californian Resort and Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Paradise Pier Hotel (soon to be Pixar Place Hotel). Not only will you get 30 extra minutes in the park, which can be crucial for your rope drop strategy, but you can also enjoy other benefits like resort to room delivery and 60 day Advanced Dining Reservations (vs one day at a time).

In the last year I (Monica) have stayed at both the Grand Californian, considered a deluxe, and the Disneyland Hotel, which is more on par with the moderate resorts you may be used to at Disney World. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at both hotels, and it got me wondering: if I had to stay at one again, which one would I choose? You may be visiting for the first time and are having trouble deciding which hotel to book.

Let’s take a look at a few different categories and compare the two hotels. I’ll share my thoughts on each and declare a “winner” for each category.

Location

The Grand Californian has the best location if you plan to spend a lot of time at Disney’s California Adventure Park or Downtown Disney. That’s because the resort has private entrances to both! The resort steps out to the Grizzly Peak. Once you enter, you will see Grizzly River Run and the Redwood Creek Trail.

The Downtown Disney entrance takes you right to stores like The Dress Shop, Starbucks, and Marceline’s Confectionery. This is also the entrance you will use to get to Disneyland Park. It is a short 5 minute walk to the park once you enter Downtown Disney. Overall, the Grand Californian is very centrally located to both theme parks and Downtown Disney.

The Disneyland Hotel, on the other hand, is a bit further away. It is located on the outskirts of Downtown Disney and is the farthest distance of all the hotels to the parks. You can get to Disneyland Park via Downtown Disney – either by walking or taking the Monorail to Tomorrowland. The Monorail is not the best idea for rope dropping (you won’t get there in time).

To get to California Adventure, you can use this secret walkway to enter through the back area of the park. This is incredibly beneficial if you want to ride Incredicoaster at rope drop. You can also walk through Downtown Disney and use the esplanade to enter the front of the park.

Winner: Grand Californian

Theming

The theming of the Grand Californian takes you to the woods of Northern California with the pine trees and natural details throughout the resort. Imagineers wanted to pay tribute to the Arts and Crafts Movement in the early 1900s. It really is like walking into a giant forest – it is beautiful!

The lobby is very impressive! The giant fireplace and piano make it a fantastic place to stop and rest and take in the beauty. In my opinion, it most closely resembles the Wilderness Lodge at Disney World.

The theming of the Disneyland Hotel can best be summed up as a love letter to Walt Disney and the original Disneyland Park. There are photos and mementos of Walt and Disneyland located all throughout the hotel. Even the towers are themed after the lands – Frontier, Adventure, and Fantasy.

I could not help but feel so nostalgic as I admired everything. You could spend several hours walking throughout the hotel and just taking everything in. We also can’t forget the Monorail pool! While the Grand Californian has an impressive size pool, who can say no to sliding down a Monorail?

Winner: Disneyland Hotel

Rooms

One thing I find really unique about either hotels is the sheer variety of room types offered. You will find standard rooms, club level rooms, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom suites, and other “signature suites.” They are exquisite and unlike anything else you will find on property.

I have only stayed in the standard room at the Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel. Overall, I felt the size of the rooms was about the same. It did feel like the Disneyland Hotel had more space in the main area, and the bathroom had a double vanity which was nice.

I also preferred the theming of the room at The Disneyland Hotel over the Grand Californian. Not only is the light-up musical headboard and fireworks carpet EVERYTHING I COULD POSSIBLY WANT IN A HOTEL ROOM, but it just felt more updated and fresher. The Grand Californian felt a little more stale with the plain white walls and dark green carpet in comparison to The Disneyland Hotel.

But, I still really enjoyed the room at The Grand Californian! I thought the laundry basket and step stool was a nice touch, and children would enjoy the forest scene on the pull-out bed.

Winner: The Disneyland Hotel

Dining

There are several great dining locations at Disney’s Grand Californian. Napa Rose is home to the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventure. You will experience a 3-course breakfast and very unique and intimate encounters with several Disney princesses. Take part in story time with Belle or learn fierce warrior poses with Mulan.

Storytellers Cafe has hearty home-style favorites are on the menu at this buffet restaurant celebrating California folklore. Enjoy a character breakfast buffet with Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale, and more friends.

You can also grab a quick bite from the GCH Craftsman Grill and Bar or from the Hearthstone Lounge. As I stated before, the hotel is located next to Downtown Disney, which is home to dozens of food options. It really would not be much farther of a walk to one of the restaurants at Downtown Disney compared to inside the hotel.

With the absence of Steakhouse 55, the Disneyland Hotel is seriously lacking in the dining department. There is one table-service restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel. Goofy’s Kitchen is a character buffet that is very similar to Chef Mickey’s at Disney World.

The hotel is also home to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar! You may be familiar with the one at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, but there is one at Disneyland as well. See a comparison of both HERE.

You can find quick-service bites at Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar and Grill and The Coffee House. Guests of the hotel can also utilize room service and delivery from Downtown Disney restaurants.

Winner: The Grand Californian

Price

Sometimes where you decide to stay just boils down to what you can afford. The Grand Californian is considered a deluxe resort, and so you will definitely pay deluxe prices. Depending on the dates and room category you are looking at (plus any discounts), you could pay anywhere from $400 to $1500 a night!

You could save some money if you own with Disney Vacation Club and book your stay with points, or you could rent points and hopefully receive a discount. Be sure to compare all your options!

The Disneyland Hotel would be considered a moderate resort, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your room will be any cheaper than the Grand Californian. As I mentioned above, the hotel has several suites and room types. Plus, Disney is also in the process of constructing a DVC tower which will be complete in the fall of 2023.

For the most part, though, a standard room at the Disneyland Hotel will be cheaper than a standard room at the Grand Californian. If you want to find the most cost effective accommodations, start at the Disneyland Hotel.

Winner: Disneyland Hotel

Overall Winner

One thing I do want to mention that does not fit into any of the above categories is that it was MUCH easier to get around The Disneyland Hotel. Yes, the size of the hotel played a major part in that. However, I think the tower concept is an excellent one and helped me get my bearings much more quickly than I did at the Grand Californian.

The Grand Californian is a huge and sprawling hotel. I got turned around so many times trying to find the laundry room or get to the pool. If you plan to stay there, study the map well and make sure you speak to a Cast Member to get the exact route of your room to all the amenities.

Overall, I think the Disneyland Hotel is the better hotel. It is the original, after all, and I feel like the theming is more distinctly Disney. It’s perfect for any super fan or family wanting to get an authentic Disney experience.

The rooms are better and the theming is better. I really hope they bring in some more dining options as construction wraps up on the DVC tower. However, it is not a deal breaker with the number of dining locations at Downtown Disney.