When I visited Disneyland for my first time back in July I stayed at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel for 3 nights and 4 days. I first booked the Paradise Pier hotel because of the price... but then it started bugging me... the distance I had to walk to get to the parks and the quality of the hotel.

When I had gone to Walt Disney World in Florida last year I stayed at the Yacht Club Resort. That was a deluxe resort. Grand Californian Hotel in the Disneyland Resort is a deluxe hotel. I wanted a "deluxe" experience for my first trip to Disneyland so I opted to play the extra money for the hotel room with a Downtown Disney view.

The extra money spent was worth the experience. I felt comfortable in the hotel. I felt safe. I felt like I was going "home" after a day at the parks. I even slept near the fireplace in one of the chairs while with loved ones.

I had 2 frustrations with the hotel. One, the bed close to the balcony had this up chuck smell that someone didn't clean very well. And when I was waiting for the Disneyland bus I was given the wrong information by various hotel employees about what to do and where to wait for the Disneyland bus that would take me back to the airport.

I almost missed my bus, had to board another bus, take it to the Disneyland Hotel to catch up with my own bus. That was the only time during my entire stay where I found myself about to go "awf".

I never went to the pool as I am not into public pools but I did dine at the Storyteller's Cafe a few times. The experience there was great but once I dined by myself because my other party members wanted to go back to the park for a show so I opted for a table for one... and the waiter treated me like I was just not even there. Horrible service from that waiter and I had to get up after 10 minutes to get someone to refill my drink.

The bar located near the main lobby was very inviting and had these leather chairs that made you feel like you never wanted to get back up. I almost fell into a deep sleep there. Make sure to stop at the bar between park breaks.

The special entrance to Downtown Disney was great resource I used many times to get to the parks and to the shops of Disneyland. As far as the special entrance to Disney's California Adventure park was rarely used. Maybe twice during my stay since I only spent one full day at that park.

My final advice. Take the time to adjust your Disneyland budget if you are traveling with a small party and book a room at the Grand Californian Hotel. You'll thank yourself once you step into the hotel for the first time. Trust me, the excitement while staying in the GCH keeps building every second you're there. Trust me!

Grand Californian Hotel