On the West Coast, Disney offers two Disney Vacation Club resorts: The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa and the Villas at Disneyland Hotel. It’s time for a classic DVC showdown. With two fantastic resorts to choose from, which one should you pick for your next Disneyland trip?
Theme
Verdict: Tie
The Grand Californian’s California Craftsman style feels reminiscent of the Wilderness Lodge, perhaps not surprisingly as they share the same architect, Peter Dominick. The rooms have a woodsy motif with character touches from Bambi. The lobby features cozy chairs and tables for conversation and a large roaring fireplace. During holidays, you will often find displays from Disneyland’s Culinary team on display.
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel fit right into the hotel’s mid-century Modern design. The rooms lean heavily on Disney animation for the decor, with touches from Jungle Book, Fantasia, Sleeping Beauty, The Princess and the Frog, and others. Their bright and colorful feel and rich textures leave no doubt that you are at a Disney resort.
This first category comes down to personal preference. Do you favor a more upscale and subdued theme? Or do you want a more casual, very “Disney” feel for your vacation?
Location
Verdict: Grand Californian
The Grand Californian (VGC) is literally attached to Disney California Adventure Park, complete with private entrance, and is a short stroll from Disneyland. You can go from your villa to Radiator Springs Racers in minutes. The Villas at Disneyland Hotel (VDH) are located a ten-minute walk through Downtown Disney to either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure. VDH guests may also opt to take the Monorail from Downtown Disney, which drops you off in the heart of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. Both are very convenient, but nothing beats the direct park access that the Grand Californian offers.
Dining
Verdict: Grand Californian
The Grand Californian offers a full range of elevated dining options. You can enjoy a more exclusive night out at Napa Rose’s signature dining or a quieter vibe at Hearthstone Lounge. The historic Arts and Crafts style is infused throughout all of their dining venues, even the character dining at Storyteller’s Cafe. The GCH Craftsman Bar and Grill offer high quality, casual options. All of the dining feels ties together and true to the theming.
At the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, you’ll feel a less cohesive theme and a more casual ambiance. Goofy’s Kitchen is straight out of the 1990s, Trader Sam’s and Tangaroa Terrace fill the Tiki vibe, and the VDH adjacent Palm Breeze Bar is full of Disney art and mid-century modern vibes. The newest addition to VDH, the Broken Spell Lounge has an “enchanted forest” theme. Having visited all of these venues multiple times, they are all fine (certain items are better than others), but the consistency and quality bar falls short of the Grand Californian.
Villa Quality
Verdict: Villas at Disneyland Hotel (by a hair)
The Grand Californian recently underwent a controversial refurbishment. Although initially advertised as a hard goods refresh, many rooms, including the bathrooms, remained untouched. Appliances like microwaves and toasters weren’t even replaced. While the rooms are still nice, the lack of updated bathroom tile, lighting, and modern touches like USB plugs is a drawback.
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel opened in September 2023. Their newer design feels clean and bright, with modern bathroom finishes and ample USB plugs, along with updated lighting. While some have criticized the overall villa quality, as of 2025, I still give this category to VDH by a slight margin.
Pools
Verdict: Villas at Disneyland Hotel
The Disneyland Hotel offers the famous Monorail waterslides and the D and E ticket pools. The addition of VDH brought the Palette Pool and an adorable Steamboat Willie splash pad. If your family enjoys a more action packed pool vibe, the variety of options at Villas at Disneyland Hotel top the list.
The Villas at Grand Californian offer a more luxurious experience, true to the resort’s overall feel. The pools are located in one central location, with a waterslide and simple children’s pool. If you prefer a quieter, more luxurious pool experience, you may prefer the Grand Californian.
Both the Villas at Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian are wonderful options for a Disneyland Resort vacation. Ultimately, which property you stay in may come down to pure availability.
Which Disneyland DVC resort is your personal preference? We’d love to hear from you over at the DVC Fan Facebook Community!
