You can't beat this location. A private entrance to California Adventure and next door to DowntownDisnney. But that's it.
You pay for a 5 star room and you get a 3 star room. Small, outdated, without enough number of lamps and the safe deposit box was the smallest I've ever seen.
Service is also average and not always efficient.
We didn't have a chance to try the hotel's restaurants. California Adventure closes at 10pm and the hotel's restaurants close at 10pm - so unless you have a fast food dinner at the park, room service will be your only option.
Breakfast starts at 7am but hotel guests early admition to Disneyland is also at 7am (and you should take advantage of early admition if you want to avoid huge waiting lines in the best attractions).

While the Disneyland Hotel is definitely more "Disney-ish", you just can't beat the close location of the Grand Californian! The lobby is really lovely and check-in was a snap. We received the type of room we requested (theme park view) and while our room was quite a ways away from the main lobby, it was quite close to the California Adventure entrance, pools and to the hotel restaurants. We had a queen bed and a bunk bed with a pull-out trundle bed in our room. I had expected to find our room to be very small because of reviews that I had read on-line, but really it was quite comfortable. The only complaint I would make is that the amount of drawer space was lacking for five people. The pools were crowded but there was always some space to spread out our stuff and the towels were always plentiful. The life-guards were very attentive to safe pool behavior. One day , my husband got Fast Passes for the Grizzly River Rapids ride in California Adventure for later in the afternoon. He took the kids to the pool and when it was time for the Fast Passes, he just walked them the five minute walk over to the ride, rode Grizzly River Rapids and then headed back to the pool----a really nice feature about the hotel---proximity!

Being pass holders , we do receive a discount, just not enough to make it worth the price of staying here. Though after booking a room @ the org. Disneyland Hotel, we received a call a few days later. We were give a upgrade to the Grand.
We had stayed her (childless) in the past. And this was our daughter's (4yr old) first stay @ a Disney Hotel. She was amazed by it's size & beauty. She loved the giant fireplace. And as always enjoyed the Story Tellers Breakfast. Though she thought it was odd that it wasn't more "Mickey-ish". This is true I have heard other kids state the same.
As far as the rooms go, I was impressed to see they now have large plasma tvs.The robes are wonderful, you will want to purchase one in the gift shop.The turn down service is wonderful. Front desk is very thoughtful. When realizing it was my husband's Birthday we had ballons, candy, bday badge , w/ in moments of checking in.
Food, Story Tellers Cafe, can add up quickly for large family. But the food is wonderful. Chip & Dale are so friendly.For snacks 7 quick bites, we love the White Water Cafe, it's hidden toward the pool area. Prices are affordable & food is tasty.
Would I pay the usual $300 & up to stay here, on my budget, not really. As a upgrade or gift, you beat.I think most kid's would be just as happy @ the other two properties.

We recently stayed here due to the great reviews. The travel agent we booked through didn't have this hotel in their brochure, but we requested it and they were able to book as part of our package.
We are so glad we made the request - on arrival we were told that we had been upgraded to a pool view, which was a lovely suprise.
Our room was large, very clean and very comfortable. The bathroom and sink areas looked brand new and the decor was superb. We had a view of not only the pool, but some of the rides in the California Adventure Park.
The hotel lobby was 'larger than life' with an enormous fireplace. All of the staff were polite, helpful, friendly and smiled a lot.
We really liked the way you walked straight into Downtown Disney for meals and could get directly into the California Adventure park.
The pools were warm and well staffed - they even bring drinks to your lounger!
We would stay here again and would recommend the Storyteller's Cafe.