Just back from our first stay at the DLH!!

[CinderellaDreamer]

We loved the hotel. We booked a standard room and went to check-in about noon, fully expecting to have to wait for it to be ready, but no! They gave us a room right away in the Magic Tower (the one with the main lobby) on the second floor with a blocked view of the pool! I was thrilled. I fully expected parking lot view. It was a fabulous view in my opinion. I could lean over and see the hat leading to DTD. And get glimpses of the pool through the trees. Look at the other hotel towers (so pretty lit up at night), see the people walking below. I was thrilled.

That first day we ate at Croc's bits and Bites and played the jungle cruise boats. Then had a little nap (adjusting from EST) and went for dinner at Goofy's Kitchen with friends. Lots of character interaction and wonderful food. Love that PB&J pizza. Next we went on the monorail to DL and hopped in line for Nemo. It was a 30 minute wait, which isn't too bad in my opinion; plus I had never ridden and wanted to get the anticipation (and wait) out of the way. It was fun, but I have to say I like the one at Epcot a tiny bit better, but I did really enjoy the submarine. We rode a few more rides and then were looking for a spot for fireworks, when the kids just pooped out on us (eastern time strikes again). We rode the monorail back to the room and put everyone to bed.

We had bfast before going to the park at 9 the next morning ($26 for bagels and drinks!). We hit PP first (always first), and then did Dumbo (nearly no line). Rode the other FL rides with short or no waits. Alice had been closed the only other time I went to DL, so it was high on my list. I really enjoyed it. We rode Pinocchio and Toad a couple of times, since they are unique. Did IASW a couple of three times. Enjoyed the changes since our last visit. I thought Woody, Aladdin, Cindy, etc. were cute. Love the exterior. Vastly superior to WDW, imho. Buzz is fab. Love that you can hold the gun. Much better than the WDW version. Rode TSM once. I do prefer the INDOOR (out of the heat) que at WDW for this one. Far cuter Candyland layout there too. Loved POTC. Such a cool ride. We rode this one more than any other. Really nice to go to in the heat.

HOT. Very hot afternoons each day. Near 100. (Or was it 1000?) Hopped to DCA in the afternoons when things got busy. Very proud of myself for following the correct doctrine for visiting DL.

We ate at Storyteller's one night. It was empty at 6 p.m. We had the entire restaurant to ourselves. The buffet was good. Had a nice mushroom pasta. I prefer Goofy's. (like my PB&J). We ate at Ariel's the next day for lunch. Nice princess interaction (better than waiting in line for us.) Two 8 yr. old sons did not want anything to do with princesses, 4 yr. old girl was in heaven. Dh really, really liked the red fish. I did not care for my vegetarian dish. Boys were disappointed that there were no longer octopus hotdogs on the mac n' cheese as before. We also ate at Blue Bayou for lunch one day. Arrived at 11:45 and got a waterside table (had PS) without even asking. LOVE being inside the POTC ride. Dh enjoyed Monte Cristo, and I liked my vegetarian dish of portobello mushrooms and couscous.

Got my Micky shampoos at the hotel! Thanks for the tips on hiding them each day to get more! I used shampoo from home and saved them.

Thanks to Hound for tips on JTA. Both boys got picked at their first show. Both fought valiantly with Darth Maul.

Monorail was down one day, and they added the red train the next. I think using the monorail to get to Nemo might be a good idea on a slow morning. You might beat some of the crowds. Or if you are going in past opening, you might hit it at just the right time.

Boys love toontown.com and wanted to go to Toontown. They enjoyed pressing all of the buttons there and enjoyed seeing the trolley. Nothing in the gag shop though, which was disappointing to them. I rode Roger Rabbit and did not get sick (thanks for reviews on that one). Stayed clear of teacups. And ended up not doing Indy, but wish that I had. I have never done it, and would like to experience it some day. Stayed behind with frightened children, while Dh rode with the brave.

I love DL! I love that you can walk everywhere. No buses! Park hopping is fabulous! Sept. is great for lack of crowds; but the heat is a bit much. It made the Neverland pool more enjoyable.

We stayed at the Desert Inn last time, and it seemed like a closer walk. But I loved the DLH so much, and got such a great rate ($200/night), I would choose it again instead. I liked riding the monorail too. Very happy view of the park.

I love, love WDW; but I think if I could afford it, I would always pick DL first. (no flames please, just my opinion).

We enjoyed our time in San Diego as well. Stayed at the Catamaran and rented a sailboat. We did Legoland and the zoo. It was a lot of fun.

I miss it all already. I have some great pictures. (DH is a photographer with great cameras.) I'll post later.

[marcemc]

Sounds like you had an awsome time. Nice

Looking forward to see the pictures

[disneymama83]

Sounds like you had a wonderful visit to DISNEYLAND!! Thanks for the trip report You've got me sooooo excited for my upcoming trip in November!!!!!!!!!

[FourOrchards]

Thanks for sharing your time at DL. Sound like everyone had a delightful time.
We are trying to decide between staying at DLH, PP, and GCH. We know that we do want to stay on site but are wondering if it will be worth the extra money to splurge on GCH.
Oh we are going at Christmas time...part of our family Christmas to each other.
Can't wait to see your pictures!

[Judy from Boise]

Boy, if you were ever going to splurge Christmas at the GC would be the time to do it!

OP- thanks for the great report

[lattemomof3]

Great report - thanks for sharing! We are also staying at DLH for the 1st time - very excited! Also doing San Diego, Sea World and Legoland. Looking forward to pictures!

[DizMe]

Oh, so glad you had a great trip!! It sounds so fun!! DLH is my favorite . I like it even better than GCH (unless I can stay concierge, which is generally not an option ).

[Mary Jo]

Glad you had such a good time on your trip, and that you were able to enjoy the special magic that is Disneyland.

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you for posting such a great review and so glad you enjoyed your trip so much! We also love the DLH and while WDW is a world, Disneyland is awfully special and hard to beat on so many levels.

FourOrchards: For a Christmas visit, if you can handle the cost, go with GCH! I am a lover of the DLH but at the holidays, there is no comparison for the decorations. Although the lobby of the GCH and ambiance can be enjoyed by anyone. But its fun to be right in the middle of the holiday feel of the GCH. But all three are wonderful!

[MeliKH]

Sounds like a great trip!

Anything that I should be aware of - we are heading there in late November.

I'd love to know the tricks for the JTA! Please share!

Thanks!

[Crazy4Disney06]

Sounds like a wonderful trip! The past few years we have visited WDW over DLR and to be honestly part of me was bummed out that we were going to DLR over WDW this year (less expensive for us) however after reading your trip report I am getting so excited that we will be there in just 4 days. I think I got so wrapped in all that WDW has to offer that I forgot about all the magical things DLR holds. I am looking forward to no buses, no planing or day around which park to go to or which ADR's we have made.