A Few Observations about DLH

[marlower]

We are here, right now at the DLH and having a great time. Thought I would write in while I am here so everything is fresh in my mind. We checked in at 930am on Sunday the 20th and a room was all ready for us in the Wonder tower WOO HOO! I was a bit disappointed as I had booked a lower level pool view room with my AAA discount but CM at registration assured me the view was good. She was right we are looking out over the falls and can see the Matterhorn from our balcony( we are on the 7th floor). The room itself is ok, not great beds and the bathroom is tiny The one thing I could see as a problem for a tall person-I am 5'2"-is the shower head is so low, I don't know how a tall person could comfortably take a shower in there. The room is clean and yesterday they shampooed the carpets outside in the hall so that was nice to see. I do think it is time to upgrade the comforters though. Lets see what else: The Wonder tower is the farthest away from the lobby but it really isn't that bad of a walk. We were able to park our car right outside the tower so that was nice too. The pool at DLH is a mad house, had a hard time finding a chair to sit around the pool, the water is freezing, and lots and lots of kiddos in the pool, so we ventured over to the Cove Pool and that was much nicer. The lounge chairs at both pools are very standard. Took a look at GCH pool and the lounge chairs and the pool area in general seems much more upscale. We are checking out tomorrow and heading to GCH for a couple of days so I will be able to compare the two!!! Just thought others would like to know the positives and negatives about DLH, if you have any questions I am happy to answer.

 

[Jenn1116]

Is there pixie dust wall paper border in your room, and does it really glow?

I have not stayed on site since I was kid and am hoping to stay at DLH sometime in 09. But from what you say, the cost just doesn't seem worth it if I can find a nicer room off site for less.

 

[marlower]

There is pixie dust wallpaper border on the walls but ours does not glow, or at least we have not seen it glow. And IMHO, I think it cheapens the look of the room--no flames please

Also, forgot to mention that CM's don't seem to have the same stories. For example: I wanted to change from DLH to GCH for a couple of nights but already had a package deal for all 5 nights at DLH so I went to front desk to inquire about changing and they said to go back to room and dial "0" and ask for reservations, so I did that and then was told I would have to pay a penalty fee to change my ressie. So I pressed on that and they called DLH and was told that all rooms were sold out at GCH and I could not move, so I got on my computer and saw that there actually were rooms open, so I called back to front desk and asked if I could check out of DLH early and what the penalty would be and CM said oh, there is no penalty fee for changing your ressie only if you cancel. So I ended up changing my check out date at DLH and booking GCH on my own since the reservations dept told me they were full Very confusing but I made it work to my advantage. And I just went down to front desk to see if I could write a check for cash since I am a guest and front desk said no, we can't do that, but we have an ATM for you to use, so then I inquired at Guest Services (just down the hall) and they said, of course we can cash a check for you for up to $50. So longgggg story short, make sure you ask several different CM's to make sure they are telling the same story. It appears that not all CM's are trained the same

Anyways, I know this sounds like I am complaining but just wanted to state some facts that are going on right now. We really are having a fantastic time. The weather is unbelievable.

If you don't mind driving or catching a shuttle to DLR than I am sure you can find a comparable hotel much cheaper with the same amenities. I will say the convenience/location of DLH is amazing, it is so nice to go back to hotel whenever you want and still be among the magic!

One more thing--boy I am long winded tonight The lighting in the bathroom is horrible

 

[disneydreamer74]

thanks for giving us great info about DLH. I will be staying there Aug. 15! I have been told that you must leave your drapes open during the day to enable the Tink pixie dust to glow!
How are thr crowds there right now?

 

[minniecarousel]

You're gonna love The Grand Californian! I never realized what a hotel snob I was until our June trip to the DLH. We usually stay at the GCH, but decided to try the DLH. I like the easy access to DCA from there. I hated that the monorail was down too often and had to walk through DTD to get to Disneyland. Oh - I'm complaining again! and I don't mean to! Any stay on-site is nothing to complain about.

Enjoy the Grand. It truly lives up to its name.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Love the report! Those are just the things I'd want to know. Please report on the GCH too. I'm looking to stay onsite in 09 for our 20th anniversary so I'm interested to hear the details. The last time I stayed at the DLH I was 4, so that was back in the 70's! All I remember was they gave me a paper Mickey Mouse mask which I loved!

 

[Sy-]

I inquired at Guest Services (just down the hall) and they said, of course we can cash a check for you for up to $50.

Whats a check??? J/K... Really interested in the size differences in the DLH rooms vs the GCH rooms.. Some say they the differences are huge while some say it's just a couple square feet???

 

[Lynzer Torte]

And I just went down to front desk to see if I could write a check for cash since I am a guest and front desk said no, we can't do that, but we have an ATM for you to use, so then I inquired at Guest Services (just down the hall) and they said, of course we can cash a check for you for up to $50.

I believe the bank on Main Street will cash a check for you.

 

[Sy-]

I believe the bank on Main Street will cash a check for you.

Up to $300 too... Enough for a cheeseburger, fries and even a large Coke at Hungry Bear in Critter Country!

 

[michpoit]

Is there a refrigerator in your room at the DLH? If so, is it a small one like one you would take to college or is it the next size up, like in a DVC studio? Also, can you buy milk in the gift shop like at WDW? If so, do they just have individual sizes or 1/2 gallon size? Thanks!

 

[heatherleigh]

Also, is there a small freezer with the mini fridge? I am interested in bringing ice packs to keep our drinks cool in our small cooler during the day. Which tower would you recommend as being the best one to request? We are scheduled to go in November. I keep toying w/ the idea of changing over to the GCH. I am very interested in the swimming pool situation at the DLH right now. Not the crowds, but the temperature. I wonder if they only heat them during the winter mos.

 

[DL4my2kids]

I am very interested in the swimming pool situation at the DLH right now. Not the crowds, but the temperature. I wonder if they only heat them during the winter mos.

the pool was not heated. I got in and got right out. Too darn cold for me. The weater was nice outside but the water, too cold.

 

[Sherry E]

Up to $300 too... Enough for a cheeseburger, fries and even a large Coke at Hungry Bear in Critter Country!

And enough for one night at the GCH! I was thinking that somewhere in DLR, they would HAVE to cash checks for decent amounts because they have so many visitors from different countries and cultures and not everyone comes in with the same forms of money - some people are all plastic and some are all cash, but some people have checks. So it is good to know they will do that in the bank on Main Street.

 

[Sherry E]

Is there a refrigerator in your room at the DLH? If so, is it a small one like one you would take to college or is it the next size up, like in a DVC studio? Also, can you buy milk in the gift shop like at WDW? If so, do they just have individual sizes or 1/2 gallon size? Thanks!

I don't know if you can buy milk in the DLH gift shop but I know you can buy it in the Acorn gift shop in GCH - but you have to ask. They keep juice and milk and soda in the back room. Also, there are vending machines around that probably have some milk, but you are likely to pay an arm and a leg for a small amount that way.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I believe the bank on Main Street will cash a check for you.

no they dont anymore...the bank of Main St is now the AP center...you cash your check at City Hall

 

[Sy-]

no they dont anymore...the bank of Main St is now the AP center...you cash your check at City Hall

Thats just backwards...

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Marlower Im sorry about everything but in all fairness, this is not a disney only issue...just about every large corporation you experience the same type of thing...no one has the same answer for you...you just have to find the person who is saying what you want to hear and get them to take care of it instead of doing it later with someone else seriously though...I personally dont like the Wonder or the Dream tower...Ive always requested to stay in the Magic Tower and have found the rooms in there much more appealing...let me also tell you not to even bother trying to compare GC to DLH...you cant...its in 2 totally different leagues...

on a positive note...its good though that you moved from DLH to GC instead of the other way around right???

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Thats just backwards...

 

[marlower]

thanks for giving us great info about DLH. I will be staying there Aug. 15! I have been told that you must leave your drapes open during the day to enable the Tink pixie dust to glow!
How are thr crowds there right now?

Sorry I am just now getting back to everyone! Today we checked into the GCH, and I absolutely love it The crowds right now are crazy busy. Today was a non park day for us but DTD was super busy. Yesterday there was a 75 min wait for Nemo and about 60 min for Space Mountain. Others were about 20-30min. It just seems so busy, lots of people everywhere you go

 

[marlower]

You're gonna love The Grand Californian! I never realized what a hotel snob I was until our June trip to the DLH. We usually stay at the GCH, but decided to try the DLH. I like the easy access to DCA from there. I hated that the monorail was down too often and had to walk through DTD to get to Disneyland. Oh - I'm complaining again! and I don't mean to! Any stay on-site is nothing to complain about.

Enjoy the Grand. It truly lives up to its name.

I too have come to realize I am a hotel snob. Absolutely love the Grand. We are on the 5th floor looking at onto DTD, we booked a standard room. We just finished watching the fireworks from our balcony with the music piped in through the radio, it was unbelievable

We did leave the drapes open at DLH and sure enough the wall border glowed.