A Few Observations about DLH

[Amy&Dan]

I have stayed in all three towers and while the Wonder Tower is very nice and I love being back by the Koi Ponds every room I have had there had the smaller bathroom set up and the lower shower head. It didn't bother me, I still found the bathroom very nice but have had much larger bathrooms in the other two towers.

I actually prefer the DLH over GCH (and also PP which I also enjoy and is very nice). GCH is wonderful, but for me the only thing I miss about it when I stay at the DLH is the balcony.

I think my family just has a lot of wonderful memories tied up with the DLH. Our very first Disney trip was spent there, now 23 trips later and many stays at WDW deluxe's, mods and values, as well as the other two DLR hotels, its still our favorite. I love the oversized rooms, the Disney touches in and out of the rooms, the lighter, brighter decor and the cm's have always been top notch and wonderful. My kids (now 11 and 13) prefer the DLh's pool, the arcade and they love the those remote controlled jungle cruise boats. I also like the way the DLH has the totally separate Cove Pool.

I've always had comfy beds at the DLH but do prefer the bedspreads (which are really duvet covers) at the GCH. The kicker for me, and one of the biggest reasons I prefer the DLH is that you are guaranteed a third bed. If you don't get a daybed, they will bring you a rollaway for free. At GCH if you don't get a daybed, you might get bunkbeds (which are not long enough for my 13 year old) or a sleeping bag. Which is completely unacceptable. Due to the smaller rooms, they simply don't have room for rollaways. For that much money, I don't want my kids sleeping on the floor.

Now all that said, GCH is truly a magnificient resort. I just find the darker rooms not as cheerful, the long hallways can be annoying and the higher price tag is an issue in that I don't feel for me its worth it over the DLH. I have never felt the cm's at GCH were above the ones at DLH or PP. I guess I am just a sucker for all things Disney. As soon as I pull up to the DLH and see the big Mickey statue, I am pretty much in heaven! I do have to say the GCH lobby is spectacular but I can enjoy that without staying there since I always use the lobby to cut through on my way to DCA from the DLH or PP.

And one last funny sidenote. DLR must change their shower curtains more than any other hotel chain on the planet. At each one, I have frequently seen them on the maid carts or baskets and one time I stayed at PP and while my dd and I were in the room, we heard a knock, it was a housekeeper knocking on the door asking if she could come in and change the shower curtain. My daughter remarked that I never do that at home! I have found all three onsite hotels at DL extremly well maintained and spotlessly clean. WDW not quite as much but still far above industry standard.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Maybe because we were using DVC points and we insisted on a King-sized bed, but our DLH room was small! We had a desk with one chair - no couch. We're used to having a small table and 2 chairs at the GCH. I also missed the balcony that we've always gotten at the Grand.

I iamagine that the pool at the DLH would appeal to kids more. We avoided the Neverland Pool (not having little ones with us) but found the Cove Pool comfortable and at a good temperature (we went early afternoon, as lounges in the shade were hard to find later).

Like I said before, I don't think you could get a really bad room on-site (& if you think you get one that's crappy - compalin to the Front Desk!). If we weren't staying on points, I don't know if I'd spend the cash on the GCH!

The CM I was speaking with when calling about the AP7 rates yesterday was telling me that he had a king bed room available at the DLH for my dates, but he said those rooms were all very small. According to him, he said the king bed rooms are sometimes split off of 2-BR suites, so they're smaller than the normal hotel rooms.

I politely disagreed with him that all king bed rooms at the DLH are like this, as we had a corner room in the Dreams tower that was HUGE and had a king bed. So, there are definitely differing king bed set-ups out there.

We were just there at the DLH and it makes me wonder if we were in the same hotel. We were in the Dreams tower overlooking the pool. We had a nice sized bathroom with a big double vanity. The toilet was in a separate room off of the bathroom. We were on DVC points and were given a King bed with a pull out couch. The room was huge. Also had a desk and 2 chairs in addition to the sofa and couch. Here is a pic of the room, then of the view.

Here is the opposite view of the room (BTW, sorry about the disheveled couch. I was checking to see if there was a pull-out bed in there. Sure enough, there was! Also, sorry about the wet towel residue on the couch...)

Reading this thread it makes me think that the setups are different in the 3 towers. We were in the Dreams tower and loved it. I'd stay at the DLH again in a heartbeat...

Our room in Jan. '06 looked very much like this, although we were a bit higher up, I believe. Here are some pics I posted: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=13721608&postcount=506

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yes, I have had the two styles of King Bed rooms at the DLH as well. When dh and I went just the two of us, we had a small room (by DLH standards, it was bigger than the room we had in San Diego the same weekend) but it was fine for the two of us. When we went with my parents to the DLH another time, they had a King room that was very large. It had a daybed, desk and table and lots of open space. And for that matter, last summer my inlaws had a King room that was also nice and spacious. It was next door to ours in the Dreams Tower. They had a rollaway in there and it fit fine.

Frankly, I can vouch that the DLH in general has different style rooms, sometimes ni the same tower. I have never had one I didn't like.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks! Only one more night here-teardrop! We stayed at WL at WDW last August and the GCH is very similar. The set up of the rooms is exactly the same and I feel like the lobby is very similar as well. The location of GCH is much better than WL is to the parks. I will admit that the DLH is a bit worn for sure but it just depends on how your attitude will be about minor things that show the wear/tear over the years. Is it worth an extra $147? I guess it must be because I am here now and not regretting my decision. I don't think I could have fit it in my budget to do all 5 nights here so it was a nice option to split my stay. I would highly recommend the split stay as you get the best of both worlds--DLH at a great price, still close to everything and then GCH that is outstanding. If you can afford to do all the nights at GCH than I would do that personally.

Thanks for your continued feedback. I'm still torn - I'm hoping that AP7 rate magically opens up at the GCH, but I probably shouldn't hold my breath. That would make my decision much easier. DH has been out-of-town all week, so I'll get his thoughts tonight when he gets home. He was all ready to try a new hotel at DLR, even at rack rate, so perhaps we will just go for the 15% discounted room I have currently at the GCH. We're only going to be there 3 nights, so I really don't want to move between hotels - I normally have to be staying at least a week before I consider a split stay, since I like to unpack.

Enjoy your last day!

 

[CruzDirectorKaren]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if someone could tell what the AP7 rate you all are speaking of?

My other question is we have a ressie for Oct for a room with 2 queen beds and was wondering if anyone can recommend a specific room number with a good pool view? We have never stayed at DLH and would love any good recommendations. Also which tower would be better for that pool view? It's our wedding anniversary.....

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I have a few comments from different questions - we use our DVC to stay at the DLR hotels when we don't want to do the 45 minute drive home on special weekends, so we stay at the DLH and GCH a fair amount. We also got married at the GCH, so we've stayed in a King Suite and concierge there.

For Karen (since she was the last post) - try the Magic Tower - the one you pull up to when you check in. We stayed in that tower for the Half-Marathon last Labor Day and it was very nice. That room had been updated to nicer beds. I personally didn't care for the bathroom design - I never was a big fan of the modern trend of "throne in a closet" architecture.

I had an extremely tall bed in the 11th floor park view corner suites of the Wonder Tower in Dec of 06. That was a surprise - I had to use the ottoman in order to climb up in and out of the bed - I was 8.5 months pregnant! The living room area looked like it needed an update, but the bedroom and bath were fine. I think it really is the couches that need it - they do affect the overall look of a room.

Sy - I do feel that the Grand Californian rooms feel smaller. It's like any place you go in LA now - if you can squeeze an extra parking space in a public garage/house in a subdivision/condo in a new building, do it. The rooms are definitely narrower. I think part of the feel to that is also that the rooms are so spacious in the sink/closet/foyer portion of the room design, that they had to take some of the square footage from the bed area. This is especially true of the 2 queen rooms. The bunkbed ones feel more spacious by default. The King suite is still a bit cramped in the bedroom area - the galley-style bathroom separating the two rooms, doesn't help that. I especially thought the DTD view concierge rooms were small - especially for the price.

One reason people are always comparing the GCH to the WL at WDW is that they are designed by the same architect. I take that one step further and I compare it more to AKV/L at WDW - also the same architect. AKV/L also has the same unique nooks and crannies that the GCH has - with the same spirit of the "enlarged house". WL is more of a hotel/enormous lodge feel, as opposed to an Art & Crafts era house or a tribal village hut.

We love the GCH - it's been a big part of our family history, but lately, we've really been leaning toward the DLH instead. I know the folks paying cash can understand the analogy I'm making next regarding using my DVC points - just take out the word "point" and think cash (because points really do translate into money these days!)

I know part of my choice is due to the vast difference in DVC point cost between the DLH and GCH - I can't justify reducing my lodging options at WDW to only OKW, just to spend a couple extra nights a year at the DLR. In the off season, the 10- 12 extra points per night for the GCH is almost half the value of 1 night at the DLH. If we choose to stay 2 nights, we could save the value of a third night in points. Once the GCVs come on board, the regular room stay option goes out the window and we have to take villas or DLH or PP. Who knows how many additional points the Villas will be?

Food for thought.
Nancy

PS - I would be mortified if they gave me the option of a sleeping bag for an extra child. I've heard this happens at some of the WDW resorts that have smaller room footprints, too.

 

[Queenbillabong]

I personally didn't care for the bathroom design - I never was a big fan of the modern trend of "throne in a closet" architecture.

Very funny - but not a modern trend in architecture at all. "Water closets" have been around for centuries!

 

[Sherry E]

Hi, Nancy! I was just reading some of your comments about the hotels. It's funny, because I have not stayed at the DLH since, I think, 1994. Any trip since then has been the PPH or GCH. But you mentioned the beds being rather tall in the Magic tower of the DLH, and having to climb on them. I actually found the beds in the GCH standard rooms to be tall! I am 5'5" and I had to climb up on the GCH beds, and my feet were dangling off the floor! Are the DLH beds taller than that? I don't think I can recall what the DLH beds were like but I am sure they have changed in 14 years! Wow, so now, not only do people have to bring their luggage and money and necessary items for a stay at DLR, but you pretty much have to bring your mountain climbing gear, too, just to get up on the beds! That could be very awkward for pregnant women or people with back/orthopedic problems. I also noticed that in the PPH, if I remember correctly, they gave us three soft pillows per bed, which was nice because I sort of bunched them up on top of each other and sank my head into them. In the GCH, I think there were two firm pillows on the beds. I couldn't get as comfortable as I wanted. We did have a DTD view at GCH one time, and then another time, we just had a view of the other two hotels. I can't remember which room was more spacious, but honestly, they both felt to me like they were pretty small. Hardly any floor space at all. And yet I still love the GCH and I still want to stay there for a holiday visit. There is something that feels good about leaving your GCH room and going to sit in that gorgeous lobby of your own hotel, rather than leaving your room in another hotel and walking over to sit in the GCH lobby. It just doesn't feel the same. And the convenience cannot be beat. I just wish it was not so expensive to stay there!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Very funny - but not a modern trend in architecture at all. "Water closets" have been around for centuries!

I had to laugh too - I do know about watercloset construction - you just don't think about it when you think of modern American hotel design! You do think of a resurgence in 90's suburban architecture, though.

Like the saying goes - everything old is new again!

PS - Sherry - that was the Wonder tower. Sounds like they have replaced the beds at GCH - I didn't remember them being tall. Now our Magic Tower room had shorter beds.

Nancy

 

[Sherry E]

I had to laugh too - I do know about watercloset construction - you just don't think about it when you think of modern American hotel design! You do think of a resurgence in 90's suburban architecture, though.

Like the saying goes - everything old is new again!

PS - Sherry - that was the Wonder tower. Sounds like they have replaced the beds at GCH - I didn't remember them being tall. Now our Magic Tower room had shorter beds.

Nancy

Sorry, Nancy, you did say Wonder tower and I completely missed that! I am trying to recall what the beds in the GCH were like when I stayed there in 2001, and I do not remember if they seemed tall or not, but they did last year! It was surprising because I expected to be able to just plunk my behind down on the bed and collapse, and not have to climb up on it! It was funny - two grown women climbing up on their beds (my friend is shorter than I am). We felt like kids! But we also felt like old people. I have back problems and my friend has knee problems, so we had to climb up and land in just the right position on the beds so as not to upset the aches and pains!

 

[MommyLove]

Sorry, this is probably a lame question but I'm kinda new and I have no idea what DVC points are. We'll be staying at DLH and GC on our next trip and it sounds like I should get in on this DVC points thing!

Speaking of our next trip... what tower/room should I request at DLH? It'll be me, my husband, our 9 yr old DD, our 11 yrl old DS and our baby who will be 6 mo's old when we're there (we're bringin the Pack & Play for her). I figure we need a 2 queen room. We'd like a quiet room with a nice view (could be pool, DTD... seomting fun, not just overlooking a parking lot). We'll be there on non-fireworks days so that's not a consideration.

Oh, and one more question... I read a lot of posts with people talking about walking to the park from DLH - do most people not take the monorail? I was thinking this is what we'd do, but not sure if I'm missing something...

TIA!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Sorry, this is probably a lame question but I'm kinda new and I have no idea what DVC points are. We'll be staying at DLH and GC on our next trip and it sounds like I should get in on this DVC points thing!

Speaking of our next trip... what tower/room should I request at DLH? It'll be me, my husband, our 9 yr old DD, our 11 yrl old DS and our baby who will be 6 mo's old when we're there (we're bringin the Pack & Play for her). I figure we need a 2 queen room. We'd like a quiet room with a nice view (could be pool, DTD... seomting fun, not just overlooking a parking lot). We'll be there on non-fireworks days so that's not a consideration.

Oh, and one more question... I read a lot of posts with people talking about walking to the park from DLH - do most people not take the monorail? I was thinking this is what we'd do, but not sure if I'm missing something...

TIA!

DVC is Disney Vacation Club - a real estate interest/timeshare that is owned and operated by a division of the Walt Disney Company. It's pricey to get into (although it wasn't when I bought in 93), but if you vacation at Disney a lot, then you should look into it and see if it's right for you. It isn't right for everyone - check your finances and give yourself an acurate dollar comparison as to how much you spend on your Disney vacations per year vs your payments and dues.

People who are more familiar with WDW get concerned about the monorail, but once you see how close everything is, you blow it off. It's less than 1/2 mile to walk from the hotel buildings at DLH to the park entrances. Gets you reved up in the mornings and ready to go. The monorail doesn't operate the same as in Florida. There is is used exclusively as transportation. There is a logistical benefit to staying "on the monorail". Here, it is an in park ride, as well, and actually drops you off in Tomorrowland.

For first time entry, I wouldn't use it. It blows the magic of entering the park and walking down Main Street for the first time!


Nancy

 

[MommyLove]

Thanks Nancy, that is very helpful!!

I'm still looking for help with the towers and what request(s) to make for a room at DLH. The info threads about it are old now and list the old tower names and I think there have been refurbishments since some of those posts, so I'm a little confused by them...

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I must say that one of the things I like best about the Wonder Tower is the sounds of the waterfalls. Leave your sliding door cracked and they are very soothing.

I you are on the park side of Dreams, you can hear the music from PP Conceirge balcony for the fireworks, if you crack your door. The very end connecting suites of Wonder are best for that, too.

Magic is your most convenient for walking and eating and a full frontal pool view, but there really is no inconvenient building for that, either.

The resort is intimate - not WDW sprawling, and I think that is what I like best.

 

[marlower]

Oh, and one more question... I read a lot of posts with people talking about walking to the park from DLH - do most people not take the monorail? I was thinking this is what we'd do, but not sure if I'm missing something...

TIA!

We planned on taking the monorail each time for the 3 days we were there but only rode it once because it was always down--I think this is a common occurrence. And don't forget if you are staying until park closing, the monorail shuts down right at closing, doesn't stay open after park closes, so you would have to walk back as well, we learned that the hard way.

It sounds like most people favor Magic Tower so I would go with that the next time we stayed there--that is if we couldn't afford GCH. The Dreams looks pretty convenient as well, but I would stay away from Wonder if possible.

Also, you can watch the fireworks from Dreams (park view) Tower and they pipe in the music through the tv in your room. We were able to watch the fireworks two nights from our GCH room and it was so nice to have the music along with it.

 

[honeymom]

We stayed at DLH in August 2002. Our experience was eerily similar to the op's. We just were not impressed. Our kids (3/12 and 6 at the time) HATED the Neverland Pool. It was freezing and crowded. We stayed in the Sierra Tower (Dreams now?). The room, while large, just did not feel special. The wallpaper barely glowed and it felt flimsy to us.

Last year, we were lucky enough to stay at the GCH. Despite the smaller room, it was such a better experience. The location was great and we felt that it was really well themed. While it was a little upscale in the lobby (we would have preferred a Whispering Canyon type of experience to a piano player), everything else about the hotel was homey and friendly.

I had heard that the DLH renovated rooms were nice. I had been reading so much better stuff about DLH that I thought we might try it again. It is disappointing to read that the problems that we experienced in 2002 do still exist. I don't see us going there again.

 

[luvsmickey1968]

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel for the first time last May!
When I researched which room to book, the most popular one was the Dreams tower, DTD view.
This is also one of the most expensive standard rooms because of the view!
I did not regret my choice!
We were on the 7th floor, I think!
We faced Downtown Disney and could see a little of the monrail!
The best thing about the view though was that we could see California Adventure!
We could see parts of Mulluhand Madness, the Golden Zephry, the Orange Stinger, California Screamin and the Sun Wheel!
We could also see the top of the Matterhorn and Splash Mountain!
I kept the curtains opened all the time!
We found this room very convenient, except for when we had to go to the car in the parking lot!
We could just come down the elevator and walk out some doors and we ere basically in Downtown Disney!
If we walked out the doors on the other side of the building, we were almost at the pool entrance!
We loved our room!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

After staying at the Disneyland Hotel many times (about twice a year for the last 6 years or so) and staying at the Grand Californian--I think they both have their advantages.

As a family of 5 with 3 big kids, the DLH can't be beat for it's size of rooms. We always spring for a view room, and over look the falls in the Wonder tower. One time we stayed in the Dreams tower and had a great view of downtown disney and the Christmas tree, but that room was a little smaller and it was a bit noisier than overlooking the falls.

I never once noticed the shower being low at the DLH, and I am 5'5. We get a room with two queens and a day bed, and it is amazingly roomy. There is an area outside the bathroom with a desk that is great for getting ready in the morning--you can plug in a blowdryer or whatever there and do your make up while other people use the bathroom.

I noticed that when we stayed in the Dreams tower it was much smaller--and if you get one of those rooms on the corner--it can really make a differece. If someone comes in and reviews based on one of those small rooms, then I can understand why they wouldn't like it very much.

The beds are very comfortable at the DLH--and I am super picky about that.

The Grand Californian was so much smaller in comparison and was really hard to navigate with 3 kids. The room was nice, but very dark compared to the Disneyland Hotel. We are staying there again this December, but with some changes. First of all, we are not getting a room with the bunk beds. We had that last time, and they just towered over the room and made us feel so cramped in there. There is not much view in the rooms, because the towers only go up to the 5th floor. But the lobby is very pretty compared to the DLH, and it is more of a "luxury hotel" type of feeling there. The walk is shorter to the parks, of course--and that is a big plus.

So overall, I think they both have their strong points, and if you have booked at the DLH I really don't think you will be disappointed--especially if you are traveling with children.

 

[MommyLove]

Thank you, thank you, that is very helpful!

We def'ly want quiet since the baby will probably take some day time naps while we're there. The fireworks view isn't a factor since we will be there mid-week off season and there won't be any fireworks then. We'd just like a great view and a convenient location for walking to and from the park and getting to the pool(s).

It sounds like if we don't mind a smaller room that the Dreams tower would be the best choice for us? We def'ly need a 2 queen room either way.

It sounds like most people favor Magic Tower

Ok, but why? I just want to make sure that when I make a request, it's for a room that will suit us best.

Thanks!!

 

[mousemom11]

I recommend that you request a room with 2 queens and a daybed. They are the larger rooms that people like. It sounds like these rooms can be found in each tower. You might want to discuss tower location with the CM when you call to reserve. According to the hotel's website, there is a pack n play crib in each room, so you won't need to bring one with you.