I wanted to chime in here. My first trip EVER to Disney was when my Father-in-law took him, my DH, me, DD (Who was turning 2 during our trip), and DS. We stayed at the DLH I am always the planner/booker of trips. I had NO idea of anything except Disneys website, and then I found this board whew lol. We stayed in a suite, and I really liked it only draw back was it was the wonder tower which was still bonita back then. That I try to AVOID like the plague. The walk with 2 small kids who are tired, and trying to carry them was rough. If your knee is bad I woudn't do wonder tower explain to them the situation see if they in anyway can help you get a closer tower. Since my first stay at DLH we could have done GCH it was new and just opened the rates were high, but my Fath in law said lets do the traditional DLH. I honestly have to say I have been in a couple weeks 4 times this year, and I stay ONLY at DLH it truly has this feel. Yes it needs a refresh, but so does everything at some point, but it was NOT all nasty and worn down. I am telling you as a just turning 31 y/o when I land in LAX I get slammed with the excitement of I can't get there fast enough. When you pull up to the main entrance oh my gosh it screams magic. Look up at the lights as you walk into the main lobby outside they are covered in gold stars with stars hanging down, walk into the lobby at the right time during main check in our early afternoon, and goofy maybe there waiting on you. The gift shops are nice the ladies are great. Neverland pool is too cute, and heated. Ok now I know I should have tried the pool many visits ago, but I am such a park commando I never take a pool day lol. If you can get a view of the pool at night/dawn it's so gorgeous hooks ship in the pool is lit by light blue xmas lights. I LOVE opening my drapes wide open looking at the pool at night before bed, then waking at 5am I go to the balcony doors I quietly open them check how cool it is outside, and just take in the magical view. The rooms are cute you never leave the magic the rooms have mickeys hand holding light fixtures, the castle is on the head board etched on, the entertainment center when the doors are closed has a map of the park etched on it, and if you leave your drapes open all day while you're in the park the sunlight charges the tinkerbelle, and her pixie dust that is at the top boarder, so when it's bed time, and lights get turned off it glows. There is magic, and I have only had a couple bad experiences 1 with a waiter who was beyound rude at Goofy's happend only 1 but it was during the cake time on my DD birthday in front of family who joined us it was embarassing, and the most recent time was this OCT I had my make up on the bathroom counter all laid out as to what I use at night, and my day make up, and I came back only to find everything was WAY out of order, and things on my suitcases had been messed with, also a dress I wore to the trick or treat party a very formal marilyn monroe dress had been moved not the way I had it put, and Mousekeeping threw my dress bad away which was sitting on my suitcase. It made me feel a bit violated, but they really offered no help about it. It is a great hotel where the min you get there they have disney songs piped in all through the grounds, and towers. I LOVE it there. I may try HARD to drag myself away for just 1 night t the Grand to try it this trip, but it's hard for me to leave DLH. I wake up feeling happy, and like my childhood is back, and go to sleep never losing it. If you want more of a grand floridian feel then GCH would be better choice. I have stayed at AKL, and the Grand cali has the same type feel, but the lobby is gorgeous.
