Both E-Ticket and D-Ticket pools closed at DLH until late Spring '16?

[laura428]

Hey everyone - I just saw on Disney's site that both the E-Ticket and D-Ticket pools will be closed during our stay the first week of April. (They're saying closed until late Spring 2016.) Major bummer, as the pool area was one of the major reasons we booked Disneyland - we'd planned on having lots of fun there in the afternoons when the parks got crowded. We're rope drop, hotel in the afternoon, back to the parks in the evening folk, so this really messes with my gameplan.

We just switched to DLH from the Grand Californian about a month ago, but now I'm wondering if we should switch back. Although the monorail slides will still be open, I'm thinking they're going to be majorly crowded.

Any thoughts?

 

[disneyjunebug]

Thanks for posting this. We are scheduled for March 19-23. Not having the pool available at DLH will be a pain, but at least the slides will be available and we can go use the pool at the GCH. I've always wanted to stay at the DLH, so I don't think I will change my reservation, unless hubby talks me into it.

 

[laura428]

Thanks for posting this. We are scheduled for March 19-23. Not having the pool available at DLH will be a pain, but at least the slides will be available and we can go use the pool at the GCH. I've always wanted to stay at the DLH, so I don't think I will change my reservation, unless hubby talks me into it.

I'm considering this, too. I guess my concern is how crowded those slides will be, since that will be all that's open during a very busy time. And to go from the slides to the pools at GCH... not exactly the relaxing afternoon by the pool I had in mind (and was willing to pay for). I know it's more, but I'd almost rather pay the higher price at GCH, have the pool access right there (and their slide), and have the option to go over to DLH for the monorail slide if we want.

But still bummed.

 

[McNs]

We were at the DLH early October, 100+ temps, but I found the pools COLD, unpleasantly cold. I don't know if they heat them other times of the year. Conversely we were at GCH a year earlier, same scorching weather, but the pools were a much more comfortable temp.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks for posting this. We are scheduled for March 19-23. Not having the pool available at DLH will be a pain, but at least the slides will be available and we can go use the pool at the GCH. I've always wanted to stay at the DLH, so I don't think I will change my reservation, unless hubby talks me into it.

They will tell you what pool you will be allowed to use. While I imagine it would be the grand, it might be PPh. You won't get to choose (unless they decide to let you choose).

 

[laura428]

They will tell you what pool you will be allowed to use. While I imagine it would be the grand, it might be PPh. You won't get to choose (unless they decide to let you choose).

They actually do say in their refurb announcement that guests will be allowed to use the pools at either PPH or GCH. Are you saying that, once there, they could restrict us to one? Would be odd (and frustrating) if they didn't clarify this up front.

 

[SMD]

I know it's more, but I'd almost rather pay the higher price at GCH, have the pool access right there (and their slide), and have the option to go over to DLH for the monorail slide if we want.

If you stay at GCH you don't get the option to pool hop to DLH just because the DLH pool is being refurbed.

 

[MommyJKM]

I know it's more, but I'd almost rather pay the higher price at GCH, have the pool access right there (and their slide), and have the option to go over to DLH for the monorail slide if we want.

@SMD is right. You can't go backwards. If you're staying at DLH and the pools are closed they will allow you to use the GCH and PP. But if you move to GCH you can only use GCH pool unless you get a cabana at DLH or PP.

If your kids are young they may enjoy the slides at GCH . My DD is only 5 and she's always loved the GCH pools - tiny slide, then finally the big slide - but we have gotten a cabana at DLH because my niece is older and loved the DLH slides. My niece has never cared for the other pools at DLH.

I'm a fan of GCH but if you're wanting to try the pools I'd stay at DLH and be able to walk over to GCH to use theirs also. They actually give you a key that works for the pool so you could leave early am, leave a bag of pool stuff at GCH bell services, then when you want the break grab the bag and go straight from the DCA exit/entrance to the pool!

 

[laura428]

If you stay at GCH you don't get the option to pool hop to DLH just because the DLH pool is being refurbed.

@SMD is right. You can't go backwards. If you're staying at DLH and the pools are closed they will allow you to use the GCH and PP. But if you move to GCH you can only use GCH pool unless you get a cabana at DLH or PP.

If your kids are young they may enjoy the slides at GCH . My DD is only 5 and she's always loved the GCH pools - tiny slide, then finally the big slide - but we have gotten a cabana at DLH because my niece is older and loved the DLH slides. My niece has never cared for the other pools at DLH.

I'm a fan of GCH but if you're wanting to try the pools I'd stay at DLH and be able to walk over to GCH to use theirs also. They actually give you a key that works for the pool so you could leave early am, leave a bag of pool stuff at GCH bell services, then when you want the break grab the bag and go straight from the DCA exit/entrance to the pool!

Hmmm... hadn't thought about the possibility that we may not be able to pool-hop the other way around. Our kids absolutely love swimming, and want to go everyday when we're on vacation. MommyJKM, your suggestion of keeping our things with GCH bell services sounds like a good plan. Now, we just need to decide if we want to do the extra planning so that we get the monorail slide, or just forget the monorail slide and opt for greater ease with onsite pool whenever we want to go for a swim.

Thanks for your help, guys. Much appreciated!!

 

[Girimama33]

If you really want water slides, I would scratch staying onsite altogether and book the Anaheim Courtyard Theme Park Entrance. It is located on Harbor, easily walkable, and has a great waterpark. Plus you would save a lot of $$.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/snadt-courtyard-anaheim-theme-park-entrance/

 

[Amcd33]

Does anyone know what Disney's definition of 'late Spring' is? We will be there the last week of April. It's frustrating that they aren't giving an exact date.

 

[pixiepowers]

Well that is a bummer. I wonder how late "Late Spring 2016" is...we will be there for Dapper Days (and apparently Bats Day) at the end of April and were hoping to escape to the pools as well. Thank you, MommyJKM for the great tips; as always, the Dis makes things a bit more positive in the wake of disappointing news.

 

[hanna-nana]

This kinda bums me out! We are doing a (most likely once) stay at DLH March 7-12 and were takin a day off in the middle of our park days for a pool day. Somehow I missed seeing anywhere that the pools will be closed. I even asked about booking a cabana. The slides are open though? And they'll let us use one of the other pools if we want?

 

[jeast]

I really wanted to book DLH for the first week of April, but I don't want to have to traipse back and forth with pool stuff, walking through DTD with dripping teens. They won't care about the monorail slides. They like regular pools. Phooey. I can't believe I am actually considering GCH. I really wanted to stay onsite this time, as it will be our last for a few years.

 

[laura428]

I really wanted to book DLH for the first week of April, but I don't want to have to traipse back and forth with pool stuff, walking through DTD with dripping teens. They won't care about the monorail slides. They like regular pools. Phooey. I can't believe I am actually considering GCH. I really wanted to stay onsite this time, as it will be our last for a few years.

Yeah, I'm honestly still going back and forth for the same reason, but my DS12 REALLY wants to try out that monorail slide. :/

 

[sherilaine]

We had looked at booking the DLH as well and when we saw the issues with the pools I decided against it - for that price it should be the completely ideal situation - not having to use another pool or listening to crazy noise - it is just a spoiled experience. For us who come once a year at most, it's not worth it - so our attempt at staying on site will have to wait for another bat time and another bat channel.

 

[NJlauren]

I am booked for mid May and am now thinking we should change hotels. My DD is to young for the slide so that isn't a selling point for us, but having a pool is pretty important.

Do I switch hotels, or hold out for a bit to see if the give a better idea of the date it will open as it gets closer?

 

[sherilaine]

I am booked for mid May and am now thinking we should change hotels. My DD is to young for the slide so that isn't a selling point for us, but having a pool is pretty important.

Do I switch hotels, or hold out for a bit to see if the give a better idea of the date it will open as it gets closer?

My suggestion would be to book an alternative hotel for the same dates - as most hotels allow you to cancel within a specified period - then you can wait and see - if the pools open up before your trip then you are good and if not then you are not scrambling to find alternative arrangements. Keep in mind though if you have your heart set at staying on site you will be allowed to use the pool facilities at the other two hotels - they state that specifically on their site.

 

[NJlauren]

My suggestion would be to book an alternative hotel for the same dates - as most hotels allow you to cancel within a specified period - then you can wait and see - if the pools open up before your trip then you are good and if not then you are not scrambling to find alternative arrangements. Keep in mind though if you have your heart set at staying on site you will be allowed to use the pool facilities at the other two hotels - they state that specifically on their site.

I would say I have my heart set on it, but I think I would enjoy it. I guess I need to look up the cancelation period for the Disneyland hotel....

 

[jeast]

I decided against it. I booked at Residence Inn maingate into a suite with 1 king and two queens. If we can't be on property, we can all be comfy in a big suite with free breakfast. I can't see spending $500 more for a construction site with no real pools. GCH is too expensive and having stayed at PPH before, I'd rather opt for enough beds/space and free breakfast. I'm kind of sad about missing EMH, though. If DLH comes out with a good discount code, I may reconsider.