Change on-site hotels midway through vacation - worth it for views/concierge?

[hurleysweety]

The Dilemma

Okay - so we're planning a trip around the AP rates in late september that are as cheap as $129/night for paradise pier. We want to go to GCH, where the rate is only $219. But, for an additional $40/night we can get a DTD view, which IMO, is much better than the parking lot/street/construction view!

So we were thinking of splitting the stays:

• 2 nights at GCH w/DTD view for $259 and 2 nights at PP w/concierge for $189 ($893 w/out tax/fees). Because of a stupid rate at PP concierge on the 28 ($309!!!!) we would stay GCH for first 2 days (27th and 28th) then PP for last 2 (29th and 30th).
  
• Or, standard view GCH for 4 nights for $219 ($876 w/o tax/fees).
  
• OOORRR we could do 2 nights GCH w/dtd view($259) and 2 nights standard view at PP $129 ($776 total w/o tax/fees).

We'll arrive around 11:30 on our first day and leave around 3 on our last day. So which hotel should we stay in first (in the case we don't do concierge at PP)?

Questions!!!
So, what do you think, or suggest as a better itinerary?
Is it a pain in the butt to switch hotels?
Worth it to spend the extra $$$ for the view/concierge?
Any opinion on views for either hotel?
Can we access concierge at PP without having our room ready? (In the case we go there second half of our stay and want to check in after our check out at GCH and grab some snacks)

This might have confused everyone, so I'm sorry in advance. If I left out any info, ask away!

TIA DIS experts!!!

 

[splash5]

I know that many others will argue with switching hotels mid stay, but I say go for it. My only concern is that you are going from GCH to PPH will you feel the disappointment of moving to a lower rated hotel? It would be good if you could start at PPH and then move to GCH. It would be a good way to experience 2 different hotel environments. Sounds like you are getting some good deals!!!

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[hurleysweety]

I know, GCH should be at the end of the stay -but the only way to do concierge at PP is to do it the last 2 nights - which was kind of the upset in the "perfect plan." He thinks we should have something to look forward to, but also likes the idea of snacks being available all day (he is SUCH a snack-addict).

I also like the idea of experiencing another hotel!

Thanks for your opinion!

 

[rappaport]

In regards to concierge access at PPH when your room isn't ready, not a problem. You actually check into the hotel inside the 2nd floor concierge lounge. We had to wait an hour for our room and spent the time stuffing our faces with sugary treats.

 

[hurleysweety]

In regards to concierge access at PPH when your room isn't ready, not a problem. You actually check into the hotel inside the 2nd floor concierge lounge. We had to wait an hour for our room and spent the time stuffing our faces with sugary treats.

I'm all for that!

"...oh, whats that? Our room isn't ready so I'll have to sit in this nice lounge and eat and drink and relax...well darn!"

 

[rappaport]

I'm all for that!

"...oh, whats that? Our room isn't ready so I'll have to sit in this nice lounge and eat and drink and relax...well darn!"

Oh yeah, we definitely got our moneys worth. I have a soft spot for the chocolate dipped coconut macaroons and it ended up a running joke that one special CM there would see me and run in the back and make me a special plate of them.

 

[disney4metoo]

If you pack light, so switching rooms is easier...why not try both hotels.

I have only stayed in concierge at the Grand, never at PPH or DLH, but for the rate of $189.00 it's a great deal and worth trying! Go for it and enjoy!

I would upgrade for the DTD view or DCA view-well worth it!

Early check in at the Grand concierge is the same- early access to the lounge! A very cool feature!

As far as the best hotel first, we are running into that problem with our WDW trip next summer. I have booked five nights for four people in a two bedroom Savanna view at Animal Kingdom Villas, then we are switching into a 1 bedroom concierge room (plus pull out couch and chair bed) for four nights at Animal Kingdom Villas. We will be going from a two bedroom to a one bedroom, but I am also counting on the concierge level to (hopefully) be worth it! For us it will also cost more to switch the other way around- one bedroom to two bedroom, so we will have to just grin and bear it.

Have a fun trip! Please don't forget to do a TR!

Dorene

 

[victorandbellasmom]

Have you stayed in either of the hotels before? Do you have kids? We've stayed at both and enjoyed each hotel. If you've never stayed at GCH, I'd say to stay there all 4 nights unless you really want to experience the concierge service.

So, what do you think, or suggest as a better itinerary?
Ideally, I'd stay at GCH all 4 nights if you've never stayed there before. If you are interested in staying concierge then do 2 nights at each hotel. I'm assuming that the GCH is not a concierge room. We've only stayed concierge at PPH and DLH and have enjoyed both. It really only made sense for us to stay concierge when we knew we'd take advantage of the lounge and return to the hotel in the afternoons and evenings.

Is it a pain in the butt to switch hotels?
No, we've done it before and we have kids and lots of luggages. We've only done 2 trips without switching hotels. The hotel can hold your lugages if your room's not ready so it really wasn't a big deal. It was well worth any trouble to check into a DLR property.

Worth it to spend the extra $$$ for the view/concierge?
We stayed in standard room and a downtown disney view at GCH and both were fine. It's such a beautiful hotel that I really don't think it matters in my opinion. We loved staying concierge at PPH and DLH though. We definitely saved money by eating in the lounge. The staffs are wonderful and we loved being able to have a glass of wine or 2 before returning to the parks in the evening. We've booked an additional 2 nights at PPH concierge at the tail end of our vacation next month. We're staying at Faifield for 7 days and then moving over to PPH. I would have preferred DLH concierge, but there were already booked up. Know that PPH concierge lounge closes 2 hours earlier than DLH & GCH concierge lounge. We asked the kids whether they would like to stay in a basic room at GCH or in concierge room in PPH and they chose PPH concierge.

Any opinion on views for either hotel?
If staying at GCH, downtown disney view rooms are further away and down long corridors. We've yet to book a pool/park view so i have no comment. Our standard room had a view of the GCH entrance, but I loved how it opened into the great hearth. In the evenings, we could open our door and hear the piano player. In PPH, we had a DCA park view and it was awesome. Not too sure about the view now with the lake drained though.

Can we access concierge at PP without having our room ready? (In the case we go there second half of our stay and want to check in after our check out at GCH and grab some snacks)
Yes, you can access the lounge that first day while you wait for your room. We checked in once at 7:00 am grabbed some snacks and went to early entry at DL as soon as we were able.

 

[disney4metoo]

I love the DCA view at the Grand and that is the only one we request. The DTD view would be nice too, but I would be concern about the noise (that is just me)! However, I would assume you could see the fireworks show from a DTD view! Any room at the Grand is nice!

I think the great thing about having PPH concierge on the second half of your trip is early check in and having access to the lounge. It is nice to have a full day worth of grazing (instead of the 3:00 pm check in)! :

Have fun!

 

[hurleysweety]

Have you stayed in either of the hotels before? Do you have kids? We've stayed at both and enjoyed each hotel. If you've never stayed at GCH, I'd say to stay there all 4 nights unless you really want to experience the concierge service.

So, what do you think, or suggest as a better itinerary?
Ideally, I'd stay at GCH all 4 nights if you've never stayed there before. If you are interested in staying concierge then do 2 nights at each hotel. I'm assuming that the GCH is not a concierge room. We've only stayed concierge at PPH and DLH and have enjoyed both. It really only made sense for us to stay concierge when we knew we'd take advantage of the lounge and return to the hotel in the afternoons and evenings.

Is it a pain in the butt to switch hotels?
No, we've done it before and we have kids and lots of luggages. We've only done 2 trips without switching hotels. The hotel can hold your lugages if your room's not ready so it really wasn't a big deal. It was well worth any trouble to check into a DLR property.

Worth it to spend the extra $$$ for the view/concierge?
We stayed in standard room and a downtown disney view at GCH and both were fine. It's such a beautiful hotel that I really don't think it matters in my opinion. We loved staying concierge at PPH and DLH though. We definitely saved money by eating in the lounge. The staffs are wonderful and we loved being able to have a glass of wine or 2 before returning to the parks in the evening. We've booked an additional 2 nights at PPH concierge at the tail end of our vacation next month. We're staying at Faifield for 7 days and then moving over to PPH. I would have preferred DLH concierge, but there were already booked up. Know that PPH concierge lounge closes 2 hours earlier than DLH & GCH concierge lounge. We asked the kids whether they would like to stay in a basic room at GCH or in concierge room in PPH and they chose PPH concierge.

Any opinion on views for either hotel?
If staying at GCH, downtown disney view rooms are further away and down long corridors. We've yet to book a pool/park view so i have no comment. Our standard room had a view of the GCH entrance, but I loved how it opened into the great hearth. In the evenings, we could open our door and hear the piano player. In PPH, we had a DCA park view and it was awesome. Not too sure about the view now with the lake drained though.

Can we access concierge at PP without having our room ready? (In the case we go there second half of our stay and want to check in after our check out at GCH and grab some snacks)
Yes, you can access the lounge that first day while you wait for your room. We checked in once at 7:00 am grabbed some snacks and went to early entry at DL as soon as we were able.

Thanks so much!!! Your information has been so helpful. We don't have kids - just DH and I. We've also stayed at the GCH, just once before and for one night for our anniversary and were updated to a suite as we were chosen as the celebration family of the day! It had a lovely pool view and we could see some parts of DCA. The rack room rate for it was $950, as posted on that legal-blah blah blah plaque!!! We paid close to $340 for it with tax/resort fees. And we were just supposed to have a standard view.

I think we might opt for the standard view at GCH for all 4 nights because we know we like it and HOPE for a room right over the lobby!

Concierge does sound awesome and super fun - but what if the hotel just isn't our style and disappoints us and we spend the whole time talking about how we miss GCH? Oh the "What ifs?" are growing and growing!!

 

[hurleysweety]

I love the DCA view at the Grand and that is the only one we request. The DTD view would be nice too, but I would be concern about the noise (that is just me)! However, I would assume you could see the fireworks show from a DTD view! Any room at the Grand is nice!

I think the great thing about having PPH concierge on the second half of your trip is early check in and having access to the lounge. It is nice to have a full day worth of grazing (instead of the 3:00 pm check in)! :

Have fun!

Oh man...DCA view would be wonderful - but I believe that is even more than $259/night!!

Yummy full day worth of grazing!