Disneyland Hotel --Here Now

[sabrecmc]

Hi everyone...we are currently staying at the Disneyland Hotel for a pre-cruise visit to Disneyland. I'd read a lot about the construction and seriously considered switching to the Great Wolf...ahem, Grand Californian, though it did not personally appeal to me. I'm so glad that we didn't and stuck with our original choice. I know everyone's experiences differ, but we haven't had any problems or really much noticed the construction here at the hotel. We are in the Dreams tower with a Downtown Disney view, which I think is a good location construction-wise. At any rate, I know I worried a lot reading negative reviews, so I thought I'd share our experience. We love the hotel and, other than having to walk the long way to get to the bakery one morning, the construction has been a non-issue for us. Yes, things aren't as "pretty" as they will be, but, hey, we're from Florida and used to "pardoning the pixie dust" pretty much all the time, so maybe it just doesn't seem that big of a deal to us. Just happy to be here!

 

[jlwhitney]

Can you tell how the room renovations are coming? Are there many non renovated rooms left? We are booked in a non renovated room through DVC but I have called to request a renovated room and she said it was very likely to get one.

 

[newmouse82]

there aren't many left, just half of 1 tower, last week anyways

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I think the difference comes with the downtown disney view and Dreams tower location.

We were placed in the Wonder tower a few weeks ago, and it was terrible. Here was our view:
http://img844.imageshack.us/i/disneylandhotelconstruc.jpg/

We did call ahead and request Dreams Tower with a DTD view, but were not granted that upon check in.

I am glad you view and room was much better! We love the Disneyland Hotel and when the construction of the pool area is complete have no doubt it will be incredible. As far as the Great Wolf Hotel, (ha!) I imagine would have liked that just as much. It is pretty darn "great"!

 

[jlwhitney]

there aren't many left, just half of 1 tower, last week anyways

awesome! we won't be there to May 17th so they have time to finish up so more

 

[benolathe]

Good to hear. We are visiting mid-July, so things should be even better by then.

 

[disneyfan67]

I'm staying at the GC in a DVC 1 bedroom villa in August. As a favor to my wife who has been to DL, but never the Disneyland Hotel, we booked one night on our points there. She and the kids are excited and watching the construction progress. I would think that by late summer most of the construction would be done with.

OP, thanks for the update and please post any new info you may have.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Good to know. Thanks for the update. We are still trying to decide if we should stay at Disneyland hotel or Grand Californian. I prefer DL, so I'm glad it's not a total disaster.

 

[disneyfan67]

Good to know. Thanks for the update. We are still trying to decide if we should stay at Disneyland hotel or Grand Californian. I prefer DL, so I'm glad it's not a total disaster.

After staying in a refurbished room at the DLH last August and staying one night in a regular room at the GC, I would say that the DLH can't be beat for a total immersive Disney themed environment. Both hotels are beautiful, but if you love the retro feel of old school Disney, but with the touch of modern conveniences, the DLH is pretty cool. The GC is a completely different experience, but very beautiful and unique in it's own way.

I'm looking forward to staying at both and enjoying what they have to offer. Honestly though if it wasn't for my dvc points and the opportunity to stay in a 1 bedroom villa at GC and was forced to go the standard hotel room route, the DLH would get my vote. The retro Disney vibe and theming, plus bigger room size appeals to me more.

 

[nana50]

For me it's the pool issue. The little slide area isn't open I was told and I'm going with 2 3year olds and an 8 year old. So we are at the Grand.

 

[DahliaRW]

Your 3 year olds and 8yo can't go on the slide at GCH unless they can swim by themselves. At DLH there is a small slide at the neverland pool anyone can go on regardless of swimming ability. My 3yo and 6yo loved it.

 

[nana50]

Your 3 year olds and 8yo can't go on the slide at GCH unless they can swim by themselves. At DLH there is a small slide at the neverland pool anyone can go on regardless of swimming ability. My 3yo and 6yo loved it.

Shoot, I thought The Grand had one also. When I called DLH they told me the little slide area was closed. I may change my ressie now.

 

[skiingfast]

Shoot, I thought The Grand had one also. When I called DLH they told me the little slide area was closed. I may change my ressie now.

When are you going? When the DLH opens the new pool for summer it's going to have a new kiddie slide.

 

[ktlm]

Thanks for the post OP! That is good to know! We thought about switching to the mini Wilderness Lodge too (AKA Grand Californian), but we loved DLH on our last trip as it has such a classic DL feel, and as we have stayed at WL several times at WDW, we really wanted to keep the different DL feel.

 

[nana50]

When are you going? When the DLH opens the new pool for summer it's going to have a new kiddie slide.

I'm going the 8th and 0th of May.

 

[skiingfast]

I'm going the 8th and 0th of May.

That's too bad. I doubt it will open before the end of May. But the Kids will enjoy it next time right?

 

[DahliaRW]

Shoot, I thought The Grand had one also. When I called DLH they told me the little slide area was closed. I may change my ressie now.

I don't know if GCH has a kid slide. The big slides at DLH are closed, but there is a teeny tiny one that is part of the neverland pool that is not very long. My kids loved it and it was open. They net it off when the pool is closed, but it's open during pool hours. I have pics I can post later if you want to see. I'm pretty sure the person you talked to was thinking of the main slides.

 

[christine*]

I don't know if GCH has a kid slide. The big slides at DLH are closed, but there is a teeny tiny one that is part of the neverland pool that is not very long. My kids loved it and it was open. They net it off when the pool is closed, but it's open during pool hours. I have pics I can post later if you want to see. I'm pretty sure the person you talked to was thinking of the main slides.

GCH does have a kiddie slide, it's to the far right of the bigger slide. It's about 4/5 feet long.

 

[skiingfast]

I don't know if GCH has a kid slide. The big slides at DLH are closed, but there is a teeny tiny one that is part of the neverland pool that is not very long. My kids loved it and it was open. They net it off when the pool is closed, but it's open during pool hours. I have pics I can post later if you want to see. I'm pretty sure the person you talked to was thinking of the main slides.

The Kid slide at DLH did in fact close. I think about 2 or 3 weeks ago.

But as I mentioned in the new area a new kid slide is being build. A side by side racer dropping 3.5 feet over a 19 foot run.

 

[melancholywings]

Do they have a date for when they think the new slide will be open? We are going at the end of Aug and would love for the pool to be a pool...lol.