We’ve stayed at the DLH 1-2 times per year for the last several years and recently tried the GCH. Both hotels are clean and well-maintained, with comfortable beds, and responsive if not delicious room-service. I’d say that it’s less about the room refurbishment, since both hotels are well-maintained, and more about your family’s interests and activity plans. Disney-theming, views or pool time = DLH. Less interest in theming, preference for DCA or more perception of luxury = GCH.
I’ve always been advised by hospitality cast members to stay at DLH due to the larger rooms and the Disney magic, so it’s my first love between the properties. We’ve stayed in hotels that are hundreds of years old, so this hotel isn’t old, it’s retro! It’s not all “white and travertine tile and light-wood modern”, so I think that’s what some people are referring to. The rooms are generally larger, and the Disney touches are enchanting. We love the hidden Mickeys on the carpet, Mickey faucet heads and sconces, and falling asleep under the glowing, musical headboard! We also love views, and DLH is taller! And the pool area is waaaaay more fun if your kids can swim. We’ve had hot water take a few minutes, too, but it never turned cold unexpectedly, and we’ve never had issues with stained or broken furniture, etc. For me, the only downside is the hike back through downtown Disney with tired, young children if the monorail isn’t available.
We recently stayed at the GCH for the first time and were upgraded from standard view to a partial park view when I requested a room near the Napa Rose elevators to be closer to the DCA entrance. The room was smaller, but very bright, and had a view of the park and monorail from the windows and balcony, which my kids loved. The bathroom is modern, but the toilet is not in a separate room from the shower, as it is in DLH. Best perk for us was the proximity to our room after a 10 pm (!) World of Color, because our youngest was asleep on her feet. But all of us were disappointed with the pool, because the water slides were boring! The service was a notch above at GCH (a little quicker and more formal), and it should be, at $700+ per night. But honestly, having stayed at other luxury hotels/suites/cabins around the world, this is not a $700-1000/nt room - we paid around $400 with the Dapper Days discount, and I felt good about that.
We are well-traveled, and I’ve booked these hotels at a variety of prices, from 50% off for Dapper Days discounts, to a splurge at the DLH Fairytale Suite. If you want to compare apples to apples, maybe look at club-level rooms at DLH in comparison to GCH, for an extra-special experience, or book a World of Color dessert party to get off your feet at the end of the day. But to us, DLH is hands-down a better *value* at the price-point.
