Disneyland Hotel reviews are getting bad

[mikedoyleblogger]

My partner and I returned to Chicago last night from three nights at DLH. We took the trip partly as a do-over to our stinky, depressing four-night stay at GCH last month. All I can say is GCH is Disneyland's flagship hotel in name only. The Disney charm and magic that we expected last month at GCH was unrelenting at DLH from the second we got there to the second we left. The two hotels are like night and day. I cannot believe they're sister hotels at DLR, and it's very clear that they're run by different managers. In fact, I was told by a front desk CM that the woman who manages DLH is the daughter of a longtime DLH employee, so excellence at the hotel is a point of family pride!

Everything was clean and in good repair. Nothing was broken in our room. Nothing was shabby or clearly falling apart. All the CMs we encountered were downright friendly and helpful. The pools and slide areas were well thought out and well serviced by friendly CMs. In fact, the whole pool/Tangaroa Terrace/Trader Sam's/hearth courtyard just kind of hugs you. The overall vibe of the place was just happy--confidently happy. (The island/tiki background music helped, too!) We honestly could not believe how far the place exceeded our expectations, and we think it was worth every penny. In 12 years, it's the best place I've ever stayed at Disneyland, on or off property (and I've now stayed at all 3 Disney hotels.)

If I could go back in time to December and tell Guest Services I wanted to choose DLH instead of DCA as our "pixie dust" stay for last month, I would do it in a heartbeat. I cannot stress enough that staying at the two hotels practically back to back really shows what a troubled place GCH is. It may have an awesome lobby (apart from all the *dust* in the rafters that is *clearly visible* from the upper floors!). But DLH is practically perfect in almost every way. I can't even believe I wrote that last sentence, but I'm still smiling from our stay. We cannot cannot cannot wait to be back!!!

 

[crystal1313]

My partner and I returned to Chicago last night from three nights at DLH. We took the trip partly as a do-over to our stinky, depressing four-night stay at GCH last month. All I can say is GCH is Disneyland's flagship hotel in name only. The Disney charm and magic that we expected last month at GCH was unrelenting at DLH from the second we got there to the second we left. The two hotels are like night and day. I cannot believe they're sister hotels at DLR, and it's very clear that they're run by different managers. In fact, I was told by a front desk CM that the woman who manages DLH is the daughter of a longtime DLH employee, so excellence at the hotel is a point of family pride!

Everything was clean and in good repair. Nothing was broken in our room. Nothing was shabby or clearly falling apart. All the CMs we encountered were downright friendly and helpful. The pools and slide areas were well thought out and well serviced by friendly CMs. In fact, the whole pool/Tangaroa Terrace/Trader Sam's/hearth courtyard just kind of hugs you. The overall vibe of the place was just happy--confidently happy. (The island/tiki background music helped, too!) We honestly could not believe how far the place exceeded our expectations, and we think it was worth every penny. In 12 years, it's the best place I've ever stayed at Disneyland, on or off property (and I've now stayed at all 3 Disney hotels.)

If I could go back in time to December and tell Guest Services I wanted to choose DLH instead of DCA as our "pixie dust" stay for last month, I would do it in a heartbeat. I cannot stress enough that staying at the two hotels practically back to back really shows what a troubled place GCH is. It may have an awesome lobby (apart from all the *dust* in the rafters that is *clearly visible* from the upper floors!). But DLH is practically perfect in almost every way. I can't even believe I wrote that last sentence, but I'm still smiling from our stay. We cannot cannot cannot wait to be back!!!

SO happy that this trip made up for the bad one at GCH! Yay!!

 

[5forMickey]

I can't even believe I wrote that last sentence, but I'm still smiling from our stay. We cannot cannot cannot wait to be back!!!

I too am so happy for you! We LOVE the Disneyland Hotel and your descriptions just made me smile

 

[MadameRebecca]

Now I'm excited! We are staying at Disneyland hotel in February/March for 8 nights. So nice hearing a great review as there's some concerning ones on Trip Advisor.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

My partner and I returned to Chicago last night from three nights at DLH. We took the trip partly as a do-over to our stinky, depressing four-night stay at GCH last month. All I can say is GCH is Disneyland's flagship hotel in name only. The Disney charm and magic that we expected last month at GCH was unrelenting at DLH from the second we got there to the second we left. The two hotels are like night and day. I cannot believe they're sister hotels at DLR, and it's very clear that they're run by different managers. In fact, I was told by a front desk CM that the woman who manages DLH is the daughter of a longtime DLH employee, so excellence at the hotel is a point of family pride!

Everything was clean and in good repair. Nothing was broken in our room. Nothing was shabby or clearly falling apart. All the CMs we encountered were downright friendly and helpful. The pools and slide areas were well thought out and well serviced by friendly CMs. In fact, the whole pool/Tangaroa Terrace/Trader Sam's/hearth courtyard just kind of hugs you. The overall vibe of the place was just happy--confidently happy. (The island/tiki background music helped, too!) We honestly could not believe how far the place exceeded our expectations, and we think it was worth every penny. In 12 years, it's the best place I've ever stayed at Disneyland, on or off property (and I've now stayed at all 3 Disney hotels.)

If I could go back in time to December and tell Guest Services I wanted to choose DLH instead of DCA as our "pixie dust" stay for last month, I would do it in a heartbeat. I cannot stress enough that staying at the two hotels practically back to back really shows what a troubled place GCH is. It may have an awesome lobby (apart from all the *dust* in the rafters that is *clearly visible* from the upper floors!). But DLH is practically perfect in almost every way. I can't even believe I wrote that last sentence, but I'm still smiling from our stay. We cannot cannot cannot wait to be back!!!

I remember reading about your horrible experience at the GC. I am so happy for you that your experience at the DLH was magical!

 

[dsny1mom]

Just back from a long weekend stay at DLH. Arrived at DLH Sat morning around 10:30. My room was not ready but I didn't expect it early as the 1st Halloween Party was the night before and the hotel had been sold out that night. The front desk CMs were so very sweet and welcoming! I dropped my bag with bell services and headed to the park. The text that my room was ready was on my phone before 2 pm. When I returned to DLH around 10 pm I realized I had been upgraded to 7th floor room smack dab over the Monorail pool. Adventure tower - Fabulous view. Bell services were at my door within minutes of me calling fro my bag. The room was spotless and everything in perfect working order. Housekeeping was spot on. Breakfast at Steakhouse 55 was perfect as always. Did not use the pool but it looked as wonderful as ever from my room.

All in all another A+ perfectly magical stay at DLH!

dsny1mom

 

[Congo Queen]

My partner and I returned to Chicago last night from three nights at DLH. We took the trip partly as a do-over to our stinky, depressing four-night stay at GCH last month. All I can say is GCH is Disneyland's flagship hotel in name only. The Disney charm and magic that we expected last month at GCH was unrelenting at DLH from the second we got there to the second we left. The two hotels are like night and day. I cannot believe they're sister hotels at DLR, and it's very clear that they're run by different managers. In fact, I was told by a front desk CM that the woman who manages DLH is the daughter of a longtime DLH employee, so excellence at the hotel is a point of family pride!

Everything was clean and in good repair. Nothing was broken in our room. Nothing was shabby or clearly falling apart. All the CMs we encountered were downright friendly and helpful. The pools and slide areas were well thought out and well serviced by friendly CMs. In fact, the whole pool/Tangaroa Terrace/Trader Sam's/hearth courtyard just kind of hugs you. The overall vibe of the place was just happy--confidently happy. (The island/tiki background music helped, too!) We honestly could not believe how far the place exceeded our expectations, and we think it was worth every penny. In 12 years, it's the best place I've ever stayed at Disneyland, on or off property (and I've now stayed at all 3 Disney hotels.)

If I could go back in time to December and tell Guest Services I wanted to choose DLH instead of DCA as our "pixie dust" stay for last month, I would do it in a heartbeat. I cannot stress enough that staying at the two hotels practically back to back really shows what a troubled place GCH is. It may have an awesome lobby (apart from all the *dust* in the rafters that is *clearly visible* from the upper floors!). But DLH is practically perfect in almost every way. I can't even believe I wrote that last sentence, but I'm still smiling from our stay. We cannot cannot cannot wait to be back!!!

Yes this is how I feel about the two hotels. We had been staying at GCH for at least 6-7 years when my DS out grew their small bunk beds. So we switched over to what was then the recently renovated DLH, and loooooved it. It is our preferred hotel now, and I can't believe it is cheaper than GCH b/c in many ways it is so much nicer. The GCH has the upper hand in terms of location but I like DLH better for everything else.

 

[2tinkerbell]

We just returned from a perfect stay at the DLH.

When we arrived I found out that we had been assigned a king room for some silly reason. Since it was my DD and I the desk clerk (who was earning his ears - btw) immediately told us that he would change that. Oh another thing, it was on there that I had requested the Fantasy Tower - I never called to request that, which I found was interesting. I was just so happy to be staying at the DLH that I never called to make requests. The desk clerk was so nice. He stated that he would keep us in the Fantasy Tower anyway. The desk clerk Supervisor gave my DD a photo from Goofy wishing her a Happy Birthday and completed a Birthday pin for her. We checked in, changed clothes (left in 54 degree rainy weather), stored our luggage at Bell Services and were in the parks by 10am.

Around 2pm I received a text that our room was ready. I had booked a standard room and it appeared that the hotel was full as there was a huge conference. We were on the 8th floor looking out to the front parking lot, but, if you looked just to the right, we had a perfect view of the Matterhorn.

Our room was clean, in good repair, and if perfect order. I contacted Bell Services and our luggage was brought up quickly.

When we returned that evening after MHP, the hotel sent up a nice note, cookies and milk for my DD's birthday.

We saw Goofy in the lobby everyday we were there. It was fun! My DD wanted to go swimming, so on Wednesday, we took the afternoon off and went swimming. My DD is visually impaired and without her glasses she can't see a thing so I was there to help her out of the pool and walk her back to the staircase for the slid. The lifeguards could not have been nicer to her or me. While i was standing by the pool I saw a couple of things that really impressed me. A little non-swimming girl had somehow gotten away from her parent and came down the slide. She no more than entered the pool from the slide than the lifeguard jumped right in and helped her out. He just responded that it was his job. The girls father was right there. I guess he was in panic mode when he realized that his DD was on the slide. The next thing was a mother was really worried and wanted to get in the pool to help her 4 year old out. This boy at least had a life jacket on. When the boy got to the bottom and entered the pool the lifeguard was right there with his red floaty thing and told him to grab on the end and he would give him a ride. So impressed with the professional way all the lifeguard staff were.

Someone at Guest Services heard my DD talking about how she had never seen World of Color. We had gotten FP earlier in the morning and were in the blue section. I had printed out Hydroguy's guide and my DD was trying to figure out the best way for us and the best strategy so that she could be front and center (can't see from side to side). We went to our room and were there no more than a few minutes when Tom from Guest Services called and we had VIP seating for World of Color. We got to sit down and had a full panoramic view of WOC.

The gift shop there was very good and accommodating to my DD. I made a huge mistake and didn't bring her Stitch plush because I thought that I would just replace it like we did in January. Well, it is no longer available. The staff called all over. The Olaf plush has the same material used for the nose. That is the most important thing about this particular Stitch. My DD was going to "think about it," which meant she was going to check every store in DL and CA. My DD ended up coming up empty handed herself. When we were leaving for WOC, the Fantasy Shop clerk stopped my DD and inquired if she had any luck. Well, that night on my DD's bed was the Olaf plush with a little note that said Happy Birthday and they hoped that Olaf would help make her stay better.

Our whole trip was made easier and better by the DLH. As my DD told my sister last night, "I've never stayed at a hotel where they have bathrobes!"

 

[5forMickey]

2tinkerbell I'm half smiling half crying reading your report, what a special time you must have had. And that is the DLH I know!!!!! Sounds like they really took good care of you, and sent a lot of pixie dust your way. Now this doesn't happen for everyone that goes on their birthdays so hopefully people won't go expecting the same treatment, but it does happen sometimes for some guests and it is so wonderful it happened for you & your DD.

 

[crystal1313]

2tinkerbell I'm half smiling half crying reading your report, what a special time you must have had.

Me too....I LOVE stories like this! And reasons like this are why I will continue to come back to the DLR!

 

[larryz]

Well, I wanted to stay at DLH, but they wanted over 1600 for a four-night stay. That huge convention bought up all the rooms last week. I won't mention the name of that huge realty company, but I will hint that you'll see their name over the doors of any commercial building.

Instead, we were "forced" to settle for GCH, but I have to say that our experience was completely different than some already posted.

Our room was ready when we got there, was exactly what we paid for (courtyard view), looked over the Downtown Disney area (and incidentally had a GREAT view of DL fireworks), conveniently located with respect to elevators, the lobby and restaurants, and in good condition. Mousekeeping was quick (morning service most days), persistent (we kept turning away the turn-down service) and very effective -- at one time, we had almost two complete sets of towels in the room. And I got a military discount with it to boot, so I thought it was well worth it...

If you're interested in the fireworks view, ask for 5315.