Disneyland hotel???

[Disneyhenry]

We have been 100+ times, always stayed off property, in June 2018 my work sent me to Disney Grand Californian for a work conference. I fell in love! We hadn’t been to Disneyland in years, we go to WDW yearly. This year I’m going to Disneyland for my birthday, now that I actually have to pay for my room, lol, I am wondering if I should choose the Disneyland hotels over Grand Californian. It will be 3 adults, 2 kids, November 2019.
I love the balcony at GC, I love the convenience to DCA, I love the pizza place that’s so close to GC. What will I love at Disneyland Hotel?
Help me decide please

 

[tarheelalum]

The bigger rooms at cheaper prices. The history, better pools, Trader Sam's and, once again, bigger rooms for cheaper prices. Also the light up headboard that plays a jingle like a music box is pretty awesome.

 

[DizMe]

Look into going during Dapper Day! You can get a 50% discount I personally prefer gch though I also love DLH. There are walls with great historical tributes and as tarheelum said, larger rooms and Trader Sam's! But I don't like the dlh pool as well (too old for monorail slide interest) and I much, much prefer the beautiful gch lobby for hanging out, as well as the central location. Dlh is close to the security area, has a Starbucks at that end, and the monorail. My kids loved DLH until about 9 years old and then they preferred gch. They're both awesome hotels so you really can't go wrong Oh, and I discovered in January that you can order a drink to go from Trader Sam's and take it back to your room

 

[gottalovepluto]

The bigger rooms at cheaper prices. The history, better pools, Trader Sam's and, once again, bigger rooms for cheaper prices. Also the light up headboard that plays a jingle like a music box is pretty awesome.

All this as pluses. Also the monorail is closer to DLH.

Negatives to me:
-rooms are a bit run-down
-no rain shower
-no under bed storage
-room lighting not adjustable every time you turn around (LOVE the new lighting situation at GCH bathrooms)
-no convenient access to DCA

 

[Disneyhenry]

Look into going during Dapper Day! You can get a 50% discount I personally prefer gch though I also love DLH. There are walls with great historical tributes and as tarheelum said, larger rooms and Trader Sam's! But I don't like the dlh pool as well (too old for monorail slide interest) and I much, much prefer the beautiful gch lobby for hanging out, as well as the central location. Dlh is close to the security area, has a Starbucks at that end, and the monorail. My kids loved DLH until about 9 years old and then they preferred gch. They're both awesome hotels so you really can't go wrong Oh, and I discovered in January that you can order a drink to go from Trader Sam's and take it back to your room

What’s a Dapper Day?

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

What’s a Dapper Day?

Dapper Day is an unofficial event that's held in the parks a couple times a year (spring/fall) where they ask people to dress to impress. Some people wear period clothing. It's really fun.

Next ones are April 14 and November 2-3.

 

[gerilyne]

I stayed at the DLH for the first time last October after staying at the GCH the past 3 trips. While I was glad for the experience; the headboard lighting up, Trader Sam's, close to the monorail, I don't know that I would stay there again. I didn't find the room that much bigger, and the actual headboard of the bed was peeling and not in the greatest shape. I also didn't really care of the distance from the parks compared to the Grand.

 

[DizMe]

What’s a Dapper Day?

Man, I shouldn't try and post from my phone. I'm obviously terrible at it--old eyes that can't see the screen well while sitting in a car waiting to pick up kids, lol. Anyway, Dapper Day! It's a lot of fun. People dress in nice outfits, usually vintage looking. The point is to 'dress in your Sunday best'. Lots of latitude on how you do it and you don't have to do it at all if you choose not to, but it's very fun and there's a wonderful Expo held at DLH that has all kinds of vendors and things to see. I mentioned it because the fall Dapper Day is in early November so it might coordinate with your dates. I took a snip of the hotel prices for November's Dapper Day so you can compare with the regular rates. The one downside to booking with DD rates is that the first night is non-refundable.

If you're interested, go to this site http://dapperday.com/fall-2019-disneyland-ca and sign up and then you'll be able to access info on price, etc. They also have their own ticket rates. Here are a few pics of my friends and me at various Dapper Days.

 

[Sunclytie]

I stayed at the DLH for the first time last October after staying at the GCH the past 3 trips. While I was glad for the experience; the headboard lighting up, Trader Sam's, close to the monorail, I don't know that I would stay there again. I didn't find the room that much bigger, and the actual headboard of the bed was peeling and not in the greatest shape. I also didn't really care of the distance from the parks compared to the Grand.

I totally agree.

 

[DLgal]

Since you are going in November, I'd choose GCH. With kids, the pool would probably be a big factor, and DLH arguably has the much better pool area (we found the GCH very cramped feeling, it was hard to get a pool chair in the afternoon, the waterside is lame, and it just felt very boring). There won't be much pool time in November, though, so stick with GCH, as the new rooms and location just can't be beat.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Since you are going in November, I'd choose GCH. With kids, the pool would probably be a big factor, and DLH arguably has the much better pool area (we found the GCH very cramped feeling, it was hard to get a pool chair in the afternoon, the waterside is lame, and it just felt very boring). There won't be much pool time in November, though, so stick with GCH, as the new rooms and location just can't be beat.

I think it depends on if they are coming like the first week of November versus later in the month. We stayed at the DLH for fall Dapper Day this year (first weekend of November) and it was 100 degrees the Friday we arrived. Cooled off a bit the next few days but it was definitely swimming weather and we were in the pools every day.

 

[DLgal]

I think it depends on if they are coming like the first week of November versus later in the month. We stayed at the DLH for fall Dapper Day this year (first weekend of November) and it was 100 degrees the Friday we arrived. Cooled off a bit the next few days but it was definitely swimming weather and we were in the pools every day.

That is a valid point, but so hard to predict this far out.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

That is a valid point, but so hard to predict this far out.

So true! Our weather is impossible to nail down!

 

[cmwade77]

Really, you can't go wrong with any of the three.

 

[DLgal]

Really, you can't go wrong with any of the three.

You can go wrong with the Paradise Pier.

(I hate that hotel)

 

[cmwade77]

You can go wrong with the Paradise Pier.

(I hate that hotel)

Really? I stayed there and enjoyed it.

 

[DLgal]

Really? I stayed there and enjoyed it.

I gave it three chances. I'm done with it. I hate the parking. I hate the slow elevators. I hate the walk to and from the hotel. I hate the food options there (or the lack of food options, more specifically). I hate the tiny joke of a pool. It just also doesn't feel like a Disney resort to me at all. The theming is bare bones, all the way around.

 

[Whistlebee]

I’ve always liked PPH but I think it would be SO EASY for Disney to improve the pool. If they would just add some large planters with some plants that area could look so much better!

 

[DLgal]

I’ve always liked PPH but I think it would be SO EASY for Disney to improve the pool. If they would just add some large planters with some plants that area could look so much better!

I agree. Rooftop pools are often turned into really cool, "hip" places that people WANT to be. The one at PPH looks like a sad motel pool.

 

[avalon451]

I just booked us for the DLH for the first time. I had us booked at the Desert Inn and Suites for September because I couldn't turn down the rate. Then, reading everything here, and also thinking about EE/MM daily, and the fact that the whole family hasn't gone together for 11 years (since the first fateful trip in 2008 when my then 12 y.o. DD spent most of the stay in the GCH barfing). We have a bit of extra money this time around (hubby's bonus came through). The younger two DDs will be 17 and 21. Amazing barf girl will be 24 and with her DH of 2 years, also 24. So I bit the bullet, applied for a Disney Visa to use, and booked it. Super excited. It's not GCH-- I just can't justify 2-3K more for the trip- but it'll be so much nicer.