DL hotels - which one with the better pool area?

[northshoremama]

currently booked GCH for our september trip.

but open to changing it to PP or DLR if either one has a better pool area, as we are using our 5th day as a pool day before we head to the airport that afternoon (we only have 4-day park hoppers).

so which has the better pool area? GCH? PP? or DLR? it'll be me, DH, DD10, DD8, and DD4

 

[Angrose]

DLH, hands down has the best pool. If that is your only deciding factor then definitely stay there. The kids will love it and won't complain about taking a break from the parks in the afternoon when it gets busy.

However, if proximity is more important, the stick with GCH. The pool there is beautiful as well, but DLH has the better water slides. You could also stay at GCH and rent a cabana at DLH for a half day before you leave.

Have a great trip!

 

[northshoremama]

DLH, hands down has the best pool. If that is your only deciding factor then definitely stay there. The kids will love it and won't complain about taking a break from the parks in the afternoon when it gets busy.

However, if proximity is more important, the stick with GCH. The pool there is beautiful as well, but DLH has the better water slides. You could also stay at GCH and rent a cabana at DLH for a half day before you leave.

Have a great trip!

thank you! i was thinking about proximity as well.

do you know if both GCH and DLH have shower facilities near the pool? i'm guessing check out time is at 11am....and our flight is at 5pm, so we'll be leaving the hotel around 3:30pm? with that said, we want to be able to enjoy the pool, but would need to shower up and change before hopping on the shuttle to SNA.

 

[ParkHopper1]

With kids?...DLH 100%. Adults?...GCH. Was just at the PPH pool...meh. VERY underwhelming. I am at Residence Inn elesewhere right now on business with a better pool.

 

[Nonsuch]

...do you know if both GCH and DLH have shower facilities near the pool?

GCH does have restrooms in the pool area with showers. Bring your own toiletries and use towels from the pool. (I don't know about DLH)

 

[Angrose]

thank you! i was thinking about proximity as well.

do you know if both GCH and DLH have shower facilities near the pool? i'm guessing check out time is at 11am....and our flight is at 5pm, so we'll be leaving the hotel around 3:30pm? with that said, we want to be able to enjoy the pool, but would need to shower up and change before hopping on the shuttle to SNA.

DLH has showers by the waterslides. No bathroom inside the pool complex. I was told to use the gym, but each tower also has a bathroom in the lobby area and that's where I changed.

 

[BriannaRuth]

The DLH has the best pool for kids. Last time we were at DL, we stayed at the GCH and did a pool day at the DLH on the last day (rented a cabana). The pool at the GCH is nice because it's so easy to take a midafternoon break at the GCH. But it for kids it really doesn't compare to the DLH. The GCH is much more "adult," just like the GCH itself compared to the DLH. The PPH doesn't even figure into the equation.

This year we're staying off-site in order to use some hotel points, but we're staying at the DLH one night only the last night for the sole purpose of spending the day at the DLH pool.

 

[bumbershoot]

What do you consider to be a good pool?

DLH's is pretty, but hard to properly swim in. You're always in someone's way. If you like just splashing, or if you like waterslides that empty into part of the pool, then it's good.

PPH is a big proper rectangular pool that's very nice for *swimming*. The slide doesn't empty into the pool, which reminds me of the Aquaduck on Disney Dream. And people seem to like that!

For the way my family uses the pools, PPH wins. DLH is pretty, but just not very functional for us.

 

[northshoremama]

The DLH has the best pool for kids. Last time we were at DL, we stayed at the GCH and did a pool day at the DLH on the last day (rented a cabana). The pool at the GCH is nice because it's so easy to take a midafternoon break at the GCH. But it for kids it really doesn't compare to the DLH. The GCH is much more "adult," just like the GCH itself compared to the DLH. The PPH doesn't even figure into the equation.

This year we're staying off-site in order to use some hotel points, but we're staying at the DLH one night only the last night for the sole purpose of spending the day at the DLH pool.

I didn't know you could do that?! Stay at GCH and use the pool at DL? Did you just call the front desk to reserve the cabana and let them know you were guests of GCH? Did you leave the resort after the pool day...or did you guys have time to shower and get ready at GCH?

What time does the pool open at GCH??

My dilemma is the showering and get ready to head to the airport part. I don't necessarily want to smell like chlorine for the rest of the day.

 

[Iceman93]

Thank you bumbershoot for posting what I was going to. My daughters enjoy playing in the PPH best of all of them, followed by GCH, and (to borrow someone else's term) DLH doesn't even figure into the equation.

To the OP, I don't think the difference in pools is significant enough to put up with the inconvenience of changing hotel rooms for that last night.

 

[BriannaRuth]

You don't have to change hotel rooms the last night to use the pool at the DLH if you are staying at the GCH and rent a cabana. GCH guests are allowed to rent a cabana at the DLH. PPH guests and guests of other hotels don't have that privilege. Renting a cabana also really helps if the pool is crowded. It's nice to have a spot to go and just relax apart from the crowd.

To rent a cabana you should call ahead of time -- we called as soon as we had our reservations. Just tell them you are GCH guests; I think they looked up our reservation when we called. We didn't leave the same day; we rented a cabana for a full day (you can do half a day) then spent the evening in DTD and left the next morning. Stayed at GCH the entire time. Somewhere there's a thread on cabana rental.

You may not want to do this, but it IS possible to switch rooms the last night; it's not difficult. Guest services can arrange to move your luggage for you between hotels. We did this moving between the PPH and the GCH one year. They just moved our stuff while we were at the parks and we went to the GCH when we were done. You do have to take your luggage down to bell services, though; they don't get it from your room. They do take it to your room at the next hotel.

In addition to the waterslides, the pool at the DLH has other kids' activities should you choose to participate in them. Dances and that kind of thing. We don't do them but the pools did clear out somewhat when they were going on. I would agree that the DLH has the busiest pool. However, I think there's a reason for that!

I also think having Trader Sam's right at the pool is another big reason why we like the DLH pool. It's a lot of fun and kids can go in during the day.

Personally I think given the age of your kids the DLH might be a better choice for you anyway. The GCH is really nice if you're spending most of your time at DCA because of the proximity but the DLH is just so much more "Disney" for the younger ones IMO. I would guess that since you have younger kids you might spend more time at DL. Having stayed at all 3 properties, my kids love the DLH hands down, although DH and I prefer the GCH. None of us liked either the pool or the hotel itself at PPH.

Either way you'll have a great time!!!

 

[Kkb0517]

Anyone know what the pool hours currently are at paradise pier?

 

[Iceman93]

The PPH hotel is currently open 9am-9pm, with the slide open from 10am-6pm. They also have a daily pool party with dancing, songs, etc. And PPH guests can book pool cabanas at either of the other two hotels just like guests of those hotels.

 

[Nonsuch]

DLH has showers by the waterslides. No bathroom inside the pool complex. I was told to use the gym, but each tower also has a bathroom in the lobby area and that's where I changed.

GCH also has outside showers (on the left of this photo). Restrooms with changing area are at the center of the picture:

...What time does the pool open at GCH??

...My dilemma is the showering and get ready to head to the airport part. I don't necessarily want to smell like chlorine for the rest of the day.

Inside the pool restroom there is a shower with a changing area:




The soap dispenser was empty, so bring your own.


Handicap Accessible:



The question about the GCH pool shower has come up a few times, so I took these pictures specifically to include in the GCH superthread.

 

[northshoremama]

Thank you, Nonsuch!! This is very helpful!

 

[northshoremama]

What do you consider to be a good pool?

DLH's is pretty, but hard to properly swim in. You're always in someone's way. If you like just splashing, or if you like waterslides that empty into part of the pool, then it's good.

PPH is a big proper rectangular pool that's very nice for *swimming*. The slide doesn't empty into the pool, which reminds me of the Aquaduck on Disney Dream. And people seem to like that!

For the way my family uses the pools, PPH wins. DLH is pretty, but just not very functional for us.

For my girls, sounds like the DLH pool would be more suitable...esp for DD4 who seems to like the 0-entry feature, which looks like DLH pools have (from what I've seen in pics). I don't believe any of the GCH pools has zero/beach entry, right?

 

[Angrose]

For my girls, sounds like the DLH pool would be more suitable...esp for DD4 who seems to like the 0-entry feature, which looks like DLH pools have (from what I've seen in pics). I don't believe any of the GCH pools has zero/beach entry, right?

Only the shallow water area where the water slides are had zero entry the last time I was there in early March. It's a fun play are with pop jets, fountains and trickling waterfall. The other larger pools do not have zero entry, but the big one just had some work done on it so maybe they changed it?

 

[smellyia]

You don't have to change hotel rooms the last night to use the pool at the DLH if you are staying at the GCH and rent a cabana. GCH guests are allowed to rent a cabana at the DLH. PPH guests and guests of other hotels don't have that privilege.

I just called the cabana rental and they specifically told me DLH guests can rent GCH pool cabana - read me it right out of the rule book.