DLH concierge vs. GC

[JBAK549]

Hello! My family has been on a handful of WDW and Disney cruise vacations but this time we're hitting San Diego and DL starting 8/13 to shake things up.

The first three nights we're staying at the HOJO or Candy Cane Inn but I want to spend the last night at a Disney property so we can spend all day at the parks and recuperate at a nice pool the next day before driving back to San Diego around 6 or 7.

With the military discount, the cost difference is approximately $50 more for DLH concierge. I now have a standard room at GC booked because I love the novelty of being attached to a theme park and it looks very attractive.

Exhaustive research leads me to believe we'd be happy at either place but I thought the good people here might have an opinion. My previous stay at the DLH was about 25 years ago and there is a nostalgic tug to stay there again. And it's newly renovated!

I had completely forgotten about the koi pond until I read someone's post today and I seem to remember what I'll call "dancing waters" on the grounds. Now I'll have to do some more research to see if I made that up.

My kids are 10 and 12 so naps are not an issue nor is walking.

Thank you!

 

[skiingfast]

I had completely forgotten about the koi pond until I read someone's post today and I seem to remember what I'll call "dancing waters" on the grounds. Now I'll have to do some more research to see if I made that up.

It was there, but went away with the big remodel.


I would do DLH CL. If you want a relaxing day either will do, but you can make use of the CL benefits. While the GCH pool is relaxing the DLH is more fun and would probably be better for your family. Also the DLH is more unique where as the GCH is more like something you'd find in WDW.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Hello! My family has been on a handful of WDW and Disney cruise vacations but this time we're hitting San Diego and DL starting 8/13 to shake things up.

The first three nights we're staying at the HOJO or Candy Cane Inn but I want to spend the last night at a Disney property so we can spend all day at the parks and recuperate at a nice pool the next day before driving back to San Diego around 6 or 7.

With the military discount, the cost difference is approximately $50 more for DLH concierge. I now have a standard room at GC booked because I love the novelty of being attached to a theme park and it looks very attractive.

Exhaustive research leads me to believe we'd be happy at either place but I thought the good people here might have an opinion. My previous stay at the DLH was about 25 years ago and there is a nostalgic tug to stay there again. And it's newly renovated!

I had completely forgotten about the koi pond until I read someone's post today and I seem to remember what I'll call "dancing waters" on the grounds. Now I'll have to do some more research to see if I made that up.

My kids are 10 and 12 so naps are not an issue nor is walking.

Thank you!

I have a 10 and 12 year old, too. For the $50 difference, I would probably go with the DLH concierge.

 

[Fuhnuh]

We have stayed at GC three times but decided to give DLH CL a try this past December. With the recent remodel the rooms were lovely. We even got to swim one day. DD11 and friends DS7 loved the theming and pool. We all enjoyed our meals at Tangaroa Terrace and Goofy's Kitchen, but we couldn't resist going back to the Napa Rose. The GC lobby is wonderful, but the rooms we had in early 2011 were starting to show their age (not bad, but noticeable). We will be returning to DLH next April (unless we rent DVC points for GCV room). For me it would depend on which pool the kids prefer and what theming preference the group have. CL is nice, but I don't know if it would be that would tip the scales for a one night stay. If you are at the park all day you might just be too busy to take advantage of the benefits. I don't think you will be disappointed either way.

 

[JBAK549]

Thanks, all!

And I looked up dancing waters and the pictures made all the old Disney Hotel memories come flooding back. Now I know why I yelled "dancing waters" when watching the Bellagio fountain show.

 

[Dramamama]

DLH is more "Disney". They have the "magical" headboards and the mickey hands holding the lights. GCH is more "adult" less "disney" the Disney touches are very subtle. DLH concierge is wonderful. Lounge that faces DL and you can watch the fireworks from there. They pipe in the music. Refreshments all day. Hint: get your bottled water here to bring into the parks.
The Lounge at GCH is great too, but no fireworks.

 

[taaren]

I stay at VGC more often since we own there, and having the entrance attached to the hotel is truly fabulous ... but in your case, since you say the pool is one of the main attractions on the second day, I'd go with DLH concierge.

The pools at DLH are just lovely and fun, we spent hours there on our trips last year and DS4 didn't want to leave even though he knew we were going to the character meal ... in other words, if a pool is a main attraction, the DLH one wins over GCH hands down.