DLH! Less than 3 weeks - some final questions

[hanna-nana]

Arrival: do most people self park or valet? If we are self parking, do we still pull up and unload, then park? Or park and carry all our stuff in? Are the self parking lots a lot farther? Seems like quite a walk with all the luggage (even if pushing a cart) if we are in adventure or frontier tower.

Daytime activities: we have one day in the middle for pool/chill/relax time. If we tire of the pool, what other activities are there to do other than shop? LOL

Mousekeeping: do they really call it that? How funny/cute. I've seen mentioned on here leaving tips by the tv or something. We usually keep the do not disturb sign out in hotels, but this is our first time at the DLH. Is there a special reason to let them come in everyday? We aren't concierge so I'm not expecting chocolates on pillows or anything, but if there is something fun or cute they do, then maybe the kids would enjoy it? And what do you tip? Do normal people do this at regular hotels and we've just completely missed the boat on this? LOL Oops!

I think that's all for now. Not too much longer!!

 

[McNs]

First visit we self parked and had to lug suitcases from the car park all the way to Fromtier tower. Have never self parked since! So much easier and nicer to valet and use bell services. You're on vacation!

For mouse keeping, we would have them clean the rooms daily (you are paying for it on the room rate anyway) and we always left a few dollars on the pillow each day. Sometimes they would leave a thank you note so nothing special, just customary.

The hotel is wonderful, you'll love staying there!

 

[nolenbelledavis]

We haven't stayed at DLH, but at Grand Californian, so I bet it's the same. You pull up to the front door. Valets are standing there to direct and greet you. They unload your luggage and put it on a cart and take it in for you. If your room isn't ready, which is usually around 4, then they store your stuff until you get to your room and you call them and they bring it up, and you tip them. You get a paper to put inside your car window that says you're a hotel guest and then you park your car. We always self-park because I like being able to just run down to the car if we need something, or want to go somewhere, and it costs a little less. I think at Grand Californian they did leave little chocolate, but it was in the evening. There was nothing overly special about the mousekeeping, other than it's awesome to have your room cleaned for you. We usually have just left a tip on the day we leave because we generally use the DND sign too.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Daytime: downtown Disney! Lots to explore, window shopping and food! You can also check out the Grand Californian lobby it's pretty neat.

Mousekeeping: apparently this is more a WDW term, but it's just so cute! Tipping is so personal. I find it to be more prevalent/important to my east coast friends and family than those out west, might just be me though! We've tipped and not tipped at DLR over the years and there is no difference in the service, it's solely your personal decision. Tipping housekeeping is "not expected, always appreciated" in our experience at DLR. (We didn't know tipping housekeeping was a thing either until a few years ago so don't feel bad.) We leave $5 now (when we remember in all honesty) and stick it on top of a piece of paper that says Housekeeping so there is no confusion.

There is no reason I can think of that you have to leave your room open to housekeeping. (Cute towel animals are few and far between. I think we got one once or twice at GCH. None on our last 2 trips.) You can always call for towels or trash removal.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[calilou]

We always valet at the resort hotels. It's only a few more dollars a day and so worth it in my opinion. Either way pull to the front of the hotel and unload your luggage with a bell man first. Then valet or self park your car. If you arrive before your room is ready, your luggage will be stored while you explore Downtown Disney and/or the hotels. The DLR bell men are super friendly and informative - when it comes time for them to deliver your luggage to your room, they are great resources and happy to answer questions. I usually tip them around $5.

As for daytime activities, have you considered reserving a cabana at the pool? You can do half day or full day. I think the cost is well worth it. Several hours of guaranteed relaxation! We also like exploring the DLR hotels and Downtown Disney. Character meals are fun to do on your park days off too - Goofy's Kitchen is fun but we prefer Storyteller's Café at the Grand. The resort hotels also offer great activities like tours and outdoor movies and animation classes at Pinnochio's Workshop ... all hotel guests are welcome to these and you will receive a schedule upon checking in.

DLH doesn't do anything special as far as Mousekeeping that we've experienced. The Grand Californian does a turn down service with chocolates. However, I love just coming back to a clean room and made beds so we always have housekeeping service our room. Isn't that one of the best parts of staying in a hotel?!

 

[hanna-nana]

Maybe I will convince DH to valet park. We are there 5 nights so it will add up, but it might just make it less stressful. We will have lots of luggage and stuff from the car ride.

Our day off we will have breakfast at goofy's (free vouchers!), and maybe a cabana for the day. It's off season, so no half day she said. Animation classes sound fun. Since its in pinnochio's workshop, do we have to pay? Isn't that the daycare?

Maybe I'll send DH to a movie with the kids and wander the hotels

 

[Nonsuch]

...Mousekeeping: do they really call it that? How funny/cute. I've seen mentioned on here leaving tips by the tv or something. We usually keep the do not disturb sign out in hotels, but this is our first time at the DLH. Is there a special reason to let them come in everyday? We aren't concierge so I'm not expecting chocolates on pillows or anything, but if there is something fun or cute they do, then maybe the kids would enjoy it? And what do you tip? Do normal people do this at regular hotels and we've just completely missed the boat on this? LOL Oops!

We always leave a tip; write "housekeeping" on an envelope (which are in the desk drawer).

The Envelope Please, is an initiative to encourage tipping.
Marriott is the only major chain providing envelopes:

 

[ChristianR]

When I stay at the DLH I always use self parking. Just pull up to the front of the hotel and ask them to help you with your luggage (they will put everything on a cart and will hand you a piece of paper). After unloading the car I tell them that I would like to use self parking and they will show you the way. Your husband can park the car while you check in.
The E-Ticket pool is currently under refurbishment with no specific opening day - just as an FYI.
Make sure you go to the guest service desk at the hotel and ask about the different scavenger hunts. So much fun!

 

[ashley0139]

You do NOT have to lug your things from the car, even if you self park. I feel sorry for the PP who did that. The attendants will direct you to the front of the hotel, where a bellman will help you unload your luggage onto a cart. If your room isn't ready, they will store it for you. If it is, they will help you to your room.

 

[VandVsmama]

We stayed at the DLH a couple of years ago and we self-parked. We did what the others have suggested...pulled up to the front of the hotel and had the bellman help us unload & store the luggage. Then DH went to park the car and I checked in. Then when we got our room, we called down to Bell Services and had them bring up the bags.

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

When we stayed at DLH last year, we pulled up, bell services helped unload the car, gave us our claim sheet, DH went and parked while the kids and I checked in.

 

[5forMickey]

I agree with the other's that recommend self parking. We always self park. Pull up and unload, leave your luggage with the bell hops and go park the vehicle. It's really not that far if you are not carrying luggage. In fact, the DH is always back from the self parking lot before I get us registered. Hope you have a really fun stay!!!

 

[lorijohnhill]

They will give you a sheet with special activities and times. We did the towel animal class at GCH and it was fun! They also have movies at night at the different hotels. The sheet should have the list. As long as you are a guest at one of the three hotels you can participate in any of the activities at any of the hotels.

I also second the recommendation of the cabana. I did that in Sept and it was awesome!

 

[Malcon10t]

We generally Valet, it is just our preference. Have the bell man bring the bags up, we tip, generally $1 a bag, $5 minimum, with us, I usually tip a $20 because there is a LOT of baggage. Housekeeping - I'm 56, and have tipped housekeeping all my life, in all hotels. This past weekend we were at the ANaheim Hilton, and left a $5 each day. I do not remember seeing my parents tip housekeeping, but I do remember my in-laws tipping and explaining how hard they work. I also have housekeeping in daily. I'm on vacation, so I want the bed made for me and towels and everything else.

 

[wench]

Be sure to tip you bellmen well! If you take care of them, they take care of you! A special shout out to Mike at GGH who searched all over the hotel to find me shipping boxes big enough to ship my souvenirs back in...on multiple different occasions!