DLH or GC?

[Skiton]

I know there's no right or wrong answer, just curious about opinions. We have a room booked at DLH, Adventure Tower, DTD view, through Costco. With the current 20% off promo, I called to ask if they could get us a better rate. While they don't have a better deal at DLH, they could get us a room at the GCH, DTD view, for an additional $400. We stayed at the GC last year and liked it, but we were trying to save a little $$ and I was excited to try something different at the DLH, not to mention I hear the pool there is great. Now I'm second guessing. For those who have stayed at one or both hotels, what do you think?

 

[Geemo]

Both are very nice.
The one thing I like about the GCH is distance to the parks. The rooms are nice and well as the pool area.

The pool area at DLH has the Monorail slides. The grandkids like the DLH pool best. I like the hot tubs at DLH. Room size is slightly larger.
I'd choose the DLH, Adventure Tower, DTD view over GCH. Plus it's $400 less.

Either way both are very nice hotels and you'll have a fine time.

Geemo

 

[darcie2000]

I've only ever stayed at the DLH and I love it there! I am looking forward to trying the GCH at some stage though I think if you've already experienced the Grand, stick with your DLH booking. I love standing out the front of the Fantasy tower, in front of the disney shaped topiary, breathing in the smell of the flowers and listening to the piped music they play. It really is magical.

 

[catmegs]

My opinion is it depends on if you're traveling with young kids or not. We went with DLH last trip, and I cursed every minute of the walk back from the parks at the end of a long day (yes, even from the DTD monorail station). With kids I would pay the extra $$ to cut the walk. However, without kids... DLH for sure. It has a nice peaceful atmosphere and history. The pools at all three DLR hotels are pretty average. DLR needs to take cue from WDW and improve the pools!

 

[Jerryp49]

We prefer the GCH for the location , but I would avoid the DTD view. We got a room there once and the constant drum beating was annoying . When we complained to the front desk they told us that it would go on until 10pm. We told them that it was unacceptable and they moved us to a quiet location , Courtyard view. I would take a Standard view room over DTD view, Courtyard is even better.

 

[cruisehopeful]

After staying in all 3 several times, I like Grand Calif the best by far. I'd even put Paradise ahead of DLH, but I know I am in the minority with that opinion. Think about overall cost of the entire trip. If you book the less expensive option, what can you do with the "extra" cash?

My favorite thing about Grand Calif is that when we want to kick back during the day for a little while, or if our clothes are soaked from Grizzly Rapids, it's very easy and quick to go back to the room. There are some times where it's worth the premium for us to stay there, but often it becomes a matter of what's our best bargain (which ends up being staying off site).

 

[Belle83]

I have not stayed at either but we are staying at the Grand Californian in early May. We will have our 1-year-old son with us so the closer location is why we picked GC. Based on pictures, I think the rooms at DLH look nicer. I would go for the less expensive room at DLH and the chance to try a new hotel, for sure.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Not a fan at all of the DTD View. Too noisy and it is a HIKE through the hotel to those rooms.

I love the GCH and it is my go to but with kids, stick with DLH.

 

[Skiton]

Is the DTD view as noisy at DLH as it is at GCH? I can see how it would at GCH because of the balcony, but is there more sound-proofing with the windows at DLH? (Plus, aren't you higher up in the towers?) I don't mind a little noise, but we'll be putting the kids to bed very early most nights in order to take advantage of EMH the next morning.

 

[Skiton]

Oh, and yes, it will be a longer walk (and the monorail is down when we're there) but my kids are 7 and almost 9, and used to walking. They can handle an extra quarter mile, no problem.

 

[disfanantic2255]

GCH!

 

[BriannaRuth]

I've stayed at all 3 onsite hotels. There are pros and cons to all of them.

If you've already done the GCH, I'd do the DLH if for no other reason to see how you like it. Yes, the walk to the DLH is longer, but I think someone posted a map a while back that showed actual distances and it's not as much longer as you would think depending on where you are staying at the GCH. Although you're walking outside in the heat rather than inside, so maybe it seems longer. The GCH is much closer to DCA but by the time you walk from your room to the lobby at the GCH and then to the entrance plaza if you're going to DL it adds a lot of steps.

If you have kids the DL is more kid-themed, especially the pool. And if you've never been to Trader Sam's, that's at the DLH and is really a lot of fun.

My girls were 10 and 14 last time we went. We stayed at the GCH that time after staying at the DLH the two times before. They liked the GCH and how close it was to DCA but asked if we could stay at DLH this time.

If I were to go again as a couple, I would stay at the GCH, but my kids much prefer the DLH.

As for towers at the DLH -- the Adventure Tower has the best views of DTD and the fireworks, but be aware that music will be playing from DTD until at least 10PM, so it could be noisier than you'd like if you're trying to get kids to sleep. Some of the rooms in the Frontier Tower also have fireworks views and should be a little quieter. Frontier also has great pool views of the monorail slides. However, Frontier Tower will be a longer walk. Fantasy has some pool view rooms (above 4th floor) and is where reception is located. Tend to see more characters hanging out there and it's convenient to the gift shop.

 

[ktlm]

We love DLH! If it is going to save you $400, I would try it. I would prefer the DTD view at DLH over GC. DLH is at the end of DTD, and set back a little, so it should not be nearly as noisy as you would have right in the middle of things at GC.

 

[Ndusmama]

The dtd view at the GC is a LONG walk and in my opinion not worth it. The sound is loud also. I like the grand for park location but not the dtd view rooms. I think the water slides at the DL hotel are better even if more crowded then the GC pool in general. I also like the gift shop and headboards at the DL hotel. Really it's a personal preference. I also have two kids.

 

[Iceman93]

After staying in all 3 several times, I like Grand Calif the best by far. I'd even put Paradise ahead of DLH, but I know I am in the minority with that opinion.

I prefer to think that we're the silent majority. DLH has some VERY vocal fans, but I personally don't know anyone who has actually enjoyed staying there.

 

[scf]

Did the OP post a schedule? Monorail is closed for refurb until May 20th, in case that's a factor.

I've personally never seen the attraction of any DTD rooms. Noise, not a view I need to see, etc. The 300-series rooms in GC have a great location, close to the DCA entrance, White Water Cafe, etc. Just got back from there and will definitely request that area again.

 

[Royal Consort]

We have stayed at both resorts. We are two adults so the walk or location doesn't bother me. I was extremely disappointed with the GCH. The rooms felt they were in desperate need for a refurb and other than the lobby itself, the place didn't feel it had the Disney spark.

The DLH and its more recent refurb feel more luxurious and spacious whilst also having some well considered Disney touches and palette. The GCH has a nicer lobby area whilst the DLH have nicer rooms.

 

[keolalessary]

I've only stayed at the Grand Californian as a DVC member. It's great. We loved it so much that we bought DVC Grand Californian points on the resale market.

If you can swing it, I would say try to book through a DVC rental company or DVC member. You may be able to save some money and possibly get the awesome DVC Paradise Pier view! We've been lucky and got to face Paradise Pier every time we've booked. We open the sliding door to hear all of the laughter, screams and music from the park. Truly amazing!

Either way you'll have a great time.

 

[cmph]

We just got back yesterday from our first stay at GC (insert sad face that we're home!). Have a 7yo and 10yo and stayed there for convenience and the bunkbed option. Kids loved it. There is no way that room is worth what we paid, just in terms of a "luxury" hotel - staff was amazing, lobby fabulous, enjoyed the dining, but our room was dated. But it was SO convenient. We were on the 5th floor facing the courtyard, and our elevator was right by the CA entrance. We were in CA in a few minutes after we left our room. The kids loved the bunkbed, and no arguments over bed-sharing. I'm not exactly sure I understand the room size being smaller, b/c the 2 queen room we stayed in at DLH felt much more cramped. Maybe having a bunkbed helped to reduce the furniture footprint in the room, plus having the balcony with seating for 2, but our GC room felt much roomier. The pool area isn't as exciting as DLH, but it's very easy to keep an eye on your kids, they have poolside bar service, and the chaises were about the most comfortable things we've ever laid on. You could see part of the Redwood Creek challenge area from the pool, which was neat. Also, we went up to the 6th floor viewing area, which has a great view of CA, very neat to get that overview. Kicked ourselves that we didn't catch part of WOC from up there on the night we weren't in the parks. And we actually did use Pinocchio's workshop for childcare for 2 hours one day, which was convenient.

I really missed the headboard at DLH and the higher level "Disney magic" feel, so I know this will seem backwards - but we'd probably stay at DLH for adults-only (can deal with being farther away, be able to go to Trader Sam's in the evening, etc) and go back to GC with the kids. That walk to DLH seemed so much farther than it is when it was with 2 tired kids, and not nearly as convenient for mid-day breaks or escaping to a hotel lunch or dinner. The bunk bed was a hit, and that isn't an option in DLH.

 

[Skiton]

We just got back yesterday from our first stay at GC (insert sad face that we're home!). Have a 7yo and 10yo and stayed there for convenience and the bunkbed option. Kids loved it. There is no way that room is worth what we paid, just in terms of a "luxury" hotel - staff was amazing, lobby fabulous, enjoyed the dining, but our room was dated. But it was SO convenient. We were on the 5th floor facing the courtyard, and our elevator was right by the CA entrance. We were in CA in a few minutes after we left our room. The kids loved the bunkbed, and no arguments over bed-sharing. I'm not exactly sure I understand the room size being smaller, b/c the 2 queen room we stayed in at DLH felt much more cramped. Maybe having a bunkbed helped to reduce the furniture footprint in the room, plus having the balcony with seating for 2, but our GC room felt much roomier. The pool area isn't as exciting as DLH, but it's very easy to keep an eye on your kids, they have poolside bar service, and the chaises were about the most comfortable things we've ever laid on. You could see part of the Redwood Creek challenge area from the pool, which was neat. Also, we went up to the 6th floor viewing area, which has a great view of CA, very neat to get that overview. Kicked ourselves that we didn't catch part of WOC from up there on the night we weren't in the parks. And we actually did use Pinocchio's workshop for childcare for 2 hours one day, which was convenient.

I really missed the headboard at DLH and the higher level "Disney magic" feel, so I know this will seem backwards - but we'd probably stay at DLH for adults-only (can deal with being farther away, be able to go to Trader Sam's in the evening, etc) and go back to GC with the kids. That walk to DLH seemed so much farther than it is when it was with 2 tired kids, and not nearly as convenient for mid-day breaks or escaping to a hotel lunch or dinner. The bunk bed was a hit, and that isn't an option in DLH.

Thanks, this is a nice summary. We also had the bunk beds when stayed at GCH last year, but we had a standard-view room and boy, was it a hike. Seemed to take forever to get there from the lobby. (Everything seems like it takes forever when your kids are exhausted, I know.) Everyone is saying that the DTD view we would be able to get is as far or farther than where we were last year, so I feel like being in the Adventure tower at DLH might make it a wash, in terms of distance. Is there no bar service at the DLH pool? DH and I did enjoy relaxing with a mojito by the pool while the kids swam.

How was Pinochio's Workshop for your kids? DH and I have reservations at Napa Rose one night for just the two of us, so we'll be taking advantage of that with a 7 and 9 year old. I'm a little worried there won't be other kids there and that they'll be bored, because it always seemed pretty empty when we passed by last year.