DLH or GCH stayed at both need input

[tink89]

We usually stay at the DLH and love the hotel and the pool area. Last year we finally stayed at the GCH. We loved it, the proximity to the parks was great especially given the weather was over 90. It did seem like it took longer to get out of the hotel and into the parks than when we are at DLH. We did decide as a family that we prefer DLH.

Now we are going back in a few weeks and had 2 rooms at DLH booked. We are going with family who has not been in a few years or stayed at the GCH. I saw that the PPH has their guest using the DLH pool. So since it is going to be a bit warm i am assuming the pool will be busy and we switched to the GCH.

Has anyone stayed recently at DLH, and was the pool busier due to PPH guests? Would it be better to stay at GCH than DLH if we do plan on using the pool at least once a day?

 

[DLgal]

The pool sharing has been going on for over a year. And yes, it does make the DLH pool very crowded. We were there in April 2022 on a random weekday in late April and it was insanely packed.

With that said, it's been very cold here all year. I cannot imagine the pools are super crowded at either hotel right now. The weather is not set to change significantly in 2 weeks. If you will be braving the pools, you will probably find them pleasant at either hotel.

 

[tink89]

The pool sharing has been going on for over a year. And yes, it does make the DLH pool very crowded. We were there in April 2022 on a random weekday in late April and it was insanely packed.

With that said, it's been very cold here all year. I cannot imagine the pools are super crowded at either hotel right now. The weather is not set to change significantly in 2 weeks. If you will be braving the pools, you will probably find them pleasant at either hotel.

Thanks for confirming the pool situation. MWe will be there during the first week of July which shows 80s. We have been there in December when the weather is anywhere from 60 degrees to 75 degrees and my daughter still will go in. We will keep our reservation at GCH for now and maybe change to DLH if the weather changes to be a lot cooler.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

IMHO, the only reason to go DLH over GCH is money.

 

[DLgal]

Thanks for confirming the pool situation. MWe will be there during the first week of July which shows 80s. We have been there in December when the weather is anywhere from 60 degrees to 75 degrees and my daughter still will go in. We will keep our reservation at GCH for now and maybe change to DLH if the weather changes to be a lot cooler.

I doubt you will see 80s in 2 weeks. A 2 week forecast is completely unreliable here. Check back 3 days before arrival for a more accurate forecast.

 

[DLgal]

IMHO, the only reason to go DLH over GCH is money.

Agreed. I can't stand the food situation at DLH and its enough on its own to make me choose GCH.

 

[tink89]

IMHO, the only reason to go DLH over GCH is money.

We have done both and do really prefer the DLH but the proximity to the parks can't be beat with GCH.

 

[tink89]

I doubt you will see 80s in 2 weeks. A 2 week forecast is completely unreliable here. Check back 3 days before arrival for a more accurate forecast.

Yes we know the weather is unpredictable but DD will get in the water at any temperature. We choose hotels based on pools every time we travel. We did a split stay at the Westin last time and she hated their pool because it was tiny. We always go prepared for any weather and just anything at DL.

Agreed. I can't stand the food situation at DLH and its enough on its own to make me choose GCH.

What is the food situation?

 

[DLgal]

Yes we know the weather is unpredictable but DD will get in the water at any temperature. We choose hotels based on pools every time we travel. We did a split stay at the Westin last time and she hated their pool because it was tiny. We always go prepared for any weather and just anything at DL.

What is the food situation?

I was more saying that you will probably not have to deal with hot weather in the parks. I know some kids will swim regardless of the temps, and Disney does heat their pools to around 83, so they are always comfortable. I wish our community pools would be the same way. They turn off the heat on Memorial day and now our pools are all freezing! No swimming for us until the sun shows its face.

The food situation is the fact that the only restaurant at the DLH is Tangaroa Terrace. I don't count Goofys because it's SO expensive and you can't just walk up and get a seat for a meal. The options at Tangaroa don't really work for our family. Too heavy handed on the Asian themed EVERYTHING. There is exactly one thing on that menu that my kids will eat. That means leaving the hotel whenever we need to eat, and having to go through security at DtD and walk a significant distance, since all the food is further into DtD.

At GCH, we like several items on the Craftsman Grill menu, the poolside menu has numerous options my kids will eat, and you have both Hearthstone lounge and restaurant, plus the bar at the pool, plus the Napa Rose bar and restaurant, plus Storytellers. Then, walking into DCA for food is super easy. You can place a mobile order for Smokejumpers or any of the Wharf area restaurants from your room and by the time you walk over, it's ready for pick up. It's also much easier to walk into Downtown Disney and several quick service restaurants are right there (Napolini, Jamba, Wetzels, Salt and Straw). Plus GCH now has room service back..

 

[tink89]

I was more saying that you will probably not have to deal with hot weather in the parks. I know some kids will swim regardless of the temps, and Disney does heat their pools to around 83, so they are always comfortable. I wish our community pools would be the same way. They turn off the heat on Memorial day and now our pools are all freezing! No swimming for us until the sun shows its face.

The food situation is the fact that the only restaurant at the DLH is Tangaroa Terrace. I don't count Goofys because it's SO expensive and you can't just walk up and get a seat for a meal. The options at Tangaroa don't really work for our family. Too heavy handed on the Asian themed EVERYTHING. There is exactly one thing on that menu that my kids will eat. That means leaving the hotel whenever we need to eat, and having to go through security at DtD and walk a significant distance, since all the food is further into DtD.

At GCH, we like several items on the Craftsman Grill menu, the poolside menu has numerous options my kids will eat, and you have both Hearthstone lounge and restaurant, plus the bar at the pool, plus the Napa Rose bar and restaurant, plus Storytellers. Then, walking into DCA for food is super easy. You can place a mobile order for Smokejumpers or any of the Wharf area restaurants from your room and by the time you walk over, it's ready for pick up. It's also much easier to walk into Downtown Disney and several quick service restaurants are right there (Napolini, Jamba, Wetzels, Salt and Straw). Plus GCH now has room service back..

ah yes I agree about the food. We used to love Tangaroa Terrace before the remodel. Not so much now. I have a picky eater and I my self am a picky eater lol. I do like the coffee shop but we love Craftsman Grill and eat there even when we are staying offsite. I might have to rethink the whole DLH is our preferred hotel now that i am seeing what GCH actually offers besides proximity.

Im glad the weather seems favorable so far at least. Last time we were there it was over 95 degrees and had to keep going in and out of the hotel. But we have also had so many cold days in the bay area that i do want some warm weather.

 

[DLgal]

ah yes I agree about the food. We used to love Tangaroa Terrace before the remodel. Not so much now. I have a picky eater and I my self am a picky eater lol. I do like the coffee shop but we love Craftsman Grill and eat there even when we are staying offsite. I might have to rethink the whole DLH is our preferred hotel now that i am seeing what GCH actually offers besides proximity.

Im glad the weather seems favorable so far at least. Last time we were there it was over 95 degrees and had to keep going in and out of the hotel. But we have also had so many cold days in the bay area that i do want some warm weather.

Yeah, the food is kind of important for our family when we stay on site. Since we are locals, when we do an on-site stay, it's to truly enjoy the resort. We hardly spend time in the parks because we are at the parks all the time. Having to constantly think about where we are going to eat when we stay at DLH is just a deal breaker. We prefer the variety of options at GCH in the regard. Also, it is a minor thing, but the gym at GCH is WAY better than the DLH one. My husband uses the gym daily so it's a major consideration. Plus, the GCH has a nice lobby to just hang out in. I have never once stepped foot in the DLH lobby after we finish check in.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

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[monkeypat83]

I am staying at PPH starting tomorrow through Monday. We arrive about 10 AM and plan to spend the afternoon at the DLH pool before dinner at Goofy's Kitchen so I will try to remember to report back on how crowded the pool is with both hotels using it and the weather being in the high 70s.

 

[tink89]

Yeah, the food is kind of important for our family when we stay on site. Since we are locals, when we do an on-site stay, it's to truly enjoy the resort. We hardly spend time in the parks because we are at the parks all the time. Having to constantly think about where we are going to eat when we stay at DLH is just a deal breaker. We prefer the variety of options at GCH in the regard. Also, it is a minor thing, but the gym at GCH is WAY better than the DLH one. My husband uses the gym daily so it's a major consideration. Plus, the GCH has a nice lobby to just hang out in. I have never once stepped foot in the DLH lobby after we finish check in.

I am crying from the realization that we will be spending more money every time we go because GCH is maybe ... the better hotel. I do feel DLH is way more Disney. But yes the gym at GCH is great DD and DH used it last time twice and I shopped and waited in the lobby while they exercised lol.

 

[irlandaise]

The food situation is the fact that the only restaurant at the DLH is Tangaroa Terrace. I don't count Goofys because it's SO expensive and you can't just walk up and get a seat for a meal.

That's sad. Are they putting a restaurant in the new DVC tower? I didn't realize that the meal options were so limited there.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

That's sad. Are they putting a restaurant in the new DVC tower? I didn't realize that the meal options were so limited there.

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[NorCalFanatic]

I am crying from the realization that we will be spending more money every time we go because GCH is maybe ... the better hotel. I do feel DLH is way more Disney. But yes the gym at GCH is great DD and DH used it last time twice and I shopped and waited in the lobby while they exercised lol.

That’s why we joking DVC and bought at VDH. We were spending more and more every year at DLR hotels. The full kitchens in those suites will give us more food options as well to prepare ourselves. We never really used either of the gyms as were typically doing 22-25,000 steps a day in the parks.

 

[DLgal]

The eternal GCH vs DLH debate!

Was Just there last week for 5+ daysand did the pool 4 different days. Wasn’t horribly crowded at all (although it was on the cooler side) we saw people from paradise pier but they weren’t over whelming the pool. On our spring trip when it was warmer the pool didn’t seem packed then either. Grab a Cabana if you can swing it!
Just gotta do what works best for you. DLH works best for us with little kids. We’ve stayed at both and with the kids we prefer DLH (cost is a minor issue for us). GCH does have better food options but DLH isn’t horrible. Most are likely referring to Goofys Kitchen which is more kid friendly but not as good food wise as story tellers. Tangora is pretty good, too strong of an Asian influence? I didn’t think so, you can always order the burger without the pineapple. We’ve got very picky eaters and have no issues at DLH with food. The room service menu has more “Traditional” options. The grab and go at coffee house isn’t bad either. We like DLH rooms better, as they’re more nostalgic and have more of a Disney feel. GCH rooms are nice, but they’re nice hotel nice.
They don’t really have that Disney touch. The pool area is bigger and better at DLH than GCH. GCH pools are smaller. Can’t beat the proximity to the parks at CGH though! But it’s not like DLH is a 30 min walk uphill both ways It’s 10 mins to the front gate, or hop on the monorail. Or, exit out frontier tower, walk down paradise cross the street and enter DCA through the paradise pier gate in less than 10 mins (or keep going and enter through GCH).

You're wrong about the pool area being larger at DLH. That's an illusion. The GCH has more actual swimming pool, volume wise. The only thing in DLHs favor is the slides. They are absolutely superior.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

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[DLgal]

Show me some official numbers and I'll concede, otherwise I'm sticking with DLH has the bigger pools. The E ticket pool alone at DLH is 4800 square feet.

The main pool at GCH is nearly 4000sq feet. The larger secondary pool is approximately 1800 and the smaller one is 1200.

The D ticket pool at DLH is only about 1000sq feet.

If.you don't believe me, ask a lifeguard at one of the hotels which one has more pool.