DLH or PPH?

[albumlady]

I am so excited that my DH has agreed to a 40th birthday trip for me with the whole family over the kids spring break! I have been to DL twice and have stayed in the DLH which I have really loved. Looking at prices though it is $150 less expensive per night for PPH. Those who have stayed in both what do you think? My only concerns are the longer walk (feeling farther away) and if it will feel "Disney" enough - how is themeing? My DH will totally let me book DLH but I feel like I should save a little $$ since I am hoping to splurge a bit on a tour and Fantastmic Dinner package. Hmmm, what to do, what to do??

 

[Astylla]

Me and the DH are kinda in a similar boat. We may be going at the end of the month for an early anniversary trip and absolutely LOVE the DLH - however we can do Concierge Premium View at PPH for less than a Premium view room at DLH. While we typically wouldn't do concierge at all the fact it is cheaper and is supposed to have wonderful park views has us intrigued. We know we love the DLH for being so close to Trader Sams and Tangoraga Terrace and the rooms themselves so are hesitant to change. On the other hand with later opening hours breakfast and snacks at the concierge would be nice on a 5 night trip but the walk might be a bit long. I have found reading the super threads definitely help but in the end I don't think you an go wrong. I still would chose DLH for my first trip is able.

 

[Sherry E]

If you have already stayed at the DLH and loved it, I'm not sure you would be as impressed with the PPH -- even at a cheaper price tag. It's hard to say -- some people prefer the DLH over the PPH; some prefer the PPH over the DLH; and some will not stay at either one.

I love the PPH and it works for my needs. The walk is not far (especially not when using the short cut/scenic route!) at all. But the hotel itself is very basic -- only one building as compared to the DLH's expansive grounds and multiple towers. If you happened to end up with a DCA park view room at the PPH, you would find that the view is fantastic!

The theming at the PPH is cute -- very ocean/sun/surf-oriented. There all sorts of sea-inspired accents and knick knacks everywhere, both around the hotel and in the rooms. It's just not a very large hotel and it may not feel as Disney-ish to you if you already love the DLH.

I think it boils down to how important it is to save that extra $150 per night.

 

[emily94]

Definitely agree with the PPs. It depends on if that $150/night less will mean a lot to you. If it means more souvenirs or nice dinners at Napa Rose or Steakhouse 55, I would go for PPH. The view rooms at PPH are AMAZING! Perfect views of the pier and WOC! If I were you, I'd check out how much the view rooms would be. I don't think even premium views at the DLH have as awesome of views as PPH?

Some people hate the theming of PPH, I think its cute and it works. I thought the bathrooms at DLH had too much Mickey (ahh sorry!!) There is a Mickey hand holding the sconce and I don't know why but I just thought it was so creepy haha but DLH is an icon!

Honestly, you cannot go wrong with either

 

[TheChapman6]

I've stayed at all 3 Disney hotels and I hated pph it's far away, the hallways are long, elevators take forever, it's a long long walk and the lobby is lackluster

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I've stayed at PPH and I had a GREAT view of DCA, it was wonderful! There are of course the little Disney touches, and that combined with the view made it a magical visit for me. I didn't find the walk to be that long. In your situation, I would give PPH a try and request a view room. You'll never know if you really like it until you try it, right?

 

[Iceman93]

Call me crazy (and I know some DLH lovers will), but I would book the PPH even if it was $150 MORE per night than the DLH. At $150 less, it's a no-brainer.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I felt that the walk from PPH was actually faster than the DLH because you can cut through the GCH. The rooms were bright, cheery and spacious. The price is great, but in my opinion its just not as awesome as the DLH. I didn't feel as much like I was in the "disney bubble". I didn't like how you had to cross the road and see traffic to get to the parks. The pool area at the DLH is so much better, as are the rooms and general theming of the whole hotel. Plus tangoroa terrace is my favorite quick service restaurant especially at night with the tiki torches and live music. We also like having the monorail so close to give our feet a break. Good luck with your decision.

 

[albumlady]

Great feedback! I did look at the view rooms at PPH thinking that it would make that hotel special and they are the about the same price as a regular room at DLH and I would rather be at DLH if it is the same money. So the difference is a regular room at both. I haven't been there since Tangoroa terrace has opened and honestly my DH would LOVE that type of themeing. Still waffling but love all the feedback ... bring on more!

 

[Malcon10t]

I am so excited that my DH has agreed to a 40th birthday trip for me with the whole family over the kids spring break! I have been to DL twice and have stayed in the DLH which I have really loved. Looking at prices though it is $150 less expensive per night for PPH. Those who have stayed in both what do you think? My only concerns are the longer walk (feeling farther away) and if it will feel "Disney" enough - how is themeing? My DH will totally let me book DLH but I feel like I should save a little $$ since I am hoping to splurge a bit on a tour and Fantastmic Dinner package. Hmmm, what to do, what to do??

I like the rooms, like the view (if you get the view room), the walk isn't much different, except you aren't walking through DTD. BUT, hated the elevators.

 

[Sherry E]

Great feedback! I did look at the view rooms at PPH thinking that it would make that hotel special and they are the about the same price as a regular room at DLH and I would rather be at DLH if it is the same money. So the difference is a regular room at both. I haven't been there since Tangoroa terrace has opened and honestly my DH would LOVE that type of themeing. Still waffling but love all the feedback ... bring on more!

Not all PPH views are this good, and some are even better than this, but this is the scenery that a great view room at the PPH can offer you (although I still think that, for your purposes, you will be better sticking with the DLH because you already love it) -- HERE. (<<<That post does not include the view of World of Color at night, but it's another benefit to the view rooms.)

​

 

[Iceman93]

For those using Trader Sam's / Tangaroa Terrace as a reason to stay at the DLH, maybe it goes without saying but you can still enjoy those venues when staying at the other hotels (or even when not a resort hotel guest at all). Yes the walk is a little longer back to the PPH, but the existence of those venues is not a strong reason to pick the DLH.

 

[EllinK]

We stayed at PPH because of the price. Had a room with a park view -- it was great. But the pool is ridiculous. If your kids are older than 5, they will be disappointed. It's like Motel 6.

 

[Astylla]

For those using Trader Sam's / Tangaroa Terrace as a reason to stay at the DLH, maybe it goes without saying but you can still enjoy those venues when staying at the other hotels (or even when not a resort hotel guest at all). Yes the walk is a little longer back to the PPH, but the existence of those venues is not a strong reason to pick the DLH.

Oh for most people I definitely agree but let's just say when I go to Trader Sam's the shorter the walk or stumble the better for me..LOL.

We personally ended up choosing DLH again because of a Disney Visa offer that we couldn't pass up. It's just so hard for me to give up what I know but I do hear the PPH theme park rooms are amazing.

 

[Sherry E]

lorijohnhill -- one of the great DIS'ers who participates in my Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread -- shared this brief commentary about a very recent stay at the PPH:

"I was not impressed with the PPH. We will NOT be staying there again. The showers ran from ice cold to scalding hot continually throughout the shower. The room was warn and dingy. I also had major issues with accessibility."

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

They are both great, and you really can't go wrong since you are already staying on proprety, but DLH is notch higher than the PPH. The DLH has has an immersive, resort-like pool, while the PPH's pool is fun, but it is simply a regular rectangular pool with a slide. And you have to cross a street to get to the parks from PPH, something that sort of ruins the disney bubble for some people. To sum it all up, stay at the PPH if you are looking for the cheapest way to get EMH and still be onsite, and the DLH if you are willing to spend a little more for a more resort-oriented vacation. And if you do choose PPH, book a park view room, it is one of the best things about the hotel.

 

[mom2rtk]

We have stayed at all 3 on-site hotels. Our last 2 trips were at PPH. Honestly, the price these days is just too high for us to consider DLH and GC again. But with the time difference flying in, we really want the early entry. So we choose the cheapest onsite room we can find, which is a standard view at PPH. We have not gotten upgraded to a theme park view as so many others here have. We had a "view" of the pool. In December.

But honestly, we go to be in the parks. We don't build in much down time to our schedule, so great amenities would be wasted on us.

Even without the room with a view, you still have some great chances to see DCA from the windows at one end of the hall. We caught this on our way back to our room the first night we were there this week:

The Back Side of Water by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Honestly OP, you are really the only one who can decide how important the price differential is to you. Even after staying at the other hotels in the past, I was perfectly happy at PPH. It gave me a bit of the "Disney bubble" feeling I was looking for and gave me early entry every day. The room was spacious and very comfortable. I had no complaints. The staff was wonderful.

 

[junmatno]

I like the rooms, like the view (if you get the view room), the walk isn't much different, except you aren't walking through DTD. BUT, hated the elevators.

A little cruise trick...go up to get down.....always packed for down, empty on way up...

 

[Sherry E]

They are both great, and you really can't go wrong since you are already staying on proprety, but DLH is notch higher than the PPH. The DLH has has an immersive, resort-like pool, while the PPH's pool is fun, but it is simply a regular rectangular pool with a slide. And you have to cross a street to get to the parks from PPH, something that sort of ruins the disney bubble for some people. To sum it all up, stay at the PPH if you are looking for the cheapest way to get EMH and still be onsite, and the DLH if you are willing to spend a little more for a more resort-oriented vacation. And if you do choose PPH, book a park view room, it is one of the best things about the hotel.

TheDoleWhipper --

Seeing as you have not yet been to DLR (your first trip is in June, correct?) I am constantly amazed by your answers around the forum, as you seem like a seasoned DLR vet!

We have stayed at all 3 on-site hotels. Our last 2 trips were at PPH. Honestly, the price these days is just too high for us to consider DLH and GC again. But with the time difference flying in, we really want the early entry. So we choose the cheapest onsite room we can find, which is a standard view at PPH. We have not gotten upgraded to a theme park view as so many others here have. We had a "view" of the pool. In December.

But honestly, we go to be in the parks. We don't build in much down time to our schedule, so great amenities would be wasted on us.

Even without the room with a view, you still have some great chances to see DCA from the windows at one end of the hall. We caught this on our way back to our room the first night we were there this week:

The Back Side of Water by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Honestly OP, you are really the only one who can decide how important the price differential is to you. Even after staying at the other hotels in the past, I was perfectly happy at PPH. It gave me a bit of the "Disney bubble" feeling I was looking for and gave me early entry every day. The room was spacious and very comfortable. I had no complaints. The staff was wonderful.

Janet --

I think the OP will stay at the DLH because she already enjoys staying there, but I totally agree with you. Having stayed at all 3 hotels and having watched the prices climb over the years, I think they are so prohibitive now that it makes it difficult to stay anywhere other than the PPH, and even that is way too expensive. I first stayed at the PPH back in December 2000 -- because the DLH had gotten too expensive (and I loved staying at the DLH in the old days). I'm glad I eventually had the chance to stay at the GCH a couple of times (especially in its first year), but the PPH is totally fine for my purposes (and I'll take the rooms without the park views as well).

I've seen the hallway DCA view in your photo above, as I've been walking along, and it is lovely -- but nothing beats being able to wake up and watch the sunrise over DCA from the room window, or waking up in the middle of the night and watching the WoC testing.

 

[mom2rtk]

A little cruise trick...go up to get down.....always packed for down, empty on way up...

Or just request a room on one of the upper floors. We were on the 9th floor once and the 12th floor once and never had any of the elevator issues I've heard so much about. And I know the hotel was sold out at least on this year's trip.

Janet --

I think the OP will stay at the DLH because she already enjoys staying there, but I totally agree with you. Having stayed at all 3 hotels and having watched the prices climb over the years, I think they are so prohibitive now that it makes it difficult to stay anywhere other than the PPH, and even that is way too expensive. I first stayed at the PPH back in December 2000 -- because the DLH had gotten too expensive (and I loved staying at the DLH in the old days). I'm glad I eventually had the chance to stay at the GCH a couple of times (especially in its first year), but the PPH is totally fine for my purposes (and I'll take the rooms without the park views as well).

I've seen the hallway DCA view in your photo above, as I've been walking along, and it is lovely -- but nothing beats being able to wake up and watch the sunrise over DCA from the room window, or waking up in the middle of the night and watching the WoC testing.

Now you're just taunting me Sherry! That really does sound heavenly. But then if I had that awesome view from our room, I probably wouldn't get to sleep in time to make early entry every day!

But you and I are at about the same place with our thoughts on PPH and rising hotel prices through the years. It's totally fine for our purposes too.