DLH questions

[katyringo]

I posted in the super thread but it seems that thread doesn't get a lot of love..

If staying at the DLH.. (Also this is for October so please assume early entry is back)..

Is the best route for Rope Drop/ early entry through DTD and to the esplanade? For both DCA and DL?

Can DLH guest use the GCH DCA entrance? what is the advantage of using it? Is there an entrance from DTD into the GCH? We plan to do the princess breakfast and I am trying visualize the routes? I remember before we did a character breakfast at paradise pier and we could enter the Grand using the DCA entrance, but we couldn't come back through due to a locked gate. (This would have been summer 2019). Does being a DLH guest get you through that gate?

We booked a regular standard view. My friend said to request the fantasy tour due to construction- any other room request tips?

I assume they will hold luggage and you can use the pool everyday of your stay, including check in and check out days? I read there is a good changing area. Are you able to request late checkout?

Tips for the pool? plan to spend a lot of time there.

Anything else a first timer here should absolutely know about?

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

We went last August (stayed at DLH) and October (stayed at Paradise Pier). if you are staying at DLH, the fastest way there is through Downtown Disney. if you are at Paradise, you can cut through the Grand, its a bit faster. If the monorail is up, that's our preferred way to enter the park, no rope drop of course with that route. Yes they will hold luggage.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I posted in the super thread but it seems that thread doesn't get a lot of love..

If staying at the DLH.. (Also this is for October so please assume early entry is back)..

Is the best route for Rope Drop/ early entry through DTD and to the esplanade? For both DCA and DL?

Can DLH guest use the GCH DCA entrance? what is the advantage of using it? Is there an entrance from DTD into the GCH? We plan to do the princess breakfast and I am trying visualize the routes? I remember before we did a character breakfast at paradise pier and we could enter the Grand using the DCA entrance, but we couldn't come back through due to a locked gate. (This would have been summer 2019). Does being a DLH guest get you through that gate?

We booked a regular standard view. My friend said to request the fantasy tour due to construction- any other room request tips?

I assume they will hold luggage and you can use the pool everyday of your stay, including check in and check out days? I read there is a good changing area. Are you able to request late checkout?

Tips for the pool? plan to spend a lot of time there.

Anything else a first timer here should absolutely know about?

My DW and I are going to DLH for the first time this summer.

Here is what my research has found:

1.) Quickest path is through DTD to the esplanade. In fact, some posters say that the GCH entrance rope drop is at a disadvantage than the main gate? Don't know if that's true but that's a rumor I'm willing to share. Not sure when the PPH new gate is opening either? I don't think the start date for the 3rd gate to DCA has been announced.

2.) I've heard that DLH and PPH guests are not allowed to use GCH to enter DCA. I heard that there was some "policing" by DLR CMs. Not sure if that's true though. I look at it from this perspective. My DW and I wouldn't use the GCH entrance into DCA because we are not guests at GCH and to me, there are folks who paid for that accommodation and it isn't right in my opinion to take away from their paid experience/benefit. There is a entrance from DTC into GCH. This is the same route that GCH guests use to get to the esplanade. The gate is adjacent to the Disney Dress Shop store in DTD. I have to believe that GCH CMs will let you access a gate (if it is open and staffed) to make your ADR breakfast. I think you need to take the DLH guest aspect out and just think of access from an ADR standpoint.

3.) No tips on room construction. Although, some standard view rooms (and it seems to be quite limited) in the Fantasy Tower has a small glimpse of GE and the fireworks. There are some videos on the Youtube. I watched them wondering what room to book, and decided to book a DTD view because I wanted to surprise my DW with a room upgrade and the ability to watch fireworks from the room if she wanted to retire early one night.

4.) Bell services holds luggage. Not sure about changing stations / locations and late check-out.

5.) The pool at DLH is being shared with folks at PPH because PPH is under construction and renovation. So, it is busier than normal.

6.) Steakhouse 55 is closed which is a bummer because I wanted to do a fancy meal with my DW there. There is a vehicle from Autotopia in the convention center lobby that looks like a pretty awesome photo spot. If you were not aware, you can buy Dole Whips in the pool area and that may be an alternative than mobile ordering inside the park(s). Each tower has different theming in the lobby and around the building. If you are taking a break to explore the grounds you can look at the different terrain and items in each building.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Pluto468]

I posted in the super thread but it seems that thread doesn't get a lot of love..

If staying at the DLH.. (Also this is for October so please assume early entry is back)..

Is the best route for Rope Drop/ early entry through DTD and to the esplanade? For both DCA and DL?

Can DLH guest use the GCH DCA entrance? what is the advantage of using it? Is there an entrance from DTD into the GCH? We plan to do the princess breakfast and I am trying visualize the routes? I remember before we did a character breakfast at paradise pier and we could enter the Grand using the DCA entrance, but we couldn't come back through due to a locked gate. (This would have been summer 2019). Does being a DLH guest get you through that gate?

We booked a regular standard view. My friend said to request the fantasy tour due to construction- any other room request tips?

I assume they will hold luggage and you can use the pool everyday of your stay, including check in and check out days? I read there is a good changing area. Are you able to request late checkout?

Tips for the pool? plan to spend a lot of time there.

Anything else a first timer here should absolutely know about?

I stayed at Disneyland Hotel a few weeks ago and we had a great time.

DTD is going to be your best bet for walking to the parks for rope drop. It took us 10-15 minutes to walk from our room to the Disneyland gates. Security was quick and easy every time we went through.

Don't forget you can use the Monorail, too. It's fun and saves alot of walking! I don't think it's running in time for rope drop, it started at 8am during our stay.

We had a standard view room in Adventure tower and the construction views didn't really bother us. It was kind of neat to see, actually. If you don't want to face it you could just explain that you don't want to be facing the construction when you check in. They'll do their best to accommodate.

Yes, they will hold your luggage and you can use the pool on check-in and out days. We didn't use the changing area but saw people going in and out of the restrooms right next to the pool.

I'd get to the pool early if you want it quiet and if you want to get a chair/table. We usually go first thing when it opens and it's very nice and not crowded yet. We've been in the afternoon, too, and were always able to get a table. I've heard it's busy lately since Paradise Pier guests are using the DLH pools while theirs is being renovated.

You can call the day you leave and ask for late checkout. So far I've never been able to, but it's worth asking. It probably depends on how busy they are.

The only other thing I'd mention is that there aren't a ton of easy food options right now. If you want to make sure you have breakfast first thing you could buy muffins or yogurt or something to eat in your room in the morning. You can mobile order from Trader Sam's but they open at 11:00 (I think), and the Coffee House is nice but sometimes has a long wait for mobile ordering in the morning. We did club level, which was really nice because you can just grab snacks and meals there. If that's in your budget it is something to consider.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[pharmama]

Can DLH guest use the GCH DCA entrance? what is the advantage of using it? Is there an entrance from DTD into the GCH? We plan to do the princess breakfast and I am trying visualize the routes? I remember before we did a character breakfast at paradise pier and we could enter the Grand using the DCA entrance, but we couldn't come back through due to a locked gate. (This would have been summer 2019). Does being a DLH guest get you through that gate?

The entrance from DTD to the GCH is between Sephora and the Disney Dress Shop. Anyone can go in or out of this entrance at any time. From there you would walk into GCH past the conference center area to the main lobby, then turn left and head out the doors down past Storytellers to Napa Rose. The main front entrance from the street to GCH is the one that is more tightly controlled and is only accessible (to go IN) to GCH guests (though a dining reservation would qualify you to enter there for that time). Even on foot coming from PPH there is a locked gate where you would need to either have a GCH room key or proof of some kind of reservation to enter- likely what you are remembering from 2019. You can go OUT the main GCH entrance (and the previously mentioned gate) at any time.

The entrance to DCA from the GCH is just past Napa Rose (where the princess breakfast is). This entrance is usually only restricted to GCH hotel guests (they sometimes ask to see a GCH room key) around RD but later in the day anyone can use it to go in or out of DCA. The advantage is purely location- so if you're already in the GCH and want to access DCA (and it's not around park opening) it's very convenient. Similarly, if you are leaving DCA to go somewhere in the GCH or even to PPH it can be a convenient route. I would not consider it convenient if you are just trying to go between DCA and the DLH with no specific need to go to GCH. The line (other than around park open) is usually pretty short to non-existent.

The only other thing I'd mention is that there aren't a ton of easy food options right now. If you want to make sure you have breakfast first thing you could buy muffins or yogurt or something to eat in your room in the morning. You can mobile order from Trader Sam's but they open at 11:00 (I think), and the Coffee House is nice but sometimes has a long wait for mobile ordering in the morning.

Trader Sam's does not do mobile ordering but the adjacent Tangaroa Terrace does and they are open for breakfast-usually at 7am. Agree that the Coffee House mobile ordering can be very slow in the morning.

 

[katyringo]

Thank you all. This was very helpful.

We do plan to have groceries delivered for snack and easy breakfast. I had read about the lack of b-fast food options. They really need a McDonalds on that side of the resort, haha! While I am beyond excited to stay at DLH, we will miss our walk along harbor with panera and mcdonalds!

I understand the routes so much better now. It seems there isn't really a need to use the grand entrance from DCA as a DLH guest unless I specifically need something at GCH. For the princess breakfast it seems we can just use the DTD entrance.

One thing I wonder is about OBB. I read in last years thread getting a wristband was faster and easier using the GCH entrance.

I am really excited about the monorail when we decide to break in the afternoon/ head back to the parks in the evening.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

I've been following several of your posts about plans and your upcoming trip and wanted to say I am so excited for you to stay at DLH! I know from other threads you were really debating it, especially with early entry coming back at some point (hopefully soon). I hope you are going to have a magical trip!!

 

[katyringo]

I've been following several of your posts about plans and your upcoming trip and wanted to say I am so excited for you to stay at DLH! I know from other threads you were really debating it, especially with early entry coming back at some point (hopefully soon). I hope you are going to have a magical trip!!

Yes.. I was really debating it. In the end it's relieved a lot of my anxiety to have it booked. I needed my husband to give me the push. He was always on board with it, but the cost was a hard for me to accept.

 

[ktlm]

1. One thing I wonder is about OBB. I read in last years thread getting a wristband was faster and easier using the GCH entrance.

Do you plan on going to a park that day before OBB, or will you just being using your OBB ticket? If you are going to a park that day, you can get your wristband inside of CA. It is quick and easy. I can't remember if we started at DL or CA last year- but we went back to DLH- put on our costumes- went to CA-bypassed the mass of people in costume in line waiting for time to enter for the party--- went to the regular admission gate (not the party gate) and told them we were using our regular tickets to enter and would go before the party to get wristbands and scan our party tickets at the station inside the park. It was really easy.

2. I am really excited about the monorail when we decide to break in the afternoon/ head back to the parks in the evening.

Know that for your afternoon break, if you are not near the monorail, you can be better off just walking back to DLH than trying to walk all the way back to the monorail station and getting in line.
The monorail can definitely be a bonus when you want to head back to the parks if you don't mind starting back by Nemo/Tomorrowland/Small World, and there isn't a big line at the station (which in our experience there typically isn't in the late afternoon/early evening).

 

[CoachBeard]

My recent trip saw me staying at DLH and the entrance to DCA from DTD/GC where my second day reservation was perfect for me. I’ve been using that entrance for years because it’s rarely busy, there are some nice bathrooms in the GC and I love walking through the lobby or stopping in the lounge for a drink. It spits you out at grizzly river run basically. Back in the early days before they added on to the hotel, there was a wonderful bathroom by the pool that I used every time. The doors had no gaps! Total privacy! TMI? Nah!

For reference I showed up on a Thursday (DL ressie) morning around 9:30am. Parked at DLH, checked my bags with bell services and was on the monorail by 9:45am. As we all know, it’s a lot of walking and I try to use the lesser trafficked entrances and exits when I can.