DLH Standard or PPH Premium?

[Dug720]

I'm doing my "pseudo-first trip" to DL in February (first one was over 10 years ago, pre-Carsland, walls up everywhere, etc. so it is feeling very much like a first visit) and am splurging on an on-property hotel. (I've already considered the off-property and decided against it. We stayed off property before at the Portofino and it was fine, but I'm choosing to treat myself a bit this time).

GCH is out of the question - way out of budget even for a splurge.

I'm currently booked in a Standard room at DLH (the others are pushing the budget a bit too much to fully allow for special meals and treats), but now reading that rooms are differing sizes there has me worried. Is staying with DLH worth the risk of getting one of the tiny rooms? Or would a Premium room at PPH be better?

(I'm a solo adult from NYC, so I don't need to hear "it's a walk". I walk everywhere anyway. No kids or mobility issues to deal with.)

 

[crystal1313]

If by February PPH still doesn’t have any food options, I would for sure go with the DLH. We recently stayed in a standard room at the DLH and had amazing fireworks view in the fantasy tower. We absolutely love the view of the parks from the PPH, just not having any sort of food options is a no go for us right now.

 

[Iceman93]

Many people here will chime in to say they don't feel the PPH has that Disney magic, but I disagree. Since one of the biggest complaints is that you have to walk more to get to it, and you've already said you don't mind a little walking, I would personally choose the PPH over the DLH. Crystal1313 is spot-on, though, that currently there is no food & beverage available at the PPH, which I find inexcusable at any price point let alone what Disney charges. I sincerely hope that situation changes before your February stay.

 

[AndrewC]

to me PPH has a tiny cramped lobby and is in general less "nice" style compared to DLH. Also the DLH grounds to me are 1000x better, it makes for a nicer feel walking back into your room. Possibly if you're in your room a lot then a theme park view at PPH would be worth it, but I'm usually back at 11 or midnight and up at 8 or 9 to head into the parks...

 

[Pluto468]

I'd go with DLH. My family of 4 stayed there in 2019 and I didn't find it tiny. I actually can't remember now if we had a deluxe or standard room. But we had 2 queen beds plus a pull out sofa. The lobby, pool, grounds and restaurants are so nice at DLH. I think DLH is more magical, especially with the headboards

 

[GeneralTso]

DLH hands down. It's a completely different experience. It's pure Disney on all levels. The rooms are nicer (light up headboards that play music!), the grounds are lovely. Great restaurant options-Trader Sams! Also a quick walk to Downtown Disney and the parks.

 

[DLgal]

DLH. DLH. DLH.

There are no "tiny rooms" at DLH. Some are *slightly* smaller via having a different bathroom layout, but they are all large rooms. You won't even notice if you are traveling solo anyway. You will still have either 2 queens or a king bed, and in my experience booking a standard room at DLH, you'll likely end up upgraded anyway.

The DLH is nicer in every way than the PPH. It truly feels like resort.

 

[l4dyj8]

We've stayed at all 3. But PPH is our usual go to for budget reasons. DLH and GCH when there's some sort of deal.

But I agree with the crystal1313 and iceman93 above. We like PPH for the bigger and brighter rooms, park view/fireworks. We rarely make it to park closing, so I often watch the fireworks/world of color from our room while my family sleeps. We are in our rooms much longer than most people, so space is important to us. We often order breakfast room service. However, without any room service, downstairs restaurant or bars... it's a hard sell. Once upon a time we even got beignets!
You don't hang out at PPH's lobby. But we have gotten lucky in the past to see character meet and greets... with no rush. Stich, Mickey, Minnie, and Daisy interacting with guests. I like their ocean theme holiday display better than DLH. But without the Surf's Up Grill, I don't see characters coming by anymore. You also don't go to PPH for their pool, either. But I did like their Sand Bar — which is also closed. But the walk to Trader Sam's at DLH is pretty easy.

(I'm always anxious about our room size at DLH. But we had a better (Deluxe) room upon our last visit.)

 

[Lisa_lvspplmvr]

We stayed at PPH in 2019 . It was in serious need of remodeling and I mean a full remodel . It smelled musty and old . It was not magical in any way . Everything is worn and old . The pool is small and a rectangle. Please stay at DLH . You will have a much better experience !

 

[Dug720]

For those countering the tiny room possibility at DLH, this is the thread that got me worried.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneyland-hotel-deluxe-vs-premium.3849871/#post-63444540
I had no idea it would be like some of the older independent hotels in NYC where room sizes vary within the same category.

 

[l4dyj8]

For those countering the tiny room possibility at DLH, this is the thread that got me worried.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneyland-hotel-deluxe-vs-premium.3849871/#post-63444540

I was the one that originally posted the question from that thread. I'm happy to report that I was happy with our room this time around. I'll see if I can find a picture without my family in it. I had booked a Deluxe room. Did Mobile check-in. 8th Floor / Fantasy Tower / facing the pool. We were next to the elevator/service room. We had a chair but no sofa. The layout of the room also differed from all of our previous rooms. This had a vanity area before entering the bathroom. Single sink bathroom but toilet is separated by a door.