DLH vs. GC

[Mouse Skywalker]

Greetings All:

I am in the beginning phases of dreaming/planning a trip to DLR. My DW and I have a conference in San Diego Nov 3-7, and I thought it would be fun to take the whole family and go to Sea World before the meeting and DLR after the meeting. I've been reading up about DLR on these threads. I have a question though: I would really like to stay at one of the Disney hotels at DLR, and I'm debating DLH vs. GC.

Here's my DW, mother-in-law (to help watch the kids while DW and I attend the meeting, DD6 , DD9 , and myself - so 5 total.

The Disneyland Hotel sounds really nice because of the Neverland Pool, and Little Mermaid hot tub. My daughters are sooooooo into the Little Mermaid, and have recently been getting into Peter Pan too (they are very excited for the DVD to come out).

The Grand Californian would really appeal to DW, myself, and MIL. We are all really into the arts and crafts style. Plus the kids would love a bunk bed room if we could get that too.

Any thoughts? I'm really concerned about having enough space for everyone too. Thanks for any help and advice.

 

[honeymom]

GCH doesn't guarantee bunk bed rooms, although they do try to give them to parties of 5 before parties of 4. If you don't get a bunkbed room, they don't have rollaways - they give you a sleeping bag for the 5th person.

DLH rooms are bigger. Chances are you would get a 2Q room with a daybed.

As for the hotels themselves, I really do prefer GCH. We took our kids to DLH when they were 6 and 3 years old thinking it was better for kids. But, the theming was actually kind of plain and the pool didn't live up to our expectations. Back then, PP guests were allowed to use the DLH pool, too, so it was packed.

 

[REMSC4]

We've stayed at both hotels a few times. The GC is a beautiful resort. The lobby is awesome and the pool area is large. The DLH is older and not nearly as elaborately designed. The rooms are fairly equal at both. GC views are great, with views of Downtown Disney or DCA. The DLH views are pool, Downtown disney, or city of Anaheim. I agree that the rooms at DLH are a bit larger. My kids LOVE the Neverland pool and get a kick out of Ariel by the hot tub. The GC is closer to both parks, even having that private entrance to DCA. However some of the hikes to the rooms are long. From the DLH you must walk the entire length of Downtown Disney to get to the entrance plaza (or take the monorail, which doesn't start running until the parks are open). Both resorts have great dining. Goofy's Kitchen is a ton of fun, but find out ahead of time which characters are going to be there. There will always be Goofy and Pluto, but after 3 days of walking by and seeing several princesses, Micky, Minnie, Mary Poppins, Chip & Dale, etc. in the restaurant we finally went and our characters that morning were the Mad Hatter and Rafiki from Lion King. My girls were very disappointed! I believe the Storytellers Cafe at GC has just Chip & Dale.
Anyway, that is my 2 cents. If money were no object, we would stay at GC, but at a substantial price difference, the DLH is fabulous. We will be there next week for Valentine's day!