DLH vs GCH

[Travelingmom22]

We currently have reservations at the DLH for our upcoming trip, but due to the discounted rates that were just released it would actually be cheaper for us to stay at GCH instead of DLH by a little bit. If you were me (with 2 adults, 2 kids ages 2.5 yrs old and 7 months old) which would you stay at? My ILs (of retirement age) will be joining us for a few nights as well. This would be the 4th hotel we have booked for this trip if we change (picked Embassy first then moved to the new Springhill to be within walking distance, then the ILs wanted to stay onsite and DLH was a good deal with the Orbitz promo code), but if it is worth it I would be game. I was told the DLH is great for younger kids (like my almost 3 yr old) since it is very "Disney", what do you all think?

 

[nana50]

Totally the DLH. For older adults the GCH is lovely but not really kid friendly. The DLH is beautiful though. The pools are way more kid friendly. My kids and grandkids have stayed in both and they all prefer the DLH

 

[SeaDis]

If you keep the DLH, it sounds like you need to rebook with the new rates. If GCH is cheaper with a promo, then DLH shoiuld also be less (?).

 

[Geemo]

We currently have reservations at the DLH for our upcoming trip, but due to the discounted rates that were just released it would actually be cheaper for us to stay at GCH instead of DLH by a little bit. If you were me (with 2 adults, 2 kids ages 2.5 yrs old and 7 months old) which would you stay at? My ILs (of retirement age) will be joining us for a few nights as well. This would be the 4th hotel we have booked for this trip if we change (picked Embassy first then moved to the new Springhill to be within walking distance, then the ILs wanted to stay onsite and DLH was a good deal with the Orbitz promo code), but if it is worth it I would be game. I was told the DLH is great for younger kids (like my almost 3 yr old) since it is very "Disney", what do you all think?

I'd choose the GCH. I have stayed at all three of the onsite hotels and the GCH is always my first choice when I have four or less in my travel group.
When we stayed at the GCH, the grandkids liked going down to the lobby fireside story time in the evening.

The rooms are a little tight on space but the distance to the parks makes up for that. Location is perfect. Going back to the room for a quick nap is a breeze. On our first visit, the walk from the lobby to the room was farther then the lobby to the main gates. Now I always request a room by the elevators.

Geemo

 

[gottalovepluto]

Your kids are so young I actually vote GCH for its closer proximity. They'll get a lot more out of DLH when they are a couple years older and you and the ILs will appreciate the shorter walk between the hotel and parks.

 

[l4dyj8]

I have yet to stay at DLH, only PP and GCH. GCH isn't that memorable for kids as it is for the adults. But the service is fantastic and the close proximity is so convenient. (While my family took a nap, I checked out the park and DTD on my own) I also explored the hotel on my own

Rooms are smaller though. The balcony takes up the square footage.

But DD is excited when we tell her we are returning to PP which she calls the Goofy Hotel. So I'd like to experience DLH for the mere Disney aspect for the kids

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

I vote for GCH! We normally stay at DLH, but decided to stay at GCH this past month. We have 3 boys 7, 5 &1. We will stay at GCH from now on for a few reasons:

Location! After a long day at the parks, the walk back is amazing. The walk back to DLH seems really long, especially with crabby little ones. It was also easier to run back to the room to grab something. With baby, we were always leaving one thing in the room! Lol

The pools. There are great water slides and fun water area at DLH, but GCH has a baby pool and over all seems calmer. We were able to relax and our boys had a blast on the slide.

The elevators. The DLH elevators take forever! In the morning and after the parks close, it would take us at least 10 mins before we could get an elevator. Its not like we could take the stairs from the 11th floor with a stroller. Never had a problem once at GCH.

 

[nolenbelledavis]

We've only been to GCH one time and came home and bought dvc points because we loved it so much. I just don't think you can beat the location. At least for us, that was the biggest priority. You are basically part of California Adventure. We'd get up early for the emh and then it would be hot and crowded in the afternoon and we'd nap and/or swim and then go back in the evening. It just made it an entirely different experience than when we stayed at HoJos. Apparently you can take the monorail from DLH, but we did that one time and had to wait for a long time to get on it. I think I would do it without question if it even costs less. You can always stay at DLH down the road when it costs less than GCH.

 

[Travelingmom22]

Thanks for the feedback, now I need to tell the family we should switch it is cheaper than DLH because for our dates the only discounted room on Orbitz at DLH is a suite whereas all the GCH rooms are discounted. What are the odds of an upgrade from a garden/courtyard view room at check in?

 

[motor58]

I'm with gottalovepluto. Too young to care about the cool pool at DLH and it's not like GC doesn't have a pool and a slide. That age with the in-laws I definitely vote for the super close hotel.

 

[Jerryp49]

We prefer the GCH for location with little ones. So convenient. Avoid rooms near DownTown Disney because the noise goes on until 10pm and will interfer with nap time

 

[Travelingmom22]

How are the size of the rooms? I have heard ppl say They are small, we will need a crib and prefer a king bed with a daybed or sofa bed for the 2.5 yr old. Will we feel cramped? Also, do they have connecting rooms? It would make it easier for when the grandparents watch the kids for nap time and our special dinner at Napa Rose.