DLR Hotel Veterans: Hotel Help!

[NewbieMouse]

This is my first time posting but I have been reading and learning a lot for our first visit this June. Thanks for all of your insights - very helpful!

I am mulling over our on-site hotel choices and thought I could use the wisdom of some Disneyland hotel veterans. There are three hotel alternatives we are considering for our 5 day, mid-June trip with our two daughters, ages 5 and 6. Our main concerns are pool (pretty new swimmers) and walking distance. We are relatively light eaters. For those of you that are familiar with the 3 Disneyland hotels, I was wondering what you would recommend from these three choices (using the first choice as the baseline, I have put the total price difference over choice 1 in brackets):

Choice 1: Disneyland Hotel, Upper Level Resort/Park View

Choice 2: Paradise Pier Hotel Concierge Level, Standard View (+$69 over choice 1)

Choice 3: Grand Californian Hotel w/ Standard View (+$87 over choice 1)

Any thoughts? Thanks for your help!

 

[blackjackdelta]

This is my first time posting but I have been reading and learning a lot for our first visit this June. Thanks for all of your insights - very helpful!

I am mulling over our on-site hotel choices and thought I could use the wisdom of some Disneyland hotel veterans. There are three hotel alternatives we are considering for our 5 day, mid-June trip with our two daughters, ages 5 and 6. Our main concerns are pool (pretty new swimmers) and walking distance. We are relatively light eaters. For those of you that are familiar with the 3 Disneyland hotels, I was wondering what you would recommend from these three choices (using the first choice as the baseline, I have put the total price difference over choice 1 in brackets):

Choice 1: Disneyland Hotel, Upper Level Resort/Park View

Choice 2: Paradise Pier Hotel Concierge Level, Standard View (+$69 over choice 1)

Choice 3: Grand Californian Hotel w/ Standard View (+$87 over choice 1)

Any thoughts? Thanks for your help!

It is not much more to stay at the Grand at the current quoted prices. I would stay there, I am not a concierge(food) type person.

Jack

 

[mom2travel]

I would also vote Grand Californian. We do not typically book for concierge or view - we are all about location (e.g., staying at a monorail resort at WDW). We recently stayed at DLH (Wonder tower with pool/grounds view) and enjoyed it and would stay there again. But DH and I had a conversation when there about how nice the GC looks and if the kids were younger that would be our pick. The walk from DLH was just fine, but our kids are older now (10+); the few minutes of convenience staying at the GH walking-wise would have been worth it to us, especially with the very small price difference you noted - I would gladly give up a view for that.

 

[sierranevada]

Well, all are good choices. If you top concerns are pool and walking distance, I would take PPH off that list - pool is just a rectangle, nothing special, and it is the farthest of the hotels (although I love staying concierge - but it makes sense for me with a teenage boy (big eater) and friends/family that enjoy happy hours. You state you are light eaters so you probably would not get your money's worth).

So, between DLH and GCH - GCH definitely is closer and I personally like the pool better there. The lounge chairs are more comfy and it doesn't seem as crowded as the DLH pool. The sightline is better to watch your kids since they are new swimmers and I thought the lifeguards seemed to cover the pool better. And honestly, I don't think you will see prices at the GCH that close to the DLH for a while - the summer sale is a great price!

 

[NewbieMouse]

Yes, I think I will take the PPH off my list. I realized that the concierge surcharge for that was $492, which is too much for what we will get. It will also make us feel obliged to return to the hotel for that food, and it will be a trek - $492 cover a fair amount of park/DTD food.

So it's really between the DLH and GCH, and I really should look at the price difference as a little more as I would probably opt for a resort/pool view at DLH instead of upper view.

So the question I'm mulling is: Is the closer walk at GCH worth an extra $192 and giving up the neverland pool at DLH? These decisions torture me.

 

[drag n' fly]

Yes it is worth it. Like Molly once said once you are in the water it is just that.....water The convenience is fantastic at the Grand. I could care less about view. if I want a view I leave the room We used to always stay offsite at DL and stayed onsite for the first time at the Grand in 2007. We are staying there again for our upcoming girls trip (standard room both times). If we were closer we would stay offsite to offset the cost. The Grand is just not as "Disney" themed (but more luxurious) as the DLH so keep that in mind also. You cannot beat it for the use of that back gate into DCA!

 

[sierranevada]

At that price difference - yes it is worth it! It is rare to see such a small price difference between the DLH & the GCH.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Of the 3 DLR hotels ~ DLH is my fave then PP and last GCH ~ I didn't care for our room at the Grand ~ it was dark. I love the Neverland Pool.

 

[Heymy]

With a 5 & 6 year old, I'd stick with the DLH...my girls can't get enough of it.....especially the Neverland pool. My older DD still can't swim, but she loves being there! My 2 year old couldn't get enough of the kiddie slide. It's a great place for kids. And yes GCH is closer, but the Monorail is just steps away from the DLH and that can be a fun way to get around, especially for the kids. As for Disney touches at GCH, they're kind of non-existent. My girls will stare for hours at the bedspreads at DLH You can't go wrong with either choice, you just have to decide what is important. Have a wonderful time!

 

[sierranevada]

Okay - going to give you something else to think about!!!

If you are going in June, you can request the Dreams tower - which should be done with the renovations. Your chances of getting one of the new rooms is higher if you book a premium view - no guarantees. The new rooms are really wonderful and your girls would love them!!

And of course, you can request bunk beds at the GCH!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[bumbershoot]

So the question I'm mulling is: Is the closer walk at GCH worth an extra $192 and giving up the neverland pool at DLH? These decisions torture me.

No.

The room we got at the Grand made our total walk to the center of the Esplanade (like going to Disneyland) almost as far as it would have been from the HoJo parking lot. Backtracking galore.

The DLH pool was very frustrating for my son, who was not a swimmer at that point (he turned 5 that trip). You can't touch the pirate ship, you can't go down the big slide. The small slide was fun for kids, but DS would have much preferred the big slide.

But at PPH, the slide does NOT empty into the pool, so littler kids can go on it, they don't have to swim, and I believe they can wear life vests if they want to.

However since you aren't a big-eating family, I wouldn't go Concierge...are there any standard rooms there?

The walk from the DLH hat to the center of the Esplanade (taking the monorail out of the equation since one rarely wishes to start and end each day at DL in Tomorrowland AND we've encountered long, frustrating lines even early in the morning AND we've had the monorail closed more than once, necessitating us walking anyway) through DownTown Disney is almost exactly the same distance as walking from the sidewalk outside PPH to the center of the Esplanade. That's going the shortcut (out the *front* doors of the hotel, to the crosswalk, cross to the Grand, go in the Grand, to the left, down a corridor, out sliding glass doors to the right, and on into the last third of DTD) way, NOT the way labeled at the hotel!!!!


I would go for normal PPH room, which isn't on your list, but it's what I would do until DS is a really strong swimmer and can make use of the themed slide!

 

[NewbieMouse]

You're right, PPH should be back in the mix. So the new comparisons would be (extra dough from previous choice in brackets):

1: PPH, standard view
2. PPH: Upper theme park view (+$285)
3. DLH, resort/pool view, floors 3-6 (+$33)
4. DLH, Upper resort/pool view - better chance of refurbished room? ($105)
5. GCH, stancard view (+$87, or $510 more than PPH std view)

Choices, choices... why don't we have a money tree? It would all be so much easier.

 

[bumbershoot]

Money trees would be so convenient!


Realized my flat "no" isn't as flat as it should be. The room at GCH that we stayed in wasn't convenient, and therefore I couldn't in good conscience talk about the Grand being the closest, since that is highly dependent on where your room is. I mean, from the sidewalk outside the Tropicana on Harbor it's nearly half the distance as from our room at the Grand...

But for kids the age of yours, who aren't strong swimmers, the DLH pool is, as someone paraphrased me saying earlier, just water with pretty stuff around it. Lovely for the adults, and adults do get to have a say, but if the pool decision is solely based on the kids, well...I'd go with HoJo!


Disneyland hotel decisions are so hard for first-timers. Most of the hotels are basically good places, and it's hard to go incredibly wrong, especially if you read all the good and bad and have your eyes open!

 

[DizMe]

Oh boy, I completely understand your dilemma! I will say that you won't go wrong whichever one you choose .

I had the same experience as Molly with my first trip to GCH...our room was so far away from the elevators (which take you down to the maze that leads you out to DTD) that I really think we were closer to the DL entrance when we stayed in Dreams at DLH. I did learn from that experience, though, and have never accepted a room in the back 40 since then. I always request a 2-queen-and-a-daybed room near the main elevators. I don't always get the 2Q and DB, but I have at least ended up with a room that was close (all the 2Q/DB rooms are near the lobby so you don't have that daunting walk). If they assign you a room that is far away, plead your case and try to get them to move you closer. It made a WORLD of difference in my attitude about the hotel! I'm now kind of torn between GCH and DLH. The pool is really nice, the jacuzzi great, and WWS is a good choice for relatively inexpensive food. The hotel's location is wonderful (love WoD, Hagen Daaz, La Brea and the entrance gate so close by). There is piano playing in the lobby and storytelling by the fireside. There's also a little area in the lobby where kids can watch Disney cartoons while the parents relax with a beverage. Pinocchio's workshop is located in GCH, so if you can afford the price, you can leave your kids for a few hours while you and dh go to dinner. Supposedly, kids LOVE it but it isn't in my budget with 3 kids so I don't know from personal experience.

My first choice with kids your kids' ages would be DLH. I read a lot of so-so reports from others, but our stays have always been beyond excellent. I was there in Jan. in a newly remodeled room in Dreams with a pool view. It was very cool! I have to say that I do love the old rooms too and would be perfectly happy with one of those. They are more traditional/fanciful/whimsical while the new ones are sleek and modern. My girls adore DLH--the grounds are amazing, Goofy walks around and greets people, the dining options are good and I love being near RFC, the monorail, and Compass Bookstore. The rooms are spacious, too, with most being 2Q/DB rooms. I prefer Dreams, then Magic, and lastly Wonder tower. I try very hard not to get Wonder because it feels too disconnected from the rest of the hotel and feels to me like it's almost in the employee parking lot. There are a lot of cool things for kids to see and do at DLH--little remote control boats, movies in a special little theater, Goofy's Kitchen characters (even if you don't go there for a meal you can still see them walking around inside), MM statue, waterfalls and koi ponds etc.

Usually I think PPH concierge is a great bargain, but in your case it doesn't seem like it would be worthwhile. Admittedly, the concierge food is nothing to flip over in any of the 3 but when you can get it for the same price as a regular room at DLH it's tempting. PPH is very nice but it is nowhere near DLH, IMO. There are basically no grounds at all and a standard pool. The waterslide is nice but I love the landscaped, fancy pools at the other 2 hotels so much better. I can't see much reason to choose PPH standard but I'm much more into the whole resort aspect of the hotel. That's why I'm staying at a Disney property!

But really, any of the 3 would be a wonderful spot for your family vacation.

 

[sierranevada]

Okay - after thinking about my answer and re-reading your first post, I am changing my recommendation! I did not catch that this was your first time (must have read too fast!). Anyway, with your kids ages and being the first time, I think you should stay at the DLH. There is something about pulling up to the hotel with the topiary Mickey greeting you, Disney music playing in the check in lobby, the Neverland themed pool with a projection of Tink at night, the disney decor in the room, Tinkerbell dust on the wallpaper border that glows at night (leave curtains open during day and lights on for all while to charge the dust -these are the old rooms, the new rooms have an awesome LED fireworks display in the headboard!), Mickey wake up calls - make sure the kids answer, sometimes Characters in the lobby, walking through DTD on the way to the park or taking the monorail. It always makes me feel like I never leave the park. You can call ahead of time and ask for autograph photos of the kids's favorite character to be ready for them when you check in. On the pool issue, just be aware that if they are not strong swimmers, they will not be able to go down the big slide - they can not wear life vests on that slide and you can not wait for them at the bottom. But if they are not big slide users, it should not affect you. You will need to get to the pool area early afternoon to find some chairs - the DLH pool area fills up fast. And Crocs Bits 'N Bites is a great snack/lunch area by the pool - the nachos are big enough for a family to share. They also have a little snack shop that sells sandwiches, etc. and the coffee shop is good for a quick breakfast.

I think you and your kids will have a great time no matter which hotel you choose!

 

[NewbieMouse]

Wow, thank you all so much for your responses! I torture myself with this stuff; I think I need to relax and remember that we'll be back, so I shouldn't spaz out.

I'm leaning toward the DLH. I'm realizing now that disney *magic* is a significant factor, and it sounds like the DLH has that in spades. I'm sure the GCH is very nice as well. But I hope if I fork out for the premium view I can get into one of those fancy new rooms, or at least weasel my way into the dreams tower and be close to DTD. The kids are new swimmers, but not bad swimmers - so I can probably make a deal with them like "three times down the slide and then we relax", so I'm not super paranoid poolside. They can be bribed

If anyone sees an harried couple dragging two kids through DTD mumbling, "I'll give you $192 right now to not have to make this walk", you'll know I had regrets Again thanks so much for your experience and insight. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[tholczer]

Sounds like you've made your decision, but I'll chime in with the DLH folks. We go every summer and stay at the DLH and have to say that we love it for the atmosphere. If you get right down to it, the disney hotel rooms are all pretty much the same - a rectangle of space with a couple of beds. It's what's in the room and all around you that seem to make the difference for people. We find the GC dark and a bit imposing, a more adult sort of place, while the DLH is bright and airy and feels much more welcoming for kids. Couple that with a great view and it can't be beat!

You will have a wonderful time. The Dreams Tower is definitely the best.

Tracy

ps - we always do the monorail in the evening back to the room. I prefer waiting to walking at that time of day

 

[closetmickey]

The DLH! With those ages, the monorail is so much more fun than any walk. Enjoy! as a side note though....one of my kids' favorite activities is to sit in the rocking chairs at the GC fireplace and listen to the folksy singer in the evenings. You may want to make a trip over there to see him. The hotel front desk can give you the information. Have fun!

 

[kristie73]

Thanks so much too. This post has validated my decision too. I have wanted to stay at the DLH too, but wondered if it would all be worth it. My trip isn't until July and we are only staying 2 nights and then doing some time in San Diego. My boys are 3 and 7 and not strong swimmers either. But I think the magic of the hotel and 3 days in the park will be good. I hope for the Dreams tower too in a rennovated room close to an elevator. Keep the advice coming. Thanks everyone and thanks NewbieMouse for your post.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Thanks so much too. This post has validated my decision too. I have wanted to stay at the DLH too, but wondered if it would all be worth it. My trip isn't until July and we are only staying 2 nights and then doing some time in San Diego. My boys are 3 and 7 and not strong swimmers either. But I think the magic of the hotel and 3 days in the park will be good. I hope for the Dreams tower too in a rennovated room close to an elevator. Keep the advice coming. Thanks everyone and thanks NewbieMouse for your post.

Kristie73, I am going before you in June, so I will report back on what I thought in hindsight. But I think we'll have a great time no matter what!