GCH vs. DLH? Which one?

[WendyT]

Hi all!
We are heading to Disneyland (again) in October. Although we have ressies at HOJO- DH thinks he would like to stay on property. Who am I to disappoint???
Anyway, I am weighing the pros and cons of GCH and DLH. I am aware that the rooms are larger at DLH and that is a plus since we are taking DS 12, DD 13 and DD 15. I have read that the pool is larger at DLH too, but have also read that it gets really crowded.
Where would you stay and why?

 

[TinkandPooh]

Hi all!
We are heading to Disneyland (again) in October. Although we have ressies at HOJO- DH thinks he would like to stay on property. Who am I to disappoint???
Anyway, I am weighing the pros and cons of GCH and DLH. I am aware that the rooms are larger at DLH and that is a plus since we are taking DS 12, DD 13 and DD 15. I have read that the pool is larger at DLH too, but have also read that it gets really crowded.
Where would you stay and why?

For me that is an easy one.....GCH....

and with a very recent stay at the DLH June 9th 2008........I would for sure pick GCH.

Although I like both GCH is just more magical for me and more worth the money than the others.

Our stay at the DLH a couple days ago was ok but there were a few things that I noticed.
The room seemed to look run down......wallpaper ripping, dirty looking floors, run down furniture, toilet not working (they did fix it at midnight ), anyhow I was sure happy that I paid an AP rate and not full price for the room.......plus who was I to complain when I paid the AP rate for a standard room and they upgraded us to a suite!!!
I did however think in my mind that if I would have paid the full almost $700.00 they wanted per night for that suite in the condition it was in I would have been beyond angry........just not what you would expect to get for paying so much money!!!!
I am much more impressed with the GCH.

Good luck with your choice and I am sure either way you will not be dissapointed!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

The rooms are indeed bigger at the DLH. You also are guaranteed either a daybed or rollaway (which are free) for a third bed option. If you don't get a bunkbed or daybed room (won't guarantee those) at the GCH you get a sleeping bag. The Gch rooms have the balconies which is really nice. I have never noticed the pool at the DLH being so crowded (and I have stayed there six times), it does get crowded but so does the GCH pool. I have been to both those hotels in the broiling hot summer and they both got crowded but we found chairs no problem at both. The DLH has more landscaping and it has a completely separate quiet pool area with a volleyball/sand area. I am not sure the GCH pool area is any smaller, its sort of three connected pools, no separate quiet pool. Both pools have fun slides. GCH has Whitewater snacks for pool food which has more selection for food than the DLH's Crocs Bits n Bites (which is good, just really limited).

I think you cannot make a bad choice. I love the DLH but it is older (I have never had a worn room) and that gives you the space but it also doesn't have the dramatic lobby and turn down service the GCH has. The GCH is truly a deluxe level hotel. It doesn't have any grounds but the rooms, amenities, lobby, and service are first rate. The rooms are smaller but not so small your family coudln't fit just fine imho. The DLH is still a very nice hotel, not as luxurious as the GCH but the larger rooms, charm and the cm's have always made my stays wonderful.

You do pay dearly for the GCH, so if price is a consideration, the DLH might be the better choice.

Given the age of your kids, the GCH might suit them better although my son is 13 and my daughter 11 and they love the DLH. But they have been staying there for awhile so maybe they are sentimental like their mom!

 

[avalon451]

Haven't stayed at DLH, but GCH was wonderful. If price is not that big a deal, you just can't beat the location, especially the private entrance to DCA. It is quite a bit closer than DLH, and it feels that way, especially on that long walk back to the hotel at night when you are SO tired!

I don't agree that they don't have the landscaping-- the interior courtyard is absolutely beautiful. We had a room overlooking it, with the monorail swishing by quietly, and we could see the fireworks over the roof of the wing opposite us.

If you can swing the upgraded room, the DTD view is even more spectacular, and great for fireworks viewing.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I should have said grounds, not landscaping, that wasn't very clear of me! The DLH has actual grounds, nothing close to the WDW properties but more than the GCH which does have that pretty courtyard but no real grounds to speak of.

I have had that same view at the GCH, its wonderful. I am always amazed at how quiet the monorail is when it goes by. I love that sound.

And any guest of the DLR onsite properties can use the private entrance from the GCH into DCA. In fact, its a great way to get into DCA from the DLH and is a nice shortcut. From the Paradise Pier Hotel as well.

 

[mmmears]

We love the GCH. It is really a stunning hotel, especially the lobby. Also the location can't be beat, with it opening to the middle of DTD and the back entrance to DCA.

As for the pool, the GCH has two pools, not one (this came in handy last weekend when they had to close the main pool because a young child had an "accident" in it). Everyone just went over to the other pool. Also, there are many more lounges at the pool at the GCH, and they are really nice ones, too.

We've had a bunkbed room there, and the bunks slept 3 since there is a trundle under the lower bunk. This past trip we had 2 queens and a daybed. The rooms aren't huge, but they are really nicely laid out, with a refrigerator and a flat-screen tv.

I haven't stayed at the DLH since I was a kid, so I cant comment on the rooms there. We've visitied since then, and I wasn't "blown away" like I am at the GCH.

 

[spaceace510]

This is a no brainer... GCH all the way. The rooms were great, the service was amazing, and the location was PRIME!!! A special entrance to DTD, a special entrance to DCA, and a quick walk to DL or the monorail station. PLease check out my trip report from April for some pics of the room, resort info and our AMAZING DTD VIEW!!!
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1796905

 

[quest4dl]

As for the pool, the GCH has two pools, not one (this came in handy last weekend when they had to close the main pool because a young child had an "accident" in it). Everyone just went over to the other pool. Also, there are many more lounges at the pool at the GCH, and they are really nice ones, too.

We must have been at the pool at the same time!