Grand Calf. or DH????

[Mickey4us]

I'm heading out west with my family (DH, DS,DS,DS all teens) and staying on property before our cruise in July. DH wants to stay in GCH but I've heard that the rooms there will be cramped for 5 of us. Are we better off staying at DH or will we be ok at GCH??? Any suggestions will help!!!! Is staying at GCH that much more of an advantage in getting to parks and is it worth being cramped???? TIA !!!!!!!!

 

[staley7580]

I would have to suggest you try for the DLH... Only because someone in your family will most likely end up on the floor... They dont have standard roll aways, they will give you a sleeping bag. If thats not an issue for you, then go for the GCH. It is NICE!!!

 

[ScooterL]

Staying at the GCH is NOT much of an advantage is getting to the parks - the only park it's closer to is DCA, which, since it opens later than DL, means that you'll probably start your day in DL and then hop over to DCA anyways. Yes, the rooms are a little larger at the DLH, so that might be a little better for you. And rather than spending the money for a standard room at the GC, why not spend it for an upgraded view at the DLH?

 

[CoolPool]

The rooms I've stayed at in DLH are noticeably larger. They are large enough to accommodate a daybed in addition to the two queens. The DLH actually has several different layouts for its standard sized room so you will find usually 2 sinks but sometimes only one. I'd specifically request that you want a room with a daybed and 2 sinks. The walk back from the parks is longer, but you've got boys! They can do it.

However, you could get a bunkbed room at the GCH. That would give you a trundle for the 3rd son and a queen for the parents. The GCH room does have a balcony too.

I'd save the dough and stay at the DLH. And I'd get a DTD view.

 

[minniebeth]

We struggled with that decision last October and decided to go with the DLH.
We absolutely loved it! The room was large and accomodating for 5 people in our family. It made a difference after a few days... We loved the hotel/grounds/ammenities and everything about it.
It was very Disney.
The GCH is beautiful too and we checked it out while we were there, but I'm just not thinking the difference in price would be worth it. We actually enjoyed the walk through Downtown Disney to and from the parks...it was so full of energy and not a bad walk at all.
Now that we had that experience....we ARE staying at the GCH for our upcoming trip in June, but we will only have 1 of our kids with us. Already, she has requested to go back to see the mini motorized boats, the colorful waterfall and the sparkly Micky Sorcerer Hat of the DLH!
It will be interesting how the experience compares for us.
I'm sure you will love either one, but my vote would be DLH!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thats a toughie! Given the age and gender of your kids, and the fact your dh is willing to spring for it, the GCH sounds like a winner. But the issues of beds and space is non avoidable! I would probably go with the DLH. Although teen boys would probably enjoy the theming of the GCH more. However, that bed situation is not great. You can request a bunkbed but its a request and an often requested request at that! No guarantees. Also the bunkbeds are not full size, full length beds. We stayed there when my son was 11 and no way could he now at 13 comfortably fit in that bed (he is about 5'4"). At the DLH even if you don't get a daybed, you'll get a rollaway.

Now, if you know one of your children will not mind sleeping on the floor if you don't get a daybed room and/or your kids are short enough to fit comfortably in the bunkbeds/trundle, then the GCH is very nice. The balconies are a huge plus.

I really don't find the location of the GCH to be that much if any better. At the DLH you walk a bit further to get there from the parks, but you get to your room really quickly once you get inside the grouns of the hotel. At the GCH, just because you arrive into the building of the GCH quicker doesn't mean you get to your room that much quicker. Its a very spread out hotel with some long hallways.

You can't really make a bad choice as they are both lovely hotels. But the spacious rooms of the DLH and the fact nobody in my family has to sleep on the floor make the DLH our choice. And we were cramped in our room at the GCH and that was with a family of four. Still, it was a lovely hotel and I didn't regret staying there one bit. I just find saving money for a room that is more spacious and workable for my family makes sense. I also just love the Disney feel of the DLH but that's just me. Three teenage boys might not appreciate those Disney touches quite so much! Still my teenage son loves it. There is a quiet pool that has a sandy volleybally area that my son loves. He also loves the remote control boats, fountains, koi ponds and arcade. So even though there are some touches the average teen male might roll their eyes at, the hotel is still very fun for kids of all ages. I have seen plenty of teen boys really enjoying the pools and grounds and again, having a bit more space is always a good thing.

Have a fun trip!

 

[Mickey4us]

Thanks for all the input!!!! I know that none of my boys would like to sleep on the floor and since one of them is over 6'3"...no way would he fit on the bunk bed...the other 2 are close to 6'. We love everything Disney, so they won't mind the themes...that's why we go!!!! I guess that DLH is the winner!!! THANKS!!!!!! Let the countdown begin!!!

 

[CindyH]

I would also suggest that you call DL direct to make the reservation; when I called, the very nice lady asked me if we wanted 2 queen beds or 2 queen beds and a day bed.

 

[Lella]

I'm also struggling with the same issue. I think DLH is going to be our choice because of the room size. As far as the hotel itself, would it compare to a moderate at WDW? And if some rooms have 2 queens and a day bed, are the rooms about the same size as the Poly? Thanks for any input!!

 

[Boardwalk Gal]

I would also suggest that you call DL direct to make the reservation; when I called, the very nice lady asked me if we wanted 2 queen beds or 2 queen beds and a day bed.

that exactly what i did when we were there last March. there were 5 of us (3 adults and 2 kids (14 and 10) )
and i really really wanted to stay at the GC but didn't like the idea of the sleeping bags so i called direct and was told we could stay in room with 2 queen beds with day bed and that what we had. I love it and didn't think the room was small at all. The only down side was those room view face the parking lot, above the lobby, but the stairs were right there since we were on 2nd floor and never use the elevators. I love the GC theme and the close walk to the parks!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I'm also struggling with the same issue. I think DLH is going to be our choice because of the room size. As far as the hotel itself, would it compare to a moderate at WDW? And if some rooms have 2 queens and a day bed, are the rooms about the same size as the Poly? Thanks for any input!!

The DLH is way nicer than a WDW moderate. Its a deluxe level resort. Has the interior hallways, full room service menu, valet and bell services, closets in the rooms, athletic club and probably some other deluxe type things I am forgetting.


The theming of the DLH is sort of subtle Disney. There are lovely grounds but not anywhere near to the extent of the grounds of the WDW moderates and deluxes. Space is at a premium at DL, everything is more compact so its not this vast array of parks, hotels, etc.

Size wise, the rooms at the Poly are listed on allearsnet as being 409 sq. feet. Rooms at the DLH range between 365-415 square feet. A moderate is generally around 315 square feet. So the DLH rooms are closer to the Poly rooms in size.

Hope that helps!