Grand Californian & DLH Questions

[KCmike]

If I were to splurge....

Are the pools heated at both resorts? Even in June when the nights still get chilly?

Which pool is better for 10-14 year old kids? We've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside at WDW and they love that pool/slide.

If you could choose...which one would you pick and why?

 

[jolynda]

We stayed at the same WDW resort as you before, and my kids loved the pool there too! That said, my kids like the DL pool better because of the theming. Don't think the waterslide is better or worse at either - it's equivalent.

I like the pool better at GCH because it's just NICE - pleasant, peaceful, and beautiful (though maybe not as peaceful with the construction?)

My kids are just happy with a pool but they prefer DL's pool due to its 'cool' factor

 

[only1mouse]

Personally, I would choose the GCH pool, I'm biased because I love the GCH and stay there whenever the rates aren't too high. Your kids are a little older and I think would enjoy it over at the GCH.

 

[disney-super-mom]

First, all the pools at the DLR hotels are heated.

Second, I think your kids would like the DLH pool/slide better than the pool/slide at the GCH. But the ambiance of the GCH is wonderful, and the location can't be beat. Decisions, decisions.....

(Our kids like the slide better at the PPH over the one at the DLH, but for them, it's all about the slide and not so much the theme of the pool, so when we stay on property, we stay at the PPH. I'm sure as they get a little older, we'll be back at the DLH, and hopefully at the GCH too.)

 

[Pir8girl]

We've stayed at both the DL hotel and GCH. We prefer GC for two reasons... one the DL hotel was really showing it's wear. Not worth what we paid imo.
The GC is expensive but much nicer and my kids prefer the GC pool. They're 9 & 13.
I prefer the GC pool too.

 

[KCmike]

I wish there was a separate thread/sticky like they have for WDW resorts. We have stayed at Fairfield Inn and HOJO but I thought it would be fun to be as close as possible and enjoy the amenities. How are the food situations at DLH and GC? Do they have a food court at either? I don't want nice sitdown restaurants all the time.

I glad to hear that the pools are heated. It can get pretty chilly at DL.
The more I think about GC the more I would like to stay at Wilderness Lodge at WDW. I wish DL would entice me with a better deal right now.

 

[jolynda]

I wish there was a separate thread/sticky like they have for WDW resorts. We have stayed at Fairfield Inn and HOJO but I thought it would be fun to be as close as possible and enjoy the amenities. How are the food situations at DLH and GC? Do they have a food court at either? I don't want nice sitdown restaurants all the time.

I glad to hear that the pools are heated. It can get pretty chilly at DL.
The more I think about GC the more I would like to stay at Wilderness Lodge at WDW. I wish DL would entice me with a better deal right now.

I feel that! I LOVE staying at GCH and so do my kids but it is just so darned expensive much of the time.

BTW, another plus to the pool at GCH... they give you these lovely fluffy robes in the room that you can wear to the pool - we had extras delivered - enough so we each had one - and the kids LOVED the robes!

 

[disney-super-mom]

I wish there was a separate thread/sticky like they have for WDW resorts. We have stayed at Fairfield Inn and HOJO but I thought it would be fun to be as close as possible and enjoy the amenities. How are the food situations at DLH and GC? Do they have a food court at either? I don't want nice sitdown restaurants all the time.

I glad to hear that the pools are heated. It can get pretty chilly at DL.
The more I think about GC the more I would like to stay at Wilderness Lodge at WDW. I wish DL would entice me with a better deal right now.

The GCH has White Water Snacks for quick service. We've eaten here several times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and really like it. Here's a link to a menu:
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_wws.htm

The DLH has Crocs Bits and Bites. We've never eaten here, so I'm not sure how good it is.
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_croc.htm

 

[Krissy Marissy]

White water snacks has decently priced YUMMY food and snacks! We always stay at the GCH, when we stay at the hojo this june I will miss it. I love the GCH pool! Depending on when you go the DVC construction may be done as they should be working on the interiors soon. See DCA all lit up and taking a swim after a day at the park is great. It's also fun during the day. I just love GCH The feeling you get from staying there is warm and magical.

 

[oscarkitty1]

If it's really all about the pool for the kiddos, then I would say the DLH. It has such a magical feel to it.

The Grand's pool area is lovely, but much more of an adult feel. More luxury resort than Disney fun. Here are a few pictures I took before the DVC expansion began.

But if you want the best overall experience, I say GCH. You can't beat the location, and in June you will appreciate the opportunity to ride GRR over and over and then run back to the room and change into dry clothes!

And there's more of an opportunity for you and your wife to catch a romantic moment alone. I don't have kids, but I'm guessing that 10 - 14 would be old enough to let them stay in the room and watch a movie while the two of you go have a glass or wine in front of the fireplace. Great way to end the day. I didn't see any romantic nooks anywhere at the DLH.


BTW, I feel your pain regarding never getting any good offers from DLR. I guess they just don't get that not all Midwesterner's prefer to go to Florida! Depending on how long you stay, it might be worth getting an AP for one of you, so you can get the AP discount at the hotel. The good news is that APs are a LOT cheaper in DLR than WDW.

Have fun!

 

[KCmike]

Vicki-another fellow KC dweller-it is a small world after all.

How often do you visit DL or WDW? Have you ever driven to either. We've driven a couple of times to WDW but have always flown to DL. We are going to drive to Yosemite/Northern California this summer. Any advice?

Thanks for all the great advice everyone about these two hotels. I like the idea of how close GC is to both parks. DLH is about as far as walking from the HOJO. Are there any other perks at DLH?

 

[Queenbillabong]

Vicki-another fellow KC dweller-it is a small world after all.

How often do you visit DL or WDW? Have you ever driven to either. We've driven a couple of times to WDW but have always flown to DL. We are going to drive to Yosemite/Northern California this summer. Any advice?

Thanks for all the great advice everyone about these two hotels. I like the idea of how close GC is to both parks. DLH is about as far as walking from the HOJO. Are there any other perks at DLH?

Well, you can also use the GC entrance from DCA for both hotels and the monorail really shortens the walk to DLH I love the GC, but the walk can be deceptively far, depending on where your room is. For example, our room was right at the sign for DTD, so we walked to the lobby, then back-tracked all the way to the other side (very far!!). It was convenient in the morning, because there is a "secret door" where you exit by La Brea, but you cannot come in that way

 

[ReggieB]

So is the construction going to be an issue at GC? Looking to go in May, so any thoughts would be helpful.

 

[Hound 109]

Hey Mike, we do have similar interests - thought patterns. Have never stayed at the Del....but want to....BAD.

Have never stayed at the GCH, but want to BAD.

Stayed at POP, the Grovesnor, & PO Riverside (twice) at the World. (& want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge or the Grand Floridian BAD.)

When pricing etc..... ask folks here what the going AP rates for various dates for the DLR hotels. The reason I mention it is because a year & a half ago I ended up getting an AP pass since I was able to get 2 nights at the PP for $139 per night (the DLH was $169 & the GCH was ....i don't know....maybe $249). Easily made it worth it for me buy 1 AP (for myself) to get the rate (since I was gonna get a 3 day hopper anyway).

....& we ended up going twice more that 12 mos. period.

We've stayed at the PP three times & like it. (if it's a deal). I think it's on par with the PO Riverside. I like the theming & like the pool (& the fact that ALL DLR hotels offer unlimited MM).....but when we walk thru the GCH (to get to the parks), I always think....dang for $120-$150 more per night we could have stayed here.....but in the end, i just can't justify it.

I've never stayed at the DLH (or HOJOs) so i defer to others. (But I've stayed at the Candy Cane & the Fairfield & as you know....both are good & serve the purpose).

But I'm impressed.....First the Del.....now the GCH.....KCMike & family come to SoCal in style.

 

[KCmike]

Hound I'm thinking the money I would save on plane tickets I could put towards a nicer hotel. I usually can't justify in the end either. Hotel Del Coronado was the first time we've ever really spoiled ourselves. I have to tell you though it was nice. I keep dreaming though. We only go through this crazy life once.....

 

[splash5]

Has anyone gone recently? How is the construction going?

 

[oscarkitty1]

Vicki-another fellow KC dweller-it is a small world after all.

How often do you visit DL or WDW? Have you ever driven to either. We've driven a couple of times to WDW but have always flown to DL. We are going to drive to Yosemite/Northern California this summer. Any advice?

Thanks for all the great advice everyone about these two hotels. I like the idea of how close GC is to both parks. DLH is about as far as walking from the HOJO. Are there any other perks at DLH?

My husband and I both went to WDW with our families as kids, but we have only gone once together, about 4 years ago. We are hoping that they will extend their 7 days for the price of 4 throughout the year, and maybe we will go there for Christmas!


We have been AP holders at DLR for 3 years now, and for the last three years we've made multilple trips (4 trips in 2007!). I go to LA for business a lot, so my husband meets me at the end of the trip and we go to Anaheim. That way we only have the cost of one plane ticket. Plus, we have family in San Diego, so anytime we go to visit we tack on a trip to DLR! We were just there in December and went specifically just for a weekend to DLR, but it was a speical treat (my birthday and Christmas present combined). We got an AP rate at the GCH for $249 a night, worth every penny!!

We have never driven, but with it being just the two of us it's easier to fly. Plus, I travel so much for work I almost always have a free Southwest flight available, which helps. With a family, flying can really add up!


I grew up in Missouri, and every summer we went on a trip, and not once did we fly. We drove all over the country! And this was way before portable DVD players for entertainment!! And now looking back, I enjoy the stories from our road trips. So I say go for it!


And like you said in an ealier post, you can use the money you save to splurge on the hotel. If you loved the Del, I say you should stay at the GCH. The Grand is a more posh experience, like the Del. To me, the DLH is more like a Marriott covered in Pixie Dust! (not that there's anything wrong with that)

 

[firefly87]

Vicki-another fellow KC dweller-it is a small world after all.

How often do you visit DL or WDW? Have you ever driven to either. We've driven a couple of times to WDW but have always flown to DL. We are going to drive to Yosemite/Northern California this summer. Any advice?
Thanks for all the great advice everyone about these two hotels. I like the idea of how close GC is to both parks. DLH is about as far as walking from the HOJO. Are there any other perks at DLH?

I live within driving distance to Yosemite! It's a beautiful place and worth the trip, esp. if you've never seen it. There are easy hikes & some much more strenuous. But the views are AMAZING and well worth it!!

Do you know where you are staying when you visit Yosemite? There are 2 entrances, depending on which highway you come in on. If you have any Yosemite/NoCal related questions, you can PM me!


On the Disney note and to answer one of the OP questions........we stayed at the DLH in Sept. 2006 and I did not think the pool was heated at all!!! The days were quite warm and a nice dip in the pool sounded so refreshing. Let's just say it was a bit nipply!! The kids didn't mind too much though. They were having fun but they didn't stay too long as the pool was quite crowded.