January Trip. I must be losing my mind. Help me find it.

[ironband74]

After our April trip, which was fun, but felt like a ton of work and a lack of value, I swore I was going to take a break from DLR. There were a lot of factors in that feeling (we went before WOC/F! reopened, no fireworks, Rope Drop was a mess, not a lot of entertainment, and so on), and I was disenchanted with the management.

Fast forward to last week. My son's 14th birthday is the first week of January, and as we went down the list of places we could go, Disneyland was the only one that really seemed to pique his interest, and it killed me when he added "but dad is still mad at Disney, so that's probably not an option."

Now, I've softened a little since Chapek is out. I know there aren't going to be any changes anytime soon, but when the change happened it got me thinking about going back. I still feel conflicted, but honestly my son has always gotten the shaft since his birthday is right after Christmas and he's the third kid, so he often gets sort of overlooked birthday-wise.

So I put aside my petty squabbles with the mouse and started planning a trip far later than I usually like to. BWPPI was not available (our usual digs) but I managed to get a reservation at Del Sol. So I started planning...The new Early Entry stuff has had me a little tweaked in the head since it messes with my usual flow. I got a few dining reservations and have alerts set up for other stuff. We have to be back home on the 7th for an entrance exam, and his birthday is the 6th, so the plan is to Go down January 2, be in the parks the 3rd through the 5th, and then on the morning of the 6th (his actual birthday) before leaving in the afternoon to drive home (SF Bay Area).

Early Entry was in my head. I had checked for on-site reservations, but there were none to be had. Got up early this morning for work and noticed I had left the hotel reservation tab open on my computer. Refreshed it and a DLH room had come available.

I have always been a "I'll never stay at on-site. That money could be used for other things" guy. But something came over me and I booked that room. Over twice what Del Sol costs. I must be freaking out of my mind.

I haven't told my family. I am thinking I will let them believe that we're staying at Del Sol right up until I get off the freeway an exit early. Surprise family! Dad is suddenly not super cheap. Either that or dad finally caved now that EE is hotel guests only. Either way, get ready to have some freaking fun.

So, here's where I need some help. I'm a park commando Disney Veteran. I know the park.

The hotels...not so much.

What should I know going in? I'm excited to try out the vaunted the Disney Bubble. Are there things I need to know to make the most of this? I'm going to go research the crap out of EE and how that works now. But with regard to the hotel, should I just go for the ride and not overthink it? Or do I need to understand the hotel as well as the park to truly enjoy it? Were any of you non-on-site people once who became on-site-people? What was your experience?

TIA

 

[katyringo]

We stayed at DLH in October, and I was also one of those never on-site people. We LOVED it. I honestly don't know how we will can every stay off site again. You can search my name and find my thread from our trip. We used EE every day for 5 days. It requires an early wake up commitment. I would be down to DTD security by 6:15. ITS WORTH IT.

There is come construction happening so i would prepare of that. We stayed in fantasy tower and had no issue with it whatsoever. Dole Whips and mickey bars available on site! One of the best things was lounging at the pool and the servers there will take drink and food orders for you. I felt totally spoiled.

There is a QR code they will give you that you can scan and shows options to order food from some placed in DTD. We didn't use this but it would be handy.

Bag check- You can drop them if you arrive early, and they will store and bring to your room when you call. same when you leave, they will come up and get them.

I don't think you need to research the hotel much... but you absolutely have to take some time to walk around when you are there. DLH was magic to us.. it just screams Disneyland.

 

[pharmama]

Enjoy! I love the idea of surprising them with which hotel you drive up to- I've done that once before too and needless to say everyone was over the moon.

I don't think there's a ton you need to know about the hotel (and katyringo gave you some great info already) to enjoy your stay. One piece I will mention is you may want to look at a map/layout of the grounds. Personally, I prefer Adventure or Fantasy towers (in that order) over Frontier. Frontier just feels so... far compared to the other two. It's also the closest to the DVC construction and the strangest room layouts we've had at DLH have also been in this tower. Don't get me wrong- I'd still take a stay in Frontier tower over a Harbor hotel (cost aside) but I prefer the other two towers. That said, if you are in one of the other towers, its worth a visit to the Frontier tower lobby to see the BTMRR model.

 

[DizMe]

I prefer Adventure or Fantasy towers (in that order) over Frontier. Frontier just feels so... far compared to the other two. It's also the closest to the DVC construction and the strangest room layouts we've had at DLH have also been in this tower. Don't get me wrong- I'd still take a stay in Frontier tower over a Harbor hotel (cost aside) but I prefer the other two towers. That said, if you are in one of the other towers, its worth a visit to the Frontier tower lobby to see the BTMRR model.

I agree with this. Frontier is nice if you're staying in a suite, but otherwise the other 2 towers are more convenient. If you booked a standard room, in Frontier tower, you're likely to get an ugly view of a parking lot. You can get a parking lot view from Fantasy as well, but you also get fireworks and the view includes trees and peeks of DL. And a standard room in Adventure is cool because you'll have either a pool or DTD view, but possibly obstructed some by palm trees.

Be sure to check out all of the vintage Disney artifacts on display near Goofy's Kitchen. I also love looking at the old photos of famous people with Walt.

Edited my post to correct that it's Frontier that has the ugly standard rooms. Since you have a premium room, you won't have to worry about that. My favorite is Adventure.

 

[ironband74]

We stayed at DLH in October, and I was also one of those never on-site people. We LOVED it. I honestly don't know how we will can every stay off site again. You can search my name and find my thread from our trip. We used EE every day for 5 days. It requires an early wake up commitment. I would be down to DTD security by 6:15. ITS WORTH IT.

There is come construction happening so i would prepare of that. We stayed in fantasy tower and had no issue with it whatsoever. Dole Whips and mickey bars available on site! One of the best things was lounging at the pool and the servers there will take drink and food orders for you. I felt totally spoiled.

There is a QR code they will give you that you can scan and shows options to order food from some placed in DTD. We didn't use this but it would be handy.

Bag check- You can drop them if you arrive early, and they will store and bring to your room when you call. same when you leave, they will come up and get them.

I don't think you need to research the hotel much... but you absolutely have to take some time to walk around when you are there. DLH was magic to us.. it just screams Disneyland.

I just read your thread. Thanks for the info - I know we share similar personalities (from various planning threads over the past few years), so I really appreciate your opinion on the experience as a off-site person going on-site.

 

[ironband74]

I agree with this. Frontier is nice if you're staying in a suite, but otherwise the other 2 towers are more convenient. If you booked a standard room, in Adventure tower, you're likely to get an ugly view of a parking lot. You can get a parking lot view from Fantasy as well, but you also get fireworks and the view includes trees and peeks of DL. And a standard room in Adventure is cool because you'll have either a pool or DTD view, but possibly obstructed some by palm trees.

Be sure to check out all of the vintage Disney artifacts on display near Goofy's Kitchen. I also love looking at the old photos of famous people with Walt.

I didn't have much choice - The room that came available was a Premium View, but no mention of which tower we're going to be in. I see that I can check in on December 28 - when I do will it assign me one or give me the option?

 

[pharmama]

Unfortunately no, it will not let you request a tower when you check in online or show you where you've been assigned (until you have a room assignment on arrival day). Some people have tried calling ahead to put in a tower request but it seems pretty mixed on the success of that. I suppose it doesn't hurt, though I've never done it. I usually still finalize check in at the front desk (because I want plastic keys-not to just use my phone) and ask about it then too. Sometimes they can accommodate and sometimes they cannot but again, doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[chezcurrie]

I don‘t really have anything else to add that hasn‘t been said, but I will say as someone who “surprised” her sister with a stay at the DLH vs the Harbour hotel she thought we were staying at - that surprise still gives me goosebumps! Like I’m tearing up thinking about it right now.

Also, just cause it bears mentioning - a lot of SoCal schools go back the 3rd and the SoCal ticket offer doesn’t start until the 9th so you may have picked an ideal time to visit. Have a blast and I hope more magic is coming your son’s way!!!

EDIT: Ok, I lied. I forgot to mention I love Tangaroa Terrace for breakfast - the Loco Moco burrito (get extra gravy) and Tangaroa Toast (think: Tonga Toast from WDW). Also it bears mentioning that the aforementioned Dole Whip can be ordered with rum… and enjoyed in the hot tub. Just sayin’…

 

[ironband74]

EDIT: Ok, I lied. I forgot to mention I love Tangaroa Terrace for breakfast - the Loco Moco burrito (get extra gravy) and Tangaroa Toast (think: Tonga Toast from WDW). Also it bears mentioning that the aforementioned Dole Whip can be ordered with rum… and enjoyed in the hot tub. Just sayin’…

Now you're speaking my language...I was going to ask about hot tubs since It's probably going to be a little chilly for the pool. I'll need to sneak bathing suits for the wife and kiddo.

 

[chezcurrie]

Now you're speaking my language...I was going to ask about hot tubs since It's probably going to be a little chilly for the pool. I'll need to sneak bathing suits for the wife and kiddo.

My (Canadian) sons enjoyed the pool and slides last December as it was heated. I kept to the hot tub.

 

[Geemo]

Now you're speaking my language...I was going to ask about hot tubs since It's probably going to be a little chilly for the pool. I'll need to sneak bathing suits for the wife and kiddo.

One of my grandkids favorite thing is to have Marris' deliver a pizza and spend some time in the hot tub or pool. They feel a trip is not complete with out doing this ritual.
Check with the hotel for the pool hours during your stay.

We like the Adventure Tower over looking DTD, on one of the upper floors.

Have a fun trip!!

 

[Pluto468]

What a wonderful surprise for your family, and I'm so glad you were able to get into DLH. Your son must be so excited to go to Disneyland for his birthday!

You don't need to plan much for staying at DLH, but be prepared for Disney Magic Overload (in the best way.) Even the hallways and carpets are magical (to me, anyway). The grounds are so pretty, and there's so much history there. The monorail is awesome for going to/from the parks. We had breakfast at Tangaroa Terrace one morning and there was hardly anyone else there because it was super early. I actually mobile ordered but liked it so much when I went to pick up the food that I called the family and told them to come eat on the nice patio. The pools and hot tub are great. We've stayed in Frontier and Adventure, but I'd steer clear of Frontier if you can because of the construction. The premium rooms I've had in Adventure were really nice and had great views. The best view I ever had was a standard room on the 10th floor of Adventure. If you're interested in a certain tower you can call and request it.

Luggage hold is a really nice perk, we've used it a number of times. Drop it of before your room is ready and they'll bring it up to your room when after you check in, or you can pick it up yourself and bring it to your room. It's nice to have a secure place to store it on the day you leave, too.

Have you ever eaten at Goofy's Kitchen, or would you want to? It's right there so it's super convenient. If you think you'd like Trader Sam's you could set a dining alert and see if you could get in there for lunch or dinner one day.

One thing about DLH, it's far away from those Harbor stores, so if you want to have snacks or water in the room make sure you bring it with you because it's tricky to just pop out and get something. There are a couple of stores in Fantasy tower, but they don't have a huge selection and of course they're expensive.

Have a great trip!

 

[bwvBound]

Were any of you non-on-site people once who became on-site-people? What was your experience?

LOL. Me, that would be me. I was perfectly happy being off-site at either WDW or DLR ... until we bought into DVC in 2004. Now we are only on-site at WDW (as in, "nothing else will do; how did we ever survive driving in from off-site?") and becoming rapidly spoiled by on-site at DLR. Yes, we can still stay off-site at DLR ... but there is a almost imperceptible tone in my hubby's voice when he asks if we are staying overnight and where. I know what answer he is looking for! He completely loves the special entrances from the Grand Cal into DCA ... really loves them.

We rarely get up in time for EE ... but made good use of it on our departure day in early Nov. We hit three rides in DCA and purchased our Boudin's bread before returning to the room to checkout. Loved that.

Other elements favoring on-site at DLR:

• Less carrying of "stuff" in the park all day long. When staying on-site we can enter the parks w/out bag/backpacks. Just a few essentials in our pockets and the wonderful assurance that we can always return to the room if we need something.
• Grizzly River Rapids! Go, enjoy, get wet ... and then saunter back to the hotel pools and hot tub. (Already wet ... so why not?)
• ... ah, just the glow of it all ... ;-)

 

[Chickinvic]

My (Canadian) sons enjoyed the pool and slides last December as it was heated. I kept to the hot tub.

I swim outdoors in heated pools year round. When I lived in Ottawa, there was a pool outside the casino in Gatineau, Quebec (Gatineau is just across a bridge from Ottawa) that was open (heated obviously) year round. One of the coolest things ever swimming surrounded by steam coming off the water, snow on the ground, hair frozen, lol. That could be in -30C. Now that I'm back on the West Coast (Victoria, BC) where we don't get a real winter, there are no cool experiences like that one.

 

[ktlm]

We love DLH. We prefer Fantasy Tower because we like being in the same building as the gift store and "sundries" shop, and the lobby and bell services. Plus, Goofy used to show up in the lobby here and there, not sure if he still does. Premium View means pool view on upper floors. I think it used to be either pool or DTD view on upper floors, but I think they have split the categories on the website now into Premium and Premium DTD. It is our favorite view--- we like the pool view and there usually isn't much outside noise.

We just wait to check in until we get there and then request Fantasy tower and have always gotten it. We do usually get there in the late morning or early afternoon though-- might be different if you are coming in during the evening. I've only done online check in at DLH once- in Oct. 2021-- and it was a bad experience for us. A lot of people have had no issues with it. October 2021, we got to DLH at 11:30 a.m. We get to the front desk and everyone around us is checking in manually and getting rooms right then- same category type rooms. We are told our room isn't ready and that they will text us that afternoon when it is ready. I nicely ask why others are all getting rooms right then and we aren't and if we could get a room now like we were hearing all around us. I was told they were sorry, but because we had done online check in our room was assigned by the computer and they could not override it or get us a room right then even though they had rooms ready. We would have to wait until the room number assigned to us was cleaned. We sat out in the lobby to get sunscreen on before we checked bags with bell services and headed out to the parks, and the whole time we were down there (at least 15-20 minutes probably), people were getting rooms right and left and going up to them. It was so frustrating. We didn't get a text with our room assigned until after 4:00 p.m. That is the last time I'm using online check in at DLH, except maybe if we are getting in during the evening hours. After our October 2021 trip, I stuck to my swearing off this year for 2022 (first time in over a decade we haven't been to DLR other than 2020), but I think caving for a trip a 14 year old wants for his birthday is fantastic!

My favorite perk is sending DH to Trader Sam's on the walk back from the parks at night while I take DD back to the room, so he can get drinks for both of us and bring them up to the room.

 

[ironband74]

Thanks everyone - I'm feeling good about the splurge now. The only thing I'm kinda stressed about now is breakfast before EE - looks like the only real option before hitting the security line is the Coffee House, unless I want to send someone to grab Starbucks at 7 after we get through security while I get in line at the gate. For those of you who have done EE, do you just bring food to keep in the room and use the in-room coffee maker? Or is the Coffee House a viable option at 6am? I know when we went in April DTD Starbucks wasn't doing mobile order and it took forever to get our drinks etc to where I was worried my hunting party wouldn't make rope drop (they did, but barely).

I appreciate the detail on the various towers and to maybe not do mobile check-in. I sort of want to have the full experience and service anyway - you know, with real people. I'll probably push to have us leave fairly early to "beat the traffic" or some nonsense so that we can get there earlier rather than later and enjoy the grounds.

 

[pharmama]

For those of you who have done EE, do you just bring food to keep in the room and use the in-room coffee maker? Or is the Coffee House a viable option at 6am? I know when we went in April DTD Starbucks wasn't doing mobile order and it took forever to get our drinks etc to where I was worried my hunting party wouldn't make rope drop (they did, but barely).

Personally, I prefer to just have stuff in the room.

Hopefully someone else will have current pulse on the Coffee House but I ALMOST even mentioned in my last post that I would avoid it. Always seemed to be a MUCH longer wait than I planned for or expected (even with Mobile Order- Click "I'm here" and then still wait for 15-20min).

 

[Narcoossee11]

I am sure you will have a great trip...
......... BUT ..........
this is why Disney doesn't have to worry about upsetting guest. WE ALWAYS COME BACK !!!!!

 

[DizMe]

When I stayed there last year, they let us order to-go (alcohol) drinks from Trader Sam's. We called down for Tiki Rums, gave our room number, and I went down and picked them up

 

[bwvBound]

We certainly enjoy coffee in the room before heading out for EE. Then again, the DVC room has a real coffee pot.

Edited to add: We realized too late that our room had "to go" paper cups and lids for the coffee. We didn't think to use them until we were standing in a long line waiting for security to start processing. Next time!