Need quick advice re: DLH or Courtyard Theme Park Entrance

[100acreHiker]

Hello! WDW vet planning first visit to Disneyland. We (me, DH and two boys, 12 and 9) will be swinging by February 20th for three nights. I am super torn about where to stay. We always stay on property at WDW. We like a nice hotel, nice beds, linens, etc. The reviews of Courtyard Theme Park Entrance hotel look great (comfy beds and nice amenities). I don't know how important it is for us to stay on property at DL. What appeals to me about Disneyland Hotel is that my kids would love the pool and slide, but in mid February, is there even a good likelihood they will be able to swim? I can save $400 if we go with the Courtyard and it's just as close, but not in the bubble of course. I suppose the benefits of on property would be the pool (which we don't know if we can use) and the extra morning hour, which we would use. But is that worth $400? Is that week (the days after President's day) likely to be very busy that the extra morning hour would be worth that money? Honestly the rooms at Courtyard look great and have comfy beds. So, so, so torn.

Has anyone stayed at both of these hotels and can offer advice?
Thank you in advance!

 

[mom2rtk]

If you think you might ever want to stay at DLH, I would do that now before they tear up DTD with the new hotel construction. I personally don't think it will be the same after. I assume they won't be started tearing things up yet in February, but I'd double check if that's your motivation.

 

[100acreHiker]

This is good information. I didn't know that there will be construction in DTD that would impact DLH. Anyone here know if it's likely to start in February?

 

[Whistlebee]

For a $400 difference I would go with the DLH. Presidents week is usually very busy and thevEMH will be useful. The Courtyard rooms are roomy and really nice. The pool area is definitely geared more to the 10 and under set. The actual pool is tiny.

 

[Geemo]

Hello! WDW vet planning first visit to Disneyland. We (me, DH and two boys, 12 and 9) will be swinging by February 20th for three nights. I am super torn about where to stay. We always stay on property at WDW. We like a nice hotel, nice beds, linens, etc. The reviews of Courtyard Theme Park Entrance hotel look great (comfy beds and nice amenities). I don't know how important it is for us to stay on property at DL. What appeals to me about Disneyland Hotel is that my kids would love the pool and slide, but in mid February, is there even a good likelihood they will be able to swim? I can save $400 if we go with the Courtyard and it's just as close, but not in the bubble of course. I suppose the benefits of on property would be the pool (which we don't know if we can use) and the extra morning hour, which we would use. But is that worth $400? Is that week (the days after President's day) likely to be very busy that the extra morning hour would be worth that money? Honestly the rooms at Courtyard look great and have comfy beds. So, so, so torn.

Has anyone stayed at both of these hotels and can offer advice?
Thank you in advance!

With Feb 20th a Tuesday, have you priced out the special rates Disney is offering?
Here's a link for you https://disneyland.disney.go.com/offers-discounts/room-saving/
This Tumbnail will give you an idea of what is being offered.

We have been many times in Jan and Feb and my grandkids always use the pool. If it's a little chilly I warm up in the hot tub while they swim.
FYI the slides at the pool have specific hours. You might call the DLH for the schedule.

Having EE for four days (including arrival day) is something special. The hours in Feb will be shorter and the extra hour will be very beneficial.
For a first time visit, I'd go with a Disney hotel.

As far as construction...
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/10/new-hotel-disneyland-resort/
This is the last paragraph

Construction is scheduled to start in summer 2018, with a grand opening slated for 2021. Check back here for updates!

Good luck

Geemo

 

[Lesley Wake]

This is good information. I didn't know that there will be construction in DTD that would impact DLH. Anyone here know if it's likely to start in February?

With the new hotel, they will be demolishing everything between the Monorail and the DLH. When that starts there will probably be significant impacts to guests at DLH as they will need to be rerouted around construction. Disney will "say" they will be minimizing the impact, but we all know that isn't true.

Demo is projected to start in mid-2018. They still haven't started the full engineering design; the only reason they accounced was because they had just informed Anaheim, which goes in the public record, so it looks better coming direct from them, rather than thru the rumor mill.

FYI-here is projected schedule:
2017-2018: Design
Late 2017-2018: hotel parking garage construction
Early 2019: hotel parking garage open
Mid 2018: Demo
Late 2018-2020: hotel construction
Early 2021: hotel open

 

[Whistlebee]

I am guessing the rates Geemo gave you will be better but you can also check to see if Orbitz has any availability for your dates. You can almost always get an extra 15% off with an Orbitz coupon code.

 

[100acreHiker]

I can save money with Orbitz, for sure, but I have to go with a premium room not standard. What holds me back with Orbitz is that you have to prepay the entire visit at time of booking to use the coupon code, and while you can cancel up to 4 days in advance, you lose an entire nights stay (prediscount) plus tax if you cancel within 4 days. Disneyland direct allows cancelation up to two days before, but you lose $200 deposit. Often they will let you reschedule and not lose the deposit, right? That's what WDW often allows.

I am leaning towards going with DLH now... thank you for all of your insights!

 

[Geemo]

I can save money with Orbitz, for sure, but I have to go with a premium room not standard. What holds me back with Orbitz is that you have to prepay the entire visit at time of booking to use the coupon code, and while you can cancel up to 4 days in advance, you lose an entire nights stay (prediscount) plus tax if you cancel within 4 days. Disneyland direct allows cancelation up to two days before, but you lose $200 deposit. Often they will let you reschedule and not lose the deposit, right? That's what WDW often allows.

I am leaning towards going with DLH now... thank you for all of your insights!

If you try to book online and can't get the standard room call and have a CM go through the steps. To hold a reservation it requires one night deposit.
Here's the number to call.

To book by phone, call (866) 309-9711† to speak with a vacation planning expert or call your travel agent.

I believe they answer up until 7pm Pacific Time Zone
They can tell you the cancellation policy.

 

[McNs]

I’ve not stayed at the Courtyard but have had several stays at DLH. For only $400 it is a bargain at DLH, it really is a wonderful hotel with many magical Disney touches. EMH is great, especially at DCA where it is for hotel guests only.

 

[catmegs]

We recently had the same choice, and chose the Courtyard. The walking distance is similar. The rooms at the Courtyard are far superior in my mind (we've stayed at DLH many times over the years). If your boys are 12 and 9 the pool slides at both properties are a bit young for them anyway- and at that age they will probably prefer being in parks. The perk of extra magic hour can really be mitigated by good planning (e.g rope drop the park which is not MM and use max pass). The only thing I will miss about DLH is Trader Sam's- and it's easy enough to visit without staying there.

 

[GatorChris]

WDW vet - see signature. Honestly, I didn't get the bubble feeling when I stayed at DLH. Not like I do when I'm at WDW. Courtyard has lots of space and lots of waterslides. But in Feb, even SoCal is chilly enough to stay out of the water. If you want waterslides in the winter, go to GreatWolf Lodge.

 

[Morningsun70]

My last trip was Feb 3-10 2016. My family thought every day was warm enough to swim. We had some days where the high was in the 80s mid day, evenings could be kind of cool though. I think at that time of the year the weather can be cool or hot and there isn't much way to know ahead of time.