Seasoned On-Site DISers, lend me your expertise!

[alvernon90]

Such great responses! Thank you all so much for help. I think we're going to switch to DLH and use the savings for gift cards. It's my understanding that you can pay your room charges with Disney gift cards... I hope I'm right!

Be aware that you have to pay for the charges with gift cards before the hotel adds the charges to your credit card. You must do this the night before checkout at the latest, and ask when you check in to see what limit will trigger an automatic charge to the credit card. Once I waited until too late in the evening before checkout, and they only got one gift card credited before the computer charged my credit card (I waited for the parks to close before going to the front desk, big mistake.) Once it goes to your CC, getting it reversed to pay with the gift card is an elaborate process. I bailed out halfway thorough.

 

[MommyJKM]

Also, we love GCH but once got a bunk bed room at GCH with 3 kids under the age of 6 and none could be on the top bunk, so keep that in mind if that affects your family.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I've stayed at the GCH and the DLH with my granddaughter, and both of us decided that it's DLH for us from now on, anytime we can afford to stay onsite. The walk can be farther, depending on your room location, but there's so much more charm and magic at the DLH. I love the room size, the decor (I love all of the Mickey touches in the room, and I wish I had some of that carpet at home!), the floor-to-ceiling windows, the light-up headboards, the proximity to Trader Sam's and Steakhouse 55 (delicious breakfast), everything. My granddaughter loves the pools and the characters in the lobby, as well as everything I already mentioned. We never used the monorail on our initial entry to the parks but we did use it when exiting Disneyland, and we also used it often when we returned to Disneyland after a mid-day break. It was never "down" once on our last stay, and we were even lucky enough to ride in the front several times.

The GCH is wonderful in its own way, but for us, it's DLH all the way.

 

[calilou]

We stay at all three on-site hotels pretty regularly, and overall DLH usually wins out. The walk is longer, but when you factor in the monorail it helps. In our experience the only time it's down is during the fireworks at night. The line can be long for it in the mornings, but we've tested it and it's usually quicker to wait in the monorail line rather than walk down to the main entrance when you take into consideration the bag check and turnstile lines (also dependent on where in DLP you want to go first). This isn't the case with the GCH morning line - walk to the main DCA entrance first thing, but use the private entrance the rest of the day (anyone can).

This being said, we base where we stay on when during the year we go. You can't beat the Grand during holiday time. It's magical! However, we prefer the DLH during the warmer spring and summer months because the pools are amazing. Additionally, the rooms are more recently refurbished and better overall than the Grand rooms (though my girls love the bunk beds at GCH). My girls (8 and 9) also really enjoyed the Paradise Pier Hotel when we stayed in July - they liked the pool, outdoor movies, fireworks viewing on the large deck. I liked that it was a little smaller so was comfortable letting them have independence there.

So, I ask you - when are you going and how old are your children?

 

[DisneyMommy403]

Be aware that you have to pay for the charges with gift cards before the hotel adds the charges to your credit card. You must do this the night before checkout at the latest, and ask when you check in to see what limit will trigger an automatic charge to the credit card. Once I waited until too late in the evening before checkout, and they only got one gift card credited before the computer charged my credit card (I waited for the parks to close before going to the front desk, big mistake.) Once it goes to your CC, getting it reversed to pay with the gift card is an elaborate process. I bailed out halfway thorough.

Ok, so upon check in, I should I have them note that I will be paying charges via gift card and not to charge my cc. Got it!

We stay at all three on-site hotels pretty regularly, and overall DLH usually wins out. The walk is longer, but when you factor in the monorail it helps. In our experience the only time it's down is during the fireworks at night. The line can be long for it in the mornings, but we've tested it and it's usually quicker to wait in the monorail line rather than walk down to the main entrance when you take into consideration the bag check and turnstile lines (also dependent on where in DLP you want to go first). This isn't the case with the GCH morning line - walk to the main DCA entrance first thing, but use the private entrance the rest of the day (anyone can).

This being said, we base where we stay on when during the year we go. You can't beat the Grand during holiday time. It's magical! However, we prefer the DLH during the warmer spring and summer months because the pools are amazing. Additionally, the rooms are more recently refurbished and better overall than the Grand rooms (though my girls love the bunk beds at GCH). My girls (8 and 9) also really enjoyed the Paradise Pier Hotel when we stayed in July - they liked the pool, outdoor movies, fireworks viewing on the large deck. I liked that it was a little smaller so was comfortable letting them have independence there.

So, I ask you - when are you going and how old are your children?

We're headed there in March. I have four minions, two girls (ages 7 & 8) and two boys (9 mo. & 4yo). Ultimately I chose DLH, I'm sure I'll be so happy when we get there and see it for ourselves!

 

[calilou]

Ok, so upon check in, I should I have them note that I will be paying charges via gift card and not to charge my cc. Got it!



We're headed there in March. I have four minions, two girls (ages 7 & 8) and two boys (9 mo. & 4yo). Ultimately I chose DLH, I'm sure I'll be so happy when we get there and see it for ourselves!

I think the DLH will be perfect for you. Plus March is generally a slower time of the year which will be great.

 

[DisTXMom]

We stayed at DLH in August. Due to the heat, the non-air conditioned monorails were down most of the time. We did breaks every day. My DH broke his ankle in May and he was only a couple of weeks out of the fracture boot- I say this to give you perspective that the walk was not that big a deal. We enjoyed the walk through DTD. We'd stop for a snack or shop downtown Disney- it was a pleasant atmosphere. The only time we minded the walk was at the end of our longest days. We Loooooved DLH. My DD's 7&8 must have played the headboards 10 times a day. Our room had a well maintained and comfortable feel to it. The pools and grounds were nice. Their vote is DLH next trip! Good luck!