Stayed at DLH, PPH and GCH my thoughts

[TheChapman6]

I've been to Disney many times as a child I grew up in Ventura, Ca. However we moved out west to Wyoming/then Colorado and I promised my kids I would take them all. In a quest to do so I visited all 3 Disney hotels and wanted to share my personal reviews. These are my own experiences and I know others have diverse experiences but these are my very own.


DLH... When we checked in (myself, My mom and dad and my 2 oldest boys) we were greeted quickly. The gentleman helping us was super friendly asking if we would like to face the pool or DTD. The boys said pool. Our room was ready!! It has 2 beds and a foldout. They were each given an autographed mickey pic and first timer button with Their names! While we were checking in Goofy was there in the Lobby and although my boys were 10 and 11 and unsure if they really wanted to meet him he came over and started playing rock paper scissors with them!
I loved everything at the DLH. We ate dinner at Goofys, breakfast at Tangaroa Terrace, and visited the gift shop and the Coffee shop (twice). We loved the pools and the slides stayed open late? I'm thinking they closed at 7? The whole trip was magical and the walk was so short to DL and DCA

PPH.... We checked in (myself, my mom and 2 kids 7 DS, 9 DD) after waiting 20 minutes and the girl was super quick, even though we told her it was their first visit we got nothing...no pics, no buttons etc. our room was ready and it was on the second floor at the very end of the hallway. After looking through all our paperwork and such we realized our room keys were missing the kids names even thought they were printed on the reservation. So we went back to the front desk because we were worried about the magic morning and needing them. She was quick to fix it but we had to wait in line for 10 minutes again. we loved the gift shop and picked up Mickey ears and headed to the parks. Each time trying to decide if we should walk across the street to the Grand or through DTD.. EVERY TIME we walked out in front of the hotel there is a pipe where you smell the sewage. It's so nasty. That evening we decided to take the kids to the pool and enjoy the hot tub. When we arrived the slides were closed and they closed early every night at 5 or 6? we never did get to use them. The hot tub was full of bubbles like nasty soapy bubbles and it got so bad we got out. heading back to our room people were just at the end of the hall coming in and out to smoke on the balcony. which we could smell each time they went outside. The Room was bright and cheery but the view was of the roof.. we didn't look out much and the room itself was fine to sleep and relax. We bought ice cream from the vending machine and it didn't work the manager came out and helped us get a new one and was very friendly. The business center was super, super nice and the bathrooms up there were the nicest of all Disney restrooms I've seen. All in All I would never stay again unless the rates were really low.

GCH- We checked in (just myself and my mom) Hey, we got the dapper day rate!!! It was awesome just to be there. I loved our room. We were on the 3 floor? and had a room on the corner with a view of the front of the Hotel where guests pull up. The trees were very pretty and serene. The room was ready right away so we went to it and put our stuff away, we checked in at around 10am. The walk was so so so short to the parks we park hopped more than the other times and when thinking about eating we could enter DTD so easily or CA. The only bummer was that white water snacks was closed during our trip. The maid came by and turned down our beds and left chocolates each night. one night when we were in our room she came and gave us a handful and offered to get us anything we needed. I loved that!!! We also ordered room service it was super fast and way good! we never went to the pools as we spent most of our time in the parks. The bellhops were so friendly one stopped to chat with me. I asked him where his favorite places to eat were and he talked to for at least 5 minutes telling me what he loved around the area which was super nice to hear from a local!

I wanted to note that I always read trip reports saying they checked in and would get a text when the room was ready but at all 3 hotels we got to check in right away to our rooms even when arriving super early! I'm not sure if we're just lucky or what LOL

Overall, I loved GCH and DLH but I would hesitate to stay at PPH again. So my next trip is in Feb and I'm taking the last 2 kids who haven't been and my Husband claims he's going this time. We shall see.... I'm trying to decide if I'm going to do the DLH for the pools, the kids will be 5 DD and 3 DS or GCH because it's my first choice for the walking factor and going to take breaks in the day.

 

[3monkeys4me]

We've also stayed at all three.

We like all three, though the GCH isn't one that my kids love. DLH is our favorite, but we don't mind the PPH at all. We haven't run into the issues you had at the pools. Twice while stayed there we have gotten a bit of extra magic. OTOH though, we did have an issue with security at the PPH a few years ago. We were not at all impressed how the situation or the subsequent complaint was handled.

 

[TheChapman6]

Do tell about the issue...not you have me on the edge of my seat LOL

 

[krispin41]

Do tell about the issue...not you have me on the edge of my seat LOL

I'm interested too.

I've only stayed at the PPH (staying DLH on my next trip) and we've had great experiences each time. The one issue we did have (requested a King room several times, and we still got the dual queen beds) was handled well when I inquired about it.

 

[3monkeys4me]

It isn't really a cliff hanger.

It was a domestic violence issue in the room next to us. We called security and they did not respond. Dh then called the front desk to see if they could get someone to respond and they said they would send someone up. Several minutes passed and we could hear that things were escalating. Dh then called 911 and was told by the operator that they don't respond to issues like that on property, it is left to Disney security. At that point we could hear children screaming and crying in the hall and we called down security again. We were told someone was on their way. Dh finally had enough and went to knock on the door to try to stop it. We let the little girls in the room (they were out in the hall by themselves) and who I am assuming was the dad took off.

Anyway, it was 30 mins. from the call to someone responding. We filed a complaint because it took way too long to get someone up there. Luckily, the family that was next to us had extended family staying with them and Mom's brother was able to come and help her and her little girls.

It was a horrible experience. I don't at all blame the hotel for the initial situation, but I do feel they could have sent someone sooner. Apparently, we weren't the only ones who called either. Several other people were in the hall immediately following the incident and they all complained about the slow response.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Seems like with everything, it comes down to each individual. We have also stayed at all 3 and this year will actually do the trifecta. I love the DLH grounds and the headboards, but overall it's not my favorite. The GCH is hands down our favorite - for all of us 6 of us! We stayed at the PPH this past June, for the first time, and loved it. I do agree it has the weakest pool area/grounds.

ETA: I think we've only had our room ready twice when got there, both times was when we had 3 bedroom suites booked. Every other time, we've waited; many times way over their estimated time. I think last Nov at the DLH was the worst (well over 2 hours past what they told us, for a total of 6 hours of waiting).

 

[McNs]

We've so stayed at all three, and enjoyed all our stays.

Overall favourite us GCH. There was a real sense of "arriving" once there, service was fantastic. And to be 140 steps from room to park... It is expensive, but will always be first choice when budget allows.

The other two are probably even for me, and says more about the pricing to niceness factor. DLH is much nicer, the rooms probably the best if all three, and the pool area is cool. But the walk seemed the longest to me, all the way through DTD. PPH access through GCH didn't seem to take as long.

PPH being quite a bit cheaper than the others makes up for a lot of the ordinariness of the hotel. Amenities are better than anything across the road on Harbour, and you would need to head to the convention area for something similar. And you get early entry to the parks every day, which is the best bit. Paradise Pier at DCA early in the morning, sun coming up, and doing TSMM multiple times with no lines. Just awesome!

 

[nannyz]

I read a while back that some folks find the rooms at the GCH to be dark and a bit on the dreary side compared to the other two hotels. I would love to know what all of you who have stayed there think.

 

[TheChapman6]

We've so stayed at all three, and enjoyed all our stays.

Overall favourite us GCH. There was a real sense of "arriving" once there, service was fantastic. And to be 140 steps from room to park... It is expensive, but will always be first choice when budget allows.

The other two are probably even for me, and says more about the pricing to niceness factor. DLH is much nicer, the rooms probably the best if all three, and the pool area is cool. But the walk seemed the longest to me, all the way through DTD. PPH access through GCH didn't seem to take as long.

PPH being quite a bit cheaper than the others makes up for a lot of the ordinariness of the hotel. Amenities are better than anything across the road on Harbour, and you would need to head to the convention area for something similar. And you get early entry to the parks every day, which is the best bit. Paradise Pier at DCA early in the morning, sun coming up, and doing TSMM multiple times with no lines. Just awesome!

Have to agree with you on the Magic Morning!! I love it. We paid more to stay at DLH than we did for GCH but I since learned to look for better deals

 

[jdb in AZ]

I read a while back that some folks find the rooms at the GCH to be dark and a bit on the dreary side compared to the other two hotels. I would love to know what all of you who have stayed there think.

I don't think it's dark and dreary at all. Think of it as a forest -- it's more shady than a sunlit meadow.

DH and I prefer to visit during the winter/off-season, so the fireplace in the GCH lobby attracts me like, well, a moth to the flame. They often have a pianist playing Disney music on the grand piano. Nice relaxing way to relax and unwind after a busy day at the parks.

 

[DizMe]

I read a while back that some folks find the rooms at the GCH to be dark and a bit on the dreary side compared to the other two hotels. I would love to know what all of you who have stayed there think.

I don't find them dark and dreary. They are a little smaller than the rooms at the other two hotels. The decor is not the bright and cheery beach theme of PPH nor do the rooms have the large expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass that you'll find at DLH, but I love the Craftsman look and understated Disney elegance. They also have a balcony, which I think is nice. Although I almost always insist on staying on site, the room itself is not as important to me as the location and amenities of the hotel. I want the room to have the things you would expect; ie, glasses (not plastic cups), granite/marble, good furniture and bedding, and great service. The rooms at GCH have all of that and more.

OP, thank you for sharing your experiences! I love GCH and DLH, but I am very underwhelmed by PPH. It used to be a good on site bargain because you could get a park-view concierge room for a really low price (under $200/night). However, those bargain prices are gone and staying at PPH feels to me like staying in the Mother-in-law unit behind the big house. There are no grounds whatsoever and the hotel itself is just a standard hotel. In our stays at PPH, there was a definite difference in the quality of service we received compared to the other 2 hotels and everything took longer. However, my adult son and his family went recently and loved it, so it's hard to judge a place for others and you may have one great experience or one terrible experience which will color your whole view.

I also have to admit that my first 2 stays at GCH left me underwhelmed. It wasn't until my 3rd stay, after I figured out a few tricks (like getting the right room location), that I started to love it and now it's my favorite

 

[TheChapman6]

I don't find them dark and dreary. They are a little smaller than the rooms at the other two hotels. The decor is not the bright and cheery beach theme of PPH nor do the rooms have the large expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass that you'll find at DLH, but I love the Craftsman look and understated Disney elegance. They also have a balcony, which I think is nice. Although I almost always insist on staying on site, the room itself is not as important to me as the location and amenities of the hotel. I want the room to have the things you would expect; ie, glasses (not plastic cups), granite/marble, good furniture and bedding, and great service. The rooms at GCH have all of that and more.

OP, thank you for sharing your experiences! I love GCH and DLH, but I am very underwhelmed by PPH. It used to be a good on site bargain because you could get a park-view concierge room for a really low price (under $200/night). However, those bargain prices are gone and staying at PPH feels to me like staying in the Mother-in-law unit behind the big house. There are no grounds whatsoever and the hotel itself is just a standard hotel. In our stays at PPH, there was a definite difference in the quality of service we received compared to the other 2 hotels and everything took longer. However, my adult son and his family went recently and loved it, so it's hard to judge a place for others and you may have one great experience or one terrible experience which will color your whole view.

I also have to admit that my first 2 stays at GCH left me underwhelmed. It wasn't until my 3rd stay, after I figured out a few tricks (like getting the right room location), that I started to love it and now it's my favorite

The funny part to me is that I paid more to stay at DLH than any LOL I think we paid 294 a night, then I saw a deal on the PPH on Travelocity and booked it if I remember correctly we paid 216 or something like that, Then I booked GCH for 199 with Dapper day rate, or was it 225?? It's 249 now for February but I know it was less in sept?

I loved having the balcony. I loved breathing the crisp air and smelling the trees around at night and we could people watch from the balcony as we faced the front of the hotel.

Do share your tips about where you like to to stay. We were super close to the elevator and had a corner room but we were in the tower where you have to go through the courtyard then the lobby out the door by the info desk and down the corridor.