The Disneyland Hotel Superthread

[XTinabell]

With that walk to Frontier ingrained (and exaggerated, no doubt) in my memory, I insisted on GCH the next trip . And we like GCH, don't get me wrong! We appreciate the convenience, we like all the ambience indoors and outside in the courtyard, etc. But honestly, I like DLH more. I feel more immersed in Disney there, and there is just a magic to it that is hard to put into words. I don't think you'll regret your choice for your kids' first trip.

That was our deciding factor this trip too. When it was just hubs and me, GCH was fine, great even, but for the kids I wanted the full magic that the DLH has. I'm looking forward to the trip. And yes, this is our first time with our littles (4&5) and we're working on the stroller issue now lol.

 

[emchen]

You can only use the pool at your hotel when you stay at DLR, unless the pool at your hotel is closed. If you stay at DLH or GCH, you can rent a cabana at either hotel, even the one you are not staying at. I don’t know if that extends to Paradise/Pixar Pier. That Hotel does not have cabanas, but maybe they will when they re-open officially as Pixar Pier.

Last time I stayed at Grand Cal was the late part of May this year, and was able to open pool gate at DLH with my room access key. FWIW.

I agree with this being a prefect synopsis!! I wish I could of found this when I was 10+ YT videos ad countless posts trying to figure out the difference LOL I personally chose the Frontier(I I am 'hoping' nothing is guaranteed) when booking our family 2 bedroom suite in hopes for getting a balcony. The little extra walk isn't a deal breaker for us because our kids will be 15 & 5 -- I say that now but talk to me day 5 end of day I have been mentally going back and forth between DLH & GCH but the reality is 100% when it comes to rooms I LOVE the look of the DLH. I really think it will be making some core memories for the kids 1st trip! With that said everything about the GCH when it comes to the lobby and all the extra I like it, but then I think about how much time I have ever spent in the lobbies. The distance isn't a big deal breaker for me, but even will all that the FOMO(which I feel stupid saying that) has me still looking at the GCH. If we weren't going over the Christmas and the difference between 1 and 2 bedroom suite wasn't $500 a night I might be dwelling more LOL

You and all the hardcore hotel fans in this thread would love DVC! Now that you can own a piece of DLH...you should look into it! Even if you wanted to own a piece of GCH, you still could through the resale market!

 

[Disneysince82]

With that walk to Frontier ingrained (and exaggerated, no doubt) in my memory, I insisted on GCH the next trip . And we like GCH, don't get me wrong! We appreciate the convenience, we like all the ambience indoors and outside in the courtyard, etc. But honestly, I like DLH more. I feel more immersed in Disney there, and there is just a magic to it that is hard to put into words. I don't think you'll regret your choice for your kids' first trip.

That was our deciding factor this trip too. When it was just hubs and me, GCH was fine, great even, but for the kids I wanted the full magic that the DLH has. I'm looking forward to the trip. And yes, this is our first time with our littles (4&5) and we're working on the stroller issue now lol.

It is post like this that make me realize I am probably making the right choice! I think the GCH looks AMAZING & will be booking it for a trip & was very very tempted to split a visit. But I also know I was looking at splitting it 100% for me not them if that makes sense. I don't see pics of GCH and get teary eyed but I do when I see the headboards at DHL and I think it will be a great 1st experience for them(us)

 

[tink89]

Last time I stayed at Grand Cal was the late part of May this year, and was able to open pool gate at DLH with my room access key. FWIW.

When we were at the gch last month there was an attendant checking you in and giving you towels and helping you look for chairs.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

On our last trip we took my young niece for the first time and stayed at the DLH to save some money and because I thought it might be more magical. In retrospect I don’t think it was more magical and I think GCH would have been better. But I don’t regret it because money was the main factor and we still had a fun trip.

 

[Disneysince82]

On our last trip we took my young niece for the first time and stayed at the DLH to save some money and because I thought it might be more magical. In retrospect I don’t think it was more magical and I think GCH would have been better. But I don’t regret it because money was the main factor and we still had a fun trip.

If you don't mind me asking why do you think it would be better -- was it the distance? Also how awesome was it you brought your niece

 

[XTinabell]

It is post like this that make me realize I am probably making the right choice! I think the GCH looks AMAZING & will be booking it for a trip & was very very tempted to split a visit. But I also know I was looking at splitting it 100% for me not them if that makes sense. I don't see pics of GCH and get teary eyed but I do when I see the headboards at DHL and I think it will be a great 1st experience for them(us)

Everyone has their preference, but the first time I stayed at GCH I was so disappointed when I got to the room. It was my own fault for not looking at pictures in advance, but I knew the DLH had the theming and the fireworks headboard, so for the price of GCH I expected more than generic hotel room. If it wasn't for the convenience and my favorite lounge there, I would probably prefer HOJO to GCH.

 

[Disneysince82]

Everyone has their preference, but the first time I stayed at GCH I was so disappointed when I got to the room. It was my own fault for not looking at pictures in advance, but I knew the DLH had the theming and the fireworks headboard, so for the price of GCH I expected more than generic hotel room. If it wasn't for the convenience and my favorite lounge there, I would probably prefer HOJO to GCH.

This is the thing that gets me is I am not really impressed by the rooms & maybe it is because I havent been 'IN' them but I have heard the same thing over and over. When it comes to the lobby, hotel, and convivence overall -- its beautiful. I am really into the Arts & Craft and Chip & Dale are my all time fav but even then the room doesn't wow me. I know its a heated debate but I really have wondered if the hotels were swapped in position if people would feel the same way -- I could be wrong. I also think they have done a great job at building a luxury imagine around GCH gives people FOMO if not doing it. It was also why for me when I 1st started I went back and forth between the Westin & GCH which I dont think are even fair comparisons when you do the rooms because Westin has them beat IMO. But I found that I was really focused on things outside of my room & I had to think if that was realistic for this visit. I have never been someone to hang out in the lobby or really even use the amenities(sadly) for hotels. I was ultra focused on the lobby & also the pool area & wanting a cabana... but then was hoping I could go back and forth because I know the kids(and even us) would want to spend the most time at DLH pool.

I 100% would like to experience GCH & will but I am tempted to book it for the late Spring/Summer trip we are planning. That way we can go GRR and change back at the hotel LOL

 

[Disneysince82]

I do really wish I could find comparison of someone who has stayed in 1-2 bedroom suites at both DLH & GCH. I know I have seen of course a lot of comparisons for rooms but not the family suites.

 

[Aladora]

We‘re currently booked at the Disneyland Hotel in a Standard room for four nights in early November. I’d love to get a standard club level but they’re sold out for our nights and the club level for premium is quite a bit more. Anyone have any insights if those different levels of rooms start to become available close to the reservation with cancellations? I’ve been checking obsessively everyday hoping it pops up but if that seems to never happen I’ll stop holding onto hope lol.

Or thoughts on if an upgrade to Premium CL is worth it for the better view and extra amenities/food? It’s an extra $450 per night. It will be me, my husband, and our three year old for my first trip in 20 years!

Are you sure the add on is $450/night? We were just at the DLH a week and a half ago and we paid $250/night to add club level on to our 2 bedroom suite. We added it on when we checked in, not sure if that makes a difference?

 

[monkeypat83]

The reason we can’t do that is because we also got park tickets (we got a package).

If you add an infant or a 2 year old they won't need a ticket and it won't matter that you have a package.

 

[Disneysince82]

Are you sure the add on is $450/night? We were just at the DLH a week and a half ago and we paid $250/night to add club level on to our 2 bedroom suite. We added it on when we checked in, not sure if that makes a difference?

I was told also it is about $250 to add it to a suite but that I could get the full details at check in. I keep going back and forth if CL is worth it or not but I am leaning towards yes

I dont mean to hijack but would you sharing a review of the 2 bedroom? That is what we have have booked now a 2 bedroom family connecting suite & have requested the Frontier in hopes of getting a balcony. We had requested at least 1 king and the guy on the phone said because it is just 4 of us(2 adults 2 kids) we would most likely get 2 kings and that was what was going to happen... I had never dealt with a reservation rep that was so sure it was going to happen lol

 

[Suzalini]

Hi all! We’ll be staying at the DLH for the first time in September. I have a premium view room booked for me, my husband, and sons, 10 and 13. Do all 2 Queen rooms have the daybed as well, or is that something I have to specifically request? We’re used to the Polynesian at WDW and the daybed arrangement works great for us.
Also, is there an advantage to calling early to have room requests added to our reservation, or are we ok to wait until we do the online checkin before our visit?
Thanks!

 

[Aladora]

I was told also it is about $250 to add it to a suite but that I could get the full details at check in. I keep going back and forth if CL is worth it or not but I am leaning towards yes

I dont mean to hijack but would you sharing a review of the 2 bedroom? That is what we have have booked now a 2 bedroom family connecting suite & have requested the Frontier in hopes of getting a balcony. We had requested at least 1 king and the guy on the phone said because it is just 4 of us(2 adults 2 kids) we would most likely get 2 kings and that was what was going to happen... I had never dealt with a reservation rep that was so sure it was going to happen lol

Sure thing! I will write up a quick report when I have a few minutes and post it in the July 2023 check in thread. I'll let you know when it is done!

 

[DizMe]

I do really wish I could find comparison of someone who has stayed in 1-2 bedroom suites at both DLH & GCH. I know I have seen of course a lot of comparisons for rooms but not the family suites.

I've stayed in a 2-br at GCH and a couple of 1 bedroom suites at DLH. I much preferred the suites at DLH; very spacious, mini kitchen, 1 1/2 bathrooms in most of the 1-brs we've had (the ones in Frontier with a balcony). The GCH was like a 1-br suite with an adjoining room; 2 regular rooms with a living area in the middle. It was nice to have 2 bathrooms but it wasn't much different than having adjoining rooms, whereas the DLH suites were large and "suite-like". Sometimes a 1-br suite at DLH will have an extra half bath, which is wonderful, but not all of them do.

I love both hotels. I like them for different things and different modes of visiting. My favorite is GCH, though. It was DLH when my kids were little.

 

[NorCalFanatic]

.

 

[Aladora]

I was told also it is about $250 to add it to a suite but that I could get the full details at check in. I keep going back and forth if CL is worth it or not but I am leaning towards yes

I dont mean to hijack but would you sharing a review of the 2 bedroom? That is what we have have booked now a 2 bedroom family connecting suite & have requested the Frontier in hopes of getting a balcony. We had requested at least 1 king and the guy on the phone said because it is just 4 of us(2 adults 2 kids) we would most likely get 2 kings and that was what was going to happen... I had never dealt with a reservation rep that was so sure it was going to happen lol

It ended up a bit longer than expected but here you go:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/july-2023-planning-and-chat-thread.3905797/post-64935455

Feel free to ask me for clarification on any of this.

 

[tink89]

I was told also it is about $250 to add it to a suite but that I could get the full details at check in. I keep going back and forth if CL is worth it or not but I am leaning towards yes

I dont mean to hijack but would you sharing a review of the 2 bedroom? That is what we have have booked now a 2 bedroom family connecting suite & have requested the Frontier in hopes of getting a balcony. We had requested at least 1 king and the guy on the phone said because it is just 4 of us(2 adults 2 kids) we would most likely get 2 kings and that was what was going to happen... I had never dealt with a reservation rep that was so sure it was going to happen lol

CL depends on the person/family. We are usually not big breakfast eaters and are in the parks until 11 and back at the parks from 5-close so not much use of it. But now that everyone is a bit older and we have been going for years we might add it to our trip next time since we take the more lounge approach at DL instead of fast-paced try and get on everything.

we have stayed in a 3 bedroom suite at DLH but it was in the Fantasy Tower

 

[Disneysince82]

I've stayed in a 2-br at GCH and a couple of 1 bedroom suites at DLH. I much preferred the suites at DLH; very spacious, mini kitchen, 1 1/2 bathrooms in most of the 1-brs we've had (the ones in Frontier with a balcony). The GCH was like a 1-br suite with an adjoining room; 2 regular rooms with a living area in the middle. It was nice to have 2 bathrooms but it wasn't much different than having adjoining rooms, whereas the DLH suites were large and "suite-like". Sometimes a 1-br suite at DLH will have an extra half bath, which is wonderful, but not all of them do.

I love both hotels. I like them for different things and different modes of visiting. My favorite is GCH, though. It was DLH when my kids were little.

I am looking forward to booking the GCH for our Spring/Summer visit -- seriously when are they going to open up those 2024 reservations But I agree with with what you said all the reviews I watched/read was it almost seemed like you might as well just do the 2 adjoining rooms. Where the DLH it seems like did a really good job doing getting that suite feel.

It was funny it was actually a DL video of a kid blogger(Ryans World) I am sooooo glad our daughter is no longer into -- my DH was pretty close to banning YouTube because he disliked him so much LOL But his family stayed at GCH but it popped up when I was looking at DLH -- they had labeled it wrong saying they stayed there. It was really that video that showed different angles of the suite when he was jumping around with his lightsaber that made me think it was really just better to do a regular room.

 

[Disneysince82]

We stayed on 2BR suite in Frontier back in June. Huge space, mini kitchen, balconies. We had a king in one room and a queen in the other. Fold out couches in the queen room and fold out couch in the living room.
If going to DCA use the back exit from Frontier, walk down paradise, cross the street and use the paradise hotel gate. Gets you in super fast. If you’re in DCA and need to leave back to the hotel it’s also a very quick walk back to Frontier tower.

We prefer DLH. It just feels more “Disney”. We were also disappointed in the regular rooms at GCH. They’re nice, but just nice hotel nice. We ended up buying a bunch of points at VDH instead of GCH resale.

Thanks!! I saved that in my notes to remember on ways to get in. I am really excited for the 2 br and feel good about doing it vs the 1 br. I think we would have been fine in the 1 br but am really looking forward to the extra space & hope we get a balcony! Were you able to see the fireworks at all? Even if we can't I would be overjoyed with having one.