Thinking about staying onsite: PPH only or PPH/DLH split?

[nancy drew]

So, with the new late summer deal I am thinking about staying onsite for our trip in 3 weeks. We've stayed at Park Vue and Hojo, and were going to do the Hojo family suite on this trip but I'm worried about highway noise.

It has always been my dream to stay at DLH, but I was "saving" that for 2 years from now, which is when we will be back to celebrate my 40th birthday. Plus they will be done with renovations then.

However, the rooms are all done, and the monorail pool/slides are there, so we could still enjoy it, right? Does the DLH still feel magical with all of the construction going on?

We will be at DLR for a full week, with a Sea World day and a possible beach morning or day plus a possible half day when we arrive. So guaranteed 4 full days in the parks, possibly an additional 2 half days.

We will use the pool wherever we stay. We don't really do the nap/rest thing, but we will come back to swim.

We are fine with walking, as the alternative will be Hojo.

We will not have a car.

We want to order groceries (does DLH have fridges in the rooms? They don't list them on the DL website). We won't do a lot of dining at the hotels.

We have never stayed on site at DLR. We always stay on site at WDW and will be there for a quick trip in December, but this is our big vacation of the year.

We will be celebrating my birthday (40-2) and trying to take my mind off of the fact that I should be celebrating my 10 yr wedding anniversary (I've been divorced for almost 4 years).

So does anyone have recommendations? Should I pull the trigger and stay onsite? Should we do PPH only or split PPH/DLH? Will we still feel the magic at DLH with the construction going on?

Thank you for any input!!

 

[sierranevada]

With the new summer discounts, I say pull the trigger and stay onsite!! The rooms do have fridges in them and you can order groceries from Vons. But at the DLH and PPH, I believe you have to be there to take the delivery - the GCH is set up to hold your groceries since they have the villas. I could be wrong - maybe some who has had groceries delivered to either one can pipe in.

As far as splitting your stay - personally, I don't like to change hotels so I would say just pick one. Love the new rooms at DLH and all bookable rooms have been renovated. Not sure how annoying the construction is but maybe it would be better to do the PPH. I am staying at the PPH in Aug for the first time in years (also do DLH or GCH). They quietly renovated the rooms and they really look great.

So I say go for it!

 

[Sherry E]

I agree with Bridget - I wouldn't want to switch hotels either, unless it was absolutely necessary for some reason. I would just stick with one hotel.

The new PPH rooms (and it was a "quiet" renovation, as Bridget said - definitely done under the radar!) look really cheery, bright, clever, etc. They just seem to be a cleaner, more modern, updated version of what they were, with the same beach/ocean/surf theme and a few new accents around the room.

I have not yet had groceries delivered to a hotel, but I know that Paula (smile4stamps) had some difficulty with her delivery at the PPH on her recent stay there. I seem to read about more problems with the Vons hotel deliveries than I read about smooth, seamless deliveries - but I usually just chalk that up to Vons in general (I have had the worst luck with their home deliveries, so I guess I just expect the hotel deliveries to be all askew too!).

 

[blackjackdelta]

Moving from one to another is a real royal pain it could eat up a 1/2 day or more depending on the checkin/check outs. I would just stick with one.

Jack

 

[marcemc]

I agree that staying at one hotel is the best choice IMO.

Both hotels offer a "mini-fridge".

If you decide to stay at PPH, don't miss the fireworks from the rooftop, they play the music & it's never crowded. One of our favorite things to do when we stay there.

Have fun

 

[nancy drew]

Is the hotel transfer really a pain? That's a bummer! I thought maybe if I let them know at DLH that we were checking in early, maybe they'd have a room ready for us. Or they'd at least hold our luggage, right? So if we scheduled a beach tour that day we could move our stuff super early in the morning and check in early, have them hold our luggage (oh shoot, the refrigerated food wouldn't do well sitting out!!) then upon returning from the beach tour we could officially check in to our new room. Hmmmmm. Maybe that wouldn't work. I can't really justify DLH for the whole trip this time since it is a longer trip for us, but I've always wanted to stay there. I guess I was also thinking that by splitting the stay we could try out 2 hotels and see which one we like best for our return trip in 2 years.

Must think more.

 

[rramstad]

We brought groceries to our recent stay at GCH and simply purchased an inexpensive styrofoam cooler when we were enroute to DL. It was used both for the refrigerated goods that we purchased (milk, lunch meat for sandwiches), as well as for overflow storage in the room (soda, beer) and even for portable snacks (took the cooler to the pool on one occasion, fully stocked with stuff, for an afternoon).

I don't know if you can have a cooler dropped off with the groceries, but it's also something to consider when you travel -- if you are driving, simply bring a cooler along; if you are flying, you might consider using a more heavy duty cooler as "luggage".

 

[blackjackdelta]

Is the hotel transfer really a pain? That's a bummer! I thought maybe if I let them know at DLH that we were checking in early, maybe they'd have a room ready for us. Or they'd at least hold our luggage, right? So if we scheduled a beach tour that day we could move our stuff super early in the morning and check in early, have them hold our luggage (oh shoot, the refrigerated food wouldn't do well sitting out!!) then upon returning from the beach tour we could officially check in to our new room. Hmmmmm. Maybe that wouldn't work. I can't really justify DLH for the whole trip this time since it is a longer trip for us, but I've always wanted to stay there. I guess I was also thinking that by splitting the stay we could try out 2 hotels and see which one we like best for our return trip in 2 years.

Must think more.

A few years back this type of plan did not work for us. Early checkin was at I think 1500, we did notify that we would be checking in early(wrong) they had not problem holding our luggage but they would not hold anything that needed refrigeration only the GCH would do that. They will not move your luggage for you. Others may have had a different experience.
Last year we just wanted to move from a Villa to a standard room same place and we did not get back into another room until after 1700. No place to break after we checked out of the Villa.

Jack

 

[taaren]

The split stay idea depends on how long you're staying ... if you're staying for 6 nights and want to do 3 and 3 that might be okay, just be aware that you're essentially room-less for all of your moving day and if you get to check in to your new room early it will be a pleasant surprise.
This fall we booked our usual 5 nights in our Villa with friends at GC, then decided to come in a few nights ahead of the rest of the party to just ride ST over and over and booked a few nights at DLH to use the monorail pool. Still haven't decided at the end of the trip whether we're going to spend the last 2 nights after we check out of our villa at PPH or use the reservation we have in San Diego and do a day or two at Sea World or the zoo since we're flying out of there and wondering if 9 nights at the park after our cruise might be too much Disney. But because extra nights in the villa was unavailable by the time we solidified our flight plans/surrounding vacation plans a 2/5/2 split stay was okay with us and we're looking forward to using both pools.
If it was a 2 nights/2 nights split or less than 4 nights in our Villa I don't think moving would be worth it.

 

[nancy drew]

I could use a cooler, if they will deliver one with the groceries or if I could buy one somewhere close by. We won't have a car at all, though. Or I could scrap the idea of buying milk and OJ, just get the rest of the stuff (PBJ, bread, cereal) and buy smaller containers of milk that will be used before we switch, then get a few more after we switch.

If we did a split stay it would be 3 nights at PPH and 4 nights at DLH (or 4 and 3). I don't mind being "homeless" for a day, as long as the luggage is securely put away. I definitely wouldn't expect a room to be ready early, I know most of the time that doesn't happen. But I think we would be OK hanging out at DL or DCA until the room is ready or planning it for a beach day when we will be gone most of the day anyway.

 

[bumbershoot]

Hi again.

This morning I went through the dis and opened a ton of threads I wanted to look at, and I finally got to yours. I knew your message sounded familiar.

I'd call directly to the hotel to see if they have a fridge. If not, the cooler idea is a good one if you can swing it. Or just go with the nonperishables as much as possible.

Are all the pools open now? Why did I think the big pool was not fully open yet?

Since this is a special trip for you, and I'm just so sorry about what the trip is supposed to take your mind off of (grammar, yikes!), I'd go with what your wittle heart desires, even if it might be a slightly bigger pain.

The kids are old enough now that they can help with the move, especially if you have rollerbags. I once carried a big bag and a backpack through DTD from DLH to the lockers outside the esplanade, so you definitely won't look odder than I did, while going through from one hotel to the other, and they will definitely hold your bags and let you do the checkin process. And after that you're free to do whatever...beach day, park day, pool...whatever! And once you get the text that your room is ready, and you're ready to get to your room, go back, tell Bell Services you want your stuff, go to your room, wait for BS, and there you are.

Is your son big/old/swimming enough to use the big slide at DLH? I think with DLH and GCH you have to be swimming well enough (with maybe a height req) to go down, and you can't wear a life jacket... If I'm correct (and I might not be) and he can't, it might be worth waiting for him. I know that I was worried Eamon wasn't going to be happy when he found out he couldn't use the old big slide at DLH...thankfully he had enough fun with the tiny slide, but I remember that the whole slide thing really de-valued my perception of the place (the other problem with that stay was that nothing "fun" was for use or play...since it's not pirate-themed anymore this is no longer valid, but just in case you remember my disgruntled feelings about the place I wanted to specify the reasons for my feelings).

 

[TeddiBarra]

We did a split 4 nights DLH/4 night PP stay in Dec of 2009.

No, they didn't offer any help with switching from one hotel to the other. It was a bit painful to repack midtrip, but not too bad, IMO. So you do have to officially check out and load up your bags and then cart them over to the other hotel- however, the other hotel can hold your bags up til 12 midnight and give you a baggage check claim of course, and you can check in whatever time works for you. Now they can send you a text message. Rooms are promised after 3 PM.

I would call the PP directly and talk to them since you do not have a car. I think they could/would arrange something for you to help move the bags- they do have transport vehicles down there, so it's not like they would be physically unable to help you move the luggage.

I would recommend making sure you get your Disneyland hotel stuff in (by that I mean, the pool and grounds are more impressive at the DLH than the PP and you may want more downtime at the hotel itself than you will want/need at the PP). There aren't many things to check out at the PP compared to DLH.

Laundry: services right now are relocated to the Paradise Pier, FYI, in case you wanted to plan that part out. DLH used to have them, but they are torn down from construction, so no onsite laundry there. The two hotels are within walking distance of each other, but maybe a check out morning load of laundry if needed would be a good idea.

I would go with smaller containers of milk. Though not cheap, you can get some of those items at the stores there. The fridges aren't big at either the DLH or PPH.

I think it is worth doing, we enjoyed checking out both places.

 

[nancy drew]

The kids can definitely help with moving stuff. We pack light, as we carry on our luggage, so there won't be much "stuff" to move. We will each have a suitcase on wheels, I'll have a backpack and one kid might also have a backpack. Then one bag of groceries, probably in a tote that I bring from home (can be slung over a luggage handle and pulled). So I'm not worried about us being able to move our stuff, and I'd never expect the hotel to move our stuff for us. I get that this is our responsibility .

I'm leaning toward the split stay now!

One question, is there and actual pool to use at DLH or just water slides?

 

[sierranevada]

The DLH pool and new slides are open.

How are you getting to the beach? Have you thought about renting a car just for that one day? There is an Alamo car rental in DTD - facing the DLH next to Walt Disney Travel Co. It would make things more convenient. As others said, the hotel you will be checking into will hold your luggage but not the cold items so if you had a small cooler to leave with the stuff, that would work.

If you are okay with being roomless for a day during the switch and want to check out both hotels, sounds like you will be fine with it.

If you are doing the spilt stay, personally I would do PPH first and then DLH.
And I recommend booking soon to make sure you can get the summer discount at both hotels since availability can be limited.

Have a great time staying onsite - it really adds to the magic!

Enjoy!

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Thanks for this thread. We've been debating a similar move for our Oct 2012 DLR trip, except we would move from a Good Neighbor like HoJo's or Residence Inn to PPH, mainly because of cost. If we stay on site, I would want to splurge for a park view in the reservation, and not just cross my fingers for an upgrade. It's our one and only DLR trip, so I want it to be as magical as possible.
I figured that the Switch Day would have to be a non-park day, so Huntington Beach was on my radar while we wait to be able to check in. Because we're going for Halloween, I considered checking out the day of our MHP, sightseeing/beach, and then returning to check in and get in our costumes for the party that evening. So we don't use one of the days on our park tickets, but we still get a night in the park for the extra $200 total we will have to pay for MHP.
I have a friend who switched at WDW from Poly to the Animal Lodge, and having to pack mid-stream can work to your advantage. It's a pain, but it forces you to clean up instead of having a few more days of getting everything more and more spread out over the room. Plus, she realized that that they were close to capacity on their souvenir suitcase. ;-) The biggest caveat may be is that it gives you two chances to leave something behind in the hotel room.

AJ

 

[nancy drew]

Ok, so there is a pool at DLH right now? Good to know, because it looks like the water slides are the only water play available.

I did consider getting a car, but I am really uncomfortable driving in unfamiliar areas when I have no one to help me navigate. Maybe it is weird or silly, but it is a huge phobia of mine. Also I'd rather be able to sit back and relax, and if I were driving I'd be really tense and stressed the whole time. Again, I know it is silly, but its just a weird issue I have.

 

[TeddiBarra]

Yes, a smaller pool is open. If you have seen the older Neverland "pond shaped" pool, that is gone now, but there is a small pool also open.

 

[QueenDoOver]

Is the hotel transfer really a pain? That's a bummer! I thought maybe if I let them know at DLH that we were checking in early, maybe they'd have a room ready for us. Or they'd at least hold our luggage, right? So if we scheduled a beach tour that day we could move our stuff super early in the morning and check in early, have them hold our luggage (oh shoot, the refrigerated food wouldn't do well sitting out!!) then upon returning from the beach tour we could officially check in to our new room. Hmmmmm. Maybe that wouldn't work. I can't really justify DLH for the whole trip this time since it is a longer trip for us, but I've always wanted to stay there. I guess I was also thinking that by splitting the stay we could try out 2 hotels and see which one we like best for our return trip in 2 years.

Must think more.

I would totally do a split and in fact I have. If the walk is too far, then grab a $10 taxi with all your luggage and make it easy.

Not sure what the prices work out to be, but if you have an annual pass or it might make sense to have one, then then this is what I would do.

Week of Aug 14, Paradise Pier is $189 standard or $263 concierge. I would book 3 nights at PPH Concierge. The lounge is so convenient with kids! It is possible you wouldn't need to get groceries if you did that. DLH concierge is $384 or $333 standard.

Not sure what the late summer special is though?

In regards to the DLH pool and contruction. Just returned from a stay there. The pool area is multi leveled. The chairs and drink and beverage service are on the upper level around the monorails. The smallish pool is down some stairs and out of view from the chairs and bathrooms are on that level. The water around the slides is all shallow. My son enjoyed it, but didn't want to stay all day or anything. I was okay with him being pretty independent because he is 8 turning 9 and they have life guards all over. With younger kids I might not be so comfortable.

At PPH, the small kiddie pool and the slide and the bigger pool are all easily viewed from one lounge chair (yes, I like to lounge) and I could let my son go independent at a much younger age, with a life jacket on (provided at both pools).

DLH seems way farther away than PPH does, but the monorail is nice, if you can manage to catch it when it's running and not have to wait too long.

If you have any other questions about the construction or anything, I am happy to answer them.

Happy Planning.
Tracey