Thought we had decided but...PPH vs GCH

[jenTMV]

Alright, I had posted a bit about the hotels previously and ended up booking the GCH. I find that I am constantly 2nd guessing our decision. I tried searching for some of my questions but so much of the information seems like it was posted so long ago so I am going to try and see if there is anything more current.

Here are some of the important facts:

1. We will be there July 9-July 13.

2. DS (13) may or may not require the use of a wheelchair. He has some medical issues that always require a wheelchair in WDW (especially in the summer when his meds and the heat do not always make him feel able to walk a whole park).

3. I do not like the looks of the GCH. I know this is just a personal thing but being from MN, it does not look like Disney or the beach but looks like home.

4. The whole family loves the look of the DLH but feel that it is not the best choice based on the distance.

5. We don't mind the PPH but feel like the pool is a disappointment. Again, our favorite is the DLH pool. The GCH pool does have a slide which is nice. Not sure the pool is that big of a deal though because for the most part, we will be in the parks.

Here are our questions:

1. Right now I have the GCH booked with a concierge theme park view. If we book the PPH, I would book a concierge theme park view. The PPH is 1/2 the price of the GCH. Any advice on if it truly is worth double the price to be closer?

2. Can anyone compare the concierge offerings? I found information on this by searching but it seemed old. We try to do concierge when we can at WDW and are used to eating breakfast there, taking a coffee with us in the morning, stopping back in the afternoon for snacks, having drinks and desserts in the evening. Does all of this hold true at DL? I have read that it is not the same and that concerns me. I will say that the sangria and beer in the late afternoon (3:00 or 4:00) at the Poly is what keeps us going back to concierge.

3. Is the theme park view room worth it at either hotel? If we need to be in early, will we really be able to see the fireworks or WOC from the rooms? Again, we splurge for theme park view at the Poly because we can sit and watch Wishes from our room. Will this be the case at DL?

I am not opposed to spending the money if it is worth it, but I just want to be sure we are doing the right thing. We have never been to DL and I just have no clue what to expect and now we are all double guessing ourselves. As it is, we do have an incredible rate because of the work I do but we have now decided that we will be doing a long road trip for this vacation and if it is not worth it, we will save the money for other things on the trip.

Thanks so much to all the DL experts! It is so hard for those of us who are WDW experts to even imagine what we are getting into.

 

[Whistlebee]

Please take my opinions with a grain of salt as I am certainly no expert. I have never stayed at GCH but have stayed at PP. We loved our room at PP. We had the theme park view and REALLY enjoyed it. We could watch WOC from our room and did one night. The PP rooms are not luxurious but are very nice and comfortable. I felt the room was large for a hotel room and loved the sofa/day bed. GCH is gorgeous but like you I do not love the interior. I grew up in the mountains in California and going to a "mountain" theme hotel is not appealing to me. I liked the decor at PP. It was a fun beach theme. Anyway, just my 2cents. I wouldn't mind the extra $ either I just am not in love with GCH.

 

[FlameGirl]

Asking this board if something is "worth it" is tricky. Value is totally subjective, and you will find people that are staunchly on either side of the argument. Go with your gut and book the hotel that's pulling you. I remember your previous thread, you got some good advice, so if you're still undecided and feel like you booked the wrong hotel, you should switch.

Some people LOVE character meals. We don't find them to be worth it, personally. Same kind of thing.

Sorry, I'm sure that sounds like a non-answer, but the questions you're asking are really ones that you'll sort of have to decide for yourself once you've stayed at either one of the hotels. Good luck!

 

[jenTMV]

Please take my opinions with a grain of salt as I am certainly no expert. I have never stayed at GCH but have stayed at PP. We loved our room at PP. We had the theme park view and REALLY enjoyed it. We could watch WOC from our room and did one night. The PP rooms are not luxurious but are very nice and comfortable. I felt the room was large for a hotel room and loved the sofa/day bed. GCH is gorgeous but like you I do not love the interior. I grew up in the mountains in California and going to a "mountain" theme hotel is not appealing to me. I liked the decor at PP. It was a fun beach theme. Anyway, just my 2cents. I wouldn't mind the extra $ either I just am not in love with GCH.

This is most of my problem...growing up in Minnesota, I do not want to go to a hotel where it feels like we are home (not really mountains but the trees and all). We love the beach and the ocean and I think this is what keeps us feeling like we might have made the wrong choice.

 

[jenTMV]

Asking this board if something is "worth it" is tricky. Value is totally subjective, and you will find people that are staunchly on either side of the argument. Go with your gut and book the hotel that's pulling you. I remember your previous thread, you got some good advice, so if you're still undecided and feel like you booked the wrong hotel, you should switch.

Some people LOVE character meals. We don't find them to be worth it, personally. Same kind of thing.

Sorry, I'm sure that sounds like a non-answer, but the questions you're asking are really ones that you'll sort of have to decide for yourself once you've stayed at either one of the hotels. Good luck!

You are so right and gave great advice. I think part of our issues are with not knowing how far things are from the parks (it is really hard to get a feel for that from a map) and what the concierge lounges are like.

I think our gut feeling is that we have booked a hotel that we are not sure we love but I would hate to switch to the PPH and find out we are too far away or that the theme park view rooms really aren't that because we are now too far away.

We have been to WDW so many times that I can make up my mind quickly and know when I have made the right choice. Not being at DL previously makes it hard to image what we are in for.

Thanks again for all your advice. It is probably exactly what I need to hear to know we might want to switch our reservation.

 

[FlameGirl]

The theme park views from PPH are really close to the ones at GCH, you're just across the street, so you'll be looking at the GCH as well as DCA.

As for distance, it all depends on where your room at GCH is, but the fastest way from PPH to the parks is to cross the street and go through the lobby of GCH. You'll be meandering along with the masses all heading into the parks (and back out) most likely, so you sort of have to go at their pace. It's not *that* much further back to PPH, but it can feel much further at the end of a long day.

I think I remember you said your son requires a wheelchair? That may add to the feeling that the PPH is much further as well.

If you're walking along at a good clip, and depending on the traffic light to cross the street from PPH to GCA, it might add 5 or 8 minutes. One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is that the elevators at PPH can be a very long wait at the end of the day.

Hope that all helps.

 

[lana772]

I love both hotels and have had amazing views at both.
The concierge is a little nicer at GCH than at PPH. Also the theme park view rooms can be pretty far away from the concierge lounge at PPH ( lounge is on the 2nd floor), and just down the hall and around a corner at GCH (on the 6th floor).
My concern with what you are asking would be the use of a wheelchair. I can not answer this from any experience, but it seems to me that the PPH would be a little hard to navigate in a wheelchair. I never paid much attention, but I recall quite a few steps here and there. I'm sure there is wheelchair access. I just don't remember seeing it. GCH definitely doesn't have as many steps or stairs.
Maybe you should rephrase your question to draw attention to any DISers that have used wheelchairs at the hotels.
Hope that helps.

 

[jenTMV]

The theme park views from PPH are really close to the ones at GCH, you're just across the street, so you'll be looking at the GCH as well as DCA.

As for distance, it all depends on where your room at GCH is, but the fastest way from PPH to the parks is to cross the street and go through the lobby of GCH. You'll be meandering along with the masses all heading into the parks (and back out) most likely, so you sort of have to go at their pace. It's not *that* much further back to PPH, but it can feel much further at the end of a long day.

I think I remember you said your son requires a wheelchair? That may add to the feeling that the PPH is much further as well.

If you're walking along at a good clip, and depending on the traffic light to cross the street from PPH to GCA, it might add 5 or 8 minutes. One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is that the elevators at PPH can be a very long wait at the end of the day.

Hope that all helps.

Thanks Kathy....this does help. Knowing the approximate difference in terms of how much time it adds to our walk is really important. Hearing that it is only adding 5-8 minutes is really helpful. That is a few extra minutes but I think it is a distance that we can live with.

You are right about the wheelchair - we are thinking we will be renting one just in case. We are used to moving at a slower pace when we need to and don't mind a bit of extra effort. We just want to be sure we are not adding significant distances to our walk and that getting from point A to point B with a wheelchair works. DH and I are in pretty good shape so we don't mind the workout but I don't want to be maneuvering several blocks or lots of streets before we even get in the park.

It also really helps to know that the view is pretty much the same.

I know I need to quit obsessing over this situation I need to just decide and know that our trip is going to be magical! We are so excited to go and so excited that we are turning this into an extensive road trip where will we get the chance to do so many great things as a family!

 

[gatorfreud]

OK so I know it's not the original question exactly, but I would chose DLH. It is not further than PPH so if distance is a huge factor you should choose GCH. We stayed at PPH last time and it is not a short walk to the park. You can ask for the closest tower at DLH if your son medically has trouble walking very far and I would guess you would be accommodated.

Also, for some trips back and forth, from DLH you can monorail. (you can from PPH too, but by the time you walk to monorail, you might as well just walk to the park).

The new DLH is awesome. The pool areas are great, the tiki bar patio is super nice. The slides are fun. The rooms are amazing.

For pure convenience, I would pick GCH, but I understand if it doesn't give you that vacation feel. PPH is pretty hotel-y to me - some Disney touches, but not like at DLH. But I would not pick PPH because it is closer than DLH.

We did get upgraded to theme park view at PPH and it was really cool. But not sure I personally would pay for it.

Have a fun trip!!

Kim

 

[JasonShannon76]

Disneyland Hotel, PP and GCH are all next to each other. So don't worry about DLH being too far away. It's not like WDW where everything is far apart. The whole resort is close by.

 

[mmmears]

I like the looks of the GCH (don't love the theme, but it's ok for me). We usually choose to stay there simply because it's closer to the parks and more convenient.

It really sounds like you would prefer the DLH (plus the rooms are much larger there). And now after the rehab it looks really nice. If you think you can walk to the PPH, I don't see why you can't book the DLH -- it's a closer walk to DL than the PPH.

I guess what I'm saying is that it sounds like you would prefer the DLH, but think it's too far away, which I don't really understand (if you think the PPH is not too far away).

As a pp said, the distances at DL (both inside and outside the parks) are nothing like the ones at WDW. So hopefully it won't be as big an issue for you...

If you want convenience, the GCH can't be beat. If you prefer the pools and look of the DLH I would suggest giving it a try.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

having stayed at both, i'd save your money and go to pph. do something fun and special for your kids with the money your saving i'm SURE we can all find ways to splurge in the park (home of the $4 pineapple spear, haha).

 

[jenpace]

If money is no object and you're deciding between the GCH and PPH I'd choose GCH, especially if you're going to be on the concierge level. Their offerings and hours are considerably different from each other.

Bottom line, you really can't go wrong with any of the three resort hotels

 

[wiigirl]

If money is no object and you're deciding between the GCH and PPH I'd choose GCH, especially if you're going to be on the concierge level. Their offerings and hours are considerably different from each other.

Bottom line, you really can't go wrong with any of the three resort hotels

Agreed!

 

[lana772]

If money is no object and you're deciding between the GCH and PPH I'd choose GCH, especially if you're going to be on the concierge level. Their offerings and hours are considerably different from each other.

Bottom line, you really can't go wrong with any of the three resort hotels

Also Agree!
I asked my DH what he thought about a wheelchair at the resort hotels and he said he wouldn't even consider anything but the GCH, because of the easy access to the parks.
We have stayed in all 3 and do see benefits of each one. We go several times a year and rotate which hotel we stay in. We love them all for the different experiences they offer. I had one bad experience at DLH and swore I would never go back. After giving in and trying it again, I do see some benefits (especially if you have small children).
All that said...
I think you should stick with your original plans. The convenience will out weigh everything else when it comes to the wheelchair accessibility.

 

[kevdo]

PPH is closer than DLH but only by a little bit. So, I'd say given your aversion to the pool that DLH would be better.

If proximity is a factor, you'll save a lot of time/walking by staying at GCH. I know you said you're not in love with the theme, but it's just so close. If you're looking to save $$ you could downgrade from concierge. Note that "theme park view" at CGH is for DCA, so seeing Disneyland fireworks might not be possible. You can see the fireworks at DL from PPH.

 

[jenpace]

PPH is closer than DLH but only by a little bit. So, I'd say given your aversion to the pool that DLH would be better.

If proximity is a factor, you'll save a lot of time/walking by staying at GCH. I know you said you're not in love with the theme, but it's just so close. If you're looking to save $$ you could downgrade from concierge. Note that "theme park view" at CGH is for DCA, so seeing Disneyland fireworks might not be possible. You can see the fireworks at DL from PPH.

You can also watch the fireworks from the GCH from the top floor and concierge lounge.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

The GCH is where you want to be! You cannot beat the location, and I think you will love the convenience of it. We've stayed at both DLH and GCH and I think the DLH is quite a bit further away, especially after a long day at the parks. We positively LOVE the entrance into DCA from the GCH. We don't necessarily use it in the mornings but always use it at the end of the day.

We've been in DCA view rooms and they were great but I didn't think theviews were spectacular like some views at WDW. Our girls stayed at Pinnochio's Workshop and they took the kids up to the concierge lounge to see fireworks so I know you can see the fireworks from up there.

We love love love the GCH and I highly recommend it. I can't imagine anyone not liking it. Good luck with your decision and have fun!!

 

[lana772]

You can also watch the fireworks from the GCH from the top floor and concierge lounge.

You can also see the fireworks from the Downtown Disney view rooms.

 

[scoker]

If you want the best convenience stay at GCH. If you want the best theme go with DLH. I can't imagine the distance between PPH and DLH is much different. It sounds like the $$$ aren't a factor for you. I'm guessing from you previous concierge experience that GCH or DLH is going to be more your speed. I'm sure you will have a great time no matter where you stay. I'm not staying on site this time. I won't have a view. I won't have concierge. I still plan on having a fantastic time. Don't sweat it. You're going to Disneyland.