Which hotel?

[BippityBoppity]

I have only been to DL once ever and only twice to WDW. I live in Nor.Cal. but not native to Cal. I truly love WDW but due to DH not wanting to fly anymore unless ABSOLUTELY necessary it looks like we will be going to DL this December. Ok, since I have only been once and that was a VERY long time ago(before GCH and PPH was built) I am hoping for advice on which place to stay. While at WDW we stayed both trips at POFQ and loved it due to it's size. DH and I are not "Grand Floridian" kind of people. Not to sound like I'm being critical, I just want you to understand that we prefer things that are not on such a grand scale if that helps. So, I'm wondering if DLH or PPH would be better suited for us. What are your opinions?



Thank you in advance for all your thoughts.

 

[Sherry E]

I have only been to DL once ever and only twice to WDW. I live in Nor.Cal. but not native to Cal. I truly love WDW but due to DH not wanting to fly anymore unless ABSOLUTELY necessary it looks like we will be going to DL this December. Ok, since I have only been once and that was a VERY long time ago(before GCH and PPH was built) I am hoping for advice on which place to stay. While at WDW we stayed both trips at POFQ and loved it due to it's size. DH and I are not "Grand Floridian" kind of people. Not to sound like I'm being critical, I just want you to understand that we prefer things that are not on such a grand scale if that helps. So, I'm wondering if DLH or PPH would be better suited for us. What are your opinions?

Thank you in advance for all your thoughts.

Hi! Well, first of all, how wonderful that you get to come back and visit DL after not being there in so long!! SOOOOO much has changed on the property since you were last here. I suppose DCA wasn't built yet the last time you went? Well, now you have DCA as well as DL, then you have DTD to wander around in, as well as 3 DLR hotels to explore and enjoy (whether you are a guest or not). There is a whole new crop of restaurants, new rides, new additions to old rides, and new things to see everywhere - it will be very exciting!

Next, even more fantastic is that you will get to be at DLR during the magical, beautiful holiday season. You will see the (exclusive to DLR) It's a Small World Holiday, where the whole exterior and interior of IASW is transformed for Christmastime, and the facade of IASW Holiday at night is absolutely breathtaking. The stunning Winter Castle glows throughout the park and 'snow' falls on Main Street. I am not sure if either of your previous WDW trips were during the holidays, but if so, you know that Disney goes all out for the season, and you are totally immersed in the yuletide feeling anywhere you go in the resort.

Now, as for where you should stay...we will rule out the GCH because that is the DLR upscale equivalent of the Grand Floridian, I suppose, though you should definitely stroll through the GCH lobby and relax with a beverage by the huge Christmas tree while listening to carolers. If you want a basic hotel with not much in the way of a resort feel, you can try the PPH (the least expensive of the 3 DLR hotels). I have stayed there many times and it is clean, shiny, cute, has a nice surf/sun/beach/nautical motif throughout the rooms and hallways, but it doesn't have much else to see on the property other than the PCH Grill restaurant which plays host to the Lilo and Stitch breakfast in the morning. The DLH is a cherished favorite of many DIS-ers, and has lovely grounds with waterfalls, koi ponds, mini-remote controlled Jungle Cruise boats, topiaries, statues, the Fantasia Shop, Goofy's Kitchen and other 'Disney touches' all around the property. It is not that much more expensive than the PPH, but has much more to see. So if you want something that feels more resort-ish, go for the DLH. If you want some of the Disney magic (and the perks associated with staying in the DLR hotels) at a cheaper price, then go for the PPH.

Or, many people on the DIS swear by staying off-property at one of the Good Neighbor hotels (HoJo's is a favorite here) for much cheaper rates. Some of them are very close to DLR, but they don't have the same perks you get with staying onsite, like the Magic Morning hour, sending your purchases back to the hotel so you don't have to rent lockers or carry them, use of the GCH entry into DCA, the Key to the Magic (room key with charging privileges), etc.

 

[robinkwilson]

We stayed off property last December at the Hotel Manage. My husband is very picky about hotels, and he loved it! It was a lot cheaper than staying on property, but very nice and close. It is only a 10 min walk to the front gate (or the the shuttle is nice too). The hotel pool has fabulous views of the fireworks. Another plus: the room service food was good and reasonably priced!