Which room would you choose?

[ninafeliz]

My DH and I are taking a trip to DL in mid December without the kids. I've been to DL once almost 20 years ago and he has never been, we go to WDW multiple times a year. At WDW we usually stayed CL after we had kids until we became a family of 6 and bought DVC, and now we stay in DVC 2 BRs but still sneak some CL trips into the two resorts that have deluxe rooms. I'm having a lot of "trouble" choosing our resort for our DL stay and want some opinions and reasons. I know everyone is different, but thought it might help. Here are my current decisions/thoughts.

for a splurge: DLH standard view CL or GC partial view

for a "middle of the road" (still not cheap lol) DLH Premium view (available at a discount so cheaper than the lower category views). I had included GC Standard view in this, but now it's sold out at the discount so the cheapest room is the partial view.

for cheapest available Pixar Place Standard view.

Just to add, I don't mind a little longer walk, I love a good view but I've heard a lot of the views in DL aren't that great anyway, the Pixar Place hotel doesn't excite me and I've read bad things about their CL or I would stay there in a premium view CL hands down, and the GC is the hotel that I think I would like the best if cost/view/location/etc were all equal.

Thoughts?

 

[BriannaRuth]

For two adults, I would go with the GCH partial view if that's in your budget. I love the GCH. It just has more of a resort-like feel than the DLH, even though it's not as in-your-face Disney.

It really depends on your preferences, though. I love being able to walk straight into the hotel while staying at the GCH from DCA (although you can still have a very long walk to your room once you're in the hotel). I also strongly prefer the pool at the GCH over either the PPH or the DLH. When my kids were younger, they loved the DLH pools but as an adult, definitely the GCH. There tend to be more characters at the DLH than the GCH, but if you're not with kids, that probably doesn't matter to you.

The only thing that would make me hesitate about choosing the GCH over the DLH, other than money, is the proximity to Trader Sam's. It's great to be able to just hop over to Trader Sam's for a tiki drink.

We once did a premium view at the PPH. It really was a great view, but I'm not a fan of that hotel overall. Best view we've ever had has been from the GCH. We booked a partial view but ended up with a full on DCA view near Grizzly Peak, which was awesome. View rooms at the DLH are pool view or DTD view. Didn't really care about the DTD view since we were usually in the parks for fireworks. Pool view is nice, but it's not like looking into DCA like some of the GCH views have. Standard rooms at any of the hotels can often be parking lot views, although I think that's not the case with CL.

I tend to value the views and the ambience of the hotels over CL-level service at DL because we don't get that much use out of CL at DL. Too busy doing other things.

 

[gottalovepluto]

DLH just got a brand new club level so make sure you’re looking at new reviews (opened in June I think). You can see fireworks from DLH CL. You can only see the top half of fireworks from the patio of GCH CL.

When are you traveling? Construction at GCH hasn’t created much stir for now but folks have said they have started on the second GCH CL which will be overlooking the lobby one floor down from the current CL (like really close, just take the stairs from outside the current club level that run only to the next floor and it will be there). There is no way they build it without causing some noticeable noise in that area and lobby as construction progresses.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Construction at GCH hasn’t created much stir for now but folks have said they have started on the second GCH CL which will be overlooking the lobby one floor down from the current CL (like really close, just take the stairs from outside the current club level that run only to the next floor and it will be there). There is no way they build it without causing some noticeable noise in that area and lobby as construction progresses.

That's a great point.

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

I have only been to GCH CL lounge but I have heard good things about the new DLH CL lounge.

I believe both the DLH CL rooms and lounge are in the Adventure Tower so the "standard view" is really a pool view. They should have some rooms with king beds there, where as pre-renovation PPH only have them in the Standard/parking lot view rooms.

GCH is going to be a bit of a mixed-bag with views/location as it is very room dependent. Some of the DTD view rooms can be quite loud and have long walks to elevators.

 

[wallawallakids]

Normally I would say GCH, but not with the current construction. I also don't think the view is really worth it. I would stay club level at DLH. The new club is beautiful, the walk is nothing (esp if you are used to WDW) and the pools are amazing. You get Trader Sams, you can get some great dinners in DTD, and the overall feel of DLH is retro and fun. It isn't as upscale as GCH, but it is so much fun, even as a couple. Plus, you know you like club level, so my vote is for that.

 

[neverlandsky]

GCH woods view. So quiet, pretty, & peaceful. I wouldn’t do club level and eat at StoryTellers, Craftsman, Hearthstone, Cafe Orleans, Blue Bayou, etc. since Husband has never been to DL/CA.

 

[ParkHopper1]

PPH Theme Park views has the best views hands down of all three resorts IM...if you re high enough you get to go to sleep with a view of Paradise Bay and Crsland lit up all night...but yeah, the PPH standard view is garbage if that is a priority.

PPH Theme Park View if view is your priority
GHC if Proximity is your priority
DLH if Theme and Pool (especially with kids) is your priority

Personally I choose GCH any time budget allows but I value the proximity

 

[Pluto468]

I'd go with DLH hotel club level. I've had nice views staying CL there, overlooking DTD.

I LOVE The Grand, but views can really vary even in a certain room type.

 

[DizMe]

I always choose GCH. I don't honestly know how much the construction will impact you as a guest, but it hasn't had much effect on me when I've gone recently (twice) except for when I had to use the DVC entrance to DCA last spring, and that wasn't bad.

Now, that's not factoring in Club Level. If I had to guess, I'd say that they'll just keep using the current club at GCH until the new one is complete, but how the construction of the new club will affect guests I really couldn't say. It seems to me that Disney is pretty good about minimizing construction disturbance for hotel guests, though. I *personally* prefer the GCH club to DLH, but I haven't been to the DLH club since they completely redid it. I went about a year or so ago and didn't find it worth the money, but it was just my sister and me, it was crowded, and the food was very budget for what we paid. I really hope they've upped their game a lot since then because it used to be awesome and hopefully it is again. It sure looks great in the pictures!

But my priorities are likely different as I'm not at all concerned about which view I get. I simply don't look out the window that much and there isn't much to see IMO. DLH has some nice views from the upper floors of the club tower, including parts of WOC and fireworks. From GCH you can see the monorail go right past from some rooms--really cool the first 4-5 times but a bit meh after that. There are some pool, partial park (mostly trees), and DTD views (but that comes with a noise factor and those rooms are farthest from the elevators which can make for quite a hike to/from your room).

But you just can't beat the ambiance of GCH. DLH is awesome, but it doesn't really have a lobby. There are tons of areas around the hotel, often not even used, but they're spread around and not really conducive to hanging out but fun to explore. There are a lot of neat vintage artifacts and pictures, and overall a sort of a whimsical nod to its mid-century-modern roots. I prefer the pool area at GCH as it's more adult oriented IMO. When I went with kids, we always stayed at DLH until they were older because it had more of a kid vibe. As an adult without kids, it's part of the reason I prefer to go to GCH

 

[gottalovepluto]

... If I had to guess, I'd say that they'll just keep using the current club at GCH until the new one is complete…

They will use it even after according to what they have released as they stated they are adding a second club to GCH. No info on the logistics but it is not unprecedented for Disney to have 2 CLs at one hotel (back East GF used to, CR currently does).

 

[Littlebitofsunshine]

My DH and I are taking a trip to DL in mid December without the kids. I've been to DL once almost 20 years ago and he has never been, we go to WDW multiple times a year. At WDW we usually stayed CL after we had kids until we became a family of 6 and bought DVC, and now we stay in DVC 2 BRs but still sneak some CL trips into the two resorts that have deluxe rooms. I'm having a lot of "trouble" choosing our resort for our DL stay and want some opinions and reasons. I know everyone is different, but thought it might help. Here are my current decisions/thoughts.

for a splurge: DLH standard view CL or GC partial view

for a "middle of the road" (still not cheap lol) DLH Premium view (available at a discount so cheaper than the lower category views). I had included GC Standard view in this, but now it's sold out at the discount so the cheapest room is the partial view.

for cheapest available Pixar Place Standard view.

Just to add, I don't mind a little longer walk, I love a good view but I've heard a lot of the views in DL aren't that great anyway, the Pixar Place hotel doesn't excite me and I've read bad things about their CL or I would stay there in a premium view CL hands down, and the GC is the hotel that I think I would like the best if cost/view/location/etc were all equal.

Thoughts?

How many days are you staying? Have you thought about a splitting your stay or is that too much of a hassle?

 

[Disney0010]

We stopped staying at GCH during the Christmas holidays. The rates are ridiculous and you have to deal with a lobby full of people buying sweet treats and guests camping out by the fireplace. No atmosphere due to the amount of people. We stayed at the DLH last holiday season and it was much nicer.

 

[DizMe]

We stopped staying at GCH during the Christmas holidays. The rates are ridiculous and you have to deal with a lobby full of people buying sweet treats and guests camping out by the fireplace. No atmosphere due to the amount of people. We stayed at the DLH last holiday season and it was much nicer.

Actually, they have a pretty good sale that you can take advantage of during the holiday season. I go every year at that time and have for many years, and I often utilize the sale that comes out in the fall (only time I didn't was when my dd was a CM and got me a 50% discount). You can save a lot that way, though I don't have any idea what it will be this year.

I also very much disagree that there is "no atmosphere due to the amount of people." Sure, there are plenty of people who love to view the giant Christmas tree, partake of the goodies, and listen to the carolers, bell ringers, and meet Santa. But staying there gives you the opportunity to find less crowded times, not worry about doing everything at once, and take your time to find a spot, have a drink or bite to eat in the Hearthstone Lounge, etc.

I do love the DLH as well, and it's a wonderful option.