Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I'm laughing right now trying to imagine how loudly my husband would be swearing at 3am trying to sleep with a noisy cricket in the room lol!
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh <Did the cricket make noise all night??? Lol I can't stop laughing at the thought.> Only when the light was turned off.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I have to disagree that the GCH is "missing the magic." I think it's dripping with it. It's not as cartoony, but that's not the same thing. If money wasn't an object, I'd stay there in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, our last several trips, the prices were just through the roof. You may need larger than a studio (which I assume is similar to a regular room, albeit perhaps with a little kitchen), but if I could really get 4 nights for $952, I'd definitely do it. I may have to look into this method next time I go, though the time of year may not work out.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Only when the light was turned off." LMAO!!! I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time though. hahahahaha
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh <You may need larger than a studio (which I assume is similar to a regular room, albeit perhaps with a little kitchen), but if I could really get 4 nights for $952, I'd definitely do it. > Studios have two queens (one a sleeper sofa) and a very small kitchenette - a few dishes, a microwave, small fridge, a toaster, coffee maker, and a little sink. A little nicer than a regular room, but not much. A one bedroom at GCV can he more than the ones at some of the DVC's at WDW, they have two bathrooms and can sleep six if one is a baby - they come with a fold up crib/play pen, a queen sleeper sofa and a twin Murphy bed, but not six if the youngest is a toddler, and definitely not 7.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh <LMAO!!! I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time though. hahahahaha> No, but we sure enjoyed getting that big suite for the price of a regular room. Things like that keep us coming back. They tore down those rooms soon after the cricket incident.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 Whether staying on property is worth it or not is an entirely individual opinion. To me and my family it is very worth it. We always stay on property. We have stayed at all three hotels. I was not crazy about Paradise Pier, but completely love GCH and the remodeled DLH. GCH is gorgeous, and a little bit more of a "grown up" hotel, while DLH, especially with the remodeled pool area and magic headboards, is a little more geared towards kids. Both my husband and I and our kids love both hotels though. As far as rooms go, I think you would have to get two rooms or a suite at any hotel with as many people as you have in your group. I know of no hotels that will accommodate 7 guests in one standard size room. All three hotels have suites available, and I know GCH and DL have adjoining rooms and PP probably does as well.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 If you go online and choose to book the room only (not as part of a vacation package) you can put up to 9 people in and see prices. To book the package you would still have to call, but at least you could see your options.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <but not six if the youngest is a toddler, and definitely not 7.> Yeah, so that wouldn't work for the OP as I figured, and the larger options were pretty pricey. But I'd look into DVC points for the GCH for just the two of us - though I understand they're pretty hard to get.
Originally Posted By Kidz-n-k9s <<I was not crazy about Paradise Pier>> What don't you like about it?
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 It just seemed a little more run down, and was not as nice as the other two. When we stayed there we also had issues with service- when we first got to our room it was really dirty, like housekeeping hadn't been there, and just some other things like that. That was several years ago though, and I know a lot of people do like it. I just prefer GCH and DLH. If I am going to spend the money to stay on property I want a really nice hotel.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip That is odd. I found the service to be better at the PPH than at DLH. They seemed to realize they were the least preferred hotel and did what they could to make up for that. Then again, it was maybe because we let them know that Ann and I had just gotten engaged the night before we arrived (it got us a free upgrade to an upper floor room with DCA view)
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance When we stayed there (granted it's been 8 years) we really liked it. Service was fine, and we also got an upgraded room w/DCA view. I thought the room was really nice, larger than the room we got at the DLH on our next visit, and seemed newer and nicer. Of course that was before the DLH upgraded their rooms, so I can't say how it compares now. From what I can see, the DLH is nicer now.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I also didn't find the distance to the parks any longer than at the DLH. If you cut though the GCH you end up halfway through DTD and very close to the parks. Obviously, the GCH has the most convenient location. It was fun walking through the GCH lobby and seeing how the 'other half' live!
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance We liked walking through the GCH lobby too. Now though that I have more experience with distances to parks, I don't think I'd ever shell out the money to stay at PPH again. Despite really liking it, it's usually not that much cheaper than the DLH and I'd much rather stay at the DLH because of restaurants/Monorail location/pool etc.
Originally Posted By gardenrooms Used to love the DLH but don't like it since the remodel. The balconies are gone and the windows are fixed and have a film on them presumably to keep the room cooler but they also make the room seem dark. (If I am wrong and there are "regular" rooms that have balconies and windows that open, I would love to know where so I can request even though I know that is not a guarantee.)
Originally Posted By gardenrooms Thank you! Wonder how hard they are to get. Would LOVE to stay at DLH again with a balcony!
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I agree with everything you have said about the Disneyland renovation. Something about entering the room and the windows enclosed and the attempt to modernize fails. I feel it is claustrophobic as if the room is a box within a box because of the wall moldings or something. I don't like it very much and have noticed the balconies still exist on the very top level. Did they enclose the rooms because the birds would fly in thru forgotten open windows or because of things being dropped out the windows or just because humans don't need fresh air in a room? If they are going to permanently seal a window closed they should require a ceiling fan ... to help circulate air.
