The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[mlayton144]

I never felt too crowded and that says a lot considering it’s Labor Day weekend. On our first day we didn’t get to the pool until after 5pm and by the time 80 % of the pool area was in complete shade and over half the pool chairs were available. But it was also cloudy. Friday we went to the pool around 3pm and their weren’t many pool chairs available as it was a hot sunny day but we did find one to put all our things on as we swam etc for a few hours. Saturday we got the pool earlier around 10am and stayed in our Primo pool chairs all day. For being a Saturday during Labor Day weekend it wasn’t bad at all. Waits for the water slides were never more than 5 minutes or so. Usually much shorter.

The pools or the grounds did not feel overcrowded in the slightest. Even the jacuzzis always had plenty of room. Not sure if you are familiar with the layout but you have a large pool in front of the Fantasy tower. Then a smaller pool between it and the water slides area. Not to mention the new Discovery tower pool/ splash pad area with Palm Breeze Bar right between it and the water slides. Obviously pool chairs are hard to come by on a hot holiday weekend but even up until 11am there were quite a few available which isn’t too bad.

Palm Breeze Bar consistently had virtually no wait. We did a walk up and sat down in 10 minutes. The only counter service the hotel has is Tangaroa and it never seemed to have a very long line at all.

The rooms I’d say are the weakest part of the DL Hotel. The room overall is fine. Clean and in good shape. But the bathrooms feel a bit small and outdated. Small bathtub shower with shower curtains. It’s obviously an older hotel and you can feel that in certain places like its narrow hallways but that’s also part of its charm.

Cool - the resort does seem so charming with the artifacts, the music , and the greenery. A july trip sounds like it may be in the cards , from what I read in the past few years it’s never quite as busy (the parks) as one would expect for the middle of the summer. I would guess that a pool view room probably the best value ? The other view rooms seem they like get more expensive for not sure what

 

[Touchdown]

Does the exterior of the hotel really matter all that much when it comes to guest experience? I mean sure it builds some anticipation upon arrival and sets the stage but once your inside the hotel you’re not really thinking of that.

Industrial in the hallways?

I get much more of a Disney feel at the DL Hotel than at GCH.

Yes yes it does. I can go to a high rise hotel anytime I want in any city.

 

[NobodyElse]

In fact, I think anyone that dines at Blue Bayou should get a complimentary POTC LL.

Seems reasonable to me.

 

[mickEblu]

Interesting comment popped on Threads today

 

[Disney Irish]

Interesting comment popped on Threads today

View attachment 880770

We can put that right up there with the Matterhorn is sinking urban myth.

 

[mickEblu]

Yes yes it does. I can go to a high rise hotel anytime I want in any city.

So I’m guessing most of the Vegas hotels don’t do it for you?

 

[Touchdown]

So I’m guessing most of the Vegas hotels don’t do it for you?

I’m not a Vegas Person, I do not gamble, I feel the urge to go about once or twice a decade for shows. However, all the (good) strip hotels have massive indoor mall and ground concourses that more then make up for the tower look, most of them are also more then a giant rectangle and have flourish’s as well. So you aren’t winning me over with that argument. When I want a “manufactured” vacation environment I’m going to a theme park over Las Vegas most of the time.

 

[mickEblu]

I’m not a Vegas Person, I do not gamble, I feel the urge to go about once or twice a decade for shows. However, all the (good) strip hotels have massive indoor mall and ground concourses that more then make up for the tower look, most of them are also more then a giant rectangle and have flourish’s as well. So you aren’t winning me over with that argument. When I want a “manufactured” vacation environment I’m going to a theme park over Las Vegas most of the time.

I’m not trying to win you over. Im trying to understand. I assumed you likely had a different set of expectations for Disney and Vegas hotels.

My favorite hotel in Vegas was the Mirage. It was just a tower. The volcano outside was cool but it didn’t make or break the hotel for me.

 

[Disney Irish]

I’m not trying to win you over. Im trying to understand. I assumed you likely had a different set of expectations for Disney and Vegas hotels.

My favorite hotel in Vegas was the Mirage. It was just a tower. The volcano outside was cool but it didn’t make or break the hotel for me.

My guess, and its just a guess, is that when most people think of a Disney Resort Hotel they think of a large ornate hotel that has a "look" from the outside like its an actual resort. Basically WDW Resort Hotels, think Grand Floridian or Contemporary.

While a nice hotel DLH it just not what people think of when they think of a Disney Resort Hotel, again just a guess.

 

[mickEblu]

My guess, and its just a guess, is that when most people think of a Disney Resort Hotel they think of a large ornate hotel that has a "look" from the outside like its an actual resort. Basically WDW Resort Hotels, think Grand Floridian or Contemporary.

While a nice hotel DLH it just not what people think of when they think of a Disney Resort Hotel, again just a guess.

I agree. I can definitely understand people having a different set of expectations for Disney and Vegas. Perhaps because I’ve seen it my entire life and because the Disneyland Hotel is so old I don’t make that that distinction nor hold it to as high a standard. With that said, like I mentioned before, when I’m walking the lush grounds or at the pool the last thing I’m thinking about is what the exterior of the hotel looked like when I pulled in. I’d imagine that goes for most people.

 

[Disney Irish]

I agree. I can definitely understand people having a different set of expectations for Disney and Vegas. Perhaps because I’ve seen it my entire life and because the Disneyland Hotel is so old I don’t make that that distinction nor hold it to as high a standard. With that said, like I mentioned before, when I’m walking the lush grounds or at the pool the last thing I’m thinking about is what the exterior of the hotel looked like when I pulled in.

Since I've never stayed at any Disney Resort Hotel my opinion is limited. But I would agree with you, my opinion is less about the outside and more about whats on the inside and the amenities and grounds they offer. Its why I didn't care all the much what the outside of the announced 4th hotel looked like before they cancelled it.

 

[Touchdown]

I’m not trying to win you over. Im trying to understand. I assumed you likely had a different set of expectations for Disney and Vegas hotels.

My favorite hotel in Vegas was the Mirage. It was just a tower. The volcano outside was cool but it didn’t make or break the hotel for me.

One of these things is not like the other, all the Deluxe WDW hotels have large beautiful common areas, as does GCH. DLH does not.

 

[mickEblu]

View attachment 880817
View attachment 880818
View attachment 880819
View attachment 880821
View attachment 880822
One of these things is not like the other, all the Deluxe WDW hotels have large beautiful common areas, as does GCH. DLH does not.

lol yes I know. I ve stayed at the GCH twice and I think that overall, the DLH is the better hotel.

 

[Touchdown]

lol yes I know. I ve stayed at the GCH twice and I think that overall, the DLH is the better hotel.

Just so long as you realize you’re in the minority. GCH is also part of a very exclusive club of only 5 hotels that have a Disney Park entrance right outside the door (TDL Hotel, Mira Costa, Fantasyland Springs Hotel, Disneyland Hotel Paris, GCH) which is hard to match for location.

 

[mickEblu]

Just so long as you realize you’re in the minority. GCH is also part of a very exclusive club of only 5 hotels that have a Disney Park entrance right outside the door (TDL Hotel, Mira Costa, Fantasyland Springs Hotel, Disneyland Hotel Paris, GCH) which is hard to match for location.

I mentioned I was in the minority in my original post but thank you for reminding me haha. With that said, I don’t think preferring the DLH to GCH is a super hot take. I’d imagine at least 30 - 35% of people agree with me.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Interesting comment popped on Threads today

View attachment 880770

Lol, they are just resurfacing the outdoor track.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Dying

 

[NobodyElse]

One of these things is not like the other,

One of these things was not designed/built by Disney. (But please correct me if my timing is off.)

 

[flynnibus]

Only hotel that gives me the real Disney feel is GCH. DL Hotel is just too industrial on the outside and interior hallways. That said, DL Hotel Paris is head and shoulders above any US hotel as it is an actual 5 star hotel and not pretending to be one like the US parks.

well DLH's spot is cemented by it's history and more so by what it USED to be. Just like WDW's history as a vacation resort and not just theme parks.

For regional people, especially those old enough to remember, the DLH was a sprawling venue of so many things not just a hotel. The 'Disney' of it was it's ever evolving experiences and unique location.. not really anything theming. Heck, even the Disney theming in the rooms is relatively new. DLH had it's own reputation in the nostalgia of folks. It's a lot like futureworld.. you remember your experiences as what it used to be, more so than what you got from it recently The renovations in the last decade plus at least have made the facilities modern, but they've stripped out almost everything that made it unique. Now it's just about proximity if you aren't connected to it's history.

The prices are just too absurd for me to pay for the checkbox of staying there. We're going in two weeks and I'm still picking between one of the across the street old properties, or one of the chains by Katella. I mean.. It's like $2-250 vs $650+ a night. For nothing but Disney cred.. I'm spending my money on better junk.. like that stupid 70th key

 

[flynnibus]

Finally making it back out for a trip with the wife starting in about a week. Trip kept sliding week to week, so now disappointed to be stuck by both the BTMRR and RSR refurbs.. both my favorites.