Okee- as far as convience, I'd say you can't beat the Grand Californian for location. It's the "nicest" park hotel and has the most onsite amenities and has the Napa Rose (the best/fine dining rest. at the DLR) but not necessarily the most "disney" feeling, which is IMO, still the
Disneyland hotel. I haven't stayed at the DLH since they took out and changed things on the grounds (redid pool area and restaurants) and be aware that there still is construction going on at DLH in the pool area BUT the rooms are refurbed (which was badly needed). DLH is actually the furthest walk, unless you rely solely on using the monorail to get to/from Disneyland (and it doesn't shorten the walk much unless you cut into the Grand for DCA).
Rooms in general are about the same at the PP at they at DLH- used to be that PP had bigger rooms, I think since the refurb the rooms are a little closer in size now between those two hotels. Rooms are the Grand are reportedly even smaller than DLH rooms. Rooms are either DLH or PP sleep up to 5 (they will have a sofa sleeper, a single). If you sleep 5 in the Grand, you are only guaranteed a sleeping bag on the floor.
The Grand and DLH both have nice grounds. Both have nice landscaped areas you can walk around (much more IMO at the DLH) surrounding the pool area/etc. Again, right now DLH is under construction and they used to have Koi ponds and waterfalls- those are gone now. DLH has two brand new high water slides that look like the monorail, the Grand also has water slides into the pool. The Grand has two pools, IIRC.
PP has NO grounds. It is a tower style hotel (14 or so stories tall). There is a pool area, and that's between the hotel and the parking garage. The PP has the simplest pool area- a basic heated pool (though always plenty of seating and lounge chairs), a small jacuzzi, a separate child's splash pool, and their 2 story water slide. Kids love the water slide. The Grand has cabanas, and the DLH has a few (these are brand new). The PP doesn't have any.
If it sounds like I am downselling the PP I don't mean to. It's a nice, subtly themed Disney hotel (beach theme). It doesn't have as much Disney appeal to me as the Disneyland Hotel or The Grand does. It has however, been regarded as one with the most personal/attentive service. I've stayed there twice, and had great service all around. There are no grounds to walk around. It does have character dining, a lounge, and a nice gift shop. PP is the least costly, as you probably know. In Dec '09, we were able to take advantage of great rooms rates as low as $100 a night! That's not the normal pricing, but if you can get a room rates of $175 or less, I consider the PP to be a good value. We stayed last June and had a view room of DCA and I LOVED IT, LOVED looking out the window. The kids LOVED the waterslide and basic pool, it didn't bother them at all. I liked the fact that you could find someplace to sit (which has been a problem at the DLH and Grand both at busy times). It also has a snackbar/bar poolside.
Right now, some might not want to stay at the DLH until construction is done. The rooms at DLH look awesome- they are contempory style but with a fancy Disney feel. DLH has several dining options- a coffee house, a self serve style quick breakfast/lunch/dinner rest. (brand new, tangeroa terrace) and an awesome looking bar (tiki themed). Also still has steakhouse 55 (finer dining) and Goofy's Kitchen (best FOOD imo of all the character dining options). It has two stores, and there's alot to see and check out around the grounds. I personally am not going to consider staying here until all the construction is done. I know I'll miss the small things they took out that made the grounds really special (waterfalls, fish, crystal shop) BUT the upgraded pool area and cool new bar may be a worth it trade off.
Same can be said with the Grand- stores, RIGHT near downtown Disney (PP is the furthest from DTD) The rooms are the Grand at Arts and Crafts themed. The rooms at PP are beach (light colored, green and blue) themed with light traditional Disney touches (Mickey lamps, some disney park wall art, etc). IMO, I don't think the Grand has great DISNEY ambiance, but it has great AMBIANCE. And because it is SO close to DTD and DCA, and if you want a room with a view- and that there is character dining onsite, I don't feel someone would necessarily feel less "disney" staying there than at the DLH.
. You will appreciate the location after a long day of walking.
