Best Theme Park View?

[coopersmom]

Based on pics I've seen it seems that Paradise Pier wins in the "theme park view" category but the rest of the hotel leaves me a bit cold, so we've crossed that one off our list.

I've never actually sprung for a Disney view before and always ended up regretting it (the idea of seeing fireworks from room while enjoying a glass of wine with hubby just seems so romantic), so this time I'm bound and determined to get my view gosh darn it! (Unless hubby wins battle, that issee: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45540564#post45540564.) But if I pay for it, I want it to be good, so I'd love to hear other people's view experience at the Disneyland and Grand Californian hotel.

I'm still torn between those two properties as I like the look of the pool area and recently renovated rooms at Disneyland, but basically everything BUT the rooms looks just a bit nicer at the Grand. The view question might sway me one way or another. I saw a couple "view" pics of the Disneyland hotel that looked super sketchy in terms of being "worth it," so just wanted to know if the CGH suffers from same problem.

And, if you've got pics, I'd love to see 'em!

 

[skiingfast]

How much time and when, will you be sitting in your room looking out the window?

 

[hjgaus]

how much time and when, will you be sitting in your room looking out the window?

we did alot in may this year - if you have the 2 story 3 bed 3 bath grand villa @ vgc for 4 day & 3 nights!! Love being dvc owners!!

 

[elaw]

This was the view from our room at dawn on New Years day (GCH)

This was the view from our room at dawn on New Years eve day

 

[lana772]

GCH has the patios to sit on while you watch the fireworks. If fireworks are what you are after then ask for Downtown Disney view. If you get Theme park view it will be over CA and possibly WOC.

There are some nice fireworks views at DLH, but there is no guaruntee you will get them. Most of DLH "theme Park" views have partially blocked views of the fireworks (as you can see in my previous pic I posted for you). Also remember that at DLH you will be sitting on the edge of your bed with a window view of anything. In my experience there isn't enough room to put the chairs between the bed and the window. (look back at that pic on your other thread and you can see how close the bed is next to my daughter's legs)

 

[lana772]

Based on pics I've seen it seems that Paradise Pier wins in the "theme park view" category but the rest of the hotel leaves me a bit cold, so we've crossed that one off our list.

!

If PPH leaves you cold you may be dissapointed with DLH as the hotel are so similar.

 

[coopersmom]

If PPH leaves you cold you may be dissapointed with DLH as the hotel are so similar.

Hmm, I admit I've never been to any, which makes the choice so difficult. (Well, 30 years ago I walked through the Disneyland Hotel lobby, but don't think that counts.) I certainly didn't get that they were the same by looking at pictures/videos and reviews.

The Paradise Pier just looks like, small and old boring hotel that someone put a Goofy statue in the middle of. The parking lot view pool also doesn't wow me.

I'm afraid I'd go and feel like ugly stepsister (e.g. Pop Century vs Grand Floridian; and while both have charms hard to walk through Grand and be excited you're going back to Pop) and spend the trip wishing we'd stayed at someplace more signature.

I will say though that the rooms look perfectly pleasant, especially at the lower price point. And, yes, if we picked Paradise we could afford concierge AND theme park view, while at any of the others it's one or the other for sure.

 

[lana772]

Hmm, I admit I've never been to any, which makes the choice so difficult. (Well, 30 years ago I walked through the Disneyland Hotel lobby, but don't think that counts.) I certainly didn't get that they were the same by looking at pictures/videos and reviews.

The Paradise Pier just looks like, small and old boring hotel that someone put a Goofy statue in the middle of. The parking lot view pool also doesn't wow me.

I'm afraid I'd go and feel like ugly stepsister (e.g. Pop Century vs Grand Floridian; and while both have charms hard to walk through Grand and be excited you're going back to Pop) and spend the trip wishing we'd stayed at someplace more signature.

I will say though that the rooms look perfectly pleasant, especially at the lower price point. And, yes, if we picked Paradise we could afford concierge AND theme park view, while at any of the others it's one or the other for sure.

I agree that when you stay at PPH walking through GCH feels odd. I am definitelynot comparing those two. I was comparing DLH to PPH. I feel they are the same. We are staying at GCH for Christmas. Not even considering the others. And yes... I also am a Hotel snob.

 

[goofyfordisney]

I voted for GCH view. We've only stayed at GCH once and didn't book a view room, but we were upgraded to the view similar to one previously posted on this thread. I like having a balcony to sit out on.

We've stayed at DLH multiple times and have always had a DTD view. But, with no balcony, the view really doesn't matter that much!

BTW...I'm enjoying all of your posts - your questions are all things that I obsess over when planning my trips, disney or not!

 

[DisneytheKid]

Wow! Great views!

This was the view from our room at dawn on New Years day (GCH)

This was the view from our room at dawn on New Years eve day

 

[Eclectic Goddess]

I can't speak to the park views from PP or DLH, but we've have both Downtown Disney and park views from the GCH, and they were both amazing. We weren't in our room much, true, but it was wonderful to throw open our curtain in the mornings and see the park waiting for us. At night, we spent a little time sitting on our balcony with a glass of wine and our feet up, enjoying the lights and music drifting in.

 

[krispin41]

I haven't stayed at the GCH or DH but here was our view from room 1408 at PPH:

Daytime view:

Nighttime view:

Last October, we also stayed at the PPH, and this was the view from room 1500.

 

[coopersmom]

Last October, we also stayed at the PPH, and this was the view from room 1500.

*NOTE: other photos omitted, see original post above

WOW! Hard to imagine it getting much better than that. Just spectacular.

I said in another of the zillion threads I started and/or commented on when trying to decide that we have, at least for the moment, settled on the Grand with a "premium" view.

But, if I balk at the price prior to leaving--admit it made me blanch, so hoping like heck a deal comes out--I might have to take another look at the Paradise Pier.

Those photos above and this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7RjeYFWCyA) make me want to stay there solely for the view. Forget about the rest of the hotel.

Does the Paradise Pier have balconies on their view rooms?

 

[lana772]

No balconies at PPH or DLH.

Did you check alternative dates. The first time we stayed at GCH the price startled me too. I wound up moving our vacation a month and saved a lot of $. (Around $1000) There is a big difference from end of Dec to end of Jan or from Sept to beginning of Nov. Unfortunately Disney has had such a success with the Halloween party that in recent years October prices have gone way up.

I still think a good promotion should be announced for Fall / Winter in the next few months.

 

[Nonsuch]

WOW! Hard to imagine it getting much better than that. Just spectacular

VGC Grand Villa, 2 story window:

Night:

 

[coopersmom]

VGC Grand Villa, 2 story window:
Night:

See, now you're just showing off.

Seriously though, if we'd won the lottery AND planned 11 months in advance no doubt that would be our pick.

 

[hjgaus]

VGC Grand Villa, 2 story window:

Night:

Thank you nonsuch for the awesome pics! They would have been the ones I chose to show if I knew how to up load to this board. Although we have not won the lotto (even though my husband keeps trying EVERY MONTH) we did not have to plan our stay in the Grand Villa 11 months out just 7 months out. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with choosing to begin our stay on a Thursday night of Memorial weekend or because we are So Cal locals & don't have to worry about planning so far ahead for flights. I think this is the 2nd best view we've ever had to look out at since our 2 day stay in the Marriott President Suite in Kauai in 2011 ! Just got back from Aulani but wishing I had enough points to do THEIR Grand Villa (perhaps one day) which then would be # 1 on our list! Stayed at PP & DL but by far VGC HAS THE BEST PARK VIEW night or day!! Our first 2 stays in the Grand Villas were the pool view (nice too) so this last stay just left us & our guests totally speechless as we enter the foyer of the villa - just dropped our bags while starring at THAT VIEW & our jaws hit the floor! LOL!! AMAZING !! ALL 3 DLR are best @ customer service which is why our family enjoys Disney OVERALL !!

 

[krispin41]

I'm bumping this thread, because its got some great pics of theme park views from PPH ans GCH.