Booked our room at the PPH!

[Mexikolla]

It's our first time staying on site!

We will be there Nov 28-Dec1

Anyone have any hints, tips, tricks they would like to share?

 

[katiesmom2]

No advice...just wanted to say we LOVE PP...you are going to have a fabulous time. Enjoy!

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

I just booked our trip for PPH as well for Nov 28th- Dec 3. I have stayed here several times and love the Christmas/Holiday decorations. When you check in you can see what time Santa will be in the lobby I want to say it is a couple times a day. You will also see Christmas Carolers which I love. When I called to book I asked for them to note, Higher floors, Away from Elevator/Ice Machine and Upgrade if possible (if there are things specific you might want I would suggest them noting it as well). I also had them list the special occasions we are celebrating. When you check in you can remind them of you requests. If you plan to use the gym let them know when you check in because you will have to sigh a wavier to use it. There is also a list of activities you can ask for or will receive. Some Activities are free and others not but they are all pretty cool (like a makeover in Sephora before they open, which I believe cost, Yoga and such.) I am sure someone on here might have the link to some of the other possible activities. Well that is some tips, hope you enjoy your first stay at PPH

 

[Heymy]

We will be there the same time and we are very excited! I am PPH convert..use to only stay at DLH (once or twice at GCH)...but my girls just loved the PPH. So since this trip is their first holiday trip, I let them pick the hotel. No brainer. I can't wait to see the decorations and festivities. You really can't go wrong!! Enjoy!

 

[Heymy]

We will be there the same time and we are very excited! I am PPH convert..use to only stay at DLH (once or twice at GCH)...but my girls just loved the PPH. So since this trip is their first holiday trip, I let them pick the hotel. No brainer. I can't wait to see the decorations and festivities. You really can't go wrong!! Enjoy!

 

[SFMommy]

We will be there at the end of November and it will be our first on-site stay too! Very excited!

Jenasweetemotion - why do you prefer the higher floors? Does this hotel still have problems with elevator waits at peak times? Does the higher floor help with that?

Also curious how often you are upgraded. Do you think it helps to ask ahead or wait until check-in. We booked a standard room.

Thanks!

 

[Mexikolla]

We will be there the same time and we are very excited! I am PPH convert..use to only stay at DLH (once or twice at GCH)...but my girls just loved the PPH. So since this trip is their first holiday trip, I let them pick the hotel. No brainer. I can't wait to see the decorations and festivities. You really can't go wrong!! Enjoy!

So you have been at all three... what makes PPH their fave? I've never even stepped foot in it.

When you check in you can see what time Santa will be in the lobby I want to say it is a couple times a day. You will also see Christmas Carolers which I love.

We saw santa last year in the GCH and it was so classic. I loved the big santa in the woodsy setting. Is the PPH Santa dressed beachy?

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

Jenasweetemotion - why do you prefer the higher floors? Does this hotel still have problems with elevator waits at peak times? Does the higher floor help with that?

Also curious how often you are upgraded. Do you think it helps to ask ahead or wait until check-in. We booked a standard room.

Thanks!

We love the higher floors although yes they still have issues with the elevator at peak times. We generally love the views from the higher floors even if it a standard view but that is just a preference. We have asked for an upgrade every time (about 10 or so) and I want to say only 2 or 3 times we did not get it. I have asked ahead the last few times and when I arrived and asked if we could have an upgraded room they had already had the upgrade room ready for us. I figure it doesn't hurt to ask for it and keep your fingers crossed.

We saw santa last year in the GCH and it was so classic. I loved the big santa in the woodsy setting. Is the PPH Santa dressed beachy?

No, the Santa at PPH is not dressed in beachy clothes but the Classic Santa suite. The GCH Santa I found to be a little more Victorian we got pictures with both.

 

[Mexikolla]

No, the Santa at PPH is not dressed in beachy clothes but the Classic Santa suite. The GCH Santa I found to be a little more Victorian we got pictures with both.

Thank You!

 

[Breyean]

Yes, the elevators can be an issue because of crowding at certain times, but a GREAT reason to ask for a higher floor is to avoid what happened with us when we were there 2 weeks ago.

We had a standard view room on the 4th floor. Outside our window we had a great view... of the pool and the landscapers planting new stuff. The pool is accessed through the 3rd floor, then you walk up a staircase, so it's essentially on the level of the 4th floor. Plus there seemed to be some sort of cabanas or rooms with umbrellas and such directly below our window.

It was noisy. Even after the pool closed each night, once the parks closed, a little while later there was all sorts of noise coming from the pool area. Not sure if it was the pool itself or whatever is on the 3rd floor below our room, but we heard everything from "Marco... Polo" (which really gets on your nerves after an hour or so at 10pm)to a baby crying each night, late at night (and even once at 1am).

Then on the mornings we wanted to sleep in, the gardeners were out in full force.

We had to keep the heavy curtains closed even in the morning for privacy.

I'd recommend trying for a higher floor if you can.

Other than that, the place is great, as others have already said.

 

[disneymom0104]

We just got back from our first stay at PPH and we LOVED it. The rooms were a great size- I have no desire to stay anywhere else We had an upper level theme park view which could not be beat!

One think I didn't love about GC was all the people there. It is a major cut through for everyone and it never felt very cozy to me in the lobby area. I liked the quietness of PPH. We would gladly stay there again!

 

[ORDisneyfans]

When does Santa arrive in the hotels? We will be there right before Thanksgiving and I know my little DD would love to see Santa at Disnayeland! We'll probably be too early but thought I would ask!

 

[deesquared]

We have asked for an upgrade every time (about 10 or so) and I want to say only 2 or 3 times we did not get it. I have asked ahead the last few times and when I arrived and asked if we could have an upgraded room they had already had the upgrade room ready for us. I figure it doesn't hurt to ask for it and keep your fingers crossed.

So, just to clarify...
You can ask for an upgrade, and they will just put you in a nicer room at no extra cost?

(I don't stay in hotels much. I would hate to ask for an upgrade, and then get a big fat bill at the end of my stay!)

 

[ttig34]

So, just to clarify...
You can ask for an upgrade, and they will just put you in a nicer room at no extra cost?

(I don't stay in hotels much. I would hate to ask for an upgrade, and then get a big fat bill at the end of my stay!)

You might want to say "complimentary upgrade". If they plan to charge you- they should say, yes we do, it will be $50 more per night, etc...

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

When does Santa arrive in the hotels? We will be there right before Thanksgiving and I know my little DD would love to see Santa at Disnayeland! We'll probably be too early but thought I would ask!

Santa Arrives for the Holiday season at the Hotels & Parks starting Nov 14th. Santa is at Santa's Reindeer Round-Up in DL and over at DCA he is over on the Pier by Ariel's Grotto.

So, just to clarify...
You can ask for an upgrade, and they will just put you in a nicer room at no extra cost?

(I don't stay in hotels much. I would hate to ask for an upgrade, and then get a big fat bill at the end of my stay!)

I have never been charged extra at all when I have asked for an upgrade. I usually ask if it is free or no charge. They don't always have an upgrade available but I figure that what is the worst they will tell me, (no we don't have an upgrade available.) It doesn't hurt to ask

 

[krispin41]

Just got back from a 4 night stay at the PPH. LOVED it! We had room 1500 which is on the top floor and had an AMAZING park-view. We could see World of Color from our window, and it gives you new perspective on the show. We also did the concierge level and while it a bit expensive, it was worth it, snacks and water to take with us in the park, as well as a quick breakfast before heading out. Not to mention, the staff made our dining reservations for us, she also checked us in for our departing flight.

Room was spacious, we had a king bed (just my DH and I) and there was also a sofabed.

The only downside is the elevators, Sunday morning was CRAZY!! (Tuesday morning not so much). Several times I had to ride it up to go down. (Or vice-versa.)

Also, if you need to have anything shipped you will have to hit the business center at the GCH, I bought too much stuff, and actually wound up buying an extra suitcase.

Kristan in NorCal

 

[Heymy]

So you have been at all three... what makes PPH their fave? I've never even stepped foot in it.

It makes it their fave because it's the last one we went to and fresh in their minds. Truly, I love all three...but when it comes down to cost...I am perfectly happy with PPH. Also for the fact that I stayed at it probably 25 years ago when it wasn't a Disney property (we couldn't get into DLH) and it was such an awful experience....so I'm pleased to see the Disney touches. At check in, my girls got balloons and glossy b&w pics...we've never got that at the other properties (though I've heard others have). And on our first night we received Mickey rice crispy treats at our door (I saw them delivering to other rooms on different nights...so I'm hoping that's a standard perk). The walk is a piece of cake. Yes GCH is closer, but I don't mind crossing the street (still feels like you're in the resort) or even going through Downtown Disney (the girls preferred that eventhough it was "longer"). The elevators can be a pain...but just get up early and beat the crowds! We never experienced that at night. We are big fans of afternoon breaks for the kids and adults...so we loved that the bar was empty for a quick cocktail and the kids could sit with us and watch Phineas & Ferb...win win for everyone. Never had a chance to try the pool (it was freezing for May) but we hope to someday. I like the fact that the kids don't have to be true swimmers to go down the waterslide. And finally, we're all Goofy fans, so having a statue of him when you walk in puts an instant grin on your face.

Have a wonderful trip. Being onsite can't be beat!

 

[krispin41]

I still haven't looked at all the pictures I took, but this was the view from my room, taken with my cell-phone. Totally worth it for the view. It was amazing.

If you look to the left of the Matterhorn, you can see the spire of the Castle.

Kristan in NorCal