Carousel Inn vs. Paradise Pier

[hungrybunnies]

Just curious, I just made a ressies for the Club Suite at the Carousel Inn and was looking around the web and found a standard room at PP for about $75 more for our 3 night stay. I know the Carousel is much closer to the front gates than PP. Shoud I go for location and more space or less space, longer walk but Disney service? Any thoughts?

 

[bumbershoot]

I got better service at Carousel than I did at PP, and the Carousel room didn't have used towels in the laundry basket (on the other hand, PP had a basket in the bathroom and Carousel didn't) and Carousel had toiletries but we had to ask for PP to bring them up (the room smelled faintly of smoke, so we think someone had checked in, then was caught smoking and sent away, then they didn't make up the room again...we checked in at almost 8pm and the room just felt used).

Closer is nice! Less money is nice. Carousel also has a really sad little b'fast, but that's more than PP has.

 

[hungrybunnies]

bumbershoot, I noticed you stayed at the HoJo a few times. How does the Carousel compare?

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Haven't stayed at either place but just wanted to say your bunny picture is cute!

 

[kaity230]

Is it $75 more per night? Or for the whole stay?

I haven't stayed at Carousel but have stayed at PP and I loved PP. I had none of the bad experiences others claim - but found it new, clean, and bright and happy. You certainly feel the "disney" to it. The walk was not long at all - and you can cut through GCH for DCA. Personally I feel its a very pretty walk through DTD or using the monorail, so I had no problems with it. Also, you can use the DLH pool (according to CMs at PP) which is so very close.

Either way have fun!!

 

[hungrybunnies]

PP was $75 more after taxes and fees for the whole stay.

 

[MPHARJ]

I can't comment on Carousel Inn but we stayed at PP last year and have it booked this year, concierge level, last and this year. We loved it. The walk isn't that long, you'll be walking all day in the park anyways. It was nice walking through DTD when they were closed or just opening up. Our room was bright, large, clean and so comfy. We loved it and had no problems at all. We had wonderful views of the fireworks too.

 

[lisadoll93]

If it only 75 more for the whole stay, I would go with PP. We have been there over 10 times thru out the years. I miss AP rates of $89

 

[TiggerandTink]

Less money, more room, closer location - I would stay at the Carousel. Of course I haven't stayed at either so I don't know which would provide better service. However you will be at Disney all day and enjoying their service. At night all I want to do after a long day at the parks is crash and I don't really care where its at as long as its clean.

 

[hungrybunnies]

I couldn't tell by the info I found online, but does PP have a small fridge in the room?

 

[lisadoll93]

Sure does

 

[tinkslite]

If I don't have the $$ for DL Hotel or GC then I'll stay at Fairfield or Tropicana for proximity.
We paid for a concierge level room at pp in 06 at Christmas time and we were so disappointed. The staff were not on par with those at other disney properties (we even had someone with room service arguing with my dh re. accepting dining vouchers from Disney Travel for a meal for our, then very ill, son. He had had to retire to the hotel room early that day, due to overexertion (at the time just 8 years old and in ill health), my husband knew he'd feel better if he ate so ordered something from room service (same menu and kitchen as pch grill which accepts the vouchers) and then after receiving the food was told they don't take the vouchers! It didn't say this on the vouchers anywhere.
Our room was not as well attended to as at Disneyland Hotel.
I'd opt out of this hotel, if I were you.

 

[DangerMouse]

I haven't stayed at either, but I would probably choose the PPH for the extra MM privileges.

 

[tink2dw]

Can them both and Stay at Desert Inn and Suites!

 

[eeyore3847]

If I don't have the $$ for DL Hotel or GC then I'll stay at Fairfield or Tropicana for proximity.
We paid for a concierge level room at pp in 06 at Christmas time and we were so disappointed. The staff were not on par with those at other disney properties
Our room was not as well attended to as at Disneyland Hotel.
I'd opt out of this hotel, if I were you.

I AGREE COMPLETLY . We stayed there Smas of 07 and it was the worst service ever. waist of money!

 

[kiwitravel]

I would opt for the Carousel, we stayed there and had a great stay. Staff were really good and the room always clean. The biggest negative I see is the pool, the Carousel Pool is very small....

 

[casaazul]

Me... I'd go with the Paradise Pier.. Carousel Inn is a nice motel, but for an extra $75, I'd go with a hotel... Plus they have a great pool, and I think you can also use the pool at Disneyland Hotel (not sure tho)

 

[I LOVE MICKEY MOUSE]

My family & I have stayed at PP numerous times and this last time in April was horrible! The room felt dirty upon arrival at 11:30pm. The sheets the first night looked and felt dirty as well as the vanity was cover with what looked like sticky soda pop. The next morining I called front desk & they assured me they would clean room as well as clean carpet to get the gum or candy out that was in carpet. Well we returned late that night to find the only thing that was done was clean sheets, & new towels & bathroom was cleaned. Then I discovered nut shells on floor. I was soooo disappointed w/ PP this trip. The hotel did give me a part refund & charatcer breakfast. It was still the idea that we pay for a resort & expect quality. I am a very reasonable person but that isint what I signed up for.
So if you go there I hop eit goes better for you!

 

[bumbershoot]

PP isn't a new hotel; it is an old one that Disney bought and updated.

bumbershoot, I noticed you stayed at the HoJo a few times. How does the Carousel compare?

HoJo = much much MUCH better. Carousel's staff was nicer than PP, but HoJo rocks everything.

I couldn't tell by the info I found online, but does PP have a small fridge in the room?

So does Carousel.

Me... I'd go with the Paradise Pier.. Carousel Inn is a nice motel, but for an extra $75, I'd go with a hotel... Plus they have a great pool, and I think you can also use the pool at Disneyland Hotel (not sure tho)

Can't use it anymore. I was planning our package trip last year this time, and when I booked PP in February, there was info on the disneyland site that PP and DLH could "share" pools but you could NOT try out the GCH pool, and then about halfway through my planning, that info disappeared entirely from the site. I'm sure you could TRY to do it, but if they asked I'm sure you'd be asked to go back to your own pool.

 

[Hound 109]

If it only 75 more for the whole stay, I would go with PP......

I probably agree with lisadoll....a couple of questions though:


Which 3 nights of the week are you staying?

What will be your likely arrival time (first day) & your departure time (last day).

Do you plan on Character Meals or strolling thru DTD more than once or twice?


Like DangerMouse....the MM privilidges would be driving my decision.

(I like the PP, fwiw.....especially for the Disney theming & for exiting DCA into the GCH-PP for my mid day break).