Celebrating our anniversary and picking a hotel

[Jperiod]

We're going for the weekend in January to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Money isn't really an issue, but I'm naturally cheap. We've never stayed at DLH or PP, but we stayed at VGC with our kids (as a cheap RCI trade). We thought we'd try DLH, but the $400/night makes me pause, so I thought about PP at $300.

With potential discounts, how much could we get this price down? We'll buy annual passes in December. Is it better to book now and can I add discounts later? More importantly, how can I justify this cost when we're barely there!

 

[rentayenta]

For us, the hotel and amenities enhance the trip. If money isn't an issue then I would stay at one of the 3 Disneyland Resort properties; the GCH being my first choice. For us, the resort is important especially for an anniversary or special occasion trip. I would book now and if an AP rate becomes available you can always change it.

 

[Niltiac]

More importantly, how can I justify this cost when we're barely there!

I think this depends on your touring style. I'm also naturally cheap, and I personally wouldn't book an on-site hotel for such a short trip because we are go-go-go people and would spend the entire weekend in the parks, without any time to enjoy the pool, amenities and general atmosphere of the hotel, and that in turn would make me feel guilty for spending the money. I am staying on-site for the first time on an upcoming trip and I decided it's worth it because it's a longer trip so we're more likely to take breaks, and we're going during off-season weekdays, so the park hours will probably be short and we'll have the mornings and evenings to enjoy the hotel. If you're more laid back in your travel style and more inclined to take afternoon breaks, take time to soak in your surroundings, etc. then I think it would be an excellent treat to celebrate the occasion.

Also, have you been to the parks a lot in the past? Our first year of AP's is coming to a close and we haven't decided if we're renewing. I planned to have our big fancy on-site experience at the end of the AP year rather than the beginning, partly because we have now had time to experience the parks several times, so hopefully we can take our time at the hotel without feeling like we have to get back to the parks to use our FP.

 

[hjgaus]

We're going for the weekend in January to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Money isn't really an issue, but I'm naturally cheap. We've never stayed at DLH or PP, but we stayed at VGC with our kids (as a cheap RCI trade). We thought we'd try DLH, but the $400/night makes me pause, so I thought about PP at $300.

With potential discounts, how much could we get this price down? We'll buy annual passes in December. Is it better to book now and can I add discounts later? More importantly, how can I justify this cost when we're barely there!

WOW!!! How and when were you able to trade INTO VGC through RCI cuz I've been trying for YEARS ( since DVC paired up with RCI) with another non Disney timeshare we own and it's NEVER available!!
ONLY Saratoga Springs and everywhere else in WDW but NEVER the villas at The Grand Californian !

It's a good thing we are already DVC members & VGC is one of our home bases or we would have possibly never been able to experience VGC!

 

[Jperiod]

WOW!!! How and when were you able to trade INTO VGC through RCI cuz I've been trying for YEARS ( since DVC paired up with RCI) with another non Disney timeshare we own and it's NEVER available!!
ONLY Saratoga Springs and everywhere else in WDW but NEVER the villas at The Grand Californian !

It's a good thing we are already DVC members & VGC is one of our home bases or we would have possibly never been able to experience VGC!

Yes, it was nothing short of a miracle that we haven't found since! And believe me, we've been trying because once you stay there, nothing could possibly compare!! We plan to buy at VGC next year just so we can stay there again.

 

[smartlabelprint]

PPH? Eww. Pay the extra $100 for DLH! Or go offsite. There are nice new hotels in walking distance.

 

[tlovesdis]

We love PPH! The rooms are large and bright and it's just about the same walk as the DLH.

 

[Aladora]

We love PPH! The rooms are large and bright and it's just about the same walk as the DLH.

I totally agree! We've stayed at all three DLR hotels and PPH is our favourite!

 

[rentayenta]

We love PPH! The rooms are large and bright and it's just about the same walk as the DLH.

I totally agree! We've stayed at all three DLR hotels and PPH is our favourite!

Both of these are great to read! We stayed at the PPH about a decade ago and did not love it. We are trying it again, as I have read SO many good reviews, this November. We have a standard view, club level. Any ideas of floors or rooms to request?

 

[ElizabethG]

Both of these are great to read! We stayed at the PPH about a decade ago and did not love it. We are trying it again, as I have read SO many good reviews, this November. We have a standard view, club level. Any ideas of floors or rooms to request?

I'm interested in this too. We will also be there in January celebrating my husbands 50th birthday! I went back and forth between DLH and PPH. I eventually decided to save the money.

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

We were just at PPH last week for 5 nights.Though the view of California Adventure was awesome, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The elevators were ridiculous, at best and the room was so far from worth the money we paid to stay there. I spent our trip wishing we were at DLH.

 

[rentayenta]

We were just at PPH last week for 5 nights.Though the view of California Adventure was awesome, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The elevators were ridiculous, at best and the room was so far from worth the money we paid to stay there. I spent our trip wishing we were at DLH.

Ugh. The elevators were our issue too a decade ago. What room did you have? Is there just the one tower?

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

Ugh. The elevators were our issue too a decade ago. What room did you have? Is there just the one tower?

Yes, just the one tower. Our room was 1134, Premium view.

 

[rentayenta]

^^^ Thanks! I think I booked a standard view. Do they have club level standard rooms?

 

[lorijohnhill]

I would chose DLH hands down over PPH. To me, PPH is nowhere near worth $300 a night (especially in January).

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

^^^ Thanks! I think I booked a standard view. Do they have club level standard rooms?

They do have club level standard rooms.

 

[rentayenta]

They do have club level standard rooms.

I was kind of getting excited that maybe we'd have a good view. On that....anyone know which side/rooms to request so we aren't looking at the parking lot? Do the club level stand rooms have a certain view? I really hate looking at the parking lot.

 

[VandVsmama]

If money isn't an issue, treat your spouse to staying at the DL Hotel, not PPH.

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

If money isn't an issue, treat your spouse to staying at the DL Hotel, not PPH.

I have to agree with this. We were there celebrating our 10th anniversary, and if I could go back and do it again we would've been at DLH, hands down.

 

[Astylla]

DLH is the absolute best imo. Unless spending enough time at the hotel to take advantage of club level I'd do the WOC dessert party for the special event.
It's just amazing and i'll never bother to see WOC any other way. To each their own but I still recommend DLH even a standard room can be nice !
We had a standard room our dirst stay in adventure tower on the 2nd floor overlooking the trader sam's walkaway and it was so pretty.