Deluxe Room Par.Pier or Grand Californian standard room

[MiniMissMinnie]

Hi !

Taking a mini-vacation in July, and here are my choices so far ...please help me decide!

1. Standard Room Grand Californian (270 dollars a night)

2. Luxury Room Paradise Pier (What is a luxury room ???) (250 a night)

Thanks in advance!

By the way.....Where do one eat breakfast ( no kids )??

Thanks!!

Marie

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

I can't help you as I have never been there but I was wondering...
is that $250 for the PP a discounted rate? and if so...what kind of discount? And what was the rate of the standard room at PP.
We're going in July to

 

[Blackunicorn]

$250 is very high for Paradise Pier, which is the least expensive of the three hotels, so I am going to have to guess that a luxury room is going to be on the concierge level and/or has a park view. The park views are great! I believe that one benefit to concierge level is that is has snacks available for most of the day, so if you are going to be in the hotel during the day, you can save some money on meals by taking advantage of the snacks. I have not stayed at the Grand Californian, but from what I hear it is a luxury hotel, and I've heard rave reviews about it. It is supposedly more themed than PP and has more of the park view rooms available. The GC is the closest to the two parks and has a private entrance to California Adventure. The PP is across the street and a small walk away, and has a different private entrance to CA.

HOWEVER, because I never stayed at the GC, take this with a grain of salt. My hotel of choice is PP because they are less expensive. I hear that they are getting a complete refurbishment that should be done in May, and the new rooms are supposed to be beautiful, with more of a beach theme. The regular rooms are more on par with $160 a night, but sometimes you can get a special that makes it less.

GC has a mountain lodge theme, and not so much Disney, but they do seem to have more amenities available, such as some of the rooms have bunk beds with a trundle underneath, so three kids can have their own beds.

 

[din]

I am not sure which are the luxury room is at PP. However having stayed at both PP and GC and also a repeat visitor to WDW I would say that GC is the way to go.

Reasons:

It is easy to get to Downtown Disney, California Adventure and a short walk to DL. PP is further away from Downtown Disney and DL.

GC is more like a typical WDW resort amenities and service.

Good luck in you decision process.

 

[justmestace]

The size of the "luxury" room at PP is the same as a regular room at GC. One of the MAJOR differences is that most, if not all, of the rooms at PP do not have balconies. I don't know about most people, but I really enjoy a balcony.

We are getting ready for our 3rd stay at the GC, and I will never stay at one of the other hotels again. (Okay, if it's for the 50th, and that is my ONLY choice, then I would). But for a difference of only $20, the Grand Californian is so much nicer. You can only refurb a place so much. Paradise Pier is basically just a hotel....it wasn't originally Disney, so it doesn't have that special touch, no matter how much Disney tries to work on it. The GC is truly a resort, with a really rich, relaxing feel to it.

Go with the GC, you will definitely NOT be disappointed!!

 

[adrien32]

I just returned from staying at the Paradise Pier this weekend. It was OK, but I was not happy with the front desk staff, who tried to put my mother and me in a king bed and only moved us after a very lengthy discussion. We had no view and were in an old room even after the move. If you had a park view, that would be nicer.

I walked through the lobby of the Grand Californian and it was beautiful. The location was also great. The landscaping of the Disneyland Hotel was very nice.

 

[IandGsmom]

I have stayed at both and I would have to say the Grand Californian. It is just so so beautiful. You can not beat walking through the private entrance to DCA. I know that PP has a private entrance but not as close as GC. You are right there. PP is nice and my family had a great time. We went to Minnies Breakfast like every day.
You can try International House of Pancakes (IHOP) for breakfast which is right across the street from DL, walking distance. GC also has a character breakfast but we did not go. If you stay there make sure you eat at Whitewater Snacks by the pool. It was great and not expensive. You can buy your refillable mug there.

 

[MiniMissMinnie]

Hi everybody !

Thanks for all the advice!!

Think I'll take the Grand Californian. I'll be going alone and want to splurge.... Taking the disney tour...Tokyo is my next stop in August...really looking forward to it.

Disney-crazy.....Nooooo...

Thanks again!

Marie

 

[Blackunicorn]

Were you planning on posting a trip report about Disney Tokyo? I would love to read about it! We want to go someday, but we wonder if it would be worth it if we're not fluent in the language, if you know what I mean....

 

[MiniMissMinnie]

Definitely.....with loads of pictures hopefully!

My dad is a chief engineer on a ship, and they sail from L.A. ( or actually Port Hueneme ) to Equador to Japan. And I'm taking a trip with him in July. I'll only be spending 1-2 days in L.A., but really want to see disneyland again, as I have not seen it since 1998.

I'll be staying 4-5 days in Tokyo and then fly home. I will not stay at a disney resort because of the total price for 4 days. It's like 400 dollars a night for the cheapest room - and I'm a student...so unfortunately not this time!

Really looking forward seeing disneyland in Tokyo ( and of course Tokyo itself)

Back in August posting!

Marie