Differentiate Disneyland Hotel & Paradise Pier, please

[Anim8ed]

Okay, I'm planning our honeymoon to Southern California. We'll be staying two nights in Coronado, two nights in San Diego, and wrapping up with three nights in Anaheim. I'll be hitting these boards pretty hard for the next few months...I'm a WDW vet and used those boards for all of our four trips together there.

We'll be there in October, after Labor Day. Hopefully, the Ducks will be back at the rink and/or the Angels will be in the playoffs! We like visiting different arenas and ballparks.

Anyway, we've pretty much ruled out the Grand Californian because we'll be splurging at The Del in Coronado. That leaves us with either the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier or staying offsite.

Staying offsite isn't likely because the prices we got on expedia aren't significatly lower than onsite. The only benefit for us staying offsite then becomes more reasonable dining options and racking up reward points thru Marriott at the Fairfield Inn.

So, what seperates DLH and PP in terms of theme, vibe, ammenities, etc.? If anyone has a preference for one over the other, would you please tell me why? Have you stayed at both and can tell me what makes them unique? Assuming that there is anything that makes them unique from each other.

I'm not picky and we're pretty sure that we'll be satisfied with either one. It's just been harder to find resort info for the DL resorts than those at WDW.

Thanks!

 

[diznefreak]

We have done both and we prefer DLH. We actually stayed at the DLH for our honeymoon 5 years ago.
DLH's property is more spread out with 3 towers compared to the PPH which is 1 tower.
Both hotels are nice but we like the grounds at DLH.You can walk around spend time outside,visit the Koi pond and the waterfalls.
Hookes Point is a really good restraunt.Goofy's Kitchen is there too.
Both hotels have nice rooms but at PPH the rooms do not have balconies.
I vote for DLH!
Have Fun!
Amber

 

[mlshields]

Having recently stayed at both the Del and the GC - unless you are absolutely set on staying at the Del (we stayed on points) it was ok - we had an ocean front room in the towers. The room is just ok - two queen beds, small table with two chairs, bathroom with tub/shower combo (sinks in bathroom- drawback for our family of 4!) small balcony with two chairs. The resort is beautiful/famous but VERY EXPENSIVE!!! You will be charge $40 per day for luxury items - (local calls, use of gym) whether you use it or not. Parking is extra too. Valet I believe was $25.00 and self park $16.00.

The GC was in my opinion much nicer (without the beach). We had two large beds, a beautiful armoire, a small table with two chairs and on the balcony there were the same. The bathroom had two large sinks outside of the bathroom with a pocket door leading to the shower/tub/toilet. You park across the street from the GC for I believe it was $8.00.

I happened to REALLY enjoy the GC and would go back there in a heartbeat. I do not think I would spend the points or the cash to stay at the Del.

Enjoy your vacation either way!

 

[CalGal]

In October, if you stay 4 nights at any of the Disney hotels, you should be able to get the fourth night is free unless you have some other special discount (AP, points, etc.)

For a honeymoon, I would certainly recommend the GCH, but the other two are nice too. DLH is a little more festive and feels more on-sight than PP. It's adjacent to DTD, and is closer to the monorail station and DL main entrance. It's much larger than PPH, with 3 towers to PPH one tower. The grounds are nice at DLH, with nice gardens, koi ponds, waterfalls, and a large festive pool area. PPH is quieter and more like a typical 3 star hotel. I prefer the DLH. However, PPH may be a little more affordable, and you may find you are more likely to be able to afford and upgrade to a lovely park view that overlooks DCA's Paradise Pier.

 

[Blackunicorn]

Paradise Pier has a beach theme--lots of blue and gold coloring, suns incorporated into the carpet, a Mickey-in-a-swimsuit lamp and a sun mirror in the rooms. I really like this hotel, and my biggest complaint is that there are only three dining options in the hotel--the PCH Grill, Yamabuki, and a sandwich bar. But I don't get to see beach themes a lot where I live, so I may be inappropriately tickled by the sight of blue-and-gold-with-lots-of-suns. The best rooms at the PPH are going to be the ones with the theme park view--DCA at night is beautiful. Some people have said that they have trouble using the GC entrance to DCA while staying at the PPH, but I've never been stopped--they just ask to see my room key. The walk from PPH to the parks is slightly longer than the other two hotels, which is a pain when you're tired, but it's never really bothered me. Of course, you'll have to decide for yourself if it's important to be closer. You can either cut through the GC, or take a walkway from the back of the hotel to DTD on your way to DL's main gate. You can either walk through DTD or ride the monorail.

I haven't stayed at the DLH yet--I will be in TWO MONTHS YAY but I don't think that'll help you much, because you may have trouble getting a room if you wait to read my trip report. I've heard good things about the DLH, and I've wandered through the public parts. The grounds are very relaxing, with pretty waterfalls and plenty of greenery. I like the Neverland Pool as suggested by my tag, but if you want to get away from kids I've heard that there's another, quieter pool on the grounds. I haven't even begun to process the number of restaurants at DLH yet, but I really liked the lounge next to Croc's Bits N Bites. The pictures that I've seen of the rooms don't thrill me as much as PPH, but it does look nice, and the ability to relax on a balcony seems a little decadent to me. I think that if I were going on a honeymoon, I'd probably pick the DLH. I've been trying to find you some pictures, but I've been failing. If I figure it out, I'll post.

 

[boosmom96]

I haven't stayed at the PP but I've stayed at the DLH several times, including my honeymoon almost 10 years ago!!! IMHO they really don't compare - grounds wise. The DLH's grounds are absolutely gorgeous!! PP's are pretty much like most other hotels in it's class. The pool at DLH also blows the PP pool out of the water!!(Sorry I couldn't resist!!) The DLH is themed throughout and has pixie dust on the ceilings!
Although I haven't stayed at the Del I would have to agree with mlshields about the GC. It is absolutely spectacular! If it had been there 10 years ago I can sday my DH and I definitely would have stayed there! In October if you stay 3 nights you get the 4th free, so this is a really big savings.
Whichever you choose I think you'll have a wonderful time.

 

[TikiKrissy]

Hi,
Wanted to give you my input on both hotels.
DH and I have stayed at all three hotels on property, last time we were at PPH was over Thanksgiving 2004. I would recommend PPH over DLH because DLH is older (I believe it opened in October 1955?), and we have had some issues with the hotel.
We stayed at DLH July 2004 and had a massive water leak coming down from the room above. We were able to switch rooms but the new room we were given was much smaller than our original one. (First room had two sinks in the bathroom, for example.) Additionally, the previous time we stayed at the DLH the entire Marina tower was out of hot water!! Water pipe had burst. After we complained, we were sent to the Bonita tower for showers in an unoccupied guest room. There was a wedding party having pictures taken by Disneyland photographer in front of Bonita tower. I felt so sad for the bride because tons of tourists in sweats and bathrobes were walking by and gawking at wedding party!!
PPH has all facilities in the same building. There is not a lot of difference in amenities between these two hotels, other than the fact that DLH has more places to eat and two pools, which are vastly superior to PPH's pool. However, if you are not planning to swim or eat at the hotels this is moot. We do most of our eating at the Parks or downtown Disney.
DH and I both have worked in hospitality/hotel industry (and I worked for Disney Store), so we are very conscious of guest service. Both properties have extremely good guest service, I don't think there's really a lot of difference.
PPH is usually a little less expensive than DLH. Of course, ALWAYS stay at the Grand Californian if you can afford it!! Even the "bad" rooms are wonderful.
Best of Luck,
TikiKrissy

 

[Anim8ed]

WOW!! Thanks for all the info!

Upon your suggestions, I looked into the GCH. However, it is booked for the days we will be there. (And October is a slow time?) I guess we'd be disappointed if we had our hearts set on it.

We ended up reworking our vacation plans to take advantage of the fourth night free deal. We had booked PPH, but were leaning towards DLH, so we switched that.

Thanks for all of your input and opinions!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

At the top of this board I have a stuck thread on hotels. In there are descriptions with pictures & room layouts of the three DLR hotels and some of the moderates.

 

[safetymom]

We didn't really care for Paradise Pier. The theming was OK, not like staying at WDW. We didn't really care for the restaurants and when we ate there the food wasn't that good.

No laundry facilities at PP. You have to go to the Disneyland hotel if you want to wash something.

I did like how close it was to the parks. We are staying at the Anaheim Hilton this time.

 

[boosmom96]

WOW!! Thanks for all the info!

Upon your suggestions, I looked into the GCH. However, it is booked for the days we will be there. (And October is a slow time?) I guess we'd be disappointed if we had our hearts set on it.

We ended up reworking our vacation plans to take advantage of the fourth night free deal. We had booked PPH, but were leaning towards DLH, so we switched that.

Thanks for all of your input and opinions!

Keep on checking back with the GCH. It does seem odd that they are all booked in Oct. We are going in 2 weeks and when we booked GCH was full so we booked the DLH. I continued checking and last week rooms opened at the GCH so we got moved. Our TA was able to get Disney Travel to waive the $200 package change fee because we were making a change that resulted in an additional cost, so even if you book DLH through a package you should be able to make the move if rooms show up.