Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier.....please help

[chickyann]

I really want to stay on Disneyland property for this first trip (yes, I hope there will be more trips in our future) but DH is concerned about the price of the DLH.

Please help us decide where to book, I'd love to hear your pros & cons for both the DLH & PP if you have the chance

 

[Jennifer03]

I have stayed at both hotels and like Paradise Pier better. I loved the beachy California theme and the music (songs about California) that they play down in the lobby. I felt that PPH had a really fun, laid back feel to it. I have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel twice and wasn't very impressed by it. In my opinion, PPH is very nice for the lower price. Plus, if you're lucky you can be upgraded for free to a park view. This happened to me on my last trip and the view was amazing. I loved hearing the music from the electrical parade at night as I was falling asleep.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I have stayed at the DLH 3 times and the PPH once. I love them both. I have two boys, aged 7yo and a newly-minted 4yo. Only DS4 and I stayed at PPH in February.

The rooms at the DLH are a bit larger, and have a bit of Disney theming. I expected the boys to enjoy the glow-in-the-dark pixiedust on the wall, but I was surprised when they noticed little details like the characters in the wallpaper, and the scenes on the quilts.

They absolutely love the pool area, with the big pirate ship and crocodile, not to mention the waterslide.

This last trip the boys played with the miniature Jungle Cruise boats in the center of the property (you pay about a dollar to radio-control a boat for a few minutes.) They loved that, too. And this trip DH took a stroll through the waterfall area for the first time, and thought it was lovely. He came to tell me all about it, and I reminded him that we'd seen it (a couple of times!) on our first trip in 2006. But I think on that trip he was more interested in getting to the park than enjoying the waterfall, so maybe that explains it.

I didn't see the pool area when we stayed at the PPH, but friends have said the kids would love that, too, because it has a big waterslide. We also had a DCA view from our room, really spectacular!

I think for your first trip, you should stay at DLH. There's lots to see and do. And on your next trip, stay at PPH. That way you can judge for yourself. You really can't go wrong either way!

ETA: In case this influences you at all, Goofy's Kitchen (character meal) is located at the DLH, and is the most popular character meal. The Lilo & Stitch breakfast (our 2nd favorite character meal) is located in a restaurant in the PPH lobby. If your kids would enjoy a character meal, these two are a lot of fun!

 

[bumbershoot]

"I didn't see the pool area when we stayed at the PPH, but friends have said the kids would love that, too, because it has a big waterslide."

To be really exact, the slide is just a slide with water. It does NOT go into the pool. Kinda weird!

 

[chickyann]

thanks everyone for the info

Food for thought, that's for sure.

 

[stacymomof2]

Give me a week and I can help you out!

We booked the DLH, but due to some maintenance they are putting us at PP for the first night and then back to DLH. I'll be able to give you a review of both from one trip!!

Either way, I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

To be really exact, the slide is just a slide with water. It does NOT go into the pool. Kinda weird!

That IS weird!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We really like the DLH. We are staying offsite on this next trip, but the last day we have booked at the DLH. So we can hang around the Netherland Pool, and enjoy all the DL theming.

 

[rentayenta]

I have stayed at both hotels and like Paradise Pier better. I loved the beachy California theme and the music (songs about California) that they play down in the lobby. I felt that PPH had a really fun, laid back feel to it. I have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel twice and wasn't very impressed by it. In my opinion, PPH is very nice for the lower price. Plus, if you're lucky you can be upgraded for free to a park view. This happened to me on my last trip and the view was amazing. I loved hearing the music from the electrical parade at night as I was falling asleep.

I like the PPH better too. It feels clean and I love the Disney beach theme. I love the the Disney touches at the DLH but it feels a bit rundown. The pool area at the DLH is better though than the PPH but how much time do you really spend swimming? I just don't think the DLH is worth the extra $$. Having stayed at all 3 of the Disney hotels, the PPH is our favorite.

 

[PrincessIM]

"I didn't see the pool area when we stayed at the PPH, but friends have said the kids would love that, too, because it has a big waterslide."

To be really exact, the slide is just a slide with water. It does NOT go into the pool. Kinda weird!

I found it strange at first but it's great for the little kids especially if they can't swim.

We've only stayed at the PP and we really enjoyed our stay. We were upgraded to a park view room and the view was amazing. Even when we weren't at DL we could still watch all the rides at DCA. Very cool. The room was very clean with plenty of room for the 4 of us. We were in a standard room which had 2 queen beds and a pull out sofa. Getting to the parks was easy. You just cross the street to the GCH and follow the signs to DTD or DCA. We liked is alot and are staying there again for our trip in May.