Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier?

[challer]

OK, I was able to squeeze in a day and a half of Disneyland (two nights) and I don't know when I'll be able to go back - especially for more than one day. I want to give my kids (& me!) the best experience. Here are the deals:

• Flying in to LAX at 11am - whatever I get that day is my half day
• have 6 yo & 3 yo - minimize walk to & from parks
• jetlag from NYC
• will likely be up early - enjoy the hotel?

With this, I'm trying to decide whether Disneyland Hotel, PP, or stay in hotel right outside main gate. I'll throw out my thoughts, but I'd love to hear more:

Half day at DL - need to go to gate because my tickets need to be taken there (redeem old DL/WDW passport). Monorail is out to get to park, but OK for coming back. Decent for DL Hotel, but if really not worth it, off property hotel near gate.

Whole day at DCA, at least until Pixar Play Parade. Wake up early (jetlag) and get to TSMM first! Advantage PP Hotel to walk to Grand Cali entrance, but we can take our time walking, considering we'd be up at 5am...

Next morning - no park (going to San Diego this AM), but maybe enjoy hotel/Downtown D?

In case you haven't figured, I'm leaning to DLHotel, but convince me yes or no!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Pick a day that when you wake up you can use MM! It will help you get so much stuff done in fantasyland! You can only use magic morning if you stay on property since you will only be there for 2 days. Disneyland hotel isn't too far of a walk and you could take the monorail back if you like. Others should be along shortly with more info but I just wanted to say that I hope you and your kids enjoy your trip!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Are you planning on going swimming and your kids going down the hotel's water slide at all while you're there? (Although it might be too cold outside for you to go swimming while you're there.)

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that at the Neverland Pool (at the Disneyland Hotel) the lifeguards give younger kids a swim test, and if your kids can't swim on their own (without a lifevest) and get from the bottom of the slide to the side of the pool, then they won't be allowed to go down the big water slide.

However, there is no swim test (or age limit) to use the slide at the PPH. (Because it dumps the kids in a catch trough rather than a pool).

And if you were to stay offsite, of course I would vote for the Howard Johnson. Nice big clean rooms, friendly helpful staff, pretty grounds, and of course they have the new Pirates Cove water play area with slides, sprayers, a big dump bucket, ect.

I've stayed at all three (DLH, PPH, and HOJO) and even if money were no object, it would be a tough decision for me. I really like them all but for different reasons.

Hmmmmm......okay, with kids as young as yours, I would pick either the PPH or the HOJO, only because their pool areas are more little kid friendly. But then again, our kids are like fish and enjoy spending A LOT of time in the water.

I voted for the PPH though. You can take the monorail out of DL, and from there it's only a 4-5 minute walk to the PPH. The walk from DCA to the PPH (through the GCH) is approx 3-4minutes shorter than the walk from DCA to the DLH. Also the walk from PPH to the front gates of DL is just a little shorter (going through the GCH) compared to walking from the DLH to the front gates. In other words, the walking time about equals out between the two hotels (DLH and PPH) depending on what park your coming from or going to.

 

[Sherry E]

Here is what I would say:

If you don't know when you may get back to DLR and want the FULL Disney experience that carries over to the hotel, go with the DLH. It is the original and has many more Disney touches. If you want to stay at the least expensive of the two hotels AND have a bit of a shorter walk, stay at PPH. PPH is a perfectly fine little hotel. There is nothing wrong with it at all. It just doesn't have the sprawling grounds that the DLH has or the rustic elegance that the GCH has. PPH has a cute, beachy/surf type of theme and it is bright and newer looking than the DLH. Plus, it is the cheapest of all three DLR hotels, and you can - as the PP stated - take the 'short cut' from the PPH, cross the street to go through the GCH lobby (which then allows you to see the inside of the GCH) and then walk the rest of DTD to get to the front entrances of both parks. The walk from PPH to GCH to DTD is a wee bit shorter than the walk from the DLH, and it allows you to see the GCH and DTD at the same time.

And I also have stayed at all three hotels and like them each for different reasons at different times of year - it is a tough call!

 

[pixiewings71]

I would go with the DLH, why? Because it's more Disney'd than the PPH and it's closer. You can still use the GCH entrance because you walk past the GCH to get to the parks and back from the DLH. BUT if you're using old WDW passes you will have to go to the ticket booths both days that you are using them. So, you wouldn't be able to use the GCH entrance first thing in the morning, you'd have to go to the main gates to switch them out.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I'd stay at the Candy Cane Inn (off site).

I hurt my knee 3 days before our trip. We split our stay between the CCI and DLH. CCI had a nice shuttle (every 1/2 hour and hour) so there was never more than a few steps from the shuttle to the park.

DLH we had to walk through DTD - it wasn't too bad going to DL because we took in the Monorail but coming back from DCA, I had to walk back quite a ways to the hotel. I stopped 3 times in DTD because my knee was absolutely killing me.

If walking is an issue, I would not recommend staying on property. Find a place with a convenient shuttle.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Here's some walking distances I saved on one of my maps.

DLH to the Downtown Monorail Station: 537 feet
DLH to the Grand Californian private entrance to DCA: .36 miles
DLH to the front gates of Disneyland: .44 miles
DLH to the front gates of DCA: .44 miles


PPH to the Downtown Monorail Station: 1,160 feet
PPH to Grand Californian private entrance to DCA: 1,300 feet
PPH to the front gates of Disneyland (cutting through GCH to DTD): .42 miles
PPH to the front gates of DCA (cutting through GCH to DTD): .42 miles

 

[Amy&Dan]

I voted for the DLH. I have stayed there around 8 times in the past five years and its never disappointed me. Its the only one of the three onsite properties that has grounds and they are very pretty. I also love PPH, but to me it feels more like a regular hotel, there are no grounds and the pool, other than the slide is very boring. It also doesn't have the dining options the DLH has. The Neverland Pool at the DLH has a sand area to play in, and is very kid friendly. It also has a nice pool bar and pool side take out place. The PPH pool bar has never been open when I have stayed there, maybe its only open for very limited hours or during peak seasons (all three times I have stayed at PPH its been off season, the pool bar and counter service place near the Neverland Pool is always open year round with very long hours). The PPH pool area does have an awesome view of the fireworks which is very nice. And I like their oversized rooms too. I just miss the grounds and dining that the DLH has. I do suggest you pay extra for the theme park view at the PPH, it is well worth it and the view is beyond any view I have seen at any Disney hotel in WDW or DL.

If you want a motel that is near the main gate to DL to save money there are many to choose from. Just make sure to keep the emphasis on MOTEL, becasue they are very basic, most have outdoor corridors and none of the ones there on Harbor have any sort of room service, bell services or other hotel amenities. But I have never found staying offsite to detract that much from my vacation. However, given your one time trip to DL, your short stay and the age of your kids, I think the DLH would really be your best bet!

 

[pixiewings71]

I voted for the DLH. I have stayed there around 8 times in the past five years and its never disappointed me. Its the only one of the three onsite properties that has grounds and they are very pretty. I also love PPH, but to me it feels more like a regular hotel, there are no grounds and the pool, other than the slide is very boring. It also doesn't have the dining options the DLH has. The Neverland Pool at the DLH has a sand area to play in, and is very kid friendly. It also has a nice pool bar and pool side take out place. The PPH pool bar has never been open when I have stayed there, maybe its only open for very limited hours or during peak seasons (all three times I have stayed at PPH its been off season, the pool bar and counter service place near the Neverland Pool is always open year round with very long hours). The PPH pool area does have an awesome view of the fireworks which is very nice. And I like their oversized rooms too. I just miss the grounds and dining that the DLH has. I do suggest you pay extra for the theme park view at the PPH, it is well worth it and the view is beyond any view I have seen at any Disney hotel in WDW or DL.

If you want a motel that is near the main gate to DL to save money there are many to choose from. Just make sure to keep the emphasis on MOTEL, becasue they are very basic, most have outdoor corridors and none of the ones there on Harbor have any sort of room service, bell services or other hotel amenities. But I have never found staying offsite to detract that much from my vacation. However, given your one time trip to DL, your short stay and the age of your kids, I think the DLH would really be your best bet!

Actually there are a couple that are hotels with indoor corridors. The first that comes to mind is the HoJo because it's my fave and I stay there a lot. There is not room service here but the front desk does have a list of restaurants that deliver and they also have menus. Actually, I think every hotel/motel I've stayed at on Harbor (with the exception of CCI because we never checked) has menus and the restaurants have delivery if you want it. I know they do at Tropicana, HoJo, Crowne Plaza & Peacock. Those are the Harbor hotels/motels I frequent.

 

[challer]

Are you planning on going swimming and your kids going down the hotel's water slide at all while you're there? (Although it might be too cold outside for you to go swimming while you're there.)

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that at the Neverland Pool (at the Disneyland Hotel) the lifeguards give younger kids a swim test, and if your kids can't swim on their own (without a lifevest) and get from the bottom of the slide to the side of the pool, then they won't be allowed to go down the big water slide.

However, there is no swim test (or age limit) to use the slide at the PPH. (Because it dumps the kids in a catch trough rather than a pool).

And if you were to stay offsite, of course I would vote for the Howard Johnson. Nice big clean rooms, friendly helpful staff, pretty grounds, and of course they have the new Pirates Cove water play area with slides, sprayers, a big dump bucket, ect.

I've stayed at all three (DLH, PPH, and HOJO) and even if money were no object, it would be a tough decision for me. I really like them all but for different reasons.

Hmmmmm......okay, with kids as young as yours, I would pick either the PPH or the HOJO, only because their pool areas are more little kid friendly. But then again, our kids are like fish and enjoy spending A LOT of time in the water.

I voted for the PPH though. You can take the monorail out of DL, and from there it's only a 4-5 minute walk to the PPH. The walk from DCA to the PPH (through the GCH) is approx 3-4minutes shorter than the walk from DCA to the DLH. Also the walk from PPH to the front gates of DL is just a little shorter (going through the GCH) compared to walking from the DLH to the front gates. In other words, the walking time about equals out between the two hotels (DLH and PPH) depending on what park your coming from or going to.

I think given our limited time and the likely cool weather, I think the pool experience is very low down on my list of priorities. If ti were higher, I might want the HoJo over the DLH or PPH.

I appreciate the input!

 

[challer]

Pick a day that when you wake up you can use MM! It will help you get so much stuff done in fantasyland! You can only use magic morning if you stay on property since you will only be there for 2 days. Disneyland hotel isn't too far of a walk and you could take the monorail back if you like. Others should be along shortly with more info but I just wanted to say that I hope you and your kids enjoy your trip!

OK, question about Toontown MM:

You don't' actually get into the DL Park early, right? You just get into Toontown early! Do I really need that? I was thinking about saving my early morning for a sprint to Toy Story MM.

Also, the only MUST SEE I have planned for my kids & I at Fantasyland is the Subs. Anything else is gravy.

 

[Sherry E]

OK, question about Toontown MM:

You don't' actually get into the DL Park early, right? You just get into Toontown early! Do I really need that? I was thinking about saving my early morning for a sprint to Toy Story MM.

Also, the only MUST SEE I have planned for my kids & I at Fantasyland is the Subs. Anything else is gravy.

DCA opens later than DL opens, so there won't be any early morning sprinting to Toy Story, sadly! You can't get into DCA until 10:00 a.m., sometimes 9:45 if they open the gates early. I don't know about any special ToonTown MM, but the MM we just did was for Fantasyland, and it saved a bunch of time and we got on a bunch of rides we would not have gone on otherwise by getting to FL one hour before DL officially opened. I don't think the Nemo Subs count as being in FL. They are more Tomorrowland.

 

[pixiewings71]

Yes, the TT deal is after the park is open, TT opens later than the rest of DL so you will get in at standard DL opening time.

TSMM is in DCA, they do not offer MM or EE or anything like that for DCA. They usually do open early but there will be a ton of other people who are having the same idea, to get there early and do it first. I wouldn't rush for TSMM, just get there and wait in line. The line moves very quickly! And if the single rider line is open and you are OK riding that way that line moves super quick!

 

[SANDIEGOFAN]

First, I recommend DLH over PPH. We enjoy the theme, the pool, and the service more at DLH. Also love having Crock's Bites and Bits just a few yards away. DCA opens its gates at 9:30. Most of the park is closed off but Soarin is open and they have a line started for TSMM. We got in line on two separate occasions around 9:35-40 for TSMM and was on the ride about 10:05.

 

[challer]

DCA opens later than DL opens, so there won't be any early morning sprinting to Toy Story, sadly! You can't get into DCA until 10:00 a.m., sometimes 9:45 if they open the gates early. I don't know about any special ToonTown MM, but the MM we just did was for Fantasyland, and it saved a bunch of time and we got on a bunch of rides we would not have gone on otherwise by getting to FL one hour before DL officially opened. I don't think the Nemo Subs count as being in FL. They are more Tomorrowland.

I don't see anything about MM aside from ToonTown MM on the Disneyland website. Did they do away with MM where you can actually get in early to FL?

 

[Sherry E]

I don't see anything about MM aside from ToonTown MM on the Disneyland website. Did they do away with MM where you can actually get in early to FL?

No. As I said in the earlier post (we were just there on Dec. 19 - 22), we used the MM (we stayed at PPH) on the 20th! We could have used it on the 21st too, but didn't. It was good for Fantasyland. We never even tried to go into ToonTown because we assumed that would be closed. But at 7:00 a.m. sharp we went into DL and headed straight for Fantasyland and rode all the rides with NO lines!! You should take advantage of the FL MM option because, especially if you have kids who would enjoy those FL rides, it will come in very handy for avoiding lines later in the day! Unless they change the MM option for 2009, it should still be good for Fantasyland rides!

 

[Sherry E]

First, I recommend DLH over PPH. We enjoy the theme, the pool, and the service more at DLH. Also love having Crock's Bites and Bits just a few yards away. DCA opens its gates at 9:30. Most of the park is closed off but Soarin is open and they have a line started for TSMM. We got in line on two separate occasions around 9:35-40 for TSMM and was on the ride about 10:05.

They don't always open the DCA gates at 9:30 a.m. When we were just there a week and a half ago, we didn't get in the gates until 9:45 a.m., so it's good to put that out there just in case people are counting on being let in 30 minutes early and it doesn't happen. And in October when we were there, we used the special GCH entrance into DCA, and we were let in at 9:40 or 9:45 a.m., but had to just stand by the GRR ride. They did not allow us to begin walking over to the TSMM line until about 9:55 a.m. So if differs from trip to trip, probably depending on which CM is responsible for letting folks in or what stuff they are finishing up in the parks before they let everyone in. Sometimes people may be lucky and get in the TSMM line at 9:35 and sometimes not. Just be prepared either way!

 

[SANDIEGOFAN]

They don't always open the DCA gates at 9:30 a.m. When we were just there a week and a half ago, we didn't get in the gates until 9:45 a.m., so it's good to put that out there just in case people are counting on being let in 30 minutes early and it doesn't happen. And in October when we were there, we used the special GCH entrance into DCA, and we were let in at 9:40 or 9:45 a.m., but had to just stand by the GRR ride. They did not allow us to begin walking over to the TSMM line until about 9:55 a.m. So if differs from trip to trip, probably depending on which CM is responsible for letting folks in or what stuff they are finishing up in the parks before they let everyone in. Sometimes people may be lucky and get in the TSMM line at 9:35 and sometimes not. Just be prepared either way!

Eek, that's not good. We always spend our non-MM mornings at DCA and the gates have opened at 9:30. Then again, we use the GCH entrance so that may explain it.

 

[challer]

OK, so expect to go into DCA between 9:30 and 9:50. What time do the ticket booths open (so I could flip out my old WDW passports)?

I thanks to some clearing up, I found the difference between Toontown Morning Madness & Magic Mornings. I will not be having a 3+ Day Park Hopper ticket, so it seems Magic Mornings (and early FL access) are out, especially not on Monday.

I noticed that DL parades are gone for Feb (due to repaving Main St.). Fine with me. I just hope the Pixar Play Parade is on for that Monday (2/9). It is not yet listed as going on the calendar. That would throw a wrench into my plans.

Anyone know about DLH in-room babysitting?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Actually there are a couple that are hotels with indoor corridors. The first that comes to mind is the HoJo because it's my fave and I stay there a lot. There is not room service here but the front desk does have a list of restaurants that deliver and they also have menus. Actually, I think every hotel/motel I've stayed at on Harbor (with the exception of CCI because we never checked) has menus and the restaurants have delivery if you want it. I know they do at Tropicana, HoJo, Crowne Plaza & Peacock. Those are the Harbor hotels/motels I frequent.

Yes, the Hojo's does have interior corridors and there are others that are nearby which is why I said "most". I have also seen those take out menu's however there are people who when they want food delivered to the room, they want it on a rolling table, with real plates and have it cooked there on site and have it added to their bill. Which is not my speed but some people really do want true room service. I was really just trying to emphasize that the establishments on Harbor are motels in that they don't have the full roster of services a hotel offers. I didn't at all mean that they are dumps where you can't get anything to eat. And both Mimi's and Millie's do nice take out which is really convenient when you stay at the Hojo or one of those on that side of Harbor.

I love the Hojo too and have stayed there a couple of times along with the Tropicana, BWPPI and the Camelot. But I think all of those, would have to be considered motels. Even the Hojo which is the nicest in my book. And a great value for the money, esp. with the Ent. rate.