Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier?

[vakamalua]

We are DVC members that can't get the Grand California Villas for the dates we need in September.

We're thinking of using points for one the on-site hotels. I keep reading pros and cons of each hotel.

Need advice: in your experience, which hotel would you choose--Disneyland or Paradise Pier?

Thanks

 

[disneydenisel]

We just got back from two nights in the villas followed by one night at PPH. I *really* wanted DLH, but it was not available by the time I was ready to book with points (I was holding out hope for the waitlist to clear for the villas). Anyhow, the PPH is fine but the newly renovated rooms at the DLH look great and I wish we could have stayed there with the headboards that are all magical . I would reserve the DLH if I had the choice. There is a lot of construction going on right now, but I have heard it is still nice with the new pool and two new eating/drinking places.

 

[suzannews]

We are DVC members that can't get the Grand California Villas for the dates we need in September.

We're thinking of using points for one the on-site hotels. I keep reading pros and cons of each hotel.

Need advice: in your experience, which hotel would you choose--Disneyland or Paradise Pier?

Thanks

We are also DVC members who couldn't get into the Grand Californian (and thats our home hotel). We exchanged points and spent 4 nights at the Disneyland hotel in a standard view (parking lot) room and 2 nights at Paradise Pier in a California Adventure view room. Both hotels were great and within walking distance of Downtown Disney and the parks. Rooms were clean and both included refrigerators and coffee makers and the $15 per day parking charge was waived. To me, the Disneyland hotel seems like a bit above Paradise Pier. We received turndown service with chocolates each night at DLH but not PP. Housekeeping was better at DLH but it was little, minor things. Of course DLH costs more points per night than PP. We had a great breakfast/brunch at Goofy's Kitchen at DLH but a so so dinner at PCH Grille at PP. Good luck!!!

 

[Lilbunnyk]

We are also DVC members who couldn't get into the Grand Californian (and thats our home hotel). We exchanged points and spent 4 nights at the Disneyland hotel in a standard view (parking lot) room and 2 nights at Paradise Pier in a California Adventure view room. Both hotels were great and within walking distance of Downtown Disney and the parks. Rooms were clean and both included refrigerators and coffee makers and the $15 per day parking charge was waived. To me, the Disneyland hotel seems like a bit above Paradise Pier. We received turndown service with chocolates each night at DLH but not PP. Housekeeping was better at DLH but it was little, minor things. Of course DLH costs more points per night than PP. We had a great breakfast/brunch at Goofy's Kitchen at DLH but a so so dinner at PCH Grille at PP. Good luck!!!

Is the parking fee waived at PPH and DLH for all DVC members or only if you book with points?

 

[DisneyHeather]

I couldn't get my dates for September at VGC either so I used points and booked a premium view at Disneyland Hotel.

 

[rentayenta]

Having stayed at all three and the GCV unavailable, I'd choose the DLH. Hands down. We were totally underwhelmed with the PPH.

 

[disneydenisel]

Is the parking fee waived at PPH and DLH for all DVC members or only if you book with points?

As far as I know, parking is included on stays booked with points. So if you book any other way, you pay $15/day for parking.

 

[Sherry E]

I've also stayed at all 3 hotels and while I actually really like PPH for several reasons, and it has become my sort of go-to DLR hotel for each trip due to the lower cost, if this is your first time staying onsite at DLR I would suggest the DLH because it's more of a resort-ish hotel. There are more things to walk around and see at the DLH. It's a bigger property. The PPH just doesn't have much to it because it's on a smaller patch of land.

I have not stayed in one of the refurbed PPH rooms yet, but I must admit I love the look of them with the beach balls on the bed and the new comforters! Its looks really fresh, bright and fun.

I think you'll be very pleased with the DLH!

 

[rentayenta]

I've also stayed at all 3 hotels and while I actually really like PPH for several reasons, and it has become my sort of go-to DLR hotel for each trip due to the lower cost, if this is your first time staying onsite at DLR I would suggest the DLH because it's more of a resort-ish hotel. There are more things to walk around and see at the DLH. It's a bigger property. The PPH just doesn't have much to it because it's on a smaller patch of land.

I have not stayed in one of the refurbed PPH rooms yet, but I must admit I love the look of them with the beach balls on the bed and the new comforters! Its looks really fresh, bright and fun.

I think you'll be very pleased with the DLH!

The PPH refurned their rooms? When? I love the beach meets Mickey theme. Any pics to share?

 

[disneydenisel]

I have not stayed in one of the refurbed PPH rooms yet, but I must admit I love the look of them with the beach balls on the bed and the new comforters! Its looks really fresh, bright and fun.

The rooms are very whimsical and fresh . Kids loved the beach balls, and it was comfortable and clean. We had a view of WOC and that was fun to see from the backside. Service was good and the kids even liked the pool slide because it was longer than the GCH pool slide. The elevators were crowded and the street noise made it a little hard to fall asleep, but really it was fine. Coming from the VGC, we were obviously missing the kitchen . We are timeshare addicts, and the PPH was our first hotel room stay since 2004 at GCH! I would stay there again if I needed to due to budget or availability constraints, but I will book my villa as early as possible for next year .

 

[Sherry E]

The PPH refurned their rooms? When? I love the beach meets Mickey theme. Any pics to share?

You know, the PPH has been quietly refurbishing (or at least redecorating) their rooms since last year, and making them more modern while still being beachy and cheery. Unfortunately the room I had last December was not redecorated, but I have seen photos. I have a feeling that this - just like the lengthy POTC refurb, the DLH refurb and the DCA massive makeover - is all part of the sprucing up of DLR and making it shiny and new for what Disney expects to be huge crowds next year coming to see CarsLand. Maybe that's why they feel they can get away with charging over $300 a night for the PPH? Newly decorated rooms with beach ball pillows?

DizNee Luver (Laurie)'s most recent completed TR from a few months ago has pictures of the new PPH rooms. smile4stamps (Paula) has a current TR in progress with photos of the room and the adorable beach ball pillow thingy on the beds. I have a feeling that whatever room I end up with by late November/early December will be one of the redecorated ones. They have some cool new accents. As long as they don't get rid of the cute Mickey ears bath products, I'm good!

 

[Sherry E]

The rooms are very whimsical and fresh . Kids loved the beach balls, and it was comfortable and clean. We had a view of WOC and that was fun to see from the backside. Service was good and the kids even liked the pool slide because it was longer than the GCH pool slide. The elevators were crowded and the street noise made it a little hard to fall asleep, but really it was fine. Coming from the VGC, we were obviously missing the kitchen . We are timeshare addicts, and the PPH was our first hotel room stay since 2004 at GCH! I would stay there again if I needed to due to budget or availability constraints, but I will book my villa as early as possible for next year .

I hope I get one of the new, fresh rooms this year! While I had gotten used to the old, outdated decor with the pastel palm tree comforters, I like the cheery look they have going now.

 

[TeddiBarra]

I noticed on trip advisor the new bedding and curtains. It also looks like probably new sleeper sofas?

So a light refurb on the rooms, right? Hope we get one too, the beach ball pillows are very cute.

 

[TeddiBarra]

Actually, it looks like the rooms also got new carpeting. So, that all looks good. I have noticed that on expedia, checking various dates thru the fall, alot of the time the standard rooms are completely unavailable, (which makes no sense) but view rooms and concierge rooms ARE available.

I wonder if the view rooms/concierge (upper level rooms) were first to refurb? Hope so, guess I'll find out more next week!

 

[Sherry E]

Actually, it looks like the rooms also got new carpeting. So, that all looks good. I have noticed that on expedia, checking various dates thru the fall, alot of the time the standard rooms are completely unavailable, (which makes no sense) but view rooms and concierge rooms ARE available.

I wonder if the view rooms/concierge (upper level rooms) were first to refurb? Hope so, guess I'll find out more next week!

TeddiBarra - I agree with your thinking! I would tend to assume that PPH probably wanted the view, concierge rooms and suites redone first, before they made their way down to the standard rooms. DizNee Luver (Laurie) had a park view room when she stayed at PPH in March. I think the room that smile4stamps (Paula) just had this month was a standard room, not concierge (though I could be wrong on that), and she had one of the newly remodeled rooms.

The hotel PIN code I got for October only covers the second half of that month, so I think DLR expects big crowds for the first half. Early October used to be pretty reasonable crowds in the old days, but the game is changing.

 

[rentayenta]

You know, the PPH has been quietly refurbishing (or at least redecorating) their rooms since last year, and making them more modern while still being beachy and cheery. Unfortunately the room I had last December was not redecorated, but I have seen photos. I have a feeling that this - just like the lengthy POTC refurb, the DLH refurb and the DCA massive makeover - is all part of the sprucing up of DLR and making it shiny and new for what Disney expects to be huge crowds next year coming to see CarsLand. Maybe that's why they feel they can get away with charging over $300 a night for the PPH? Newly decorated rooms with beach ball pillows?

DizNee Luver (Laurie)'s most recent completed TR from a few months ago has pictures of the new PPH rooms. smile4stamps (Paula) has a current TR in progress with photos of the room and the adorable beach ball pillow thingy on the beds. I have a feeling that whatever room I end up with by late November/early December will be one of the redecorated ones. They have some cool new accents. As long as they don't get rid of the cute Mickey ears bath products, I'm good!

Love the bath products. We ask for extras and those are what the kids are taking to camp for their toiletries.

I'll check out her report- thank you!!!

I really do love the beach and Mickey theme.

 

[starry_solo]

We are also DVC members who couldn't get into the Grand Californian (and thats our home hotel). We exchanged points and spent 4 nights at the Disneyland hotel in a standard view (parking lot) room and 2 nights at Paradise Pier in a California Adventure view room. Both hotels were great and within walking distance of Downtown Disney and the parks. Rooms were clean and both included refrigerators and coffee makers and the $15 per day parking charge was waived. To me, the Disneyland hotel seems like a bit above Paradise Pier. We received turndown service with chocolates each night at DLH but not PP. Housekeeping was better at DLH but it was little, minor things. Of course DLH costs more points per night than PP. We had a great breakfast/brunch at Goofy's Kitchen at DLH but a so so dinner at PCH Grille at PP. Good luck!!!

I stayed (not on points) at PPH at got a Mickey rice krispie treat for turndown service But, when I made the reservation, I did tell them we were there for a birthday, so maybe it was something special?!

 

[closetmickey]

We also received a plate of rice crispy treats last year while staying at PPH. What an unexpected surprise!

 

[rowan1813]

I stayed at both PPH (refurbed rooms) and DLH (refurbed rooms) recently and while the rooms at DLH were very Disney-ish and "magical" my family and I actually preferred our experience at PPH. The CMs were much more friendly than the ones at DLH and very accomodating. DLH CM that checked us in was quite rude and did not look like she wanted to be there. I'm pretty sure she was ticked that we had arrived late and interrupted her gab session with her friend even though we had phoned earlier saying that we wouldn't be there until late evening.
I also found the walk from PPH to the DL gates to be much quicker than the walk from DLH. Somehow the walk across the street and through GCH seemed to be much faster and a lot more fun than the walk down DTD to DLH.

 

[cinder-ellah]

I stayed at PPH last Dec for the 1st time with my 3 yr old GD. I had booked a standard view room and was delighted with an upgrade at check-in to a California Adventure View room. Absolutely wonderful CM checked us in. My GD got a balloon and autographed picture of Tinker Bell (which is standard, but my GD felt so special).
We had rice crispie treats and also nightly turn downs were with chocolate coins and a towel animal. The CM's we incountered were all friendly and very helpful.

Haven't stayed at the DLH yet. Looking forward to trying it out in the future.