Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier?

[vakamalua]

We can't get the Grand California Villas at Disneyland on DVC points for the dates we need in September.

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

Need advice: for those of you who have stayed there recently, which hotel would you choose--Disneyland or Paradise Pier?

Thanks

 

[Garthilk]

I'd choose Disneyland Hotel. Nearly every room has been remodeled and they're pretty nice. If a pool is important the DL hotel has had one of it's pools remodeled as well. There is still some construction going on, but I'd still choose it.

 

[ACDSNY]

Hands down Disneyland Hotel for me!

 

[Longhairbear]

Our favorite has been the Paradise Pier because everything is in one building, not spread out among 3 towers. We like the Disneyland Hotel too, but more for walking around than staying there.

 

[bumbershoot]

My family's fave is Paradise Pier. The rooms are big, the building is bright and cheery.

But we haven't stayed in a renovated room at DLH, which might sway me, because one of the things I hated about the DLH room was the sliding glass door that led to the tiny half-foot balcony...and now those are gone.

DLH is closer to the monorail, but the monorail is only helpful if you want to get to Tomorrowland while skipping main street...and only helpful if you are IN Tomorrowland when it's time to go back. And, inevitably, when WE are really wanting to use the monorail...it's down.

PPH allows us to walk through the Grand to get to the parks, and since the lobby is the only part of that hotel that I actually like, it's pleasant for me.

(if you've never been there and you end up staying at the PPH...do NOT follow the PPH's signs to the parks! instead go out the FRONT door, to the crosswalk, cross and go in the gorgeous doors to the Grand, turn left down the first left hallway, and go that way to DTD and Disneyland. For DCA cross the lobby and follow the signs to get there)

 

[adminjedi]

PPH allows us to walk through the Grand to get to the parks, and since the lobby is the only part of that hotel that I actually like, it's pleasant for me.

(if you've never been there and you end up staying at the PPH...do NOT follow the PPH's signs to the parks! instead go out the FRONT door, to the crosswalk, cross and go in the gorgeous doors to the Grand, turn left down the first left hallway, and go that way to DTD and Disneyland. For DCA cross the lobby and follow the signs to get there)

PPH isn't that special of a hotel (spoiled by DVC), but the location is good if you can't get GCV.

 

[HebeJebe]

(if you've never been there and you end up staying at the PPH...do NOT follow the PPH's signs to the parks! instead go out the FRONT door, to the crosswalk, cross and go in the gorgeous doors to the Grand, turn left down the first left hallway, and go that way to DTD and Disneyland. For DCA cross the lobby and follow the signs to get there)

ABSOLUTELY! I was there earlier this month and that's what we did as well. So much easier to get anywhere by going through the Grand Californian.

There is SO much construction going on at DLH right now that it may be easier to stay at PPH.

 

[Greysword]

PP on points nets a Theme Park view, which is pretty good. We just stayed in May, and it was a nice moderate (by WDW standards) hotel. We'd stay there again.

DLH is right at the end of DTD, so location is excellent. You don't have to cross the busy street (Disneyland Way?) nor go through another hotel to get to DTD and the parks (not terrible, but a bit odd).

The monorail isn't as good as WDW (IMO). If you attempt to get it at DTD, you may not be able to board due to people riding the whole loop. The views are not that spectacular, and you go through a small security and ticket line right there in DTD.

In the end, you can't beat either, so call and see what is available; you mat not have a choice .

- Chris

 

[nunzia]

Hands down Disneyland Hotel for me!

Ditto..stayed there for Destination D last year and really enjoyed it even with a mess of construction going on.

 

[vakamalua]

THANKS for all the great information! I think we're going to let the GC waitlist ride for three more weeks then book one of the hotels, if available. Guest Services indicated that they are big properties and probably will have availability for mid-September at two months out. Have to bank the remaining points by the end of July.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

If it were me, I would go with the Disneyland Hotel. It's the original, and if you're going in September, I think the construction will be finished in the main tower (which was being refurbished a couple of months ago when I was there) and the one next to it (finished already). I can't imagine that the pool wouldn't be finished by then also, although I'd check with the hotel about all that before committing. I'd request a room overlooking the pool in the main tower. That tower is where the gift shop, restaurants, check-in all are, and it's close to Downtown Disney and the monorail.

My impression of Paradise Pier is that it is just a lower-brand-chain type of hotel, duded-up with some Disney touches. The pool is basically just a square hole. It isn't anything like the quality of the GC.

I really did love our stay at the Disneyland Hotel - worth it for the nostalgia factor alone.