Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier?

[book_junkie]

Heya-
I have a conference that will be in Anaheim in June, and oh, no, the convention center is right across from Disneyland... what ever is a Disney fan to do? There are really good rates for two of the Disney hotels through the convention that would meet my budget, but I've been to either... Last time was offsite at a Homewood Suites a very long busride/walk from the convention center and the parks. Not good on a tired day of either lugging books or touring...

I doubt we'll ever be in Disneyland again save for another conference trip, and with the rates I have available to me I'm leaning towards staying onsite... So for those of you in the know, which would you pick if you could choose? Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier?

Thanks!

 

[Virgoinab]

Well I am a DLH fan, so I would say stay there lol. Nothing wrong with PPH I have stayed there, but with the renovations at DLH the place really is fantastic.

The rooms are very comfortable, and nicely appointed, the grounds are lush, and very easy to navigate. Trader sams is great for an eveing drink, and the outside fireplace is a wonderfull spot to sit and relax.

 

[skiingfast]

If you don't mind how are they rates?

Last summer DLH was way more than PPH. I don't expect that to repeat but it may.


I think the DLH will be much more enjoyable, but it is a little further from the parks, and further from the convention center as well.

 

[bumbershoot]

I really like PPH over the other two resorts, but I haven't stayed at DLH since the renovations (and the renovations took care of two of my problems with DLH...the horrid bedframes, and the terrifying half balconies).

 

[geekypeach]

We stayed in PPH in Oct, and I feel bad saying I wasn't impressed. The photos of DLH look so much nicer!

 

[wbl2745]

It's been a while since I stayed at PPH, but of the two you suggested I would definitely stay at the DLH. With the upgrades they've improved the themeing and it is closer to the parks (yet a little further from the convention center) than PPH. If your conference includes rates for the GCH, that would be my top choice, if it were within the budget. Even conference rates at GCH are pretty high.

 

[book_junkie]

Yeah, GCH is to drool over (and I love WL at WDW so I think we would love it) but it is out of the question with having to fly from DFW to California for the conference. The conference rates they're offering is $175 for Paradise Pier, and $197 for Disneyland Hotel, and Disneyland is the top of my budget with airfares looking like they're going to be sky high. Grand Californian is $265, which is unfortunately out of the picture.

I can hope, however, that maybe I get a PIN or an annual pass discount- since I had a WDW and a DL trip planned, I got a Premier password, and DL at least sent me a PIN. For February, but still...

So, DHL over PP?

 

[larina]

I really LOVE PPH, but I really want to see the new rooms at DLH so I'd go there if the prices are close.

 

[skiingfast]

Yeah, GCH is to drool over (and I love WL at WDW so I think we would love it).........The conference rates they're offering is $175 for Paradise Pier, and $197 for Disneyland Hotel, .........I can hope, however, that maybe I get a PIN or an annual pass discount- since I had a WDW and a DL trip planned, I got a Premier password, and DL at least sent me a PIN. For February, but still...

So, DHL over PP?

WL is not comparable to the GCH, maybe style wise, but quality wise GCH=GF.

Compared to normal rates, PPH is ok, DLH is very good, GCH is very good. Compared to a great AP rate the PPH is bad, the DLH good and GCH about even.

When you go it may be very busy and hotel demand extra high. AP rates may only be 10% off and the hotels may have rates of PPH @ $225, DLH @ $350 and GCH at @400.

If you can't do the GCH I'd grab that DLH rate.

 

[DizMe]

I just got back from a 4-day stay at PPH. I thought it would be much nicer than it was...I was very surprised at how average it was. I would gladly pay a lot more to stay at DLH, which is amazing. I got a very good rate at PPH for this last stay and the rate at DLH was quite a bit higher but to be honest, I wish I'd just paid the higher rate for DLH. We ended up spending quite a bit of time there anyway and there is simply no comparison whatsoever. PPH was tired and a little shabby. The amenities are fewer and cheaper. Our refrigerator was so noisy it was hard to sleep and we couldn't shut it off. Our shower fluctuated so wildly with temperatures that it literally burned you sometimes. The elevators are a pain in the neck. Guest Services was not helpful and actually directed me over to GCH for what I wanted (a taxi voucher). The entire pool and spa area was closed off. There are no grounds to speak of and I simply did not have the sense of never leaving the resort like I do at the other Disney properties.

There are positives, though. The rooms are spacious and some have wonderful views of DCA. The furnishings are very whimsical and fun and a nice quality. The beds are very comfortable and they give you plenty of nice, fluffy towels (but no robes like the other 2 hotels have). The location is convenient although you do have to cross streets and it just seems less part of the resort, maybe because you're walking through parking lots instead of landscaped grounds. We didn't eat at PPH because we had other reservations so I don't know what the food is like. The lobby is very basic and uninteresting, but comfortable enough. There are no characters (other than a Goofy statue) like at DLH.

DLH gives you so many more options and is a much nicer atmosphere for any age. I can't see the point in staying onsite only to be in a standard hotel, which is how PPH seems to me.

 

[Eeee-va]

IF you could get a park view at PPH, I would take it over a standard view at the DLH. From all the reviews I've read, it sounds like the view at the PPH really makes the hotel. We didn't have a park view and didn't find it particularly magical--though the walk is DIVINE and I think a little shorter than the walk from the DLH (definitely shorter to get to DCA).

Have a great time, wherever you stay!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

The elevators are a pain in the neck. Guest Services was not helpful and actually directed me over to GCH for what I wanted (a taxi voucher).

You know what's weird? When we stayed (our whole family of 5) at the Grand Californian Dec. 7-11 this year (actually, 2011!)--we tried to get the taxi voucher I read about here. I told my husband about it, and he went up to the registration desk on check out day and he asked for one--and they had no idea what he was talking about. He came back to me, and I walked up with him, and they asked a manager, and said they never have offered "taxi vouchers". (We were going back to the airport).

My husband just shrugged but looked at me like he does.....and I said "I read it on the Disboards--they do have taxi vouchers, I think...." but the staff at the GC knew nothing about this.

So who knows?

I do agree with you--it does feel a little bit like staying off property for some reason at the PP. I am not sure why? We stayed there last June and actually had a great stay because they upgraded us to a suite. My girls loved that hotel beyond belief because of that! They say they want to go back, but I am always quick to point out that we probably won't be upgraded a second time. We also were concierge there--which we could actually afford at the PP. At the GC or DLH, I can't imagine paying those prices for concierge! I am still my mother's daughter in many ways.

 

[DizMe]

You know what's weird? When we stayed (our whole family of 5) at the Grand Californian Dec. 7-11 this year (actually, 2011!)--we tried to get the taxi voucher I read about here. I told my husband about it, and he went up to the registration desk on check out day and he asked for one--and they had no idea what he was talking about. He came back to me, and I walked up with him, and they asked a manager, and said they never have offered "taxi vouchers". (We were going back to the airport).

My husband just shrugged but looked at me like he does.....and I said "I read it on the Disboards--they do have taxi vouchers, I think...." but the staff at the GC knew nothing about this.

So who knows?

I do agree with you--it does feel a little bit like staying off property for some reason at the PP. I am not sure why? We stayed there last June and actually had a great stay because they upgraded us to a suite. My girls loved that hotel beyond belief because of that! They say they want to go back, but I am always quick to point out that we probably won't be upgraded a second time. We also were concierge there--which we could actually afford at the PP. At the GC or DLH, I can't imagine paying those prices for concierge! I am still my mother's daughter in many ways.

That is strange. For future reference, you don't ask for the vouchers at the registration desk but at the Guest Services desk. PPH Guest Services said they usually have them but couldn't find them and told us to go over to GCH. I did, and the Guest Services desk there promptly gave me one (they're yellow). I told my dd to go ask for another one later and now I have a spare. It's a good deal @ $32 flat rate from hotel to SNA.

And yes, I can certainly see how getting upgraded to a suite with a CA view would make a difference! We were once upgraded to a suite at DLH with a DTD view, and once I booked DLH concierge and we got moved over to GCH concierge because the lounge at DLH was getting worked on. I did not complain about that at all .

I am biased, probably, since DLH was always my favorite. You know how you tend to prefer the things you're used to. I have to admit that after my first stay at GCH I posted how mediocre I thought the rooms were and how not worth the money it seemed to me. After staying there several more times, I totally changed my tune so take what I say from a first experience with a grain of salt! I like things more as they grow on me. I also used to hate the HMH overlay, and now I look forward to it. Maybe if I go back to PPH a few more times I'll love it

 

[myxdvz]

We spent a day in PPH on our last stay and have a Concierge Theme Park view room. The price was very reasonable considering it had a theme park view and we had concierge services. I don't know what else is included on with concierge, but we sure took advantage of the lounge food.

I haven't stayed at DLH so I can't compare, but the views of DCA from PPH are very good. I think I liked it more than our VGC theme park view.

The view of WoC from the room was pretty great too. We were on the 9th floor.

We did eat at Goofy's Kitchen, so I know that DLH is a convenient walk to DL thru DTD. PPH to DL is not bad if you cross the street to VGC and go from there.

 

[VallCopen]

We stayed at the Disneyland hotel in Nov. and the rooms were beautiful, small, but beautiful. We stayed at the Pier in Jan. and they were just ok,(view was great but we were not in the room much) in our opinion, we have stayed there before but with the Disneyland hotel remodel, we NOW prefer the Disneyland hotel....and I thought I would never say that.

 

[bumbershoot]

... Our refrigerator was so noisy it was hard to sleep and we couldn't shut it off. Our shower fluctuated so wildly with temperatures that it literally burned you sometimes. The elevators are a pain in the neck....

... The location is convenient although you do have to cross streets and it just seems less part of the resort, maybe because you're walking through parking lots instead of landscaped grounds.

What did they do for you when you told them about the noisy fridge? And the shower?????

I checked into PPH back in '09 and noticed that the AC was making a horrible noise; I knew I'd never be able to sleep that night. I called the front desk, they told me they'd be up soon. They were up in about that time, and fixed it in maybe 10 minutes. Fabulous service!

Parking lots? Oh nooo, you went the back way! You followed their signs, which make you go through ALL of DTD (which is what you get to do when you stay at DLH, unless the monorail is open when you go by AND you are going to Tomorrowland first), after going through the parking lot and all of that.

You want to go out the FRONT doors of PPH, get to the crosswalk, cross ONE street, and go through the pretty parts of The Grand, and you end up with only half of DTD left to get to the esplanade. (or just cross the lobby and go to the DCA entrance from The Grand)

During our very first stay at PPH I wasn't enamored, but it turned out it was because I didn't have the shortcut memorized, and was going through parking lots. It's amazing what that extra walking, along with walking through a mall with a son and husband with a horrible case of the "I want it"s, can do to one's enjoyment of a hotel.


Oh, and we've found the food at PCH Grill to be fabulous. Hope it's still the same next month!

 

[DizMe]

What did they do for you when you told them about the noisy fridge? And the shower?????

I checked into PPH back in '09 and noticed that the AC was making a horrible noise; I knew I'd never be able to sleep that night. I called the front desk, they told me they'd be up soon. They were up in about that time, and fixed it in maybe 10 minutes. Fabulous service!

Parking lots? Oh nooo, you went the back way! You followed their signs, which make you go through ALL of DTD (which is what you get to do when you stay at DLH, unless the monorail is open when you go by AND you are going to Tomorrowland first), after going through the parking lot and all of that.

You want to go out the FRONT doors of PPH, get to the crosswalk, cross ONE street, and go through the pretty parts of The Grand, and you end up with only half of DTD left to get to the esplanade. (or just cross the lobby and go to the DCA entrance from The Grand)

During our very first stay at PPH I wasn't enamored, but it turned out it was because I didn't have the shortcut memorized, and was going through parking lots. It's amazing what that extra walking, along with walking through a mall with a son and husband with a horrible case of the "I want it"s, can do to one's enjoyment of a hotel.


Oh, and we've found the food at PCH Grill to be fabulous. Hope it's still the same next month!

Well, I have to admit that I never called about the shower or the fridge! We were on the go during the day and late into the evening and I just didn't do it. So you're right--I didn't give their staff a chance to correct the problems. I was having migraines during my stay which is probably why the fridge noise bothered me so much. It was a high-pitched whine that didn't seem too bad during the day but went right through my brain at night.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I am biased, probably, since DLH was always my favorite. You know how you tend to prefer the things you're used to. I have to admit that after my first stay at GCH I posted how mediocre I thought the rooms were and how not worth the money it seemed to me. After staying there several more times, I totally changed my tune so take what I say from a first experience with a grain of salt! I like things more as they grow on me. I also used to hate the HMH overlay, and now I look forward to it. Maybe if I go back to PPH a few more times I'll love it

I am very much the same way--I often won't like something when I first try it--but then it will grow on me. I didn't even like Disneyland that much when we first started going with the kids, and look at me now!

That is why I tried the Grand Californian 3 times--even though after each time I came back saying I just didn't like it that much. Now that I have stayed there 3 times, I can say for certain that there is something about it that I really don't like compared to the Disneyland Hotel. It just isn't my cup of tea.

I am sorry to hear you were having migranes while you were there. My daughter has those too, and I am always worried they will strike while we are there. Knock wood, it hasn't happened yet. It has happened on other vacations, though.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

We spent a day in PPH on our last stay and have a Concierge Theme Park view room. The price was very reasonable considering it had a theme park view and we had concierge services. I don't know what else is included on with concierge, but we sure took advantage of the lounge food.

I haven't stayed at DLH so I can't compare, but the views of DCA from PPH are very good. I think I liked it more than our VGC theme park view.

The view of WoC from the room was pretty great too. We were on the 9th floor.

We did eat at Goofy's Kitchen, so I know that DLH is a convenient walk to DL thru DTD. PPH to DL is not bad if you cross the street to VGC and go from there.

Beautiful pictures! That was our exact view when we were there. Having that view in a suite at the Paradise Pier (plus concierge, which made life much easier)--made for an excellent experience for us there in June. The only black spot was that we were there when the union was picketeing very early in the morning on our last day. It was terribly noisy and disturbing.