Disneyland Hotel or Paridise Pier Hotel?

[disneymom1]

I will be visiting DL for the first time in early November. I plan to stay at one of the hotels on Disney property. I don't think I want to spend the extra money to stay at GC, so I am trying to decide between PPH and DH. DH is about $50 per night more. All I know about these hotels is what I have read on these boards and on other websites. Questions I have are as follows:

Are the rooms at DH significantly bigger then PPH? Is the decor any nicer?

I know the pools are a lot nicer at DH. I have read that guests staying at PPH can use the pools at DH. IS THIS TRUE? (I don't know how much use we will get out of the pools in November but I know my kids will want to go swimming at least a few times.)

What are the other advantages of staying at each hotel? Restaurants? Proximity to the parks and Downtown Disney? Other?

Any advice and information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jordanyosh]

You really can't go wrong with either choice. Paradise Pier is farther from DL and DTD, but closer to DCA. The pool at Paradise Pier is just a pool, while the pool at DLH is themed as Neverland....PCH Grill at PP is good, but so is Granville's at DLH...The only reason I would choose DLH over PP would be PP was previously owned by another company and not Disney. The theming isn't that great. Not that the DLH is that much better, but the grounds and landscaping are a little nicer and the pool area very nice. Good luck choosing

 

[Morticia]

In Nov. I don't think you will be using the pools, so don't base your decision on that.
Also, there is one tower @ PP & 3 small elevators, but in Nov. I don't think you will have a problem w/crowded elevators & no room to get on. DLH has three seperate towers & the elevators are larger.
There is more atmosphere @ the DLH than the PP, more to do onsite. But, PP has a very nice lounge in the lobby w/great warm drinks.
The rooms @ DLH are better decorated, but sometimes smaller than the PP.
Walking distance to DCA is closer from PP, but farther to DTD. And, the monorail will probably be closed so they will be using a tram system to transport guests.
PP has Yamabuki & PCH restaurants. PCH is reasonable family fare - 10-20$
DLH has Goofy's kitchen, Granville's, Hook's Point & Wine Cellar. All are very good, but expensive, well, Hook's is reasonable adult fare 20-30$.
DTD has a lot more to choose from.
Did I miss anything?

 

[Morticia]

Oh yes, DLH has concierge service & PP doesn't. You can see the fireworks from the CL w/piped in music.
PP has rooms facing DCA w/piped in music from the ELP & you can kind of see it from your window. You can, but it looks far away.

 

[Grog]

It's also quicker to get to the parks from PPH. There is a private entrance for PPH guest into DCA, about a two minute walk from the hotel lobby, and you can cut through GC to get to DL instead of going all the way through DTD. The walk to the DL entrance is cut in half if you go through the GC.

 

[daannzzz]

There are 3 towers at the Disneyland hotel that were built at different times with different layouts. There are some smaller rooms with different layouts in each building. The rooms, in general ( particularly the Sierra tower)are bigger than Paradise Pier rooms but it will depend on where you get assigned. The decore is more fun and a bit more formal feeling at the DLH. Many of the rooms have a seperate room for the toilet off of the bathroom. The decore is very Disneyland oriented with bedspreads having sepia drawings of Disneyland rides framed by vines with flowers. The armoire has a painting of the Disneyland Castle on it. There are Mickey glove lamps in the bathrooms.
Paradise Pier rooms are currently a modern Mickey theme with more contemorary versions of the three circles on the bedspread. The rooms are pleasant. These rooms are rumored to begin a remodel into a beach theme to match the hotels Pier theme. Haven't seen what they are to look like. The PP hotel does not have very much in the way of public spaces or grounds and what it does have is a bit bland. The rooms on the Themepark side have an awesome view though. I much prefer the Disneyland hotel overall.

 

[missypie]

If you can afford it, choose DLH. The "grounds" are surprisingly nice - there's the fantasy water show and the waterfall and if you're lucky, you'll see a bride on her way to a wedding at the gazebo. With the 3 towers facing DTD or the pool or the park, it's pretty hard to get a bad view (but I would try to get in Sierra Tower). The decor of the rooms is really lovely (and I'm picky). IMO, Goofy's Kitchen has the best character meals...and what is neat about being on-site is that in the mornings, you can peek in and see characters - even if you aren't eating there. Good gift shops. Nice walk to the parks (through DTD, which has nice landscaping and happy music). Cool art and artifacts in the building that Goofy's Kitchen is in. Overall, a lovely extension of the Disney experience.

 

[hookedup]

Originally posted by Morticia
Oh yes, DLH has concierge service & PP doesn't. You can see the fireworks from the CL w/piped in music.
PP has rooms facing DCA w/piped in music from the ELP & you can kind of see it from your window. You can, but it looks far away.

Actually PP has concierge service too. We just stayed there. It is on the 2nd floor and has seperate check in and morning cont. breakfast and evening cocktail hour w/snacks. You can't watch fireworks from it but you can out by the pool where they play the music too.

PP is great and if you can save a lot of dough by choosing it over DLH I would go for it. It has nice rooms (and they do have Disney theming) the views of DCA are awesome! It is a great property.
Last time we stayed there I was told they were starting some MAJOR rennovations there in Sept by a CM, including a pool re-do, and complete room refresh. Might want to ask about this to make sure it won't impact your stay.

 

[Morticia]

Actually PP has concierge service too.
Oops. My mistake.
A pool re-do? Great! It's about time, a theme pool on the top of the building will be great, if they do it.