On my December trip, I had practically the same exact park view at the Paradise Pier Hotel that DizNee Luver showed you above, except I was 3 floors higher than where her room was. But I LOVED it too! I couldn't stop looking out the window whenever I was in the room - day or night. I watched the sunrise from the room. I watched them testing World of Color in the middle of the night. I could see the Christmas tree in DCA from the window. I had a great view of Tower of Terror, Grizzly Peak, the Grand Californian Hotel... I could hear the bloodcurdling screams from Mickey's Fun Wheel (of Death) and California Screamin'. I just loved it!
I have also stayed at DLH, but not in years and years, and the whole landscape of the DLH has changed now, not to mention the rooms have changed. So I can't comment on what the DLH is like currently, as far as being a guest. I have strolled around the grounds, though.
I really like the PPH - I've stayed there a bunch of times. It's a cute hotel, with an ocean/sun/surf theme. The rooms are spacious and bright.
The PPH gets a very bad reputation for supposedly being so far away, but, really, it is not far. It is literally right across the street from the Grand Californian Hotel, so all you do is exit the GCH out the front door, veer left and cross the street to the PPH. That is the famous "short cut." Plus, walking through the GCH lobby at Christmas time is just delightful!
What you should NOT do is follow the crazy signs on the PPH property which guide you to the gates of the parks - if you follow those, it will seem as though you are walking to New York!
On my December trip, I walked all around the PPH, all around the DLH (went in all 3 towers of the DLH) and all around the GCH, snapping photos of all the Christmas decorations in each hotel. Most of these photos are in my trip report, but I have got a few posted in the
Disneyland at Christmas Time Superthread, and I will be posting more over time.
To be honest, I absolutely love love love the Christmas tree at the PPH. When my friend and I pulled up to the valet parking area, we could see in through the front doors and we were transfixed by the glowing blue/green lights on the tree. They were very eye-catching. It is a tall, towering tree, too, much like the tree at the GCH is. Whereas, none of the 3 trees at the DLH (in the 3 towers) are tall. The 3 DLH trees are pretty - like any Christmas trees are pretty - but they are not that special in any specific way. The PPH lobby tree is stunning - the blue and green lights don't even translate well in photos. You have to see it in person. And the GCH tree is gorgeous in that it fits so well with that theme and atmosphere. The GCH definitely has the best ambiance and cozy place to relax during the season, complete with a fireplace and comfy chairs, but I like the PPH tree the best just in terms of colors!
Out of the 3 hotels, I was the least impressed with the 3 trees at the DLH, surprisingly! BUT, that said, the DLH has some nice decorations around its entrance, and the Goofy's Kitchen tree is very colorful, whimsical and fun! I love the Goofy's Kitchen tree more than any other tree at the DLH!!
But, yes, as goldies 5 indicated, the bulk of the hotel decorations will not be up until Thanksgiving passes. I think that's stupid - if the holiday season begins on 11/11 or 11/18, then the whole Resort should be decked out then too (including all 3 hotels). But, alas, last year we were informed that the hotel stuff was not up until post-Thanksgiving.
Here is the Table of Contents (with photo links) from our Christmas Superthread:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=39197546&postcount=2
Again, I have not posted all of my DLH holiday photos (or PPH or GCH, either) in that thread yet, but I have a lot of them in my TR. Still, you can get a look at the PPH as well as many other festive holiday things that our wonderful DIS'ers have posted photos of.
