Originally posted by poohj80
I stayed at the PP location long before it was a Disney property (think it used to be an Embassy Suites).
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel used to be the
Disneyland Pacific Hotel. Before that, it was the Pan Pacific Hotel. It was never an Embassy Suites property.
Originally posted by poohj80
I admit I haven't been since DCA opened, but the monorail used to come directly to the DL Hotel - no walking required - very similar to the GF Monorail station at WDW. If we go, it will be the Grand Californian all the way!
The new monorail station at the Disneyland Hotel is in the exact same location as the old monorail station -- but the Disneyland Hotel shrunk when the Disneyland Resort was expanded. The garden rooms, shops, and restaurants that were by the station are now gone. Even though the distance from the main towers to the monorail station is same, the station now feels further away.
Also, the Disneyland Monorail fleet has had a lot of problems, so it can be a long wait between trains.
It's a pleasant walk through Downtown Disney from any of the three hotels to the main gate of the original Disneyland Park.
The Grand Californian looks great. I've only walked through the lobby, but I would gladly stay there. And it's 100% non-smoking, including all guest rooms, restaurants, bars, and public areas.