DL Hotel or Par Pier? HELP!

[princssdisnygina]

Hello all! I am a frequenter at WDW but have only be to DL twice. Last time was 2000 and I stayed in the DL Hotel and loved it. My best friend and I are doing the Mexican Riviera Cruise Aug 10-17 and are coming to DL 2 days before but want to stay on property and as close as possible. I booked the DL Hotel but does anyone prefer the Paradise Pier or Grand Californian better? Any suggestions would help. Also, we are going to do DL on Friday and CA on Saturday, do you think this is the best option? I assume DL will be busier and Friday would be better? Any suggestions would be great!

Gina

 

[nunzia]

I will always vote for the Grand Californian..and wow..have fun on your cruise!

 

[Hound 109]

Hello all! I am a frequenter at WDW but have only be to DL twice. Last time was 2000 and I stayed in the DL Hotel and loved it. My best friend and I are doing the Mexican Riviera Cruise Aug 10-17 and are coming to DL 2 days before but want to stay on property and as close as possible. I booked the DL Hotel but does anyone prefer the Paradise Pier or Grand Californian better? Any suggestions would help. Also, we are going to do DL on Friday and CA on Saturday, do you think this is the best option? I assume DL will be busier and Friday would be better? Any suggestions would be great!

Gina

Welcome Gina. IMO, the GCH is worth $50 more than the DH which is worth $50 more than the Pier.

All three are good & all three allow you to enjoy Magic Morning (MM) formerly known as EE on Sat.

Regarding DL on Fri & DCA on Sat....I would hop both days. General rule of thumb for both days:

- DL at Gen. Adm rope drop on Friday & MM rope drop on Sat.
- Tour DL while collecting 3-5 FPs for that evening (or afternoon if leaving in the afternoon).
- Hop to DCA for 2-4 hours. (& or eat)
- Rest/swim at hotel for 2-4 hours.
- Back to DL at night.

Here's a link with opinions on Park Hopping. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

Have fun at Walt's Park.

 

[ScooterL]

All of the Disney hotels are nice...I think the rooms are a little bigger at the Disneyland Hotel than at the GC or the PP. The GC is very nice, but given the price difference I think I'd spend the extra bucks to get a nicer view room at the DLH or the PP versus a standard or Downtown Disney view at the GC.

I agree with Hound's touring plan regarding starting your day at DL both days...you can do a WHOLE lot at Disneyland if you are there at park opening, and on a Magic Morning you can knock off most of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland in 90-120 minutes.

 

[4_Churros_Please]

Stay at the Grand, it's the best, hands down.

 

[pixiewings71]

Well the Grand is obviously the best DL hotel, but we enjoyed our stay at the PP too. I've never stayed at the DLH though so I can't compare it to PP. Either way, enjoy your visit and your cruise!

 

[honeymom]

I have only stayed at DLH and GCH. Liked GCH much better than DLH.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Are they all pretty much... "step out into the park" hotels? I want to make the most of our time since it is a weekend, summer and only 2 days. We were thinking of a character dinner or breakfast... any suggestions? I do want to do the steakhouse at the DLH as well.

Thanks for all your help so far!

Gina

 

[jasonk5]

All three are good & all three allow you to enjoy Magic Morning (MM) formerly known as EE on Sat.

Are they only doing MM (formerly Early Entry) on Saturday's now? I always was able to get in and thought it was everyday at both DL and WDW parks. I knew the DL is an unadvertised perk of staying on property--but it sure is good to have this info for my upcoming trip in May.

ALWAYS stay at GCH! They treated us SOOO good the first time, we've never wanted to stay any where else! Have fun!

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Are they only doing MM (formerly Early Entry) on Saturday's now? I always was able to get in and thought it was everyday at both DL and WDW parks. I knew the DL is an unadvertised perk of staying on property--but it sure is good to have this info for my upcoming trip in May.

ALWAYS stay at GCH! They treated us SOOO good the first time, we've never wanted to stay any where else! Have fun!

MM is now on Sat., Sun., Tues., and Thurs.

 

[Hound 109]

Are they only doing MM (formerly Early Entry) on Saturday's now? I always was able to get in and thought it was everyday at both DL and WDW parks. I knew the DL is an unadvertised perk of staying on property--but it sure is good to have this info for my upcoming trip in May.

ALWAYS stay at GCH! They treated us SOOO good the first time, we've never wanted to stay any where else! Have fun!

Boise is correct. (Tue/Thur/Sat/Sun) for MM - formerly known as EE.

MM is available to a DLR hotel guest each day it's offered. (not capped at one day like most 3-5 day park hopper tickets)

I was mentioning Sat Magic Mornings to the thread starter, because she should be prepared to enjoy Sat. morning MM since she'll be there Friday night.

 

[safetymom]

I would recommend the DL hotel over Paradise Pier.

 

[pixiewings71]

The only hotel with direct park access is GCH to DCA. There is a private entrace there.