Gah, now I'm torn. Orange County Hyatt or Paradise Pier?

[geekypeach]

Hyatt is half the price of the PP, and although we are staying concierge at the Pier, I don't know that we would necessarily reap a $750 benefit from it, considering we've never spent that much on food in a 5 day trip. I can guarantee we would not use the other benefits of concierge. The Hyatt has a dedicated shuttle, and I've heard nothing but rave reviews. Hyatt looks gorgeous and seriously.... so much less $$. Even with one of their better rooms. And, if you book on Priceline (which I *heart*) you get a $150 credit for their restaurants and such, and kids eat free.

We have the money for either, and I had already resigned myself to a $1500 hotel bill, but I won't spend just for spendings sake. That's silly (to me, no judging!).

But, I don't want to talk myself into/out of it, having never stayed at either hotel.

Thoughts? We're travelling with two kids, an 8 year old and 4 year old, and both are seasoned Disney walkers and are a delight to travel with. Thanks!

 

[austizzle]

For what it's worth here's my two cents:

If you're OK with spending the money I'd stay at PP. The Hyatt is nice, I've stayed there (for conference at the Anaheim Convention Center) and I can understand your draw to it for the price. But the Disney level of service is simply unparalleled. I was just telling a friend last night with the insane amount of travel I do for work if Disney had hotels everywhere even without a park I'd only stay at Disney hotels.

They go so far above and beyond that it's just worth it to me each time to spend the extra money. Not to mention the integration of your room key working as a credit card and the ability to have merchandise sent back to your room so you don't have to carry it throughout the park.

I live in Los Angeles and every now and then my boyfriend and I stay at a Disney Hotel when we go out to the park just because we find the experience SO enjoyable.

It's also really great to have the entire park experience to be so seamless. We've had the hotel decorate our room for us once just because they noticed we were in love.

We came back from a long day in the parks to find rose petals and chocolate all shaped like hearts and hidden mickeys on the bed simply because they paid attention when he was booking the room and when we checked in.

Other hotels charge insane rates to do such a thing.

Also, since you're going to have your kids with you I'd say that having the themed pool experience should be neat for them. PP has the California Screamin' water slide and it's pretty awesome

So that's my thought - either way I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time!

P.S. Disney hotel rooms have five or six channels of just Disney content for the little ones and DVD players so if you opt for PP bring your favorite movies for the kids!

 

[Sherry E]

....I live in Los Angeles and every now and then my boyfriend and I stay at a Disney Hotel when we go out to the park just because we find the experience SO enjoyable....

austizzle -

I just wanted to say that I can understand this statement! A lot of people might think, "You live in Los Angeles...40 minutes from Anaheim...why bother staying in a hotel at all?" I also live in L.A., and my multi-day Disneyland trips always involve a Disney hotel stay - or I just go home at the end of the night if it's a one-day visit. I have not stayed at a Good Neighbor hotel thus far. Staying at one of the 3 Disney hotels is definitely not worth it for everyone because it's so expensive, but for some people - even some SoCal residents - it is very worth it for all the reasons you described. It enhances the overall experience. (And I'm another one who is a big proponent of sending my purchases back to the hotel!) I can't always afford to stay onsite, but it is worth the cost for me when I do!

 

[austizzle]

austizzle -

I just wanted to say that I can understand this statement! A lot of people might think, "You live in Los Angeles...40 minutes from Anaheim...why bother staying in a hotel at all?"

My friends tease us about it all the time! They're always surprised when we stay out there. I prefer the GCH, last time we stayed we arrived to check in and this happened:

CM: "You booked a room with a King bed, but there's a problem with that room. We don't have another King to move you to, so we've moved you to a double, however it's a park view room. Is that ok?"

BF & I: Of course!

CM proceeds to check something in the back and returns: "There appears to be a plumbing problem with your park view room so we've upgraded you to a suite one bedroom suite. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience!"

Let me tell you, we were SO inconvenienced by our 1 bedroom double balcony suite overlooking DD. It was miserable obviously

So ultimately we paid our Premium AP discounted rate for a standard king room for a 1 bedroom king suite. It was awesome

 

[Eeee-va]

I'm a bit confused as to why you'd book concierge if you don't think you'll get your money's worth out of it? If you're hesitating over the price of the Paradise Pier, can you just stay standard or park view instead? You might be able to use the cost "savings" to book another special experience.

I really prefer to be within walking distance, so I personally would stay at Hojo or almost any of the hotels across from Disneyland before the Hyatt, even if the Hyatt were discounted to match the Harbor hotels' price. I really want to get to the gates before open, and staying within walking distance is usually the quickest and most reliable way to accomplish that. So by that measure, I'd pick the Paradise Pier over the Hyatt. I'd just worry I'd have trouble getting to the park before open if I had to rely on a shuttle.

Some people are fine with taking shuttles, and some people who have trouble walking (and it doesn't sound like that's the case for you) might actually PREFER a hotel with a dedicated shuttle to even a Disney property.

At the Disneyland Hotel (with the unreliable monorail) or Paradise Pier, you can have a walk of more than 1/3 a mile to get to the gates of Disneyland. That's fine for people without medical conditions but for some people with fibromyalgia or other conditions that walk could be difficult, when added to a busy day at the parks. With a dedicated shuttle at the Hyatt, you might have less walking, though more waiting to get to the parks.

Have a great trip, whatever you choose!

 

[geekypeach]

Concierge rooms were all that was available. And, they were less than any room at DLH or GC. We've done HoJo several times, and are staying our last night there. But, after a good 15 nights stayed there, we're done with HoJo for the most part.

Thanks for all the input. I think we'll stay at PPH, and if it isn't all that, at least we will know that for next time. I agree that Disney has some Magic, this is what keeps bringing us back! It's a pretty amazing thing.

I'm not real thrilled with any of the Harbor hotels, although their proximity can't be beat. They are all just worn out and tired, and I wish they would all refurbish in a meaningful way instead of slapping a couple cosmetic things on their rooms. It would definitely be worth the investment!

 

[Nonsuch]

CM: "You booked a room with a King bed, but there's a problem with that room. We don't have another King to move you to, so we've moved you to a double, however it's a park view room. Is that ok?"

BF & I: Of course!

CM proceeds to check something in the back and returns: "There appears to be a plumbing problem with your park view room so we've upgraded you to a suite one bedroom suite. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience!"

The Grand usually does not have the King bed I always request, but several times I have received a view upgrade (although never to a suite).

 

[Eeee-va]

Concierge rooms were all that was available.

That makes sense...if you really don't care to stay concierge, maybe you could keep checking with them and see if something opens up?

Of course, if you kind of DO want to stay concierge and need an excuse, the lack of availability is a good one.

 

[mrswh]

That is a tough call! We have stayed at the Hyatt OC several times, and it is a very nice hotel with great service. I love the full service Starbucks in the lobby, the rooms are very nice, and the shuttle is very prompt and reliable. Target across the street is nice for buying bottled water and snacks and such, and the restaurant is pretty good (and as you mentioned, kids eat free at lunch and dinner). You sure can get a LOT better deal at the Hyatt and a lot more room to spread out to boot. But . . . I agree with the PPs that there is something to be said for being right there at DLR.

However . . . I don't think I'd stay at the PPH over the Hyatt for one reason: the PPH just isn't close enough to justify the price difference. And, though I have not stayed there, I am guessing the PPH is also not as nice. I think the Hyatt is still nicer than the GCH, but we do choose to stay there over the Hyatt, despite that fact and despite the cost and having less space, because the GCH is just THAT convenient. The PPH, not so much. Does the GCH really cost that much more than the PPH? I feel like it's usually only a difference of a few hundred dollars. I feel like staying at the PPH is sort of going halfway - might as well spend a little more and REALLY be in the action at the GCH. JMO.

As far as Harbor hotels go, I agree that they just look old and worn. I am picky about hotels and will not stay at any of them - I think the niceness of the Hyatt is worth the extra distance. The GCH has a mix of the convenience, the Disney feel, and is a pretty nice hotel . . . can I vote for the GCH?

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed at all 3 Disney hotels & also offsite at Homewood Suites. I hated being dependent on a shuttle. When I stayed at PPH, I just walked across the street and through GCH to get to the parks.

 

[austizzle]

Concierge rooms were all that was available. And, they were less than any room at DLH or GC. We've done HoJo several times, and are staying our last night there. But, after a good 15 nights stayed there, we're done with HoJo for the most part.

Thanks for all the input. I think we'll stay at PPH, and if it isn't all that, at least we will know that for next time. I agree that Disney has some Magic, this is what keeps bringing us back! It's a pretty amazing thing.

I'm not real thrilled with any of the Harbor hotels, although their proximity can't be beat. They are all just worn out and tired, and I wish they would all refurbish in a meaningful way instead of slapping a couple cosmetic things on their rooms. It would definitely be worth the investment!

I hope you have a wonderful time and that your experience lives up to the hype here, though knowing them I'm sure it will

 

[austizzle]

The Grand usually does not have the King bed I always request, but several times I have received a view upgrade (although never to a suite).

We couldn't believe our luck! It wasn't even an overly busy day - I doubt they were at capacity. I suspect it had to do with us having been bumped once already.