Got it down to 2 hotel choices... help

[dnlsmith]

Ok I decided in September we will either do DLH upper level pool/resort view OR PPH concierge level. Both choices come out to about the same price, so which would you choose & why? I have never done Concierge so I am not sure if it is worth it and I like the idea of DLH better but would not have the concierge but would probably have a better view and hopefully one of the refurbished rooms .

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

If it were me, I'd go with the Disneyland Hotel. Just make sure to ask for an interior view (toward the pool, etc) or a view of DTD, if you're staying in the building that faces that way. (It's the building that has been first to be renovated - not sure how far along they are now with it.)

I'm just not that impressed with Paradise Pier. It strikes me as just a jazzed-up cheap hotel. Others may disagree, tho. We stayed at the DL hotel this January in the main building with a 5th floor view of the pool and loved it!!

 

[DizMe]

Tough call. First, how many are in your party? If there are 4-5 of you, then I might lean towards PPH concierge. Otherwise I'd stick to DLH, as the PP said. It's a MUCH nicer setting and I agree that PPH lacks the real feeling of a Disney hotel (likely because it wasn't originally a Disney hotel). It really has no grounds to speak of while DLH has pools, waterfalls, koi ponds, themed landscaping, gazebo, and so on. My kids adore DLH. That said, you can always walk over to DLH from PPH--it's not very far.

We've never done concierge at either hotel but we did do it twice at GCH. Again, my kids LOVED it and it was extremely convenient for us. HOWEVER, we've been to DL many times so they are not as intent upon remaining in the parks non-stop and actually prefer to take breaks at the hotel. This makes concierge more worthwhile. Many people, though, don't want to have to go back to the hotel to take advantage of the food & beverage offerings and for those people concierge might not be worth it.

For a larger family, concierge can save a lot of money on food, as you don't have to buy breakfast or lunch (assuming you're there when the food is served) and you can often make a meal of the evening appetizers too. Chances are you wouldn't eat every meal in your hotel, of course, but you *could* if you wanted to.

At DLH, I prefer the Dreams tower (the one being renovated). If you get Dreams you will get a refurbed room. I think all of the DTD view rooms are in Dreams. All 3 towers have pool view rooms. I personally like Dreams, then Magic (main lobby tower). Magic used to be my favorite but now Dreams has edged it out a bit because I like that you can step right out into DTD and all rooms (or nearly all) have good views. My least favorite is Wonder, which is next to a parking lot and farthest away from both the main part of the hotel and DTD/the parks. Some rooms have very nice views and are near the waterfalls, but I just don't care for that tower. I have stayed in a brand-new room in Dreams (we were the first occupants, I think, since it was reno'd) and it was very cool, but I would not be at all upset to get one of the old rooms. I love the whimsical, magical aura of those, but I'm a traditionalist.

I do know too that PPH has 2 levels of concierge. One is with view, one standard. Neither is on the same floor as the lounge, which is kind of a bummer.

 

[lulubelle]

I would take PPH Concierge in a NY minute.

Especially if you get a view room at PPH. Just the breakfast option makes it worth it. Unless you are not coffee and breakfast eaters. I just loved going to the lounge in the mornings and evenings to enjoy the offerings. And the rooms there are bigger and more recently refurbished. Unless of course you get a newly refurbed room at DLH. But can that be guaranteed? If not, I'd really go for PPH. It really is a very nice hotel with so many nice touches and themed to the beach very nicely.

Have a magical trip.

 

[NewbieMouse]

I will preface this by saying I've never been to either, but I faced the same dilemma for our trip in June. I ultimately decided on the DLH because of the ambiance (Disney feel. pool, etc.) discussed above. I also felt that although concierge would probably be a $$ saver for food, it would make us feel obligated to trek back and forth all the time. If I was in GCH that wouldn't be a big issue, but may be with PPH. (And if I was really concerned about $$, I should have stayed off site). For us the concierge at PPH was a standard room, and so the price being charged for concierge was quite high to make it close to upper resort view at DLH (I believe approx $100 a day). That seemed like a lot for concierge.

Just illustrating our decision factors in case they help, although these things' value differ for everyone. You'll have fun no matter where you are!!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I would go with PPH concierge level. I would really like to try that out but just can't justify spending the money. Those chocolate covered strawberries look devine! Plus they offer all the breakfast foods we normally take with us as well as the uncrustables.

 

[specialks]

Check out this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2437724&highlight=concierge

Also, post #5 has a great link to a thread with lots of photos.

 

[dnlsmith]

Thank you wonderful Disers, there is so much to think about. The Disneyland Hotel chat person said they would not take requests or book the refurbished rooms. I still love the Disney feel there though. The PPH does not have upper level view rooms with concierge available so it would be a standard room. The concierge amenities might be worth it though. So really gotta think about this. Thank you!

 

[NewbieMouse]

The Disneyland Hotel chat person said they would not take requests or book the refurbished rooms.

On the phone, they took my requests when I booked an upper level view (many of them, one of which included a refurbished room - although of course they said it wasn't guaranteed) - they were awesome. So you should will be able to at least make the request if you go that route.

I know how you feel - I agonized over the hotel decision for a couple of weeks; now I've made my decision and have tried to be at peace with it Disneyland will still be there for another visit someday - and then I can choose a different room! Have fun!

 

[dnlsmith]

I have been adding up the cost of breakfast, water, wine, snacks etc. and it almost seems worth the money to do concierge 'cause I am going to but it anyway so why not have it all right there?

Does anyone know if the beer/wine at concierge is complimentry and can you take it back to your room? (At both DLH and PPH)

Also is there anywhere that lists the amenities of concierge and the times? I did look on the concierge thread and got a little help but...

I am thankful for all your help!

 

[specialks]

Did you see this:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2181963&page=3

Postings #33 & #41 might help.

But those are about the GCH. Not sure if that helps.

 

[rentayenta]

I would take PPH Concierge in a NY minute.

 

[lulubelle]

When we stayed PP concierge they offered a regular view or the third floor pool "cabana" room. They have a glass sliding door that leads to a patio with real furniture. And it's right off of the side of the pool. If you and your family will have a pool day at all, these rooms are quite nice. Also, if you plan on watching the fireworks from the pool area (which is one of my favorite places because they pipe in th music and there are no crowds), you simply walk out of your room and wha-laa, you are right there. The other hotel patrons have to wait for an elevator to get there. I would take a "cabana" room if I couldn't get a view room.

And of course you can take wine or beer back to your room. We took two each and enjoyed some while watching the aforementioned fireworks. For us, we don't commando, so on the night we come back to the room early, this plan works well for us.

Good luck deciding.

 

[dnlsmith]

When we stayed PP concierge they offered a regular view or the third floor pool "cabana" room. They have a glass sliding door that leads to a patio with real furniture. And it's right off of the side of the pool. If you and your family will have a pool day at all, these rooms are quite nice. Also, if you plan on watching the fireworks from the pool area (which is one of my favorite places because they pipe in th music and there are no crowds), you simply walk out of your room and wha-laa, you are right there. The other hotel patrons have to wait for an elevator to get there. I would take a "cabana" room if I couldn't get a view room.

And of course you can take wine or beer back to your room. We took two each and enjoyed some while watching the aforementioned fireworks. For us, we don't commando, so on the night we come back to the room early, this plan works well for us.

Good luck deciding.

Thank you, that helps alot! I am leaning that direction because I have a 4 year old and I think it will help us alot to have breakfast in the mornings and snacks on hand etc. and I have to have an evening night cap for sure! Can't go commando either lol!