Help me decide:paradise pier vs BWPPI

[BNM]

I would like to take the family to Disneyland this winter. I am planning a trip to WDW in dec. 2012, but I thought it would be fun to take a shorter trip first, see how the boys (age 4 and 2) do with theme parks, etc. transportation and meals seem to be so much easier at DL. Anyway, I am looking in jan or feb for a weds thru sun four day trip.
For mid feb, the cost of BWPPI is very similar to paradise pier, with the promotion. I don't know which to choose. If it were the DL hotel, I would choose that (but DL hotel is 300 more). The pool is a lot nicer at pp, and my sons love watersides. Also comes with two fastpasses. But BWPPI is very close, and has a free breakfast. However the breakfast may be so basic that we need to supplement anyway. My DH would prefer the place with the bigger room, but I can't figure out which that would be. Th mini suites at BWPPI look pretty big. If we could go out on a balcony or something while the boys fall asleep that would be ok. He may be willing to sacrifice a bigger room for a nicer hotel, with a better pool. The weather may not permit swimming. Don't know what to do! I am having a travel agent check prices for me but Costco travel has a good deal for both places.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

If Paradise Peir is really comprable in price to BWPPI, I'd go the Peir. It's a nicer hotel. I've stayed at the BWPPI, the breakfast is very weak. Also, stay away from Captain Kidds ( the resturant next door that hotel). Their buffet is terrible. I waited for a freash waffle and it was more like a large hockey puc. Thier other choices weren't much better. My husband thought I was being a drama queen until he went to get his food.

Also, by staying on site, you get to do all the magic mornings (early entry to the parks on all the days they offer it). You only get one by staying off site.

I know the walking distance to and from the BWPPI is fantasitc, literally right across the street. Someone else will have to chime in on this, but I think there is a walk way between PP and GC so that you can walk right into DCA. They used to let those hotel guests into the park 30 before the main gate guests. The rides won't be opperating, but it'll get you closer to the front of what ever line your in (TSMM).

 

[Butterfly123]

We haven't stayed at PP, but our last visit we stayed at BWPPI. It is a very basic hotel. It was clean and quiet, and the staff very pleasant. We stayed in the 2 Q mini suite...there is no balconey. You walk in the the "sitting" area where the sofabed is. That is seperated off from the queen beds by a half wall...waist high, and about 5 or 6 feet long. Then the bathroom is all the way in the back, which makes it kind of dark. The breakfast was fine for a very basic breakfast...coffee, juice, pastries, bagels, cream cheese, hard boiled eggs, toast, cereal, etc. Nothing special. It's upstairs from Captain Kidds's, but is seperate from the resturant. The pool is small, but there is a whirlpool, too. Parking is tight, but possible. You do pay for parking..$8.oo, I think.
We loved how close it was, and always stay on Harbor, because the Disney hotels don't have microwaves, which we need. We plan on staying here again this summer.

 

[larina]

I'd say to do the PPH, and request a free upgrade when you arrive (for a WOC view room). We love the PPH, but stay in a suite (they have microwaves in the suites, I always forget the other rooms don't) because there are so many of us.

 

[taaren]

If Paradise Pier is comparable in price, stay there. We've stayed at BWPPI before, and though the location was great, everything else was just okay. The rooms don't even 'feel' very big because they're kind of dark, and there aren't any balconies. In my mind they shouldn't even be called mini-suites since there's not multiple rooms, just a waist-high room divider in the middle.

Staying onsite is an experience where the staff will try to make sure your experience is magical, and that makes for a great vacation. Plus you have access to magic mornings and the GCH entrance to DCA, including getting your WOC fp's before everybody else. Pool slides also win.

If PP were substantially more, then it'd be toss up but hands down on-site vs off-site if they're $100 or less apart for your stay.

 

[rentayenta]

Paradise Pier.

 

[DryCreek]

How much difference in price between the PPH and BWPPI? I am booked for Feb 23 through 28, and at the BWPPI the DW and I have locked in a price of $89.10 per night (standard King bed room) before the 18% tax is added on. That rate was given due to my wife being a member of their rewards/points program of some sort. The best quote I could get from the DL website for the PPH was closer to $195 per night! I really prefer staying on site, but not if it costs twice as much and I am only half as far away from the park entrances!

Is there a PIN code you used to get the prices close to each other? For only a couple hundred dollars difference, I'd certainly be convinced to do the PPH.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

I have stayed at all 3 disney hotels on multiple occasions and think that paradise pier is awesome! I know that it's the least desirable of the 3 .. but personally I see nothing wrong with it. I think that being on disneyland property is what makes all 3 equally special

So def Paradise Pier over best western!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

There is no comparison--Paradise Pier for sure.

It is almost not fair to compare the two, because Paradise Pier is a high tower hotel with Disney magic touches (music, cast members, decor)--and BWPPI is a dingy little motor coach style motel. If the prices are similar, then there should be no question as to which one you pick.

I have stayed at all 3 Disney resort hotels, and we actually really liked the Paradise Pier. It is different than the other two, but still has a lot going for it. I think it makes all the difference in that hotel to pay for the theme park view--because they have huge windows that overlook DCA.

We have been going to DR a few times a year for a decade, and were given a free hotel room upgrade for the very first time our last visit at the Paradise Pier. We had a theme park view room booked, and upgraded me and my girls to a suite. It was incredible! two bathrooms, and full views of DCA. The only bad event on our whole trip was that the hotel was picketed by the union our last morning there--the morning we had planned on sleeping in and relaxing at the hotel. We were all exhausted all day after that.

I have stayed at 3 different motels across the street on Harbor, and the only one I wouldn't stay in again is BWPPI. It looked seedy and depressing to me. And yes, a big bummer as far as a "suite" is concerned.

 

[BNM]

Thanks so much, all...
I am leaning towards PPH. With the current promotion, it's a couple hundred more, but sounds like it will be worth it. 160 per night is stll less than we pay to stay in chicago. May be a little farther from the parks, but I think it will be closer to the places in downtown Disney where we will prefer to eat. We might do the character breakfast there as well, any thoughts on this? To get to DL is it faster to walk through the Grand and CA Or to take the monorail?

 

[taaren]

Thanks so much, all...
I am leaning towards PPH. With the current promotion, it's a couple hundred more, but sounds like it will be worth it. 160 per night is stll less than we pay to stay in chicago. May be a little farther from the parks, but I think it will be closer to the places in downtown Disney where we will prefer to eat. We might do the character breakfast there as well, any thoughts on this? To get to DL is it faster to walk through the Grand and CA Or to take the monorail?

If you're going to DCA, definitely through the grand, if DL, then its a toss-up, because it depends on whether the monorail is running/not too crowded, etc.
I highly recommend Goofy's Kitchen at the DLH for dinner. We just don't like using our morning park time for the character meal, so dinner when the kids are tired and want to just chill and be entertained is perfect for us. The experience there was just highly interactive and lovely.