Help! Paradise Pier or Good Neighbor

[waltlife]

We are going to DL April 30-May6. We have already booked Carousel Inn but are considering changing. Which is the better option. Carousel Or PAradise Pier. Any input would be great. This is our first trip to DL!

 

[LizzyS]

I really, really enjoyed our stay at PPH for our 5th anniversary, but I think it really comes down to your budget. I'm only staying onsite for special occasions, because I can stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel (it's the Red Lion for us) for two nights for considerably less than one night at PPH.

 

[tlovesdis]

We love PPH, but it is so much more expensive than anything across the street. If it's in your budget, go for it. You will get early entry into one park each day, which is a nice perk!

 

[sherilaine]

If budget is not a factor then hands down I'd pick the PPH. However, we are able to get a suite off site for considerably less than staying in your most basic double queen room at the PPH - so for us it's not just about money but about space.

If my family were just staying for a few days where we'd not bother with a suite, then we'd more than likely select the PPH instead.

 

[rentayenta]

Paradise Pier if it's in the budget. We always prefer to stay on property. It isn't always feasible and we'll split stay too; ending trip on proerty.

 

[waltlife]

I do like the perk of early entry. I've heard it is a bit of a walk to the parks from PP. It will be me, my wife, and our daughter who is 5. Would they walk be an issue?

 

[Aquata]

I do like the perk of early entry. I've heard it is a bit of a walk to the parks from PP. It will be me, my wife, and our daughter who is 5. Would they walk be an issue?

If you cut through the Grand Californian, it's not too bad. Take a look at the map https://disneyland.disney.go.com/maps/

 

[emmybee]

I agree that it's not too bad for a 5 yo to walk. My kid has walked that route since she was 5. Walking through the Grand is always a pleasant experience, it's such a beautiful hotel. My family prefers to stay in the Disney bubble whenever possible, so that usually means a stay at the Paradise Pier.

 

[basketballmom]

If it won't strain your budget, stay at PP. If you will be worrying about every dollar, stay off property. Others have mentioned early entry. it is worth it to me to stay onsite just to have early entry to DCA. (only for onsite guests) I also like being able to shop and send my packages back to the hotel. I would also think the PP would have a much better pool (plus a slide!) than Carousel. When my girls were that age, we would get to the parks at opening, go til around lunchtime, go back to the hotel..swim, nap, and hit the parks again around 4 or 5 p.m.

 

[sherilaine]

I do like the perk of early entry. I've heard it is a bit of a walk to the parks from PP. It will be me, my wife, and our daughter who is 5. Would they walk be an issue?

If this is the main reason to stay onsite then just be sure to make use of it. If you are a later riser and likely won't be at the park for your EMH, then it's not really worth it in my opinion - as the walk from PPH is about the same distance as the Hojo across the street on Harbor. There is a lot of walking to be done at DLR though, regardless of where you stay. The key is to take breaks and give those 5 year old legs a break when needed. However my experience is such that kids can walk an awful lot further for Disney than say for a hike in the mountains - that is exhausting after going 5 feet!

 

[waltlife]

If this is the main reason to stay onsite then just be sure to make use of it. If you are a later riser and likely won't be at the park for your EMH, then it's not really worth it in my opinion - as the walk from PPH is about the same distance as the Hojo across the street on Harbor. There is a lot of walking to be done at DLR though, regardless of where you stay. The key is to take breaks and give those 5 year old legs a break when needed. However my experience is such that kids can walk an awful lot further for Disney than say for a hike in the mountains - that is exhausting after going 5 feet!

We are early risers so we would take advantage of it. And our 5 year old has walked all day for Disney but take her into a retail store and she last about 5 minutes! LOL

 

[momtohms]

We loved staying at the PPH, but having a Military discount brought the price down closer to the good neighbor hotels we also we're looking at. The walk to the parks wasn't bad at all, we used the Grand Californian short cut and our 3 kids (6, 4.5, and 3) did great with it. We took advantage of those early morning entries at DCA and were able to do things like RSR, Toy Story, meeting Elsa and Anna, etc.

I agree with the others about it being up to your budget and what is a priority for you!

 

[calilou]

I agree with everything others have said - if it fits in your budget stay at PPH. It's really enjoyable to stay in the bubble and it makes afternoon breaks super fun. My girls really enjoy the pool and water slide at PPH. It's small in scale compared to the other DLR properties but fun. PPH also has great evening perks like fireworks viewing and outdoor movies near the pool deck. They do a pool party in the afternoons too.

 

[waltlife]

We do love the Disney bubble! We have been to WDW more times than I can count but we are super excited to come to CA! Sounds like the walk is not an issue even though a lot of other online sources make a big deal about it. Do you get early admission to both DCA & DL?

 

[Aquata]

We do love the Disney bubble! We have been to WDW more times than I can count but we are super excited to come to CA! Sounds like the walk is not an issue even though a lot of other online sources make a big deal about it. Do you get early admission to both DCA & DL?

They only open one park for early admission each day. Some days it's DCA, others it's DL.

You can check on the calendar https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/five-day/2016-03-31/

It's definitely more convenient to get to DCA from Paradise Pier, but you can still cut through the Grand Californian to get to Downtown Disney to head to Disneyland. And if DCA is open, but you want to go to Disneyland, it's worth cutting through DCA to bypass Downtown Disney security lines and head out the park gates to the Esplanade for DL. That's assuming you have park hoppers.

 

[waltlife]

I really, really enjoyed our stay at PPH for our 5th anniversary, but I think it really comes down to your budget. I'm only staying onsite for special occasions, because I can stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel (it's the Red Lion for us) for two nights for considerably less than one night at PPH.

How far a walk is it from the Red Lion? We have stayed at the one in Orlando and enjoyed it.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Carousel is close. That's its perk. PPH would be better than red lion IMO.

 

[pa. dad]

Some of the Good neighbors are really close and within a very short walk. Like walk up to the traffic light and cross the street and you're there. So maybe you use the money you save on the hotel for meals or gifts or another day?

 

[LizzyS]

How far a walk is it from the Red Lion? We have stayed at the one in Orlando and enjoyed it.

It's about 15-20 minutes, but totally doable to just plain walk. The hotel is right next to the Toy Story bus lot, too, and you can use the buses if you want, though we've never done it. The Red Lion Anaheim is a decent hotel. The only complaint I've ever had in multiple visits is housekeeping skipped our room one day.

 

[LizzyS]

Carousel is close. That's its perk. PPH would be better than red lion IMO.

Well of course PPH is better than Red Lion, since I've stayed at both, but $$$!

PPH is really high and I will only stay on property occasionally since most of our time will be spent in the parks.