Home now after amazing PPH stay (w/pics)

[jenpace]

Went to the DLR with my two dd's (12 &8) for a 5 day trip. We arrived Sunday, late afternoon and got home Thursday in the evening. The traffic on the 5 was pretty bad on the way down but we made it and had a wonderful time!

We got our fastpasses upon checking in (PPH) and I have to say that we LOVED both Star Tours and The Little Mermaid rides. We used all our FP's for ST since the LM ride was a walk-on in the mornings when it was just resort guests in DCA.

The parks were definitely more crowded than the off season but I was relieved that it wasn't as jammed as I had feared. Hydroguy says it best when he advises people to "adjust your expectations" for summer crowds...at least I'm 99% sure it was Hydroguy who said that here

The best part of the trip by far was an unexpected room upgrade we got at PPH. We had booked a concierge room but there was a mix-up with our room. Because the hotel was fully booked they gave us the only other available room but it really wasn't a room at all, it was the 'Dana Point' suite with a triple length patio on the pool deck level, a large kitchen, living room and dining room areas and a separate bedroom with a king bed and an amazing bathroom with a jacuzzi. Unbelievable! I was told that the suite normally rents for $1,500/night. Mike in the concierge lounge and Steve in Guest Services really went the extra mile for us!

We had experienced some less than magical things on our previous trip in May (offsite) so it was really great that our stay was such a great one and more than made up for it

 

[Lucille1963]

WOW! Do you have any pictures?

 

[jenpace]

WOW! Do you have any pictures?

Yes, I was just uploading to PB

Please excuse the quality...these were taken with my phone.

 

[FlameGirl]

Wow - that is awesome.

That happened to me once in Montreal. What a fun experience.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

WOW

 

[pixiemomof3]

Wow, what a very nice surprise!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Oh wow! I've had that happen once in Las Vegas but it wasn't HALF as nice as that. I'm glad you had a magical experience!!!

 

[DisSarahK]

Wow, what an amazing upgrade!

 

[rentayenta]

Neato!

 

[marcemc]

What a treat!

I didn't even know that suite existed. Thanks for the pics.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Wow, very exciting - lucky you!

 

[tinkermomma]

Wow! Lovely! What a fun surprise! Yay!

 

[Domchi002]

I love hearing upgrade stories, looks amazing!!

 

[JH87]

Oh my gosh it looks like a house!
Must have been super comfortable.

 

[ssuriano]

That room looks amazing!

 

[chickyann]

 

[kailuagirl]

Wowza!! That's awesome!!! So happy for you all Thanks for sharing the pics

 

[jenpace]

Oh my gosh it looks like a house!
Must have been super comfortable.

It was like living there for the short time we got to stay

Even though we've been back home for days now we're still talking about it and reminiscing.

I'm glad everyone is enjoying the pictures, I'm so happy to share them. I love seeing stuff like this in other people's trip reports!

 

[Sherry E]

I've seen photos of some of the PPH suites before - but, honestly, jenpace, your suite is much, much, much larger and snazzier than any of the others I have seen! This must be the suite they give to any VIP's or celebrities, etc., who can't get into the GCH (I say this because I assume that celebrities figure that the GCH is the best due to its high price tag and they probably all want to stay there, and they probably only get sent over to the PPH if the GCH is booked). It's absolutely amazing that they gave this to you! And you still got all the concierge food offerings, too? Wow!! Jackpot!!

There was a thread a few days ago in which we were discussing the PPH and how many rave reviews it has recently been getting. It's really true - in all the TR's or reviews of the PPH that I have read over the last few years on this board or wherever, and including my own PPH experiences over the last decade, I don't recall quite so many positive things being mentioned about it or nearly as many free upgrades as there have been recently. This has been happening much more often lately. It's like every other day, practically, someone is mentioning getting upgraded (though not to the kind of suite that you got)!

PPH/DLR also seems to be going above and beyond the call of duty when they screw up somehow. Two examples: You got the fantastic suite when they goofed on your room; and this past December, PPH made a mistake with my billing for my stay....and now I've got one totally free night and $99 for each additional night, along with free parking, VIP seating/viewing for some shows, etc., awaiting me this coming holiday season. A few years ago, they were not quite so accommodating if they made a mistake.

I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden, the PPH is becoming a real contender in the choice of where to stay at DLR! I always liked the PPH, but I notice a real difference now in the things they are doing to make the guests very happy!

 

[Disneyland1084]

oh wow!