Is Paradise Pier like the Value Resort at WDW

[hellokitty1]

It helps me most to be able to think of DLR descriptions as compared to WDW since WDW is what I know. Although the price of the DLR hotels appear significantly more than the GNH, we really think we need to do it for the EMH. So that being said, PPH is the cheapest. Is anyone familiar with Pop Century at WDW and PPH at DLR and can compare for me?

What about walking distance from PPH to the parks compared to DLH from the parks? Big difference? While my kids will be overJoyed to go, I foresee some grumpy mornings to make an EMH.

Thanks!

 

[Lucille1963]

Paradise Pier is much, much nicer than a value at WDW. We only stayed at PPH once, many years ago before the refurbishments, but I remember the room being huge and nicer than the Wilderness Lodge where I stayed the same year.

 

[daannzzz]

Paradise Pier is more like the moderate hotels and more specifically more like an in between the moderate and least expensive deluxe resorts. The rooms are a nice size and well decorated and are all in a tower style hotel with indoor corridors. Everything at the hotel is contained in the towers and connecting building. But it doesn't really have much of a theme (sort of a beach theme) and the grounds are minimal. It is surrounded by parking lots and city on 3 sides and overlooks DCA on the other. If you get a theme park view you will have a pretty spectacular view.

 

[specialks]

The values all have exterior access right? Haven't stayed at one but seem to remember they are all motel'ish. The PPH is a definite hotel (interior lobby, elevators, interior access) and not what I would consider a value resort. However, amongst the 3 DLR properties, it's considered the cheapest.

 

[specialks]

Paradise Pier is more like the moderate hotels and more specifically more like an in between the moderate and least expensive deluxe resorts. The rooms are a nice size and well decorated and are all in a tower style hotel with indoor corridors. Everything at the hotel is contained in the towers and connecting building. But it doesn't really have much of a theme (sort of a beach theme) and the grounds are minimal. It is surrounded by parking lots and city on 3 sides and overlooks DCA on the other. If you get a theme park view you will have a pretty spectacular view.

This is considered a big selling point for many here on choosing the PPH.

 

[kristenm514]

I'd like to know about proximity to the parks as well, since I am having trouble choosing between PPH w/ a park view or standard DLH view...proximity might be the tiebreaker!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I'd like to know about proximity to the parks as well, since I am having trouble choosing between PPH w/ a park view or standard DLH view...proximity might be the tiebreaker!

Not a huge difference....especially if your DLH standard room is on the far side of the hotel, PPH park view may be slightly closer.

 

[ValpoCory]

The values all have exterior access right? Haven't stayed at one but seem to remember they are all motel'ish.

All Value and Moderate WDW hotels have rooms that have exterior access. You have to go Deluxe or Villa to get interior access at WDW.

 

[specialks]

I'd like to know about proximity to the parks as well, since I am having trouble choosing between PPH w/ a park view or standard DLH view...proximity might be the tiebreaker!

Read this:
MousePlanet How Far Is It?

 

[kristenm514]

Read this:
MousePlanet How Far Is It?

Thanks!!

 

[ValpoCory]

It helps me most to be able to think of DLR descriptions as compared to WDW since WDW is what I know. Although the price of the DLR hotels appear significantly more than the GNH, we really think we need to do it for the EMH. So that being said, PPH is the cheapest. Is anyone familiar with Pop Century at WDW and PPH at DLR and can compare for me?

What about walking distance from PPH to the parks compared to DLH from the parks? Big difference? While my kids will be overJoyed to go, I foresee some grumpy mornings to make an EMH.

Thanks!

Depending on when you are going, you might be able to rent DVC points at the Villas at the Grand Californian. If proximity is the tiebreaker, it wins.

 

[daannzzz]

Depending on what tower at the DLH you get the walk from Paradise Pier is a 2-5 minutes longer. I would think Walking form the Paradise Pier to DL front gate would be similar to walking from the Dolphin Hotel at WDW to the side Epcot entrance.

 

[Zbugz]

I haven't stayed at Pop Century, but I have stayed at both All Star Sports and PPH. PPH is much nicer.

 

[ZanderMan]

This is considered a big selling point for many here on choosing the PPH.

This is a picture of my room with a view:
Febuaray 2010

 

[GrandBob]

If you use the shortcut through GCH to get to the parks, I'd say that PPH is almost exactly as far from the parks as is DLH. Depends on which tower of DLH you're talking about -- some a little farther, some a little closer.

-Bob

 

[hellokitty1]

Thanks for all the responses. We'll definitely be staying at PPH. We don't need anything "grand" and it is not significantly more further than the other DLR hotels.

 

[closetmickey]

The amenities beyond those found at a value:
The rooms are quite roomy, with two queens, and a daybed that converts to a twin. They also offer nightly turndown when requested. We love coming home to chocolates on our pillows. The pool also has a water slide. There is a character b.fast, however, only a tiny counter service- more like coffee bar- location.

 

[ice cube]

I stumbled across this thread as we are in the same situation as the OP. We are going to AZ on friday with visits in San Diego for 2 nights and Disneyland for 2 nights starting July 4th. Were excited about doing July 4th in Disneyland as we did it in WDW in 09' and had a blast. We have 52 points left to use which would be enough for the 2 nights in a studio at VGC but of course no availability(we keep trying though). There is availability in all 3 resorts online for the 2 nights costing $610PPH,$800 DLR,$970 VGC plus the room tax. Since its our first time and probably who knows the next time we will be in Cali my heart says go for it but I can't wrap my head around the big $$$ amount...so I think we are going to do PPH as by everyones posts seem like its closer to a lower deluxe than a value and if thats the case its good enough....so besides the OP thanking everyone for the responses we thank you too....

 

[bumbershoot]

The amenities beyond those found at a value:
The rooms are quite roomy, with two queens, and a daybed that converts to a twin. They also offer nightly turndown when requested.

You have stayed concierge? We have never experienced any turndown unless staying on the concierge level. NOw, the Grand does it for everyone (unless they have changed things) but not PPH.



PPH is great! Go out the FRONT door, cross the street towards the Grand, walk in the Grand's front doors. Super-easy as long as you go out the FRONT doors! Do not follow the directions inside the PPH for the walk to the parks! Those will take you the long way, alongside DLH and allllll the way through Downtown Disney. You do not want that!

Once you're in the doors of the Grand, if you're going in the onsite guest entrance to DCA, cross the lobby, go out the automatic doors, and follow the signs to DCA.

If you are going to Disneyland, turn left down a long corridor (almost immediately after entering the Grand), follow the hallway (if you have a stroller or wheelchair you will find ramps to the *left* sort of behind a wall). Go out the sliding glass automatic doors on your right, follow the outside path, and you will exit into DTD, a little more than halfway through. Haagen Dasz will be across from you and Sephora will be on your right. Turn right, go to the bag check and into the esplanade!


It *sounds* more complicated than it actually is.



When we stayed at DLH we thought "ooh monorail!" but it was closed half of the time we wanted to take it. And then it doesn't start running until after the gates open for MM, so unless you're interested in Nemo or Tomorrowland for MM, it's not much use. We missed too much of MM getting off the monorail and past Nemo and then on into Fantasyland.


Lastly, PPH is great! It's our fave onsite resort. And IMO can't be compared to anything at WDW, because they just don't have the big tall hotels there.

 

[wipedaler]

We'll definitely be staying at PPH. We don't need anything "grand" and it is not significantly more further than the other DLR hotels.

You'll be pleased with Paradise Pier. The accommodations are adequate and the compact nature of the building works in your favor. The walk to either park is pretty simple; spend a few extra minutes exploring the various entrances/exits at Grand California so you know how to get to DCA park or to Downtown Disney.

We stayed twice, with Concierge Service both times. It's a great add-on to solve most of the food challenges. The character breakfast was pretty good, but we had a better experience at Goofy's Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel.

Safe travels, and enjoy your stay!