Just back from Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland

[RMBittner]

Just wanted to comment on the Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland...

This wasn't our first choice for a DL visit, but it was the only DVC option available for when we wanted to go. And it actually turned out to be great. Parking was free for DVC members (which I don't believe is mentioned anywhere that I saw; I was dreading the nearly $20/day fee), making a rental car a great option, especially if you'll be exploring other parts of southern California during your stay.

I was shocked at how few dining options there are at DL/CA, compared with WDW, which is still our favorite park. But it's understandable, given how small DL is by comparison. But the meals we had were good to great, from Blue Bayou, French Market, Pacific Wharf Cafe, Orleans Cafe, and Wine Country Trattoria in the parks to Naples at Downtown Disney. We didn't have any trouble making dining reservations for the table-service restaurants -- even when calling just a couple of hours ahead of time. (We were there March 7-13, 2012.)

Unlike WDW, everything is extremely walkable -- 5 minutes to Downtown, maybe 10 to DL/CA.

I'm including a link below to a picture I took from our hotel window -- room 1302 on the 13th floor -- of CA. You get a great view of World of Color from the room (although you can't see any of the projections) and we could see a tiny bit of the DL fireworks as well.

Wifi was pretty bad, but I had an AirPort router for our iPads, which definitely helped.

We definitely had a great time. . . but I'm not sure we'd return to DL/CA anytime soon. It's just my wife and I, and we actually experienced everything the two parks had to offer in two-and-a-half days. We've spent a number of weeks -- over the years -- at WDW, and there's still a lot we haven't seen/experienced. (Although I was surprised at how different the attractions are from WDW; definitely made it more interesting than I expected.)

I realize this post is kind of all over the map. Just wanted to post *something* while the trip was fresh in my mind.

Bob

http://bittnersonthemove.shutterfly.com/pictures/55

 

[ONealFamily]

My family and I are California natives and Disneyland is our home away from home. I am glad you enjoyed your stay.

I have only been to WDW once about 15 years ago and we look forward to our trip we are planning two years from now.

I have no doubt though that after going to WDW again, our first love will still be Disneyland.

I think it's great how, no matter the differences in the resorts, we each have our own one that we prefer because it's what we like to call home.

Now, if my wife will let me buy some resale VGC points...we will be set for life.

 

[bumbershoot]

Glad you liked PPH. It's our absolute favorite of all three resorts, and we've stayed at each.


"It's just my wife and I, and we actually experienced everything the two parks had to offer in two-and-a-half days."

Mystifying. I've been there something like 30 total days as an adult (some trips as a family, some solo trips), and we STILL have not done or seen everything there is to do. We (family of 3) were there 5 days last month and didn't even get our to-do list done.

I don't know how people do that.

And even if they do, what about repeats? We LOVE repeats!

 

[RMBittner]

Maybe I should have clarified that we did everything we wanted to do in two and half days. Rode all of the rides that interested us, saw all the shows, visited all the shops, and saw fireworks (three nights), World of Color, and the Fantasmic! presentation. And we saw the "Aladdin" show twice! (It's a great show -- and it's worth repeat visits just to hear all of the Genie's ever-changing ad-libs!)

Maybe we're just spoiled by WDW, where our favorite parks are Animal Kingdom and Epcot (and almost nothing at DL is similar to those).

That said, don't get me wrong: We thoroughly enjoyed our visit! But being child-free Michiganders, I'm not sure I can see us going back to DL just on our own. (We'd actually try DL Paris before heading back to DL Anaheim.)

Bob

 

[mdsd8700]

Love, love. DLR. We first visited in 2003 and fell in love. Pefer the WDW resort but DL Park has a special vibe that can't be beat! We switch off between the two resorts because we love DLR and CA

 

[RMBittner]

Forgot to add that we saw the "Blue Sky" preview of the new Cars Land at DL, which is scheduled to open this summer.

Even though "Cars" is one of only two Pixar movies (along with "Wall-E") that I didn't like -- and I *love* all of the others -- this new addition to California Adventure looks like it'll be a LOT of fun. Might pull us back to DL in a year or two...

Bob

 

[mickeymom629]

Glad you had a good time! We are looking forward to our first time there in 2 weeks! I think we are going to feel like you as far as comparison to WDW and doing all we want to do. DS 22 lives in CA now and has been to DL and CA and, though he enjoyed it and looks forward to showing us around, he feels like you.

I hope we get to see all the shows and fireworks like you did - it will be spring break when we are there.

It's all good and Disney!!