Just got back...

[FlameGirl]

...and we are already planning our next trip.

When I met my husband, he swore to me up and down that he could never be converted into a Disneyland fan. Well, things have changed. We were already discussing our next trip to see the mouse before we'd even left the tarmac.

We stayed at PPH and loved it, however, they really do need to do something about the elevator situation. When the parks close, the line for the slow and small elevators wraps around the lobby. We said to heck with it and took the stairs up to our room on the 9th floor. We are fortunate enough to not have kids that require a stroller. Those poor families that do? Are stuck waiting forever. And then, to make things worse, just one double sized stroller takes up a significant portion of the precious elevator space. The hotel really should implement some type of first floor stroller check system, to help decongest things at park opening / closing.

Rant aside, we were really happy with the room. The hotel was kind enough to let us check in at 9:30 AM, and I thought I'd ask if an upgrade was available and they did not disappoint...they put us in a double queen park view room at no extra charge. Not bad, considering I paid the $100 / night rate that was running on Expedia a while back.

I think we've decided that our next trip, we will stay off property...I'm looking at the Residence Inn Maingate. If anyone has any experience with this place, I'd love to hear it. The PPH was great, but we got really tired of not being able to cook meals for ourselves, and a kitchen in our room would really be ideal for our family. Also, we are planning on driving down the coast next time, and packing along our great dane and utilizing either the Disneyland kennel, or finding a good doggie daycare close by. I'd also love to hear everyone's experiences with either of these two options.

Anyway...you know it's been a successful Disney vacation when the little one is actually brought to tears after the last ride on the last night. Talk about bittersweet...

 

[FlameGirl]

Oh, one more thing.

One of the lifeguards at the PPH pool showed us a pretty neat shortcut...you go out the back doors and through the PPH parking lot toward the right hand side of the AMC Theater, which spits you out at the Lego store in DTD. From there, we hopped on the monorail which is of course, directly across from Lego. This turned out to be probably less that 1/4 of the walk via the lobby at GCH. For times when we weren't in a hurry to get to the park, or if we wanted to make a quick pit stop back at the room, this was a godsend.

 

[HydroGuy]

When I met my husband, he swore to me up and down that he could never be converted into a Disneyland fan. Well, things have changed. We were already discussing our next trip to see the mouse before we'd even left the tarmac.

He sounds like a keeper.

We stayed at PPH and loved it, however, they really do need to do something about the elevator situation. When the parks close, the line for the slow and small elevators wraps around the lobby. We said to heck with it and took the stairs up to our room on the 9th floor. We are fortunate enough to not have kids that require a stroller. Those poor families that do? Are stuck waiting forever.

Are you sure you did not get PPH mixed up with the Hollywood Tower Hotel? I have experienced severe elevator problems there myself.

 

[FlameGirl]

 

[Eeee-va]

That trick's pretty cool, and thanks for the tip about the elevators too! I haven't stayed on-site in years but the PPH is the closest to being in my price range, so maybe someday!

 

[LavenderPeach]

Sounds like you had a great trip!

I don't have any personal experience with the disneyland kennel but from what I've read, they don't do anything with your dog. It just stays there and you have to come back to play with it, feed it, etc. You might want to post a separate thread about the kennels if you want more info. I'm sure there are some disers with experience there but they just didn't see your question.

Have fun planning your next trip!

 

[FlameGirl]

That's a good point - thank you.

I have read that they don't handle the dogs, so we were definitely thinking of keeping her there during the day but then making several trips back every day to walk her.

Thanks!