Loved Paradise Pier!

[Ladyhawke10]

We just returned and were happily surprised with how nice our room and amenities were at Paradise Pier. I had stayed at both the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian previously and was prepared for something much less, but I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the hotel was and with its location to Disneyland and C. Adventure. While it does not compare to the luxury of the Grand Californian, I would put it second in my book for accomodations (ahead of the Disneyland Hotel, on the basis of room size--our room was FAR LARGER at Paradise Pier) and first for value. Unlike the other two, I would say the Paradise Pier is really a good value for the price (though we had an AP rate...which makes a difference, of course).

A rundown:

The room was quite large--much larger than our room at the Disneyland Hotel and was very nice--similar to a Sheraton. The sunshine/ beach theme was carried throughout and it felt nicely "Disney". We had a perfect stay: great service, nice guests, fun time in the pool and jacuzzi, enjoyable gift shop and convenient proximity to parks. I liked neighboring the Grand Californian as it was easy to stop there for dining and shopping as needed. We had a wonderful trip and will definitely return.

 

[MamaKate]

I'm glad to hear this!!

We are staying at the Paradise Pier for the first time in July.

I have also stayed at both the Grand Californian & Disneyland hotels several times, but I'm finally giving Paradise Pier a try.

Since they re-did the rooms and have the new slide, the hotel appeals to me alot more than before.

The dining still doesn't appeal to me, but I don't believe this will be a problem since it's not far from DTD or GC.

Thanks!
Katie

 

[Amy&Dan]

It is always nice to hear a good review of Paradise Pier. I often feel it gets kind of a bad rap. I personally don't think the walk from PP or the DLH to the parks is any big deal. I agree the rooms are nice size and we loved the decor. I still like the DLH the best but then again I have only stayed at PP once so after I stay there again in September I may have a new favorite, who knows? I got a $129 rate per night and to me that makes staying onsite a no brainer! Glad you had fun! Funny story, I was hesitant to stay there again and DH couldn't figure it out since we had loved our room, mousekeeping etc. I finally told him it was due to these two very creepy guys that were at the pool one night. He had missed most of this due to being up in the room for awhile. Now he keeps teasing me that they are probably going to be there again this September just waitin for me!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

It is always nice to hear a good review of Paradise Pier. I often feel it gets kind of a bad rap. I personally don't think the walk from PP or the DLH to the parks is any big deal. I agree the rooms are nice size and we loved the decor. I still like the DLH the best but then again I have only stayed at PP once so after I stay there again in September I may have a new favorite, who knows? I got a $129 rate per night and to me that makes staying onsite a no brainer! Glad you had fun! Funny story, I was hesitant to stay there again and DH couldn't figure it out since we had loved our room, mousekeeping etc. I finally told him it was due to these two very creepy guys that were at the pool one night. He had missed most of this due to being up in the room for awhile. Now he keeps teasing me that they are probably going to be there again this September just waitin for me!

Just curious, how big was your room at the Disneyland Hotel? I was just wondering, because once I saw a post saying that the DLH were large, and our room was so small, it was quite seriously the smallest hotel room we've ever had. I'll try my best to describe it-- It featured one queen sized bed only with about a foot and a half of space on either side of the bed--and then it was longer at the foot of the bed--maybe about four feet of space (this area included the TV). We could not lie down the suitcases between the foot of the bed and the TV--they had to stand up. Then there was a very long corridor from the room to the door where the closets were--but this wasn't really room space. Anyway, I know this sounds weird but it was shaped like an "L" and tiny. As a child my family couldn't afford to stay overnight there, so it was kind of my dream and I couldn't believe the letdown once we saw the room. The Paradise Pier rooms looked brand new and were twice the size, at least. Did I get an odd room at the DLH or is this typical? We were on the end in the main building where you check-in. Another disappointment was that we'd booked through Expedia and thought we had a dancing waters view--when we checked-in they said we had a standard view and the waters view was 50$ more. It wasn't really a mistake of the hotel's but of the reservations at Expedia (I'd done them over the phone and it was a glitch in what we received on our email confirmation vs what the hotel said they received) but it was the only time we've ever thought we paid for a certain view and found out our rate was was another category instead. So anyway, maybe someday I might muster another try but with perfect stays at the Grand Californian and Paradise Pier, I can't see the need to. (there were other issues at the DLH, such as very crowded pool that was too cold as well...and a pirate ship that didn't extend into the pool area--it would be so neat to have that ship IN the pool, like the Beach club has at WDW...but instead, it's roped off and a few feet from the pool as an ornament...). Anyway, we were just much happier at the other two properties.

 

[swimrsal]

Nice to hear the rooms are nice at Paradise Pier. We walked through the hotel when we were there in May (we stayed at GCH). I just wanted to mention that the japanese restarant has GREAT sushi. We got it take out and enjoyed it in our room.

-Sally
Disneyland May 9-13, 2005

 

[daannzzz]

The three towers at the Disneyland Hotel were built at different times so have different layouts. With in each tower (and at most hotels) there are smaller room that are created buy elevators, stairwells and housekeeping closets. These rooms usually have a single King, queen or double. The king room I had at HoJo's was on of these small rooms.
In general the rooms in the Marina Tower are around 340 SQ FT. The rooms in the Sierra Tower and Bonita Tower are over 400 Sq Ft but just as there are some large suites mixed in, there are some of these smaller rooms as well.
At the PPH they have similar issues. I had a standard room on the 13th floor with an awesoime view of DCA. My brother and his friends had booked a regular room as well but they were assigined this cool room next the the atrium that had an angled wall which the beds were against. This made a large open space in the room. There were also extra windows on the wall overlooking the atrium. There was also with storage behind the wall the beds were against. I thought this rooms was awesome. We paid the same price.
At the DLH if you want a large room request a room with two queens and a daybed in the Sierra or Bonita Tower. At PPH I don't know what they call these rooms next to the tower atrium but it was cool.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Just curious, how big was your room at the Disneyland Hotel? I was just wondering, because once I saw a post saying that the DLH were large, and our room was so small, it was quite seriously the smallest hotel room we've ever had. I'll try my best to describe it-- It featured one queen sized bed only with about a foot and a half of space on either side of the bed--and then it was longer at the foot of the bed--maybe about four feet of space (this area included the TV). We could not lie down the suitcases between the foot of the bed and the TV--they had to stand up. Then there was a very long corridor from the room to the door where the closets were--but this wasn't really room space. Anyway, I know this sounds weird but it was shaped like an "L" and tiny. As a child my family couldn't afford to stay overnight there, so it was kind of my dream and I couldn't believe the letdown once we saw the room. The Paradise Pier rooms looked brand new and were twice the size, at least. Did I get an odd room at the DLH or is this typical? We were on the end in the main building where you check-in. Another disappointment was that we'd booked through Expedia and thought we had a dancing waters view--when we checked-in they said we had a standard view and the waters view was 50$ more. It wasn't really a mistake of the hotel's but of the reservations at Expedia (I'd done them over the phone and it was a glitch in what we received on our email confirmation vs what the hotel said they received) but it was the only time we've ever thought we paid for a certain view and found out our rate was was another category instead. So anyway, maybe someday I might muster another try but with perfect stays at the Grand Californian and Paradise Pier, I can't see the need to. (there were other issues at the DLH, such as very crowded pool that was too cold as well...and a pirate ship that didn't extend into the pool area--it would be so neat to have that ship IN the pool, like the Beach club has at WDW...but instead, it's roped off and a few feet from the pool as an ornament...). Anyway, we were just much happier at the other two properties.

I have stayed at the DLH 5 times and NEVER had a lousy room like that! I am so sorry that happened to you. I think that must be a rarity. Normally we have a room with two queen beds and a daybed, desk, table and chairs. If we don't get a daybed then we request a rollaway and are able to leave it up the whole time without moving anything but one of the table's chairs. One time however DH and I went alone and we had a King sized bed that sounded somewhat similar to yours in that it had a long corridor by a closet leading to the door. But it wasn't a small room and we still had a table and chairs and a desk. You must have gotten some strange room constructed out of a small leftover piece of space. I also had problems with the cold pool once but only one time. I agree that the pirate ship would be nice as a prop kids could climb on or something but we still love that pool area. If you ever stay at the DLH again, request two beds even though there are just two of you so you don't get that room again. But hey, if you are happy with PP and GCH, why change and stress about it?

 

[hookedup]

I love PP. We stay there a lot - a good park view room there is great. I have found it to be the best value to stay onsite.
I stayed there many years ago when it was a Pan Pacific Hotel (which are good hotels in Asia/Pacific region). When Disney took it over I was a little disappointed with the theming but it has gotten better and better and with the pool redo it is even better now. When I can book an AP rate at the PP I take it!
My only complaint has ever been their elevators - they need about 4 more of them!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I have stayed at the DLH 5 times and NEVER had a lousy room like that! I am so sorry that happened to you. I think that must be a rarity. Normally we have a room with two queen beds and a daybed, desk, table and chairs. If we don't get a daybed then we request a rollaway and are able to leave it up the whole time without moving anything but one of the table's chairs. QUOTE]

That's a trip! There was no desk, table, chairs, anything like that...just a bed and a TV and a TV table underneath it. I hope if that is the only room in the hotel like it that they stop renting it out Oh my gosh...well, with that in mind maybe I'll try it again someday and be sure and request two beds so we get the regular deal. I still would like to experience that whole childhood dream of mine of staying at the DLH, albeit in a regular sized room I could just pretend our first stay was a practice run
Thanks so much for the info! Again, I am so surprised to find out all the other rooms are normal.... Maybe it's good I posted this so others know to request a room w/ furniture and two beds.

 

[crazymomof 4]

Thanks for the info.! We are staying there with a park view for the First time in December. I am very excited especially because DLH was such a let down!