May vs. Sept & DLH vs. PPH

[AuntieKels]

hi Disers!

My husband and I have 2 debates going on about a possible Disneyland trip. Please offer any feedback you think might be helpful!

1) Should we go in mid May or mid September?

2) Should we stay at Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier? (About a $500 difference)

A little bit about us, we have a 2 year old daughter who is obsessed with Disneyland, Small World and Ariel at DCA. We went to DLR last summer for the 60th with my extended family at DLH but this trip would be just us.

Let me know if you have any questions! Thank you!!

-Kels

 

[Indiana Scott]

Oh my, that's a tough choice! Those are the two times of year we shoot for.
Either time should be pretty light and also are less likely to have closures. The May date may be a little prettier in the parks since you'll start to see all the spring color but you can't go wrong with either time.

 

[kastfan]

We went in September last year and it was too hot. We have been in May as well, and it can be warm then too but the unbearable days are less likely. The crowds are similar in those months. Grad Night season starts in May so you might want to factor that into your decision.

 

[figment_jii]

If you go in mid-September, you'll probably see the start of HalloweenTime in the parks. It means a small amount of decorations (mostly in DL and DTD) and the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay for Haunted Mansion. There may be the Ghost Galaxy overlay for Space Mountain (it's not yet known if that will return this year given the popularity of HyperSpace Mountain).

As others have said, both times can be a lot of fun in DLR. Both months could have great weather or really hot weather (although, I generally think September tends to be hotter on average). The crowds are kind of a mixed bag; the weekends will be busy in both months (but especially after HalloweenTime starts in September) and the weekdays should be less busy (although, there really aren't any times when the parks are empty any more). DLR hosts the Tinkerbell Half Marathon on Mother's Day weekend (5/5-5/8) and the Disneyland Marathon on Labor Day weekend (9/1-9/4), so both of those weekends will be very busy.

 

[thatgrljme]

We were there in 2013 in May during a heatwave and it was awful, but we managed as the heat didn't really get bad until our last day. We stayed at PPH concierge level and it was amazing. My fiancé and I are taking our honeymoon in September this year and I'm scared it will be super hot, but it's been from what I've heard (from friends) rainy and unseasonably cooler with el nino happening this year. Crossing my fingers.

You can't really go wrong with either hotel. PPH is great, DLH is great, it's whatever your preference is.

ETA I did some research on historical temps for Septembers after an el nino year and they looked to all be relatively cooler. Specifically 1998, which I lived there for, and it was much cooler that September after than others have been.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Probably May. We always have the same hotel debate and end up choosing PPH Concierge for a little less than the Disneyland Hotel standard. I have stayed at all three numerous times and I actually prefer the PPH over GCH. DLH has nicer rooms but I spend way too much time trying to find my room and the cost just is not worth it to me. That price difference is a high end dining experience every day of your trip.

 

[sherilaine]

Probably May. We always have the same hotel debate and end up choosing PPH Concierge for a little less than the Disneyland Hotel standard. I have stayed at all three numerous times and I actually prefer the PPH over GCH. DLH has nicer rooms but I spend way too much time trying to find my room and the cost just is not worth it to me. That price difference is a high end dining experience every day of your trip.

I like that spin on it - as it's true - the cost between the two is significant! We were able to save enough staying in the Hojo Kids suites vs. the PPH standard room over 8 nights to more than pay for 4 return flights from Calgary! Sometimes when you put that $ difference into something else, it brings home the reality.

However, I'd also suggest May over September - it can be hot both times sure, but I have read so many comments about how miserable many people have been in September that I plan to avoid that time.

 

[AuntieKels]

@Nevada Jen I don't fully understand staying concierge. What I understand is that you get breakfast, snacks and drinks in a special room somewhere in the hotel that costs you about an extra $100 per night. What was your experience like?

Thank you for your feedback!

 

[Disneyland1084]

hi Disers!

My husband and I have 2 debates going on about a possible Disneyland trip. Please offer any feedback you think might be helpful!

1) Should we go in mid May or mid September?

2) Should we stay at Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier? (About a $500 difference)

A little bit about us, we have a 2 year old daughter who is obsessed with Disneyland, Small World and Ariel at DCA. We went to DLR last summer for the 60th with my extended family at DLH but this trip would be just us.

Let me know if you have any questions! Thank you!!

-Kels

Before my kids started going to school, we would always go in mid to late September. The crowds were there, but not nearly as bad as in the summer. I'm not quite sure how they are in May. As for the hotels, I personally like Disneyland hotel better than Paradise Pier. It's closer to the Monorail, and the pool is better. Paradise Pier was nice, but not great.

 

[lorijohnhill]

We just had the hotel discussion this past weekend. I was saying that I prefer DLH because I love all the Disney touches and the staff can't be beat. My husband said he'd stay PPH Concierge over the other two, hands down. He really enjoyed being able to pop in for snacks and especially the beer and wine in the evening. Now, if only we could get DLH concierge for anywhere near the PPH price, we'd be good to go!

 

[Ndusmama]

PPH: beach themed rooms, technically a closer walk to parks than dlh, easier to find room with 1 tower, cafe downstairs has Mickey waffles for breakfast and other menu items throughout day, tends to be less crowded, 50% chance of room with view for fireworks.
DLH: Love the light up musical head boards, the little Mickey touches every where, best pool of all 3 with the water slides, quieter than other hotels, best gift shop, straight walk to parks no twists or turns.

Concierge level at any of the hotels is okay. Used to be better when you could get bottles of water, still somewhat worth it if you eat breakfast and appetizers at night and only pay for one meal in parks a day. The extra fee does counter the couple hundred you would spend on drinks and food.

Now depending on exactly when in sept you go, September is less crowded but with turn around for Halloween early you may have closures. Halloween usually starts second Friday in September. The week right after Labor Day is a ghost town. Weather is actually not bad. May has grad night that isn't really night anymore so be prepared for those crowds. First week in May isn't bad second week is a bit crowded from the marathon people and grad night people. By third week just don't do it. Weather could be nice in morning with marine layer but afternoons could be hot.

Personally I like September just because it is less crowded and I love looking at the fall decorations and the fall seasonal food. And I tend to go to DLH.

 

[thatgrljme]

The week right after Labor Day is a ghost town. Weather is actually not bad.

This is what I needed to hear! I'm so scared it's going to be broiling hot as we're there the 5th - 10th. I'm excited to catch the last actual day of the 60th, and am crossing all appendages that HM is open at least on the last day we're there.

 

[gottalovepluto]

This is what I needed to hear! I'm so scared it's going to be broiling hot as we're there the 5th - 10th. I'm excited to catch the last actual day of the 60th, and am crossing all appendages that HM is open at least on the last day we're there.

The 5th to 10th of Sept absolutely has the potential to be broiling. I hope for you it isn't but be prepared & keep an eye on the weather because it is a real possibility.

 

[gottalovepluto]

With a 2 yr old in love with many things Disney I'd stay DLH!

 

[kastfan]

How weather "feels" is subjective and everyone's heat tolerance differs. Here are the highs/lows from last September:

High Low Prec
1 sep 2015 82.9 69.1 0.00 - -
2 sep 2015 82.9 69.1 0.00 - -
3 sep 2015 82.0 66.9 0.00 - -
4 sep 2015 82.0 66.0 0.00 - -
5 sep 2015 86.0 62.1 0.00 - -
6 sep 2015 91.9 63.0 0.00 - -
7 sep 2015 99.0 70.0 0.00 - -
8 sep 2015 102.0 73.9 0.00 - -
9 sep 2015 102.0 78.1 0.21 - -
10 sep 2015 100.0 75.9 0.09 - -
11 sep 2015 97.0 77.0 0.00 - -
12 sep 2015 96.1 75.9 0.00 - -
13 sep 2015 93.0 73.9 0.00 - -
14 sep 2015 90.0 70.0 0.01 - -
15 sep 2015 82.0 70.0 1.41 - -
16 sep 2015 80.1 66.9 0.05 - -
17 sep 2015 82.9 64.0 0.00 - -
18 sep 2015 91.0 63.0 0.00 - -
19 sep 2015 91.9 68.0 0.00 - -
20 sep 2015 102.9 70.0 0.00 - -
21 sep 2015 102.0 73.0 0.00 - -
22 sep 2015 88.0 70.0 0.00 - -
23 sep 2015 91.9 66.9 0.00 - -
24 sep 2015 93.9 68.0 0.00 - -
25 sep 2015 96.1 69.1 0.00 - -
26 sep 2015 93.9 70.0 0.00 - -
27 sep 2015 93.0 66.0 0.00 - -
28 sep 2015 91.9 66.9 0.00 - -
29 sep 2015 89.1 63.0 0.00 - -
30 sep 2015 91.9 64.0 0.00 - -

 

[kastfan]

And last May (which appears to have been slightly cooler than normal)...

High Low Prec
1 may 2015 93.0 61.0 0.00 - -
2 may 2015 84.0 59.0 0.00 - -
3 may 2015 82.9 59.0 0.00 - -
4 may 2015 72.0 59.0 0.00 - -
5 may 2015 70.0 57.9 0.00 - -
6 may 2015 70.0 57.0 0.00 - -
7 may 2015 70.0 57.0 0.00 - -
8 may 2015 70.0 51.1 0.55 - -
9 may 2015 70.0 55.9 0.00 - -
10 may 2015 78.1 52.0 0.00 - -
11 may 2015 80.1 57.0 0.00 - -
12 may 2015 79.0 59.0 0.00 - -
13 may 2015 72.0 55.9 0.00 - -
14 may 2015 66.9 55.0 0.32 - -
15 may 2015 70.0 54.0 0.23 - -
16 may 2015 70.0 54.0 0.00 - -
17 may 2015 73.9 55.9 0.00 - -
18 may 2015 71.1 57.0 0.00 - -
19 may 2015 75.0 55.9 0.00 - -
20 may 2015 73.0 57.9 0.00 - -
21 may 2015 71.1 59.0 0.00 - -
22 may 2015 70.0 57.9 0.00 - -
23 may 2015 73.0 59.0 0.00 - -
24 may 2015 72.0 59.0 0.00 - -
25 may 2015 71.1 55.9 0.00 - -
26 may 2015 75.0 59.0 0.00 - -
27 may 2015 75.9 59.0 0.00 - -
28 may 2015 79.0 57.9 0.00 - -
29 may 2015 81.0 59.0 0.00 - -
30 may 2015 81.0 59.0 0.00 - -
31 may 2015 81.0 59.0 0.00 - -

 

[thatgrljme]

The 5th to 10th of Sept absolutely has the potential to be broiling. I hope for you it isn't but be prepared & keep an eye on the weather because it is a real possibility.

I'm coming from Texas...it cannot be worse than here lol and I was there in May 2013 when they had a heatwave on Mothers Day weekend.

Also, I researched the temps for the last significant El Nino which was in 1998, and the September during and after that event were cooler than normal, so I'm hoping history repeats itself.

 

[Metalliman98]

hi Disers!

My husband and I have 2 debates going on about a possible Disneyland trip. Please offer any feedback you think might be helpful!

1) Should we go in mid May or mid September?

2) Should we stay at Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier? (About a $500 difference)

A little bit about us, we have a 2 year old daughter who is obsessed with Disneyland, Small World and Ariel at DCA. We went to DLR last summer for the 60th with my extended family at DLH but this trip would be just us.

Let me know if you have any questions! Thank you!!

-Kels

On the hotels I would most definitely go for DLH over PPH for one reason and one reason only: the elevators.

Now that probably sounds like a really weird thing to base a decision on, but hear me out.

We have stayed at the PPH twice, both times on a mid-range floor, like 7-10 level. Both times, when heading down for EMH or regular opening, we would go to the one bank of elevators (3 regular plus a 4th glass elevator) and push the call button. And wait for an elevator. And wait for an elevator. And wait. And wait. And wait. And then, finally, the elevator would arrive.......and it would be jam packed, no room for me or my wife, let alone our 3 year old and his stroller. So we waited. And waited some more. And if we were lucky, the second elevator that stopped on our floor had enough room for us to squeeze on. But sometimes it took a 3rd......or 4th......before we could get on. So 15 minutes after arriving at the elevator, we finally made it to the lobby.

This happened almost every morning of both our stays. Occasionally it would happen in the afternoon/evening as well. We tried to find a staircase to avoid the long wait (and there must be one for fire regulations, somewhere) but we had no luck locating it and so were forced to wait.

After the second stay, we said never again to PPH, solely because of the elevators.

We've stayed once at DLH. Great experience, better theming, a little farther from the parks and costs more, but.......the elevators arrive quickly and always have room.

Go DLH, you won't regret it.

 

[Ndusmama]

On the hotels I would most definitely go for DLH over PPH for one reason and one reason only: the elevators.

Now that probably sounds like a really weird thing to base a decision on, but hear me out.

We have stayed at the PPH twice, both times on a mid-range floor, like 7-10 level. Both times, when heading down for EMH or regular opening, we would go to the one bank of elevators (3 regular plus a 4th glass elevator) and push the call button. And wait for an elevator. And wait for an elevator. And wait. And wait. And wait. And then, finally, the elevator would arrive.......and it would be jam packed, no room for me or my wife, let alone our 3 year old and his stroller. So we waited. And waited some more. And if we were lucky, the second elevator that stopped on our floor had enough room for us to squeeze on. But sometimes it took a 3rd......or 4th......before we could get on. So 15 minutes after arriving at the elevator, we finally made it to the lobby.

This happened almost every morning of both our stays. Occasionally it would happen in the afternoon/evening as well. We tried to find a staircase to avoid the long wait (and there must be one for fire regulations, somewhere) but we had no luck locating it and so were forced to wait.

After the second stay, we said never again to PPH, solely because of the elevators.

We've stayed once at DLH. Great experience, better theming, a little farther from the parks and costs more, but.......the elevators arrive quickly and always have room.

Go DLH, you won't regret it.

Oh my gosh this made me laugh. I can say that those elevators are where I learned the trick of what goes up must go down when you wait more than five minutes or two elevators.

 

[AuntieKels]

On the hotels I would most definitely go for DLH over PPH for one reason and one reason only: the elevators.

Now that probably sounds like a really weird thing to base a decision on, but hear me out.

We have stayed at the PPH twice, both times on a mid-range floor, like 7-10 level. Both times, when heading down for EMH or regular opening, we would go to the one bank of elevators (3 regular plus a 4th glass elevator) and push the call button. And wait for an elevator. And wait for an elevator. And wait. And wait. And wait. And then, finally, the elevator would arrive.......and it would be jam packed, no room for me or my wife, let alone our 3 year old and his stroller. So we waited. And waited some more. And if we were lucky, the second elevator that stopped on our floor had enough room for us to squeeze on. But sometimes it took a 3rd......or 4th......before we could get on. So 15 minutes after arriving at the elevator, we finally made it to the lobby.

This happened almost every morning of both our stays. Occasionally it would happen in the afternoon/evening as well. We tried to find a staircase to avoid the long wait (and there must be one for fire regulations, somewhere) but we had no luck locating it and so were forced to wait.

After the second stay, we said never again to PPH, solely because of the elevators.

We've stayed once at DLH. Great experience, better theming, a little farther from the parks and costs more, but.......the elevators arrive quickly and always have room.

Go DLH, you won't regret it.

Oh my, that reminds me of the elevators at work! And I don't want to be thinking about that on my vacation!