My impression of Disneyland Paradise Pier Hotel

[teri]

We chose this hotel because I got a good rate, $150 per night compared to over $220 at the others. We have stayed there 4 times now, and this will be our last time. It is a perfectly nice hotel, easy wlking distance from the Disneyland Hotel, DD, GC, and with its own walkway to DCA. It is clean, front desk service is Very Good to Excellent. Guest Services is Good, with some glitches. We didn't go to the restaurant this time - it was not crowded we have been there before, we just had people to see and places to go, the PCH Grill is perfectly wonderful for families. The pool is a rooftop scene, and it pales in comparison to the pools at Disneyland Hotel.

The room was comfortable, clean, pretty. It sleeps 5 - 2 queen beds and a chair-and-1/2 with a single pull-out bed that is perfect for kids or a small adult. The bathroom is about the size of a moderate at WDW with a single sink, showing wear. Each room has a mini-fridge, no honor bar (thank you!) and remote TV. Now, for the bad news: the single-pane windows are drafty and cold, and the music at the Paradise Pier section of DCA is about 3 notches too high in volume at the park (when you go, you will agree, it is too loud) and it echoes up the walls of the hotel from about 6AM to about 1AM. Why 6AM when the park doesn't open until 8? If you are bothered by this then ask for a room in back, with a lovely parking lot view. I happened to LOVE THE VIEW!!!!!!!! and we were thrilled to have the park outside our window at night, glowing with spectacular neon colors and stobe sparkles... the sounds of the people screaming on the turns on the rollercoasters ... it was really a beautiful scene. It was kind of like being in a room with somebody playing Rollercoaster Tycoon. Great fun... but you can't turn it off. I wouldn't have missed it.

It seems that they are trying to cater to the convention and more adult crowd at this hotel - that is just my impression, I may be wrong. Their child care services are a joke, a very bad joke, they are nothing but a piece of paper. Next time we will go to one of the other on-site hotels. If you want a place that is calmer, less expensive, less busy and onsite, this is a fine place to stay. You also get the resort guest benefits, such as the ability to buy park hopper passes that are not otherwise available. It is a nice place, that was just our last time

"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.co

 

[rmoss]

Thanks for the info. I booked a room last week (first time without children) for $159.00 after finding out the off site hotels were going for $129.00. We decided it was worth the extra $30.00 to take advantage of the early entry and the Disney magic we have felt when we staying on site at WDW. I assume (this being our first trip to California) the atmosphere will be very close to WDW.

 

[BertChimneySweep]

Sorry rmoss, PP is not up to WDW Magic standards IMHO. It's pretty much Holiday Inn with Mickey soap. I do agree that if you don't mind the sound leakage however, the Park view is quite fun. But while it is a well run hotel, it is not themed, has a generic pool, and generally does not exude that much magic. Now that having been said, if you were with kids, there is a nice Minnie hosted character breakfast, and the very best character experience in all the Disney Empire: Practically Perfect Tea with my dear friend Mary Poppins. (though I'm not sure there are many boys who would appreciate this extremely feminine event. But with my DD, I loved it!)
Have a great time no matter what!

"Oh, It's a jolly holiday with Disney
Disney makes your heart so light!"<BR

Disneyland '70, '73, '78, '81, '87, '97, Paradise Pier/DCA 1/01
CBR 2/98, PO 2/00, AS Movies 4/01!!

 

[teri]

Ahem, Bert, my family has been in the Holiday Inn business for 38 years, watch what you say.

I have stayed at all the moderates at WDW and 3 deluxes, and I would say this hotel is in between WDW moderate and WDW deluxe for the room, and behind any WDW onsite for the theming. It's other major advantage over the Harbor Ave hotels (I have stayed over there as well) is that it is a very short walk to Disneyland hotel -- about like walking from one of the far buildings at Dixie Landings to the food court, that much of a walk -- where there are many fun things to do. It is close enough to the DD, monorail station, GC and DCA to make its location superior over any of the offsite choices.

"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com

 

[BertChimneySweep]

Actually I meant the HI comparison favorably. PP IS an excellent hotel, just pales on the theming front.
I think there are several hotels on Harbour that have fairly equivelant distance advantages. But they obviously have none of the on-site perks.

My DW was a hostess at the Boulder, CO HI in the 70's. She had to wear the REDDEST gown I have ever seen. Ewwww! But obviously someone thought it was lovely, as it was stolen at a laundromat.

"Oh, It's a jolly holiday with Disney
Disney makes your heart so light!"<BR

Disneyland '70, '73, '78, '81, '87, '97, Paradise Pier/DCA 1/01
CBR 2/98, PO 2/00, AS Movies 4/01!!

 

[rmoss]

Teri & Bert: After reading these sites I am aware the park and area will not be as open as WDW. I imagine you can loose a little magic with the tighter space. We're going with the pretence it's Disney, but just a little less than WDW, maybe 10% less. I have read about attractions that are at DL/CA and not at WDW. Who knows, maybe our children will force us to go back next year. Isn't it suprising how much control they really have over us. ha ha ha ha

 

[teri]

Well, rmoss, it is definitely an urban setting. None of the greenbelt that you remember from Orlando, lots of traffic, lots of locals, bus loads of day trippers. HOWEVER.... Disneyland Park is far superior to Magic Kingdom at WDW in just about everything except the size of the castle, and perhaps just a bit less of the positive attitude and "show" that we experience at WDW. It will stand on its own as a good experience, the attractions and restaurants there are really nice. It isn't like being at the resorts at WDW by any stretch of the imagination - people don't go there to relax and unwind, they go-go-go. The attractions are packed in rather than spread out. You have to go through Downtown Disney to get to Disneyland - it isn't out of the way as it is at WDW. The expereince will be different. It may be better for some people! I think you will enjoy your stay.

Bert... red, very tasteful.

"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com

 

[teri]

bump!

 

[larry_poppins]

I like the theming at the Paradise Pier Hotel.
It used to be very bland, but now the exterior has an ocean/sun sort of look that really works when you are in DCA looking at the hotel.
The hotel is full of DCA artwork in the lobby.
The Pacific Coast Grill restaurant in the hotel is one of my favorites for California cuisine. Try the barbecue ribs! The best anywhere!

 

[ebeth]

If the disneyland hotel and the grand California is sold out would you stay at paradise pier hotel or would you stay at a good neighbor hotel?

 

[teri]

ebeth, I prefer to stay onsite because I have health problems and special needs kids, and we spend more time at the resort than most people do. We prefer the ambiance at the onsite resorts, including Paradise Pier. I have only stayed at one hotel on Harbor Blvd, it was nice enough, But I couldn't just go downstairs and be in the magic, we had to hike across the busy street. So, if money is not a huge factor, I much prefer to stay onsite.

"My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room..."
teri@iluvdisney.com