My Recent Trip

[MacMama0930]

Just got back from a weekend at Disneyland with my friend. A few highlights/lowlights:

First time staying at Paradise Pier. We had a standard room booked but when we checked in, they upgraded us to a 1 bedroom suite on the 15th floor. What a great, unexpected surprise! Kind of wish that sort of thing would happen when I was with my kids and could use that extra space! But nonetheless, it was really nice and very appreciated!

With that said, I wouldn't stay there again. It was just too long of a walk than I prefer. Once you've experienced the convenience of the Grand, it's hard to go back.

I had booked the DLH on our last night with the AP special that gives you fast passes and a dining voucher. When we went to check in, I inquired about the special and the CM was rather snippy and said there was no such special going on. Luckily I had screen shotted the offer on my phone and showed her. Annoyed, she agreed to give us the FPs and dining voucher, but acted like she was doing me a favor. It was clearly being offered and a reason why I booked it!

Speaking of Fast Passes - Max Pass was AWESOME! We used it on Saturday and just went from ride to ride to ride. I will definitely continue to use that service. And Guardians - OMG! Beyond amazing. Loved it, loved it, loved it!! Was able to ride it 8 times during our trip!! So amazing. So fun!

Our last night, I went to go use our hotel Fast Passes at Guardians only to discover that it's excluded. Ok, I get it. It's new, so I could totally see that. But then I tried to use it again at Screamin' only to be told they've been instructed to no longer accept those! What?! I practically had to beg for them at the hotel and then was embarrassingly turned away from rides! Oh, and I couldn't find a place that took the dining voucher! Even though the fine print clearly stated what it could and could not be used at, every place I tried said no...So basically my AP hotel perks were all duds.

When we went back to hotel, I spoke to the front desk about it they were very apologetic and said there was definitely miscommunication. They offered to put two FPs on our tickets but we weren't returning to the park, so that was disappointing Be prepared for some confusion if you booked an AP special...

All in all...great trip! Low crowds on Saturday! It was hot but manageable with afternoon breaks. Loved Max Pass, loved Guardians, loved the Rivers of America being open!

 

[PHXscuba]

That's disappointing on the AP dining voucher and Fastpasses. I am calling after work to be sure they have that as my rate/package and I'm going to make sure they note that I have those added benefits. As for using the vouchers/Fastpasses, I will be sure to try those out earlier in our trip to be sure they are honored or credited.

Thanks for the writeup.

PHXscuba

 

[chickapin parterre]

thank you for writing, what did you like about ROA?

 

[minnieralyks]

Well that stinks about the dining voucher and FPs. I would be really frustrated! Too bad they couldn't have given you a voucher for next time. I'm glad you had a mostly enjoyable trip, though.

We really prefer the hotels across the street because of the short walk compared to the onsite hotels. With the Grand it's close, but it just isn't worth the $$$ for what you get (IMO).

Definitely going to be checking out MaxPass when we go!! Sounds so easy and convenient!

 

[Sun_soakin]

I used those same AP reservation perks back in the spring w/ zero issues...that's so strange that you had issues.

 

[MacMama0930]

I used those same AP reservation perks back in the spring w/ zero issues...that's so strange that you had issues.

It's because they don't accept "paper fast passes" now with the roll our of max pass and digital fast passes. It's all linked to your park ticket. I think if they continue to offer the fast passes for AP rates they'll have to add them to your park tickets at check in or something? But not everyone has their tickets then...not sure how it'll work.

 

[MacMama0930]

thank you for writing, what did you like about ROA?

I had never experienced it. So everything was new and different for me. We did the canoes and it was a fun (although hot and sweaty) experience.

 

[gsrieff]

Besides the longer walk, were there any other reasons why you wouldn't stay at PPH again? I just booked it for our first onsite stay so I don't have DLH or GCH to compare it against. We have stayed at HOJO, and I've read that is a comparable walk. HOJO was too much for me years ago, but I'm in better shape now. We are weighing it with DLH. The standard room there is more expensive than the premium view at PPH that we booked.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Thanks for the heads up. We arrive at the GCH on Wed and have it booked under the AP special. What is said about them being paper FP makes sense but is that something they can remedy at the front desk (like add them to our AP) or guest services? And do they get added as "any attraction and time" or do we have to specify?

It doesn't make sense that there were problems with the dining voucher. Did you eventually get somebody to take it?

I'll report back with any info I get on our trip.

 

[Malcon10t]

Besides the longer walk, were there any other reasons why you wouldn't stay at PPH again? I just booked it for our first onsite stay so I don't have DLH or GCH to compare it against. We have stayed at HOJO, and I've read that is a comparable walk. HOJO was too much for me years ago, but I'm in better shape now. We are weighing it with DLH. The standard room there is more expensive than the premium view at PPH that we booked.

We just got back from a weekend at PPH. We enjoyed it. I like the larger rooms. We avoid the GCH because the rooms are so small in comparison. Our go to is the DLH, but we are experimenting with the PPH just as a change up. My nephews love the PPH the best of the 3.

When we aren't at DLH or PPH, we will stay at either Candy Cane Inn, Residence Inn or Hilton. Just for ideas on our room type preferences.

 

[Sun_soakin]

It's because they don't accept "paper fast passes" now with the roll our of max pass and digital fast passes. It's all linked to your park ticket. I think if they continue to offer the fast passes for AP rates they'll have to add them to your park tickets at check in or something? But not everyone has their tickets then...not sure how it'll work.

Yeah, that makes sense...I forgot about them being paper. We've also been given FPs electronically, but you have to use them the day they load them for you.

 

[MacMama0930]

Besides the longer walk, were there any other reasons why you wouldn't stay at PPH again? I just booked it for our first onsite stay so I don't have DLH or GCH to compare it against. We have stayed at HOJO, and I've read that is a comparable walk. HOJO was too much for me years ago, but I'm in better shape now. We are weighing it with DLH. The standard room there is more expensive than the premium view at PPH that we booked.

No, not really anything besides the distance. I think the views can be amazing from the PPH (although we were upgraded to a suite, it faced the parking lot, so I haven't experienced the good views, but I've seen pictures.). The room was big. Definitely felt more spacious than the GCH. It just doesn't have the same resort feel/experience as the DLH or the GCH. There were no grounds to speak of, the pool area was weak in comparison. But I still think it's a good option in terms of staying onsite, especially for the early entrance. I've always used it.

 

[MacMama0930]

Besides the longer walk, were there any other reasons why you wouldn't stay at PPH again? I just booked it for our first onsite stay so I don't have DLH or GCH to compare it against. We have stayed at HOJO, and I've read that is a comparable walk. HOJO was too much for me years ago, but I'm in better shape now. We are weighing it with DLH. The standard room there is more expensive than the premium view at PPH that we booked.

I should also add that I've been fortunate enough to stay at the GCH the last 3 times I went, so that was (whether subconsciously or consciously) what I was comparing it to. When I got soaked on Grizzly, I remembered fondly just popping into my hotel, to change real quick. But "popping back" to the PPH or even DLH for that matter just isnt easy. If the monorail is working and you're going into DL both DLH and PPH aren't too bad of a trek, either.