Paradise Pier or Good Neighbor Hotel

[tttdizcrazy]

This will be our first time to DL. After six trips to WDW we thought we would try something new. We are looking at going around Dec. 10th. I am having trouble deciding where to stay. At WDW we like the Wilderness Lodge. We are trying to go more economical this trip. Please give me your suggestions.

 

[daannzzz]

The Paradise Pier is a nice place to stay. Many people really like it but I thought it was just okay. If you get a theme park view room it can be a spectacualr view but the hotel is just a bit bland and is priced at a place where if I am going to go inexpensive there are many Good Neigbor hotels that are a great value and you save money. If I am going to bumb up my budget and spend extra money for the room I want something really special and will go to the Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian. Paradise Pier is more like the Contemporary in that it is a moderns tower hotel ( so is the Disneyland Hotel but it has extensive grounds) but on a very small peice of propery. There are virtually no gorunds to the place. The pool is on the roof amidst a sea of cement overlooking the parking garage and parking lots. The lobby / check in area is small and uninteresting. The public areas are pretty bland as well. The room is nice size and nicely decorated in a modern Mickey style. There are no trams from this hotel to the parks.
Many of the Good neighbor motels are a closer walk. My Favorites are The Howard Johnson Plaza or the Candy Cane Inn. Both are nice places to stay with about a 7 minute walk to the parks. The closest of all is the Best Western Park Place Inn which I will be trying for the first tim the first week od December.

 

[Uncle Buck]

If you've stayed onsite at WDW, the Disneyland Resort hotels will in all likelihood be a letdown. Most Good Neighbor hotels got refreshed extensively in the last few years to coincide with the re-delvelopment of the Anaheim Resort.

That being said, being a Good Neighbor hotels is not necessarily a quality endorsement by Disney, but rather an agreement to link reservations and build packages. Your best bet in evaluating off-site accomodations is to check independent reviews and ask questions here.

Recently, we've stayed at Westcoast Anaheim, Hyatt Regency Orange County, Holiday Inn La Mirada, and Radisson Resort Knott's Berry Farm. Radisson Knott's tops that list and the Westcoast was at the bottom (only for a poorly executed fire drill). Holiday Inn La Mirada was a steal at $27/night on Priceline.

 

[daannzzz]

Here are a couple of links to maps of the accomodations around Disneyland. It may help you choose.

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/dlmp.html

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

 

[dsnylndmom]

The Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian Hotel are both wonderful. Paradise Pier is nice but not as much so as the other two. If you are really trying to be economical I would go with a good neighbor hotel. If you have AAA you can always try calling and seeing what kind of discount you can get for a resort hotel through them.

I stayed at the Best Wester Park Place Inn, this past April and it was a very pleasant stay. We got a mini suite with two q's sofabed, microwave and frig. There was a comp. continental breakfast or strawberry pancakes included. It is the closest non-resort hotel.

The Candy Cane and Hojo's always get good review, but are a bit more of a walk. I haven't stayed at the Candy Cane since I was a kid but I'm staying at Hojo's next week.

I've also hear good things about the Park Inn International.

I've heard many mixed reports about the Fairfield, Tropicana and Carousal. I will not ever stay at the Fairfield again it was a horrible stay and the Carousal, when I stay there was just okay. I haven't stayed at the Tropicana, but I know right now they are doing extensive remodeling.

Desert Inn & Suites, not to be confused with Desert Palm, is very basic but was fine when I stayed there.

If you don't mind a shuttle ride I've stayed at Embassy Suites Garden Grove and Hilton Inn & Suites and Sheraton Anaheim and all were wonderful. The Embassy was the most recent stay and it was a very quick shuttle ride(5 min.)had cooked to order breakfasts and a manager's reception. The shuttles are full size buses. And of course the rooms are large and spacious.

We stayed at Best Value Inn & Suites in July and the rooms are very large and spacious but's a drive(10 min.)and just okay. I would suggest it for a large party without kids but I prefer places on Harbor.

Hotels to stay away from are:
Del Sol
Park Vue(may reports of roaches at both)
Castle Inn & Suites(moldy rooms with alot of things breaking when I stayed there)
Saga Inn(moldy rooms and wet carpets, soaking wet)

HTH

Tina

 

[disneycruising]

We are going to DL in Sept.( We haven't been in about 4 yrs. )

We have been to WDW 6 times in the past 2 years.

I think it is harder to get a good deal at DL. There is just not as many choices as in Florida.

We booked our room (for Sept.) using priceline and got a GREAT price on a room at the Hyatt for $39.00 a night.

Now we are working on the rental car!(priceline,too)

-Cindy

 

[jordanyosh]

Since it is your first time to the DLR, for that reason only, I would stay at a Disney hotel. This would give you the full DLR experience. PPH gives you your own entrance to DCA and is just a short walk away from DTD.

 

[lizmc]

we just came back and stayed at the Sheraton Anaheim , the price was great , the rooms big and the shuttle was always on time. Spent 1 night at Paradise Pier , waiting for the elevator alone can take as much time as taking a shuttle from a good neighbor hotel!! I would save the money and book through AAA or disney at a good neighbor hotel. The Grand Californian and th edisneyland hotel are both great , but PP just doesn't cut it for us.

 

[Gottaluvthemouse]

Here is a complete list of the Good Neighbor Hotel/Motels and their distance to DLR.

Economy:
Tropicana Inn & Suites
Distance to Disneyland Resort: across the street
Red Roof Inn Anaheim - Maingate
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 0.5 miles
Ramada Inn Maingate
Distance to Disneyland Resort: across the street
Jolly Roger Hotel
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks
Best Western Stovall's Inn
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks
Best Western Pavilions
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks
Anaheim Ramada
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 miles
Anaheim International Inn Travelodge
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 0.5 miles

Moderate:

WestCoast Anaheim Hotel
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks
Sheraton Anaheim Hotel
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 0.5 miles
Radisson Hotel Maingate
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks
Quality Hotel Maingate
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks
Portofino Inn & Suites
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks
Park Inn Anaheim
Distance to Disneyland Resort: across the street
Howard Johnson Hotel
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 block
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 0.5 miles
Holiday Inn Anaheim Resort Area
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 mile
Holiday Inn Anaheim at the Park
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 0.5 miles
Hilton Garden Inn
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 mile
Hampton Inn & Suites
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 mile
Courtyard by Marriott Buena Park
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 6.5 miles
Carousel Inn & Suites
Distance to Disneyland Resort: across the street
Candy Cane Inn
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 block
Best Western Park Place Inn
Distance to Disneyland Resort: across the street
Best Western Anaheim Inn
Distance to Disneyland Resort: across the street
Anaheim Fairfield Inn by Marriott
Distance to Disneyland Resort: across the street
Anabella Hotel
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks

Superior:

Hyatt Regency Orange County
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 mile
Hilton Anaheim
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks
Doubletree Hotel
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2.5 miles
Crowne Plaza Resort Hotel
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 mile
Anaheim Marriott Hotel
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 blocks

Suites:

Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 mile
Residence Inn by Marriott - Orange
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2.5 miles
Residence Inn by Marriott - Anaheim
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 0.5 miles
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 mile
Hilton Suites Anaheim/Orange
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 2 miles
Hawthorn Suites Orange
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 3 miles
Hawthorn Suites Ltd., Anaheim
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 0.5 miles
Embassy Suites Buena Park
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 6 miles
Embassy Suites Anaheim South
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 mile
Embassy Suites Hotel Anaheim
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 6 miles
Marriott Suites Garden Grove
Distance to Disneyland Resort: 1 mile

 

[year2late]

We frequently do 3 star Disneyland Area Priceline and we have never been let dowm. We mostly get the Hyatt Regency Alicante in the $39 range.

 

[lulubelle]

Wow, Gottaluvthemouse, what an extensive list!
I always recommend the onsite hotels first as they add so much to the whole DL/DCA/DTD experience. The GC is best for adults, the DLH is unbeatable for families and PP is a nice alternative for those wanting a park (DCA) view for a reasonable price. Have a wonderful trip, wherever you choose to stay

 

[Zimbubba]

We really loke the Fairfield Inn. Just stayed there a few weeks ago. The room was refurbished and great. A good value too! The staff is always frendly and excellent. A five minute walk, and you are at the gates. Book online for the best rates is what we have found.

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

http://www.candycaneinn.net/cci_website_final/intro.html

I have been going thru the same thing wondering where to stay on our trip to DL next june and to me this looks pretty nice.

 

[hookedup]

I really like the Anaheim Sheraton but it is not an easy walk like the Candy Cane or Hojos. I found their bus service to be okay when we've stayed there.

I like the Paradise Pier and would choose it over any offsite property if you can get a good rate. The biggest knock I have on PP is their elevators - they are bad news!

Also get a rennovation update from the PP before you book it - I had a CM tell me a couple of month ago that they were starting MAJOR rennovations there in Sept. including pool and rooms and more!

 

[Grog]

The biggest knock I have on PP is their elevators - they are bad news!

One thing I found that helped was having a room on an upper floor (we were on 13). Having a room high up almost guaranteed us that the elevator would be near empty for the trip down. I saw so many people on the middle floors get frustrated when the doors opened and there wasn't any room left to squeeze them in. Going up from the ground floor seemed to be a problem mainly during the times right after the parks closed, or around lunch time, when families with younger children would be coming back from the parks either to take a mid-day break or to call it a day. We plan to request an upper level room again on our next trip. Also, the view of DCA is better the higher you are, IMHO.