Paradise Pier questions

[adrien32]

I am a WDW fanatic about to make her first trip to DL. We have booked the Paradise Pier. Does anyone know whether it is more comparable to WDW's "luxury," "moderate," or "value" resorts? Is there a hair dryer, shampoo, etc.? If I don't get a rennovated room, will I be disappointed?

 

[Blackunicorn]

I'll be honest, it's been two years since I was there, but I loved the Paradise Pier hotel. I haven't been to WDW yet, but I would say that PPH is definitely not on par with their luxury resorts, it would probably be more like moderate or value. I have heard that it's not a themed as the other two hotels at DL, but I felt we got personal service, a nice room, and even though we reserved a standard view, there was a room with a view of CA available so we were upgraded for free. We saved a bit of money by staying there, and we were able to use the DL hotel pool also, so it was pretty cool. I do believe that there was a hair dryer, and I know there was shampoo and coffee, etc. because I brought some home with me. (I know, tacky.) It is a slightly longer walk to the DL park, but not much longer, and PPH has its own entrance (right across the street) to CA which comes out in the Paradise Pier area of the park. I'm looking forward to seeing the refurbished rooms when we go this fall, but the old rooms weren't disappointing for us at all.

 

[CalGal]

Even though I have only stayed on-site at WDW, my guess would be that the best comparison for the hotel itself would be with some of the nicer hotels just off-site at WDW. PPH has character dining and a little theming, but it has more of a hotel feel than the spread out resort feel that you'll find at WDW. It's smaller than the WDW resorts, doesn't have a really grand lobby, etc. Of course, it does have the location advantage that Blackunicorn spoke of and it is Disney. I don't think you'll be disappointed as long as you don't expect it to be another Grand Floridian or Boardwalk Inn.

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at all three of the Disneyland hotels and at 11 of the WDW hotels from the All Star Music to the Grand Floridian.
The Paradise Pier hotel is sort of inbetween the moderates and the Deluxes. It is a Tower hotel built buy some other company in the late 70's - early 80's and bought by Disney 6 years ago or so. The place has had a slight exterior remodel to give it a "beach" theme. They are currently remodeling the lobby, rooms and pool. I hear the new rooms will be ready around May. The rooms are nice size but have no balconies, just windows. The old room decore was modern Mickey the new decore is part of the beach theme and look pretty decent. Half the rooms overlook the parking structure, parking lots and over Anaheim. The other half have awesome views of the DCA theme park. We were on the 13th floor with a wonderful view. The pool is on a fourth floor roof and is a bland rectangle surrounded by cement. I do not know what the remodel is going to do to it. This hotel has a private entrance into DCA but you have to cross the street and walk down a path to get to it. The walk to Disneyland is about 10 - 12 minutes.
I find the place a bit bland and am hoping the remodel will perk it up. The way the public areas are configured doesn't give them much to work with. The grounds are very small and negligible. If you can get it got $80- $120 that is a good price.

 

[sierranevada]

I also have stayed at all three DL hotels. I have not been to WDW so can't compare to their hotels. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised by PPH when we stayed there. We did it to specifically be able to compare all three hotels. We were on the 9th floor and had an awesome view of DCA. They do not turn off the lights at night and it is great to enjoy the site. If EP is showing, you can even view it from your room.

Our room was not one of the remodeled rooms but I thought it was quite roomy. Yes - it has hair dryer, mickey soaps and shampoo, coffee maker and small frig. I believe the rehab is set to be completed by May - if you are going before that, request a rehabed room if they are booking them. Even if you don't get a rehab room, I don't think you will be disappointed. I would try to get a least a lower theme park view, though, to see the lights of DCA.

As far as distance goes - yes, the entrance to DCA is across the street but honestly, it took us at most a few minutes to cross that street and walk down the path into DCA. If you want to catch the Monorail, go out the BACK of the hotel and follow the brick path and it will take you right there. It is only a few minutes longer than walking from the Bonita Tower at DH (furthest tower). If you want to walk directly to DL, go out the front of the hotel, cross the street and CUT THROUGH THE GC LOBBY. We found this easily saved us 7-8 minutes.

As far as the pool goes, it was just a bland rectangle pool. It is being rehabed right now and I have heard that it will be "Beach" themed and they will be putting in a slide with a "roller coaster" theme so it sounds like they are trying to bring it in line with the DH and GC. One nice thing, you can watch the fireworks from the pool area and they pipe in the music. They are working hard to tie in PPH with the Paradise Pier area of DCA. The renovated rooms will have surfboard room numbers on the door, Mickey with surfboard lamps, new carpet in hallways in coordinating colors. They are redoing lobby to also fit into the theme.

I really was expecting to be let down when we stayed at PPH after numerous visits to DH and a conceirge suite stay at the GC. I actually think the service is better at PPH than at GC (my heart still belongs to DH!!). I came back from that trip very impressed and have recommended it to several people.

Have a great trip!

 

[DVC@BWV]

sierranevada,
Thanks for sharing your views of PPH...we're staying there for two nights next week and can't wait! This will be the first time at DL for our 4 year old, and my first time back since 1993 (we've been to WDW three times in the past two years).

 

[Grog]

We spent six nights there about a year ago and totally fell in love with the place. The private entrance into DCA saves a lot of time if that is where you want to go first or if that is where you end your day. We also enjoyed the PCH Grill enough to eat there three or four times.

 

[Xendancer]

We just stayed there in February, and I was quite impressed. Our room overlooked CA, and I saw the electrical parade from our room. We loved the private walk into CA, and the Mickey soaps and shampoo were so cute. Our room had a king size bed, and a sofa, along with a live potted plant. It was a nice touch!
The PCH grill had a wonderful Crab Louis salad and Mushroom Soup combo. The Character Breakfast was just perfect for my 3 year old. I would go there again, if we weren't booked at the Californian for the end of this month!