Paradise Pier Resort

[diznynut]

I would like to go and stay here. We have been to DL for 1 day about 12 years ago. I think 4 days will be enough. Has anyone stayed at this resort or used the dining plan? I feel out of sorts because I know so much about WDW and nothing about planning a trip to DL. I would appreciate any help. Thanks

 

[CamColt]

While Paradise Pier is the least expensive of the 3, and it doesnt seem to be a favorite of many, I recently stayed there and was pleasantly surprised by it. I had a great view of California Adventure, my room was spotless and spacious, and I found the theming fun. The few CMs I dealt with were great.
The only thing I found it to be lacking was counter service food and if you need it, they do not have a laundrymat.

 

[mott]

It's been a few years, but we stayed there and liked it. The chair folds out into a bed - my DD loved it. It is the furthest of the DL resorts to the park, so be prepared for a bit of a walk. The pool is just basic - nothing fancy, no theme.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I agree with Camcolt's summary of Paradise Pier! We have stayed there twice (September of 04 and 05) and had wonderful stays both times. I highly recommend the theme park view, it was an additional $23 a night and well worth it for us. There is no counter service but there are some quick options in Downtown Disney which is a short walk and also if you are spending most of your time in Disneyland and California Adventure you will probably eat there most of the time anyway. I know some people don't care for this hotel but we have enjoyed both of our stays there. If it can save you money over the Disneyland Hotel I think it is a great option for staying onsite. If however, the Disneyland Hotel is about the same or only a little more I do prefer that because I like their pool better and there are more dining options. One nice thing about Paradise Pier and the DLH is the nice, large rooms. They also have very comfortable daybeds at Paradise Pier. A couch that makes into something almost like a rollaway. Much easier to pull out than a sofabed but more comfortable than the daybeds at the Disneyland Hotel. The pool is not too themed but it does have a fantastic slide sort of the like the one at Boardwalk without the clown face. The pool area is nice with plenty of chairs but the pool itself is just a square pool. They also have a kiddie pool and a hot tub. They have a pool bar but it must only be open during peak season because for both of our September stays it was closed. So if you like to enjoy some kind of drink by the pool, bring your own!

The onsite hotels at Disneyland are not as themed at the WDW ones but I still prefer staying onsite, especially if I can get a good rate. I find both the DLH and PP somewhere between a moderate and a deluxe. They have the interior corridors, room service dining options and concierge options of a WDW deluxe but are not quite as "themed". Also, just so you will know, there are no buses to the parks because everything is walking distance (10-15 minutes) via DTD. There is the monorail stop in DTD that is maybe a 5 minute walk from both of those hotels that will take you straight into Tomorrowland.

I have not ever done the dining plan at Disneyland, I have heard its not that great of a deal. There are not as many sit down options but I find the counter selections more unique and varied than what they have at WDW. Our two must do's for sit downs each trip are Goofy's Kitchen (think Chef Mickey's) in the Disneyland Hotel and Blue Bayou which in Disneyland inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. You can make ps' 60 days out for either of those.

Have fun with your Disneyland planning!

P.S. 4 Days should be just about right. You can take it a good pace but probably see everything, especially given your WDW knowledge.

 

[doombuggy]

I stayed here in 1998 and enjoyed it. I thought it was great for the price. I have stayed at DLH 2x, the second being just for one night (I brought 2 of my cousins out from Vegas for the weekend) and the room cost me $170. I have never used teh pool facilities or gotten the dinning plan when I went there, so I can't answer you on that. My advice is for you to decide what is important to you (like the pool) and also what is in your budget. When I spent that night with the girls at DLH, I booked the tower closest to the park, as I knew we were going to have limited time there, since it's 4 hours each way to drive to/from Vegas. I also thought my uncle was going to give me some $$ towards it (he did not).

Have a great time where ever you decide to stay.