Paradise Pier Review

[justkeepswimmin]

Hi everyone,

I posted here a few days ago because I was a bit nervous booking the PP hotel for a spur of the moment trip we were taking. Many of you reassured me it would be a nice place to stay and I am happy to report that we had a wonderful stay. Keep in mind, this review is by someone who absolutely, without a doubt prefers to stay "on property" no matter how many people try to tell her it is not worth it. I love the immersive experience of feeling like I am still in Disneyland and I have made peace with paying a premium for this even though I am sure my money could be better spent. This was our very first stay at PP but we are big fans of GC and DLH, and have Disney Vacation Club points at the Villas at GC.

CHECK IN
We arrived at 7 am, after driving 7.5 hours through the night from our home in AZ and while I was at first a bit disappointed they could not upgrade us to a theme park view, I was thrilled that they actually had a standard room ready for us that we were allowed to check in to on the spot. After driving all night this was worth more than any upgrade or perk they could have thrown at us. . I am sure this is NOT the norm so I would not expect this every time and I suspect it had a lot to do with it being off season and a Tuesday check in.

ROOM LOCATION
We had a 3rd floor room (312) , overlooking the hotel entrance but with a slight view of DCA. We were not high enough to have a full panoramic view of the parks which is probably why it is considered a standard view but it was still nice. We could see tower of terror and other features and it made us feel very connected to the parks. I have had the theme park view at the hojos before and it was nothing compared to this. The cruel part was our great view of the Grand Californian. We love that hotel and own DVC points there so it was a bit bittersweet to see it all lit up every night without us inside it. The 3rd floor is also where the pool complex is located. We are big on afternoon pool breaks so this was a HUGE plus for us. So convenient. It was practically the same distance to our room as it was to the pool bar so I could run back there for drinks and snacks while we were hanging out. I did hear a moderate amount of traffic noise from this room as were overlooking a street but it is not a major thoroughfare and it did not impact my sleep, though I sleep pretty hard on Disney trips after a day in the parks.

ROOM QUALITY
The room itself was decent and relatively spacious. We have actually had bigger at the DL hotel but it was a corner/ end room in the Magic tower so that may have been why. I loved the framed art work of DCA in the room. We had one that had the old Orange Stinger Swings and another that looked to be a concept art drawing of the park. That was cool. The Mickey lamp was also a cute touch.

The daybed was a bit of a chore to collapse but thanks to all the help I received here I figured it out pretty quickly. A big thank you to whoever posted that visual demonstation, it worked like a charm. There were 2 extra pillows, a sheet and 2 blankets in the closet for outfitting the daybed.

I will say, the daybed was a bit frayed and the room itself looks a bit dated but i also am not a big fan of the beachy color scheme (pale blues, coral, sand colors) so that may be influencing my review. The room was not really rundown, it was just a bit older and I think the lighter color scheme just makes some of this more obvious. I really loved the big floor to ceiling windows and the blackout curtains worked great. There was a wicker hamper in the bathroom which I really liked. The toiletries looked to be the same ones they have at the DL hotel but with PP logo. I also took the hotel stationary, postcards and a few coasters as keepsakes as they had the old Sunwheel logo featured and I am starting my own little collection of Disneyland memorabilia for the kids and this older stuff is great and getting harder to find. The beds were comfy enough, but again, none of us have much trouble sleeping in DL so your MMV. The shower did not have great water pressure and the shower head was a bit short but so am I so that was no biggie but for a taller person it might not be so great.

Overall, I liked the room and I really appreciate that Disneyland makes room for families of 5 like mine with features like daybeds. This is not the standard in most hotels, including WDW, and it is wonderful to have this available to us without needed to purchase a separate room.

DINING
Sadly, we did not get a chance to eat at the hotel restaurant as we were there 2 short days and were either at the pool or the parks this trip. I really wanted to though as I felt bad for the employees there as it was so dead the entire 2 days we were there. Both the character breakfast and the lunch/ dinner crowd was just non-existent. I am hoping it was just due to it
being off season.

We did get beers at the pool bar but I found it to be a bit lacking. They only had hot dogs or pre packaged sandwiches for food choices. While at the Grand, we really enjoy getting food/ lunch pool side by going to White Water Snacks just outside the pool gates (Quick GC tip:WWS Nachos poolside=yummy). I probably could have gone down stairs to get food but I was in my bathing suit and would have preferred a food option right there. I think they are missing out on a great opportunity here as the pool was the one place people did seem to be hanging out at the hotel.

We also did not eat at their downstairs quick service place but really appreciated the easy access to toasters/ microwave. We bring our own bagels from home for breakfast and my dh liked being able to get them toasted in the morning. We also used the microwave to reheat leftovers and to make our own microwave popcorn to refill our popcorn buckets. Be careful doing this though. Their microwaves are much more powerful than the typical in room microwave and it is VERY easy to burn a bag as we did it and also noticed the smell from someone else who had done it coming back one night.

The quick service place also had a lot of open tables where I saw a handful of people sitting and reading or working on laptops. It was a nice, spacious open indoor area for casual eating that does not really does not really exist at the DL hotel.

POOL
I liked the pool area much more than I expected to. From the pictures, it looked small but while the main pool does seem a bit small, the complex itself is a decent sized, definitely a step up in quality and feel from your standard hotel pool, particularly those on Harbor, with the exception of HOJOs. The slide is definitely the best of the the 3 resorts. It is also situated right next to the kiddie pool, where my 3 year old played happily for over and hour while her bigger sisters went down the slide. We liked being able to keep an eye on them and watch the baby at the same time. This is usually much more challenging at GCH as it is more spread out.

I was disappointed in the size of the Jacuzzi. Only 1 and really small for a hotel this size. It was covered so that was nice but it could be soo much better and there is plenty of room on that roof to expand it or at least add another. We came one night to use it after a day of the parks and found about 12 adults packed in like sardines so we took a pass and ended up sitting out on the roof at some tables near the pool bar area. That was actually nice as we could see the Grand and some of DCA and no one else but DH and I were up there.

There really is a lot of room up on that roof to expand the pool area and make it even better but we really did like it and would definitely come back.

One other interesting note: The PP pool is not keyed. There is really nothing stopping anyone from taking the elevator up and coming over and swimming there. I found this a bit strange.

PARKING
Self Parking was easily the most convenient at this hotel compared to the other DLR properties. You take a ride down the elevators, turn right and you are there. We were able to secure parking on the 1st level so running down to the car for a few forgotten items was no big deal.

GIFT SHOP
I know this does not matter to some people, but I consider this a perk of staying at a DLR hotel. As a mom of 3, I love the convenience of being able to run down to the hotel lobby whole dh and kids are napping or at the pool and see some of the same items I would buy in the park. The hotel gift shop was bigger than I thought it would be, bigger than Acorn Gifts at GC but not quite as nice as DL Fantasia shop. I did like the merchandise selection better than Acorn Gifts at GC hotel as it was a bit more kid friendly. I love that Acorn Gifts in GC has hotel themed, upscale type products but I honestly cannot afford these pretty but expensive things so I kinda preferred the casual themed items available here. The lady working in the shop was really sweet and you can buy disney dollars here unlike at Acorn Gifts, where the not so sweet CM sent me to the front desk to purchase .

OTHER FEATURES
One other feature I forgot to mention was that cute little TV room that shows disney cartoons in a TV adorned like a little sand castle. SOO cute! The room was a big one too with a door that closes and keeps out the noise. I saw lots of families chilling out here. There were plenty of little beach chairs for the kids too. I often banish my family (dh included 0 to the lobby to wait for me so I can take 10 minutes to get ready in peace and this was a great placee for them to hang out.

Finally, all they say about the elevators here are true. They are too small and too few for a hotel this size but we only had trouble one time, on our departure, which happened to coincide with park opening. Other times we were always leaving well in advance of park opening and just took our time walking over to the parks or hung out in the GCH lobby. We also lingered after the parks closed and that seemed to make a big difference in our elevator experience.

FINAL THOUGHTS
We would definitely use our DVC points here again. GC hotel is our hands down favorite resort hotel but this more than lived up to our expectations and there were parts of it I actually liked better than the DL hotel. I do hope this hotel is up for some upgrades after they finish with the DL hotels plans but overall, it worked great for my family.

 

[Desert Dwellers]

Thanks for the review. I'm looking forward to our first stay at Paradise Pier at Christmas. I'd love to take advantage of the pool, esp. since the parks will be so crowded it would great to go back to the hotel for a pool break. But I don't think we'll have the weather for it.

I appreciate your take on the resort. Thanks.

 

[Tanzanite]

We stayed here in the summer 8 days we had conceirge room it was great the food was great breakfast very good snacks all day .Staff very nice checked out free videos daily kids enjoyed it.

 

[Sherry E]

Wow - for some reason, I didn't realize you were heading to the PPH so soon. (I was the one who gave you the link to Bumbershoot/Molly's TR, which had the photographic, step-by-step instructions of how to assemble the bed!). I thought you were going a bit later.

Anyway, glad to hear you enjoyed it and that our good reviews of the PPH didn't turn out to be completely wrong on your trip!

 

[disney-super-mom]

We love the Paradise Pier Hotel! Agree with everything you said.

And YES, the pool area is the perfect setup for parents trying to keep an eye on their kids. We've spent hours and hours sitting at a poolside table next to the kiddie pool area with our feet up enjoying a couple of beers while the kids went up and down the slide a million times....and we could actually relax.

Although we like the pastely colors, I do agree that the rooms need an update. And I couldn't agree more with your hot tub comment. They need to add another one. Oh, and one more thing I wish they would change in the pool area - the constant playing of the same Beach Boys songs over and over and over and over again. After a week of listening to the same Beach Boys songs everyday, about 4 hours per day, I thought I was going to go crazy.

Too bad you didn't try the room service there. The mushroom soup is SO GOOD! Well actually, all the food we've had from room service was delicious. Even the PB&J my sons often order is super yummy.

Everytime we stay at the PPH, we always seem to be in a room overlooking the GCH too. It's torture. Someday we WILL stay at the GCH. It'll happen. I'm convinced.

 

[RedRosePrincess]

Thanks for the reviews. I just switched our HOJO reservation to Paradise Pier and I was worried but now that I have read this tread I think I made the right decision.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Hooray for you!! I, too, didn't realize you were going to be staying at PP so soon!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to write such a detailed review. GCH is where we love to stay, but we are considering something less expensive for an upcoming trip, so I've been thinking about PP, wondering if we would like it there. I know our girls would, it's just hard to take the leap when we love GCH so much, and I know you know that feeling, too.

Thanks a million again for posting such a detailed review. It sure was kind of you to do so.

 

[jenpace]

Everytime we stay at the PPH, we always seem to be in a room overlooking the GCH too. It's torture. Someday we WILL stay at the GCH. It'll happen. I'm convinced.

The GCH used to be our favorite DLR hotel. But after having stayed there for years, we finally tried the PPH and it's now our new favorite. Also, IMHO, the best part of the GCH is the lobby which we fully enjoy on our way to and from the PPH on our way to the park and back again

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Wow - for some reason, I didn't realize you were heading to the PPH so soon.

Yup, it was THAT spontaneous! We basically just decided and then 48 hours later we went. SO glad we did though, it was a great 2 days. Thanks again, Sherry (and bumbershoot) for the thread on the daybed.

Thanks for the reviews. I just switched our HOJO reservation to Paradise Pier and I was worried but now that I have read this tread I think I made the right decision.

I think you will be happy you did. The new hojos water feature area is very cool but I have never quite understood all the hojos adoration on the message boards. It is nice but I have only had okay customer service interactions there and I do not care how many people tell me it is a shorter walk to the parks from Hojos than parts of DLH or PP, it just feels longer to me.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to write such a detailed review. GCH is where we love to stay, but we are considering something less expensive for an upcoming trip, so I've been thinking about PP, wondering if we would like it there. I know our girls would, it's just hard to take the leap when we love GCH so much, and I know you know that feeling, too.

Thanks a million again for posting such a detailed review. It sure was kind of you to do so.

No problem! And I know exactly what you are talking about. We walked through the lobby each day as it is the shortest way to the parks and I won't lie, my heart just ached. That said, the slide at PP beats the one at GC hands down so your girls will probably love that and it really is just across the street from the GC so as heartbreaking as that walk through the lobby was I guess I was kind of glad to do it as I still got experience the hotel I love.

The GCH used to be our favorite DLR hotel. But after having stayed there for years, we finally tried the PPH and it's now our new favorite. Also, IMHO, the best part of the GCH is the lobby which we fully enjoy on our way to and from the PPH on our way to the park and back again

Very true! Love the GC lobby. Out of curiousity, what about PP won you over?

Thanks for the review. I'm looking forward to our first stay at Paradise Pier at Christmas.

Love DL at Christmas. Have a great trip!

We stayed here in the summer 8 days we had conceirge room it was great the food was great breakfast very good snacks all day .Staff very nice checked out free videos daily kids enjoyed it.

Wish you could still use DVC points to book concierge rooms. I would have loved one of those cabana rooms on the 3rd floor with a patio and even easier access to the pool.

And YES, the pool area is the perfect setup for parents trying to keep an eye on their kids. We've spent hours and hours sitting at a poolside table next to the kiddie pool area with our feet up enjoying a couple of beers while the kids went up and down the slide a million times....and we could actually relax.

Too bad you didn't try the room service there. The mushroom soup is SO GOOD! Well actually, all the food we've had from room service was delicious. Even the PB&J my sons often order is super yummy.

Everytime we stay at the PPH, we always seem to be in a room overlooking the GCH too. It's torture. Someday we WILL stay at the GCH. It'll happen. I'm convinced.

You were so right about the pool. Really great set up for watching the kids. And I truly was bummed we had such a compact stay and did not do restaurants. That soup sounds yummy and the character breakfast looked so cute. Next time for sure! And I do recommend trying the GCH hotel if you get a chance. I will send good vibes your way that it will happen soon.

 

[jenpace]

Very true! Love the GC lobby. Out of curiousity, what about PP won you over?

I think that the fact that the proximity to the parks really isn't too different from the GCH if you cut through their lobby on the way to and from PPH.

Also, the $$ for staying at the GCH has just gone up and up and once in the room, it hardly seems like it's so worth the big price tag. Last time we stayed was in 8/10 and I think we're done unless something truly comes up as far as AP rates. In our particular room, things were very worn and in the bath and the sink areas, the fixtures were literally coming apart upon use.

At the PPH the CM's also seem to be more laid back and friendly than at either GCH or the DLH in my family's experience. I guess the stay seemed far more relaxing.

 

[Desert Dwellers]

No problem! And I know exactly what you are talking about. We walked through the lobby each day as it is the shortest way to the parks and I won't lie, my heart just ached. That said, the slide at PP beats the one at GC hands down so your girls will probably love that and it really is just across the street from the GC so as heartbreaking as that walk through the lobby was I guess I was kind of glad to do it as I still got experience the hotel I love.

Can you describe the short cut from PP through GC? I keep seeing the short cut referenced in posts, but I'm having trouble picturing it.

Thanks.

 

[Sherry E]

I love the GCH lobby short cut too! It's shorter than the roundabout way the DLR folks would have you walk if you follow the signs on their property to get to the parks.

Oh, justkeepswimmin - I forgot to say earlier that I agree with you 100% about staying onsite and the benefits of it. Now this does not mean that I can always afford to stay onsite, but it feels like something is missing from my trips when I can't. I know it's a lot of money to stay onsite and it is hard to ignore those HoJo's entertainment rates - but I think it really adds an extra element of Disney magic to my trip when I can wake up on Disney soil and go to sleep on Disney soil.

I like the whole experience of staying in a Disney hotel - I like seeing the happy little Mickey ears toiletries greeting me in the bathroom. I like opening the drawer and seeing the souvenir postcard. I like trying to find hidden Mickeys in the carpet design as I make my way to my room. I like checking in and getting my Disney folder and brochures, as well as the Key to the Magic with my name printed on it. I like having the MM option on any day it's offered. I like to have my purchases sent back to the hotel so I don't have to schlep them around the parks.

I am a big advocate of staying onsite for all of the above reasons, as well as just for the sole purpose of continuing the immersion. If I am doing a DLR trip, I want to be totally surrounded by Disney magic from the second I get out of the car at the hotel to the second it's time to head home. I don't want to have to break the 'mood,' I guess you could say, by heading to another hotel.

 

[gethane]

Can you describe the short cut from PP through GC? I keep seeing the short cut referenced in posts, but I'm having trouble picturing it.

Thanks.

I had trouble visualizing it too. The front desk person actually showed it to us when we checked in last Friday.

There are two doors out the PPH. One goes toward the parking structure (don't take that one). The other you go out, then turn left. At the light you turn right and head over to GCH (can't miss it). Then walk over to the front door (where cars are pulling up to load/unload), go in, then turn left down a hall. Then you turn right (following signs) then another left, and voila, you are in DD near Sephora.

 

[disneylovingfamily:4]

Thanks for the review!!! I have booked our first Disney hotel stay at PP for Dec. I am sooo excited! We have always stayed at the Carosel, but their prices are within 30-40 of PP so we thought we'd give it a try! I had been debating whether to switch back to the Carosel, but I think I will gve it a try! The kids will love it!

 

[Desert Dwellers]

I had trouble visualizing it too. The front desk person actually showed it to us when we checked in last Friday.

There are two doors out the PPH. One goes toward the parking structure (don't take that one). The other you go out, then turn left. At the light you turn right and head over to GCH (can't miss it). Then walk over to the front door (where cars are pulling up to load/unload), go in, then turn left down a hall. Then you turn right (following signs) then another left, and voila, you are in DD near Sephora.

Thanks. I'll print this out and get it in my trip binder.