Paradise Pier Superthread

[Fivers]

I'm here now with theme park view, I'll try to post some pics when I get back! I do know I've seen some good pics on this thread of the view, can't remember how recent they were, but I will definitely try to get some up soon!

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

I am so excited that I may be staying here in a week or two, more likely in a week . What rooms would you say are best? We are going to book an Upper View Theme Park View.

Also, can someone tell me the fastest way to get to DL or DCA from PPH?

Is the Surf's Up Breakfast good, and what characters make an appearance there?

 

[Jairy]

I am so excited that I may be staying here in a week or two, more likely in a week . What rooms would you say are best? We are going to book an Upper View Theme Park View. Also, can someone tell me the fastest way to get to DL or DCA from PPH? Is the Surf's Up Breakfast good, and what characters make an appearance there?

We were just at PPH and ate at Surf's Up for breakfast a few days ago. The food was pretty good. We saw Minnie and Mickey, Daisy, Pluto and Stitch. Stitch was a lot of fun.

 

[Sherry E]

I am so excited that I may be staying here in a week or two, more likely in a week . What rooms would you say are best? We are going to book an Upper View Theme Park View.

Also, can someone tell me the fastest way to get to DL or DCA from PPH?

Is the Surf's Up Breakfast good, and what characters make an appearance there?

AddictedtoDoleWhip --

I'll throw in my 2 cents, but I'm sure you'll get other opinions as well!

1. Park View rooms -- My last 4 stays at the PPH (2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013) involved park view rooms and I loved each and every one of them. However, that said, some of the views were better than others because of the location. A room on, say, the 9th floor in one spot might put you closer to palm trees partially obstructing the view than other rooms on other floors.

I honestly think that the view I had on my December 2013 trip was the best DCA park view room I have had thus far. I was on the 12th floor, but all the way at the end. I mean, the very end of the floor -- the last room, right next to the glass Exit door. (In fact, it was windy and the glass door kept opening and closing on its own, which was annoying, but the view made up for it.)

I have been on the 12th floor in the past and the view was great, but this view -- because I was at the very end of the floor -- was so awesome. The sunrises and sunsets from that view -- just breathtaking. I could see the people on the rides in Paradise Pier. I felt like I could reach out and touch the Fun Wheel. I could see the Viva Navidad performers walking backstage and the floats/vehicles moving to a warehouse.

If you end up on another floor or another spot on the 12th floor, you will still have a great view -- don't get me wrong -- but that was my best park view to date. If I recall, I think that in December DIS'er ksromack had a room on the 9th floor, but also at the very end of the floor, by the Exit -- like my room on the 12th floor was -- and she loved it!



2. The fastest way to get to the parks from the PPH -- Ignore the signs on the PPH property because they will take you out of the way, unless you specifically want the Monorail.

If you don't mind the walk -- which is not far or bad at all -- my suggestion is to take the "short cut." Exit out of the front of the PPH, past the valet parking guys, veer left and head down Disneyland Drive (past Surf's Up/the PCH Grill) to the corner across the street from the GCH. It literally takes only a couple of minutes. Then, cross the street and enter the GCH lobby. From there, follow the signs to Downtown Disney (you would turn onto DTD at Studio 365) or to whichever park you are going to that day.

That's my preferred route. It is not long or arduous, and it's a nice way of checking out the GCH en route to the parks.

I know that some people who don't prefer to walk will instead just head to Downtown Disney and catch the Monorail. I don't do that because often times there is a wait for the Monorail and I can get into the parks faster if I just walk.

So it's up to you whether you want to walk via the short cut route or head to the Monorail where you may have to wait. If you take the Monorail then you can exit out the back of the PPH (closest to the parking structure) and follow the path to Downtown Disney and/or the Disneyland Hotel.



3. Surf's Up -- I have more experience with the PPH itself than with Surf's Up, but I have eaten at Surf's Up once. When I was there I saw Minnie, Pluto, Stitch, Daisy and, of course, Lifeguard Mickey. I hadn't even had a chance to get settled at the table and pull my bag from off of my shoulders when Minnie was already standing there, ready to pose for photos. The characters were very attentive and interactive. I watched them make the rounds to other tables and they were very playful with everyone.

My scrambled eggs were terrible, but I don't hold that against Surf's Up because I know that (any) buffet eggs can go horribly awry at times.

I know that a lot of people like the Surf's Up buffet because -- while it is not a large buffet -- it offers a few unique items that are exclusive to Surf's Up (and not at the other character buffets). DIS'er bumbershoot speaks highly of the huevos rancheros!

 

[lori123]

We've been to Disneyland many times but have never stayed at a Disney property. We are excited to be staying onsite for the first time at Paradise Pier May! Any recent tip and tricks anyone wants to share with us?

 

[Cheshirecatty]

We've been to Disneyland many times but have never stayed at a Disney property. We are excited to be staying onsite for the first time at Paradise Pier May! Any recent tip and tricks anyone wants to share with us?

I think you will really enjoy the PPH!

Make sure that if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary, that you let them know when you check in(you can also call and have them note it on your reservation)!

Utilize Vacation Planning to get your dining reservations made, or for arranging any kind of treats delivered to the room---so nice and easy.

Have your in-Park purchases sent back to the Hotel, so you don't have to lug them around, or carry them back at night.

Pool and hot tub are usually empty in the mornings---yes, I know, most people are heading to the Parks, but it's something to consider if you want to "change it up", or just like privacy!

If you want/have time to catch a movie at the AMC in Downtown Disney, or grab a bite at Earl of Sandwich, simply head out the back sliding glass doors, and turn right---follow the brick path north, and it's less than a five minute walk to get to either of these locations(super handy!)

Be sure to check out "Mickey in Paradise" gift shop---they sometimes have pins/ornaments/plush there, that have disappeared from the parks!

You can get food/drinks from the snack place north of the pool area, on weekends(not sure when they open it full time).

"Surfside Lounge" is a great place to order hot chocolate to take back to your room, or grab sandwiches/pastries/yogurt. They also do made to order hot items from the PCH Grill menu, if you want to just sit in the lounge, in front of the big screen TV.

They offer some fun trivia challenges daily, as well as exercise options(Yoga at the GCH, or power walk through DCA, on select mornings). Ask for a list when you check in, of all available activities.

That's all I can think of for now, but there's more!

 

[lori123]

I think you will really enjoy the PPH!

Make sure that if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary, that you let them know when you check in(you can also call and have them note it on your reservation)!

Utilize Vacation Planning to get your dining reservations made, or for arranging any kind of treats delivered to the room---so nice and easy.

Have your in-Park purchases sent back to the Hotel, so you don't have to lug them around, or carry them back at night.

Pool and hot tub are usually empty in the mornings---yes, I know, most people are heading to the Parks, but it's something to consider if you want to "change it up", or just like privacy!

If you want/have time to catch a movie at the AMC in Downtown Disney, or grab a bite at Earl of Sandwich, simply head out the back sliding glass doors, and turn right---follow the brick path north, and it's less than a five minute walk to get to either of these locations(super handy!)

Be sure to check out "Mickey in Paradise" gift shop---they sometimes have pins/ornaments/plush there, that have disappeared from the parks!

You can get food/drinks from the snack place north of the pool area, on weekends(not sure when they open it full time).

"Surfside Lounge" is a great place to order hot chocolate to take back to your room, or grab sandwiches/pastries/yogurt. They also do made to order hot items from the PCH Grill menu, if you want to just sit in the lounge, in front of the big screen TV.

They offer some fun trivia challenges daily, as well as exercise options(Yoga at the GCH, or power walk through DCA, on select mornings). Ask for a list when you check in, of all available activities.

That's all I can think of for now, but there's more!

Thanks for taking the time to write out your tips for us

We will be celebrating my 40th there, but for some reason I feel silly calling and telling them.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for taking the time to write out your tips for us

We will be celebrating my 40th there, but for some reason I feel silly calling and telling them.

lori123 -

You can let the CM at the front desk -- the one who checks you in -- know that there is a birthday. They will probably ask you so you don't have to feel weird just bringing it up. They may give you a Happy Birthday button and/or a black and white character photo, or they may not. (I have had different experiences with that.) I am only telling you what you might get (instead of keeping it a surprise) so that you can determine if it is worth it to you to bring up your birthday at check-in. It seems that some CMs will go out of their way to do something extra and others don't, and it also kind of depends on how busy/how long the check-in line is when you arrive.

See my above post to AddictedtoDoleWhip, with the information about taking the short cut to get to the parks. That's another good tip to save a small bit of time.

Also, the park view rooms to which I referred in my above post were all upgrades from regular non-view rooms. I always arrive really early for check-in or pre-check-in. That is not a guarantee of any kind that you will get an upgrade, of course (especially not if the hotel is really busy that week)...but I would say that if you are able to check in really early, it can't hurt to do it that way. I've heard of many people getting upgraded from standard rooms to park views, and from park views to concierge or suites. So you never know!


Cheshirecatty mentioned Earl of Sandwich -- have you signed up for Earl of Sandwich's email newsletter/mailing list, so that you can get a free sandwich or salad on your birthday? If not, sign up so EoS can email you the coupon before your birthday!

 

[Kristina4109]

FYI, we checked into the PPH on a Friday night, not terribly early; I'd say it was about 4:30pm. It was in early October; the next day was Gay Day in Disneyland Park. So not a very slow time. We STILL wound up getting a free upgrade to a theme park view without asking. I think it's because we told them it we were celebrating our daughter's birthday.

 

[lori123]

lori123 - You can let the CM at the front desk -- the one who checks you in -- know that there is a birthday. They will probably ask you so you don't have to feel weird just bringing it up. They may give you a Happy Birthday button and/or a black and white character photo, or they may not. (I have had different experiences with that.) I am only telling you what you might get (instead of keeping it a surprise) so that you can determine if it is worth it to you to bring up your birthday at check-in. It seems that some CMs will go out of their way to do something extra and others don't, and it also kind of depends on how busy/how long the check-in line is when you arrive. See my above post to AddictedtoDoleWhip, with the information about taking the short cut to get to the parks. That's another good tip to save a small bit of time. Also, the park view rooms to which I referred in my above post were all upgrades from regular non-view rooms. I always arrive really early for check-in or pre-check-in. That is not a guarantee of any kind that you will get an upgrade, of course (especially not if the hotel is really busy that week)...but I would say that if you are able to check in really early, it can't hurt to do it that way. I've heard of many people getting upgraded from standard rooms to park views, and from park views to concierge or suites. So you never know! Cheshirecatty mentioned Earl of Sandwich -- have you signed up for Earl of Sandwich's email newsletter/mailing list, so that you can get a free sandwich or salad on your birthday? If not, sign up so EoS can email you the coupon before your birthday!

We love EoS! Thanks for the tip on the birthday sandwich!

We splurged and booked park view rooms - I couldn't even imagine getting upgraded to concierge or a suite! I'm guessing the chances are low, especially since we are traveling with friends and have requested adjoining rooms, but it doesn't hurt to dream We would be happy to give them both our rooms for a suite - hehe!

 

[naebear]

I have heard that the coffee is pretty bad at the hotel. Is it?? I am somewhat of a coffee snob (so I have been told by my friends) and I like a cup while I get ready in the morning, so I don't want to venture out and find one on my way to the park. I found a little drip through gadget and I plan to bring it and some flavored coffee from home so I can make some in room. Think it is worth the effort and space in my suitcase??

 

[bellebookworm9]

Not a coffee drinker, but I believe each room has the little two pod cup machines. If you can find a coffee brand you like that would work in that it might save you some space!

 

[Escape2Disney]

I have heard that the coffee is pretty bad at the hotel. Is it?? I am somewhat of a coffee snob (so I have been told by my friends) and I like a cup while I get ready in the morning, so I don't want to venture out and find one on my way to the park. I found a little drip through gadget and I plan to bring it and some flavored coffee from home so I can make some in room. Think it is worth the effort and space in my suitcase??

The coffee is pretty gross - very acidic. As the PP said, you can bring your own. Just be sure to bring filters if you plan to use their machine. I either wait to get Pete's or Starbucks (second choice) once I leave the room, or I bring a French press for coffee in the room.

 

[Sherry E]

It is, indeed, a pod coffee maker -- and I think the pods are now from Joffrey's (but there have been different brands in the past). I had Joffrey's in my room in December.

 

[naebear]

Would coffee pods be similar to tea bags but filled with coffee and round in shape? Kind of disc-ish? All I can find up here are k-cups and a few off brand single serve bags. I am wondering if I am looking for the wrong item? Would a small coffee filter (4-cup) work? From the PPH room pictures the little coffee makers seem like they would be too small for any filter....

 

[TreeDharni]

The coffee is pretty gross - very acidic. As the PP said, you can bring your own. Just be sure to bring filters if you plan to use their machine. I either wait to get Pete's or Starbucks (second choice) once I leave the room, or I bring a French press for coffee in the room.

Where is Pete's located?

 

[Jairy]

Would coffee pods be similar to tea bags but filled with coffee and round in shape? Kind of disc-ish? All I can find up here are k-cups and a few off brand single serve bags. I am wondering if I am looking for the wrong item? Would a small coffee filter (4-cup) work? From the PPH room pictures the little coffee makers seem like they would be too small for any filter....

Yes, exactly! Like tea bags (round).
I'm not sure that the smaller filters would work.
And it is worth it to bring your own. The coffee was awful.

 

[Sjwillia]

We were there in early March, and I agree the in room coffee is BAD. However, the Surfside Lounge coffee is pretty good and they opened at 6:00 AM. I went down right when they opened and brought coffee back to the room for all who needed it while we got ready.

 

[crystal1313]

Where is Pete's located?

I think it's inside Haagan Dazs in DTD....someone correct me if I am wrong

 

[blackjackdelta]

Here are a couple of shots(view) of what my wife and I had from the 14th floor back in Nov.

Jack