Paradise Pier Superthread

[Jenasweetemotion]

Seems like the elevator is a concern. I am going on a sold out weekend. I also did concierge & view room.
Please explain how I get to the concierge lounge?
How to I use the secret elevator (it to do down only?)
How about going up?
Any secrets would be great!
Thanks!
First stay here!

The elevators are slow but being concierge should help. The secret elevator isn't as much of a secret as it is faster because when you are on most floors besides 12 and higher and 3 and lower which I believe are concierge (second floor has the gym, laundry, computer stations and concierge lounge and third is swimming pool not just concierge) cant call that elevator to that floor so the secret elevator (which is a glass elevator in the lobby) is faster. We stayed on the 11th floor and are able to go up to that floor. The Concierge lounge is on the second floor. Hope that helps and enjoy!

 

[mom2rtk]

Just got back from stay here Sun-Wed. A very good time. Am warming to this hotel.

Problems: shower went from hot to cold to medium to hot, and the shower head isn't very powerful.

Good things: we didn't have many issues with the elevators this time. Lines to get coffee in the morning in the lounge were light and the kids enjoyed their time in the pool. We did dinner at the restaurant and it was pretty good (not cheap, but the quality was good). WiFi seemed fast and reliable (and free).

Beds were comfortable and our two boys (11, 15) enjoyed having their own beds since the younger one used the couch bed.

I absolutely agree on the showers. Not very powerful, and hard to find the right temperature.

Seems like the elevator is a concern. I am going on a sold out weekend. I also did concierge & view room.
Please explain how I get to the concierge lounge?
How to I use the secret elevator (it to do down only?)
How about going up?
Any secrets would be great!
Thanks!
First stay here!

My best advice on the elevators would be to leave early every day. We left in time for early entry every day and never had a problem. But I'm guessing concierge is on one of the upper floors, which should take care of the problem. I think it's the lower floors that have issues. The only minor delay we had was departure day when we were a little later in the morning (9:30 or so) and we had to wait through several elevators to find one with room for our luggage. We were on the 9th floor.

 

[DharmaLou]

Question on King rooms - do they also have a sleeper sofa? Might be a better idea for us and DD than a 2 queen room.

 

[Sherry E]

I absolutely agree on the showers. Not very powerful, and hard to find the right temperature.



My best advice on the elevators would be to leave early every day. We left in time for early entry every day and never had a problem. But I'm guessing concierge is on one of the upper floors, which should take care of the problem. I think it's the lower floors that have issues. The only minor delay we had was departure day when we were a little later in the morning (9:30 or so) and we had to wait through several elevators to find one with room for our luggage. We were on the 9th floor.

I had to laugh. Count me in as another one who agrees about the showers! I've always thought that the showers were a bit kooky but figured I was imagining it. The water pressure is not wonderful -- not horrible, but not what I prefer -- and it is tricky trying to get the right temperature. Often times I am turning the little lever one way or the other and the temperatures seem to go the opposite direction of where I want them to go. It takes some getting used to.

That said, the quirky showers are not enough to keep me from staying at the PPH -- especially with a fantastic DCA view -- but it's one of the things that could be improved.


I may just have good timing, but I don't find that I have to wait for non-crowded elevators too long, too often. It has happened in the past, where an elevator has opened up and it was packed and I had to wait for another one, but usually I can catch an elevator shortly after I press the button. I guess if there has been a delay it has never bothered me too much. I think I am used to slower elevators, though. There are a lot of slow elevators in the buildings around my neighborhood.


I have taken the glass elevator and it was fine, but people know about it so it's not too secret anymore, as Jenasweetemotion said.


And...the other thing that is often talked about or worried about by future PPH guests is the walk from the PPH to the parks. I don't find it to be all that bothersome or lengthy. Once you get the lay of the land and know where you are going, and are preferably taking the short cut through the GCH, it seems to go pretty quickly.

Janet -- Do you agree, or did you find the walk to be annoying and long?

 

[emacat]

One tip I read several years ago that served us well at PP was "go up to go down." In other words, if it's busy in the morning, take an up elevator, and you'll get down to the lobby more quickly. Crazy, but we tried it several times and it worked!
Oh, and we liked being able to go to the monorail in DD to get into DL. Saves a little walk. The special entrance into DCA from GCH also saves time. The walk is not bad at all.

 

[mom2rtk]

And...the other thing that is often talked about or worried about by future PPH guests is the walk from the PPH to the parks. I don't find it to be all that bothersome or lengthy. Once you get the lay of the land and know where you are going, and are preferably taking the short cut through the GCH, it seems to go pretty quickly.

Janet -- Do you agree, or did you find the walk to be annoying and long?

Sherry, I wasn't bothered by the walk to the parks from PPH at ALL. It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected, maybe because cutting through the GC added things of interest to see along the way. But then last year we stayed at the Art of Animation resort at WDW in a Little Mermaid room. I'm pretty sure our walk to the bus stop there was longer than our walk to the park from PPH.

 

[dcraythorn]

I'm so excited. We are going to DL again in May, we were there in Nov. It's my DH's 60th birthday and our 9th anniversary. We are finally staying here. This is our 1st time staying on site. We will be there May 17th till the 22nd. I'm so happy.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

I'm so excited. We are going to DL again in May, we were there in Nov. It's my DH's 60th birthday and our 9th anniversary. We are finally staying here. This is our 1st time staying on site. We will be there May 17th till the 22nd. I'm so happy.

How awesome! You will all love it. Make sure that you have them note what you are celebrating.

 

[brandon2007]

I'm so excited. We are going to DL again in May, we were there in Nov. It's my DH's 60th birthday and our 9th anniversary. We are finally staying here. This is our 1st time staying on site. We will be there May 17th till the 22nd. I'm so happy.

I will be there the same time

 

[PedsNursePatty]

I did not go through EVERY post. We will be at Paradise Pier January 17-22.
Is the pool heated?

Should we pack swimsuits?
The highs will be in the high 70's/low 80's. My kids will think that is PERFECT swimming weather!

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

I did not go through EVERY post. We will be at Paradise Pier January 17-22.
Is the pool heated?

Should we pack swimsuits?
The highs will be in the high 70's/low 80's. My kids will think that is PERFECT swimming weather!

From What I remember the pool is heated. This last time we went which was the second week in December we ended up in the hot tub which was a nice way to end the day not to mention it relaxed our muscles. I say bring the swimsuits.

 

[mlaw]

I hope someone can answer my parking question. We are going to be visiting Disneyland for the first time (many visits to DW) next month and I do not feel prepared. I just booked the Paradise Pier with a good discount code so I am very excited. We are going to have a rental car the entire week because the real purpose of the trip is to visit several colleges in the area. Is there a charge for parking at the hotel? I have found conflicting information. Any other parking info would also be helpful. Thanks!

 

[robocheeseman]

I hope someone can answer my parking question. We are going to be visiting Disneyland for the first time (many visits to DW) next month and I do not feel prepared. I just booked the Paradise Pier with a good discount code so I am very excited. We are going to have a rental car the entire week because the real purpose of the trip is to visit several colleges in the area. Is there a charge for parking at the hotel? I have found conflicting information. Any other parking info would also be helpful. Thanks!

$15 per day for hotel parking. Parking lot is right behind the hotel.

 

[mlaw]

Thanks. If forgot to mention that I will be getting a premium annual pass. Does that, by any chance, include the parking for the hotels?

 

[crystal1313]

Unfortunately, no, no free parking at the hotels with a Premium pass. Only free parking at the parking structures for the theme parks, so Mickey & Friends and Toy Story, etc. I think the only way you get free parking at the hotels is if you are a DVC member.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

One tip I read several years ago that served us well at PP was "go up to go down." In other words, if it's busy in the morning, take an up elevator, and you'll get down to the lobby more quickly. Crazy, but we tried it several times and it worked!
Oh, and we liked being able to go to the monorail in DD to get into DL. Saves a little walk. The special entrance into DCA from GCH also saves time. The walk is not bad at all.

The above, about the elevators, is absolutely right on!

We just stayed for the week of Christmas(Sold Out Hotel!!!!), and simply pressed the up button when it felt like it might be a few moments to get down.

We got on very quickly, every time.

Also, like SherryE stated, the only time we had to wait for more than a couple of moments(once or twice the entire week), was when the elevator opened up, and it was packed to the brim, so we waited for the next car.

I don't know if we were just lucky or what, but we stay at the PPH, numerous times a year, and this is how it has always been for us!

 

[yankeepenny]

I will be staying here beginning Jan. 25th.
I am looking forward to this onsite stay. (my first here)

I have been reading thru the thread. I am learning loads of news every day.

 

[cpster]

I am wondering if any parts of the pool area are suitable for a non-swimming toddler. Thanks in advance!

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

I am wondering if any parts of the pool area are suitable for a non-swimming toddler. Thanks in advance!

Yes, there is a separate shallow wading pool for the little ones

 

[jmac323]

What a great thread. Thanks for all the pics and tips. We go back and forth every trip about staying on site and always end up staying off site to save $$. This thread encourages me to spend a bit more to enjoy the Disney magic. Now I just need to talk DH into it!