Paradise Pier Superthread

[Jennafoo]

Are the pods in the PPH coffee makers a kind that you can buy in the store? I'd like to bring my own strong tea, since I don't drink coffee...

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Thanks again Cheshirecatty and Sherry E! I appreciate the answers. I can't even bargain at a rummage sale so asking for an "upgrade or park-view" isn't in my comfort zone anyways! I've thought of a few more questions though.

1. Tipping housekeeping. The last time we stayed in WDW I remember leaving envelopes for the "mousekeeping". Is there a chat somewhere about tipping? Shall I assume it is the same in DL?

2. Is there a business center where you can print out tickets at the PPH? Is the WiFi good in the hotel?

3. How do you get across the street to GC? Is there a cross walk, is it a busy street? I know I could wait and be surprised, but it's been on my mind.

Thanks a bunch!

You are most welcome!!!

We always leave an envelope with tip inside for Housekeeping each morning as we leave for the Parks---by the way, we think the Housekeeping at PPH is STELLAR---we have found, in our experience of staying at all three Disney Hotels numerous times, that PPH is where they excel over the other two onsite Hotels.

We don't use WiFi when we are on vacation---sorry, can't help there, but there is a Business Center on the 2nd floor---access it with your room key.

You can get to GCH from the main/front doors of the PPH, like others have posted, but we like to scoot out the side door, just down the hall from PCH GRILL---it shaves off a couple of minutes from your walk.

Just exit that side door, and turn left toward the light, cross in the crosswalk, follow the sidewalk to the GCH, veer left toward the main entrance, enter the beautiful sliding glass doors, turn left and walk through lovely wide hallway, turn right where it dead ends into the Business Center, walk the breezeway until you get to the huge exit(on your left) into Downtown Disney---Studio 365 will be on your left, and Sephora on your right. Turn right, and you are about 3 minutes from Bag Check which is straight ahead.

It sounds more complicated than it is, and it takes about 7 to 10 minutes(walking briskly) in total---super easy and quick!

Do the rooms have a microwave?

While not as convenient as having one in your room, there is a Microwave available for use in the "Surf's Up Lounge"!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Thanks again Cheshirecatty and Sherry E! I appreciate the answers. I can't even bargain at a rummage sale so asking for an "upgrade or park-view" isn't in my comfort zone anyways! I've thought of a few more questions though.

1. Tipping housekeeping. The last time we stayed in WDW I remember leaving envelopes for the "mousekeeping". Is there a chat somewhere about tipping? Shall I assume it is the same in DL?

2. Is the WiFi good in the hotel?

We had great WiFi in our room, which was such a change from WDW, where the resort WiFi can be atrocious!

I normally tip housekeeping $1-2/day/person. Some people use an envelope, I don't. Generally, I leave the money either right at the foot of the bed or by their card, which in our room was on the bathroom counter.

 

[Sherry E]

You can get to GCH[/B] from the main/front doors of the PPH, like others have posted, but we like to scoot out the side door, just down the hall from PCH GRILL---it shaves off a couple of minutes from your walk.

Just exit that side door, and turn left toward the light, cross in the crosswalk, follow the sidewalk to the GCH, veer left toward the main entrance, enter the beautiful sliding glass doors, turn left and walk through lovely wide hallway, turn right where it dead ends into the Business Center, walk the breezeway until you get to the huge exit(on your left) into Downtown Disney---Studio 365 will be on your left, and Sephora on your right. Turn right, and you are about 3 minutes from Bag Check which is straight ahead.

It sounds more complicated than it is, and it takes about 7 to 10 minutes(walking briskly) in total---super easy and quick!

It also sounds more complicated than it is because several of us have now answered the same question about how to get to the GCH, all with varying degrees of info and details! If I were new to the PPH and I saw all of these different replies covering the same thing (which is, basically, how and where to cross the street), my head would be spinning!

 

[sgrap]

It also sounds more complicated than it is because several of us have now answered the same question about how to get to the GCH, all with varying degrees of info and details! If I were new to the PPH and I saw all of these different replies covering the same thing (which is, basically, how and where to cross the street), my head would be spinning!

We stayed at PPH for the first time a month ago, and I definitely felt that way when I was asking for directions. But when you get there, it is totally obvious. Basically stand outside the front doors of the hotel looking out, and point to the big hotel across the street, to the left. Go there.

 

[Sherry E]

We stayed at PPH for the first time a month ago, and I definitely felt that way when I was asking for directions. But when you get there, it is totally obvious. Basically stand outside the front doors of the hotel looking out, and point to the big hotel across the street, to the left. Go there.

sgrap --

I was typing up my reply to IckyMickey earlier, apparently just at the exact time you were posting yours, I think. If I had seen your post before I typed mine, I would have saved myself the trouble and not bothered.

I think crystal1313 might have been typing up her detailed, helpful reply as I was typing and posting mine, so we all ended up explaining how to cross the street, one after another! And it's really so simple as what you described.

I've been using that short cut from the PPH, across Disneyland Drive to the GCH, since 2008 (though I have been staying at the PPH since 2000, before there was a short cut to take). The very first time I tried to go that route, I ended up somewhere other than where I needed to go. I took a wrong turn.

However, the next time I tried it -- the next day -- I realized how easy it was, and how fun (it's nice to walk through the GCH every day), and I have never looked back! Unless I specifically have to go to the Disneyland Hotel from the PPH, I will always take the short cut through the GCH. I even look forward to that walk now. A lot of people think it's very far, but I have grown fond of the walk over the years.

 

[sgrap]

sgrap --

I was typing up my reply to IckyMickey earlier, apparently just at the exact time you were posting yours, I think. If I had seen your post before I typed mine, I would have saved myself the trouble and not bothered.

I think crystal1313 might have been typing up her detailed, helpful reply as I was typing and posting mine, so we all ended up explaining how to cross the street, one after another! And it's really so simple as what you described.

I've been using that short cut from the PPH, across Disneyland Drive to the GCH, since 2008 (though I have been staying at the PPH since 2000, before there was a short cut to take). The very first time I tried to go that route, I ended up somewhere other than where I needed to go. I took a wrong turn.

However, the next time I tried it -- the next day -- I realized how easy it was, and how fun (it's nice to walk through the GCH every day), and I have never looked back! Unless I specifically have to go to the Disneyland Hotel from the PPH, I will always take the short cut through the GCH. I even look forward to that walk from now on. A lot of people think it's very far, but I have grown fond of the walk over the years.

We're just so helpful around here, we stumble over each other. I had printed up maps and looked up directions, only to get there and go "DUH!" I think the biggest thing is to not follow the signs that take you to Downtown Disney until you get into GCH. Following the signs to DTD before that will take you the long way.

 

[Sherry E]

We're just so helpful around here, we stumble over each other. I had printed up maps and looked up directions, only to get there and go "DUH!" I think the biggest thing is to not follow the signs that take you to Downtown Disney until you get into GCH. Following the signs to DTD before that will take you the long way.

In the link I posted earlier I think I mentioned something about not following the signs unless one wants to take the Monorail. A lot of people prefer to take the Monorail for whatever reason, in which case the short cut isn't really that beneficial. It's better to go out the back door and walk the path to DTD.

Back in 2007, my friend and I stayed at the PPH in September and followed those signs (which we had also followed back in 2000). This was before we learned of the short cut the following year. My friend was not amused at following the signs on the property and walking that extra-long walk to and from the hotel, parks or DTD, so if we went back to the room for a rest she did not want to go back into the parks later because she dreaded the walk back to the PPH at the end of the night.

A few months later we stayed at the GCH (my second time; her first stay there), and she was much more comfortable with the walk because we were close to the elevator and it was so fast to get to DTD. That made her much more willing to go to and from the parks.

I knew that staying at the GCH was not always going to be an option, so I was relieved to learn of the PPH-GCH short cut in 2008 because it seemed like a nice compromise. It's not as short of a walk as it is from certain spots in the GCH to DTD and the parks, but it is also not as far of a walk as it is to follow the signs on the PPH property to get to the parks! It's a happy medium.

And...that walk to and from the PPH (through the GCH) is just enchanting during the chilly holiday season (I know that Cheshirecatty and crystal1313 know exactly what I am talking about)!

In late November and December, it's so fantastic to walk through festive, jubilant, holiday-infused Downtown Disney, which is filled with lights and music and happy faces, and then into the GCH lobby with that wonderful tree and carolers or Santa holding court. Finally, ending the night at the PPH, seeing the gorgeous blue-green of the Christmas tree lights, is just perfect.

 

[crystal1313]

sgrap --
I think crystal1313 might have been typing up her detailed, helpful reply as I was typing and posting mine, so we all ended up explaining how to cross the street, one after another! And it's really so simple as what you described.

Totally what happened! I didn't see any replies yet when I started typing mine! Oops!

And...that walk to and from the PPH (through the GCH) is just enchanting during the chilly holiday season (I know that Cheshirecatty and crystal1313 know exactly what I am talking about)!

I LOVE the walk to the PPH. Especially at Christmas time!!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

It also sounds more complicated than it is because several of us have now answered the same question about how to get to the GCH, all with varying degrees of info and details! If I were new to the PPH and I saw all of these different replies covering the same thing (which is, basically, how and where to cross the street), my head would be spinning!

So sorry Sherry….(and IckyMickey)

I really didn't mean to confuse anyone!

The reason I put down ultra detailed instructions, is because I can't tell you how many times, as we have left the PPH, and crossed the street to the GCH, we have listened to people behind us who had absolutely no idea where they were going, or how they were actually going get into either Park or DTD---even though they were staring straight ahead at the GCH.

We've heard them searching on/fumbling with Park maps, talking about just following the crowd ahead of them, or stopping to ask the GCH Security Guard---we always feel sorry for them.

 

[sgrap]

So sorry Sherry….(and IckyMickey)

I really didn't mean to confuse anyone!

The reason I put down ultra detailed instructions, is because I can't tell you how many times, as we have left the PPH, and crossed the street to the GCH, we have listened to people behind us who had absolutely no idea where they were going, or how they were actually going get into either Park or DTD---even though they were staring straight ahead at the GCH.

We've heard them searching on/fumbling with Park maps, talking about just following the crowd ahead of them, or stopping to ask the GCH Security Guard---we always feel sorry for them.

I think I was more confused once I got over to GCH, even though we have stayed there before. The good thing is that almost always there are other people doing the exact same thing as you are!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

I think I was more confused once I got over to GCH, even though we have stayed there before. The good thing is that almost always there are other people doing the exact same thing as you are!

I agree!!!

I like to be armed with lots of pertinent details, ahead of time---cuts way down on my stress level!!!

 

[bellebookworm9]

I know pictures help me, because I really like to visualize where the heck I'm going!

OK, so on this map, you can see PPH in the lower portion. I tried to make three blue dots; these represent the main exits from the building. By following the blue line, you can go to the Disneyland Hotel, or the western portion of Downtown Disney, where the monorail station is. The white line takes you to the Grand Californian. Once you're in their lobby, follow the white line to the private DCA entrance (just exit out the back of the lobby and follow the sidewalk), or take the pink line past the convention center to get to Downtown Disney, then hang a right to get to the theme park entrances. We found this walk much, much quicker than taking the long way all the way around the DL hotel!

 

[sgrap]

I know pictures help me, because I really like to visualize where the heck I'm going!

OK, so on this map, you can see PPH in the lower portion. I tried to make three blue dots; these represent the main exits from the building. By following the blue line, you can go to the Disneyland Hotel, or the western portion of Downtown Disney, where the monorail station is. The white line takes you to the Grand Californian. Once you're in their lobby, follow the white line to the private DCA entrance (just exit out the back of the lobby and follow the sidewalk), or take the pink line past the convention center to get to Downtown Disney, then hang a right to get to the theme park entrances. We found this walk much, much quicker than taking the long way all the way around the DL hotel!

That is an awesome map!!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

FANTASTIC map---bellebookworm9!!!!!

So helpful with the three different options marked out in different colors!(I love how you even marked the exit from the hallway down from PCH Grill!!!!!)


Thank you!

 

[Sherry E]

I love the map above ^^, but if someone had tried showing me a map -- of where and how to walk across the street from the PPH to the GCH, etc. -- 6 years ago, when I first took the short cut, I would have thought it was a complicated endeavor. If I were at WDW, it might be different because it's so huge and I would expect to need a map.

Part of the problem I had in 2008 was that I read some over-complicated directions of how to follow the short cut. Really, once I got there and tried to remember or follow those directions, I ended up taking a wrong turn.

Then I saw what I was supposed to be doing, and I realized the easiest way to explain to anyone was to say, essentially, what sgrap said above:

Basically stand outside the front doors of the hotel looking out, and point to the big hotel across the street, to the left. Go there.

It really can't get any simpler than that. Once people get to the PPH and get comfortable with the simple layout, then they will see how to get to the Monorail or take any alternate path they wish to take. Once they get into the GCH lobby it is as easy as following the signs right there in the lobby that direct them to the parks or to DTD. The PPH is such a small hotel compared to the DLH and the GCH, that it's pretty easy to quickly get the lay of the land.

 

[thatgrljme]

Thanks to the Dis I was easily able to find the short cuts thru the grand both to downtown Disney to get to Disneyland and into CA special entrance. It saved is a lot of time and walking through the air conditioned lobby during the hottest part of the day was a nice break.

 

[Sherry E]

Are the pods in the PPH coffee makers a kind that you can buy in the store? I'd like to bring my own strong tea, since I don't drink coffee...

Jennafoo --

I just wanted to make sure your question wasn't overlooked as the rest of us go over the many different explanations of how to get from the PPH to the GCH and beyond!

In bellebookworm9's handy post with photos -- Here -- you will see the coffee maker in her first photo. I would assume those are Joffrey's pods, but I can't quite tell?

Mine were Joffrey's. I don't have a pod coffee maker at home, but the pod thing in the PPH room was easier to use than my actual coffee maker. The Joffrey's pods that I had were the kind of thin paper like tea bags, sort of, and round.

Thanks to the Dis I was easily able to find the short cuts thru the grand both to downtown Disney to get to Disneyland and into CA special entrance. It saved is a lot of time and walking through the air conditioned lobby during the hottest part of the day was a nice break.

thatgrljme --

The GCH lobby is the best place to go (or one of the best places) on a hot day, isn't it? The lighting is nice and dim, for weary eyes. The chairs and sofas are nice and comfortable (so much so, I didn't want to stand up!). Snacks and drinks are just a pebble's toss away. It's lovely, in warm weather or in cold weather!

 

[bellebookworm9]

In bellebookworm9's handy post with photos -- Here -- you will see the coffee maker in her first photo. I would assume those are Joffrey's pods, but I can't quite tell?

Mine were Joffrey's. I don't have a pod coffee maker at home, but the pod thing in the PPH room was easier to use than my actual coffee maker. The Joffrey's pods that I had were the kind of thin paper like tea bags, sort of, and round.

I super duper zoomed in on the picture and the pods are Joffrey's. We didn't use it at all, as neither of us drink coffee, so I can't offer more info besides that. I do vaguely recall that it did look very, very easy to use. I think you just turn the knob to one cup or two, and push the start button?

 

[Sherry E]

I super duper zoomed in on the picture and the pods are Joffrey's. We didn't use it at all, as neither of us drink coffee, so I can't offer more info besides that. I do vaguely recall that it did look very, very easy to use. I think you just turn the knob to one cup or two, and push the start button?

Yes, I think that's what happens with the pod maker! I know that at one point I foolishly forgot to switch it from 2 cups to 1 cup, and I wondered why the coffee was coming out of the wrong side. That was totally my own fault, though, because it was otherwise an easy contraption to use!

The little compartments that hold the pods while brewing are made of fairly cheap plastic or a similar material. Nothing too sturdy.