Paradise Pier Superthread

[Sherry E]

I grew up in Southern California so I do understand the weather there and you obviously can't predict it, but the week before and week after our stay was gorgeous 70's and the week we were there 103. I wanted to die. I live in Texas, I was trying to get away from the heat lol

thatgirljme --

Was that in May of this year (the 103-degree weather)? I think that May was when the weird heat wave hit us.

Back in September 2010, there was a crazy 115+ degree heat wave in SoCal. Well, it was maybe 113 degrees where I am in L.A., and it was probably 118 degrees or so in Disneyland! See, as much as I love Disneyland, I couldn't bring myself out in that kind of heat. I would literally get ill and pass out, not to mention burn (despite layers of sunscreen) within minutes. It's best for me to just stay out of it at that point.

For the people who are on vacation, traveling from other states, however (like you, coming from Texas), they've come a long way to be at DLR and staying out of the sun is not an option for most of the trip. People have to get their money's worth and suffer through that heat, which is really not good for anyone. One can guzzle water all day long (and then run to the bathroom repeatedly), but that kind of heat is just not beneficial to anyone.

So, the places such as the GCH lobby -- or the Animation Building in DCA -- are welcome respites from the soaring temperatures. Juicy pineapple spears are great to snack on during those hot days too!

I kind of feel like the weather in SoCal has become more unusual and unpredictable in the last 10 or 20 years than I remember it being when I was growing up. I thought that the weather was a bit more reliable in "the old days," and we knew that September would be cooler than August, October would probably be windy, December would probably be rainy, etc.

Now, sometimes our real "wet weather" doesn't happen until January-March. December could be 90 degrees, or 50 degrees, in the daytime and 30 degrees at night. September could be 70 degrees and rainy or sunny, or it could be over 100 degrees. October could be windy, or cool, or it could be super hot. If we get hit with the effects of an El Nino, a whole lot of heavy, messy rain falls at once, with no break, and wreaks havoc around the city.

I don't need any crazy extremes, like rain so heavy that it collapses roofs, causes mudslides and floods streets, or heat so strong that it makes people ill. I would like nice, reasonable 70-degree days in the summer -- still warm enough for people to get and do fun things, but not unbearably hot. Doesn't Mother Nature understand the word "compromise"?

 

[thatgrljme]

Sherry E I grew up in Valencia, so I know it's not out of the norm for temps to climb above 100 or dip below 30 but I also know that the weather we experienced in May was well out of the ordinary for that time of year.

We got there the day before Mother's Day and stayed until Thursday so it wasn't too bad until about Tuesday. Wednesday was miserable for all of us and we didn't go back out of the hotel until after 7pm. We were in DCA that morning and my son got so dehydrated I had to call 911 from the hotel. Super scary as he woke up from his nap screaming and couldn't tell me what was wrong, but what am I supposed to do, pour water down his throat? lol

I am looking at another trip in February as I'd much rather deal with the rain then the heat.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry E I grew up in Valencia, so I know it's not out of the norm for temps to climb above 100 or dip below 30 but I also know that the weather we experienced in May was well out of the ordinary for that time of year.

We got there the day before Mother's Day and stayed until Thursday so it wasn't too bad until about Tuesday. Wednesday was miserable for all of us and we didn't go back out of the hotel until after 7pm. We were in DCA that morning and my son got so dehydrated I had to call 911 from the hotel. Super scary as he woke up from his nap screaming and couldn't tell me what was wrong, but what am I supposed to do, pour water down his throat? lol

I am looking at another trip in February as I'd much rather deal with the rain then the heat.

Your poor son! I hope he recovered pretty quickly. It's so easy to become dehydrated on days like that, and it seems there is never enough liquid to guzzle.

That's what happens -- even if people don't realize the heat is affecting them as much as it is, later on they might have to deal with the aftermath of it. (I tend to get very nauseous and headachy after I've gotten home, but I burn within a few minutes while I am out in the sun.) It's just not good to be in a place with so much sun on a super hot day, but so many people can't avoid it if they've come from afar.

Based on a couple of articles I read recently, we are due for a whopper of an El Nino later this year. The scientists have already seen the beginning signs if it, starting to form. As one of the articles explained, that could result in heat waves -- but in all my life, living in L.A., El Nino usually meant some crazy, heavy, non-stop rain. I can remember certain years in the past when the rain was just relentless for weeks on end (2001 was one of those years, but 1993 was also a doozy, late 2004/early 2005 had some really heavy, non-stop rain, etc.). The thing is, as you may recall from living in Valencia in the past, sometimes the El Nino effects happen earlier in winter than other times. So we could get hit with a bunch of rain in December, or December might be dry and hot and then the heavy rain comes in January-March. SoCal is not prepared to handle a lot of non-stop heavy rain, so it is always a huge mess when it happens.

Either way, yes, you're probably better off at DLR in the rain -- even if it turns out to be the bad kind of rain -- than in that awful heat. That heat is not a friend to anyone!

 

[thatgrljme]

Your poor son! I hope he recovered pretty quickly. It's so easy to become dehydrated on days like that, and it seems there is never enough liquid to guzzle.

That's what happens -- even if people don't realize the heat is affecting them as much as it is, later on they might have to deal with the aftermath of it. (I tend to get very nauseous and headachy after I've gotten home, but I burn within a few minutes while I am out in the sun.) It's just not good to be in a place with so much sun on a super hot day, but so many people can't avoid it if they've come from afar.

Based on a couple of articles I read recently, we are due for a whopper of an El Nino later this year. The scientists have already seen the beginning signs if it, starting to form. As one of the articles explained, that could result in heat waves -- but in all my life, living in L.A., El Nino usually meant some crazy, heavy, non-stop rain. I can remember certain years in the past when the rain was just relentless for weeks on end (2001 was one of those years, but 1993 was also a doozy, late 2004/early 2005 had some really heavy, non-stop rain, etc.). The thing is, as you may recall from living in Valencia in the past, sometimes the El Nino effects happen earlier in winter than other times. So we could get hit with a bunch of rain in December, or December might be dry and hot and then the heavy rain comes in January-March. SoCal is not prepared to handle a lot of non-stop heavy rain, so it is always a huge mess when it happens.

Either way, yes, you're probably better off at DLR in the rain -- even if it turns out to be the bad kind of rain -- than in that awful heat. That heat is not a friend to anyone!

Ah I remember El Nino clearly...I believe it was 1994 as my high school had just opened and their drainage system was not up to par for all of the rain. And good ol So Cal schools being mostly outdoor, we all came home soaked every day and sick from it.

Rain in my book is much better then heat as I deal with heat more often in Texas. Today we're 94 + probably 60% humidity if not higher. Super not looking forward to this summer and next summer with El Nino coming as I'm sure it will affect us as well.

The other thing I was dreading there was all the dang earthquakes ya'll are having! I was praying left and right for them to hold off the week we were there and luckily they did. I was there for Northridge and NEVER want to feel another one for the rest of my life lol

 

[Sherry E]

Ah I remember El Nino clearly...I believe it was 1994 as my high school had just opened and their drainage system was not up to par for all of the rain. And good ol So Cal schools being mostly outdoor, we all came home soaked every day and sick from it.

Rain in my book is much better then heat as I deal with heat more often in Texas. Today we're 94 + probably 60% humidity if not higher. Super not looking forward to this summer and next summer with El Nino coming as I'm sure it will affect us as well.

The other thing I was dreading there was all the dang earthquakes ya'll are having! I was praying left and right for them to hold off the week we were there and luckily they did. I was there for Northridge and NEVER want to feel another one for the rest of my life lol

Oh dear... That is one thing I despise about California. I can never get used to earthquakes, of any size. (And yes, it seems like there have been a lot of them happening lately, which I am not amused with.) I am not one of those jaded Los Angeles residents who has "gotten used to them." I've dealt with them all my life, and they scare me, but I never think, "Oh, it's just an earthquake...no big deal..."

Thinking back to that awful, horrible, terrifying Northridge quake -- especially since it happened when it was still dark outside and no one was dressed and ready to face the day -- still makes me uneasy. I think that a lot of people who lived in SoCal had previously not been bothered by quakes...until that one. That one was traumatizing, and every time I feel a quake starting now I wonder if it will be like Northridge.

 

[thatgrljme]

Oh dear... That is one thing I despise about California. I can never get used to earthquakes, of any size. (And yes, it seems like there have been a lot of them happening lately, which I am not amused with.) I am not one of those jaded Los Angeles residents who has "gotten used to them." I've dealt with them all my life, and they scare me, but I never think, "Oh, it's just an earthquake...no big deal..."

Thinking back to that awful, horrible, terrifying Northridge quake -- especially since it happened when it was still dark outside and no one was dressed and ready to face the day -- still makes me uneasy. I think that a lot of people who lived in SoCal had previously not been bothered by quakes...until that one. That one was traumatizing, and every time I feel a quake starting now I wonder if it will be like Northridge.

One thing I'm glad I don't have to deal with anymore. I would much prefer a tornado because we get warning and where I live we don't get them often then ever feel an earthquake again.

There is an earthquake simulator at the science museum here in Dallas and I for one will not get on it but laughed at the amount of shaking it did when it was supposed to be the "big one" my mom and I both said no way that is that large.

Anyway...we're super excited to come back soon, but hopefully in a cooler less crowded month and will for sure be staying on site whether it be PPH or another one. We just loved everyone there

 

[Sherry E]

One thing I'm glad I don't have to deal with anymore. I would much prefer a tornado because we get warning and where I live we don't get them often then ever feel an earthquake again.

There is an earthquake simulator at the science museum here in Dallas and I for one will not get on it but laughed at the amount of shaking it did when it was supposed to be the "big one" my mom and I both said no way that is that large.

Anyway...we're super excited to come back soon, but hopefully in a cooler less crowded month and will for sure be staying on site whether it be PPH or another one. We just loved everyone there

I think that staying onsite really adds to the whole experience -- for me, anyway. Yes, the prices are crazy and I can't stay onsite as often as I would like, but the overall feeling of being immersed and being on Disney property the whole time works wonders for me. I like going back to the hotel at the end of the night and being greeted by friendly CMs, and then looking for hidden Mickeys in the hallway or in the bedding! (It's the simple things that amuse me!)

I know that a lot of people don't feel that staying onsite is worth it -- and it isn't worth it for everyone -- but I think that those of us who have done it and know how much we enjoyed it, know that it is hard to not stay onsite after we have had successful onsite stays!

Hopefully you will find a great hotel deal for February! At least that won't be peak season, for the most part (not counting any holiday weekends), so the rates should automatically be a tiny bit lower than they would be for peak season.

 

[thatgrljme]

I think that staying onsite really adds to the whole experience -- for me, anyway. Yes, the prices are crazy and I can't stay onsite as often as I would like, but the overall feeling of being immersed and being on Disney property the whole time works wonders for me. I like going back to the hotel at the end of the night and being greeted by friendly CMs, and then looking for hidden Mickeys in the hallway or in the bedding! (It's the simple things that amuse me!)

I know that a lot of people don't feel that staying onsite is worth it -- and it isn't worth it for everyone -- but I think that those of us who have done it and know how much we enjoyed it, know that it is hard to not stay onsite after we have had successful onsite stays!

Hopefully you will find a great hotel deal for February! At least that won't be peak season, for the most part (not counting any holiday weekends), so the rates should automatically be a tiny bit lower than they would be for peak season.

I really wish they'd hurry up and release the new prices.

Staying on site with a toddler is priceless for me. Even though PPH is considered the farthest, it was SO easy for us to go back mid day for a break. Now if only I could muster up the extra $$ for the shorter walk back to the GCH lol

 

[Sherry E]

I really wish they'd hurry up and release the new prices.

Staying on site with a toddler is priceless for me. Even though PPH is considered the farthest, it was SO easy for us to go back mid day for a break. Now if only I could muster up the extra $$ for the shorter walk back to the GCH lol

The frustrating thing about the GCH is that some rooms will end up being very close to the elevators and the walk to the parks or DTD will seem ridiculously short. Other rooms will have guests staying way off in the hinterlands, down endless corridors and far away from the elevators. If you end up in a room that is conveniently located, then the walk really is short and quick.

Otherwise, yes, the PPH -- while considered the farthest -- is not really far at all, and it's nice to be able to go back and take a break.

It takes a long time For Disneyland Resort to get into gear and release dates, rates and other pertinent info well in advance, even though that's what the people want! It makes no sense to me that they wait so long.

 

[thatgrljme]

The frustrating thing about the GCH is that some rooms will end up being very close to the elevators and the walk to the parks or DTD will seem ridiculously short. Other rooms will have guests staying way off in the hinterlands, down endless corridors and far away from the elevators. If you end up in a room that is conveniently located, then the walk really is short and quick.

This is good to know, but how would you go about requesting or getting one closer?

Ugh....I'll just wait like this as I have been for the last month. I started having withdrawls the day after I got back and it was my first time to Disneyland since 1998.

 

[Sherry E]

This is good to know, but how would you go about requesting or getting one closer?

Ugh....I'll just wait like this as I have been for the last month. I started having withdrawls the day after I got back and it was my first time to Disneyland since 1998.

Wow -- and so much had changed since 1998! Disneyland Resort is a whole different place now (with some longstanding elements, of course) than it was in 1998. It probably seemed familiar and yet brand new to you, all at once! There was no DCA, no GCH, no Downtown Disney, and the PPH was not yet the PPH back in 1998! The Disneyland Hotel was different back then too!


I didn't request my room at the GCH. I just went where they put me in the GCH, and thankfully, on my last stay there, I got a room near the elevator so the walk to and from all the action was easy and fast. It was a plain old standard room, and the view was okay but not spectacular. The GCH rooms with better views (which I had on my first stay there) seemed to be way off in the hinterlands, down the endless hallways.

I have read some things on the board in the past -- maybe in the GCH thread, or maybe in another hotel discussion thread? -- which indicated that some people may have requested to be nearer to the elevators upon check-in, or maybe they made the request if they made the reservation over the phone, so it could be notated in the file/reservation before checking in. I don't know if those requests were fulfilled (I never followed up), but Disney is pretty good about trying to accommodate requests if at all possible, so they would probably do whatever they could to put you as close as possible to where you wanted to be.

 

[kylie71]

Hi Sherry, I am starting my countdown for Thanksgiving 2015, and my goal is to stay at the PPH, in a view room!
I have stayed there when it was Pan Pacific, and that way WAY before DCA was built! In fact they we're building Indy at that time, and we rode the parking lot tram to the park, from the back of the Pan Pacific!! WOW!! I am OLD!


Anyway, I wanted to say Hi!
I will read this thread... Thank You as always for your help.. and wonderful threads!

--Lori

 

[Sherry E]

Hi Sherry, I am starting my countdown for Thanksgiving 2015, and my goal is to stay at the PPH, in a view room!
I have stayed there when it was Pan Pacific, and that way WAY before DCA was built! In fact they we're building Indy at that time, and we rode the parking lot tram to the park, from the back of the Pan Pacific!! WOW!! I am OLD!


Anyway, I wanted to say Hi!
I will read this thread... Thank You as always for your help.. and wonderful threads!

--Lori

Hi, Lori!

Thank you, but I can't take credit for this thread -- it was started by someone else and I just pop in and contribute every so often!

I remember when the PPH was the Pan Pacific, but I didn't stay there when it was the Pan Pacific or the Disneyland Pacific (I was staying at the Disneyland Hotel at that point)! It didn't become the PPH until closer to the end of the '90s. In fact, I think that it had not been the Paradise Pier Hotel for very long when I stayed there at the end of 2000.

Indy opened in 1995, didn't it? I am trying to remember. So you must have stayed at the Pan Pacific before then.

I rode the tram as a child too (another old person here!)! I loved the tram, and thought of it as just another "ride" at DL. In the old days that tram would take us through the giant parking lot, where a lot of people would inevitably lose their cars!

Lori -- The 4th Annual Theme Week Countdown begins in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread on July 21st (and ends with the final theme on November 3rd), so be sure to join in and share your photos over there! Last year I think you came in towards the end of the Countdown, but now you know well in advance!

 

[thatgrljme]

I remember the tram and the old parking lot where DCA now is lol

 

[dcraythorn]

Hi all, my DH and I stayed at PPH, May 17th thru the 23rd. We were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and his 60th birthday. To tell you the truth, we were quite disappointed in the standard room overlooking the parking lot and the really small bathroom. After staying there the first night, we decided to see if we could transfer over to DLH. After talking to the front desk, the moved us to "The Huntington Suite" at no additional charge. This suite was just beautiful. Way to much space for the two of us, but we loved it non the less.

 

[sgrap]

Hi all, my DH and I stayed at PPH, May 17th thru the 23rd. We were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and his 60th birthday. To tell you the truth, we were quite disappointed in the standard room overlooking the parking lot and the really small bathroom. After staying there the first night, we decided to see if we could transfer over to DLH. After talking to the front desk, the moved us to "The Huntington Suite" at no additional charge. This suite was just beautiful. Way to much space for the two of us, but we loved it non the less.

Wow, that is some serious pixie dust!!

 

[kylie71]

Sherry-- I will head over to the Holiday thread, Thank You! Yes, I was late to the party last year! I want chances at those prizes this year!



--Lori

 

[bellebookworm9]

Hi all, my DH and I stayed at PPH, May 17th thru the 23rd. We were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and his 60th birthday. To tell you the truth, we were quite disappointed in the standard room overlooking the parking lot and the really small bathroom. After staying there the first night, we decided to see if we could transfer over to DLH. After talking to the front desk, the moved us to "The Huntington Suite" at no additional charge. This suite was just beautiful. Way to much space for the two of us, but we loved it non the less.

We were there at the exact same time (May 18-23) and I think you may have been literally across the hall from us! Our room was 1434 and we were definitely across from a suite, I think it was that one.

 

[dcraythorn]

We were there at the exact same time (May 18-23) and I think you may have been literally across the hall from us! Our room was 1434 and we were definitely across from a suite, I think it was that one.

We were neighbors... It was a great trip. Love when pixie dust happens!!

 

[IckyMickey]

Just thought of another question... Does PPH supply towels by the pool area? Thanks!