Paradise Pier vs. Disneyland Hotel

[Stephanie8537]

Hello!
I've stayed at the Paradise Pier multiple times... This time we are considering staying at the Disneyland Hotel for something different. Is it worth the price difference or should we just got for the whole shabang and stay at the Grand Californian?

We have a 2 year old and 4 year old. Which walk is farther - from PP or DH?

what are your thoughts?

 

[Cinderpamela]

I have stayed at both the PP and the DL hotel, they are both nice but I love the newly remodelled DLH rooms.

Since you have stayed at PP you know what it's like, we really enjoyed our stay there. The DLH is just a little nicer... nicer pool area and such. IMO it has the better Character breakfast (Goofy's Kitchen).

Is it worth the exptra cost? I guess that depends on how much more it is, for the time frame you are booking.

I would say the walk from both to the plaza is pretty close to the same if you are cutting through the GC lobby from PP.

GC is the closest, so thats a huge advantage. GC has always been the one that I wanted to stay at but I could never justify the cost. We have now joined DVC, so for the first time, we are going to be staying there on points in November.

 

[llump41]

Although the walk is about the same from both hotels, you do have to cross a very busy street from the PPH. With a couple of toddlers that's always scary.

This is what I looked at when booking.
Pools- Much better at DLH but I didn't go to the resort to swim.
Theming- Better at the DLH but not worth the extra $. When we stayed at the DLH years ago it was just pretty much a room. I hear they are much better now though.

What it boiled down to us was we could do PPH concierge park view for what a standard room at DLH was.

 

[maluendafamily]

We have stayed at DLH for our last couple of visits but because we are planning to go back again so soon I decided to book at PPH to save some money that I would rather spend in the park anyway. Hope I made the right decision!

 

[larina]

Although the walk is about the same from both hotels, you do have to cross a very busy street from the PPH. ....

Just wanted to mention, there is a light and a cross walk. I've never seen anything at all dangerous or bad happen crossing there on Disneyland Drive.

 

[larina]

I do understand about being nervous walking two little ones across though. My kids always make me nervous at cross walks, even when no cars are there at all.

 

[Babybears]

We really like PPH! I find the walk quicker than DLH to DL, but just barely. It is definitely more convenient getting to CA from PPH, though! That was one of our favorite perks! I think you will have fun whichever you decide! Can't go wrong!! LOL

 

[Heymy]

I think it's definitely worth the difference in price. Our last stay at PPH was less than stellar. It wasn't bad, just we have had better. We stayed at DLH in Feb and everyone was in love. For our family there is just something more comforting/inviting walking through Downtown Disney rather than crossing a busy street. When I'm onsite I want to escape reality and see as few cars as possible.

 

[larina]

If you go with PPH, I really believe that the view makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Without it, I'd go for DLH, but I'm a sucker for the view of WOC from The Pier.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

If you go with PPH, I really believe that the view makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Without it, I'd go for DLH, but I'm a sucker for the view of WOC from The Pier.

Well, the week I'm looking at (last wk of July), a PPH upgraded room (upper level theme park view) is exactly the same price as DLH standard room (parking lot level). Which would you guys pick?

 

[ZanderMan]

I stayed at the PPH in 09 for my birthday. I loved the hotel staff, everyone treated my family with the utmost respect. They upgraded my room to a park view ounce we arrived because it was my Birthday. Anyways I thought I would share a photo of the "park view" for you could see for yourself.

 

[DizMe]

I personally think DLH is worth the price difference over PPH. I think it's so much nicer in terms of resort/grounds/amenities. I like a view but it isn't tops on my list when it comes to picking the hotel. There are some awesome views to be had at PPH but not much else was that great about it to me.

GCH is very nice, of course, but with your kids' ages I would still go with DLH. The rooms are larger, brighter, and the hotel in general is more kid-oriented. Don't get me wrong--I love GCH!!! But for younger kids I think DLH is a better choice. GCH has a lot of internal walking, usually, while DLH is pretty straightforward in layout. One thing that made me nervous about GCH when my kids were little was that the balcony chairs/table are very easy for them to climb on like a ladder and up onto the balcony rail. We caught our 4-year-old just heading onto the railing with a 4-story drop (there was a roof overhang below, but still). If you do decide on GCH, keep a careful eye on the kids when you're out on the balcony! It's very nice to be able to go straight into DCA from the hotel. I don't find the walk from DLH any big deal, though others often mention it as being very far. I don't get the feeling PPH is part of the resort like DLH and GCH.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well, the week I'm looking at (last wk of July), a PPH upgraded room (upper level theme park view) is exactly the same price as DLH standard room (parking lot level). Which would you guys pick?

Having stayed at both hotels and also having had a view room at PPH, I'd go with the DLH. We enjoyed PPH, the view is amazing but the DLH feels much nicer to me. The pool area in particular and the new rooms at DLH looks amazing.

 

[larina]

If they are the same, I'd probably go with DLH at this point for the pools and to see the remodeled room, but I really love PPH so I'd be hard to decide!!!!

 

[llump41]

Well, the week I'm looking at (last wk of July), a PPH upgraded room (upper level theme park view) is exactly the same price as DLH standard room (parking lot level). Which would you guys pick?

I think your answer depends on what you are looking for during your stay. If you plan on using the pool a lot, then the PPH is the last choice. If you are really just looking for a place to rest your head, then the PPH is your first choice. We did PPH concierge park view for the same price as the DH standard room last Aug for our 10yr. anniversary. When we honeymooned at the DLH we had a 2nd floor room. It was small and really just plain.

 

[BlueBayou]

We actually preferred our stay at PPH over DLH. While the pool at DLH (prior to the remodel) was larger and much better themed than PPH's pool - the DLH pool was always super crowded. We used it two our three times and the kids had fun - but even they got tired of being splashed by strangers.

As PPH we decided to check out of the room and use the pool before we drove home. Hours later we finally had to drag the kids (ages 8 and 11) out of the pool so we could try and beat the rush out traffic. Most of the time we were the only people in the pool area, my kids had the slide (and two life guards) all to themselves.

One thing I also liked about the PPH hotel is the cut through the GCH. We would spend time by the fire on out way home, listening to the piano music.

Now if money were no object - we would stay at GCH again. We stayed their in mid December after September 11th - when rates were very low. We got the room for $205 plus tax. Our daughter was a toddler and we never did use the pool. It was December and we only saw a couple people using it during our save.

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

I struggled with this decision myself and finally settled on the DLH. The pool and grounds is what pushed me towards it. The new pool has a very nice (looking) splash pad/wading pool for little ones including a small slide. My children will love it. I also love the idea that there are better grounds/paths/grass for my children to burn off some steam on. Good luck with your decision. I understand the dilemma. It's taken me months to decide.

 

[amyamya]

As PPH we decided to check out of the room and use the pool before we drove home. Hours later we finally had to drag the kids (ages 8 and 11) out of the pool so we could try and beat the rush out traffic. Most of the time we were the only people in the pool area, my kids had the slide (and two life guards) all to themselves.

How did you do this? Did your key card still work at the pool after you checked out?