Park Vue Inn or Paradise Pier?

[mom2aredhead]

OK, I know its hard to compare the 2 - its not exactly apples to apples.

We're booked at Park Vue Inn - 2 adults, 2 kids, bunk bed room, for 4 nights. It includes breakfast every morning, and (allegedly, from what I read) water bottles, fruit, cookies, and a "happy hour" kind of thing in the evening.

OR

For $150 more, I can stay at Paradise Pier in a standard room using the fall room discount. Which granted includes nothing in the way of food/snacks, but is probably significantly nicer in terms of the room and the property, and I like the idea of staying on DL property.

I think Park Vue may be closer walking distance to the entrance (unless there is some kind of secret shortcut?) What are the other "perks" if any) that I would be missing by staying across the street? And would it be worth $150?

Decisions decisions...

 

[greenkai3000]

We were debating whether to stay right across the street from the main gate, or at Paradise Pier just like you. We are WDW vets, and we figured if we are going to DL, we might as well say at a DL Hotel... We figured Magic Morning hours alone will make spending an extra $150 to stay at PP worth it.

As far as distance is concerned, I hear that you can cut through the Grand Californian (lobby) to get to both park gates. I say go for it if you can truly spend a bit extra...

If only there was a way for us to upgrade to the GC for no extra $$$ We'd do it.

 

[rentayenta]

How many nights? I don't think anything compares to staying on property. I like strolling through DTD after a day in the parks. You can always take the Monorail to DTD too.

 

[sonnyjane]

If the difference for a four night stay is only $150, then I'd stay at Paradise Pier. It is a farther walk than Park Vue, but you cut through Grand Californian so it doesn't seem that bad - it's only .44 miles according to MapMyRun (Park Vue is .25, so not that much of a difference). Also you'll get MM entry on every day it is offered during your stay if you stay on-site, plus the special entry into DCA early through GCH.

 

[Malcon10t]

Are you parking a car? Did you include the parking fee at Paradise Pier? (Another $48.) Personally, I just never felt the resort hotels were worth the extra $$. Being half the distance at the Park Vue would be our choice. But we also wouldn't be using MM, as I am lucky if I can get the kids up and to the park by 9-10am.

 

[summer0407]

I had the same debate and I chose Park Vue. If you are one to only go once a year or less frequently though I would probably choose Paradise Pier. We go a few times a year and stayed at the Grand in June so I did not feel the need to stay on property for this next trip. The Park Vue is very clean and super close. I am positive the walk is quite a bit closer. The staff is also friendly and the food quite decent. You do get the magic morning hours by staying onsite which is great. I know it's a tough decision, have a wonderful time no matter what you decide!

 

[mom2aredhead]

There are MM hours on only 2 of the days we would be there. And I believe that the hoppers we purchased from Ares already include MM admission for 1 day. So 1 hour early for 1 day isn't selling me.

We stayed at HoJo's last trip and thought it was fine. But I am kind of a "hotel snob" so I think I would like to stay at Paradise Pier, just because its their hotel. Hmmmmm....

I wish I had a magic mirror where I could see the weather forecast for that time. If it would be warm enough to enjoy the pool and slide, I would do it.

And on a related note...I also wish that they would post the parade/show/fireworks times for that week. I am used to WDW and being able to plan my time waaaaaay ahead of time. This is like torture.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Are you parking a car? Did you include the parking fee at Paradise Pier? (Another $48.) Personally, I just never felt the resort hotels were worth the extra $$. Being half the distance at the Park Vue would be our choice. But we also wouldn't be using MM, as I am lucky if I can get the kids up and to the park by 9-10am.

Thank you. No, I didn't include that. And I just checked, and it doesn't look like there is a Quick Service type restaurant for breakfast IN Paradise Pier? If that is the case, then not only is breakfast not going to be included, but now we'll have to get all 4 of us up, out, and elsewhere for breakfast. Not convenient. I kind of liked the idea of sending the kids (15 & 8) to breakfast at Park Vue while we finished getting ready in the morning.

I think we would be awake to make the MM hours (since out bodies will be on East Coast time). And again, the hotel is definitely nicer. But is it $200 (now with the parking) + breakfast every morning nicer?

 

[disney4cam]

We stayed at PPH once and I was disappointed. It's quite a bit farther walk than Park Vue - even cutting through GCH. It's not overly Disney-themed, so you don't get quite the same experience as you would at the others, but you do walk through GCH, so I guess you get a taste. We ate at their restaurant (I think it's a Lilo & Stitch theme) and it was AWFUL. That may be a one-time deal, but it was enough for us.

IMO, either bite the bullet and stay at GCH (I know that's not an option), or stay at Park Vue. Park Vue's breakfast and evening snacks are not gourmet, but they do the trick. Both saved us on our last trip. The walk is 5 mins, and I am not exaggerating. The rooms are small, but clean, and we had a great experience.

 

[It'sKim]

We had to make the same choice for our recent trip and ended up staying at the Park Vue, which is where we usually stay. It was $180 more to stay at PP but once we factored in the cost of food every day that sky rocketed. The food at the Park Vue isn't amazing, but their breakfast is filling and decent, and the social hour does the trick for a dinner. It really does save a lot of money as long as you aren't expecting gourmet dining.

For the amount of time we actually spend in the room, the extra cost for the food, and the extra cost for the room, we just decided the Park Vue was a better choice for us.

One day, I would like to stay on the property though as it's something we have never done.

 

[Hound 109]

For $40 - $50 per night more.....I'd stay at the Pier. (note - I've stayed both onsite & offsite multiple times)

Reasons:

- Extra day of MM.
- Immersion.....Goofy & the rooms.
- 3-4 walks per day thru the GCH & DTD (as opposed to the walk to & from Harbor).
- Although the Pier is not "closer" to the turnstiles.....imo, the Pier is much closer (easier) to enjoy a mid day break. (Assuming one starts each day at DLR, hops to DCA, exits thru the GCH to the Pier.)


Regarding Breakfast:

- The Room Service "Big Breakfast" for one would fill up 2-3 people (at $15-16). Room service is kinda cool for the kids, plus you don't waste any time.

- Another option might be Whitewater Snacks. But probably not any cheaper than room service & you have to order & wait etc. during the early morn.

- or just bring a bunch of breakfast items to the room.


My breakeven point for a Harbor hotel vrs. the Pier would be about $70 - $80 more per night....but that's me.

 

[BayAreaMom]

We stayed in a suite at PVI in August. I found the food 100% inedible, but I am picky (healthy, organic, vegetarian). DH is less picky and while he ate a few bites, he said the meat was "questionable" and most of the food tasted like cardboard. SO, personally, I would not factor the "free food" into my assessment of value.


Our room was also not what I would call "clean". The tile in our kitchenette and bathroom was visibly dirty, and some of the living room furniture was scraped up. The towels also were pathetic- thin, ratty, ugh.