Pixar hotel or BW Park Place Inn across the street?

[Disneyland1084]

When summer 2026 reservations open, I'm going to book a room at BW Park Place Inn for DH, DS and our 2 DD's. We stayed there in 2022 and liked it. When the resort hotels release their summer sales, if the price is right, I'm going to upgrade to Pixar,maybe DL hotel if the price is right. I last stayed at Pixar in 2004 when it was Paradise Pier. It was ok,but did enjoy it. We love BW as it's right across the street. I love the convenience of the monorail, but was unhappy we only used it twice last time we stayed at DL hotel. It was closed most of our trip due to the heat. I'm thinking Pixar because of the 30 minute EE,but the hour was SO much better. I watched a YouTube video and wasn't impressed with the pool. I LOVE DL hotel pool.But if the monorail 's going to be closed,and EE only 30 minutes, not sure if it's worth it. What would you do? BW or Park Place?

 

[disneychrista]

Unless I am spending time at the hotel/resort I don't see the reason to spend the significant extra money for PP. Plus it is a shorter walk to the front gates from BWPPI than the Pixar Place.

 

[OlliePop27]

Unless I am spending time at the hotel/resort I don't see the reason to spend the significant extra money for PP. Plus it is a shorter walk to the front gates from BWPPI than the Pixar Place.

I agree. I always want to stay on-site at DLH because it's so magical, but then I come to my senses. I stay across the street at Tropicana (next to BWPPI) for 1/4 the cost, substantially closer proximity, and a multi-room suite overlooking the parks with a fireworks view.

Yes, there's occasionally some noise and street vendors, but IMO it's not worth 4x as much to stay onsite. I go for the parks, not the pool and the only time at the hotel is for sleeping!

EDITED TO ADD: No disparagement intended towards anyone who chooses to stay on-site. We are fortunate that we could afford it, but we also like to travel other places every year. The cheaper we make an annual DLR trip, the more likely it is to keep doing an annual short visit.

 

[VGCgroupie]

To me Pixar feels so much like Disney even more so than GCH . I love the lobby. I love feeling immersed in Disney and for me that means staying on site. For me personally it makes the vacation that much better. I also love the new entrance into DCA for PP guests.

 

[reddog21]

Pixar Place and I wouldn't hesitate, staying at PP you get gate access to all the backdoor hotel gates along with the personal gate for entry to DCA.

 

[OlliePop27]

Pixar Place and I wouldn't hesitate, staying at PP you get gate access to all the backdoor hotel gates along with the personal gate for entry to DCA.

The PP specific entrance is only until Noon. Otherwise, they have to go to the regular GCH entrance.

 

[reddog21]

The PP specific entrance is only until Noon. Otherwise, they have to go to the regular GCH entrance.

True, it's an exit until 8pm however you can still use the Grand Californian entrance all day and it's just around the corner. There was a guard at the Grand Californian entrance in front of the hotel checking key cards so if you not staying at a Disney resort your out of luck. I saw him turn away quite a bit of people trying to use either entrance.

 

[VandVsmama]

Stay at BWPPI, save the difference in cost and spend some of it on upgraded experiences at the parks...like a World of Color dessert party or Fantasmic dining package or a character meal or 2.

And rope drop each day at the park which does NOT have 30 min early entry for on-site hotel guests.

 

[OlliePop27]

Stay at BWPPI, save the difference in cost and spend some of it on upgraded experiences at the parks...like a World of Color dessert party or Fantasmic dining package or a character meal or 2.

And rope drop each day at the park which does NOT have 30 min early entry for on-site hotel guests.

Or save the money to come back again and again because DL is so amazing! I always need to know that I have another trip planned!

 

[reddog21]

Stay at BWPPI, save the difference in cost and spend some of it on upgraded experiences at the parks...like a World of Color dessert party or Fantasmic dining package or a character meal or 2.

And rope drop each day at the park which does NOT have 30 min early entry for on-site hotel guests.

30 minutes doesn't seem like alot but it you plan it right and are at the gate right at 7:30 you can get in a whole lot of rides. We hit all 4 major rides in 30 minutes(guardians, incredicoster, web slinger, toy story mania(around 8:10ish)) for DCA multiple days and easily 4 rides at DL.
We did buy lightning lane for Radiator springs but that was the only ride that just gets a crazy line first thing in the morning.

 

[crystal1313]

We just got back from a stay at Pixar place. I’m usually one to stay at cheaper hotels to save money, but I do have to admit we really loved our stay at Pixar Place. We even talked about not going as much and then saving towards staying on site instead. I know a lot of people feel you aren’t in the bubble at Pixar place, but we still felt like we were in the bubble. Loved the gate into DCA. I also saw guards turning people away who didn’t have a room key.

We only had an issue one morning with the elevators. We left around 7am and this particular morning we left a little later than that. We ended up only waiting about 5ish minutes for an elevator.

The thing I was most surprised about was the lack of security lanes open that early. The lines were long at both security entrances by the DLH. That was a bit frustrating.

We had a great stay and had one of our most favorite meals at the pool bar. Lol. We took a break on our DCA day and went back to the hotel but wanted to hang out outside, so thought we would check out the pool bar. We got a huge portions of chips and dip (queso, guac and salsa) and a large portion of sliders that were so good! The waiter said it’s not the great maple who makes the food for the pool bar. We really loved it and wished we had time to go back another day!

It really comes down to if you want to splurge or not. Like I said, we hardly ever splurge, but staying 4 nights was SO nice!! I think either way, you will have a fun trip!

 

[Diana ZP]

We have stayed at all of the Disney hotels various times and lately I would rather use the extra money on "splurges" in the parks- dining packages, tours etc...I love staying at Marriott properties close by, always treated very well. Just my 2 cents!!