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!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I just got back from a stay at the BW Park Place. The stay was great, I usually stay here or at the BW Anaheim Inn. As for noise, my room was near the front of the hotel and I wasn't bothered by any street noise at all. I don't remember ever being disturbed by street noise at either hotel. Last night when I got home, I live in a small town of about 1000 people, I heard more car noise as I was trying to go to sleep than at the BW Park Place.

The cost of staying at the BW vs a Disney hotel is just so much better. Typically the cost of the BW is about half of the cost of Pixar Place, so that means I can go on 2 trips to Disneyland for the price of one!

 

[DizMe]

It depends on many factors besides the main one--money. There are those perks and intagibles that appeal to some and are unimportant to others. For instance, I love the open spaces and various amenities in the Disney hotels. Those are of little interest to others. I love the pool areas at the GCH and DLH because it feels like a resort and not a motel, but I've never used the Pixar pool so don't know about that one. I love having lobbies and shops and restaurants and beautiful landscaping, but I realize that doesn't mean much to some people. I like being away from the streets and noise, but don't really mind staying in a motel off site if that's what the situation calls for.

Is on site worth the extra money? That's not a question I can answer for anyone else. Most of the time, it is for me but there are times when I'm going with one or more friends/family members who prefer not to spend the extra money and that's fine. When I was younger, it wasn't an option to stay on site so I kind of spoil myself now.

 

[Pluto468]

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?

I'd rather stay on property when I can. So if the resort hotel discounts are good I'd probably do that.

 

[Jawwdoc]

I’ve stayed both on and off-site many times but at this point in the game it is difficult for me to justify the DL hotel prices given the paltry 30 minutes of early entry. The walk to Disneyland from the 10-12 hotels across the street on Harbor is actually shorter than the walk from DLH or PP. Disney also needs to keep the Pixar Pier entrance open for EE and until the parks close for me to justify the cost of Pixar Place. GCH and west DTD security lines are also a deterrent to staying on-site.

 

[DontSpamMe]

Staying on property is just better.

The price for both of those hotels has a premium included. The absolute only premium to the BW is the location being across the street. The premium for PP is early entry, being inside the bubble, access to different entry points, nicer hotel. Overall, it's just a better experience at PP.

With that said neither of these hotels is worth the price.

I'd advocate for you to stay at a place like the Alpine Inn or the various other hotels around the hub and save $100+ a night compared to the BW.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Thank you everyone for your replies so far. No doubt PP is a lovely hotel. I'm not sure what I'll do until 2026 reservations open up. I just called and was told typically they open the end of August. I can't stand the wait, I'm so impatient. It's been over 20 years since I stayed there, and I forgot how long the walk is. My family always gets a 3 day park hopper ticket. At the end of every trip,especially the last night, I'm ready to chop my feet off,lol. We'll see what happens.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I'd advocate for you to stay at a place like the Alpine Inn or the various other hotels around the hub and save $100+ a night compared to the BWBW.

I've never heard of Alpine Inn. What are some of the highlights of staying there?

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Staying on property is just better.

The price for both of those hotels has a premium included. The absolute only premium to the BW is the location being across the street. The premium for PP is early entry, being inside the bubble, access to different entry points, nicer hotel. Overall, it's just a better experience at PP.

With that said neither of these hotels is worth the price.

I'd advocate for you to stay at a place like the Alpine Inn or the various other hotels around the hub and save $100+ a night compared to the BW.

Another premium for the BW besides being across the street is reward points can be earned to be put towards future stays at any BW hotel, overall that is a perk for any of the large chain hotels. There is also breakfast included at the BW's, sure it isn't the most gourmet breakfast but it holds me over until lunch.