PPH or DLH to stay? Which do you prefer?

[cami89]

We will be coming to DL sometime this year and will either be staying at the DLH or PPH. I am curious which you prefer and/or would suggest for us. We are a family of 4 - me, DH, DS10 and DD6. My kids have never been to DL and my DH and I haven't been for many, many years (our last visit was almost 12 years ago on our honeymoon!) In light of that, I am sure that we will spend a great deal of time at the parks since it is all pretty new to us.

We won this trip through a Kellogg's contest and were given a choice between DL and WDW. Since they were covering the airfare and we probably wouldn't visit DL otherwise (we are far away in TN), we opted for the DL trip. We've been to WDW many times and know the drill, but DL is a little out of my comfort zone. There is so much to see and do at WDW, will we be "disappointed" at DL?

Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions you have.

 

[newfamilyman]

I would recommend doing a search for reviews to get more information, but IMHO, PP is a dump that would be very disappointing for you to visit, especially considering the distance you are travelling. Of those two, there is much more charm and Disney feel at DLH.

 

[ter-moo]

Definitely go for the Disneyland Hotel. The grounds are beautiful, the rooms are bigger, the pool is cool, and it's very kid friendly.

I don't think you'll be disappointed at all by Disneyland. It's a different park than WDW--I find it more magical. It is, after all Walt's original park!

The only thing that may disappoint you when comparing the two is the dining. There just aren't the myriad choices at DL that there are at WDW. BUT, you'll more than make up for that with the ease of getting around, the proximity of everything and the little extras that make this park special.

I'd recommend getting "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland" and following one of the plans in the back for touring the parks. It'll save you a lot of line-waiting, a lot of arguments and a whole lot of decision making!

Have a GREAT time!!!

 

[EMAW]

I guess I am in the minority here because I loved the PPH. The suite we were in was great, we had a beautiful view of DCA, the suite was huge and the staff was wonderful. JMHO

Have fun!

Em

 

[DangerMouse]

I just wanted to say congratulations on winning such an awesome prize in a contest. I love it when I actually hear about people who win those things. Gives me hope to continue entering!

I have only stayed at the DLH and GCH, and I preferred the DLH. It is closer to the monorail and DTD than PPH and the views from the Sierra Tower are awesome.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Another vote of PP, especially with a themepark view. I like entering into a lobby, the glass elevator, the beach themeing, and cutting through the GC when walking to the parks.It also has a superior slide.

 

[disney_fan_fam]

I think your kids would enjoy DH better.

 

[bjsmom]

We did DLH last year and it was great! This year we are going to PPH, so I will let you know!

 

[amjt660]

Another vote for DLH
As said in a previous post the grounds, the rooms and the pool are great

Drew

 

[Amy&Dan]

In a sense you cannot go wrong with either. They are both very nice hotels with that nice Disney customer service. PP has a beach theme with Disney touches, DLH has a Disney theme all around. The DLH has lovely grounds but since PP is so close you can still enjoy those and look around very easily. I like the DLH pool better, but PP's does have a superior, awesome slide. They both have nice, bright, spacious rooms. However, since you won this trip, you might as well get more bang for your free buck, the DLH is the more expensive of the two so I guess you might as well go for that one! I do prefer the DLH but don't at all consider PP a poor relation that isn't also a great place to stay.

You won't be a bit disappointed in DL vs. WDW. It will have a familar feel, your knowledge of fastpass and touring will serve you well. But Disneyland is also its own unique place with a lot of charm, incredible rides, some great dining and a compact set up that cannot be beat. Park hopping takes two minutes if you walk slow. DTD is also connected. You walk easily between the two parks, DTD and the three onsite hotels with all their dining choices. There is alot crammed in and so much to see and do. And since this was Walt's park, it has that aspect which is very special. You were very smart in my book to take advantage of this offer! And if you are like most of the other WDW vets who have been to DL recently, this won't be your last trip. Have fun and congratulations on winning such a fabulous prize!

 

[Judy from Boise]

That is a good point to go with the more expensive one this time !

 

[Amy&Dan]

That is a good point to go with the more expensive one this time !

I just sort of figure if this is a prize, take it to the highest level!

OP: Check out this link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Its really helpful for WDW vets visiting DL for the first time to read the pros, cons, similarities and differences of both parks.

 

[ShawnaF]

We did the Paradise Pier in October, the Disneyland Hotel in February, and the Paradise Pier again in April (this month.) With trips so close we're now better able to compare. Paradise Pier soundproofing isn't as good, but the rooms are a little newer and nicer. The Disneyland pools and grounds are the BEST, but the rooms all need a little work here and there. The windows at DLH are floor to ceiling and make the rooms feel bigger even though PP is supposed to be bigger in actuality. Still, there's more of a Disney feel at DLH and you're a little closer to things. We're going again in October and for the money, I would have chosen Paradise Pier and done extra character meals. My husband said he wants to do the GC now though, so we'll see if maybe that's what it's cracked up to be. I'm hoping!!!

 

[RMH]

In light of that, I am sure that we will spend a great deal of time at the parks since it is all pretty new to us.

If you are intent on staying on at a Disney hotel I can't really comment since I have never stayed on site. But if you are really going to spend all your time at the park and not at the hotel, you may want to consider staying off site. There are some really nice hotels that are as close or closer to the park than the Disney hotels and they are 1/3 the price. Unlike WDW there are a dozen or more non-Disney hotels that are within walking distance to the park.

That is a lot of money you can use on other things like souveniers, nice meals, or just keep for yourself.

 

[Amy&Dan]

If you are intent on staying on at a Disney hotel I can't really comment since I have never stayed on site. But if you are really going to spend all your time at the park and not at the hotel, you may want to consider staying off site. There are some really nice hotels that are as close or closer to the park than the Disney hotels and they are 1/3 the price. Unlike WDW there are a dozen or more non-Disney hotels that are within walking distance to the park.

That is a lot of money you can use on other things like souveniers, nice meals, or just keep for yourself.

OP won this trip so the hotel is free. What a lucky gal!

 

[RMH]

OP won this trip so the hotel is free. What a lucky gal!

Ooops. I misread that. I thought only the airfare was free - even though that makes no sense. Well I guess that means you have a whole lot of money for nice meals, souveniers, etc., etc. !!

ENJOY !!!!