PPH...or GCH

[Kauinohea]

We have reservations at PPH for Dec 24 thru Jan 2...high season rack rates buffered a little by AAA 10% discount. DH is now suggesting that we stay at the GCH!!!! I should be thrilled...but instead I am having trouble breathing because of the $541 cost per night! Not sure that I am willing to pay that much...but would LOVE to stay at GCH
not sure what to do:

 

[jdb in AZ]

We have reservations at PPH for Dec 24 thru Jan 2...high season rack rates buffered a little by AAA 10% discount. DH is now suggesting that we stay at the GCH!!!! I should be thrilled...but instead I am having trouble breathing because of the $541 cost per night! Not sure that I am willing to pay that much...but would LOVE to stay at GCH
not sure what to do:

Wow. That's steep, but at least it's cheaper than the Grand Floridian. Does that make you feel any better?

The private entrance into DCA is very convenient, especially if you get wet on the Grizzly River Rapids ride and need to rush back to your room to change clothes. Been there, done that -- took us 5 mins to get from the ride to our room.

The GCH has a wonderful fireplace in the lobby that I love to sit in front of after a long day at the parks. Gorgeous Christmas tree, and there's often a professional piano player on the grand piano, entertaining with classical Disney tunes. PPH is nice enough, but it's my least favorite of the DLR hotels, and has a cheaper rate for a reason.

Since you're coming from Hawaii, I'm guessing you don't get to DLR very often. If you're planning a trip during another part of the year (someday) you could get a better rate then. If you're planning a trip of a lifetime, then I'd stay at the GCH. You're worth it.

 

[elaw]

Wow. That's steep, but at least it's cheaper than the Grand Floridian. Does that make you feel any better?

The private entrance into DCA is very convenient, especially if you get wet on the Grizzly River Rapids ride and need to rush back to your room to change clothes. Been there, done that -- took us 5 mins to get from the ride to our room.

The GCH has a wonderful fireplace in the lobby that I love to sit in front of after a long day at the parks. Gorgeous Christmas tree, and there's often a professional piano player on the grand piano, entertaining with classical Disney tunes. PPH is nice enough, but it's my least favorite of the DLR hotels, and has a cheaper rate for a reason.

Since you're coming from Hawaii, I'm guessing you don't get to DLR very often. If you're planning a trip during another part of the year (someday) you could get a better rate then. If you're planning a trip of a lifetime, then I'd stay at the GCH. You're worth it.

The GCH is simply beautiful .... the PPH is not even close. The rates vary greatly depending on the view but for me, worth it. We stayed right on the park last time ... right outside the Grizzly River Run and it felt like we were staying in the park.

 

[kailuagirl]

What is the rate you are getting at PPH? or what is the difference between the two?

I just calculated about what your total hotel cost would be and WOW! that's alot of $$$$ you could use elsewhere. You could still "hang out" at the GCH even if you're not staying there.

Like you, coming from Hawaii, it's not that easy for us to get to DL. You'll make the right decision don't worry. But I'd seriously just look more at the difference of cost between the two then the whole cost, might help rationalize it. Have fun!! I'm so jealous you get to be their for Christmas eve and Christmas day!! Lucky family

 

[Princess Row]

We have stayed at both multiple times.
Honestly....we prefer DLH or PPH.
The GCH is nice and beautiful.....dont get me wrong.
But for the price difference it is simply NOT worth it.
Is the entrance right at the hotel? yes....but pph is maybe just five mins more.......if that.

If you really want to see the GCH just walk through it....the rooms are that much better.
Your also just sleeping/bathing there....not spending you life there.
Go with PPH....spend the extra cash on some souvies to take back with you.

 

[Kauinohea]

Thank you for your responses! I know the two hotels are very different and quite difficult to compare with each other!

ParadisePier is 284 plus taxes and fees, 2658 for 8 nights
Grand is 486 plus taxes and fees, approx 4664 for 8 nights

The difference is approximately $2006 more to stay at the GCH!


DH and I normally balance each other out...I am the one who normally splurges ( i.e I got us from BWPPI to PPH) and he is the more conservative one, LOL! Well, he has gone and thrown everything off with wanting to stay at the GCH

I am going to have to look at our budget closer...I don't want to stay at the GCH if we are going to have to limit our spending too much at the parks. Decisions, decisions!

 

[Eeee-va]

Just for the cost, I'd have to vote for the Paradise Pier. The rooms are reportedly bigger and some of the rooms are not THAT much farther than the farthest rooms at the GCH. $2,000 can buy you a LOT of special experiences. Like 30 reserved seats for Fantasmic!, or like 40+ entrees at the Blue Bayou, or every tour offered.

If you really want to stay at the GCH, you could do a split stay, ending at the GCH. If you just did 4 days at the GCH and 4 at the Paradise Pier, it looks like you'd save about $1,000 versus staying just at the GCH. 2 or 3 days at the GCH and 6 or 5 at the Paradise Pier would save you even more. That's a good option if you think you'll be wishing you stayed in the GCH when you go back to the Paradise Pier each day....you'll have something to look forward to.

Have a great trip!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Or you could split the difference and stay at the DLH.

Or stay at any number of nice non-Disney hotels in Anaheim and the savings would more than pay for a taxi (assuming the hotel doesn't have a shuttle, and most hotels in the area do.)

One more consideration -- once you've stayed at a DLR hotel, you'll be so spoiled you won't want to stay anywhere else.

 

[twopeasonepod]

We loooove GCH and don't stay anywhere else. But we go twice a year during off-peak and the rate makes a whole lot more sense (especially since we have to get there from Hawai'i, too!) We just got 9 nights at Halloween time for $2800.98 -- which is WAAAAY different than $4664!

If money is no object, then go for it! Or you can plan to come again in a few months!

Also, the AP rate is $459/night. If you are staying that long, then you should consider getting APs! PPH is $284. DLH is $374. Then you can come back!

 

[larina]

The difference is approximately $2006 more to stay at the GCH!

Decisions, decisions!

If the $2000 wouldn't mess with your play money I'd say go for it. But since it seems like it will, I'd go for the roomier rooms at the Paradise Pier and put that money towards a nice dinner (Napa Rose is wonderful) and more fun in the parks!

 

[Eeee-va]

Also, the AP rate is $459/night. If you are staying that long, then you should consider getting APs! PPH is $284. DLH is $374. Then you can come back!

If that's true, then if you stay in the GCH the whole time, you will definitely save money on your hotel by buying one Premium AP for your party. ($656 savings over 8 days, minus the price difference between whatever pass you were going to use and a Premium AP.)

If your whole party gets Premium APs you will lose money in the long run...your trip may not cost any more but you will probably want to come back to the parks again before your AP expires. If you were actually planning to take another trip next year, though, the APs are a pretty good idea, provided next year's trip can be at least a week or two earlier than this year's. With the AP you would not have to buy admission next year; just lodging/food/incidentals.

 

[Kauinohea]

We already have 8 day park hoppers from flight center...it was such a deal @$939 for 5 of us. It was way cheaper than APs and gave us enough time to enjoy the parks without feeling rushed. I know some people have concerns about using a canadian company being from USA, but this is the second time we have used them for hoppers and it was a piece of cake the first time

I now know that DH doesn't want to stay at PPH because a coworker stayed there two years ago and told him that it was "shabby", I am still trying to educate him about the recent removations etc....he's more open to it now that I pointed out that the GCH is 2K more, LOL, but still wishing for GCH. I told him that if the current promo was extended, we could definately change to GHC:

Thank you all for your responses! We're getting closer and closer to the big trip, can't wait

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

If you do stay at the PPH, I recommend getting a themepark view room. We've stayed there and they are really nice.

If you like hanging around the lounge at a hotel/resort, then the GCH might be the better choice, although you can still hang around the lounge if you are staying at the PPH.

Also, if you stay at the PPH, it is a pretty short walk to the Trader Sams outdoor lounge at the DLH, if the weather is nice.

 

[mydisneymoney]

We stayed at the PPH in February and the GCH last week. It was nice being close to the park at the GCH but actually the distance we had to walk to our room was about the same distance as it was walking to the PPH. Anyone staying at a Disney property gets to use the private entrance and they get to have magic morning entrance every morning it is available. The room at the PPH was not as nice but it was just fine for a room to sleep and bathe in. You have to decide if the $2,000 is worth it or not. Unless I got a super great deal, I probably will not stay at the GCH again but would stay at PPH.

 

[Kauinohea]

We stayed at the PPH in February and the GCH last week. It was nice being close to the park at the GCH but actually the distance we had to walk to our room was about the same distance as it was walking to the PPH. Anyone staying at a Disney property gets to use the private entrance and they get to have magic morning entrance every morning it is available. The room at the PPH was not as nice but it was just fine for a room to sleep and bathe in. You have to decide if the $2,000 is worth it or not. Unless I got a super great deal, I probably will not stay at the GCH again but would stay at PPH.

Great to hear feedback from a family who has recently been to both! Thank you so much. I am set on PPH....I am sure that I can get DH there as well, slowly but surely! I want the extra $ to do the Holiday tour; WOC dining at ariel's grotto....and as much gingerbread and hot chocolate that we can consume in 8 days

 

[mydisneymoney]

One other benefit of PPH is that if you are really tired but want to watch the fireworks, you can go to the pool area (go all the way to the end of the roof by the pool) and you can watch the fireworks. They pipe in the music.

 

[Kauinohea]

One other benefit of PPH is that if you are really tired but want to watch the fireworks, you can go to the pool area (go all the way to the end of the roof by the pool) and you can watch the fireworks. They pipe in the music.

I am pretty set on PPH...DH agrees that 2K more is not an option for us. But now I am wondering if I should upgrade to premium view and PPH?

 

[elaw]

I am pretty set on PPH...DH agrees that 2K more is not an option for us. But now I am wondering if I should upgrade to premium view and PPH?

It's definitely the thing to do ... since you will not be at the GCH. It's a really neat view from the higher floors and allows you to watch the WOC (you cant really see the projected images but it sure is pretty) and listen to the music from your TV

 

[larina]

Yes, do it! The WOC view is worth the cost of upgrade. I just loved watching it from our room, champagne in hand, in the evening!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I am pretty set on PPH...DH agrees that 2K more is not an option for us. But now I am wondering if I should upgrade to premium view and PPH?

Yes, that is a splurge worth making. It makes all the difference to have the theme park view at Paradise Pier.