Sell me on PPH

[Rubygoose]

Our family of 4 has stayed at DLH twice, GCH once, as well as Aulani and Caribbean Beach in WDW. We have a trip planned for March 2017, and we will be staying 1 night at the Legoland hotel, 5 nights in a vacation rental in San Diego, and then 5 nights in Disneyland area. Originally I thought we'd stay at the new Courtyard, but when I looked at the price, DH and I decided that we might as well stay onsite at that price - it's only $350 more to stay at PPH compared to Courtyard and DH and I really like staying onsite for EE and the "bubble" element. In the past, we have done split stays at Hojo and onsite, but since we're already staying at two other places on this trip, we don't want to bother with a split stay. DH really loves the DLH, and so do I, but for our 5 nights, it will be about $800 less to stay at PPH. (comparing standard view at both hotels.) Paradise Pier doesn't really appeal to me, but the $800 in savings definitely does! I know there are people on here who have stayed at all 3 onsite properties and they rave about PPH. Should I give it a try, or would we all be happier spending the extra $$$ to stay at DLH, which we know we will love?

 

[Nevada Jen]

I have stayed at all 3 multiple times. And I really do prefer Pph. Especially with kids. You already have a lot of vacation planned. I guess it depends how you use the hotel. We don't do much more than sleep there. Occasional room service and a character breakfast. We just don't use the pool at hotels. The walk across the street doesn't remotely bother us. I almost wonder if people complaining about being out of the Disney bubble haven't stayed at pph. The emh for the whole family is definately worth the cost. We actually always stay club level. Because of the food and drink, we think that is a better deal. I'm assuming the rooms are the same for club and standard.

 

[Aladora]

We have stayed at all three and both DH and I prefer PPH to the others.

Here is my take on the hotels:

DLH was amazing, the light up headboards were fantastic and I loved being at the original. However, we stayed there on our son's first trip and since we were not sure if he would enjoy Disneyland (he was 6 and we had just received his ASD diagnosis) so we went all out on the trip. We booked a suite and we were actually upgraded to an absolutely amazing 2 bedroom suite! We have not stayed at the DLH in a regular room since our honeymoon in 1999 so I don't know if we would love the DLH as much in a regular room. I do know that the walk from the DLH seemed far when compared to PPH and especially the GCH. DS does not love pools, at least he has not in the past so the pool at DLH has never been a draw.

Our room as GCH was lovely, although smaller than I would have liked and it was at the far end of the hallway so going to and from our room seems endless! I'd actually be willing to bet that our room at GCH was further away from the bag check than our PPH room was...and if it was not, it sure felt like it was! We really did like the themeing in GCH. Like you, we are Vancouver Islanders so the west coast feel of GCH really appeals to us but those endless hallways really put a damper on our love for GCH.

The rooms at PPH are larger and brighter and we all loved the feel of the hotel. It is more relaxed and laid back and that really appealed to DS. He also loved the day bed and the beach ball pillow! Yes, you do have to cross a street when you walk from PPH but that never bothered us at all and it was really quick to cross the street and go through the GCH to get to the DTD entrance. The CMs at all three hotels were amazing but PPH just seems more friendly and welcoming. The fireworks viewing area at the PPH was great for us, DS is not a big fan of fireworks (well, the crush of people to be honest) so while we lost some of the "magic" of not being on Main Street, it was really lovely to be able to sit in comfy chairs to wait for the fireworks without having to deal with the crowds.

What is it about the DLH that makes it so special to you and if those things were not there, would it ruin your trip?

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

If it were me, I would spend the extra money for DLH.

We stayed at PPH 8/1-8/6 and I wished the whole time we were at DLH. We had an amazing view of DCA, but the room was very run of the mill, with no Disney feel, IMO. The elevators were ridiculous. We regularly waited 10-15 minutes going up or down.

 

[mom2rtk]

We have stayed at PPH 3 trips in a row and been very happy with it. We never had issues with the elevators, even when it was sold out. I guess that depends a lot on when you leave and return. Never an issue when we left for early entry. But we've always been on one of the higher floors.

While this is not a standard view, it's really hard to beat this view in the morning. If you have a standard view, you'll get the same view from one of the windows in the hallway on your way to the elevators:

Paradise Pier Sunrise by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[Rubygoose]

We have stayed at all three and both DH and I prefer PPH to the others.

What is it about the DLH that makes it so special to you and if those things were not there, would it ruin your trip?

That's a smart way to think about it... I think what we like the most about DLH is the theme, the waterslides and the overall atmosphere. We booked a standard room the first time we stayed there, when it was the week of mine and DD's birthdays. We were upgraded to a premium view in the Frontier tower and it was amazing! The next year, we stayed in a deluxe view room in the Adventure tower, and it was a lot smaller, but it was a much quicker walk. When we stayed at GCH last summer, I remember saying that I would really like to take the bunkbeds from the GCH, put them in the DLH and then put the DLH right where the GCH is! That would be the perfect property! What I liked the most about the GCH was the proximity - we had a room over the DCA entrance, so it was really quick getting back to our room after WOC.

Honestly, what I really like the most about DLH is the little details, like the hidden Mickeys that appear in the condensation in the shower! Not so sure if I want to pay $800 for that, though!

If it were me, I would spend the extra money for DLH.

We stayed at PPH 8/1-8/6 and I wished the whole time we were at DLH. We had an amazing view of DCA, but the room was very run of the mill, with no Disney feel, IMO. The elevators were ridiculous. We regularly waited 10-15 minutes going up or down.

That's exactly what I'm worried about! I don't want to spend the 5 nights wishing that we were elsewhere. This is a much longer vacation than our previous trips, though, and I think we might need to compromise in order to stay at the Legoland hotel (which the kids really want to do, but I don't even want to waste time at Legoland at all. Probably the last year that the oldest will be interested in Legoland, though, seeing that she's 9 now.)

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I actually prefer PPH to the other onsite hotels in some ways. Yes, the other 2 are more beautiful and slightly more thoroughly themed. But, PPH is still a great hotel. The rooms are comfortable. We really like the rooms with theme park views. The pool is a good pool. It's not as nice as the other pools, but it achieves it's purpose.

I think it really depends on how much time you'll spend at the hotel. If you spend a lot of time there, you might be more disappointed. But, if you spend the majority of your day in the parks anyway, it won't really matter.

As a sidenote, if it matters at all, a lot of people complain about the wait for the elevators. But, I have stayed at PPH 4 times and have never had a problem getting an elevator quickly.

 

[LizzyS]

We've only stayed at PPH once, but it was a special anniversary trip and we weren't disappointed. $800 is certainly a big difference to me and one of the big perks of staying onsite is getting the EMH everyday, which seems to be important to you as well.

 

[bumbershoot]

While this is not a standard view, it's really hard to beat this view in the morning. If you have a standard view, you'll get the same view from one of the windows in the hallway on your way to the elevators:

Paradise Pier Sunrise by mom2rtk, on Flickr

The only time we haven't had that view (and we have never booked a view room) was the two times we were upgraded to suites. When we had booked normal view rooms at a discount.


PPH has the biggest and brightest normal rooms. Their pool is swimmable, unlike the weird blob of a pool at DLH. The service is great.

For elevators, leave early and be willing to go up to go down. If you have big strollers, don't start using them until you're done with the elevator so you can fit in a smaller space. On the way up, use the glass elevator.

 

[mom2rtk]

The only time we haven't had that view (and we have never booked a view room) was the two times we were upgraded to suites. When we had booked normal view rooms at a discount.


PPH has the biggest and brightest normal rooms. Their pool is swimmable, unlike the weird blob of a pool at DLH. The service is great.

For elevators, leave early and be willing to go up to go down. If you have big strollers, don't start using them until you're done with the elevator so you can fit in a smaller space. On the way up, use the glass elevator.

I hear a lot about people being upgraded at PPH. But our first 2 trips we booked a standard room and had a view of the swimming pool. This last trip they were booked solid the first 2 days of our trip so we paid for theme park view the first 2 nights and standard view the rest of the week. Thankfully they ugraded the second half of our stay and let us remain in that awesome room. We loved it of course. Nothing better than ending your day sitting at your window watching World of Color (with music piped in from the TV).

World of Color by mom2rtk, on Flickr

It was also fun to watch the Viva Navidad floats go in and out for practice late at night:

I Spy..... Viva Navidad! by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[love2go2disney2]

We love the PPH. For our family, we would rather have the 800 dollars to have for vacation. We are busy at the parks, and the PPH always meets our needs!!

 

[rentayenta]

If it were me, I would spend the extra money for DLH.

We stayed at PPH 8/1-8/6 and I wished the whole time we were at DLH. We had an amazing view of DCA, but the room was very run of the mill, with no Disney feel, IMO. The elevators were ridiculous. We regularly waited 10-15 minutes going up or down.

Ugh. Not want I wanted to hear however I am not surprised. We stayed at the PPH in 2004ish and were disappointed. We are giving it another go this November, theme park view with club level. I am worried.

We have stayed at PPH 3 trips in a row and been very happy with it. We never had issues with the elevators, even when it was sold out. I guess that depends a lot on when you leave and return. Never an issue when we left for early entry. But we've always been on one of the higher floors.

While this is not a standard view, it's really hard to beat this view in the morning. If you have a standard view, you'll get the same view from one of the windows in the hallway on your way to the elevators:

Paradise Pier Sunrise by mom2rtk, on Flickr

What a fabulous view! I upgraded to a theme park view, club level. Think this kind of view will be an option? We have been amazingly lucky at the GCV and had an incredible view of DCA on every trip. I know at some point our pixiedust has to run out.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Worst case you could ask if they have availability at dlh & try to move.

 

[Malcon10t]

I love the rooms, great size, they are the same distance from the park as DLH, but we don't stay there for one major reason.... The elevators are horrible. We have a service dog and I am on an ECV. It can take several elevators to get one available for us. They are always overly full in the morning. Never have this problem at the other 2 hotels. But the 3 trips we tried the PPH, we had issues every day of each trip. I just can't do it.

 

[Keels]

I've only stayed at PPH once - and it was for a girls trip for Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend (AND the hotel cost was paid for by my Mom as a gift for my 35th Birthday), and I was so incredibly impressed with it that I'm staying there again for Disneyland Half Weekend. My RunFriend stayed at PPH for Disneyland Half last year and at DLH for Tink Half this year and will be returning to PPH next year for race weekends.

There were five of us ladies (all in our 30s) there to run all three races that weekend, so you can just imagine the gear and time we all needed post-race to get ready. The rooms at PPH were SO roomy and bright, it felt like we had a room-and-a-half. The beds were GREAT - comfy, cozy and just what you need after running three races in three days PLUS park time.

We were on the fourth floor, so we never really bothered with the elevators in the morning - we would just take the stairs, which puts you out directly at the crosswalk to GCH. We LOVED how close we were to everything.

I know you said pool wasn't important - but the hot tub is HUGE and amazing at PPH. There's a great little pool bar too. I felt like the smallness of the hotel really made it feel laidback. The lobby was always bustling with people, but our room was so quiet - and this was on a sold-out weekend because of the half marathon.

The staff was amazing and friendly, but also non-intrusive. I loved having coffee in the morning or grabbing a cocktail at happy hour why I waited for my friends to arrive, chatting up the sweet cast members that worked in the lobby bar.

I get that there's an attachment to the other hotels, but $800 is A LOT. You could put that money to fun stuff like another awesome meal, or a tour, or Dessert Party for WoC or the Frozen pre-show package.

That said - it also boils down to what you think you DL time is gong to be like. Are you going to spend a ton of time in the parks? Then PPH is your answer, no question. It's a close, great hotel that's an awesome place to stay. Are you looking for more relaxing and downtime at the hotel to close out your whirlwind vacation? Then, yeah, PPH is not going to be right for you.

 

[jpessa]

Is the shortcut through GCH pretty obvious? Staying there for the first time on Friday. I've been looking at Google maps and *think* I figured it out.

 

[Malcon10t]

Yes, it is obvious. Cross the street, enter the hotel at the Valet entrance, Pretty much walk straight thru the hotel, out by Storytellers, pass Napa rose and you are there.

 

[Keels]

Is the shortcut through GCH pretty obvious? Staying there for the first time on Friday. I've been looking at Google maps and *think* I figured it out.

Yup. There is signage everywhere directing you to either California Adventure or Downtown Disney. The first couple of times you cross through, it becomes easy peasy to remember where you're going.

 

[Davidg83]

I've stayed at both Paradise Pier and the Grand Californian. I love the Grand, but two things I liked about PPH were the daybed which meant our party of 3 each got to have our own bed, and the size of the room. There was actually quite a bit of space to move around in the room. As others have said we also got upgraded to a theme park view room when we only had a standard room booked. You really can't beat the view that you get from this hotel!

 

[jpessa]

Yes, it is obvious. Cross the street, enter the hotel at the Valet entrance, Pretty much walk straight thru the hotel, out by Storytellers, pass Napa rose and you are there.

Yup. There is signage everywhere directing you to either California Adventure or Downtown Disney. The first couple of times you cross through, it becomes easy peasy to remember where you're going.

Thank you both!