Tell me about Paradise Pier….. worth it?

[peterpanandwendy]

Hi everyone,

Ok, so we had originally planned to do a budget trip and camp, but after seeing the camping options I'm not thrilled with that as an option for my little family. Anaheim RV village was great for two grown ups on a whim, but I don't like the idea of my two little ones exposed to the street in a canvas tent trailer… So, hotel it is

I've done my research and discovered that flying is only about $200 more than driving for us, and since we won't be needing our trailer, I would rather fly.

So, here is the big question… It is about $800-$1000 more for us to stay at the Paradise Pier instead of a good neighbour hotel… We typically have stayed at the hojo the past few times, although I was looking at the Camelot this time because it is cheaper, and closer… but then hubby got me thinking about staying on site… He has always wanted to…

So is it worth it? Is it worth the extra $800-$1000 to stay on site? I feel like the Camelot is a shorter walk to the gate than PP, so is there something else about staying on site that makes up for the longer walk and higher cost?

Oh, and I've heard the pool is just 'meh' and the elevators are terrible… any truth to the rumours?

 

[RKKUNK]

We have not stayed at PP, but we have stayed at the DLH. I know it is more expensive at DLH, but it really is so nice! The pool area there is awesome! I'm pretty sure Orbitz has a 20% off code right now. BUT, that being said, I'm not sure it is worth it to stay at any Disney hotel when the price difference is $800-$1000 more. We are AP holders and only stay onsite when we can get the AP rate and it is only about $400 more then the hotel we stay at. (altogether) Still a lot. There are some great places within walking distance. We have stayed at the Candy Cane Inn quite a few times, but now tend to stay at the Springhill Suites Anaheim Maingate. It is newer and we feel, cleaner, but you do pay for parking. That may not be an issue for you. Good luck to you. Have a great time when you go!!

 

[ParkHopper1]

I am fortunate that I can stay at the Grand for many of my trips. My next choice is the PPH for shorter trips, then off site if budget is a concern. So the downside to the PPH is that in my opinion it is outside the Disney "bubble". You have to go through the Grand or DTD then go across the street. Don't get me wrong, it is great to stay there but if you were asking about the DHL or the Grand...hands down stay there. I am an advocate of staying on site...as long as the money is not a stretch. Honestly I would spend that $800-$1000 to plus your trip with splurges like table service meals, tours or even F! or WOC dinner packages. The PPH is nice and all, but just "Meh".

You do get early entry every morning and access to the DCA entrance through the Grand when staying on site. One nice feature is that by staying on that end, you are closer to DTD and all that has to offer. I will often walk down to Jamba Juice, Starbucks or hit a few shop before heading into the park in the AM where I would not do that necessarily if I was coming from the Harbor Blvd side.

So it does have it perks...but the PPH is not the epic full immersion experience if that is what you are expecting.

Now if you can talk Hubby into staying at the DL Hotel...or better yet the Grand...now you are talkin!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I love PPH personally. It's not quite as themed as DLH or GCH, but it's still beautiful and you get the full Disney experience. If I could afford it, I'd stay there. But, these days, we're on a budget, so we stay off-site. I'd say it's great if you won't be hurting for money by staying there, but if you'd have to give up spending money for souvenirs or something to stay there, just stay off-site. There are some great motels/hotels in the area.

 

[coaches24]

I have stayed onsite only once and it was the PPH. I loved it! They didn't have EMH at DCA yet but we got into DL early each day it was offered, and it was close enough to take that afternoon break and such. Also loved using the GCH entrance to enter and leave that park as well.

The pool was closed when we went and we didn't feel like going to the DLH to use there's so didn't experience that part of the hotel.

But overall for me it gave me a different ( Ina very good way) feeling on that trip. I felt like we had splurged and were pampering ourselves a little and it felt real nice. Made that trip a little more magical!

It's not really feasible for us to stay there each time as that is a lot of money to budget for but if you have the money then to me it was worth it!

 

[LizzyS]

We stayed at PPH last year and really liked it, but staying onsite is not something that I want to pay for super often. It was our fifth wedding anniversary, though, so we splurged. PPH is really nice and I found the CMs excellent, but it's not a very extravagant hotel, tbh. I absolutely loved getting EMH every day, though.

 

[mgd]

Main reason would be early entry if you can get up that early, or make use of sending your park purchases to your room so you don't have to lug it back yourself. Rooms are good/clean but nothing spectacular, bigger than grand californian rooms and dlh rooms I think. Some people may prefer the brighter beach style of PP over the darker DLH and GC rooms. Better than some of the cheaper dump hotels, but not much different than others in the $150-$200/night range. Elevators can take some time and get packed during peak times. Depends if you're the type of person that doesn't spend much time in room or the pools. But if you are able to take advantage of the offpeak times when they have great discounts that bring it near $200/night, I'd say go for it. I would pay maybe $50 more, but not when it's over $100 more per night.

 

[sissyjane]

I feel like I'm "in the Disney bubble" at PP. I feel like I'm on skid row when I have to walk to the good neighbor hotels, plus we have gotten the early entry plus a fast pass. Makes me happy. Now it's not the CGH or the Disney Hotel, but it does have it's perks.

 

[taniahappy]

I just think that is a lot of money, maybe because we dont spend that much time in our rooms anyway

 

[pindecisive]

The honey and I worked out that staying for 3 nights at PP (springing for the package) would be only about $200 bucks more per person than staying at the Maingate Ramada. That came with a magical morning, a pin and lanyard, less of a walk than the Ramada, a free photopass photo, and a % off at a few Disney dining places. The Ramada wasn't bad, but my strongest memory is of how bad the water was (the closest vending machine was near the street) and how loud it was being right off "the strip" of Disney.

I've been to Disney on a budget and it's great, but I'm looking forward to the extra "Magic" of staying onsite this year, for us it was no question. I threw $200 at the problem.

 

[coaches24]

There is a trick to the elevator that one of the desk clerks told me when I stayed there. Hit both the up and down buttons regardless of which way you want to go. It worked great too. A couple times I ended up on an elevator going up first before going down again but I didn't have to wait long to get on the elevator and it was never full when I got to me. I stayed on the 12th floor I think. Maybe it was the 13th. Not sure.

The one time in the morning I pushed just the down button it seemed like forever before the elevator finally got to me.

I never had an issue in the lobby trying to get an elevator to go up though.

Main reason would be early entry if you can get up that early, or make use of sending your park purchases to your room so you don't have to lug it back yourself. Rooms are good/clean but nothing spectacular, bigger than grand californian rooms and dlh rooms I think. Some people may prefer the brighter beach style of PP over the darker DLH and GC rooms. Better than some of the cheaper dump hotels, but not much different than others in the $150-$200/night range. Elevators can take some time and get packed during peak times. Depends if you're the type of person that doesn't spend much time in room or the pools. But if you are able to take advantage of the offpeak times when they have great discounts that bring it near $200/night, I'd say go for it. I would pay maybe $50 more, but not when it's over $100 more per night.

 

[l4dyj8]

Lots of opinions on this. Although I have found, this board has always been generally positive.

We generally stay at PPH when we are able... I seek out deals and pick off season when I can. We actually are in our room more than most visitors. We take breaks. Order room service while we pack. It's a mini vacation for us. So for us, yes it's worth it. We've only done the early hour once. But that is a favorable perk... Early admission to CA on certain days. Some tickets let you in early to DL but not CA. They have a power walk through the parks. There are other extras available to hotel guests. I did notice the GCH does a great job telling you this. Great costumer service and accomodating. PPH, you have to ask.

We stayed one night at HoJo which is so highly recommended. I found it rather meh and sort of sad. I hated being outside the bubble. I consider PPH part of the bubble. It's still a nice short walk from GCH. DD loves the beach room with all the mickeys. It's very open and bright.

 

[bumbershoot]

I adore PPH. Everything about it. I would not, however, spend $800 more unless that's for a week or more.

I'm not a bubble person; it doesn't matter to me. I'm at WDW and have to drive 50mph for 15 minutes to get from my hotel to a park. Walking 10 minutes along a sidewalk isn't an issue for me. Crossing a street to go through the Grand isn't an issue for me.

The pool is perfectly fine. I'm not a "look at the pool" person, I'm a "get IN the pool and maybe swim a bit" person. DLH pool was impossible to properly SWIM. So it's a pretty pool, not a pool for swimming, IMO. Don't know about the Grand's pool as we never went in it.

That came with a magical morning

Staying at PPH gets you early entry every morning, not just one morning on the ticket.

There is a trick to the elevator that one of the desk clerks told me when I stayed there. Hit both the up and down buttons regardless of which way you want to go.

Yes.

And when going up, use the glass elevator in the middle of the lobby. Much faster. No one thinks it's for them and people are afraid of the glass wall, so they don't use it. Take advantage of it.

 

[pindecisive]

Staying at PPH gets you early entry every morning, not just one morning on the ticket.

Online it stated it was only for certain days. Since we won't be there more than a long weekend, it would only be Saturday for us.

Some tickets let you in early to DL but not CA

I think our tickets are like this.

or make use of sending your park purchases to your room so you don't have to lug it

Does anyone know if there is an extra charge for this or if it is included in staying at PPH? I hadn't seen this listed when we booked our room.

I'm curious what the other "extras" are that may not be listed on the site when you book. Anyone have a short list?

 

[kangamama]

I'm another one who really likes the PPH. We've only stayed there twice, and other trips we've only ever stayed offsite, but occasionally I will spring for the extra cost of staying there. The beds are super comfy, the pillows are great. The kids LOVE staying at PPH. Last time we went, it was my birthday and I had my birthday button on, so the CM who took our car on check in comped our parking and valet fees! One thing to take into consideration, though (and this applies to all on-site hotels) is that in addition to the added room cost, there are also a lot of other little costs that you might not incur if you were to pick one of the offsite hotels -- such as fees for parking, no free breakfast, that kind of stuff. (on the breakfasts, though, the room service is expensive but great -- plus we found that one breakfast order would usually take care of the whole family, with some left over for snacks in the park).

Also, I really don't feel that the bubble gets burst by having to cross the street between GCH and PPH. I find my bubble gets burst while walking through DTD, though, and tend to avoid it, so YMMV...

 

[V2000]

I think it depends on your budget and if you find the value in staying on site. I visit Disneyland often but rarely stay on site (as a treat). I do find the value in the atmosphere. You feel like you never left Disney and it is very convenient. You can even go down stairs to dine in the hotel or go out to Downtown Disney. Plus if you are tired it's easier to go to your hotel to rest or use the pool. I would say yes it is worth it. However, I never stayed more than one or two nights due to cost. If you can afford it, do it at least once! Your kids will love it...and you will love it too.

The rooms are very nice and I have never had a problem with the elevators. Sure there are peak times but nothing I would complain about. Please check Expedia prices too. Maybe you can save some extra money.

 

[V2000]

Staying at PPH gets you early entry every morning, not just one morning on the ticket.

That's true! You also get the benefit of early magic hours.

 

[V2000]

When are you going? If you are going after the Peter Pan opening the early magic hours will really coming in handy for this attraction.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

At over $800 more, I would not choose to go with PPH. I have stayed there before and enjoyed it, but honestly 85% of that enjoyment was from the spectacular view we had of DCA, and the opportunity we had to view WOC from our window while they were still testing it and it hadn't gone public yet. The rest of the hotel, including the room, were nice but not THAT much nicer than the Harbor hotels we have stayed in. I wouldn't go with PPH again unless it was the same price as staying off-site.

 

[whoever]

The only reason would be for EMH and if you got a premium view room into DCA. It really isn't a Disney experience from what I've read, it is pretty far away from the park entrances, and for that kind of cost, I think it a waste.