Trying to choose a hotel or resort - please help :)

[lovethesun12]

Still trying to decide on a hotel for our upcoming stay at DL. I've been trying to rent points for the GC, but it looks like there's a good chance that won't happen. We've priced the DLH but that is also not really in our budget (going for over a week) at rack rate and it doesn't look like there will be a discount for me in any form during that time. I'll keep my eyes open but not expecting it.

So, since we are in a very cold part of Canada we want some (lots!?) of pool time with nice pool areas for kids. It's really our top priority.

I have narrowed down our choices to 1) Courtyard by Marriott Theme park entrance 2) Grand Legacy at the Park (new suite) and 3) Disney's Paradise Pier.

Initially I was 100% planning on one of the first 2 choices, but lately I've been thinking about Paradise Pier. It has everything we want (slide/pool), plus it's on property and close to Disney Springs. Although at the same time I'm a little put off by all the reviews telling me to stay somewhere else.

The thing is, most people focus on the price but really the price difference between that and the Courtyard is very, very small at the time of our stay, especially considering PP is on property and has extra magic hours included. Grand Legacy is significantly cheaper with a large room but I've read complaints about noise and the room we want isn't currently available for our entire stay (it is for most of it though).

So the question is, is Paradise Pier really that bad? What am I missing? Is the price the main reason it's often ranked so low in reviews?

TIA!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Yes. Price is the main reason.
I wouldn’t stay anywhere you have to switch rooms. Unless you did grand legacy for the start and DLH or GCH for the last day or two.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I haven't stayed at the Courtyard and it's been a long, long time since I stayed at Paradise Pier. If the price of the two is similar though, I would pick Paradise Pier for the early entry access, the few little Disney touches, and the walk through downtown Disney rather than along Harbor (distance will be similar but atmosphere will be different). I too would eliminate locations from consideration if it meant changing rooms during your stay.

 

[ParkHopper1]

It is not "bad"...many that just need a bed and shower don't see the value in staying on site vs a room on Harbor.

I love the PPH. To me there is a HUGE difference staying on the DTD side vs exiting the park on the Harbor Side. I love the Grand but usually chose PPH over DLH if I am not at the GCH. There is something to be said for staying in the "bubble" even though the PPH is a bot more removed than GCH or DHL. Many will argue against it, if all you need is a bed and a shower off site can be much more economical...but if CYI and PPH are close in price, PPH is an absolute no brainer in my book. It is the difference of having a hotel on your vacation off site vs staying at resort experience at the PPH.

Yes, off site rooms can be cheaper but my recommendation is that if staying one site will not negatively affect your overall budget it is well worth it. I would not sacrifice other parts of your vacation JUST to stay on site, but there is a TON of value IMO if you can swing it.

Cortyard is however my next choice. It is the nicest off site walkable property IMO, but if price is close I am at PPH.

 

[RedVines2001]

I agree that entering on the DTD side is much better than the South Harbor side. Even if it's just to cross South Harbor Blvd to get to the hotels on the east side of the street, you become very acutely aware that you have left Disney property and are now in Anaheim, California. If it's within your budget i say Paradise Pier all the way. Staying in the bubble, especially not having to cross city streets, is worth the premium to me and i personally like walking through DTD to get to my hotel, makes for nice atmosphere.

I think people are disappointed when they expect too much from PPH because it's Disney property. I've heard PPH being described as the best off site hotel and i think that's pretty close. Just manage your expectations and understand you're not going to get over the top Disney theming and enjoy it for what it is. Good luck

 

[Indiana Scott]

If a pool for the kids is important, how about Hojo's?
They've got the best water playground thingy of any off site hotel that I know of.

 

[tsumgirl]

I have not personally stayed at the PPH, but I can see a lot of value in EMH if you're going during a busy time. I personally prefer the Harbor hotels, because the walk is so much shorter. I visited PPH for various reasons on my trips, and the distance just makes it feel offsite, because it's pretty removed from DTD and the parks. However, you can cut through GCH on the walk back to your room, so that helps.

 

[azdisneylover]

We have stayed at all three onsite hotels and we like GCH best. My kids loved PPH's slide. We all enjoyed the character meal with Stitch over Goofy's. The walk to the hotel is longer now because you cannot cut through the Grand Californian Hotel to the parks, but on the way back to the hotel from the parks, you can. If you can stay there, do it. The extra hour every morning is awesome (if you are morning people). What ever you decide, have a great time!

 

[wowsmom]

One of the things I like about PPH around Christmastime is they usually have carolers in the lobby. The rooms are a good size, I love EMH and it's nice to be able to charge your purchases back to your room.

I've stayed at all 3 on property hotels, but PPH is the only one where I've received any extra magic. A few years ago, we booked a standard room and were upgraded to a signature suite. And on my birthday last year, they gave me a stuffed Stitch and balloons at check in and sent fruit and cheese trays to our room.

I don't get why so many people bash PPH, except maybe the price.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I have never used the pool at Paradise Pier Hotel, but I've read that is is basically a waterslide and not much pool. I am not sure if that is accurate, but I've seen several posts saying that it isn't good for people who want a good pool stay. You mentioned that you want a good pool area, so you'll want to look into the further.

If you will use the early entry feature, staying on property can't be beat. If you probably won't use it, no reason to stay onsite. Everything costs more onsite - food, parking, etc.

 

[Whistlebee]

With your options I’d pick Paradise Pier Hotel. I’ve stayed at all 3 on-site hotels several times and I’ve stayed at The Courtyard once. The Courtyard was really nice but their pool is tiny. The water play area and water slides are awesome but the actual pool is really small. The PPH pool is a plain rectangle pool but it’s big! They have decent pool chaises and food and beverage service seasonally. PPH has 2 fun water slides too. What I dislike about the PPH pool is all of the concrete. It seems like it’d be so easy for them to add more plants around the pool area. It’s more like a nice pool area as opposed to a resort pool area. If you stay at PPH you are able to book a cabana for a half day or full day at DLH or GCH if you want to use one of their pools for the day.
The rooms at PPH are roomy and bright. The walk back at night when you can cut through GCH is really short if you’re coming from California Adventure.

 

[Mac2008]

We've stayed at all three Disney properties and use the pools. The PPH pool is the least exciting of the Disney property pools, but it has a great slide, large pool, and hot tub. It's not fancy, but especially if your kids are young, you won't be chasing them around or trying to limit them to a spot that's within eyesight of your chaise.

For us, the advantage of staying on property is the extra hour in the morning - so if price is the same, you're getting more by staying at PPH.

 

[felice]

Don't just ignore the hotels along E Katella Av either - yes, they're offsite but the deals you can find at these hotels can mean a big difference, depending on your budget. Walking to the parks is possible from these hotels, at least as far as S Manchester Av - these streets are relatively safe, even at night. The crosswalks are also not that bad either in terms of waiting time.

 

[StarlitNight05]

EMH is very valuable to me, so if I were in your shoes I'd pick PPH if it's not much more than Courtyard. In addition to EMH there is also the added perk of package delivery (I believe Galaxy's Edge is the only exclusion) to your onsite hotel so you don't have to lug around your purchases.

It's been ages since I stayed at PPH, but the rooms are very spacious and bright. The walk wasn't bad at all, and I prefer going through DtD if given the option. We didn't use the pool when we stayed, but it looked fairly large.

Don't get me wrong, you can have an amazing time offsite, but I just feel like there is a bit of a different vibe with an onsite stay. Others will disagree, but it just feels more vacation-like to me.

Whatever you decide, I hope you all have a fabulous time!

 

[crystal1313]

I agree and would go with the PPH if not much more than the Courtyard. When we could afford staying onsite, the PPH was our favorite hotel! So spacious and bright and we loved having the daybed as well. We almost always got an upgrade as well. Can't beat Disney customer service!

 

[LizzyS]

We stayed at PPH 5 and a half years ago and I honestly did really like it, but yes, some people don't find it to be worth the money.

 

[PHXscuba]

You didn't say when you are coming to DLR, but there is a chance that they will offer a special for the PPH that brings it even closer in price. If you can afford it the PPH has the best overall combo of the 3 you are considering. I think many people are turned off of the PPH because they are "downgrading" from not wanting to pay for the DLH or GCH and then regret it. If you think your kids might use the EMH offered, and want to be fairly close, it's a good option. The rooms are fairly big for the onsite hotels and most have a foldout couch, so you'd have 3 beds.

I have stayed at all 3 onsite hotels and would stay there again. It might not be my top pick but I like and use the EMH.

PHXscuba

 

[lovethesun12]

Thanks all for the information. It’s greatly appreciated.

You didn't say when you are coming to DLR, but there is a chance that they will offer a special for the PPH that brings it even closer in price. If you can afford it the PPH has the best overall combo of the 3 you are considering. I think many people are turned off of the PPH because they are "downgrading" from not wanting to pay for the DLH or GCH and then regret it. If you think your kids might use the EMH offered, and want to be fairly close, it's a good option. The rooms are fairly big for the onsite hotels and most have a foldout couch, so you'd have 3 beds.

I have stayed at all 3 onsite hotels and would stay there again. It might not be my top pick but I like and use the EMH.

PHXscuba

We are planning to visit in early July! From what I’ve been reading there are usually not discounts for the general public at this time. I’ve considered an annual pass but the value really isn’t there for us.

 

[Sunclytie]

We love the Courtyard because my daughter adores the bunk beds and the water park there. It really is very close to the Harbor entrance to the parks and while they don't have free breakfast, there's a Panera with good coffee just up the street. The actual pool is small, but the waterpark with the slides, play area, and splash areas are really fun. It's true you don't get Extra Magic Hours, but the other features make up for it, I think.