Usually stay at DLH - this time Paradise Pier of Offsite?

[Royal Consort]

We usually stay at the Disneyland Hotel but the cost of doing so this upcoming August is prohibitive. We are currently booked at the Hyatt House but I am concerned about not staying in the 'bubble'. I have never previously considered Paradise Pier. A lot of websites suggest that staying at PPH is mostly like staying offsite as it isn't a Disney built hotel. Is it worth considering at stay at PPH or should I just stick to offsite?

 

[jsilvers]

Some efforts have been made the PPH feel like a "real" Disney hotel, but they're incomplete - e.g., the lobby has a sculpture of Goofy, but the small, unthemed lobby counter clearly wasn't built to Disney specifications. The rooms do have Disney decor, but the level of detail is more akin to a moderate/value resort in Orlando than the DLH/GC. However, a lot of that may be compensated for if you have a good view of DCA - especially from higher floors, the PPH does have more immersive theme park views than most rooms at the DLH/GC.

 

[Whistlebee]

Theme Park view rooms are nice because the view is amazing. The rooms are a nice size and all have the couch/daybed. You get EE. The pool is basic but does have a water slide or 2.
Honestly, I used to LOVE PP. Mostly because I'm a value conscious person. We've stayed at the GCH and DLH. I just don't like spending $600 a night on a hotel room if it's not something truly special. Our last stay at PP I was really disappointed. The shower tub wouldn't drain properly and our coffee maker overflowed every time we used it. Our family in the connecting room couldn't get a hot shower because the water wouldn't heat up. I could overlook all of those but I was SO disappointed that you can't cut through the GCH anymore. It took a lot of the value away for me and left a bad taste in my mouth.
If you love and will use Early Entry then I say , yes, it's still worth it but if you won't use EE, I'd stick to the Hyatt where you'll have a nicer hotel room AND save $$$. We stay off-site sometimes and it doesn't bother us at all. DLH is my first choice but it was sold out on our last trip.

 

[Whistlebee]

I've heard great things about the Hyatt House!

 

[rentayenta]

We stayed at the PPH in December, we usually stay at the GCV, and we loved it. We did stay concierge which I am sure made a difference but even outside of the lounge the service was fabulous. If the price is comparable to Hyatt House, I would choose the PPH.

 

[Sun_soakin]

My family likes PP (we rotate through all three Disney hotels regularly), you might try it so you can compare for yourself. The pool is smaller, but more relaxing.
We've also stayed at Hyatt House...it was okay but I don't think we'll stay there again.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Theme park views from the PPH are great; the only thing is by the time you pay for a theme park view you might as well be at the DLH.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

We love PPH but don't hesitate to stay offsite also. Just depends on our vacation budgets.
On offsite just go to the park that doesn't have EMH, at ropedrop and you will be fine!

 

[dcraythorn]

We stayed at the PPH and we were really disappointed in the room. They did upgrade us when we decided to go to DLH. The upgrade was very nice, but there is no real Disney feel to the hotel.

 

[whoever]

Now that they don't let you cut through the GCH&S for EMH, the EMH is diminished by having to go all the way up to the DLH entrance up by Earll of Sandwich. For the price differential, if you are SURE you aren't going to be doing the DLH, I'd stay offsite.

 

[Rockiedave]

We love the PPH. We usually get the premium view room with concierge, so that make it nicer for us. The view can't be beat! I ask my kids before each trip whether they want to stay at PPH or GC regular room and they always choose PPH.

 

[Disney Rose]

Premium view room at the PPH has an amazing view. We were lucky to be able to see both the fireworks and World of Colour from our room (with soundtrack). But I would hesitate to stay again now that the route through the GCH has been closed off. To get to Disneyland is still easy - walk up and catch monorail, but to get to DCA would be a pain. And early entry would mean a very early start to walk all the way to the main gate.

I'd definitely consider PPH, but whether it will work for you will depend on how prohibitive you consider that walk, and how likely you are to use early entry.

 

[TheZue]

When did they ban the GCH cut through? That would pretty much be a deal breaker for me.

 

[mom2rtk]

When did they ban the GCH cut through? That would pretty much be a deal breaker for me.

Mid-December last year when the security checkpoint changed.

 

[mom2rtk]

Premium view room at the PPH has an amazing view. We were lucky to be able to see both the fireworks and World of Colour from our room (with soundtrack). But I would hesitate to stay again now that the route through the GCH has been closed off. To get to Disneyland is still easy - walk up and catch monorail, but to get to DCA would be a pain. And early entry would mean a very early start to walk all the way to the main gate.

I'd definitely consider PPH, but whether it will work for you will depend on how prohibitive you consider that walk, and how likely you are to use early entry.

OP said cost was the reason they weren't staying at DLH and considering other options. Not sure the theme park view rooms at PPH are going to be much less.

 

[Royal Consort]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Unfortunately for the price of the theme park view at PPH, we may as well upgrade to the DLH. Many posters voiced my concern that the PPH doesn't 'really' feel like Disney immersion. As a result we have decided to stick with the Hyatt which gives us a bit more money for nice dinners.