What do you love about Paradise Pier Hotel?

TraceyPoppins

Indubitably
Joined
Jun 16, 2015
Messages
132
My family and I are headed to DLR in July for our second trip. We stayed at the DLH in 2012 but my husband’s company paid for it! We want to stay at a slightly cheaper Disney hotel this trip. I’d love to hear things you loved about PPH! (PS-I know off site is much cheaper and the other 2 Disney hotels are much nicer:)
 
For me, the only thing that I like better about the PPH than off-site properties is access to EMH as we're AP holders and don't get Magic Mornings. Maybe package delivery is a perk depending on how long you stay/how much you like to shop. In my opinion, the Disney touches are practically non-existent.
 
They have the best theme park views of all three hotels IMO.

While many knock it, I like the PPH. (I of course prefer the GCH) but love stayin in the Disney bubble, entering the parks through DTD and not having to deal with the Harbor side Security which can be a mess
 

Yeah, if you can get a park view, I think that’s really fun and unique. I love that view! The rooms are more spacious than the other two hotels. My daughter loves the little room downstairs where they show cartoons with all the little beach chairs.

It’s a perfectly nice hotel.
 
We have been lucky enough to have been upgraded to a park view room there twice. We do like the overall feel there, the rooms are bright and roomy. We mostly book onsite if we want the extra park time though, so we don't spend a whole lot of time in the room.

Our first stay at the PPH was 8 years ago. Our then 10 month old daughter was splashing in the toddler pool while my older two were on the slide and we were approached by a CM with balloons and autographed pictures. Apparently a friend of Mickey's was watching the kids play (there was hardly anyone at the pool that time) and thought the kids were adorable. That made the trip for my 4 and 6 year old.
 
We love it because it feels so sunny and happy. When you're from the PNW that's a big selling point. The rooms are comfy and roomy. We were pleasantly surprised with park views on two stays; and that felt magical. I know it's not for everyone, but it's my family's favorite place to stay.
 
Honestly, I used to love PPH. I’m the kind of person that appreciates value even if I can afford to pay more. I loved the bright, happy, large rooms and EMH and the quick access to GCH. We liked to grab breakfast at White Water Snacks. Once Disney took away the shortcut through GCH the value diminished quite a bit for me. It’s not that I’ll never stay there again but it’s not our go-to anymore.
 
I LOVE PPH, the park view rooms are to die for! If you do get a park view room, and find yourself awake for a bathroom run, around 2 am, open you drapes...the run the WOC fountains and lights only for about half an hour or so. You can even see the fireworks @ DL. Also, it is the less spread out of the three properties, which I appreciate after a long day at the park.

Day time view:
dayview.jpg

Nite time view:
niteview.jpg


Even fireworks from DL can be seen:
fireworks.jpg


And finally 2 AM view of WOC fountains:
2am.jpg
 
Wow!!! Thanks for the positivity and the pics! Right now we have a standard view but Maybe we’ll get lucky with a magical upgrade? Either way, we’re super excited! Thanks again:)
 
Being the cheapest onsite option is a huge plus. I also think the beachy theming in the rooms is cute and cheery. My kids loved the beach ball pillows. I also love the walk from the hotel and through DTD to get to the parks. The walk really isn’t far. The grounds are pretty on the way to DTD and the build up of walking through DTD to the parks felt really special.
 
Love the themeing, cool goofy statue in lobby, fun pictures with characters in rooms and Mickey lamp, great slide at the pool, from the rooftop pool you can see the fireworks, on site perks like early morning power walk through dca you can sign up for, really enjoyed PPH
 
We booked a standard room in 12-14 and we were upgraded to a theme park room. My husband checked in so I don't know if he told them that it was our first to DL and my 50th birthday or not but we loved. I think we were on the 7th floor. Our friends went with us and stayed in the theme park view on the 14th floor. The view was great! We loved being able to go to the roof and watch the fireworks.
 
So you can watch the fireworks from the roof every night they have fireworks? Or just certain nights?
 
I'm glad to read the love here for the PPH; usually these threads devolve into a hate-fest.

While my family loves the GCH, the PPH is our solid second choice. Others have pointed out things like the great theme park view rooms, and larger size of the rooms overall. Here are some other pros:

- We have found the friendliest CMs here. I know not everyone has the same experiences, but we have had consistently poor CM treatment at the DLH. And sometimes at the GCH they seem harried or overworked. The PPH CMs really seem to enjoy working where they do!
- The casual, beach Disney theme is actually well-executed for a hotel Disney didn't Imagineer themselves. The DLH, to us, is just a standard Hilton or Marriott with light-up headboards. At PPH, the theme is pervasive and enjoyable.
- While the hours are shorter than at the other concierge lounges, the food & beverage spread is pretty much the same but we have found the guest service to be the best of all three.
- The pool is the best for general swim playing, and the slide is fun too.
- The food at the two main venues and the pool bar is great, and underutilized compared to the venues at the other hotels.
- Parking, either self or valet, is quick and simple.
 
Once Disney took away the shortcut through GCH the value diminished quite a bit for me.

True, BUT going all the way through DTD was always the way they put the signs. It's how we went on our very first visit, because it's where the arrows pointed. So...

PPH is big bright and airy. It has great CMs. I'm not sure what theming people need or want that they feel is missing, but there's nothing missing for me.

Alas, it's simply too expensive for me right now.
 


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