Which Resort?

[sharbaer]

Hi there!
We are planning a trip to Disneyland in Oct. this year (to hold us off until WDW next year)!!! It will be my husband's first time to Disneyland, although he has been to WDW, I haven't been to Disneyland in almost 10 years. We will also be taking my niece age 9 and nephew age 7.

We can't decide between Disneyland Hotel or the Paradasie Pier. Any recommendations or opinions? Anyone experienced either? Or maybe any other suggestions? Thank you!

 

[crazymomof 4]

I know a lot of people will tell you DLH. I also love DL we thought that staying there last December would provide some serious magic. We paid more money for a view and ended up on top of the coffee shop. Sure the lobby was nice enough and the beds were very comfortable. I love Peter Pan don't get me wrong but the pool is very shallow my 9 and 8 yr old were dissapointed with it. I wish I would of listened to the girl at the resort who told me PP was great. Needless to say that is where we will be going this December and we paid the extra money for the view too. Another guy who works there said that the standard view is nice too because the sun sets on that side. There is a new Rocket Slide at the pool too. My older two are really looking forward to it. It is cheaper and for me the money at the DLH was not worth it. October will be a great month to go weather wise just check the refurb schedule to make sure you don't miss too many of the best rides at once.

 

[swimrsal]

I have not stayed at either - when we stayed a couple of weeks ago we stayed at the Grand Californian and loved it.

The Disneyland Hotel is at the end of Downtown Disney so location-wise it would be better than Paradise Pier (by a couple of walking blocks). To give you an idea - the Grand Californian is about halfway down Downtown Disney and Paradise Pier is kinda behind it if you go through the parking lot and across the street. So it's far away but not tooooooo far away.

We checked out the lobby of both. Paradise Pier has kind of a beach theme and is very quiet. The restarant they had there was very cute. They had a fantastic sushi place too! Disneyland Hotel was louder - had a lot of memorabilia in the lobby, etc - but it just seemed more "magical" to me. I think next time we go, we'll stay at the Disneyland Hotel - I think kids would love it. But if you have the extra money - you can't beat the Grand Californian for the convenience (it has it's own entrance to California Adventure). If you get the downtown disney view - the fireworks from there are incredible!

Have a great time!

-Sally
Disneyland May 9-13, 2005

 

[daannzzz]

The DLH is better in my opinion. In general the rooms are larger. They don't have balconies but they all have sliding glas doors that open up against a railing. PPH has only windows that, if they open at all, only open and inch or so. The decore at the DLH is more interesting and sort of formal but fun. At the PPH the rooms were just remodeled to a beach theme which is nice looking but not really exciting to me. The grounds at the Disneyland hotel are extensive with pools, ponds. fish, water falls restaurants and such. At PPH there are, essentially no grounds. The main pool at the DLH has a great neverland theme. The Pool at PPH is rectangular and on top of a roof. The new pool slide does not even end in the pool it just comes down in a small trough with som water in it. The views at the DLH very from parkinglot to pool and garden views to views of Downtown Disney with Disneyland and DCA. The views at PPH are of the parking areas or incredible views into the DCA park.
To me the DLH is like a deluxe WDW hotel. The PPH is like a moderate but in a highrise tower.

 

[karylrocks]

I stayed at the PP back when it was Disneyland Pacific. It was ok but as mentioned there are no grounds to speak of, and the pool was not that interesting. Because they were doing construction, we were able to use the Neverland Pool and it was a lot of fun with a great slide. We spent a lot of time at DLH and I just loved the atmosphere. I am really looking forward to staying there in August.

 

[sharbaer]

Thank you for all of your input. Disneyland Hotel it is!

Hopefully next visit it'll be the Grand Californian, and then next time after that the Paradise Pier and then after that...
I wish we could vacation all the time...