Which Tower at Disneyland Hotel ?

[jennib5426]

We will be going to DL for the first time at the end of September.
We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel. Can you request a specific tower? Which tower is the best to stay in? Any feedback would be very helpful.

Thanks

Jenni B

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>This is my order of preference for the towers:

There are three towers - Marina is to the north where you park and check in at the registration desk; Sierra is to the east, and Bonita is to the south - beyond that is the Paradise Pier Hotel


Sierra facing east - view of Downtown Disney and in the distance Disneyland and California Adventure parks. Best view is Upper Level Resort View (but no guarantee that you will get the Downtown Disney view - you may get the pool view. You can also choose Lower Level Resort View. The concierge lounge is located on the upper floor (maybe 11th floor?), and you have a nice view of the parks. When I can find my online photo I'll post it.

Sierra facing west - view of the Disneyland Hotel landscape, with pool, etc. Again, you have upper & lower level resort/pool views

Marina facing south - this would probably be an upper/lower level resort/pool view, with a view of the pool area. I had a room here many years ago when the pool used to be a marina w/paddle boats.

Bonita facing north - faces the waterfalls and pine trees -- I had a room here, and enjoyed it.

Marina facing north -- some of these rooms are city-standard views - if you have a view of Disneyland, you may get a upper/lower resort view room - not sure. On clear days you can see the mountains - you can also see the Mickey & Friends parking structure, and the city. You may also get a view of Disneyland and the fireworks - but not too sure on that.

Bonita facing south -- view of the city and Paradise Pier Hotel -- I think it's the most generic of views. What I like about the Bonita Tower, though, is that you can park in a little lot next to the tower, and save yourself a walk if you're going to be driving places.

HTH

 

[Di$neyDad]

The Marina Tower, overlooking the parking lot, does have views of the fireworks (which allows the little ones to get to bed right after the show). And I think these are NOT considered view rooms, so they're cheaper. At least we haven't paid the "view" rate when we stayed here and could see the fireworks. Both times, when we checked in and asked if we could see the fireworks, the CM's were not sure. So maybe not all rooms on this side can see them. For example, some of the lower rooms might be blocked by other buildings.

On our most recent trip, we stayed in the Sierra Tower with a DD view. This was awesome and was one of the few places I've stayed where I felt that the higher "view" rate was actually worth it. My daughter could literally lay in her bed and watch the fireworks. We could even see Tinkerbell's "flight". And in the morning, we could see the monorail entrance to see how long the line was. Even here though, the lowest couple of floors might have an obstructed view of the fireworks.

 

[BurleyGirl]

Di$neyDad: Did you pay the higher "view" rate, or just get lucky? Also, what kind of difference are we talking about price-wise? (I want to stay at DLH next year, and I've been wondering about this.)

Thanks,
Kimberly

 

[Di$neyDad]

When we stayed in the Marina tower and could see the fireworks, we just booked a "standard" room. When we checked in we asked if we could see the fireworks (not if we could *get* a room with such a view, just if the current room we were already assigned had it). On one trip, the CM moved us to a room with a fireworks view, on another trip the room we were already assigned had the view (but the CM didn't even know whether it did or not when we asked). So it seems like this is not officially considered a "view" even though you may get one. Remember, though, the "view" is being able to see the fireworks. Otherwise, you're just looking out over the parking lot.

When we stayed in the Sierra tower with the DD and fireworks view, we had received a special rate because of a problem on a previous trip. This was definitely a premium room and we would have otherwise had to pay the "view" rate. So I'd definitely say we got "lucky" with that one. In the past, I think I've seen it at about $50 extra per night. I think there's also a middle category that's a "view" room, but on lower floors, for about $25 extra per night. I'm not sure how good the views are for these rooms.

If you're tight on money, you might want to go with a non-view room and when you check in ask if you can have the Marina tower with a parking lot view on an upper floor (probably above floor 5 or so). As long as the hotel is not packed, the CM's have been very accomodating on past trips. Especially if you ask nicely. And you might want to casually mention the fact that this is your first stay.

If you're only staying for a couple of nights and can afford to spend a little extra money for a little extra "magic", the DD view in the Sierra tower is very nice.

 

[BurleyGirl]

Thanks, Di$neyDad for your informative response!

 

[year2late]

I booked a great rate last year for DL Hotel on Expedia (better than my AP!) and I thought "crap. I hope they don't give me Bonita...I know they will give me Bonita".


They gave me Bonita (waterfall view) and I loved it. The walk was longer, but not by much. The rooms felt larger than Sierra and certainly Sierra - I am not sure if it was the change in decor from one visit to the next that gave it that feel. Ditto on the little parking lot in the back! Nice perk.

Earlier this year I went again and got Marina. Easy for the quick exits to the park. But other than that, I liked Bonita more.

 

[Di$neyDad]

There's one other thing to consider, and I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced this. When I stayed in the Marina tower, the water temperature in the shower fluctuated greatly - beyond just being a slight irritation. When I stayed in the Sierra tower, I did not experience this. I brought this up in another thread quite some time ago but it didn't seem like anyone else has had a problem with this.

Also, in the Sierra tower on our last trip, we had a mini-fridge that came in quite handy. I don't remember if we had that in the Marina tower. I guess it could be a "view" vs. "non-view" thing. But maybe it's a tower thing.

 

[azlaura]

I just got back fom Disneyland and we had a room in the Bonita Tower! It was great! We had two queen beds and a daybed, we also had the little fridge! But what was the best was the view, we could see the Matterhorn, the top of Splash, Grizzly Mnt. and TOT! My daughter watched the fireworks from her bed one night! I have never stayed in that tower before but I will again, I liked it better than the Sierra tower! And best of all it was considered the lower pool view and the lower price! AP night rates of $129.
Any questions just ask!

 

[dsnylndmom]

We stayed in a Sierra Tower, resort view, lower level(5th floor)room around 2 weeks ago and LOVED it! We watched the fireworks the first night they kids loved looked at the Pier all lit up at night and the 2nd night we watched a Bride taking pix in the Glass Carriage!! Soooooo pretty!! Our rate was $149 a night, totally worth it! Before this trip we had only stayed Bonita city view and felt it was eh or the suites, that were not in the towers,wayyyyy before the big Remodel! I loved the suites there, they were soooooooo roomy!!

Less than a week ago we stayed at BW Park Place for $99 a night, for the extra $50 I would've gladly stayed at DLH, same view, if we didn't have such a large group that trip!

Next trip, I'd like to do Sierra Tower again, but a higher floor.