Paradise Pier or DL Hotel

[coachwnh]

We will be heading back to DL this August, and this time from Sunday through Saturday. Last June we stayed at DL Hotel. We currently had PP booked because I wanted to check out something new. Ive read reviews online, but just want to hear what those of you who know DL resort so well have to say. We loved the easy walk through DTD to both parks. Will it be as easy this summer from PP? We are going to upgrade our WDW APs to premier passes as well. It sounds like DL does not offer as many room only discounts as WDW. Is the so. We were able to get a 15% AAA room only discount now. Should that be the best we expect? As always, thanks for helping out on our upcoming DL adventure.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I actually really like Paradise Pier. It's further from the parks, though. The Disneyland Hotel is closer. Paradise Pier has a beach theme and it wasn't a Disney hotel at first, so a lot of people believe it's "not Disney enough" and don't like it. I've stayed at the Paradise Pier... No, there aren't Disney prints all over the hotel but then again, none of the DLR hotels have Disney prints everywhere you look. I'll admit I like the Disneyland Hotel more, but I still like Paradise Pier. What I suggest is look up photos of Paradise Pier and see what you think. If you don't really like anything, you can switch back to the Disneyland Hotel.

Since the opening of Cars Land, they haven't really been offering room discounts, since they've had no problems filling up rooms. DLR Annual Passholders receive discounts on hotels, though. When are you planning on upgrading your pass?

 

[KeithVH]

The price point is the best thing about PP. Don't get me wrong, it's a clean place to stay and the rooms are nice. Theming is on the low side but if you're the kind where it's just a place to rest, it's more than adequate. If you're into the whole resort thing and you spend time on the property, it may be lacking. Especially in the area of food. Dining options are extremely limited; one OK restaurant but limited menu. Very quick access to DCA (would be quicker if they hadn't closed the second gate behind DCA) but a good walk to MK, even through the GC. On EMH mornings, DLR to the monorail to MK bypasses a LOT of people and is a great option.

 

[coachwnh]

I actually really like Paradise Pier. It's further from the parks, though. The Disneyland Hotel is closer. Paradise Pier has a beach theme and it wasn't a Disney hotel at first, so a lot of people believe it's "not Disney enough" and don't like it. I've stayed at the Paradise Pier... No, there aren't Disney prints all over the hotel but then again, none of the DLR hotels have Disney prints everywhere you look. I'll admit I like the Disneyland Hotel more, but I still like Paradise Pier. What I suggest is look up photos of Paradise Pier and see what you think. If you don't really like anything, you can switch back to the Disneyland Hotel.

Since the opening of Cars Land, they haven't really been offering room discounts, since they've had no problems filling up rooms. DLR Annual Passholders receive discounts on hotels, though. When are you planning on upgrading your pass?

We will upgrade in July before we leave. We are planning on renewing at that time trough July 2014. Then we can visit again next summer!!!

 

[Californian Elitist]

We will upgrade in July before we leave. We planning on renewing at that time trough July 2014. Then we can visit again next summer!!!

Sounds great! Hopefully you will be able to get hotel discounts with your AP.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Paradise Pier has a beach theme and it wasn't a Disney hotel at first, so a lot of people believe it's "not Disney enough" and don't like it.

That was what I was going to say. We're going in June, and that's the reason we decided against staying at Paradise Pier. We're WDW people and are used to a certain Disney "feel" which we thought we wouldn't get at Paradise Pier. That's also why we've never stayed at Swan/Dolphin, even before we were DVC. I walked in there last trip and thought, "This isn't Disney." Some people may not care, but keep it in mind.

We went to Hawaii last June and stayed at Hilton Hawaiian for a week and then switched to Aulani. I found that I enjoyed the vacation a lot more once we were over at Aulani, even though Hilton Hawaiian was extremely nice. For my graduation trip in June, we tacked Hawaii on, and when my father asked me if I wanted to stay at the Hilton or at Aulani, I said, without a doubt, Aulani. Just putting that out there.

 

[Californian Elitist]

That was what I was going to say. We're going in June, and that's the reason we decided against staying at Paradise Pier. We're WDW people and are used to a certain Disney "feel" which we thought we wouldn't get at Paradise Pier. That's also why we've never stayed at Swan/Dolphin, even before we were DVC. I walked in there last trip and thought, "This isn't Disney." Some people may not care, but keep it in mind.

We went to Hawaii last June and stayed at Hilton Hawaiian for a week and then switched to Aulani. I found that I enjoyed the vacation a lot more once we were over at Aulani, even though Hilton Hawaiian was extremely nice. For my graduation trip in June, we tacked Hawaii on, and when my father asked me if I wanted to stay at the Hilton or at Aulani, I said, without a doubt, Aulani. Just putting that out there.

In my opinion, none of the DLR hotels are very Disney-esque, just really nice and classy. You won't walk into any of the hotels and see Disney characters everywhere.

As long as I have a place to sleep...

 

[StarWarsGirl]

In my opinion, none of the DLR hotels are very Disney-esque, just really nice and classy. You won't walk into any of the hotels and see Disney characters everywhere.

As long as I have a place to sleep...

That's not what I meant. In most of the Disney hotels, minus ones like All Star and Art of Animation in WDW, the characters are there, but you have to look for them. There's this certain...feel that you get in a Disney hotel that you won't find elsewhere. It's hard to explain, but once you've stayed at multiple Disney hotels, you get it. I can't put my finger on what it is, but there's a homey feeling you get in the Disney hotels. Warm, welcoming, relaxed. I'm definitely more at home in Disney hotels than I am at other hotels.

 

[Californian Elitist]

That's not what I meant. In most of the Disney hotels, minus ones like All Star and Art of Animation in WDW, the characters are there, but you have to look for them. There's this certain...feel that you get in a Disney hotel that you won't find elsewhere. It's hard to explain, but once you've stayed at multiple Disney hotels, you get it. I can't put my finger on what it is, but there's a homey feeling you get in the Disney hotels. Warm, welcoming, relaxed. I'm definitely more at home in Disney hotels than I am at other hotels.

I think I knew what you were talking about, unless you're talking about actual face characters and fuzzies? I'm talking about just the Disney characters being on the walls and everything.

Ever been to the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood? I'll admit Disney has some great hotels, but the Roosevelt... Man oh man.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I think I knew what you were talking about, unless you're talking about actual face characters and fuzzies? I'm talking about just the Disney characters being on the walls and everything.

Ever been to the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood? I'll admit Disney has some great hotels, but the Roosevelt... Man oh man.

No that's not what I meant. They're not usually everywhere in the Disney hotels. I've stayed at every single DVC resort minus Vero Beach, as well as several of the non DVC resorts at WDW, and all of them have Disney in the rooms, like in the carpet, but they're more like Hidden Mickeys than anything. Art of Animation and All Star Movies are the only Disney hotels where it's "WOW! CHARACTERS EVERYWHERE!" Other than that, they're around, but they don't scream at you.

No, I've only been to CA once, and we always stay at Disney because it's cheaper. We stayed at Grand Californian. I so rarely stay at non Disney hotels. Williamsburg and Hilton Hawaiian are the only two non-Disneys I've been to within the past few years.

 

[Californian Elitist]

No that's not what I meant. They're not usually everywhere in the Disney hotels. I've stayed at every single DVC resort minus Vero Beach, as well as several of the non DVC resorts at WDW, and all of them have Disney in the rooms, like in the carpet, but they're more like Hidden Mickeys than anything. Art of Animation and All Star Movies are the only Disney hotels where it's "WOW! CHARACTERS EVERYWHERE!" Other than that, they're around, but they don't scream at you.

No, I've only been to CA once, and we always stay at Disney because it's cheaper. We stayed at Grand Californian. I so rarely stay at non Disney hotels. Williamsburg and Hilton Hawaiian are the only two non-Disneys I've been to within the past few years.

Oh okay then. We were talking about the same thing, then.

Cheaper?????? The Grand Californian???? You can stay at any other offsite hotel and you're guaranteed to pay less.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Oh okay then. We were talking about the same thing, then.

Cheaper?????? The Grand Californian???? You can stay at any other offsite hotel and you're guaranteed to pay less.

Well, I should clarify...we use our points. We got free points when we bought into Bay Lake Tower last time we went. We had to either use or lose them. Therefore, it was cheaper. Plus we only had to rent a car for the weekend. That saved a lot of money. I think this time we're also in the "Use or lose" situation. I know we have some points we got when we bought into Aulani. We're trying to get the one bedroom at Aulani, but it's not coming through. If that's the case, when I go to WDW with a friend next January before my spring semester starts, we won't be staying at All Star. We'll stay at one of the DVCs. My father already said he'd pay the hotel bill, so I'm hoping I'll be able to stay someplace slightly nicer. My dad has the system down to a science...

Plus he owns Disney stock. The more profit Disney makes, the more he gets back. So it just makes sense.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

 

[007mickey]

We will be heading back to DL this August, and this time from Sunday through Saturday. Last June we stayed at DL Hotel. We currently had PP booked because I wanted to check out something new. Ive read reviews online, but just want to hear what those of you who know DL resort so well have to say. We loved the easy walk through DTD to both parks. Will it be as easy this summer from PP? We are going to upgrade our WDW APs to premier passes as well. It sounds like DL does not offer as many room only discounts as WDW. Is the so. We were able to get a 15% AAA room only discount now. Should that be the best we expect? As always, thanks for helping out on our upcoming DL adventure.

Our family is visiting for the first time this summer and we are thinking about switching our PP reservations to DL Hotel. Did you enjoy your stay at DL Hotel? Being WDW regulars, we are getting worried PP won't feel very Disney and with the recent renovations to DL Hotel and it being our first family visit...it has us thinking about changing. I'd be interested to know what you decide on.

 

[coachwnh]

Our family is visiting for the first time this summer and we are thinking about switching our PP reservations to DL Hotel. Did you enjoy your stay at DL Hotel? Being WDW regulars, we are getting worried PP won't feel very Disney and with the recent renovations to DL Hotel and it being our first family visit...it has us thinking about changing. I'd be interested to know what you decide on.

Yes we did. If you are like us and visit WDW frequently, then even the DL hotel (in fact the GC) will not meet your expectations. WDW and the theming is just so much greater (inmy opinion) than at DL. That said, we absolutely loved DL and the DL hotel!!! we cant wait to head back this summer. and as nice as the new fantasy land is, it cant compare to carsland. also, the DL fantasmic blows wdw away!! besure to catch the world of color. fantastic. Have fun!!!

 

[007mickey]

Yes we did. If you are like us and visit WDW frequently, then even the DL hotel (in fact the GC) will not meet your expectations. WDW and the theming is just so much greater (inmy opinion) than at DL. That said, we absolutely loved DL and the DL hotel!!! we cant wait to head back this summer. and as nice as the new fantasy land is, it cant compare to carsland. also, the DL fantasmic blows wdw away!! besure to catch the world of color. fantastic. Have fun!!!

It's great to hear from fellow WDW vets about there DL experiences. We are excited to visit the "orginal" in Anaheim. Really looking forward to the charm of DL and Carsland.

The resorts were the main thing we felt like would be different than we were used to at WDW. Seems like you pay WDW deluxe prices for moderate or value type resorts. And I would agree, WDW resorts do a outstanding job with theming at every level. Anyway, you only live once, I think we may make the switch from PP to DL Hotel.

 

[Californian Elitist]

@007mickey I hope these help with your decision.

Pardise Pier hotel room:

Disneyland Hotel room:

 

[dweezil78]

Disneyland Hotel all the way, no contest IMO.

 

[coachwnh]

Now im not sure. sent an email to our agent to do price checks for all three. i guess i started this myself, right!!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Now im not sure. sent an email to our agent to do price checks for all three. i guess i started this myself, right!!

It's all your fault! Haha.