Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier Hotel?

[The Evil Queen]

Hi Everyone!

I've got a trip booked in October and currently in the Paradise Pier. I'm having second thoughts as we usually stay at the Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian.

I was wondering about early entry mornings...Can I do early entry mornings walking thru DCA or do I need to take the LONG walk to the main gate? I'm thinking that DCA isn't open so the main gate trek will my only option (vs. hopping the monorail and going in that way which takes at least 1/2 hour off EE because of the wait at the station).

Also, I know that the PP isn't THAT much further away, BUT...after 8-10 hours in the park, do I really want to walk that far?

Help me out! YIKES!

[Cat H]

The walk from Paradise Pier to Disneyland main gate is actually pretty close if you go through the Grand Calif. Go out the front door of the Paradise Pier and make a left. You will walk a very short distance to a stop light. Cross the street at the stop light and you will be at a short path that leads to the Grand entrance and from there you are a short distance from the main entrance of Disneyland.

[LdyApxr]

We stayed there in March and I would reccomend it. We were able to go through the GC and then there is an entrance that will bring you right to DTD in between Libby Lu and Sephora and then it is just a short walk to the Main Gate from there. I think that entrance/exit closes at 10p though so to get back to PP at that time we just went through DCA. I am trying to wrangle an October trip and I want to stay there again but finances may dictate other options. I got a little spoiled being so close and not having to deal with crowds on the sidewalks(if staying off property) or parking etc. I knew it would happen. Heaven forbid I ever stay at the GCH! LOL

[Darkbeer]

You CAN'T do Magic Mornings/Early Entry using the DCA entrance from the Grand Californian (GCH).

The GCH entrance to DCA opens at 9:30 AM, and "MM" starts at 7 AM, 8 AM or 9 AM, depending on the schedule.

You can walk through the GCH and by the Convention Center area, but yes, you are basically required to walk to the Main Entrance Plaza to get your "Magic Morning".

[The Evil Queen]

Thanks, Darkbeer! That's settles it! Back to the Disneyland Hotel for us!

HMMMM....just need to remember the name of the closest tower...

[Darkbeer]

The "East" tower is Dreams, the Lobby and Valet is located in "Magic", and the South tower is "Wonder".

I think you want either Dreams or Magic.

[LdyApxr]

Am I crazy?(ok, we all know the answer to that but...) When I was at the PP, the DLH is behind that so that would make the walk longer right? What am I missing here? LOL

Oh yeah, and I did not know that the GCH entrance to DCA opened at 930, I thought DCA opened at 10. I am such a disney-newb!

[Spazz]

My sister and I just returned from our trip to MouseAdventure and we stayed at the PP for the first time since this was the host hotel for MouseAdventure. We loved it! We usually stay in the Disneyland Hotel or GCH and have avoided the PP since we thought it was the longest walk, but I think the walk from the Disneyland hotel is longer. We just went out the front lobby and headed to the left to the crosswalk. We crossed the street to the GCH and walked through the lobby by the convention area and out the exit to DTD by Sephora and then off to bag check and the esplanade. We did Magic Mornings on the Sunday morning of MouseAdventure (we were in the 101 division and didn't have to check in until 10 a.m.) and the walk felt like it was shorter than when we have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel.

On a side note, I reserved a standard room for this trip with my AP discount and when we arrived and checked in, the staff had upgraded us to a Family Suite with a park view for the same price. We were so excited. The room had a microwave, refridgerator, a table with four chairs, sectional sofa and TV with DVD player in one room, two full bathrooms, and two queen beds and a desk in the bedroom. The best part was the view. We were able to see the fireworks from our room and the Electrical Parade. We opened the windows and could hear the music for the Electrical Parade. I enjoyed this hotel much more than our stays at the Disneyland Hotel. The PCH Grill was great for dinner and has wonderful Cream of Mushroom soup. This hotel seemed much quieter than the other resort hotels and the staff was awesome. I would pick this hotel over the Disneyland Hotel for our future stays and the rates are usually less $$ than DH or GCH.

Just my 2 cents!

[DlandAmanda]

I thought that Magic Mornings were only Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday? I just got back yesterday (May 4-7), and we stayed at the PP. This was my second trip staying at this hotel, I have also stayed at GC, but not DL. I think that for the price it is definitely worth the short short walk. We just walked through GC and right into DCA on Monday, since we were told that there wasn't Magic Mornings that day. I know that we got in early because we were required to show our room key at the gate. On Tuesday we walked to the main entrance for Magic Mornings and the walk wasn't bad at all.

[Darkbeer]

Magic Mornings are currently Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Toontown Madness is offered on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, available to those who have a coupon from TWDC or affiliated travel company.

[Matterhorn Yodeler]

I know that I've read it in some thread here that the walk from PP is actually shorter than from DLH when using the route that has been suggested. I'm not making your choice any easier, but it sounds like you really can't make your decision based on walk distance alone...

[foolishmortal]

The walk from Dl to PPH is shorter if you take the short cut through the GCH. Unless you ride the monorail then it is a little longer!
We stay at the PPH all the time. we have been in the other 2 but find this hotel far more relaxed and the staff is the best!!! The food is good and the lounge is soo relaxing the kids love the cartoon room which I think is the best of all the hotels....shhhhhh that's our secret!! And the roof top pool is not too crowded!

This nov. I'm taking along our feild meter we use for measuring distance and find out once and for all which is the "closer" hotel!!!!
Need to put this one to rest!!

have fun on your trip!!!
kat

[Chadsgal]

Hi There,

I currently have reservations @ Hojo's at the entertainment rate but I am still tempted to stay on property. We have AP's and I am hoping a promo rate will come up this Sept like it did last Sept.

Anyway, My question is who has the larger rooms? We havn't stayed at the PP or DLH in about 8-10 years and we remember the DLH rooms being small and the PP pool not being that great and it having a long walk.

Which would you pick? Stay with the Hojo's or switch to PP or DLH?

HELP!!!

[yellowrosedtxn]

I can finally say I have stayed at all three DLR hotels. I love the GC for the location, not the room theme or size. I loved staying at the DLH with a DTD view because I love the whole magic feeling. I like that I had a DTD view high in the sky and able to watch the fireworks. I also loved PP with the DCA view. When I finally figured out that I could go out the front of the hotel and cut through GC to DTD then the walk wasn't all that bad. I do think that the PP rooms are a little larger than the DL Hotel though. I also love the pool at DL Hotel more than PP. So, it is kind of a toss up if you ask me. I don't think you can go wrong with either of those choices.

I haven't stayed at the HOJO's though, so I can't really help in that department. But if you do stay at one of the DLR hotels, you do get to do the Magic Morning each day it is offered (at least for now).

[Chadsgal]

How about the towers at DLH? I've heard that the Seira(sp) tower isn't very good.

[Matterhorn Yodeler]

If price is the issue, even with an AP code, it will be far more to stay at either PP or DLH.

The HoJo's should have their Pirate's Cove waterpark structure open by September, so that will add to the pool experience. The DLH pool is wonderful.

As to distance, if you cut through GCH, the PP walk is not bad, in fact it may be shorter than the walk from some of the rooms at DLH. The Hojo's is a block north of the crosswalk to the resort.

How much time will you spend in the room and utilizing the hotel's amenities and activities? If you are a park, rides, shows, fireworks person, then I would go with the value of HoJo's. If you are looking to spend time at the pool and/or get away from the crowds to relax, then I would say DLH. If you want a great view of DCA, then I'd suggest PP!

Okay, I know...no real help! Anyway you choose, I hope you have a magical trip!

[Koala Gurl]

I recently stayed at PP, and too went thru GC. I thought the walk seemed much quicker than when I stayed at DLH (Bonita tower).

The room was a pretty decent size, and nicely decorated. Depending on the price, I would prefer this to the DLH. But it all depends on the deals (and I haven't done the pools, etc...usually just a place to sleep for us.)

[twindaddy]

I recently stayed at PP, and too went thru GC. I thought the walk seemed much quicker than when I stayed at DLH (Bonita tower).

The room was a pretty decent size, and nicely decorated. Depending on the price, I would prefer this to the DLH. But it all depends on the deals (and I haven't done the pools, etc...usually just a place to sleep for us.)

Sorry to be a wet towel, but if your room was just a crash pad, wouldnt it have been wayyyyyy cheaper to stay over on Harbor, at maybe HoJo or Fairfield, and use your savings to do...well....anything in the park. That was my thinking, and why I booked over at Camelot (plus we needed the big room for the kiddos).

I am trying to gather for reasoning for people staying on property, because it sure seems to cost alot more!!!!

[Glass Slipper]

The Disneyland Hotel! Always! The Paradise Pier is also very nice, but we prefer the "magic" of the original, and we happen to LOVE the Dreams Tower! All the rooms we've had have been large, clean, and comfortable, and the view is worth every penny to us! Haven't stayed at PP for a few years, but if I remember correctly, the room was quite large as well. If you have the opportunity, I would definitely jump at the chance to stay onsite at either the DLH or PP!

[Chadsgal]

So we now have 4 rooms booked in the Magic Tower, the one with the front desk I think. So we are all crossing our fingers for the promo rate to hit $149 like it did last year. We are keeping our reservations at Hojo's too just in case.

We have a couple toddlers and a 6 year old so we are planing on afternoons at the hotel relaxing, swimming and napping. So the hotel is more than just a place to Crash for us.

We are very excited!!!!!

[Glass Slipper]

We've never stayed in the Magic Tower, but there are supposedly some rooms that have great views of the fireworks (if you happen to be in your room at the time, rather than in the parks), while some people prefer the pool side rooms. Either way, I'm sure you will have a wonderful time!

[Chadsgal]

I asked about the pool view rooms but they were $30 more a night. And we wanted to stay in the same tower as the front desk & Fantasia Shop. We thought the atmospher would be better walking through the lobby every day.

[D15]

I asked about the pool view rooms but they were $30 more a night. And we wanted to stay in the same tower as the front desk & Fantasia Shop. We thought the atmospher would be better walking through the lobby every day.

The several times we've been in that tower, going through the lobby out to the park for the day (or even to the pool) is very magical! Also, going from self-parking to the "Magic" (Marina still sticks with me, haha!) tower is super easy!

[ChurroGirl]

Just because I want to stay at the DLR my vote is for there.

[rodeomom]

WE just returned last night from DLH and loved it!! YUM steak house 55 popcorn rock shrimp.