Which Disneyland hotel to stay at?

[DVC-Owner]

I have some remaining DVC points which must be used by the end of August, and I am planning a trip to Disneyland in California (we have never been there before).

I will be staying there for 5 nights, and I have enough points for either the Dinseyland Hotel or Paridise Pier. Just wondering if anyone could provide some insights into the two properties so I can decide where is best to stay. I have a young family, and my 2 year old loves swimming.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Cheers,
DVC-Owner

[Leftcoaster]

The Disneyland Hotel has a much nicer pool. If that's the deciding factor, I would stay there.
I don't think you can pool hop at DL like we're allowed to at WDW.

Distance wise, Disneyland hotel is closer to DTD and the monorail versus Paradise Pier.

[diva452]

Too bad you dont have enough for Grand Californian. We stay there a night here and there on the concierge level. That would be my first choice but if that's out for you then the Disneyland hotel is second. The pool at the Disneyland hotel is really cool. I have not stayed at either Disneyland hotel or Paradise Pier but I believe that Paradise Pier is not that great. It''s furthest away from the park and downtown disney. We like the restaurants in the Disneyland hotel. That would be my choice.

[aidenzdaddy]

I'v estayed at all three hotels at DL and have to agree that if its a pool you're after (gotta make the daughert happy, right?), DL hotel is the way to go. Though when I was there earleir this year the giant slide at the pool was closed. However I should point out that Paradise Pier is right across from California Adventure - very quick entrance and exit. Much quieter than the other hotels.

The Disneyland Hotel is closest to Downtown Disney, but if you don't take the monorail at the top of DD, its a LONG walk to DL or CA main entrances.

Personally I prefer the Disneyland Hotel as the rooms I have had at Grand Californian I did not feel were worth the price. But wherever you stay - its all good!

Have a great time!

[DVC-Owner]

Thanks for your help. I just purchased my DVC points by resale, and there were 184 points which have to be used by September 1st. These points cannot be banked, and I want to borrow as few as possible, so either Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier was better suited based on the amount of points I have.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to reply, I appreciate your input. Disneyland Hotel it is!

Cheers,
DVC-Owner

[newjerseynick]

By the way, :welcome:

I was up in Niagara a couple of weeks ago, beautiful area. Much nicer on the Ontario side.

Nick

[carolina_yankee]

Another vote for Disneyland Hotel - if you have enough points, you can get a guaranteed Downtown Disney view, which also gives you a bit of California Adventure view. You can also see the fireworks from Disneyland.

The Sierra Tower is the Tower to request, regardless of booked view - it will give you either a view into the hotel ground, or of Downtown Disney. It's also the closest (but a few feet) to the monorail station and Downtown Disney.

The walk isn't bad, and you'll need to walk if you want to be in the park at rope drop, since the monorail doesn't leave the station until the park opens. This makes a huge difference in getting to the Nemo submarine voyage before the line builds.

The problem with Paradise Pier is that it is the furthest hotel away, and just one tower with no grounds to speak of. I think it's easy to feel that you're on the fringe rather than in the middle of things. Once inside, though, it's nice.

Dirk

[OttawaWendy]

I don't have an opinion about which hotel, but I do recommend that you consider the following questions:

a) If you take the points you would need to stay at DL (or other) and rent them out (you can get $11 or $12 per point likely), will that be more or less money than a cash stay at one of these resorts?

b) If you would make money by renting your points and staying on cash, is the net savings worth the hassle to you?

c) Are you suggesting staying at one of these hotels because it is what you really want, or is it only because these are the ones where you can use your points? If you really have a wider field of vision, then you can answer question a) again but compare the rental value of the points to the cost of a cash stay at any local (I think they call them Partner) DL hotel.

We've never been to DL, but when we took a DCL cruise, we rented our points and paid cash, which was much cheaper than using our points to book. Something to consider.

[scy3000]

We recently stayed at Paradise Pier. Very nice hotel, quiet, relaxing and easy to get around. True it is a bit removed from the other places, but not a real big deal if you can handle a little walk. Disneyland Hotel has a really nice courtyard, did not get to see the GC pool area.

I was disappointed with the PCH Grille, it was ok, nothing spectacular. There were a lot of characters at breakfast though.

We did not try Yamabuki.

If pool and food are important, try the other 2. If quiet and you dont mind a little walk, then Paradise Pier is good.

[TinkLover]

I'd say DL hotel, we stayed there last year and it was great, the pool is wonderful. You'll love it there....

[pycees312]

I have stayed at all 3. The only thing i liked about the Disneyland hotel is the pool. I personally like the Paradise Pier over the Disneyland hotel. My DS age 5 did not like how high the beds are in the Disneyland hotel.. I also like having the couch/twin bed in the Paradise Pier. The PCH Aloha Lilo and Stich breakfast was good.(similar and comparable to me to all the other Character meals). My kids realy like the Paradise Pier Slide in the pool area. Depending on where your at you can get either good California Adventure park views or Fireworks over Disney Views and the PPH. Is there any way to stay 4 nights and get the Grand Californian? that is our Top choice. Nice bunk beds, really nice size rooms. I dont mind the bed being tall in this room since the kids have the bunk bed. We had chocolates every night for turn down service, and dvd player. And I just think while your there you really feel upgraded. With the Disneyland and Paradise Pier your still in a 3 star hotel..

[doombuggy]

I have stayed at all 3 hotels, and while I loved GCH, DLH is probably my favorite. It's a great choice and you'll love it. and yes, i used my points to stay at GCH, but paid cash at the other three. I liked Paradise Pier (it was the Disneyland Pacific Hotel back then) but I felt DLH was closer. Of course they were only building DCA back then....:D

[DVC-Owner]

Again, thank you to everyone who has assisted in our travel plans.

Your replies are appreciated.


Cheers,

DVC-Owner

[jramals]

We stayed at the Paradise Pier and enjoyed our stay. I didn't think the walk was too far and for our afternoon nap we came back through the Grand Califorian hotel and crossed the street.

The Disneyland Hotel is a nice option too. We LOVED Chef Mickey's and thought it a far better character breakfast than any @ WDW. We had a 7:00 am seating & this was in 2005. So many characters came by all the big guns & Mary Poppins, Aladdain, Jasmine, Snow White, etc and my son loved the dessert for breakfast. LOL!

Love Niagara by the Lake. We lived in Buffalo for 2 years and had many people fly out to visit us. We always took them up to Niagara by the Lake after our short trip to view the falls. Far more a fun place than Niagara Falls. :cheers2:

Have a great time!

[mikayla73]

Another vote for the DLH. I haven't stayed at the PPH though. We have used our points twice at the DLH and once at the GCH. We really enjoyed both places. We have requested the Dreams Tower at the DLH, which is the one in the middle. It's just DH and I do so we like the king sized beds there.

I have some room view pics from both of our DLH stays if you want to see them, let me know.

No matter where you stay you'll have a great time!! I love DL!!:jumpingbe