[PVHNat]

hi guys! This may sound silly- but you all know I'm a CM at DW- but I've only been to Disneyland once, when I was four- so I don't remember. As a gift, my boyfriend is taking me there for my birthday. Any advice at which Disney hotel to stay at? I was really liking Paradise Pier, but I want to hear everyone else's opinions.

[WishUponAStar]

Well, ok. I am pretty fussy and I am going to be completely honest when I say that Paradise Pier to me was kinda dissapointing. I have never STAYED there but when we visited DL in 2003 we made sure to check out all the resorts to see which we'd WANT to stay in the next time.

Paradise Pier, to me, is just too far off from everything and it seemed like a "souped up" off-site hotel. I remember someone on DC mentioning that it was an existing Travelodge hotel that disney bought and "re-did". Well, I personally don't think enough was "re-done." I know that sounds harsh, but I am just giving my honest opinion.

Grand Californian was amazing, as you can imagine but I decided to pick the DL Hotel for our first "on site" stay in June b.c it jsut seemed appropriate. It's close to everything. You can get a DTD view, the hotel itself is really nice AND it's the original!! Nothing beats the original, IMO.

I don't know, I think the DL Hotel would be my vote for the first visit! Please let us know what you decided.

[KarenT]

If price were no option..GC all the way! But the Paradise Pier is not a bad option. We stayed there in Feb/March 2002 and were very happy with the hotel. We had a great view of DCA. It is not very Disney themed, but it is a nice hotel with great access to DCA and a short walk to DL.

[Disneyfever]

I would pick the hotels in this order:
1) Grand Californian (if money was not a problem). The location of the hotel is fantastic. My sister stayed there and their balcony faced DTD. The hotel is actually kind of in the center of DTD. They have a private entrance to CA. The hotel is just beautiful too.
2) DL Hotel
3) Paradise Pier

Of these three, I have only stayed at the PP. That was about 6 years ago. We were not very impressed with it at the time. It just didn't feel very special to us. I think they might have made some changes since then though, so it is probably much better now.

[Princess Tessa]

Originally Posted by Disneyfever

Of these three, I have only stayed at the PP. That was about 6 years ago. We were not very impressed with it at the time. It just didn't feel very special to us. I think they might have made some changes since then though, so it is probably much better now.

6 years ago, wasn't it Disneyland Pacific Hotel still? It's pretty nice now

I've stayed in Disneyland hotel and enjoyed it alot but have now stayed in Paradise Pier twice. Once in a regular room and once concierge level.
I really like PP, the rooms and decoration are nice and we had a nice view of the park. It's a bit more of a walk, but you get used to it, nice to stop by Compas Books on the way to the park in the morning.

[The Goof Father]

I am a huge fan of the Grand Californian. It is awesome. It is close. It has wonderful rooms. It is the best!

If you are able to get discounts then I think you will really enjoy the GC a lot!

I stayed at the Paradise Pier in 2004 and left it early and switched over to the GC. I was not impressed by the PP then. I did just stay at the PP in December and it was much better this time around. Oh, and I wanted to add that the PP really isn't as far away as some of the DH buildings though, because I always took a shortcut through the GC from the PP to get to the parks/DTD. If you choose the PP, make sure to take the shortcut!

I think you will have a nice time no matter which hotel you choose, but the GC is awesome...

[Peppertink]

Grand Californian!!!!!! I just love this hotel. Of course I also really like DLH for sentimental reasons....
Paradise Pier is nice because it is smaller..and quiet! I was amazed how much more quiet it is than the other two. It used to be really cool when it had its own private entrance into DCA....sadly they don't offer that anymore

Anway...if ya can try GC!!!

[Princess Tessa]

Yeah, if you can afford it Grand Californian is amazing. We stay in PP, take the shortcut like Goof Father said, and spend lots of time hanging out in the GC lobby the best of both worlds!

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by PVHNat

hi guys! This may sound silly- but you all know I'm a CM at DW- but I've only been to Disneyland once, when I was four- so I don't remember. As a gift, my boyfriend is taking me there for my birthday. Any advice at which Disney hotel to stay at? I was really liking Paradise Pier, but I want to hear everyone else's opinions.

Paradise Pier was a totally killer hotel back before California Adventure was built. It was NOT a travelodge.. However, it was a normal offsite hotel, so it doesn't have a lot of "DISNEY MAGIC" installed.

Bottom line, where you stay depends upon how much money you want to spend.

California Grand is the best on site, but it's pricey.

Now, back when I was a cast member back in '95, I seem to recall they gave discounts to stay at the Disneyland Hotel.

It IS closer than the Disneyland Hotel, especially now that the monorail isn't at the lobby as before.

I will be going there in Mid February, mostly to eat at the Japanese Restaurant there. If there's anything in particular you would like to know, let me know.

[The Goof Father]

Originally Posted by Princess Tessa

Yeah, if you can afford it Grand Californian is amazing. We stay in PP, take the shortcut like Goof Father said, and spend lots of time hanging out in the GC lobby the best of both worlds!

Princess Tessa is a Disney Genius! But she does make a good point. Stay at PP, but hang out at the GC! I just now sort of realize it, but that is pretty much what I did in December!

[Princess Tessa]

haham well, I don't know about Genius.......but well, yeah. GENIUS! bwwahahaha
(sorry, it's late and I'm a little punchy )

also Experiment 6-2-6, your trip is coming up SO soon! thats great!

PVHNat - have you thought more about resorts yet? Keep us updated

[The Goof Father]

Have ya' made up your mind yet, PVHNat???

Please tell us everything when you do!

[PVHNat]

No decisions yet- it seems the date is pretty set- but we can't decide details!! Plus, I'm in the process of transferring jobs- so things have been kinda crazy on the homefront!!

[PVHNat]

Alright everyone 49 days and counting......

We have two reservations currently....one at Paradise Pier, one at the Fairfield Inn across the street.

We're still debating, but if we stay right across the street, it saves us about 120 dollars total. Which could be used towards food (OR MERCHANDISE!), so I'm thinking we're leaning towards that.

But we got *DEALS* on the flights- delta, direct from Orlando to LA for $475 for both of us! That's pretty good!

That's a quick update!

YAY!

[daisyd]

Awesome Natalie!

Just a suggestion--start checking Expedia about 10 days out to see if they drop the rates on the Disney properties as they used to do it when availabilty gets low, and seeing that you have some flexability with your ressies, it could be worth a shot to see if you can get PP for less than what you have reserved now. I have seen the Disneyland hotel as low as $139 in summer, with PP about $20 less, and GC about $40 more. Just be sure to read the cancellation rules before you book if you go that route.

The Fairfield Inn gets good reviews at Trip Advisor and I think you are about the same distance to the parks as you would be at PP. Either place, you'll have a great time!