Originally Posted By ecdc I've never stayed at Paradise Pier before, but we got such a good deal for our upcoming December trip, we couldn't resist. We'll be there from the 1st through the 4th. Anything I ought to know or be mindful of? Construction? Shortcuts to the park? I found some older threads that were helpful but want to make sure there's nothing updated I need to know, given DCA's current construction. Thanks!
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy I think you will really like it. First of all you will get Magic Morning (early entry) everyday it is offered since you are staying in one of the Disney hotels. Great perk! The rooms themselves are very well laid out. We always get the 2 queen and a daybed configuraton. These rooms are very spacious. The daybed folds into a twin bed, so that is handy if you have kids that don't want to share a bed, or if you have 5 in a room. There is a writing desk and a chair. Beneath the desk is a table on wheels that you can pull up to the daybed for a big spacious table for meals, snacks, your laptop or whatever. None of the other Disney hotels have this, and I find it really handy. If you are able to get a park view room, go for it. The view is spectacular! Especially at night when everything is lit up. The pool area is great. The pool itself is your basici rectangle shaped pool. But it is big, but not too big that you lose sight of your kids like at the Neverland Pool at the Disneyland Hotel. There is a big water slide that is always a big hit with the kids. And you can see the fireworks from here and they pipe in the music from the fireworks show, so it is a comfortable place to view the show before heading back to your room for the night. (and you don't have to fight the crowds!) To get to the parks, just take the crosswalk over to the Grand Californian Hotel, and cut through to the Downtown Disney. Or if you want to take the Monorail, just head out the back door and cross over to the begining of Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Hotel. Either way, it is pretty convienent. Have a wonderful trip!
Originally Posted By Jenasweetemotion I had a theme park room the last time I was there and saw that construction started at about 8:00 or so but never heard any noises from not. Also if you want to go over to DCA all you have to do is cross the street enter the Grand Californian and go start through the lobby apposed to turning to the left to go to Downtown Disney, once you walk through the lobby go all the way past the pool past story tellers till you get to where Napa Rose is you will see the sign above you for the private entrance for Disney Hotel guests that way you don't have to go the front of DCA. Another thing I often found that the elevators are slow, even when it is not busy, the elevator I found the quickest was the glass elevator in the lobby it is next to the other one's. I believe the reason it is quicker is because after you are past floor 3 there is no way to go down in the elevator from your floor. If you bring foods with you which is something we do, there is a lounge off the hotel lobby which has a microwave and toaster, we often would bring are own breakfast and would toast so pop tarts and eat down there or bring it back up to the room, they have a big TV there and some coaches which make it a nice start to the day. If you have a Chase bank card they have an ATM on the main floor that you can get money from and not be charged a fee as long as it is a Chase card, I used this once and was happy I wasn't going to be getting a fee with my withdraw. They also have some vending machines on the main floor that of course have soda, juice, milk and snacks as well as a machine with advil and tylenol, soap, socks, razors, deodorant and what nots, you can use a credit card at these or of course good old fashion cash. Hope this helps!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I always like to mention that the parking garage is almost connected to the hotel so that is nice if you are driving and leave something in the car Also the restrooms are near the PCH Grill which is opposite the check in counter (usually the first 2 places someone looks for Oh there is another set of restrooms on the second floor (you can access them by elevator or the stairs near the game room) this is also where the workout room is. Not that I've ever been there Have fun! Lilo and Friends character breakfast is great
Originally Posted By ecdc Wow! Thanks for the detailed, great responses! I really appreciate it. I know that, door to door, PPH is about as far as HoJo's, where we usually stay. But it's nice to know we can cut through GC.
Originally Posted By Wavesprite1 I've stayed there. We cut through the Grand Californian on every walk to the park, it was MUCH faster!! Also, the waters lide is GREAT, but only open certain hours, so make sure you check with the front desk on the slide hours. If I remember correctly, they were kind of off "I'll be in the park during that time" hours....
Originally Posted By Ursula It is one of my favorites, but I see that everyone has posted pretty much all you need to know! If they park you in self-parking NOT behind the hotel in the structure, it is very easy to move your car TO the structure, which I advise to do. When you check-in, ask for any upgrades. Some people have paid for a city view and were upgraded to the theme park side, and others were upgraded the to cool patio rooms off the pool for a minor charge.
Originally Posted By officerminnie ecdc, I just booked our trip for the PPH from Nov. 30 - Dec 4! I last stayed there in June of 2006 and it was wonderful. I almost didn't book the PPH this trip though, because I will have my 5 year old grand daughter with me, and thought the walk might be alot for her. Then I thought, since we won't be in the parks until midnight and it won't be 95 degrees out (like it was in '06), she should be fine. And the cheap Expedia rate really sealed the deal
Originally Posted By Jenasweetemotion I agree with Expedia being such a great deal we are going 10/10-10/14 and 11/28-12/3 Halloween and Christmas cant beat it.
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy And about the walk - to me it doesn't seem long at all because you are within the whole Disney hotel/Downtown Disney area. So you are already there, lots of things to look at and to enjoy the atmosphere. It is a much different walk in my opinion from staying at one of the Harbor Blvd. motels and walking on the street.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 They have "wireless" in all the rooms now If you don't have a "view" room you can just walk to the area where the tower "splits" on your floor. You can see a peek of the construction for "World of Color."
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 The only thing I would recommend is to not go for room service. It is actually done through the PCH grill and it is EXPENSIVE! My fiance and I did room service for breakfast there and it cost us almost $75 after the room service fees.
