DLH and PPH- worth it?

[WDWizard]

At first we planned on staying at one of the off-site hotels in the area, but now that I think of it, for a little bit more we could stay at the Paradise Pier or Disneyland Hotel. I've heard that PPH and DLH are "Disneyfied holiday inns" and that you get the same for the hotels and motels on Harbor Blvd and the area around DLR, because they lack theme and are more convenient to get to the parks..any suggestions?

Thanks

[BrerGnat]

I've stayed at the PPH, not the DLH, but that will be the next one we try. We have also stayed at the Grand.

I would SO not agree that they are Disneyified Holiday Inns. You are paying for the location and theme. While the PPH's "theme" is pretty light, the DLH is almost over the top "Disney". Certainly, there is some major themeing going on at DLH. The PPH has a sort of beach-y theme, and it's only executed as well as a high rise in the middle of a city will allow. The rooms, however, are H-U-G-E. They are bigger than all the WDW deluxe resort rooms. I believe they are the largest rooms of all the DLR property hotels.

If you can afford the DLH, go there. We had a lovely stay at PPH, but it is pretty far removed from the rest of the property. It's a long walk to get anywhere.

I'm sure many of the offsite places are just fine, but they are located in a VERY heavily traffiked area and most have doors that open to the outside. I can only imagine how noisy these hotel rooms can be...

[RedSoxFan]

We stayed at PPH when we were there. We had a 1 BR suite with 2 BA as there are 6 of us. The rooms are huge and I thought it was a lovely hotel. They just finished renovations before our visit. IMO it isn't a long walk to either theme park. I would stay there again.

[Melanie]

I've stayed at both PPH and DLH, as well as an offsite hotel. Certainly the PPH and DLH are much more Disney themed, and I also wouldn't classify them as Disneyfied Holiday Inns - not even close! The offsite hotel was fine, but I'd much rather stay onsite if I can afford it.

[WDWizard]

Thanks for the advice. We ended up booking off-site, at the Candy Cane Inn across the street. The DLR resorts were just too expensive and we found that the resort we picked looks really nice (Voted #1 hotel in Anaheim on TripAdvisor). Its a nice boutique hotel with free breakfast, internet, and transportation to the parks and seemed more worth it than the expensive Disney hotels.

I read a lot of reviews..and the Disney hotel I heard the worse from was the Disneyland hotel. A lot of people said the rooms were in bad condition and they "could hear what the people in the next room planned on eating for breakfast." DLR's hotels look decent and have lots of convenience being so close, but for much less anyone can get a decent less expensive hotel across the street, unlike in WDW where you have to stay on-property to really enjoy it. I hope we enjoy our trip when we go in August.

[Melanie]

Good luck with your choice. I've always heard nice things about the Candy Cane.

I read a lot of reviews..and the Disney hotel I heard the worse from was the Disneyland hotel. A lot of people said the rooms were in bad condition and they "could hear what the people in the next room planned on eating for breakfast."

I've never found this to be the case, and I've stayed at the Disneyland Hotel twice in the past year, both times for 6-7 days. The rooms are in great condition, and I don't recall ever hearing my neighbors (except maybe some rowdy INTERCOTees that may or may not have been my traveling companions on one of my trips ).

Of the three Disneyland Resort hotels, my preference would be to stay at Disneyland Hotel, followed closely by Paradise Pier, then Grand Californian a distant third.

[EtteDMS]

When we were planning a trip to DL a year ago we debated the same thing. We eventually decided to stay at the Paradise Pier and now look forward to staying there again. The rooms were quite large, the daybed was actually the size of a twin bed and quite comfy, the decor had all been nicely updated and themed, and the beds were very comfortable. Also, its restaurant, while unassuming, had some of the best food of our stay, and the staff could not have been more pleasant. Also, as we were there over the 4th of July, we know it was filled to capacity, but it never seemed crowded at all and the atmosphere was very serene. It took 5-10 minutes to walk to DL, all part of the experience as on-site guests can enter through the Grand Californian, and then through Downtown Disney. One tip. If you are going at a time when the parks can fill to capacity, I read when we were going that you can be told to return later should this happen unless you are staying on-site, in which case you can enter at all times.

[WiLdOrCa]

We've stayed at the good neighbor hotels, Park Place inn, Carousel Inn but by far the best one we liked was Howard Johnson. It's not that much further from Park Place and Carousel and the gate entrance, but it's MUCH quieter!!! The rooms are big, and roomy and the doors are indoors in a enclosed hallway similar to an apartment complex. It was quiet and you couldn't hear the neighbors at all. We slept very well, knowing it was away from the main traffic as well yet still within easy access. It did not deter us from getting back and forth with our teens during the day either.

We were looking to staying at PPH but now we like being out of the limelight... we'd stay at PPH with the teens when they go with us, but we are planning an "alone" wedding anniversary for our 20th year and going for quiet and going at an off time in Feb.

Just my humble opinion.

I grew up in Garden Grove, and have gone there for many many many years... it's changed and odd to have to find a hotel to stay there now, but it's great that there is such a nice choice as well. When I have our 25th, I plan on staying at the Californian... WOW!! That is my dream..

Take care and enjoy!
Vickie