Paradise Pier or Off Site Hotel About This Page:

[Joel]

Hello Everyone,
We have just gotten back from a 5 day Disneyland trip and it was great! I've been to Disneyland numerous times, but never during the Holiday Seasons with lights all over Disneyland. My 2 year old son could not get enough of it and still wanted to go back as we were checking out.
We are again planning on another Disneyland trip and we are thinking of staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel. I would like any information, tips or suggestions that anyone here can provide. I would greatly appreciate it
I'll be booking through the Disneyland site as they are offering a get 1 night free when you stay at least 3 nights which looks to be a decent deal. I've been reading various reviews about the Disneyland hotels and I'd like to know if some of the info I've read is true?
- Is hotel parking free or is there a charge when checking in?
- Is there a fee to use the swimming pools?
Is this true? If so, me and the family may continue to stay at off site hotels. I would really like to stay at Paradise Pier, please can someone twist my arm into staying there

[SoCalSusie]

I haven't stayed at the Paradise Pier, but I assume it would be the same as the Disneyland Hotel. There was no charge for either the pools or for parking if you are staying at the hotel.

[Joel]

Great! I also got in contact with Disneyland hotel reps and confirmed that there is no fees for parking or the pool. He did inform me though that the Paradise Pier is being renovated from Oct 2003-May 2004 and if I understood correctly, they are putting in a slide at the pool and removing 2 pool cabanas.

[infinity&beyond]

I got back from my first stay at Paradise Pier a couple of weeks ago, and really enjoyed it. I got a great rate on expedia.com, and when I checked in I asked if there might be a resort view available. They were able to book us in a room on the top floor with a fantastic view of Paradise Pier! We could watch the electrical parade from our hotel room, and it was very convenient to take advantage of the special entrance into DCA for Paradise Pier hotel guests, as well as using package delivery to have all purchases in the park delivered straight to the hotel bell desk the following morning. I'd definitely consider Paradise Pier if the price is right.

[gym mom]

We stayed there in October and really enjoyed it. Check out my trip report. The walk to everything was very reasonable. You can get to DL by either going out the back door of Paridise Pier and walking toward the DL Hotel, or go out the front door and walk across the street to the Grand Californian. Once you are in the front doors there watch for the walkway to Downtown Disney. You will come out half way down DTD on your way to DL. Absolutely no complaints about Paradise Pier!

Jennifer

[theGoof05]

We stayed at the PPH for the first time last April (2003). We really liked it. They put us in a 5th floor room looking into DCA. That was awesome. We couldn't see down into the park, but could see enough of it to enjoy the view. Originally they had us on the 8th floor w/DCA view but we had no bath tub. The view from the 8th floor was fantastic. We were able to use the pools at all 3 hotels.The only downside was that the elevators were a little slow or maybe it was just the excitement of being at Disneyland and can't wait to get to the parks. We wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

[JeanCA]

- Is hotel parking free or is there a charge when checking in?

You could say parking is free, but in addition to the room
rate and tax, you also pay a resort fee. I think the
resort fee just includes parking, so you are paying
indirectly for the parking.

- Is there a fee to use the swimming pools?

No, and there are two of them. I haven't been in them, but
I've seen one of them. One is on the roof and the other is
on a terrace. They are not themed or wonderful like the
Neverland Pool at the Disney Hotel.

There is one drawback to the Paradise Pier Hotel. When I
stayed with my sister and her small children and we
were walking back to the hotel at night, they always wanted
to be carried. (We rented strollers so we didn't have one
to take back to the room). It is a long walk to the hotel
from the park. If you stay at on offsite hotel across the
street from Disneyland, you'll have about a 1/3 of the walk.
I know there are monorails, but they break down often, way
too often and it is still a further walk.

Hope this helps.

[Cinderella_68]

The resort fee is supposed to pay for parking, daily newspaper M-F and use of the fitness room, IIRC.