For some, the Paradise Pier Hotel is the ugly stepsister of the resort
hotels. Some people would rather stay at the Disneyland Hotel, the Grand
Californian, or a Good Neighbor Hotel over “walking all that way”
to the Paradise Pier Hotel. They will be missing out, because the Paradise
Pier Hotel is recently remodeled and nicely spiffed up in a boardwalk
theme.
Outside view of the Paradise Pier Hotel. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The sun is a recurring theme throughout the hotel, mirroring the enormous
Sun Wheel across the way at Disney’s California Adventure.
Boardwalk theme sign, Welcoming guests to the entrance of the hotel. Photo
by Lisa Perkis.
The main complaint I hear about the Paradise Pier Hotel is, “But
it’s such a long walk to the Main Entrance!” Now that the exclusive
Paradise Pier Hotel entrance has been closed, guests may feel it is just
too remote after a long day at the park. However, a short walk up the
street to the Grand Californian allows hotel guests access to that hotel’s
California Adventure park entrance. The difference is only about a five-minute
walk.
Mickey and pals ready for a day at the beach. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The common areas and the rooms of the hotel are all themed to a day at
the beach. The lobby area is fairly small but cheerful with large murals
and statues throughout.
Murals of Paradise Pier decorate the check-n desk and other common areas.
Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The gift shop in the lobby is well stocked with a good variety of park-wide
merchandise, including clothing, plush, jewelry, candy and the ever present
pin displays.
The outdoor of the gift shop in the lobby. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
For several years, Minnie and friends held court at the PCH Grill for
a breakfast buffet. The buffet has recently changed to a Lilo and Stitch
theme, blending in much better with the sun, water and beach themes of
the hotel.
Lilo and Stitch now welcome guests to a buffet breakfast at the PCH Grill.
Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The lobby is small, but provides several seating areas; some along the
corridor to the PCH Grill, and some in the lounge area across from the
gift shop.
The lobby has alcoves for guests to rest their feet. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The lounge includes a coffee bar. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The Paradise Pier Hotel has 489 rooms, and the nautical theme continues
in the newly redone standard rooms. The new colors are tans and pale yellows,
greens and blues. Palm trees and sun signs abound.
A standard room with two queen beds. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The Mickey lamps, which decorate guest rooms, were designed exclusively
for the hotel and are available for purchase. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The couch is a sleeper with a backrest that folds down to reveal a mattress,
and is the same type used on the Disney Cruise Line. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The more desirable (and higher priced) rooms face Disney’s California
Adventure park. It’s a very pretty view by day or night.
The view of Disney’s California Adventure park from the upper-level rooms
is rather spectacular. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The Paradise Pier has several suites that have options of adjoining onto
standard rooms to accommodate larger groups. The style of the suite is
also nautical and not overly Disney, but very classy and comfortable.
A sitting area includes a surround sound entertainment system in the Laguna
Suite, one of Paradise Pier Hotel’s Imperial Suites. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
If booked with the adjoining bedroom, the suites can sleep up to eight
adults. Prices vary according to season, but plan to pay around $600 a
night—more on weekends and around the holidays.
The kitchen area of the Laguna Suite. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
Dining room area. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The suites are certainly not as lavish as the new Princess Diaries suite
at the Disneyland Hotel, but they are very roomy and inviting, and would
hold an extended family with space for private dining and relaxing while
recharging from a busy day at the parks.
The Laguna Suite’s master suite houses a separate shower and bathtub.
Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The master suite restroom has a convenient dual sinks. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The Laguna Suite’s master bedroom comes furnished with a king-size bed.
Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The hotel’s pool area also underwent extensive renovations. Gone is the
huge slab of concrete patio with the backyard-size pool. The pool is larger
and the area around it is themed as a seaside resort, making the whole
area much more pleasant. While neither as fanciful as the Neverland pool,
or as spacious as the Grand Californian’s pool area, it is still bright,
clean and inviting; a huge improvement over the old pool.
The newly redone pool area. Photo by Jeff Moxley.
The centerpiece of the pool area is the enormous slide at one corner
of the pool area. Although it is a little disconcerting to see the slide
abruptly stop at the bottom without connecting to the pool, the chute
at the bottom slows sliders down with water jets, and helpful cast members
are stationed at the end of the slide.
Slide, if you dare. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The Paradise Pier may not be as luxurious as the Grand Californian, or
as nostalgic at the Disneyland Hotel, but it still has a good pinch of
Disney Magic for guests looking to stay on-property.
Goofy says “surfs up!” Photo by Jeff Moxley.
