Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is the most “budget-friendly” of the three Disneyland Resort hotels, but just because it is cheaper doesn’t mean it is missing out on that special Disney magic. Join me as we explore what this hotel has to offer.
The Lobby of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
Right in the center of the lobby’s atrium is a life-size statue of Goofy, garbed in beachwear and armed with a surfboard. This is a popular photo spot.
To the left of the Goofy statue is the front desk area. It can be crazy in the this area during morning hours, with loads of people checking in.
On the right side of the Goofy statue is the hotel sundries store, Mickey in Paradise. The shop has clothing for adults and children of both genders, as well as a small selection of toys, pins, and snacks.
The elevators in the Paradise Pier Hotel use a unique system that require guests hoping to ride to select their floor before entering the elevator (there are no buttons on the inside). They are then assigned to one of the hotel’s four elevators. It sounds efficient, but is a bit cumbersome in practice.
Rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
The rooms contain two beds. The round Luxo Ball pillow is usually replaced by a beach ball, but this photo was taken during PIXAR Fest and the hotel added a few special decorations to celebrate.
With a name like “Paradise Pier,” nautical touches in the room are not a big surprise. The decor mixes the beach theme with Disney characters, like with the lifeguard Mickey lamp seen above.
This is a look out the window from room #1138, which includes a Premium View. When World of Color is running, you can play the show’s music through a special channel on the room’s TV and watch from your window.
Dining at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
The Paradise Pier Hotel is home to PCH Grill. Like the Surfside Lounge, this restaurant is accessible via the lobby.
PCH Grill is a location that exclusively offers buffet dining; no menu to order food from. The breakfast service is joined by Disney characters and is fittingly called “Surf’s Up – Breakfast with Mickey and Friends.” The dinner, dubbed the “Beachside Bonfire Dinner Buffet,” is a quieter affair with no characters in sight. PCH Grill does not offer lunch, unfortunately.
The Sand Bar is the hotel’s pool bar. The menu features beverages, mostly alcoholic but some not, as well as few snacks, such as the soft pretzels found in the parks.
Like PCH Grill, the room service menu for the Paradise Pier Hotel is limited to breakfast and dinner. They do have a kid’s menu, which is found on the last page of the menu.
Activities and Lesser-Known Surprises
One of the better kept secrets of the Disneyland Resort hotels are the exclusive activities they offer to guests of said establishments. Some have a fee to participate, but my favorite is free of charge and found at the Guest Services desk. It is the Trivia Challenge, a self-guided quiz focused on four attractions: Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a small world, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, and Jungle Cruise. Guests are given one sheet of trivia questions for each attraction and the idea is to find the answers while riding them. You aren’t penalized any wrong answers, but the cast member at the desk does have an answer key if you are curious.
Behold, the Trivia Challenge prizes! For all that hard work, participants are rewarded with sturdy luggage tags that bear the poster art for each of the attractions from the Trivia Challenge.
Another often overlooked gem is the free flavor-infused water found at the Surfside Lounge in the lobby. During my stay, I spotted oranges, lemons, and cucumbers mixed in, each on different days. Paper cups are also supplied and allow guests to take a serving with them on their way to the Parks or up to their rooms.
From now until June 14, 2018, you can save 10% on most Sunday-through-Thursday night stays in Premium and Standard rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, when you book through May 31, 2018. Your travel must be completed by June 15, 2018. Additional hotel offers are also available. Visit Small World, Big Fun today to get started on planning your next visit to the Disneyland Resort!
Not to be a total kill-joy, I’ve stayed at this Disney Resort twice before. (Traditionally, I’m Disney World regular).
This resort doesn’t measure up to the Disney standards, I’ve stayed in the premium view rooms, and club level. After my last visit, I vowed never to return to the Paradise Pier resort ever again, the restaurants had poor hours, and were way overpriced, there was no quick service, the cast didn’t really measure up to the outstanding service we were used to at Walt Disney World.
Disneyland is certainly a must see Disney treasure, the Paradise Pier resort was a must avoid resort, I can only hope it has improved.