There are 3 Disney-owned motels at Disneyland Hotel, with Pixar Position Lodge and Disneyland Lodge being essentially the most similar to each other, and a notch underneath the flagship Grand Californian. This head-to-head comparability weighs the professionals & cons of every, selecting a “winner” in theme, eating places, location, swimming pools, price, and different classes.
This marks the most recent access into our ongoing Disney Lodge Comparability Sequence, which differently addresses tricky dilemmas chances are you’ll face when making an attempt to make a choice the proper lodge. That’s basically for Walt Disney International since there are a few-dozen motels there, while there are just a few on-site motels at Disneyland Hotel.
It was once the case that we solely seen two on-site motels at Disneyland Hotel as being value your cash. That modified with the debut of Pixar Position Lodge, which was once in the past Paradise Pier Lodge. We made no secret about our disdain for its predecessor, however the newly-reimagined Pixar Position Lodge is an enormous growth–an evening and day distinction over what it as soon as was once.
Put up-reimagining, it’s our point of view that Disneyland Lodge (DLH) and Pixar Position Lodge (PPH) are essentially the most very similar to one every other according to their location, genre, and slate of facilities. It will appear that Disney is of the same opinion, as pricing between the 2 is aggressive, with each automatically having rooms within the $475 to $675 in step with evening vary for dates when the Grand Californian prices $675 to over $1,000.
Whilst it’s not possible to mention that the Grand Californian is “value it” for the ones worth issues, it’s definitely the flagship resort at Disneyland Hotel. As a substitute of being a tower-style resort, it’s a bona fide 5-star lodge with numerous accolades and an excellent slate of facilities. It additionally has a greater location with a right away front into Disney California Journey.
Suffice to mention, the Grand Californian reminds us of probably the most luxurious beachfront inns in Southern California, maximum of which can be in a similar way priced, while Disneyland Lodge and Pixar Position Lodge are extra similar to high-rise motels round Los Angeles, however Disneyfied (and adjoining to the parks as a substitute of inside of towns, clearly).
Sooner than we get began, it’s value stating that nearly all of guests to Disneyland Hotel will wish to keep off-site. That a lot is most likely obtrusive according to the beginning worth vary above of round $475 in step with evening. That’s in a different way that Disneyland differs from Walt Disney International, as there aren’t any Price Motels on the California advanced.
As a substitute, the finances choices are all off-site, and there are very good lodging inside of strolling distance. See our Disneyland House Lodge Scores & Opinions for recommendation on the place to stick. Lots of the ones are reasonably priced and extremely on the subject of the parks. There are some, just like the Westin or JW Marriott, that provide luxurious lodging at inexpensive worth issues than PPH or DLH.
As for the Disneyland Lodge vs. Pixar Position Lodge comparability, it’s a surprisingly shut name. Whilst we can draw our personal conclusions as to which is healthier, we’ll additionally provide an explanation for our reasoning alongside the way in which, so you’ll be able to shape your personal evaluations. Since such a lot of it is a subject of subjective, non-public choice, that’s the easiest way to method those comparisons. Plus, it might be a lovely quick weblog publish if we didn’t be offering explanatory textual content along side the winner of every part.
Theme: Disneyland Lodge – Theme is the sort of tough topic since such a lot of it’s predicated in non-public choice. Somewhat than making a price judgment about which theme is inherently “higher,” we method this from their respective execution in their types.
In contrast to the Grand Californian, each are slightly easy motels thematically. If truth be told, the names just about let you know the whole tale. Pixar Position Lodge is a spot this is impressed through Pixar Animation Studios. There are many nods to the films all over, particularly Vehicles, Toy Tale, Discovering Nemo, and Within Out. However actually, it’s a party of Pixar’s ingenious legacy and the animation procedure.
For instance, the redone front house includes a large Luxo Jr. balancing at the Pixar ball. There also are color-changing lighting fixtures panels alongside the higher atrium, in addition to a cell with summary depictions of Pixar characters within the early levels of Pixar filmmaking. The elemental shapes and shade research, when coupled with the color-changing panels, are paying homage to Piet Mondrian. Examples like this abound all over the resort, whether or not it’s thought artwork within the foyer bar or nods to characters at the pool deck. There’s numerous Pixar stylization in Pixar Position Lodge.
Ditto Disneyland Lodge. Its theme is actually Disneyland–proper there within the identify. The resort is a self-referential love letter to Walt Disney and his unique magic kingdom in lovely abnormal bundle. Disneyland Lodge’s towers every have their very own theme: Fantasyland, Adventureland, or Frontierland.
There are fashions within the lobbies, posters, thought artwork, and nice intensity of element. Each and every tower has its personal distinct character, and sufficient nods that it feels such as you’re immersed within the resort model of the respective lands.
Disneyland Lodge additionally comprises mid-century trendy design into its towers and commonplace spaces, giving it higher character and a recognizable genre. Elsewhere, DLH weaves in combination each tiki tradition and fresh seems to be, whilst preserving its self-referential appeal entrance and middle. This may sound like so much, however Disneyland Lodge effectively balances all of those components, and not does it really feel like an inexpensive try to tug on the heartstrings of Disney fanatics.
On the finish of the day, Disneyland Lodge simply works. For fanatics of Walt Disney or the park he constructed, it’s going to “click on” higher and be extra interesting than Pixar Position Lodge. It’s additionally much less surface-level. However when you’ve got children who’ve observed the Pixar motion pictures and haven’t any connection to Walt Disney or the historical past of his park, Pixar Position Lodge will nonetheless be extra interesting, despite the fact that it’s now not as well-done on an function point.
Rooms: Pixar Position Lodge – Each motels have rooms that have been not too long ago up to date, however the Pixar Position Lodge rooms have been totally gutted and redone as a part of the reimagining. Against this, Disneyland Lodge rooms had a cushy items refurbishment and are as soon as once more appearing their age–and slated for a complete rework inside of the following few years. (Or so we have been advised through the resort supervisor–not anything has been formally introduced.)
On the subject of Pixar Position Lodge, not are the rooms caught within the 90s with just a little of window-dressing. Those up to date rooms are spacious and trendy and, after all, on par with the various real-world motels in Anaheim which have been constructed within the ultimate decade. The rooms are Pixar via and thru, with colourful character-filled art work and nods to the Pixar Lamp at the table and the ball by means of the throw pillow at the mattress. Colour possible choices of blue, pink, and yellow additionally evoke Pixar.
The Pixar Position Lodge rooms are blank and trendy, and really feel recent–particularly as contrasted with the rooms at DLH which might be actually beginning to display their age. The PPH rooms have numerous high quality of lifestyles enhancements and space-saving design options, too. Having stayed in all of those motels a number of instances (together with within the ultimate 12 months), my normal affect is that the Pixar Position Lodge rooms have a bigger ‘seems like’ dimension.
With that stated, one little factor–that may make a large distinction–the Disneyland Lodge rooms have going for them is the “goodnight kiss” transfer that lighting up the fiber optics within the headboard and performs “When You Want Upon a Megastar,” tune field genre. When you’ve got children, they’ll love this. In case you are an grownup who’s unduly inspired with issues that illuminate and make sound, like me, you’ll want to go away this on all evening.
The opposite memorable function of the visitor rooms at Disneyland Lodge is the fireworks-infused (I suppose?) carpet. There also are ancient pictures of Walt Disney, and (should you’re fortunate) ephemera within the room you’ll be able to take house. Differently, the rooms are extremely variable in format and dimension, and wholly forgettable. And as discussed above, they really feel extra dated with every passing 12 months. We went from PPH to DLH in slightly fast succession not too long ago, and either one of us have been stunned through simply how a lot we most well-liked Pixar Position Lodge. It was once truthfully surprising, however the datedness at DLH was once noticeable.
With that stated, the nicest rooms of all can also be discovered within the Villas at Disneyland Lodge. That is the brand-new DVC tower, which can be booked through common visitors paying money charges. The Villas at Disneyland Lodge rooms function numerous considerate design options that assist maximize the ‘really feel’ of the sq. photos, whilst additionally providing a refreshing design that melds Disney characters with sumptuous facilities. One thing to believe should you’re debating renting DVC issues to economize on a keep.
Eating: Disneyland Lodge – Either one of those motels have a number of eating choices that serve other functions.
Alternatively, should you seek the advice of our Record of the 25 Very best Eating places at Disneyland Hotel, you’ll in finding that 3 places on there are at Disneyland Lodge, and 0 are at Pixar Position Lodge. It is a slightly simple win for Disneyland Lodge consequently.
Tangaroa Terrace and Palm Breeze Bar at Disneyland Lodge are sturdy choices for counter provider or informal foods. At the personality eating entrance, Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Lodge is unbelievable, and has no counterpart at Pixar Position Lodge. Dealer Sam’s is in a league of its personal as a themed bar, and in addition has no counterpart at PPH.
With that stated, don’t underestimate Pixar Position Lodge. It’s much less ambitious on paper, however its eating place roster is arguably more effective.
In contrast to Disneyland Lodge (which closed Steakhouse 55 for causes past us), PPH in fact has an ordinary desk provider eating place with Nice Maple, which is strangely excellent–and has a deep menu. Then there’s the underrated Small Bytes, which is each the pool bar and the principle counter provider eating place at Pixar Position Lodge. This has some unbelievable choices, together with what may simply be my favourite burger in all of Disneyland Hotel. With a wreck burger that excellent, most likely PPH doesn’t want every other eating places?!
Let’s now not get over excited–it does. The loss of a personality eating place at Pixar Position Lodge is disappointing, and no marquee desk provider eating place at Disneyland Lodge is likewise a obtrusive weak spot. Grand Californian completely trounces each PPH and DLH in the case of eating.
Location: Pixar Position Lodge – Each Disneyland Lodge and Pixar Position Lodge are positioned at the different aspect of Downtown Disney, which means that it’s important to stroll via that buying groceries and eating district a minimum of partly to get right of entry to Disneyland. Of the 2, Disneyland Lodge is ready 5 mins nearer to the parks by means of Downtown Disney, because it has a right away front into that district. It’s both a couple of mins to the monorail station or about 10-12 mins all over.
Alternatively, Pixar Position Lodge has a non-public front to Disney California Journey. That is solely obtainable by means of a room key, and is mainly a shortcut into DCA that lets you bypass Downtown Disney. Pixar Position Lodge visitors merely move Disneyland Pressure and input the gated walkway close to the trail to the GCH. It’s a brief ~5 or so minute stroll, and also you’ll input through Corn Canine Fort and the Little Mermaid darkish journey.
It is a game-changer. Whilst now not as best as the positioning of Grand Californian, which additionally provides simple get right of entry to to Disneyland, this walkway provides Pixar Position Lodge a strolling distance benefit over Disneyland Lodge. That’s very true when you’ve got Park Hopper tickets and will use DCA as a cut-through for noon breaks.
The tough factor right here is this front is obtainable by means of a room key for any of the 3 Disney-owned motels, which means that Disneyland Lodge visitors too can stroll to Pixar Position Lodge to make use of the cut-through. It’s just a little of backtracking, but it surely does save time finally. Through the similar token, heading the opposite course from Pixar Position Lodge to start out at Disneyland provides about an identical quantity of time on your travel.
That means that should you spend equivalent quantities of time at DCA and Disneyland, this finally ends up being a wash. In principle. That’s provided that you don’t have Park Hopper tickets or take noon breaks. In our enjoy, the sensible fact is that Pixar Position Lodge comes out approaching peak from a location point of view. (As an apart, you will have to most likely improve to Park Hopper tickets sooner than splurging for on-site lodging.)
Swimming pools: Disneyland Lodge – One main distinction between the 2 is the pool spaces. At Pixar Position, that is positioned at the third-floor rooftop deck. Whilst the pool is clearly the point of interest, this complete house is amazingly delightful.
There are firepits, plentiful quantities of seating, and unbelievable environment. Strands of popcorn lighting overhead and numerous atmospheric lighting fixtures throughout units the proper temper. Between the warmth from the hearth pits and the towers appearing as a wind block, it’s slightly delightful even on cold Southern California nights. There’s additionally an underrated pool bar, as discussed above.
Then there’s the Pixel Pool and 186-foot-long Weigh down’s Surfin’ Slide. Little ones having a look to get their toes rainy can splash at Nemo’s Cove, whilst adults searching for a extra enjoyable retreat can spend time within the whirlpool. Those Pixar Position Lodge swimming pools are all ample–more likely to be excellent sufficient if swimming pools aren’t a concern, however you wish to have to take a handy guide a rough dip. Most probably now not someplace you’d wish to do a fully-fledged “pool day,” regardless that.
Disneyland Lodge is a unconditionally other tale. Right here you’ll in finding the huge 4,800-square-foot E-Price tag Pool, which lives as much as its identify. This options 2 winding waterslides, each function replicas of the unique Mark 1 Monorail trains. There’s the 25-foot-high, 180-foot-long Crimson Monorail slide or the 13-foot-high, 80-foot-long Yellow Monorail slide.
There’s additionally a 2-lane mini slide for smaller youngsters with pop jets, fountains, and a waterfall upload to the joys. This nostalgic water play house is crowned through a “Disneyland” signal paying homage to the park’s vintage years. This complete pool house is top-notch; it’s greater and has extra amusing on be offering than its counterpart at Pixar Position Lodge. When you’ve got children of any age, there’s little question that they’ll favor the swimming pools at Disneyland Lodge.
Through all function measures, Disneyland Lodge will get the win. Frankly, regardless that, we favor the pool house at Pixar Position Lodge. The vibe is extra comfortable and the perspectives are great, making it a a long way more sensible choice when taking time clear of the parks to unwind. Youngsters will most likely disagree (there’s most likely a explanation why why fewer visitors use the pool house at PPH), however {couples} may give the threshold to the rooftop deck at PPH. For that subject, even households may favor the world as an entire at Pixar Position Lodge, as there are numerous different actions and leisure choices up right here past the swimming pools.
Value: It Is dependent – On moderate, Pixar Position Lodge is rather more cost effective than Disneyland Lodge in the case of rack charges. Each automatically are within the $400 to $700 vary all over maximum common fee seasons. That’s pre-discount and for normal rooms, regardless that.
Reductions unquestionably complicate issues, particularly since Pixar Pier Lodge normally provides a decrease share financial savings than Disneyland Lodge. Some other issue is availability of usual rooms, which can be a long way and away the most well liked reserving class in any respect 3 motels at Disneyland Hotel since they’re the least dear.
The secret’s that Pixar Position Lodge will have to be rather inexpensive, however that’s solely in principle. In reality, it’s necessarily a toss-up. That’s doubly true at the present, because the “new resort odor” hasn’t utterly worn off Pixar Position Lodge, while Disneyland Lodge is previous information.
Verdict: It Is dependent – This most likely relies on how a lot time you’ll be spending at your resort, and the place you’ll be spending it. Should you’re basically reserving for a spot to stick and plan on spending maximum of your time on the parks–save for noon breaks to relaxation and recharge–then Pixar Position Lodge will have to be the winner for you. And most likely through a decisive margin, because the rooms are a lot nicer and extra trendy, and get right of entry to to and from the parks is more uncomplicated.
Should you’re searching for a lodge the place you’ll spend extra time, Disneyland Lodge will have to be the winner. Households with children will most likely favor the Disneyland Lodge itself for the awesome pool and larger point of caprice to the rooms and assets as an entire. And should you’re spending extra time on the resort or doing extra non-parks time, you’ll most probably additionally recognize the a long way awesome eating choices, and the speedy get right of entry to to Downtown Disney.
Likewise, {couples} and diehard Disney fanatics will most probably favor the nostalgia, amusing of Dealer Sam’s, and different ways in which Disneyland Lodge simply “oozes” all issues Walt Disney and Disneyland. It’s a actually shut name and there’s nobody dimension suits all solution for everybody. Heck, the exact same folks may prefer DLH at some issues and PPH at different instances.
Talking of which, there is not any transparent winner for us. It in point of fact is an “it relies” roughly deal. As large fanatics of the historical past and legacy of Walt Disney, we revel in spending time at Disneyland Lodge a lot more than Pixar Position Lodge. Disneyland Lodge seems like an extension of the eponymous park, and it makes days out of doors the parks nonetheless really feel such as you’re a part of the Disneyland magic.
However, we not too long ago did a parks-focused keep at Pixar Position Lodge. We used that unique front a ton, and just about the one time we have been on the resort was once after we have been in our room–which we preferred greater than our ultimate keep in the usual rooms at Disneyland Lodge (the villas are a distinct tale).
The one time we dined at PPH was once at Small Bytes after leaving the park, and it was once an excellent enjoy–higher than what we’ve had at Tangaroa Terrace not too long ago. Our solely genuine grievance about that keep at Pixar Position Lodge was once the glacial velocity of the elevators, which would possibly appear to be an atypical factor to say, but it surely’s an excessively genuine drawback at height instances (if there have been an “elevators” class right here, DLH would trounce PPH).
All of that is to mention that we predict maximum visitors doing a Disneyland Hotel holiday will favor Disneyland Lodge. The ones doing Disneyland Park and Disney California Journey-centric visits will most probably lean in opposition to Pixar Position Lodge. The ones choosing a commando DCA-only go back and forth will most likely favor Pixar Position Lodge.
Nonetheless now not positive which resort at Disneyland Hotel is best for you? Get skilled assist at no cost from an Approved Disney Holiday Planner (Disney’s time period for a go back and forth agent). They obtain fee from Disney, so maximum licensed planners won’t rate you for reserving the holiday bundle and making plans services and products. The associated fee-free Approved Disney Holiday Planner that we suggest is Be Our Visitor Holidays. Their services and products don’t price further, they’ll assist select the proper lodge for you, e-book your holiday, can help you with eating reservations and itineraries, and observe the most productive reductions on your reservation.
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Guidelines for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site motels in our Anaheim Lodge Opinions & Scores. For the place to devour, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Opinions. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll make stronger your go back and forth, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In the end, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and lots of different SoCal towns!
YOUR THOUGHTS
The place do you stand within the Pixar Position Lodge vs. Disneyland Lodge debate? Which of those two middle-tier motels at Disneyland Hotel is the simpler one, for your opinion? Does price, rooms, location, swimming pools, eating, or one thing else subject maximum to you? Are we lacking a key variable that might, doubtlessly tilt the scales? Do you compromise or disagree with our alternatives? Any questions we will can help you solution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas underneath within the feedback!
