Choosing where to stay when visiting Disneyland can be a difficult decision. There are many options, and it’s essential to find the right balance of convenience and cost for your family. You must decide between staying “on property” at a Disney Resort hotel or “off property” in a non-Disney accommodation.
There is an abundance of options for accommodation near Disneyland, California, both in Anaheim and the surrounding areas. You may be wondering if it is worth it to stay at a Disneyland hotel. In this article, we will discuss where to stay at Disneyland California and the benefits of staying at a Disneyland Resort. We will also review the features of Disneyland Resort hotels and help you decide which Disneyland hotel is best for your family.
If you are planning a family vacation to Disneyland California, then you may also be interested in our articles about the best time to visit Disneyland, or what can you not bring into Disneyland. If you are looking to entertain your kids while traveling or in the Disney parks then get these games to play in line at Disney, and don’t miss details about our Disneyland Planning Guide to help simplify planning your Disney vacation.
Where To Stay Around Disneyland?
For those on a tight budget, off-site accommodation might be the best choice as you’ll save money by not paying for “on-property” perks such as transportation or preferred theme park admission tickets with your room purchase.
If you want more convenience, staying at an on-property resort will make getting to both Disneyland’s theme parks and Downtown Disney much easier – especially if you have little ones who need to take a nap in between attractions! Plus, tons of other unique benefits come with staying at one of Disney’s resorts.
On the other hand, if you have a bigger budget or plan to spend more than a week at Disneyland, staying on-site could be more cost-effective. You will get discounts on park admission, special dining experiences, and free transportation around the resort via Disneyland Monorail.
If you decide to stay off-site, there is a selection of Good Neighbor Hotels, which are Disney-approved quality hotels that are within close proximity to the Disneyland Resort. This is a good choice for Disneyland accommodation in Anaheim.
Choosing the best accommodation near Disneyland will influence your decision about how to travel to Disneyland. Will you drive, fly, or find another way to Anaheim? If you stay off-property, you will need to find transportation from your accommodation to the Disneyland theme parks daily. If you fly to Disneyland, you will need transportation from the airport to the Disneyland Resort. However, if you drive to Disneyland, you must also pay for parking at the Disneyland resort.
Regardless of where you choose to stay while visiting Anaheim, it is essential to book your accommodations far in advance. Sometimes the number of Disneyland hotel and park packages available is limited, and it can be challenging to find a room at the resort you want without planning ahead!
Perks of Staying On-Property at Disneyland Resort
Are you wondering why stay at Disneyland Resort hotel? There are plenty of benefits of staying in a Disney hotel.
The special perks of staying on-property at the Disneyland Resort include Preferred Access to Hotel Dining Reservations, Magic Hours to enter the theme parks 30 minutes before regular park opening, Next Day Package Delivery so there is no need to carry shopping bags throughout the Disneyland Resort, and Direct-to-Room Service with online check-in, the digital key feature and charge-to-room functionality.
On-property Disneyland Resort Hotels
There are three extraordinary Disneyland Resort hotels in Anaheim, California. Each with its own flair, unique features, and price point. They offer spectacular rooms, attentive Disney service, and award-winning dining. There are multiple Disneyland hotel heated pools and spas, and there’s even a Disneyland hotel in California adventure!
If you’re wondering where to stay at Disneyland, California, these three Disneyland Resort Hotels are great places to consider.
Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa
Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa offers premium accommodation with craftsman-style elegance and attentive Disney service. Located conveniently near the theme parks and Downtown Disney, including an entrance with direct access to Disney California Adventure Park. Offering impressive amenities, three themed pools, a companion hot tub, and private cabanas. Plus, Character Dining, award-winning food and wine, and cozy lounges.
Disneyland Hotel
The Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California, offers modern accommodations with a magical touch and easy access to the Downtown Disney District and the theme parks. The Disneyland Hotel signature suites include rooms at this upscale and sophisticated hotel with light-up Sleeping Beauty Castle headboards and timeless artwork. There are themed pools and two towering monorail waterslides, Mickey Spa and Minnie Spa whirlpools. Poolside cabanas are also available. Character dining experiences are available at the Disneyland Hotel Goofy’s Kitchen, which serves a breakfast and dinner buffet with appearances from Goofy and friends.
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is seaside-inspired accommodation with a step back in time at this old-fashioned yet modern hotel. Located across the street with direct access to Disney California Adventure Park. Featuring rooms for almost any family size makes this hotel a perfect fit for families. There is a rooftop pool with a waterslide where kids can splash in the Children’s Pool, while adults who need a little rest and relaxation can lounge in the Paradise Spa whirlpool. On select nights guests can watch the Disneyland Park fireworks from the third-floor pool deck.
What Disneyland Hotel is Best?
The Disneyland Resort includes three “on-property” hotel options, including Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Deciding which Disneyland hotel is best will depend on the needs and priorities of your family group.
Each of the Disneyland Resort hotels offers the benefits of staying in a Disney hotel, and each one has easy access to the Disneyland theme parks and is located within walking distance of the Downtown Disney District.
The price points vary between how much each Disneyland hotel costs, this is determined by what you want and when you want it. Staying at the Disneyland Resort can easily cost upwards of $300 per night, and prices can surpass one thousand dollars per night for the most luxurious Disneyland accommodation.
Which Disneyland hotel in Anaheim, California is best for your family will depend on how much you’re willing to spend on accommodation and the size of your group. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is geared towards families and offers rooms that fit almost any size group, this is also the most affordable Disney property.
If you’re not traveling with a large family and prefer a more sophisticated hotel with easy access to character dining, then the Disneyland Hotel will be best for your family. And if you’re willing to splurge on luxury and looking to relax in the spa, or this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, then Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa is the best accommodation at Disneyland.
Disneyland Planning Guide
Use our Disneyland Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets to help your family plan a fun, easy, stress-free, and magical vacation to Disneyland Resort in California. It includes details about Disneyland accommodations, a Park Day Backpack Packing List, and a list of Kid Friendly Snacks for Disneyland.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article has helped you to decide where to stay at Disneyland California. You really will be spoilt for choice with three unique Disneyland Resort hotels and plenty of nearby good neighbor hotels to choose from.
Our recommendation is to save money on Disneyland accommodation by staying at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel while enjoying watching the fireworks from the pool deck on rest days when you’re not visiting the Disneyland theme parks. But ultimately, you must decide what is best for your family’s needs, preferences, and budget when choosing your Disneyland accommodation.
Watch this video about Where to Stay at Disneyland California
For more about family travel, check out these posts:
When Is The Best Time To Visit Disneyland?
Disneyland Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets
Games To Play In Line At Disney
Disney Genie Plus Review
Which Is Better, Disney World Or Disneyland?
Can You Bring Food Into Disneyland?
Ruth Hutchins grew up in England and now lives in North Carolina with her husband, Doug, and their two young daughters. They always loved to travel, but once having children everything changed because family travel is more complicated. Traveling with a baby may feel overwhelming to new parents. Travel with a toddler can really test your patience, and traveling with kids can lead to utter chaos. However, travel with your little ones doesn’t have to be that stressful or exhausting. On the BE Family Travel blog Ruth shares her parenting wins, and even epic failures about traveling with kids. She provides resources to help you feel empowered to plan a family vacation and travel with your children.
