Figuring out where to stay during your trip to Disneyland can seem overwhelming. There are so many options. So many hotels. Where do you start looking?
Disneyland Hotels
Disney’s Grand Californian–Staying at this hotel puts you smack dab in the middle of the magic of Disneyland. Literally! Just walk out the lobby doors and you are in the midst of the Redwoods of California Adventure or just feet away from the amazing dining of Downtown Disney. The location of this hotel and the fact that you are transported into a national park lodge make this a favorite. Rooms sleep up to 5 adults and suites from 6-12.
Disneyland Hotel–-This hotel surrounds you in sophistication sprinkled with whimsey. Bring a bit of Disneyland back with you every day with the monorail themed pool slides and a real Tiki bar. When you want to head to the park it is only a short walk through Downtown Disney OR skip the entrance lines and take the Monorail from Downtown Disney all the way into the park in Tomorrowland. Rooms sleep up to 5 adults. Junior suites sleep 4 up to a 3-bedroom that will sleep 14.
Disney’s Paradise Pier— Step away from the fray of the city into the sunny, seaside beachfront of days gone by at this beautiful hotel. Enjoy fun in the sun at the rooftop pools and water slides. This hotel has the largest rooms of the Disneyland resorts and the least expensive rates. Guests are just a short walk away from Downtown Disney to the park entrance or to take the Monorail. What makes this resort extra special is you can see California Adventure Pixar Pier and the backside of the World of Color show from your room if you are on the correct side. Rooms also sleep up to 5. Suites sleep from 6-10. Their signature suites will sleep 13.
One of the benefits of all three of these resorts is that guests may take care of Magic Mornings allowing entry into one of the parks earlier than the normal park goers. Another benefit is obvious. You are immersed your whole vacation in the Disney Magic. Disney’s strength is attention to details and making sure each guest has premium customer service. This shines through in their resorts.
Disney’s Good Neighbor Hotels
Disneyland is situated right in the middle of busy Anaheim. Just across Harbor Blvd. sits many restaurants and hotels. These are a short walk away which enables guests to not have to pay parking fees at Disneyland. Some of the hotels are simple and some are full service resorts with fantastic amenities such as mini waterparks. Our boys drooled every time we drove by the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance and Waterpark Resort. The Castle Inn and Suites and Anaheim Camelot Inn and Suites are also right across the street. Nearby is the highly rated Anaheim Marriott and Clarion Hotel and Suites Anaheim (we have stayed here and it was fantastic. We could even see the fireworks a bit).
VRBO and Airbnb
This was the option we used on our last trip. We are a family of 9 and my parents came too so that meant we needed to sleep 11. We found a great house in Fullerton that slept us all very comfortably and we had a kitchen. Someday we stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. This is definitely on my bucket list. But this arrangement worked well for us this time.
How do I find the option best for us?
- Talk with a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations. They are ready to help you narrow your choices and find the accommodations that fit your family best and your budget. And, the best part is, their services are FREE to you.
- Undercover Tourist–This website brings you many options that they have researched and can vouch for their quality, value and cleanliness. They have all the latest deals and specials to save you money. See this post about how we saved on park tickets here.
- Disney Website–Disney has created an easy to navigate website. You can easily search their resorts as well as the Good Neighbor hotels they recommend.
So, where have you stayed near Disneyland that you absolutely loved or wouldn’t recommend?
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
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