Planning a Trip to Disneyland?

Planning a trip to Disneyland is quite different from Walt Disney World, especially when it comes to hotel choices. Disneyland, located in Anaheim, is based in a very compact resort area. 

While staying onsite at Walt Disney World offers significant benefits with the Disney Transportation System, this doesn’t apply on the other coast. Today I’m going to share with you my thoughts on Disneyland hotel choices, to help you decide where to stay for your next trip!

Benefits of staying at Disneyland Resort Hotels

Disneyland Resort offers three official onsite hotels: Paradise Pier, the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. These are all located within walking distance of the two parks, as it’s a much smaller resort area than that in Orlando. The Paradise Pier hotel is the cheapest of the three but is significantly more expensive than many of the off-site hotels. Price is the number one consideration when it comes to hotels here, as there are so many places to stay within walking distance of the parks.

Of course, by staying at an official Disneyland resort, you will naturally receive some great perks. Hotel guests receive Extra Magic Hours, allowing you to enter one hour before regular guests. Hotel guests also receive preferred access to a limited number of reservations for onsite dining and experiences. The resorts here are extremely well-themed and offer fantastic amenities and dining options. With movies under the stars and live music, there are always great additional Disney touches to be enjoyed. If you are looking for a truly luxurious trip to Disney, consider the Grand Californian, which offers access straight from the hotel into Disney’s California Adventure park.

Staying off-site for a Disneyland visit

As I suggested above, staying offsite can offer some incredible savings. Opposite the entrance to the two Disney theme parks, you will find many hotel choices. And if you are willing to walk ten to twenty minutes, prices get even lower. Some great family-friendly options within a short walk of the entrance include the Howard Johnson hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim and the Camelot Inn and Suites. Also, consider looking at the hotels at the Anaheim Convention Center if there is not an event going on, as these are great quality hotels within a ten-minute walk of the parks.

Offsite hotels enable you to save money not only with the resort cost but also on dining. Regardless of where you are staying, you can step just outside the parks to enjoy dining at restaurants and cafes including: Morton’s The Steakhouse, IHOP, Mimi’s Café, and Panera Bread. There are plenty of quick-service restaurants and shops within walking distance, which will help you lower your spending budget for your trip.

Staying offsite can also afford you more space if you are traveling with an extended family group. Suite hotels offer larger rooms with more amenities, and you can even prepare some food for yourself in the room. For kids, the Howard Johnson offers a fantastic water play area, which is a great way for them to cool off after touring the parks.

Wherever you choose to stay on your next visit, I’m sure you’ll have a magical time visiting Disneyland. I love how close the parks are to the hotels here, and how convenient and easy it is to leave the park for a rest or dining offsite. If you have any questions about your next Disneyland vacation, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or a quote!