Why a Stay at the Disneyland Hotel is Worth the Splurge
Wondering if a stay at the Disneyland Hotel is worth the price?
Seeped in nostalgia, sprinkled with magic touches, and located just quick walk or monorail ride away from the theme parks, the Disneyland Hotel has long been a favorite for families visiting Anaheim, California.
But all this luxury and convenience doesn’t come cheap. So is a stay at the Disneyland Hotel worth the splurge? I’ve put together this honest Disneyland Hotel review to help you decide!
Even though we live in Southern California, I love staying nearby in Anaheim when we visit the parks. And the Disneyland Hotel is the ultimate splurge!
Rather than write a traditional review, I’ve put together this list of reasons the Disneyland Hotel is the ultimate place to stay if you have the budget.
Here are our honest Disneyland Hotel reviews of everything from restaurants to rooms. I hope you find it helpful in planning your trip!
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The Disneyland Hotel
For as long as there has been a Disneyland (since 1955, to be precise) there has been the Disneyland Hotel. And the Disneyland Hotel has always been a top choice for families looking to be in the center of the magic!
Of the three on-property Disney resorts – Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa and Pixar Place Hotel – Disneyland Hotel is my family’s favorite!
We have stayed there several times, although to be fully transparent I usually opt for one of the hotels walking distance to Disneyland (primarily to save money). But there is just something about staying inside the Disney bubble, and this hotel is the O.G.
The Disneyland Hotel features mid-century modern décor – a throwback to its 1950s roots. It has several themed restaurants, pools and water slides, easy access to Downtown Disney and the theme parks, beautiful rooms and lots of special Disney touches.
The Disneyland Hotel is also home to a new Disney Vacation Club tower, the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, which opened in September 2023. The Villas feature studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom villas, and feature a beautiful separate pool area and lots of amenities.
15 Reasons Why a Stay at the Disneyland Hotel is Worth the Splurge
Here are some things we love about staying at the Disneyland Hotel that just might justify the splurge, as well as some pros and cons worth considering.
1. Prime Location
The #1 reason most people stay at the Disneyland Hotel is location, location, location.
If staying inside the “Disneyland bubble” is important to your family, you can’t beat the Disneyland Hotel for a Disney vacation. The Disneyland Hotel is just steps from Downtown Disney and a short walk to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park.
Better yet, hop on the monorail and zip straight into the park!
The Downtown Disney Monorail entrance is right near the Disneyland Hotel and will deliver you directly into Tomorrowland.
After a long, fun day in the parks, there is nothing better than being able to walk straight to your hotel room without having to worry about trams, parking lot, shuttle buses and the lines that are involved.
2. Awesome Pools and Water Slides
The showpiece of the Disneyland Hotel is its amazing pool and water slides. By far, this was my son’s favorite thing about staying there – and I’d be willing to bet most kids feel the same!
The E-Ticket Pool pays tribute to the park’s early days with a retro sign reminiscent of the park’s original entrance sign on Harbor Boulevard. The Monorail-themed slides in the pool area are replicas of the original Mark 1 Monorail trains that traveled between Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel during the early ‘60s. There is the 180-foot-long Monorail Red slide and 80-foot-long Monorail Yellow slide.
The 4-foot-deep, D-Ticket pool is a shady oasis next to the Monorail water play area. There also are outdoor Minnie and Mickey-themed spas. The Disneyland Hotel pool has complimentary life vests for kids and there are plenty of life guards on duty.
Additionally, the Villas at Disneyland Hotel has its own pool, and little kids can play at the whimsical new Steamboat Willie splash bad, inspired by the Disney cartoon that marked the world debut of Mickey Mouse.
3. Disney Touches Everywhere
One of the best things about staying on-property at the Disneyland Resort is the total immersion in to all things Disney.
From teacup chairs hotel lobby to the “it’s a small world” wallpaper in the public restrooms, to fireworks headboards inside the guest rooms, you’ll find Disney touches everywhere at the Disneyland Hotel.
The Disneyland Hotel has three distinct towers. The Fantasy Tower is where you’ll find the hotel’s reception area, gift shop, restaurants and conference center. The Frontier Tower lobby features a scale model of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. At the Adventure Tower, Jungle Cruise characters are incorporated into the design. Hidden Mickeys are everywhere!
Don’t miss the exhibit on the first floor of the Fantasy Tower that showcases the Disneyland Hotel’s 60-year history. There are some great old photos plus lots of memorabilia (including an original E-ticket book!) you can check out.
4. Magical Headboards
When the Disneyland Hotel renovated its 973 rooms a few years ago, they added a truly magical touch! The beds now have light-up headboards with the Sleeping Beauty Castle artistically carved into them.
The headboards feature fiber optics and music to create a skyline with fireworks. Just flip a switch and When You Wish Upon a Star plays while the headboard lights up. It brings an immersive park experience into the room that kids will absolutely love!
Such an awesome feature you won’t find anywhere else but at the Disneyland Hotel.
5. Fun Fitness Classes
This Disneyland Hotel perk is a healthy one!
Among the many fitness classes offered at the three Disneyland Resort hotels, there are some truly special classes you can take when staying at the Disneyland Hotel.
I signed up for the Power Walk through the Park a while back. It used to be free for hotel guests, but there is now (unfortunately) a fee. Regardless, it is a great way to kick off the day with an energizing walk through Disney California Adventure before it opens in the morning.
The walk is a fast-paced two-mile loop. It begins at 6 a.m. and requires all guests to be able to keep a 15-minute mile pace. Some other very cool fitness class options include:
- Sunrise Yoga in Disneyland Park – a morning yoga session at the park before it opens
- Adventure Boot Camp – a high-intensity workout at DCA before the park opens
- Paddleboard Yoga – Floating workout combining cardio and strength exercises at the Fountain Pool at Disney Grand California Hotel & Spa
- Yoga in the Redwood Creek – Yoga class at DCA designed to connect with nature through a unique blend of soothing sounds and imagery
- Avengers Recruits Fitness Challenge – An action-packed class held in Avengers Campus and featuring a mix of Super Hero-inspired exercises and challenges
There are many more unique fitness class options! Here is a full list of Fitness Centers and Activities at the Disneyland Resorts.
6. Character Dining at Goofy’s Kitchen
If you have young kids especially, you’ll want to splurge on at least one character meal during your stay.
Disneyland Hotel is home to Goofy’s Kitchen, and they offer both breakfast and dinner buffet meals. Along with an all-you-can-eat buffet, your family will be treated to fun photo ops and entertainment with a variety of Disney characters, including of course Goofy.
The food is plentiful. Breakfast includes an omelet station along with all the usual breakfast dishes – and Mickey waffles are of course on the menu!
For dinner you’ll find a carving station, salad bar, desserts, and lots of side dishes both kids and adults will enjoy.
To be honest, the food is good but not spectacular, and definitely not worth the hefty price tag if you weren’t getting the character experience with your meal. But we had a fun time eating there when my son was a bit younger, so it is definitely a great experience!
One perk of staying at the Disneyland Hotel is that guests have preferred access to dining reservations at select Disneyland Resort hotel table-service restaurants during their stay. This includes Goofy’s Kitchen, where reservations can often be hard to come by, especially during peak meal times.
7. Island Vibes & Live Entertainment
Every evening, wind down with a tropical cocktail amid glowing tiki torches at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar. Sit on the patio and enjoy appetizers, drinks, and live acoustic music nightly. Or, you can cozy up at a table near the outdoor fireplace.
This is also the only spot outside the park where you can buy yourself a Dole Whip treat. (And unlike at the park, you can get one here with a splash of rum!)
8. Tangaroa Terrace
Overlooking the pool and right next to Trader Sam’s you’ll find Tangaroa Terrace, the Disneyland Hotel’s quick service eatery with a South Pacific vibe. Because really, does anything say family vacation better than starting the day with breakfast by the pool?
9. In-Room Celebrations
Much like on a cruise ship where you can order your cabin to be decorated upon arrival, the same can happen at the Disneyland Hotel.
Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, or just want to kick off your vacation with an added blast of Disney magic? With Disneyland Hotel In-Room Celebrations, it will look like some of your favorite Disney friends dropped by to celebrate your arrival! Create a personalized welcome experience right in your hotel room.
10. Disney Spa Products
Do tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion justify the cost of a stay at the Disneyland Hotel?
Of course not.
Do their yummy scents, lavish feel and abundant quantity make your vacation feel a little more luxurious and thus worthy of the expensive room rates?
They sure do!
One time when we were staying there, I asked a housekeeping attendant in the hallway outside our room if she had an extra bottle of lotion, and she kindly gave me a few bottles of to take home! It was a little gesture, but one that definitely added a lot of extra magic to our trip!
11. Wake-Up Calls
Start the day with an early morning greeting one of your child’s favorite Disney characters!
Surprise your kiddos with a wake-up call from Mickey Mouse or one of his pals. Simply contact the Concierge Desk after you check in for further details!
12. Theme Park Perks
If you are staying at the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian, or Pixar Place, everyone on your reservation will receive one Lightning Lane entry for a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction during your stay.
Prior to 2026, guests received a 30-minute early entry to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure each morning. However, Disney recently replaced this perk with the Lightning Lane entry. This is a downgrade for sure from the early entry perk, but still something that will add a little extra magic to your time inside the parks.
13. Disneyland App
Download the Disneyland App for your stay at the Disneyland Hotel and receive many great conveniences.
When you stay at the hotel, you can use the app to charge dining and shopping purchases right to your room, and take advantage of Direct-to-Room Service when you check in. This will allow you to bypass the front desk and go straight to your hotel room, using your phone to unlock the door.
14. View Fireworks from Your Room
Have you ever wanted to stay for the fireworks but you (or your kids) were just too tired?
Request a fireworks view room when you book your reservation or check into the hotel, and you can watch the show from the comfort of your room. We have found that Adventure Tower has the most direct line of sight to Disneyland Park. The music is piped in through your television so you won’t miss a thing!
If you don’t get a room with a view, hotel guests can also catch the show at the resort. Ask the concierge or front desk for exact time and location.
Nothing makes you feel like part of the magic more than watching the fireworks in your PJs.
15. Themed Signature Suites
If you thought a standard room at the Disneyland Hotel was pricey, then brace yourself for this! For the ultimate in accommodations, the Disneyland Hotel offers a unique collection of lavish, meticulous and magical Signature Suites that immerse guests in a Disney-themed environment.
The five themed Signature Suites at the Disneyland Hotel include:
- Adventureland Suite – 2 Bedrooms
- Pirate Suite – 2 Bedrooms
- Big Thunder Suite – 2 Bedrooms
- Mickey Mouse Suite – 2 Bedrooms
- Fairytale Suite – 1 Bedroom
I mean…if you’re going to bust your budget, you might as well do it sleeping in a princess bed!
But seriously. Personally, if I was going to go all out on a vacation, I’d spend the extra money on Dole Whips and Lightning Lane passes. However if you are looking for a truly magical, immersive Disney experience budget-be-damned, a signature suite would be an awesome treat!
Hotel Information & Reservations
- 1150 Magic Way, Anaheim
- Reserve a hotel and ticket package and save! View discount rates for Disneyland Hotel from Get Away Today and use code CFT10 for an additional $10 savings!
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Final Thoughts: Staying at The Disneyland Hotel
If staying on property is important to you, the Disneyland Hotel has many perks which will help ease the pain of its hefty price tag.
Room rates are slightly less expensive than Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa, and when you compare the Disneyland Hotel vs Grand Californian, I firmly believe the Disneyland Hotel comes out on top.
So if getting an immersive Disney experience is important to your family and if your budget permits, a stay at the Disneyland Hotel will make your vacation extra extra special.
Read these articles for more help planning your Disneyland vacation:
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