Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance Review: Is It Worth It for Families?

Last updated on September 28, 2026

Looking for an honest review of the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance near Disneyland? We’ve stayed here multiple times, and it’s one of my favorite hotels in Anaheim for families.

The biggest reason is simple: location, location, location.

Just like the old real estate adage, sometimes it is all about location when you’re picking a hotel.

And when you’re planning a trip to Disneyland, you really can’t beat the location of the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance. This newly renovated, family-friendly hotel sits directly across Harbor Boulevard from the Disneyland Resort, making it possible to walk to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure without relying on a shuttle or car.

And not only is the location to die for, but the hotel itself is pretty awesome, too.

Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is designed with families in mind, with exceptionally large guest rooms, bunk beds in every room, and access to Surfside Waterpark, complete with water slides, splash areas, and pools.

I’ve stayed here more than once over the years, including once with my son when he was younger, and I’ve had the opportunity to experience the rooms, waterpark, dining, and overall family experience firsthand.

If you’re trying to decide whether the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is the right hotel for your Disneyland vacation, here’s what you should know before booking.

Our Experience at Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance

We always aim to stay at Marriott brand properties when we travel. If you are a Marriott Bonvoy rewards member, you can earn or redeem points for your stay at this hotel.

The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is widely considered one of the best Marriott hotels near Disneyland for families! It features upscale amenities and services that make it feel more like a full-service Marriott than a Courtyard brand hotel. I’ve always found the level of service here top notch.

I’ve actually experienced this hotel at different stages of my life as a parent. One of my earliest stays was with my son when he was younger, and the Surfside Waterpark was a huge hit. We’ve also returned to experience the hotel more recently.

Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance recently completed a full top-to-bottom renovation. Although the hotel just opened in 2015, it has been completely upgraded with new rooms, a brand new “home base” lobby, a waterpark refresh, and the addition of a coffee cafe. 

But the hotel’s main selling point and biggest draw for families is its 20,000 square foot Surfside Waterpark, featuring water slides, pools, a children’s splash area and more.

Surfside Waterpark

The first time I stayed here was with my son, shortly after the hotel opened! He was of course younger then and had an amazing time splashing away at the waterpark on a hot summer day. It remains one of my favorite hotels near Disneyland with water slides.

You can take advantage of the beautiful Southern California weather and spend some time at this exhilarating water playground on the hotel’s second level. The pool area at features four water slides, a 400-gallon drench bucket, water cannons, kids’ wading pool, hot tub, and swimming pool.

Bonus – you can see the fireworks from the pool deck at night! And many rooms have views, too. 

This water play area is great for younger kids, but my 11-year old got bored pretty quickly after going down the big slides a few times. The swimming pool is also relatively small, and during our visit on a hot summer day, it filled up quickly.

So if you’re booking this hotel primarily because of the waterpark, I’d consider your children’s ages. For younger kids, it’s a fantastic perk. Older kids may want more variety.

On a more positive note though, the hot tub holds up to 17 people, so you’re not going to be squished!

Surfside Waterpark is open every day from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. You’ll need to be a registered guest to gain access. 

The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance can be pricey, but that is largely because you are paying for the water park access and upscale nature of the hotel. If you love the location but don’t care so much about the water park amenities, consider staying next door at the Fairfield Anaheim Resort across the street from Disneyland. 

Guest Rooms

The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is six stories high and features 202 guest rooms and 19 suites. Rooms are a spacious 530-550 square feet square feet, and options include a king or two queen bed. For families looking to spread out a little more, one bedroom suites are available.

The rooms have a comfortable, contemporary design with neutral colors and Marriott’s signature bedding.

Every single room at the hotel has a set of twin bunk beds, making it especially great for families. This combined with the hotel’s many other family-friendly amenities make it is one of the best hotels near Disneyland with bunk beds. 

We stayed in a Waterpark View room with great views of Surfside Waterpark and Disneyland beyond. From our balcony we could see the Matterhorn and Space Mountain, and the Monorail zooming by every couple of minutes. It really added to our Disney experience having this exciting view!

The beds were very comfortable during our stay, and the bathroom was well-appointed. I loved that the bathrooms all have both a tub and separate stand-up shower, as well as two sinks. This makes it really convenient to get ready in the morning (or get ready for bed at night!) when you are traveling with kids.

Staying at the Hotel

This Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance review would not be complete without talking about the hotel’s other great amenities!

The hotel has a huge lobby, completely renovated with more comfortable seating areas and family-friendly spaces. The staff here was very friendly, greeting us every time we crossed the lobby on our way in or out. 

There is also a library of Disney books as well as a business center and computers, and a fairly large gift shop.

One of my favorite quieter spaces is the outdoor patio.

It offers views toward Disneyland and includes a fireplace and seating area. It’s a nice alternative to the pool when you want to sit outside and relax without all the activity of the waterpark.

You can also grab a drink from the hotel bar and enjoy it outside.

You’ll probably get your share of exercise just walking around the parks, but if you’re looking for more of a workout this Courtyard Disneyland hotel has you covered!

The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance features the 1,100 square foot Life Fitness Center with free weights and traditional cardio equipment including treadmills, elliptical machines, and Flexstriders. The Life Fitness Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

► Planning more than just where to stay? Start with our Disneyland Resort Vacation Planning Guide for tickets, rides, and planning tips.

Location: Across the Street From Disneyland

As the name suggests, the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is just steps away from both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park – 2,000 feet from the entrance, to be exact. You can very easily walk from the hotel to Disneyland, even with kids.

That means you can leave your car at the hotel and walk to the parks rather than dealing with parking at the Disneyland parking structures.

If walking distance is your top priority, it’s difficult to beat this location.

It’s also convenient if you want to return to the hotel during the day. Families can take a midday break, enjoy the waterpark, and head back to Disneyland later without turning the trip into a major logistical undertaking.

For families with young children, that convenience can make a significant difference!

One More Fun Perk: Disneyland Fireworks Views

Another fun feature I loved about staying at this hotel is the view.

You can see the Disneyland fireworks from the pool area at night, and some rooms (like the one we stayed in!) have views toward the parks as well. We had a waterpark-view room on our most recent stay, and from our balcony we could see the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, and the Disneyland Monorail passing by.

For a Disneyland fan, that’s a pretty fun way to end the day.

Dining at Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance

You don’t have to go far for food.

The hotel has on-site dining options, including its Bistro & Bar and a coffee and grab-and-go area.

Bistro & Bar

The Bistro serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with coffee, cocktails, and other beverages.

During the hotel’s renovation, additional seating was added, including booths with individual TVs.

CALM Coffee

The hotel’s coffee cafe is particularly convenient for Disneyland mornings when you want to grab something quickly before heading to the parks.

It offers coffee along with grab-and-go food and snacks.

Restaurants Near Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance

One of the other advantages of this location is the number of restaurants within an easy walk.

You’re also close to the Anaheim GardenWalk and all the quick service restaurants in Downtown Disney.

This is another reason I think the location works especially well for families. You aren’t dependent on the hotel’s restaurants for every meal.

► Be sure to also check out this guide to where to find breakfast at Downtown Disney.

Parking

One thing to consider when comparing Disneyland-area hotels is parking.

The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance offers valet parking, so be sure to factor the current parking charge into your total hotel cost when comparing rates with other nearby hotels.

This is especially important because a hotel that initially looks less expensive can become considerably more expensive after parking and other fees are added.

Pros and Cons

Who Should Stay at Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance?

I think this hotel is an especially good fit for:

Families with young children: The bunk beds and waterpark are excellent family-friendly features.

Families who prioritize walking: The location is one of the best reasons to book this hotel.

Families who want a hotel pool experience: Surfside Waterpark gives you something beyond a standard hotel pool.

Marriott Bonvoy members: If you prefer Marriott properties, this is an especially convenient Disneyland option.

Who Might Want to Stay Somewhere Else?

I’d look at other hotels if:

You don’t care about the waterpark. You’re paying a premium for the hotel’s family amenities and location.

You’re traveling with older children. Tweens and teens may outgrow the waterpark quickly.

You’re focused primarily on price. There are less expensive hotels nearby, particularly if you’re willing to sacrifice some amenities or walk a little farther.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance from Disneyland?

The hotel one of just a few hotels across the street from Disneyland, located directly across Harbor Boulevard from the Disneyland Resort, approximately 2,000 feet from the theme park entrance.

Does Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance have a waterpark?

Yes. Surfside Waterpark is one of the hotel’s primary family amenities and includes water slides, splash areas, pools, and a hot tub. Waterpark access is included for registered hotel guests.

Does every room have bunk beds?

Yes. One of the hotel’s biggest family-friendly features is that every guest room includes twin bunk beds.

Can you see Disneyland fireworks from the hotel?

Yes. The fireworks can be viewed from some areas of the hotel, including the pool deck, and some guest rooms have views toward Disneyland.

Is Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance good for families?

Yes. The hotel is specifically designed with families in mind, with large rooms, bunk beds, a waterpark, and an easy walk to Disneyland.

Is Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance worth the price?

It can be, particularly for families who will use the waterpark and appreciate the extremely convenient location. If you’re primarily looking for a place to sleep between Disneyland days, less expensive hotels walking distance to Disneyland that may offer better value.

You’re paying more than you would at some of the basic hotels along Harbor Boulevard, but you’re getting much more than simply a place to sleep.

The combination of the exceptionally convenient location, large rooms, bunk beds, and Surfside Waterpark makes this a hotel where I would actually plan to spend some time rather than treating it as a place to crash after Disneyland.

If your family loves swimming and water play, that can make the higher room rate easier to justify.

If you’re planning to spend every waking minute at Disneyland and won’t use the pool, however, I’d compare the price against some of the simpler hotels nearby.

Final Thoughts: Staying at the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance

Would I stay at Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance again? Absolutely.

The combination of location and family amenities is hard to beat.

I’ve stayed here multiple times, and the hotel has remained one of my favorite Disneyland-area options, particularly for families with younger children.

The location is excellent, and the rooms are unusually spacious. Having bunk beds in the room is a huge plus for families, and Surfside Waterpark gives kids something fun to do when you’re taking a break from the parks.

Most importantly, you don’t have to choose between a great hotel and a convenient Disneyland location. You get both.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel across the street from Disneyland with a waterpark, Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is one I’d put high on your list.

Read these articles for more help planning your Disneyland vacation:

• Hotels Walking Distance to Disneyland
• Marriott Hotels Near Disneyland
• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Review
• Hilton Anaheim Review
• Hotels Near Disneyland with Shuttle Service
• Disneyland Hotels with Bunk Beds
• Hotels Near Disneyland with Water Slides

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