Disneyland Hotels Guide: Where to Stay Near the Parks

Looking for the best Disneyland hotels for your vacation?

Choosing where to stay is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a Disneyland vacation. With dozens of hotels near the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, the options can feel overwhelming.

As a Southern California local and Disneyland expert, I have been to the parks literally hundreds of times and personally stayed at or toured with our partners at Get Away Today dozens of hotels in Anaheim.

This Disneyland Hotels Guide is designed to serve as a hub to help you discover all the hotel options close to the Disneyland Resort and which one is best for you. To make it most helpful, I’ve divided it in to two sections covering on-property Disney Resort Hotels and off-property hotels near Disneyland.

Staying On-Property at Disneyland

The best place to start when planning your Disney vacation is deciding if you want to stay on-property or off. There are pros and cons to each, but the deciding factor usually comes down to price.

The three official Disneyland Resort Hotels are:

• Disneyland Hotel
• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
• Pixar Place Hotel

I’ve stayed at all three over the years, and each delivers strong theming, excellent service, a great location and that unmistakable Disney atmosphere.

Why Stay on Property?

The top reason for opting to stay at one of these Disneyland Resort hotels is to be fully immersed in the “Disney bubble.” Everything – from rooms to pools to restaurants to lobby decor – is themed around Disney. Staying on-property pretty much guarantees a magical vacation.

Sure, these hotels are more expensive, but you’re paying for location, service and the Disney experience.

The Disneyland Hotel is Disney’s original hotel and features mid-century modern décor – a throwback to its 1950s roots. It is comprised of three towers (Adventure, Fantasy, and Frontier) plus the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel, a Disney Vacation Club Resort property.

The Disneyland Hotel boasts a prime location just steps from Downtown Disney and a short walk to the theme parks. Even better, you can hop on the monorail and zip straight into Tomorrowland.

One of our favorite spots at the Disneyland Hotel is Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar. You can sit on a patio lit by glowing tiki torches and enjoy appetizers, tropical drinks and live music nightly.

The E-Ticket Pool pays tribute to the park’s early days with a retro Disneyland sign and two water slides that are replicas of the original Mark 1 Monorails 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.

When it comes to luxury hotels, nothing beats staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.

The hotel’s soaring Craftsman-style lobby is stunning, and the direct entrance into Disney California Adventure is the ultimate in convenience.

Disney’s Grand Californian also has a really nice pool area. There are three pools, including the Redwood Pool with a 90-foot-long water slide. My favorite thing about staying at this Disney hotel is being able to take a mid-day break from the parks and enjoy a little pool time or soak in the hot tub at the end of a long day.

The Grand Californian also has some of the best restaurants at the Disneyland Resort. Our favorite is Storytellers Café which offers a Disney Character Breakfast in the morning, but also a nice dinner buffet (try the corn chowder!) as well as regular meals.

► Don’t miss this complete Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Review.

Formerly Paradise Pier, Pixar Place Hotel is the most moderately priced of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels.

While it doesn’t offer quite the same level of luxury as the Grand Californian or the nostalgia of the Disneyland Hotel, it features bright Pixar theming which families with young kids might prefer.

The vibe here is relaxed and fun. But in my experience, when comparing value, some nearby off-property hotels often offer more updated amenities at a lower nightly rate. For instance, the much more elegant Westin Anaheim Resort is right down the street and typically offers a much lower room rate.

And even though Pixar Place is “on-property” at the Disneyland Resort, it is really not that much closer than some of the off-property hotels walking distance to Disneyland.

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Offsite Disneyland Hotels 

For the most part, the biggest draw when it comes to staying at an offsite property is the money you will save. Unlike Walt Disney World, Disneyland does not have on-property Value Resort Hotels. So, if budget is a priority, offsite is usually the smarter move.

While the three Disney-owned hotels offer immersive theming and convenience, the reality is that Disneyland sits in the middle of a very urban environment, not on a sprawling privately-owned area like Walt Disney World in Florida.

That means dozens of independent and chain hotels are located directly outside the resort gates; many of them even closer to the park entrance than some rooms at the official Disney hotels! Some of these hotels are so close to Disneyland, you’ll have views of the parks, fireworks, and monorails zipping by!

Others are a bit further out but still within walking distance, or you can choose a hotel with shuttle service to the parks.

But here’s the honest truth: none of those are essential to having an amazing Disneyland vacation.

Unlike Walt Disney World in Florida, where transportation can be complex and on-property perks are more significant, the Disneyland Resort is compact. The two theme parks and Downtown Disney are all connected so you can walk everywhere. You don’t need buses or boats to get around. That makes staying offsite in Anaheim much easier and more practical.

Whether you want to stay at one of the hotels directly across the street from Disneyland or one a pinch further away, the lists below provide a guide to help you choose the perfect hotel for your Disney vacation.

Best Off-Property Hotels

Since I visit Disneyland so often, we are constantly trying new hotels and updating our hotel reviews and guides. Our wide range of knowledge from the cheapest to the most expensive hotels provides context to make the best recommendations for hotels near Disneyland.

Here are my top recommendations. 

Best Luxury Options

• Anaheim Marriott – Deluxe high-rise hotel near the convention center with indoor/outdoor pool, restaurants, a lounge and rooms with marble bathrooms and balconies.
• Hilton Anaheim – Newly renovated, deluxe hotel (the largest hotel in Orange County) with a convenient location adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center, with upscale amenities, two pools, and a number of bars and restaurants. Here is a full review of the Hilton Anaheim Hotel.
• Hyatt Regency Orange County – Deluxe hotel with two pools, tennis courts and views of the fireworks. The Hyatt Regency has its own dedicated shuttle so you get direct service to the parks.
• JW Marriott – one of the newest and most luxurious hotels near Disneyland with a rooftop bar and view of the fireworks.
• The Westin Anaheim Resort – Brand new deluxe hotel with signature amenities including a pool and pool bar, numerous restaurants, and a rooftop lounge.

Best Hotels with Suites

• Anaheim Marriott Suites – All suites deluxe hotel featuring spacious guest rooms, full kitchens, restaurants and a pool.
• Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Anaheim Resort Convention Center – All-suites hotel with restaurant, lounge, pool, game room and complimentary parking.
• Element Anaheim Resort – A newer hotel with clean, spacious rooms and suites, and an expansive complimentary breakfast buffet.
• Hyatt House at Anaheim Convention Center – All-suites hotel near the convention center, with pool and complimentary breakfast.
• Residence Inn Marriott at Anaheim Convention Center – All-suites hotel with full kitchens, a rooftop deck and pool and complimentary breakfast.
• Sonesta Suites Anaheim – All-suites hotel with a pool, upscale amenities and free parking.
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate – All-suites hotel with modern amenities, pool and complimentary breakfast.

► Many hotels in Anaheim offer rooms and suites with bunk beds! If this sounds like something your kids would love, check out this complete guide to Disneyland Hotels with Bunk Beds.

Best Hotels with Water Park Features

• Anaheim Suites Hotel – Deluxe hotel with pool and a 30,000-square-foot water park, putting green, and free daily breakfast.
• Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground – Sprawling, moderate hotel featuring Castaway Cove, a pirate-themed, water playground with a 30-foot pirate ship, slides, water cannon, cargo net climb, and drench bucket.
• Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance – Great hotel featuring Surfside water park with water slides, pools, and a children’s splash pad play area. Here is my full review of the Courtyard Theme Park Entrance Hotel.

► Hotels with water slides and water play areas are great for kids, especially if you are visiting in the summertime! Read Hotels Near Disneyland with Water Park Features for a complete guide.

Best Budget & Moderate Hotels

• Anaheim Hotel – Located across the street from Disneyland, this hotel has a cool mid-century design, beautiful landscaping, and the biggest pool in the area!
• Best Western Plus Park Place Inn – The closest hotel to the Disneyland entrance, located right across Harbor Boulevard. Complimentary breakfast is included.
• Best Western Plus Raffles Inn & Suites – Moderate hotel with a pool, free breakfast, and free parking.
• Castle Inn and Suites – Family-owned hotel across the street from Disneyland with kid-friendly medieval theming and a renovated pool area. They offer free parking, too!
• Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Resort Convention Center – Moderate business-style hotel near the convention center with onsite restaurant and a pool.
• Days Inn & Suites Anaheim – The only hotel with free shuttle to Disneyland, free breakfast, and free parking! A great option if you are traveling on a budget.
• Delta Hotels Anaheim – Moderate Marriott-brand hotel with pool and a restaurant and bar.
• Desert Palms Hotel & Suites – Moderate hotel offering family-friendly suites, a pool, and complimentary hot breakfast buffet.
• Fairfield by Marriott Anaheim Resort – Recently renovated hotel and one of the closest hotels to Disneyland, with views of the fireworks and lots of amenities.
• Four Points by Sheraton Anaheim – Newly renovated moderate hotel with restaurant, pool, tropical landscaped patio and outdoor bar.
• Hotel Indigo – Boutique hotel adjacent to Anaheim GardenWalk with pool, restaurant and bar.
• Hotel Lulu Anaheim Resort – Moderate hotel with a quirky vibe and pool, restaurant and lounge. Read our Hotel Lulu review.
• Sheraton Park Hotel – High-rise deluxe hotel featuring newly-renovated rooms with balconies and a tropical pool area.
• SunCoast Park Hotel Anaheim – Deluxe hotel with pool, bar and restaurant, and complimentary breakfast.

My Personal Approach

With some exceptions of course, I typically choose a hotel within walking distance so we can skip shuttles entirely.

Let me tell you why! 

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Disney Hotels FAQs

Are there free shuttles from nearby hotels?

Most hotels within walking distance do not offer shuttles because they’re so close. (The exception is Candy Cane Inn, which runs its own dedicated shuttle although only a block or so away from Disneyland.) Other hotels in Anaheim with free shuttle service are Days Inn & Suites Anaheim and the Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel.

If you stay at one of the many hotels walking distance to Disneyland, walking is typically faster than waiting for a shuttle. However, if a shuttle to the parks is important to you, here is a complete guide to Hotels Near Disneyland with Shuttle Service.

Which hotels are best for toddlers?

For toddlers, proximity is everything.

Here are my top picks:

• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel – Located adjacent to the parks, it has the easiest access for nap breaks
• Disneyland Hotel – Classic Disney hotel with a great pool area
• Best Western Plus Park Place – Shortest walk for budget travelers
• Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance – Huge water play area for toddlers plus big and comfortable rooms with bunk beds

Best hotel for multi-day Disneyland trips?

If you are staying in Anaheim for three or more days, one of the best things you can do is give yourself room to spread out and be comfortable. Making sure you have access to either a full kitchen (or at least a fridge and microwave) is helpful, too.  

Can you bring food into Disneyland hotels?

Yes. You may bring outside food into all Disneyland Resort Hotels. Many offsite hotels also offer mini-fridges and microwaves, making it easy to store groceries and quick meals.

If you’re driving, I recommend stopping at a nearby grocery store or Target (there is one down Harbor Blvd.) and stocking up on what you need. This will save you money over buying items at the little markets near the parks.

You are also allowed to bring outside food into Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park, so it is very helpful to be able to have kitchen amenities in your room so you can bring lunch or snacks to the park.

Final Thoughts: Disneyland Hotels

There is no single “best” Disneyland hotel – only the best hotel for your priorities.

If you want total immersion and effortless park access, staying on-property delivers a magical experience.

If you’d rather stretch your budget, off-property hotels walking distance to Disneyland provide outstanding value, often at a fraction of the price.

After visiting Disneyland for years, I can confidently say this: location matters more than luxury. The easier it is to get back to your room for a break (especially with kids), the smoother your trip will feel.

Whether you choose a Disney-owned hotel or one directly across the street, staying within walking distance of the parks is the single best decision you can make.

Save These Disneyland Hotels for Later!

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