When I talk to people about Disneyworld, I always recommend staying on site, because there are so many options and the amenities included make it worth it to stay on site.
However, Disneyland is a completely different story. The hotels are expensive and out of the budget of most families. Which leaves you with Disneyland Area Hotels.
We have stayed at many of the hotels within walking distance of Disneyland, some much better than others. Most are only so-so with some downright scary. If you don’t really care about your hotel, and just want a place to lay your head, then any of the Disneyland Area Hotels will work. Just find one in your price range and amenities, and you’ll be fine. If you want to be able to walk to the parks, be sure that the hotel is across from the ENTRANCE of Disneyland. Many Disneyland Area Hotels will advertise that they are right next to or across the street from Disneyland – BEWARE that does not mean that the entrance is within walking distance of the hotel!!! The actual entrance may be very far from your hotel, even if Disneyland is right across the street!
I always like to stay in hotels within walking distance. No need to park or deal with shuttles. The ART shuttles charges a daily fee, and parking is expensive, adding to the daily cost of your trip. However, if you have been to the Disneyland area, then you know that several of the hotels within walking distance are not the nicest. I am a bit picky about hotels, and we have stayed in several of them and we have narrowed it down to our favorites.
My #1 Choice in Hotels is the Howard Johnson Anaheim.
I am not actually a fan of most Howard Johnson‘s – I am more of a Hilton/Marriott person. This is a nice Howard Johnson though! There is a reason they get consistently good reviews and Traveler’s Family Choice Awards from Tripadvisor! They are the highest rated hotel in Anaheim, just behind the 3 Disney hotels!! The rooms are large, the beds are soft and comfortable. The rooms have refrigerators and microwaves. They offer family suites. It is an 8 minute walk to the Disneyland front gates. My kids favorite part? They have a kids waterpark! Waterslides, pirate ship, water features, dump bucket, etc. They LOVE it!! It is one of the favorite parts of their trip! We almost exclusively stay at this hotel now. My kids would be disappointed not to stay here when we visit Disneyland!
The reservation staff at this hotel are excellent. Call them up and they will give you the BEST prices available. Sign up on their website for their deals email and they will send out emails with promotions worth up to 30 – 50% off their room rates – exclusive to email subscribers. We almost always have been able to stay there at 50% off! SWEET!!
Great hotel deals and discounts are always available at Howard Johnson. Check them out today!
Another great hotel within walking distance is the Anaheim Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. If this hotel had the Waterpark, it would probably be my favorite. So if you don’t have kids tagging along, then this hotel is an excellent choice, however, the rooms at the HOJO Anaheim are often cheaper, especially with their awesome deals they run. The two hotels are right next to each other. This hotel runs a close second, especially when it comes to quality. The rooms are very nice and the beds are comfortable. Everything you would expect from a quality Marriott hotel!
*UPDATE* – Sounds like Marriott listened to me. They have built a new Courtyard Theme Park entrance, right next to the Fairfield Inn and it has a WATERPARK!! Not only that, but the rooms hold 6 people – with bunkbeds in each room! We are VERY excited about this new brand-new hotel! We shall be staying there at lease one night on our next trip, so I will be giving you a review then 🙂 But this seems like a great hotel for families – waterpark, walking distance to Disneyland, and the rooms are big enough for large families – big score in my book!
The third and last hotel that I can recommend within walking distance is the Carousel Inn and Suites. They are the closest of the 3 hotels to the entrance, so if walking is a problem, consider this hotel. (though, they are all REALLY close together and close to the entrance – this hotel is just a 5 minute walk instead of 8). The rooms are nice, comfortable, and clean. They are more upscale than many of the hotels next to them. They give you more of a boutique hotel experience. I would easily stay here again in the future!
*Update* Disney recently purchased this property. It has not become a “Disney hotel.” Yet. I don’t think they will be doing anything with it right now, but it is an interesting turn of events!
We have stayed in other Disneyland Area Hotels within walking distance and I cannot really recommend them. We simply go with the Howard Johnson Anaheim for our trips now, because it is nice, and my kids love the waterpark. Plain and simple, none of the hotels can beat the rates they offer in their emails that include the amenities that they do for that price.
Regardless of where you stay, you are at the Happiest Place on Earth! Have fun and enjoy your time! What are your favorite Disneyland Area Hotels?
