The right hotel can make a huge difference on your vacation, especially a Disney vacation. You’re already worried about getting to the parks early, securing ride reservations, and meeting your favorite characters, don’t let your hotel ruin your vacation and add unnecessary stress.
This post is all about tips for finding a great hotel near Disneyland
You want to ensure you get the best possible experience for your money, and it can be hard to know what to look for.
When it comes to finding the best hotel for your Disneyland trip, there are a few things to consider. Think about what type of experience you want to have and what amenities are important to you. Do you need a pool? Do you need to be close to the park? All of these questions should be taken into account when you’re researching hotels.
Another great exercise before booking a hotel is to do your research. Go online and check for unbiased opinions and reviews on different hotels. Scroll around on TikTok for room tours, amenities, etc. Youtube is also another great place to research how a hotel looks, the distance from the parks, dining options, and more. Make sure to read the reviews and check out the photos to get a better understanding of what the place looks like. Hotel booking sites only show pretty photos and nice reviews. Look for honest reviews before choosing the right hotel for you.
Finally, always book early! Hotels book up fast during peak seasons, so make sure to book ahead of time to get the best deal and the best room. Look out for surge pricing during crazy convention weeks too like Wonder Con, Designer Con or any Cheer competitions and now RunDisney weekends. All of these events cause room prices to skyrocket and have rooms fill up fast.
#1 Pricing and Budget for Your Disneyland Trip
The first step to picking a hotel in Anaheim for your upcoming Disneyland vacation is deciding on your budget. A Disneyland trip has many different costs like travel expenses, hotel, dining, souvenirs, parking, upgrades, etc. Coming up with a complete budget for your trip and all of the upfront costs can help you immensely while planning.
Having a budget keeps you on track and keeps things under control and from getting away from you.
Once you have a budget, find the price of your nightly rate for your hotel that would be comfortable for you. Most hotels in Anaheim also charge a resort fee in addition to tax, so be sure to keep that in mind. Parking is also another fee that will come with every hotel, ranging from $20-$45 a night depending on the level of hotel you are staying at.
Price out a few different hotels within your budget and compare amenities and location -our next two tips for picking your hotel.
#2 Location: Distance from Disneyland
When it comes to planning a Disneyland trip, hotel location is key. Things to consider when finding a location
- Is the hotel within walking distance of Disneyland? I would say anything within a mile is a good distance. Anything more than a mile and I wouldn’t suggest walking. Even within the mile, there are some not-so-magical areas of Anaheim that I wouldn’t want to be walking in late at night. I’ve never had an issue walking late at night but I either walk with a large group or with my very tall husband.
- Does the hotel offer a shuttle service to and from Disneyland? Is there a cost? Most hotels work with the City of Anaheim and participate using the ART Bus. It does have a separate cost per person/per day so be aware before you book. You will also need to download the app that works with the ART Bus to use it. If you are closer to the park then you may consider walking. There are a ton of people walking to the Parks each morning and night so you won’t be alone and can most of the time be faster than waiting for a ride-share or ART Bus – but only if you’re close to the Parks.
- Disney Parking is $30/day. Another item to consider in your budget is if you’re not walking or taking the shuttle is Disneyland parking rates. If you pay for overnight parking but then drive into the parks, you’re paying twice. And that $30 a day for hotel parking and Disneyland parking adds up fast.
Staying at a nearby hotel can save you time and money for travel and theme park parking but may have a heavier upfront cost for the price of the hotel. Most of the hotels along Harbor Blvd are more expensive because of how close they are to the main entrance of Disneyland.
#3 Anaheim Resort Hotel Amenities
Lastly is hotel amenities – this one takes into consideration the first two tips. Parking is a huge amenity, and distance from the park ( I would consider that a definite reason to choose a hotel). Top amenities to take into consideration when picking your Anaheim hotel are:
Parking
Once again, hotel parking can vary greatly between hotels in the area. But most will stay around Disneyland parking prices – which is $30/day. The nicer luxury hotels can be double these prices, so beware and ask ahead of time so you aren’t shocked at the parking rate at the end of your trip.
Free or Complimentary Hotel Breakfast
This one is HUGE! Free breakfast or complimentary breakfast at your Disney Good Neighbor Hotel is a game changer. Especially if you’re spending multiple nights at the hotel. Fuel up before the parks, most hotels start breakfast as early as 6:30 AM, some around 7:30 AM. Some hotels will only offer cold breakfast but most will offer a basic hot breakfast like eggs, protein, and potatoes. We like to stock up on smaller items like juices (if available), fruit cups, fresh produce, and even muffins and bagels. Typically the bread toppings are packaged individually so you can keep them for later. Eating at the hotel can save you a lot on breakfast costs at the parks. And if you bring any of your own food due to dietary needs or picky eaters, you can bring them down and combine with items provided at the hotel breakfast.
Shuttle Service – Anaheim ART Bus
The Anaheim ART Bus is definitely not my favorite but they have a grip on the entire city and every hotel in the area. It’s never on time and the wait times at night can be up to an hour. Taking the bus in the morning is more convenient and usually not bad but in the evening, I would opt for calling a Lyft or Uber from the Disneyland hotel – not the transportation terminal (most rides get canceled in this area). The Art bus charges a flat fee per person, per day. Once again, take that into consideration when budgeting for your trip. Overall, the ART Bus is a good perk to have at the hotel and it is available at most hotels in the area.
Pool and Hotel Activities
Having a nice pool and even a mini waterpark area is a huge plus. Hotel activities are wonderful for longer stays and it’s a great way to relax and enjoy your vacation outside of the parks. Most hotels will have a pool because the summers in Anaheim can get pretty hot. A lot of them will also offer movie nights. Check with your hotel about the activities they offer. Some fun ones I’ve seen are swim-up movie nights at the pool, smores nights, happy hours, and live music.
On-site Laundry
On-site laundry is another bonus at a hotel. Stay away from packing your dirty clothes and do a quick load before you check out or the night before. A lot of hotels will have laundry rooms but the more expensive luxury ones offer a laundry service (pricey).
Early Check-in/Late Check-out
When booking, call ahead to request early check-in. Most check-in times are around 3 PM. Sometimes you can get in a bit earlier if it’s not a busy weekend. I’ve found that asking for a late checkout the night before you leave works best or even early that morning – like if you get back from the parks at 1 AM early or you can call down around 5 or 6 am. Late checkout is usually a first-come, first-served type of deal, so calling early is key.
Space in the Room – Room Layout
How many people can sleep in one room? Does the hotel offer family rooms, bunk beds, separate living room areas or a kitchen? Since it’s Anaheim there are a ton of extended stay suites available – once again, all running in price. The farther you go from Disneyland, the less expensive it will be. We usually like to book a room that comes with a separate seating area to relax and watch TV but check out room sizes and variations before you book.
Microwave and Mini Fridge
My absolute must in any room and unfortunately, the fancy hotels never offer these – a microwave and mini fridge. Pack meals and keep them in the room for the trip, store leftovers, reheat food, and something I never thought of until I heard someone ask at the last hotel we stayed in – a microwave to heat up milk for their baby. I don’t have children, so this never crossed my mind but oh my goodness a microwave is literally essential when you have kids. Check to see what type of in-room amenities they have and if they work with your family’s needs.
Free WiFi – Business Lounge
This one seems obvious and most hotels offer it without any additional cost but you never know. Be sure to check that your hotel offers free wifi so you can stay online and connected with friends and family during your trip. Also great to connect to if you pack an iPad to watch tv in your room or go online for work. A lot of hotels also have business centers if your traveling during the school year and your kids need to finish up a project or submit something online. I also like to work from the hotels and write, so having strong Wifi is always a must.
All of these amenities with play a role in the overall cost of the hotel, so remember to do your research and make a list of your must-have items for the hotel you want to stay at. You should consider all of your options carefully to find the one that works best for you and your budget.
Hopefully the tips I’ve provided have helped you narrow down your search for a hotel for your upcoming Disneyland vacation. No matter which hotel you pick, you’re sure to have a wonderful time because the Anaheim Resort area has so many levels of luxury and experiences to offer. I hope you have a wonderful and memorable trip, and if you have any other tips, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
See you at the Parks!
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