Last Updated on June 27, 2025
Making a trip to Disneyland takes some planning. After deciding on your dates, the next step is deciding where to stay. Opt for a Disneyland Resort Hotel or book a less expensive option just outside the parks? It all depends on what you’re looking for.
As a long-time Disney family, I much prefer staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. Yes, they come with a hefty price tag, one that, unfortunately, keeps getting bigger, but they do offer impressive perks.
Before we talk about stay options, let’s look at the pros and cons that may help your decision making on where to stay when you visit Walt Disney’s “happiest place on Earth.”
PROS to Staying at a Disneyland Resort
Location, Location, Location
The number one reason visitors choose to stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel is because of the location, all within easy walking distance of Disney’s two entertainment parks: Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park, and the Downtown Disney District that sits in between.
You’re right there on property and smack dab in the middle of the magic. There’s no waiting in line for a bus or shuttle to get back to your hotel or having to take that “short” walk back (which seems so much longer) at the end of a busy day in the parks. It’s ideal being close to your hotel should you need a break in the heat of the day or a change of clothes after getting soaked on one of the park’s fun water attractions.
Extra Magic Hours
Guests of the Disneyland Park Resorts presenting a valid room key at the time of their park visit are eligible to enter the Disneyland Park or California Adventure Park on specific days of the week 30 minutes before the park’s regular opening. This provides early access to restaurants, stores, characters and certain attractions including many of the most popular.
Guests must also have a valid theme park admission ticket and a park reservation.
Magic Begins at Check-In
Disneyland hotels have décor, fun themes. and details that immediately place you “under the Disney spell” even before checking into your room. And the hotels feature special entertainment and Disney-related programs throughout your stay.
Awesome Pools
Disneyland hotels have incredible pools, especially the Disneyland Hotel, which I’ll cover in a bit. Paradise Pier has a rooftop pool with a waterslide, and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa sports three luxury pools.
Disneyland Park Views
With Disneyland hotels so close to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, guests can opt to book theme park rooms with views of the parks or the Downtown Disney district. To be honest, there’s nothing like seeing the fireworks from your own private balcony or falling asleep to colorful, twinkling theme park lights just outside your window.
CONS to Staying at a Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort Hotels are Pricey
If you’re budget conscious, this may be a big determining factor in your decision making. Disneyland Resort Hotels are not value hotels and are priced more on the deluxe side of the spectrum. That’s why many visitors opt for the Good Neighbor Hotels, many located within a short walking distance of the parks.
Restaurants are Expensive
Though you’re not forced to dine at your Disneyland Resort hotel or others in the Disney family, just know that you’ll be paying a good bit to eat here if you choose. Unlike some of the Good Neighbor Hotels that feature a complimentary continental breakfast included in the stay, you won’t find that in Disney hotels and even their hotels that offer an “all you can eat” buffet will be costly.
Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Pixar Place Hotel
The newly-themed hotel officially opened on January 30, 2025, across from Disney California Adventure Park, though its not the newest of the Disney properties. The 15-story hotel formerly called Paradise Pier, owned and operated by Disney since 1995, was re-designed into the first fully Pixar-themed resort in the U.S.
The 479 Pixar-inspired contemporary guest rooms celebrate the artistry of Pixar Animation Studios with whimsical artistry, designed with touches from favorite Disney and Pixar films. New two-bedroom suites will be themed to Coco and The Incredibles. Guests can choose between a number of rooms and suites, some with direct California Adventure Park views.
Unlike Disney World’s hotels broken into value, moderate, and deluxe categories, Pixar Hotel is essentially a comparable value resort and the most affordably priced of Disneyland Resorts’ three hotels.
One of hotel’s top focal points is the pool area that includes not only a swimming pool, but a water playground as well. The entire pool area is themed after “Finding Nemo” and its sequel film “Finding Dory,” with familiar undersea characters throughout. The 186-foot-long Crush’s Surfin’ Slide is extremely popular with guests.
The hotel also offers a mini-golf course themed to Pixar movie moments along with the Great Maple Modern American Eatery sit-down restaurant, a café and pool bar.
Lastly, Pixar Place now enjoys its own California Adventure Park entrance for hotel guests, making for a much shorter walk.
Disneyland Hotel
Opened in October 1955 with just 100 rooms shortly after Disneyland opened its gates, the iconic Disneyland Hotel has undergone multiple renovations and now offers 973 rooms. The hotel has done an amazing job of capturing the Disney spirit with three themed towers.
Adventure Tower is inspired by Disney’s classic adventure films. It’s designed to evoke a sense of exploration and excitement.
Fantasy Tower is themed around Disney’s fairy tales and magical stories and includes elements from beloved characters and movies, creating a whimsical atmosphere for guests.
Frontier Tower sports a Western theme, drawing inspiration from Disney’s Frontierland and classic westerns, reflecting the spirit of adventure of the American frontier.
Rooms at the Disneyland Hotel are both sophisticated and enchanting, paying loving tribute to the classic years of Disneyland Park. With upscale styling, state-of-the-art amenities, and special Disney furnishings—including light-up Sleeping Beauty Castle headboards and timeless artwork—this is a lovely place to capture that special Disney magic.
Accommodations range from standard views (trees or parking area) and premium deluxe rooms (pool, Downtown Disney) views. Rooms sleep up to five guests with a variety of queen or king beds along with a daybed. Club Level rooms include daily continental breakfast, snacks, desserts, beverages, cheese reception and personal concierge services, and a great place to view fireworks. Club guests can also choose from a variety of suite accommodations.
Good luck getting the kids out of the Disneyland pools, offering two retro-themed swimming areas with monorail slides, whirlpool spas, and a fun water play area.
In addition to other available dining, a standout favorite here is Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar sporting a Jungle-Cruise theme with tiki torches, tropical cocktails, and an exotic bar menu. Ask the bartender which cocktails will magically cause a shipwreck in a tropical storm or a volcanic eruption. This is a not-to-be-missed place full of surprises.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
The Grand Californian opened in 2001 offering 745 premium accommodations in its Craftsman-style themed venue paying homage to California’s magnificent national parks. It is by far the most luxurious and most expensive of the three Disney resort properties. It has its own private entrance into the California Adventure theme park for hotel guests.
The Grand Californian sports an ideal blend of elegance, technology, and Disney enchantment. Elements include California-inspired artwork, textured copper detailing, a soaring vaulted lobby ceiling along with a roaring fireplace surrounded by rocking chairs, a grand piano, and lots of comfortable seating. This all adds to an awe-inspiring, yet cozy and warm ambience.
Rooms depict playful Disney characters such as Chip ‘n Dale and other woodland creatures like Bambi with distinct attention to detail and a nod to nature.
The hotel is the closest property to both Disney Parks. Accommodations sleep up to five with a variation of king or queen beds along with sleeper sofa chairs or day beds. Standard, partial and premium views vary with the more high-end facing the Downtown Disney District, California Adventure Theme Park, or pools.
Both standard and premium views offer the addition of continental daily breakfast, afternoon tea, cookies, deserts, a wine and cheese reception and exclusive access to The Veranda for fireworks viewing, along with personal concierge service.
For those looking for extra space, The Grand Californian offers one-bedroom suites that can accommodate six, two-bedrooms that sleep 11, or a three-bedroom for 12 guests. Suites also offer either woods, theme park, Downtown Disney or pool views with similar amenities to the Club Level rooms.
Unique to this hotel, four signature suites include the Arcadia, Arroyo, El Capitan, and Mount Whitney, varying from one to three bedrooms and accommodating between four to thirteen adults.
Grand Californian sports three dazzling pools: the Fountain, Redwood and Mariposa. The Fountain Pool is set against a backdrop of tree-laden grounds and boulders. Redwood Pool includes a 90-foot-long waterslide curving around the stump of a massive Redwood tree. Circular Mariposa Pool pays homage to the hotel’s Arts and Crafts theme with a whirlpool spa.
Storyteller’s Café is the most popular eatery at the resort celebrating California’s history and folklore featuring a bountiful, impressive array of buffet breakfast, brunch and dinner selections. If you go during breakfast or brunch, you’ll get to interact with Mickey, Minnie and other Disney characters. Reservations are a must.
Napa Rose is an elegant, upscale California cuisine signature restaurant perfect for a special adult fine dining experience. Kids are welcome, but the menu items may not be their cup of tea and the restaurant definitely leans more on the formal side.
Like the other Disneyland Resort hotels, the Grand Californian also offers poolside dining, snack shops, quick pick-up options, and two lovely bars.
