Last updated on January 7th, 2024 at 09:43 pm
Seeped in nostalgia, sprinkled with magic touches and located just quick walk or monorail ride away from the Disney parks, the Disneyland Hotel has long been a favorite for families visiting Anaheim, California. But all this luxury and convenience doesnât come cheap! Is a stay at the Disneyland Hotel worth the splurge?
The Disneyland Hotel
For as long as there has been a Disneyland (since 1955, to be precise) there has been the Disneyland Hotel. And the Disneyland Hotel has always been a top choice for families looking to be in the center of the magic!
Of the three on-property Disney resorts, the Disneyland Hotel is my family’s favorite and we have stayed there numerous times. There is something about staying where it all started that just adds to the magic, and the service at this hotel is exceptional.
It also has the best pool and happens to be the open place you can get a Dole Whip outside of the parks!
But before I get into all the things we love about the Disneyland Hotel and offer you some pros and cons to consider, here’s an overview.
The Disneyland Hotel is AAA Four Diamond-rated, and features mid-century modern dĂŠcor (a throwback to its 50s roots), several themed restaurants, two pools and water slides, a water play area, easy access to Downtown Disney, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, beautifully appointed hotel rooms and luxurious themed suites.
It is also home a brand new tower – The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, which just opened in September 2023. The Villas at Disneyland Hotel is a Disney Vacation Club property. We had the opportunity to preview this new tower and it is beautiful!
All this awesomeness doesnât come cheap. In fact, the current room rate is right around $550 per night. And while there are plenty of other hotels walking distance to Disneyland that cost much less and are perfectly lovely, there really is only one Disneyland Hotel.
So if getting an immersive Disney experience is important to your family and if your budget permits, a stay at the Disneyland Hotel will make your vacation extra extra special.
15 Reasons Why a Stay at the Disneyland Hotel is Worth the Splurge
Here are 15 perks of staying at the Disneyland Hotel that just might justify the splurge!
1. Prime Location
The #1 reason most people stay at the Disneyland Hotel is location, location, location.
The Disneyland Hotel is just steps from Downtown Disney and a short walk to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Even better, hop on the monorail and zip straight into the park. The Downtown Disney Monorail entrance is right near the Disneyland Hotel and will deliver you directly into Tomorrowland.
After a long, fun day in the parks, there is nothing better than being able to walk straight to your hotel room without having to worry about trams, parking lot, shuttle buses and the lines that are involved.
2. Early Entry to the Parks
If you are staying at any of the Disneyland Resort hotels, you can get exclusive access to the parks 30 minutes before regular opening to enjoy select attractions. We’ve done this many times and there are almost no lines! If you plan it right you can blow through a bunch of rides before the park even officially opens!
This is one of the most valuable benefits of staying on-property at the Disneyland Resort.
A ticket and theme park reservation for the same park on the same date are required.
Starting January 20, 2024, the early entry benefit will be updated, and Guests with valid park admission and reservations who are checked in and staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels may take advantage of this 30-minute early entry into a designated theme park for every day of their hotel stay. Each day, either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park will be open early. Please check the theme park calendar for the schedule.
3. Awesome Pools and Water Slides
The showpiece of the Disneyland Hotel is its amazing pool and water slides. By far, this was my sonâs favorite thing about staying there â and Iâd be willing to bet most kids feel the same!
The E-Ticket Pool pays tribute to the parkâs early days with a retro sign reminiscent of the parkâs original entrance sign on Harbor Boulevard. The Monorail-themed slides in the pool area are replicas of the original Mark 1 Monorail trains that traveled between Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel during the early â60s. There is the 180-foot-long Monorail Red slide and 80-foot-long Monorail Yellow slide.
The 4-foot-deep, D-Ticket pool is a shady oasis next to the Monorail water play area. There also are outdoor Minnie and Mickey-themed spas. The Disneyland Hotel pool has complimentary life vests for kids and there are plenty of life guards on duty.
4. Fun Fitness Classes
This Disneyland Hotel perk is a healthy one!
Among the many fitness classes offered at the three hotels at the Disneyland Resort, there are some truly special opportunities to experience the Disneyland Resort before the general public enters in the morning.
I signed up for the Power Walk through the Park a while back. It used to be free for hotel guests, but there is now (unfortunately) a fee. Regardless, it is a great way to kick off the day with an energizing walk through Disney California Adventure before it opens in the morning.
The walk is a fast-paced two-mile loop. It begins at 6:00am and requires all guests to be able to keep a 15-minute mile pace. It is not recommended for those with knee, hip or joint limitations, and strollers are not permitted.
Some other very cool fitness class options include:
- Sunrise Yoga in Disneyland Park – a morning yoga session at the park before it opens
- Adventure Boot Camp – a high-intensity workout at DCA before the park opens
- Paddleboard Fitness – floating workout combining cardio and strength exercises at the Fountain Pool at Disney Grand California Hotel & Spa
- Yoga in the Redwood Creek – Yoga class at DCA designed to connect with nature through a unique blend of soothing sounds and imagery
There are many more unique fitness class options! Here is a full list of Fitness Centers and Activities at the Disneyland Resorts.
5. Disney Touches Everywhere
One of the best things about staying on-property at the Disneyland Resort is the total immersion into all things Disney. From teacup chairs hotel lobby to the âitâs a small worldâ wallpaper in the restroom, Disney touches are everywhere.
The Disneyland Hotel has three distinct towers. The Fantasy Tower is where youâll find the hotelâs reception area, gift shop, restaurants and conference center. The Frontier Tower lobby features a scale model of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. At the Adventure Tower, Jungle Cruise characters are incorporated into the design. Hidden Mickeys are everywhere!
Don’t miss the exhibit on the first floor of the Fantasy Tower that showcases the Disneyland Hotelâs 60-year history.
6. Disneyland App
Download the Disneyland App for your stay at the Disneyland Hotel and receive many great conveniences. With the app you can charge dining and shopping purchases right to your room, and take advantage of Direct-to-Room Service when you check in. This will allow you to bypass the front desk and go straight to your hotel room, using your phone to unlock the door.
7. Magical Headboards
When the Disneyland Hotel renovated its 973 rooms a few years ago, they added a truly magical touch! The beds now have light-up headboards with the Sleeping Beauty Castle artistically carved into them. The headboards feature fiber optics and music to create a skyline with fireworks. Just flip a switch and When You Wish Upon a Star plays while the headboard lights up.
Such an awesome only-at-Disneyland touch!
8. In-Room Celebrations
Much like on a cruise ship where you can order your cabin to be decorated upon arrival, the same can happen at the Disneyland Hotel.
Celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, or just want to kick off your vacation with an added blast of Disney magic? With Disneyland Hotel In-Room Celebrations, it will look like some of your favorite Disney friends dropped by to celebrate your arrival! Create a personalized welcome experience right in your hotel room.
9. Disney Spa Products
Do tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion justify the cost of a stay at the Disneyland Hotel? Of course not. Do their yummy scents, lavish feel and abundant quantity make your vacation feel a little more luxurious and thus worthy of the expensive room rates?
You betcha.
10. Wake-Up Calls
Start the day with an early morning greeting one of your childâs favorite Disney characters!
Surprise your kiddos with a wake-up call from Mickey Mouse or one of his pals. Simply contact the Concierge Desk after you check in for further details!
11. Island Vibes & Live Entertainment
Every evening, wind down with a tropical cocktail amid glowing tiki torches at Trader Sam’s â Enchanted Tiki Bar. Sit on the patio and enjoy appetizers, drinks, and live acoustic music nightlyâor cozy up at the outdoor fireplace nearby.
This is also the only spot outside the park where you can buy yourself a Dole Whip treat. (And unlike at the park, you can get one here with a splash of rum!)
12. Tangaroa Terrace
Overlooking the pool and right next to Trader Samâs youâll find Tangaroa Terrace, the Disneyland Hotelâs quick service eatery with a South Pacific vibe. Because really, does anything say family vacation better than starting the day with Mickey waffles by the pool?
13. Merchandise Delivery
If youâre a shopper like me, this is a great free perk for hotel guests at the Disneyland Resort.
See something great at a store in the park but donât want to lug it around all day? No problem! You can pay and then leave your theme park purchases at the store and pick them up at the Bell desk at your hotel!
14. View Fireworks from Bed
Have you ever wanted to stay for the fireworks but you (or your kids) were just too tired?
Request a fireworks view room when you book your reservation, and you can watch the show from the comfort of your room! The music is piped in through your television so you wonât miss a thing!
If you donât get a room with a view, hotel guests can also catch the show at the resort. Ask the concierge or front desk for exact time and location.
Nothing makes you feel like part of the magic more than watching the fireworks in your PJs.
15. Themed Signature Suites
If you thought a standard room at the Disneyland Hotel was pricey, then brace yourself for this! For the ultimate in accommodations, the Disneyland Hotel offers a unique collection of lavish, meticulous and magical Signature Suites that immerse guests in a Disney-themed environment.
The five themed Signature Suites at the Disneyland Hotel include:
- Adventureland Suite – 2 Bedrooms
- Pirate Suite – 2 Bedrooms
- Big Thunder Suite – 2 Bedrooms
- Mickey Mouse Suite – 2 Bedrooms
- Fairytale Suite – 1 Bedroom
I meanâŚ.if youâre going to bust your budget, you might as well do it sleeping in a princess bed!
But seriously. Personally, if I was going to go all out on a vacation, Iâd spend the extra money on Dole Whips and Genie+. However if you are looking for a truly magical, immersive Disney experience budget-be-damned, a signature suite would be an awesome treat!
Final Thoughts: The Disneyland Hotel
If staying on property is important to you, the Disneyland Hotel has many perks which will help ease the pain of its hefty price tag. It is slightly less expensive then room rates at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa, and when you compare the Disneyland Hotel vs Grand Californian, I firmly believe the Disneyland Hotel comes out on top.
Of the three on-property Disney Resort Hotels – the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (soon to be Pixar Place Hotel) – the Disneyland Hotel is our favorite. It’s nod to Disney’s roots and stunning pools and property amenities will give you the most bang for hard-earned bucks during your Disneyland vacation!
Discount Disneyland Tickets
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Get Away Today sells discount theme park tickets as well as vacation packages for both on-property and off-property hotels. They will even assist with all your Disneyland vacation plans with their free concierge service!
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Lauren says
The Disneyland hotels look like beautiful resorts! And with all of the extras included, I can see why it’s worth it! I’ll have to look into them for our next trip!