The last time you passed a wishing well, did you throw a penny in while dreaming of spoiling your loved ones with a trip to sunny California and the happiest place on Earth?!
We hear that.
Once your mental compass is pointed toward Disneyland, the next step is arranging reservations for one of the best hotels near Disneyland for families.
But Anaheim has hotels coming out the ears! (So to speak.)
How do you sort through them?
As an EarMarked Disney travel agency (aka, Authorized by Disney and super experienced!), Ear To There Travel has compiled this helpful list of favorites for you to choose from, according to your party’s pleasures.
The truth is, “the best hotel” is really whatever hotel best fits your specific needs and preferences.
There are many excellent possibilities for all group shapes and sizes.
So read through this article to find the best one for you.
Then take a Wonderland teacup, pilot the Avenger’s quinjet, ride an elephant, a whale, or a train – do whatever you need to do to get your loved ones to the best hotel for them at Disneyland!
Bonus Info:
After you’ve done the fun part of looking through the options below, if you become intimidated/stressed-out/unsure about the actual booking process (let’s be honest here, travel can be complicated and Disney is too much of an investment to risk messing up the plans), Ear To There Travel can help you with that part too.
We provide complete, concierge-level planning services at absolutely no extra cost to you.
All you pay for is your vacation.
With our help, you’ll do less work for the same amount of money – in fact, you may even save money.
We keep an eye on all the latest and greatest Disney Deals so that we can add any applicable discounts to your trip – even after we’ve booked it for you.
We get paid by Disney to ensure your vacation is the most amazing experience possible, even before you reach your destination.
Click on the button below to fill out our no-fee, no-obligation quote form and get connected with one of the amazing Ear To There Vacationeers (aka Travel Agents).
There’s no time like the present.
Disney Resorts List
It’s almost as if Aladdin’s Genie was able to grant us three wishes too – because there are three great hotels actually located on the Disneyland property.
In order of our preference: Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian, and Paradise Pier.
Disneyland Hotel
A bonafide Disney classic.
The site of beautiful, nostalgic experiences.
This renovated Disney original remains the all-time, all-around favorite Disney hotel in California, whether it’s your first or fiftieth Disneyland trip.
Some of the reasons it’s a winner:
- Two waterslides
- Cabanas
- Whirlpools
- Four awesome eating experiences
- Two gift shops
- Fitness center
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Soaring, fancy, exclusive, expansive, high-end, rustic…
Sound like aspects of the dream vacation you’re looking for under an endless diamond sky?
This hotel might be perfect for your family, with:
- Five amazing dining options
- Spa
- Cute gift shop
- Three pools
- Fitness center
- And beyond!
Of the three Disney Hotels, this is also the one closest to the Disneyland Esplanade.
If that term is new to you, here’s the Walt Word Revealed: The “Disneyland Esplanade” is the joyful courtyard space between Disneyland & Disney’s California Adventure.
Only a few fast feet apart, but they are completely separate amusement parks requiring separate tickets (or the purchase of a Park Hopper – meaning for $60/day you can hop back and forth between both after 1:00 pm).
To figure out where to spend your time when you’re not in the hotel, read up on the differences between Disneyland and California Adventure.
If you choose both parks or California Adventure exclusively, you’ll also be in luck staying at the Grand Californian because it has its own back entrance (as long as you have a ticket, ovbiously) for hotel guests only. Super fun and convenient!
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
The best recommendation for this location is that it also possesses a “secret” new back entrance into California Adventure for the exclusive use of current Paradise Pier hotel guests and it’s often a more moderately priced option.
Other fun aspects:
- Gift shop
- Several pools
- Fitness center
- Cheerful, modern decor
Good Neighbor Hotels – Great Options Near Disneyland For Families
Beyond the three resorts on Disney property, you have the “Good Neighbor Hotels.”
In Disney-speak that means they partner with Disney but aren’t owned by Disney.
There are a whopping 57 of them.
In some cases, they’re every bit as close to the amusement park entrances (or even closer, as long as you won’t miss walking through Downtown Disney) as the traditional Disney-owned options. But some will require a bus ride to and from.
As long as you don’t miss the magical extra perks of being on Disney property (keep reading to see what they include!), the Good Neighbors offer excellent, comfortable places to relax when the rides and parades have worn you out.
Whichever you choose – even one we didn’t explicitly suggest in this article – our Ear To There Vacationeers can still handle all those bookings and reservations for you, no problem.
Best Hotels Near Disneyland With Amenities For Families
Sometimes all you want to focus on is spending as much time in Disneyland or California Adventure as you possibly can.
Other times you want the very best hotels near Disneyland for families that like to be spoiled a bit more while on vacation.
Here are some of the very best that lead to happy and beyond!
Grand Californian
There are spectacular special benefits that you only get staying on a Disney-owned property:
- Character Dining
- Constant magic & music
- Extra time in the parks
- Delivery of Disney merchandise purchases straight to your room
- World-class service & immersion in Disney stories
- And then some!
Not to mention proximity to the parks and all the magical treats found there.
But if bonus perks are what you’re after, the Grand Californian has even more to offer than the other two Disneyland Resort Hotels, such as:
- Spoil-yourself-silly spa services
- The best fine dining restaurants in the area
- Elegant atmosphere
- The best room service
The Westin Anaheim Resort
Looking for luxury?
The creme-de-la-creme?
Look no further than AAA Four Diamond hotel, The Westin, right across from the Disneyland Resort.
It has:
- 8 superior dining options, each better than the last
- A pool, a whirlpool
- A fitness center
- A business center
- And a lot more…
Best Hotels Near Disneyland For Families According To Location
The two closest Good Neighbors are the Camelot Inn and the Tropicana Inn.
Both sit right across the street from the Disneyland Esplanade and also provide:
- No frills, just the most important basics (a good choice if you plan on spending all your time in the park and not in the hotel much)
- Clean rooms
- Safe rooms
- Little convenience stores that sell the essentials.
Candy Cane Inn is a beloved, little-known secret of people who have been visiting Disney their whole lives. It might be worth considering for your crew.
Just be forewarned that since it’s a tiny boutique hotel, it books up fast. So contact one of our Vacationeers asap to reserve your room well in advance if your eye is on that particular prize.
Best Resort Hotel Pools Near Disneyland
California has magnificent beaches – but if you don’t have time to cruise the coast to explore them, choose a hotel with a fabulous pool to relax between playtimes with Mickey.
- The monorail-themed pool at Disneyland Hotel is a huge draw for many families.
- Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is a literal waterpark for kids. It’s on Harbor Blvd, nice and close to the parks.
- Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground (which is a tiny bit further, around half a mile away).
Best Hotels Near Disneyland For Large Families or Families With Teens & Tweens
You can’t go wrong with Grand Legacy at the Park.
It’s great for accommodating larger groups.
It actually could go in the best resort hotel pools section, too. If you have families with teens and tweens, this is often a favorite pool for that age group.
Plus, it’s easily walkable to the Esplanade – a possible benefit to any late-sleeping teens in your group who can come over later and not slow down the excited littles early in the morning.
First Time At Disneyland
To feel like you’re in Disneyland even after you leave the park for the night, either go all-out for the Disneyland Hotel or stay at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Anaheim Resort.
It has Disney-themed rooms that are decorated with:
- Cinderella Castle,
- the Earful Tower,
- Cars,
- Disney Princesses,
- and more!
Families With Pets
Our favorite furry friends are definitely part of the family too!
If you’d rather bring them with you than leave them with a friend or petsitting service, Disneyland can provide you with great accommodations for that.
We’d recommend staying at the Holiday Inn & Suites Anaheim on South Walnut for the best experience possible, plus it’s only a 15 minute walk to Downtown Disney and the monorail.
But let us know if you have any questions or other special requests that need attending to and we can provide you with even more options.
Booking The Best Hotels Near Disneyland For Families… & Other Disney Destinations!
Settled on your family’s first choice?
Fill out our fee-free, no-obligation quote form here to get the ball rolling on your magical family vacation.
In case you haven’t actually decided on Disneyland specifically, maybe take a look at this comparison between Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World.
Or if you stumbled on this article but were actually on the hunt for some of the best Walt Disney World resort possibilities in Florida, try exploring the best hotels near Magic Kingdom at Disney World or reading about the best hotels near Epcot at Disney World.
Wherever you want to go, the Ear To There Travel Vacationeers will help you get there.
Treat yourself to a fantastic vacation and embrace this moment for the magical gift that it is – start setting your sights on Disneyland and the magnificent fun awaiting your arrival.
Mickey, Minnie & the gang will be delighted to see you!