One of many largest selections it’s a must to make when you resolve to go to the Happiest Place on Earth (aka Disneyland) is the place to remain whereas in Anaheim, California. There are a couple of choices on Disney property the place you may dangle your hat, and there are numerous off-property choices additionally price contemplating.
When you’re struggling to determine the place to remain close to Disneyland, know that you just’re not alone. Together with park tickets, lodging is among the most important prices of any Disney trip, so it is essential to seek out the fitting stability of worth, perks and placement. Do you have to need to use your resort or bank card factors to defray a part of the price of a Disneyland journey, you may additionally want to contemplate the worth of your keep when narrowing down your choices.
When visiting Disneyland, does it take advantage of sense to remain at an on-property resort owned by Disney? Or, do you have to keep at an off-property resort, whether or not it is independently owned or tied to a selected model?
After dozens of Disneyland stays with my household, each on- and off-site, we have discovered a couple of classes about the place to seek out worth and what perks matter most to households. Listed below are the important thing variations between on- and off-property motels — and that are the highest choices to contemplate.
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Staying on-property vs. off-property at Disneyland
How have you learnt whether or not an on- or off-property Disneyland resort is best for you?
For households already accustomed to the resort choices at Walt Disney World, it is essential to grasp the key Disneyland variations. Briefly, staying on or off the Disneyland property presents a really totally different lodging calculus than you may take care of when visiting Walt Disney World.
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I virtually all the time favor to keep on-site at Walt Disney World due to the included perks and proximity to the parks. Nevertheless, I normally keep off-site throughout my Disneyland holidays. There are some perks to staying at a Disneyland resort resort, however the worth of these advantages would not all the time match the value enhance.
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Disneyland’s footprint is considerably smaller, which means most of the off-property motels are simply as near the parks as a few of the on-property ones. (That stated, in case you’re questioning which Disneyland resort has direct entry to one of many parks, preserve studying.)
There are dozens of motels inside strolling distance of the Disneyland gates. You do not essentially must sacrifice location or pay for transit to the parks when staying in a non-Disney-operated resort.
Moreover, there are historically fewer perks accessible to Disneyland’s on-property friends than for these staying at Disney World-owned properties. Functionally, the most important benefit proper now could be that these at Disneyland motels can get into one of many two theme parks half-hour early every morning.
This profit might be a good way to journey a couple of rides with out lengthy strains, however it does require being up with the solar to profit from that point, since that 30-minute head begin typically falls between 7:30 and eight a.m. However, in case you’re an early chicken, then maybe it is a purpose to remain on the property.
How you can get the perfect charges at Disneyland motels
Any official Disneyland resort comes at a value. Disney World affords three totally different lodging tiers: Deluxe, Average and Worth resorts. Nevertheless, Disneyland has no such distinctions. In consequence, all three on-property motels are often priced at charges akin to what you may discover for Deluxe Disney World motels. When you’re touring on a good finances, it might not be possible to remain at a Disney resort.
In case your schedule is versatile, all the time you’ll want to no less than examine for seasonal gross sales direct from Disney. Like at Walt Disney World, Disney affords offers from 10% to 30% off its on-property Disneyland-area motels throughout slower seasons. It’s important to e book as quickly as these promotions are launched.
To additional trim prices for on-property stays, think about renting Disney Trip Membership factors to remain on the new Villas at Disneyland Resort or at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa.
You may also use factors or miles from a bank card to cowl your keep. The Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card lets cardholders redeem miles at a flat price of 1 cent per mile. In the meantime, with the Bilt Mastercard® (see charges and charges), you may redeem factors for Disney motels by the Bilt journey portal at a price of 1.25 cents per level.
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Off-property stays can provide much more alternatives to save lots of, with a wide range of resort and different factors applications in play. As a result of so many vacationers need to money of their resort factors for Disneyland and Southern California holidays, it is more and more exhausting to get as a lot worth per level at many properties. Do the mathematics and know that you could be get extra worth by paying money or utilizing cash-equivalent factors.
Finest on-property Disneyland motels
Whereas I favor to remain off-site at Disneyland largely for budget-related causes, not each household will really feel the identical. There’s loads of enjoyment to be present in staying inside the Disney bubble.
I am keen on the three on-property motels at Disneyland: Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa, the Disneyland Resort and the newly renovated and reopened Pixar Place Resort (previously often called Disney’s Paradise Pier Resort).
These three motels all provide particular decor, themed swimming pools and knowledgeable Disney service. They’re additionally inside strolling distance of the parks. For households that can make use of the additional perks, it is doable to justify paying extra to remain at a Disney property throughout a particular journey.
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Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is a traditional that dates again to 1955 — the identical 12 months the unique park at Disneyland opened — however it additionally has a few of the latest rooms in Anaheim in case you keep within the new tower.
It has arguably the perfect pool space of the three on-property motels, due to its a number of waterslides. Plus, you will get Dole Whips and eat dinner in Dealer Sam’s (a enjoyable tiki bar that involves life if you order sure drinks) with out stepping foot off the resort grounds.
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SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
So far as lodging go, you may discover a mixture of customary rooms, club-level rooms and suites, together with some with over-the-top Disneyland themes, comparable to a Pirates of the Caribbean suite and a Mickey Mouse penthouse. A brand new tower housing Disney Trip Membership lodging opened Sept. 28, 2023. These Villas at Disneyland Resort are available in a wide range of sizes starting from a small room for 2 folks to a two-story penthouse for as much as 12 friends.
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Beginning room charges on the Disneyland Resort typically hover between $500 and $700 per evening. When you select a club-level room or suite, particularly one with a premium view of Downtown Disney, count on the value to extend rapidly.
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Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa
Of the three Disneyland motels, this one is the closest to the parks. As such, it is also the costliest. Commonplace rooms normally price no less than $700 per evening (and, on peak dates, can method or exceed $1,000).
One of many Grand Californian’s largest attracts is its unique entry to Disney California Journey Park. As a result of the property has a non-public entrance and is related to the park, you may typically get inside in a matter of minutes.
Moreover, you may make the most of a lot of high-end perks, together with a spa, room service and personal cabana leases close to two of the resort’s three swimming pools. It is the best choice if you wish to get a dose of luxurious and be as near the parks as humanly doable — with none issues about price.
Pixar Place Resort
Early 2024 marked the tip of a significant refurbishment that introduced a completely new design to the property previously often called Disney’s Paradise Pier Resort. Now rebranded because the Pixar Place Resort, the property has rooms that includes characters just like the Incredibles, a meet-and-greet with Bing Bong from “Inside Out” and a rooftop pool deck with a “Discovering Nemo”-themed waterslide and splash pad.
One other beneficial resort amenity is the resort’s personal walkway and entrance into the Paradise Gardens space of Disney California Journey Park. It is not as shut or as direct because the Grand Californian’s personal entrance, however it considerably cuts down on strolling time from the parks. The resort lately added a brand new concierge lounge as effectively.
Pixar Place remains to be essentially the most inexpensive of Disneyland’s motels, however the renovation naturally ushered in larger costs than the resort commanded a couple of years in the past. Room charges sometimes begin round $450 per evening.
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Finest off-property Disneyland motels
For friends sticking to a tighter finances, there are numerous off-property motels near Disneyland.
I personally favor to remain within the motels on Harbor Boulevard throughout from the Disneyland pedestrian entrance. Because of the format of the crosswalks and freeways, these properties are the most walkable motels to Disneyland.
Nevertheless, there are different lodging choices accessible, together with some which can be accessible from the parks by way of a resort shuttle or a brief journey on Anaheim Resort Transportation, a neighborhood transit system.
Fairfield Anaheim Resort
The Fairfield Anaheim Resort is the resort my household stays at most steadily throughout journeys to Disneyland. Situated on Harbor Boulevard, it is lower than a 10-minute stroll from the parks. The rooms have been renovated comparatively lately, and lots of provide colourful and themed decor.
In contrast to most Fairfield Inns, this location doesn’t provide free breakfast; nevertheless, there is a McDonald’s subsequent door that has develop into my go-to spot for an inexpensive and fast chunk earlier than hitting the parks.
Room charges at this Marriott outpost usually hover between $200 and $250 per evening. Or, you should utilize 30,000 to 59,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors to cowl the price of an ordinary room.
Since there are occasions when you may rating a room for lower than 35,000 factors, this resort is a well-liked possibility for holders of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Categorical® Card. That is as a result of these playing cards award a complimentary evening price as much as 35,000 factors yearly on the account anniversary. For nights that price greater than 35,000 factors, you may add as much as 15,000 factors to the certificates to make up the distinction.
Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is among the nicest and closest off-property motels for households. It has a full water park on-site, making the pool space rival even the perfect on-property resort pool (the Monorail Pool on the Disneyland Resort). Plus, the resort is roughly a 10-minute stroll from Disneyland.
Rooms are a significant improve from what you may count on from a Courtyard; the distinctive layouts provide worth to bigger households which may in any other case want to order two resort rooms. Each room sleeps no less than six folks, with customary choices that includes two queen-size beds and a bunk mattress with two twin beds. Rooms have an extra-large toilet with each a bathe and a tub-shower mixture.
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Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance in California. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Resulting from its location and above-average rooms and facilities, money charges at this property are larger than what chances are you’ll be used to paying at different Courtyard places and even at many different Marriott-branded motels in Anaheim. Commonplace rooms normally price between $200 and $550 per evening. Rooms accessible on factors are tougher to return by, however when accessible, they’re a reasonably expensive redemption possibility at 73,000 to 98,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
The Westin Anaheim Resort
One of many newer choices on the block, The Westin Anaheim Resort (which opened in 2021) is ideally located for theme park visits. This resort is close to the nook of Disneyland Drive and West Katella Avenue, which locations it proper behind the Pixar Pier space of Disney California Journey Park. The truth is, you may have a pleasant view of the Incredicoaster from the resort’s rooftop.
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Whereas The Westin Anaheim could have been designed with the conference crowd in thoughts, its membership lounge, on-site restaurant and proximity to Disneyland may work for households seeking to put their Marriott factors and perks to good use whereas at Disney. Plus, choose customary rooms come outfitted with two queen-size beds and a shower-tub mixture, so you may have the fundamentals to maintain you comfy whereas on trip.
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Relying on the dates of your keep, you may count on to pay $270 to greater than $450 per evening for the standard room right here. When you’d moderately use factors, you may money in between 52,000 and 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors for an entry-level room.
JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort
One other relative newcomer to the scene, the JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort opened in 2020. It would not provide your typical Disneyland resort conveniences (comparable to waterslides and character-themed rooms), however it affords an opportunity to make use of factors and revel in a contact of luxurious after a full day within the parks.
Right here, you may discover a rooftop pool with cabanas and visitor rooms in a impartial coloration palette with one king or two queen beds. Moreover, there are stylish meals and beverage retailers like an Italian steakhouse and a rooftop bar with panoramic metropolis views.
The resort has a relaxed but upscale vibe. When deciding whether or not that is the fitting Disneyland-area resort for you, know that its location is just not the perfect for a extremely park-focused journey. Map it out and resolve accordingly.
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This JW Marriott does provide room charges which can be simpler to abdomen. To order a room, you may sometimes pay between $215 and $400 or use 50,000 to 90,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening. That is typically lower than the Courtyard, largely due to the distinction in location (and the shortage of a water park).
Cambria Resort & Suites Anaheim Resort Space
One other newer addition to the checklist of points-friendly motels close to Disneyland, the Cambria Resort & Suites Anaheim Resort Space affords a slew of facilities and aggressive pricing that assist make up for its lack of a very walkable location for park visits.
There’s a plethora of lodging varieties, together with customary rooms with two showers and a bathtub and suites that may sleep as much as 11 folks. Moreover, friends have entry to an on-site water park with 30,000 sq. ft of waterslides, play areas and extra. There is a film wall for poolside screenings. Plus, you may take pleasure in a complimentary scorching breakfast each day.
Room charges at this Alternative Accommodations-affiliated property price $125 to $400 per evening (normally lower than $200 an evening when booked a couple of weeks prematurely) or 25,000 to 35,000 Alternative Privileges factors per evening. When you do resolve to make use of factors, needless to say Alternative typically helps you to e book a number of sorts of lodging for a similar worth, so that you could possibly rating a one-bedroom suite for a similar worth as an ordinary room.
Hyatt Home at Anaheim Resort/Conference Middle
Located by Anaheim’s conference middle, a few 15-minute stroll from Disneyland’s gates, this property is simply shut sufficient to keep away from utilizing transportation on theme park days.
What makes the Hyatt Home at Anaheim Resort/Conference Middle a sensible selection for households is its customary Hyatt Home format: Commonplace rooms include microwaves and both two queen beds or a king mattress plus a sleeper couch. Suite choices vary from one-bedroom suites with full kitchens to household suites with bunk beds. Like at different Hyatt Home properties, all friends additionally obtain free each day breakfast.
Whereas charges for normal rooms might be as a lot as $400 per evening, usually you may discover that you will have to pay within the low $200s to remain right here. You may also use 12,000 to 18,000 World of Hyatt factors to cowl your keep.
It’s possible you’ll be tempted to mattress down on the close by Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort/Conference Middle, because it affords barely decrease money costs (however not factors charges). Nevertheless, its location is inferior, so you may seemingly discover that the Hyatt Home gives a greater total worth. In case you have a couple of Hyatt Class 1-4 award certificates from the World of Hyatt Credit score Card, think about using them to pay on your keep.
Vacation Inn Categorical & Suites Anaheim Resort Space
This IHG-affiliated resort is a few 15-minute stroll from Disneyland and has many facilities that enchantment to households. The Vacation Inn Categorical & Suites Anaheim Resort Space has a complimentary breakfast buffet and a fundamental pool with a small splash pad for youthful youngsters. Plus, every visitor room is provided with a minifridge, a microwave, a tub and a settee mattress.
Money costs for normal rooms normally fall between $200 and $350 per evening, whereas award nights will set you again 34,000 to 86,000 IHG One Rewards factors per evening. This is among the few motels within the Disneyland space that has dropped a few of its factors costs of late, so it might provide extra worth for upcoming dates than different motels may.
Do you have to resolve to make use of IHG factors to remain right here, keep in mind that the fourth award evening is included for friends with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card.
Howard Johnson Anaheim Resort & Water Playground
Wyndham Rewards is a program that many resort loyalty program customers overlook, however the Howard Johnson Anaheim Resort & Water Playground is one property that ought to make you pay nearer consideration.
The resort lately renovated a number of buildings, so in case you e book a keep in one of many newly reworked rooms, you may take pleasure in a midcentury trendy vibe that additionally feels contemporary and up to date.
The resort’s new Home of the Retro Future Suite seems notably lovely in case you want to totally lean into the property’s retro-cool aesthetic. Do not forget to take a look at the on-site water playground, which is among the greatest selections inside strolling distance of the parks for households with youthful youngsters.
Rooms on the HoJo Anaheim are sometimes priced between $200 and $400 an evening, making this resort comparably priced to different off-property TPG picks. Or, you would money in 30,000 Wyndham Rewards factors to cowl the price of an evening.
Rooms in all of the buildings (together with the renovated rooms that price extra when booked with money) are charged on the identical award price. So, use your factors for the newer rooms when accessible.
In case you have your coronary heart set on staying right here, know that this resort has a reasonably loyal following due to its lengthy historical past. It tends to e book up earlier than different comparable motels within the space may.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort
Tucked behind the Courtyard and solely about an additional two-minute stroll from the park is a more recent property that usually goes a bit unnoticed. The Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort has rooms that sleep as much as six with kitchenettes and affords entry to a free scorching breakfast and a cute and colourful splash pad and pool. These facilities make it a contender for households or bigger teams.
Room charges run about $200 to $350 per evening. If you’re trying to make use of Hilton Honors factors for a Disney trip, you may redeem 60,000 Hilton Honors factors for an evening’s keep.
Be aware that the resort’s constructing is technically two motels in a single, because the Hilton Backyard Inn Anaheim Resort is right here as effectively. Costs for each motels are typically in the identical ballpark, with the Home2 Suites providing somewhat extra bang for a similar buck on most dates. As all the time, I like to recommend evaluating costs on your personal particular journey dates.
Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Conference Middle
Just like the Courtyard close by, the Residence Inn at Anaheim Resort/Conference Middle delivers greater than what most Marriott loyalists may count on from an ordinary Residence Inn. The property feels very contemporary and clear, with trendy styling and extra facilities than are customary for the model. Simply watch out to not confuse it with a equally named Residence Inn in neighboring Backyard Grove, California, which is not inside strolling distance.
The resort has a lot of suite lodging accessible, however the standout for household vacationers is the Children Suite. This two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite has vivid and colourful theming, in addition to a singular bunk mattress configuration. The rooftop pool and splash pad are additionally extremely interesting.
Money costs for normal studio suites that sleep 4 are $215 to $400 per evening. Friends redeeming Marriott factors can discover redemption charges between 46,000 and 73,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening. Meaning you can sometimes redeem a 85,000-point free evening certificates, just like the one supplied yearly with the Marriott Bonvoy Good® American Categorical® Card, for an evening’s keep right here.
Be aware that one-bedroom suites are sometimes supplied on the identical factors redemption worth as studio suites (although money costs are virtually all the time larger), so you may doubtlessly unlock some further worth when redeeming factors for a keep.
For charges and charges of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.
For rewards and advantages of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.
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