Aloha, George, and welcome to planDisney!
I'm very excited for you to be taking a trip to the Disneyland Resort early next year and love how far in advance you're planning! I'd be happy to help answer your question so you know what to expect as your vacation gets closer.
Guests are currently able to book a Disneyland Resort Hotel through the end of 2024. Historically, Disneyland Resort Vacation Packages and room only hotel reservations have been released in the latter half of August/early September for bookings through the following year. I would recommend following the Disney Parks Blog because usually the announcement will drop there first. Last year, reservations for Walt Disney World Resort opened up first before Disneyland Resort.
Once those hotel reservations are made, don't forget to purchase your Theme Park Tickets as well. Park reservations are released on a rolling basis 180 days in advance, so be sure to mark that date so you can secure yours. Dining reservations can be made 60 days in advance, so you have a little more time to decide on restaurant choices.
Have you decided on where you'd like to stay? You can't go wrong with any of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels and I've enjoyed my time with all of them. Here are some of my thoughts:
- Pixar Place Hotel: By the time you visit, it will have been one year since its grand opening and reimagining as the Pixar Place Hotel. The lobby is gorgeous and I love all the whimsical details which will cater to any Pixar fan. Guests of this hotel have their very own private entrance into Disney California Adventure which makes it so convenient to return to your room.
- Disneyland Hotel: I'm a big history buff, so this is my favorite property. The grounds are wonderful and Goofy's Kitchen is one of my favorite character meals. The tropical atmosphere of Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill and Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar might make you feel like you're back on the Islands! The courtyard between the Towers is a wonderful area to just stroll and enjoy the grounds.
- Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa: If you want to feel like you've left the Islands and are staying in a luxury accommodation with Craftsman style architecture, then this is your place. It's the closest property to both Parks and the grand lobby is stunningly beautiful. My kids and I love just relaxing in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate from the GCH Craftsman Grill.
Fun Fact: The Disneyland Hotel's history extends almost as far back as Disneyland Park's. Back in the 1980s, there was an entire lagoon with an underwater video arcade called Atari Adventure located in the middle of the Seaports of the Pacific, a South Seas themed shopping district! There were even remote control boats that you could pilot on the lagoon.
As you can tell, I love all three hotels in different ways and I'm excited for you to get to choose one of them. I hope that this was helpful for you, George, and that you have fun planning your trip! We'd love to continue being involved, so please write back to me or any of my pals at planDisney for help. Until next time!
Wishing You a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow!
-Al