dlr destinations 02; Asian Family; Siblings; daughter; son; mom; dad
  • On Feb 4, 2026
    Leasa from NC Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Are the benefits worth staying on Disneyland property?

    Hello and welcome to planDisney, Leasa. We're so glad you're here to share this question with us. I'm so excited to hear that you're planning to visit the Disneyland Resort later this year. I can see you now, walking down Main Street, U.S.A. with Sleeping Beauty Castle in the distance. 

    For me, nothing beats staying in the magic at a Disneyland Resort hotel. Whenever I can make it work within my budget, I'll always try to stay on property - if this works for you, I say go for it! When you stay in the Disney bubble, you're as close as you can be to the parks. It's just a short walk (or even a direct entrance into Disney California Adventure Park when staying at the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa) or a whimsical monorail ride to one of the two theme parks.

    Another great perk when staying on property is the complimentary Lightning Lane entry that you receive as part of your stay. Each registered guest will receive one Lightning Lane entry that can be used for eligible attractions at any time during your resort stay. I recently returned from a visit and loved having this benefit. I'm not an early riser, so it was great to be able to use this at any point in my stay and at my leisure. No scheduling necessary, just scan your pass at the Lightning Lane entrance. Magic!

    There are also so many wonderful amenities at the resort itself. The pools are available to use on your day of check-in and check-out and all the time in between for some added relaxation. I mean, who doesn't want to zoom down that monorail slide at the E-Ticket Pool? There's also great dining options (some with the ability to mobile order) on site at all three hotels as well. I love being a mere elevator ride and a few steps away from a DOLE Whip when staying at the Disneyland Hotel. You also get preferred access to a limited number of reservations at select resort hotel table-service locations.

    Finally, there are myriad activities to explore at the hotels when taking a break from the theme parks. From fireworks viewing at Pixar Place Hotel to learning how to make fun creations from a washcloth. You're bound to find a fun-filled activity to fill your time. My husband and I joined the guided tour of the Disneyland Hotel during one of our stays and enjoyed it so much. 

    To wrap things up, it would be my wish for everyone to stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel at least once in their lifetime. Along with everything I've already shared and above all else, the level of service you'll experience from each and every magical Cast Member really tips the scales for me. If and when you decide to go for it, the next hardest decision to make will be which hotel to stay at. Be sure to check out and keep an eye on the Offers & Discounts page to see if any of the offerings will fit with your plans. 

    Leasa, I shared a lot of information here and hope that it's helpful as you're putting together your practically perfect Disneyland trip. If there's anything else that we can help with, please come back to visit us and feel free to message me directly. Until then, let the countdown to the magic begin. Here's wishing you a magical time at the Happiest Place on Earth!

    Michelle 
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Meet the Panelist: Michelle, Oregon

Hey everyone! I'm Michelle, a Disney loving adult from the Pacific Northwest who loves to travel. Whether I'm adventuring solo, teaming up with my pals and family or making sure my husband is getting the most of his visit with accessibility; I'm here to answer your questions and share that magical feeling you'll get when visiting the Disneyland Resort. Learn More About Michelle

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