Hiya, Laura! We're so happy to have you here at planDisney! It sounds like you are looking to stay in the magic at the Happiest Place on Earth, which is one of my favorite ways to experience the Disneyland Resort. You've come to the right place for some guidance!
On the Disneyland website, you have the option of booking just a hotel room or a Disneyland Resort Vacation Package which includes both hotel accommodation along with theme park tickets. To book just the hotel room, open up the Disneyland Resort homepage and select the tab "
Places to Stay". Under the heading on the next page, you will be able to select your dates and add information about the number of Guests and ages, if you have children traveling with you. Once you tap "Find Hotels", you will see which Disneyland Resort Hotels have availability and the cost per night ... OR you can search the Good Neighbor Hotels, which are Disney-approved local accommodation options! It looks like from my initial search, there is availability at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel for that first week of May!
Once you select which hotel you would like to stay in, the next page will show you the room options available. You will be given the option to add theme park tickets, but you can select "No Ticket" if you would like to keep the reservation hotel only. At the time of booking, all reservations require a deposit of the first night's room rate in addition to any applicable taxes and fees. Cancellations will need to be made 5 or more days ahead of arrival for a full refund. If made less than 5 days, a refund will be issued minus the deposit of the first night's room rate.
Now ... let's get to the fun stuff! Where are you going to stay?! Each of the three hotels on property has that Disney-level service, but its own character and vibe.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is elegant from its sweeping hotel lobby to the Craftsman-style architecture and you can't beat having an exclusive entrance to Disney California Adventure Park! You are just steps from both parks and you might even get a view overlooking some of your favorite attractions.
While the
Disneyland Hotel is currently full on your arrival date, it is one of my absolute favorites. It's an homage to the early days of Disneyland Park from each of its three towers being themed to the original lands - Adventure, Frontier, and Fantasy - to the old pictures of Walt building his dream throughout the lobby. This is where you will find fan-favorite
Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar as well as Goofy's Kitchen. It's worth spending some time here even if you are not spending the night.
Goofy's Kitchen is a really good time if you're looking for some character dining!
Disney's
Paradise Pier Hotel is themed to the retro boardwalks and beach life of the 1920s ... and it has EPIC views of Disney California Adventure Park. During my last visit, I arrived at nightfall and my jaw hit the floor when I walked into my room and caught a glimpse of the sunset over the park! Currently, the pool at this hotel is under construction, but there is a speedy golf cart ready to take you over to the Disneyland Hotel where you are able to splish and splash to your heart's content.
Laura, I really hope this was helpful in your planning! If you have any more questions, you know where to find us!
Magic awaits!
Tara