Hi there Shannon, and welcome to planDisney!
Thanks for sending your vacation planning question our way. I'm passionate about everything related to Disney vacations, but I'm especially enthusiastic about the resorts. They offer the intangible benefit of Disney magic that I haven't found in any other hotel experience. I'm happy to share the
concrete perks and the things I love most about the three incredible hotels of the
Disneyland Resort.
Early Entry Benefit allows guests of
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa,
Disneyland Hotel, and
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel to enter a designated theme park 30 minutes early each day. It's undeniably valuable, and my family took advantage of this every day during our most recent vacation. In
Disneyland Park, we used this time to experience nearly every ride in Fantasyland. The next day in
Disney California Adventure Park, we started the morning with Star-Lord and his crew on
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! and then dropped in on Peter Parker at
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, all before the regular theme park opening. To maximize this benefit, I recommend arriving at security at least 30 minutes before Early Entry.
In addition to Early Entry, Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests enjoy the convenience of charging purchases and dining to their room using the
Disneyland mobile app. I appreciate using my mobile device for as many tasks as possible; I can carry less in my bag and have room for more souvenirs! Speaking of convenience, with online check-in and digital key features, Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests save time going
directly to their rooms upon arrival. Your magical vacation begins as soon as you walk into your hotel!
You mentioned proximity to the theme parks as another Disneyland Resort Hotel benefit, and this is such a fantastic feature for my family. Last summer, we enjoyed
World of Color - ONE in
Pixar Pier, and we were back in our room at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa within ten minutes of the show's conclusion. With two tired Mouseketeers, this was priceless.
I hope this helps you understand what my family loves so much about the Disneyland Resort Hotels. While our time in the theme parks is always precious, some of our most memorable moments have happened in the resorts. Whether it's a pool party with Mickey Mouse and his pals or a Cast Member going out of their way to make our stay just a bit more magical, the experience of staying in a Disney Resort is unmatched. Best wishes for an enchanting vacation, and we can't wait to welcome you to the Happiest Place on Earth soon.
Betsy