Hi there, Rachael. Welcome to
planDisney! First off, you can’t go wrong if you end up at the
Disneyland Resort. You’ve already won! Good job. Both the Disneyland Resort Hotels and the Disney Good Neighbor Hotels have stellar reputations and are close to the parks. Special perks and magic should also be factored in when making your final decision.
Disney Good Neighbor Hotels are not on Disney property, but in the surrounding area of Anaheim. Some are within walking distance, and some may require a rideshare. A few of the hotels offer shuttle service to the esplanade of the parks. How can you figure this out? Go to the Good Neighbor page on the Disneyland website and use the various filters to select the hotel that best fits your needs. These hotels are a bit farther from the parks than the Disneyland Resort hotels, but the lost convenience is made up for in value.
Disneyland Resort Hotels don’t just come with special perks and the best location; they come with magic that is there when you put your head on the pillow at night and is there right when you wake up. The theming, character interactions, themed dining, pools, and waterslides (I’ve always wanted to slide down the Monorail water slides, but always end up staying at Disneyland Hotel in the Winter) simply can’t be beat. The perks for staying at one of the three Disney Resort Hotels are definitely a big part of the magic, too! Each guest receives one complimentary Lightning Lane ride per visit to get your day going. You’ll also have preferred access to dining reservations, which means you’re more likely to get the reservation you were hoping for!
The best part of all is the proximity.
Disney Grand Californian is the closest to the parks, a mere .2 miles from the north exit into Downtown Disney.
Disneyland Hotel and
Pixar Place are slightly farther from the main entrance, but not very far from the Downtown Disney Monorail Station, which will whisk you away to Tomorrowland inside Disneyland. Having your hotel just a short distance away allows you to pop back to your room for a rest or nap, which is really important if you have younger kids. If you’re like me and plan to go from rope drop to fireworks, the short walk at the end of the day is ideal.
As you can see, Rachael, there are a lot of priorities to balance when making the decision. One decision you don’t have to make is whether or not to book a
Disneyland Vacation Package - Disneyland Resort Hotels and Good Neighbor Hotels are both eligible! Book your room and park tickets at the same time to enjoy extra perks like 10% off at many participating dining and merchandise locations throughout the
Downtown Disney District and an exclusive Walt Disney Travel Company collectible pin and lanyard!
Rachael, if you have any other questions,
just let me know, and I’ll be happy to help. You're also always welcome at planDisney, so keep bringing us your planning questions. I hope your stay at the Disneyland Resort is filled with many magical memories.
Have a magical day!
Corey