Welcome to planDisney, Taryn!
I'm so excited to read that you are interested in staying at one of the
Disneyland Resort Hotels! Staying on property is a beautiful way to experience even more magic during your stay.
Although all three hotels are great for Guests of every and any age, I tend to recommend
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel for families with very young children (under 10), the
Disneyland Hotel for families with preteens and teenagers, and
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for families with kids in their late-teens or for an adults-only vacation, and here's why.
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, while considered on-property, is tucked away from a lot of the action. I find that makes the resort slightly quieter (perfect for kids that still nap) while still having rooms that offer gorgeous views of
Disney California Adventure Park. The resort hotel is also beach-themed. Little ones will feel right at home here with the fun decor and all the bright colors.
The Disneyland Hotel has a
fun pool with a Monorail waterslide, perfect for older kids and teenagers. This location is also great for kid-friendly food options, such as the
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill offering delicious DOLE whips and
Goofy's Kitchen for character dining.
The Grand Californian Resort & Spa does have great kid-friendly options like
Storytellers Cafe, but where this hotel excels, in my opinion, is the adult-friendly dining such as the
Napa Rose and the
Hearthstone Lounge, both of which are great for cocktails, wine, or beer. And teenagers really love staying here because of the proximity to the
Downtown Disney District, where they can grab an ice cream at
Salt & Straw or challenge one another at a game of bowling at
Splitsville Luxury Lanes.
Either way, you are going to have an incredible time at the Happiest Place on Earth. And don't forget to take some time to enjoy your room. All three resorts offer luxury amenities and the ambiance is worth saving some time to relax and enjoy.
Happy planning,
Lola