Hi there, Kendra! Welcome to planDisney! I’m thrilled to hear you’re planning a Disneyland vacation with your 3-year-old! Both
Pixar Place Hotel and Disneyland Hotel are awesome choices, but if it were me, I’d lean toward
Disneyland Hotel.
There’s just something so special and nostalgic about staying at Disneyland Hotel. I think your little one will love all of the Disney magic throughout the hotel, and the
pool area is a big bonus! The Monorail Pool and splash area are perfect for little ones, especially when you need a break from the parks and want to let them have some fun back at the hotel. When we stayed at Disneyland Hotel with our toddler,
Tangaroa Terrace was our go-to pick for relaxing by the pool with delicious food and drinks.
I also love the location of Disneyland Hotel. You can walk through Downtown Disney on your way to the parks, which makes getting back and forth so easy. As a toddler mom myself, I’m all about convenience. Of course, staying on property means my husband and I don’t need to deal with the tram and the stroller if we’re parking in the garage like a typical Disneyland visit. With a 3-year-old, I think that convenience is especially important when those little legs start getting tired after a busy day! If your little one is still a napper like mine, the quick walk back to the hotel room for an afternoon nap makes for a better evening for us all!
When it comes to the best rate, I’d definitely recommend comparing the prices for both hotels for your specific dates. If the difference is small, I’d choose Disneyland Hotel for the location, convenience, and extra Disney magic. If you find a much better rate at Pixar Place Hotel, though, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there either. It’s a fantastic option and would be especially fun for a little Pixar fan. My little guy would be thrilled seeing his favorite characters, especially Lightning McQueen, throughout the hotel!
Kendra, thank you so much for visiting planDisney. I hope this helps you decide where to make your home away from home! If you have any more questions while planning your magical visit, planDisney is here for you.
With a Sprinkle of Pixie Dust,
Bev