Deciding whether to stay at one of the official Disneyland hotels or at an off-site hotel nearby is an important decision that can significantly impact your vacation budget and experience. Here is an in-depth guide to weighing the pros and cons of staying on-site vs. off-site for families visiting Disneyland.
Do Visitor Prefer On-Site or Off-Site?
That’s a tough question to answer, it seems there is a mix of people who choose to stay on-site at the Disneyland Resort hotels versus off-site at nearby “Good Neighbor” hotels. Here’s a quick summary:
The main benefits of staying on-site at Disneyland’s 3 hotels (Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier (Pixar Pier)) are:
- Immersive Disney theming and nostalgia
- Early entry into theme parks (30 mins before opening)
- Merchandise delivery to hotel room
- Charging privileges to hotel room
However, on-site hotels cost a premium, with rates starting around $300/night. In contrast, nearby off-site hotels offer significant savings, often bigger rooms for families, free amenities like breakfast/parking, and sometimes even closer proximity to the park gates than Disneyland’s own hotels. According to the sources, “most families find the best balance is staying off-site and using those cost savings to splurge on extras in the parks.” But die-hard Disney fans may want to stay on-site once for the fairy tale experience. So in summary – a mix of on-site and off-site, with a lean towards off-site for the cost savings for most families. But on-site for those who value the immersion and early entry perks.
On-Site Disneyland Hotels
There are three Disney-owned hotels located right at the Disneyland Resort complex:
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – The most luxurious and expensive option at over $600/night. Craftsman-style theming, located directly adjacent to Disney California Adventure Park.
Disneyland Hotel – Recently renovated tower hotel with modern Disney theming. Standard rooms start around $450/night. Closest hotel to Downtown Disney.
Paradise Pier Hotel – Most affordable Disney-owned option with rates from $339/night. Beach boardwalk theme and rooftop pool with views into Disney’s California Adventure.
The biggest perks of staying on-site at a Disneyland Resort hotel include:
- Immersed in Disney theming and atmosphere
- Early theme park entry – access to one park 30 minutes before official opening time
- Package delivery to your hotel room
- Charging privileges to your room at stores and restaurants inside the parks and hotels
- Walking distance to parks and Downtown Disney
However, staying on-site comes at a premium price point. Even during discounted seasons, expect to spend at least $300 per night for a standard room.
Off-Site Hotels Near Disneyland
There are dozens of “Good Neighbor” hotels located within easy walking distance to the Disneyland Resort complex. Here are some of the closest and best-rated options:
Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance – Literally across the street from Disneyland’s entrance. Modern rooms and pool. Rates from $229/night.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Anaheim – Located on Harbor Blvd. less than 10 mins walk to Disneyland gates. Recently renovated rooms have mini-fridges and microwaves. Prices around $170/night.
Tropicana Inn & Suites – Also on Harbor Blvd. within a 5-minute walk to Disneyland entrance. Offers family suites, free breakfast and parking. Around $150/night.
Howard Johnson Anaheim – Just a 2-minute walk to Disneyland entrance, features new water play area and themed kids suites. Rates from $120/night.
Desert Palms Hotel – 6-10 minute walk down Disneyland Dr. to park gates. Family suites with bunk beds available. Complimentary breakfast buffet. Around $140/night.
The biggest advantages of staying off-site, close to Disneyland are:
- Significant cost savings compared to on-site hotels
- Larger rooms and suites, often available for families
- Complimentary amenities like free breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi
- Closer proximity to park entrance than Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier Hotel
However, off-site hotels don’t provide the complete Disney immersion experience or perks like early park entry.
On-Site vs. Off-Site Comparison
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the main pros and cons of staying on-site at Disneyland vs. staying off-site at a close Good Neighbor hotel:
On-Site Pros
- Immersed in Disney theming and nostalgia
- Early entry to theme park (30 minutes before official opening time)
- Package delivery to hotel room
- Charging privileges to hotel room
On-Site Cons
- Premium price point – Rooms start around $300/night
- Limited benefits compared to Walt Disney World on-site hotels
- Farther away from park gates than some off-site hotels
Off-Site Pros
- Significant savings over on-site hotels
- Bigger rooms and family suites
- Free amenities like breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi
- Often closer proximity to park gates
Off-Site Cons
- Miss out on some Disney magic and immersion
- No early theme park entry benefit
Best Hotels for Families By Price
Here are my top-recommended hotels for families visiting Disneyland, broken down by budget price point:
Under $150/night:
- Howard Johnson Anaheim – The best value under $150/night and only 2 minutes from Disneyland’s entrance. Offers themed bunk bed kids suites.
- Desert Palms Hotel – Affordable rates from $140/night. Family suites with bunk beds and free breakfast buffet.
$150 – $200/night
- Tropicana Inn & Suites – Harbor Blvd. location 5 mins walk to Disneyland gates. Family suites, free breakfast and parking.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites – Recently updated rooms with fridges & microwaves. Less than 10 minute walk down Harbor Blvd. to Disneyland entrance.
$200 – $300/night
- Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance – Literally across the street from Disneyland entrance. Nice pool and restaurant onsite.
- Paradise Pier Hotel – Most affordable Disney-owned option. Beach theme with rooftop pool and views into California Adventure park.
Transportation For Off-Site Hotels
For those who choose to stay on-site, the walk into the Parks is only a few minutes. For those who stay off-site, it can be a bit more than that. Here’s a list of transportation options for those not staying on property:
- Hotel Shuttles: Some nearby hotels offer free or low-cost shuttles to and from the Disneyland Resort. These include the ART (Anaheim Resort Transportation) and PCA shuttles. They make regular stops at hotels and drop off near the park entrance.
- Ride Sharing: Services like Uber and Lyft can provide transportation on-demand. This is quicker than shuttles but costs more. Taxis are also an option.
- Walking: For hotels located very close by, walking is an affordable option. The walk can be under 10 minutes from some nearby hotels.
- Car Rental: Renting a car is not very cost-effective just for Disneyland transportation. Other options like shuttles and ride-sharing are cheaper for airport transfers or park transportation.
- Public Transportation: There are some public bus routes that serve the Disneyland Resort area from around Anaheim. These can take more time but cost only a few dollars.
The best and cheapest options are typically the hotel shuttles or walking from nearby hotels. Shuttles run regularly on park operating days, and walking allows you to avoid any transportation costs.
Shuttle Service
Some of the most popular shuttle services for getting to Disneyland from an off-site hotel include:
- Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) – This is the main shuttle service used by many “Good Neighbor” hotels near Disneyland. It offers regular routes with stops at various hotels and transportation hubs near the parks.
- Park Vue Inn Shuttle – This hotel provides a complimentary shuttle running to and from Disneyland during park operating hours.
- Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel Shuttle – Also known as the “Dream Machine”, this free hotel shuttle takes guests to and from Disneyland, with rides lasting 6-10 minutes.
- Hyatt Regency Orange County Shuttle – This hotel provides a dedicated, private shuttle to Disneyland parks and the Anaheim Convention Center.
- Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance Shuttle – Located right across the street from Disneyland, this hotel offers a $6 round-trip shuttle service to the park entrance.
The most convenient and affordable options are typically the ART shuttles that make stops at various hotels, or the handful of hotels that offer complimentary shuttles, like the Park Vue Inn and Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel.
How Often Do The Shuttles Come?
Shuttle services from off-site hotels to Disneyland typically run very frequently, with buses departing every 20-45 minutes.
- Shuttles start running about 1 hour before park opening and stop 30-60 minutes after park closing (so they operate during full park hours).
- Major shuttle services like Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) have buses departing every 20 minutes at peak times.
- Some hotel-specific shuttles may be less frequent, running every 30-45 minutes.
- Frequency also depends on demand – more shuttles are deployed during busy times versus slower periods.
In general, shuttles offer very convenient service given how often they depart hotels for the short ride to Disneyland and back. Wait times are usually minimal, with a bus coming every 20 minutes or less from most hotels. This makes shuttles a reliable way to get to the parks.
Use Savings On A Better Park Experience
Guests who stay at off-site hotels near Disneyland can use their cost savings in the following ways:
- Purchase discounted multi-day park tickets and vacation packages – Many off-site hotels offer bundles with park tickets, dining, and merchandise vouchers. This allows guests to save on tickets.
- Pay for upgrades and extras in the parks – With lower hotel costs, guests can use those savings towards extras like Genie+, character dining, souvenirs, or premium experiences.
- Stock up on affordable food/drinks – Guests can stop at nearby stores like Target (nearest location is 1.5 miles away), Walmart (nearest location is 1 mile away), or Costco (nearest location is 4 miles away) to purchase snacks, water, and other food to bring into the parks. This saves money compared to eating all meals inside Disneyland.
- Cover transportation costs – The savings can be used towards shuttle services, ride shares, or even a private car service to and from the airport. This makes staying off-site more affordable.
- Do laundry if staying multiple days – Nearby laundry facilities allow guests staying a week or more to wash clothes for less than using Disneyland hotel services.
The key is to leverage the lower hotel rates to pay for add-ons that enhance the theme park experience or cover other travel costs. Wise spending of savings is crucial to maximize value of an off-site Disneyland stay.
Hotel Savings
On-Site Disneyland Hotel Savings:
- Up to 20% off standard rooms at Disneyland Resort hotels for most Sunday-Thursday nights from January 15 – March 7, 2024 (book by March 7)
- Up to 15% off at Grand Californian Hotel for Disney Visa cardholders (book by Dec 11, travel by Dec 22, 2023)
- Up to 10-15% off at Paradise Pier Hotel for Disney Visa cardholders (book by Dec 11, travel by Dec 22, 2023)
Off-Site “Good Neighbor” Hotel Packages:
- Can bundle hotel stay with discounted park tickets and get a voucher for dining/merchandise savings
- Nearby hotels often cheaper than on-site (rates starting around $120-170/night)
- Bigger rooms and suites available for families
- Free amenities like breakfast, parking, WiFi
- Use savings on things like Genie+ or Park dining and shopping
Should You Stay On-Site or Off-Site?
The best option comes down to your budget and preferences. Staying on-site provides a premium Disney-immersive experience but at a much higher cost. Nearby off-site Good Neighbor hotels allow families to save significantly while still being within an easy walk of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Most families find the best balance is staying off-site and using those cost savings to splurge on extras in the parks like character dining or souvenirs. But die-hard Disney fans may want to stay on-site at least once to treat themselves to that fairy tale experience. No matter where you decide to rest your head, the Disneyland magic is waiting right around the corner!
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