How to Choose a Resort for Your Disneyland Vacation

If you’re coming to Disneyland after years of Walt Disney World trips, the first thing you’ll notice is this:

Disneyland is small, but mighty.

Everything is closer. The parks, the hotels, Downtown Disney. It all sits together in a way that feels intentional and easy. I couldn’t love it more! That one difference changes how you think about where to stay and makes planning feel refreshingly simple.

Disney World will always have my heart – but the magic, the history, and the nostalgia what oozes out of Disneyland can’t be beat.

If this is your first time at Disneyland and you’re already familiar with Disney World, you don’t need to relearn Disney. You just need to understand how this version works. I break that down more fully in my Disneyland vs. Disney World comparison post, which is a helpful place to start.

Now let’s talk about where to stay.

Staying on Property at Disneyland

Disneyland has just three Disney-owned hotels, and all of them are within walking distance of the parks. No buses. No Skyliner. No transportation schedules to plan around.

There IS a Monorail (the original!), but it runs from Downtown Disney into Disneyland, not directly from resorts as it does at Disney World.

You walk. You go through security. You’re in.

Guests staying on property also use dedicated security entrances, which often means a quicker and easier start to the day. It’s a small perk that makes a noticeable difference.

And of course, the theming is excellent.

Pixar Place Hotel

If you love Pixar, don’t skip this one.

Pixar Place Hotel goes all in on its theme. The colors are bold, the details are playful, and the entire resort feels energetic and fun. It’s especially popular with families who want the hotel itself to feel like part of the experience, not just a place to sleep.

One of my favorite details is how alive the lobby feels. Fun Fact: Joe Gardner from Soul is known to sit down at the piano, filling the space with music, and you can sometimes spot Bing Bong making an appearance in the lobby as well. These little moments make the hotel feel immersive in the way a Good Neighbor hotel could not.

The pool area is a standout. The Pixel Pool is bright and lively, and the 186-foot-long Crush’s Surfin’ Slide, inspired by Finding Nemo, is a hit with kids. Younger guests can splash around at Nemo’s Cove, while adults can relax in the nearby whirlpool.

Restaurants at Pixar Place Hotel include:

Great Maple (table service)
Pixel Café (quick service)

The Pixar theme here is big, colorful, and joyful. If (you or) your kids love Pixar characters, this hotel delivers from morning to night. Also two words – rooftop. pool.

Disneyland Hotel

This is classic Disneyland, with a lot more going on than you might expect.

The Disneyland Hotel is made up of three main towers, plus the newer DVC tower, and each one has its own personality. Where you stay here really does shape your experience. While I have a personal favorite, they really are all a win!

Fantasy Tower
This is the main hub of the hotel and home to the primary lobby. It has the most activity around it and is ideal if you like a lively atmosphere. Goofy’s Kitchen is right next door for character dining, the coffee shop is close by, and this is also where you’ll find the hotel’s shopping. Views are typically of the pool area or parking lot.
Adventure Tower
Located between Fantasy and Frontier, this tower has a smaller lobby but some of the best views, often overlooking Downtown Disney or the pool. Club Level guests here can access the High Key Club, which offers food, drinks, and a great spot for fireworks viewing with music.
Frontier Tower
This is the quietest tower and where I stayed on my first official visit to Disneyland. It also houses a large, detailed model of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad that’s worth stopping to see. Frontier Tower is the only tower with balconies. They’re rare, but a great bonus if available.
Discovery Tower
The newest DVC tower brings a more modern feel while still fitting seamlessly into the overall Disneyland Hotel experience.

Inside the rooms, you’ll find subtle Mickey Mouse touches throughout the décor, along with the iconic beds featuring headboards that light up and play music. It’s a detail that delights guests of all ages.

Beyond the rooms, the hotel offers washcloth creations classes, similar to cruise towel animals, but hotel-style. You even get to take your creation home. There’s also a guided walking tour of the hotel for guests who enjoy learning a bit of Disneyland history.

And then there’s the pool…

The E-Ticket Pool is expansive and full of nostalgic fun. The Monorail Pool features two winding slides modeled after the original Mark I Monorail trains, along with a smaller two-lane slide for younger kids. Pop jets, fountains, and a waterfall keep the area lively, and a vintage-style Disneyland sign ties it all together. This pool area is larger and offers more variety than the pool at the Grand Californian, making it a favorite for families.

Restaurants at the Disneyland Hotel include:

Goofy’s Kitchen
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar (the original location)
Tangaroa Terrace

A quick note on Trader Sam’s: this is the original, and while it’s iconic, it’s larger and less intimate than the version inside Disney World’s Polynesian. If you’re familiar with that experience, this one feels calmer and more spacious. Learn more about the Disney World’s Trader Sam’s at the Polynesian resort in the Monorail Bar Crawl post.

This hotel blends nostalgia, fun activities, great dining, and one of the best pool areas at Disneyland. Adventure Tower is my personal fave – most rooms will give you a view of the fireworks from the park and a look over Downtown Disney!

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

The Grand Californian is all about Craftsman-style design, and you feel it immediately. But if you’re like me you have no idea what “Craftsman-style” actually means.

Fireplaces, exposed wood beams, stained glass, and warm, earthy tones define the space. The lobby is large but intentionally cozy, with plenty of inviting corners where you can curl up, relax, and slow down. It’s calm, grounded, and feels like a retreat from the parks without ever feeling far away.

This is the largest of the three Disneyland hotels, with room to spread out and a more relaxed pace overall. The pool area includes cabanas, generous seating, and space for kids to play while adults unwind.

Club Level guests can access a two-story lounge, which feels elevated but comfortable and provides a great place to recharge throughout the day.

One of the most convenient features of this hotel is its direct entrance into Disney California Adventure, making midday breaks especially easy.

Restaurants at the Grand Californian include:

Napa Rose
GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill
Hearthstone Lounge

If you love a lodge-style resort with a calm, upscale atmosphere, this is a great fit. The view to the pool and into the parks from the balconies at this resort are so special!

What About Good Neighbor Hotels?

This is where Disneyland really differs from Disney World.

At Disney World, staying off property can feel like a tradeoff. At Disneyland, it usually doesn’t. Many Good Neighbor hotels are just as walkable as Disney-owned hotels, and some are even closer to the park entrances.

Disney does offer one perk to on property guests – a free Lightning Lane during their stay. Just one. The main difference comes down to theming. Disney hotels surround you with story. Good Neighbor hotels focus more on comfort and location.

At Disneyland, location matters most.

If you want more help deciding where to stay near Disneyland, this is often the section that makes things click – still can’t decide, let me help.

Good Neighbor Hotels I Often Recommend

Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel
A longtime favorite for families who want space and an easy walk to the parks.
Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance (Marriott)
A great option for families who prefer newer rooms and thoughtful layouts.
Best Western Plus Park Place Inn & Mini Suites
One of the closest hotels to the park gates and a very convenient choice.
Candy Cane Inn
Smaller, charming, and a favorite among repeat Disneyland visitors.

Staying off property at Disneyland doesn’t pull you out of the experience. You’re still right there, every step of the way.

So… Which Should You Choose?

At Disneyland, choosing a hotel is less about logistics and more about preference.

Do you want full Disney theming from morning to night?
Do you want the shortest possible walks?
Do you want your hotel to feel like part of the story or simply a great place to land?

There’s no wrong answer. Disneyland makes the decision easier, not harder.

A Quick Disneyland Hotel Comparison

If you’ve read this far and are thinking, okay, but how do these really compare? this helps.Here’s a quick side-by-side look at the main Disneyland hotel options, including on-property resorts and nearby Good Neighbor hotels, to help you see what fits your travel style best.

HOTEL	BEST FOR	WALKABILITY	ATMOSPHERE	STANDOUT FEATURE
Pixar Place Hotel	Families and Pixar fans	Walkable to the parks	Bright, playful, bold Pixar theming	Pixel Pool, Crush’s Surfin’ Slide, character moments
Disneyland Hotel	Nostalgia lovers and first-timers	Walkable to the parks	Classic Disneyland history	Monorail Pool, themed towers, iconic headboards
Grand Californian Hotel & Spa	Guests wanting luxury and calm	Direct access to Disney California Adventure	Craftsman-style lodge	Private park entrance, cozy lobby, two-story club lounge
Good Neighbor Hotels	Flexible travelers who prioritize location	Often walkable to park entrances	Comfortable, familiar hotel styles	Close proximity to the parks