Haven’t been to Disneyland yet? Well, now is the time to visit! While Disneyland does not get as crowded as Disney World in the summer, visiting in the Spring is a great time to enjoy minimal crowds and great California weather! We’ve got all the details you need to pick the Disney hotel that is right for you and your family!
There are three hotels adjacent to Disneyland: Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
The three hotels all share some great features for families including:
- large guest rooms (plus all offer suites and club-level rooms)
- multiple pools and waterslides
- kid-friendly features such as a movie-viewing room off of the lobby
- Disney-themed kids’ clubs
- Disney character dining so you can conveniently enjoy a meal with your favorite Disney pals
One of the best perks of staying at a Disneyland resort is exclusive access to Disneyland during Magic Mornings, which allows you to visit the park an hour before it opens to the public. And, if you are celebrating a special occasion during your visit, each hotel offers great Disney gifts and treats that can be delivered right to your room to surprise your guest of honor.
Paradise Pier Hotel is known to be the budget-friendly beach-themed resort at Disneyland. I recently stayed there with my children and was excited to check it out. I had stayed at the Disneyland Hotel before so I was eager to see the differences between the two hotels.
I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The staff was amazingly nice and friendly. The hotel is a bit smaller than the Disneyland Hotel but the rooms are very similar. Both hotels offer rooms with a king bed or 2 queen beds plus a convertible couch that turns into a twin making a great option for families. These rooms allow up to five people, which is rare to see at most hotels.
During our visit, the pool was closed for repair but it is a great option for families staying at the resort. With the great California weather, it is likely that you will be able to take advantage of the pool during your stay. Paradise Pier Hotel’s pool is located on the roof (making for a great spot to check out the nightly Disneyland fireworks) and has an awesome roller-coaster themed slide. Be sure to check out Flounder’s Fun ‘n Games Arcade located near the lobby. It has lots of great games for kids of all ages (and kids at heart!)
Although Paradise Pier Hotel is the farthest of the hotels from the Disneyland and California Adventure entrances, it is still an easy 10 minute walk.
Disneyland Hotel has recently undergone a two-year resort-wide renovation, boasting new rooms, three pools and more. Despite its modern upgrade, you will still find many throwback features that honor classic Disneyland.
Here is what I love about the remodel: In each renovated room, you will find a headboard decorated with Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Flip a switch and the castle will light up and play a classic Disney tune. Nothing is more magical than lying below the twinkling castle lights as you fall asleep at the happiest place on earth.
In addition to the room renovations, 3 new pools have been added. The Monorail pool includes two new waterslides that slide you through replicas of Disney’s original monorails. There is also a shallow splash area appropriate for even the youngest of guests. The two other pools- the D-Ticket and the E-Ticket pools- reference the tickets once needed for Disneyland visitors to enjoy the popular attractions at the park. All the pools have plenty of lifeguards to give you extra security but one downfall of the new design is that the pools are somewhat separated from each other. If you want to keep an eye on your kids, you will find yourself moving back and forth a lot and not able to watch them from your pool chair. One great bonus? Disney offers complimentary children’s life vests and swim diapers at all of the hotel pools.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is Disney luxury at its finest. As you walk into the lobby, you are welcomed into a beautiful Craftsman-style open space – rustic yet elegant. The Craftsman-style décor continues into the rooms, some of which include a bunk bed, making it a fun option for families.
Activities of the Grand Californian include the Grand Quest scavenger hunt for children ages 3-12, Songs and Tales from the Hearth, and the Grizzly Game Arcade. The hotel also has three pools, one of which has a waterslide.
The Grand Californian is adjacent to California Adventure and has its own private entrance to the park (the entrance is accessible to anyone staying at any of the three hotels).
No matter which hotel you choose, you are guaranteed a lifetime of memories!
