Best Hotel Close to Disneyland

Stop sorting through all the infinite “close to Disneyland” lists — and today I’m going to tell you the BEST hotel that is close to Disneyland. I’ll also be giving you 4 other options to round-out my top five when you include budget, and quality. 🙂

But first, how the heck do I know this?

Hi, I’m Hilary — they’re what you call a Disneyland planning pro. 🙂 I’ve stayed or toured all of these hotels. I have 3 kids, my husband is a teacher, and I’m a nurse — so budget was always important to us. I hope this rings true for you too.

Grab my Disney cost calculator if you think that will help:

I’ll be sharing 3 areas of the “best” close hotel — the BEST, the best BUDGET option and the NICEST, (with honorable mentions too in case that one is full).

What is the BEST hotel close to Disneyland?

I have to give this one to Best Western PLUS Park Place Inn.

It is literally the CLOSEST, it has a free breakfast and is decent. Is it “nice”? No. But it’s doable. I’ve stayed here, and I mostly loved that I could be back on my bed within 5 minutes of leaving the park.

Honorable mention:

Beyond The Grand Californian which wins in another category, I’d say The Tropicana. It doesn’t have a free breakfast, but rooms do have a fold-out chair that makes the room accommodate 5. It’s tight though. I have done it with 4 adults and 1 child.

When I looked, it was about $80 cheaper than the Best Western.

I know you’re thinking — Hilary, it’s just a few steps more? — but when you’ve already hit 19,000 steps, every one is one I am grateful to save!

While we’re here, make sure you bring the right stuff:

Why aren’t Disneyland Resort Hotels the Closest?

There is a big difference between the closest to Disneyland property vs the closest to the front gates of Disneyland or California Adventure.

Here’s a little map I’ve made:

You can also get in where it says “Downtown Disney District” — but those people have to wind through all of Downtown Disney — the other pedestrian entrance is much more of a straight shot.

If you’re looking for Disneyland hotels that are close — they go in this order:

• California Grand
• Disneyland Hotel
• Pixar Pier Hotel (although if you’re going to California Adventure they have their own entrance that makes it pretty close — right near the pier in CA Adventure).

Before we keep going, the links I’m giving you are through Get Away Today. I’ve used them since 1998. I think they are the cheapest, easiest way to book your Disneyland trip. Have a question — their agents are some of the most knowledgeable out there! If you’re booking a hotel with them use code CURLS10 to save an extra $10 on your trip!

If actual location is what’s most important to you, check out my posts on hotels close to Disneyland:

• Hotels Nearby Disneyland: Close enough to walk to Mickey!
• What are the Best Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels? The best hotels close to Disneyland
• 20+ Best and CLOSE Disneyland Hotels with Bunk Beds: Disneyland Expert Reviewed
• Hotels with a Disneyland Shuttle
• Best Hotels Near Disneyland with Free Breakfast

Best Budget Hotel Closest to Disneyland

I’m a huge fan of the Anaheim Hotel. They’ve just re-done their rooms to make them all queens (thank goodness). There’s a lot of green space and I just think it’s a nice option. ALSO, you can cross at the light there, and miss the annoying light there right at the pedestrian entrance.

They also have a GIANT pool and a pizza restaurant on-site. When I looked, it was about $150/nt less than the Best Western mentioned above.

Honorable Mention:

I love the Castle Inn & Suites. This is a great option if you have a larger party too as they do have some suite room. My kids LOVED this hotel when they were little — it’s castle-themed and fun for the littles! Pricing is very similar to Anaheim Hotel and Castle, but Anaheim hotel is just a bit closer. 🙂

Want more budget ideas — check out these posts:

• 30+ Best Affordable Hotels Near Disneyland
• Cheap Hotels in Anaheim by Disneyland
• 16+ of the Best Disneyland Hotels for Families: Near the Anaheim Action
• 12 Easy Ways to do Disneyland on a Budget
• How Much Money for Disneyland? Your Disneyland budget

Nicest Hotel Close to Disneyland

The Nicest Hotel is Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. It is a beautiful hotel. Many great restaurants (including the Craftsman Grill which is one of my favorite budget options).

Caveat: It’s a REALLY long hotel — much of the length of Downtown Disney is taken-up by that hotel. Meaning,if you get a room at the END of it, your walk is pretty far into the parks. BUT, if you get a room closer to the front, your walk is less.

It also does have it’s own entrance into California Adventure, which puts it significantly closer there, but further from Disneyland.

It’s also always been out of my family’s price range. When I looked the price was about double from that of the Best Western listed first. Personally, that just isn’t worth it on a teacher/nurse salary — but that might be worth it for you.

I want to be clear that the other hotels I have mentioned are “fine”. They’re not fancy by any means, but they’re clean and well-kept for the most part. They’re all about somewhere to sleep so you can do Disneyland the easiest. HOWEVER, if a “nice” room is important to you – I’d check out the pricing on The Grand or these other ones….

Honorable Mention: The JW Marriot. I have stayed here. It’s lovely, the rooms are nice. The price is similar to the Best Western but it is MUCH nicer.

The other hotels I’d consider nice & close:

• The Westin (also lovely, just further away)
• Fairfield Inn (I think this is a step-up from the rest on that street, still close’ish)
• The Courtyard is a favorite of many people, it has a water park and the rooms are nice but I’m not sure the price is worth it.

So, there you go. I think the BEST hotel close to Disneyland is the Best Western PLUS Park Place Inn — but I gave you a few other options as well.

• The Tropicana
• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
• Anaheim Hotel
• Castle Inn & Suites
• The JW Marriot

If you’re not sure any of those are right for you — check out my other posts on hotels near Disneyland….

Be sure to check out hotel prices with Get Away Today and use code CURLS10 to save $10 on a hotel/ticket package.