Where to Stay at Disneyland (Best Areas & Places)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay Near Disneyland

Disneyland is one of the largest California theme parks, so it’s a good idea to get oriented before your trip. You can stay right in a Disneyland Park hotel for maximum convenience. But visitors should also consider other parts of Anaheim.

The Anaheim Resort Area is close to the park and is super popular. The Southwest neighborhood has hundreds of accommodation and dining options. Meanwhile, Anaheim Hills is Anaheim’s most luxurious neighborhood with top-grade security and high-end shopping.

Disneyland Parks

👉 Best Area For Theme Park Access | ✨ Best Disneyland Park Hotels: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa • Pixar Place Hotel • Disneyland Hotel 

The quintessential Disneyland hotels are the three within the park’s boundaries: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disneyland Hotel. These hotels are perfect for guests who want an early start exploring the Disneyland theme parks.

Guests who book a room at one of these hotels have earlier entry into the theme parks than anyone else. Disneyland Park hotel guests will be among the first to go on famous rides like Space Mountain and Star Wars Rise of the Resistance.

The Disneyland Park hotels are filled with special Disney-themed decor and the occasional Disney character. Many families choose to stay inside the park because the hotels offer children’s activities. This gives parents time to enjoy the adults-only swimming pool.

Another bonus: You don’t need to worry about transportation if you stay at a Disneyland hotel. All of the famous theme park rides and attractions are a short walk away from the hotel buffet.

Pros of Staying in the Disneyland Parks:

• Closest to the Disneyland parks
• Earlier entry into the parks & rides than other visitors
• Evening entertainment and children activities
• Airport transportation provided
• Excellent amenities (fitness center, adults-only pool, bar, cafe, etc)

Cons of Staying in the Disneyland Parks:

• Most expensive hotel options
• Hotels fill up fast on weekends, during the summer, and during holiday seasons
• Dining options can be expensive

Southwest Anaheim

👉 Best Area For Inexpensive Accommodation | ✨ Best Southwest Anaheim Hotels: DoubleTree Suites • Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel • Staybridge Suites Anaheim at the Park

Southwest Anaheim is the best neighborhood for dozens of affordable accommodation options, like the highly-rated DoubleTree Suites. It’s also close enough to the Disneyland parks that you can save money on transportation by walking there. 

Southwest Anaheim is the most densely populated neighborhood in the city. There’s an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and activities in this part of Anaheim which gives the district a splash of color.

After you’ve thoroughly explored Disneyland and Disneyland California Adventure, take your little ones to Southwest Anaheim’s Adventure City for more carnival entertainment. The Anaheim Convention Center is also conveniently located in this area and hosts fun events like VidCon and music expos. 

Pros of Staying in Southwest Anaheim:

• Close to the Disneyland parks
• Inexpensive accommodation
• Accommodation doesn’t fill up as fast as Disneyland Park hotels
• Free breakfast & free parking at many hotels
• Plenty of restaurants and bars in the area

Cons of Staying in Southwest Anaheim:

• No Disney decor
• No children’s activities
• No direct transportation to the parks

Anaheim Hills

👉 Best Area For Peace and Quiet | ✨ Best Anaheim Hills Hotels: Ayres Suites Yorba Linda • Fairfield Inn Anaheim Hills

Stay in Anaheim Hills if you want to experience peace and quiet during your time away from the park. This affluent hillside neighborhood has the San Gabriel Mountains as its backdrop. It offers the best views of the city, including an aerial view of Disneyland Park.

Anaheim Hills is away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Anaheim, guaranteeing travelers a peaceful vacation. The community is one of the safest in Anaheim with a very low crime rate.

It is also a coveted neighborhood with plenty of Orange County activities. On your off days from exploring Disneyland, you can enjoy the Anaheim Hills hiking trails, specialty shops, and hip eateries.

Yorba Regional Park is a local hotspot and the perfect nature escape from the city. Book your stay at the Ayres Suites Yorba Linda to be across the street from the park where you can kayak, enjoy a picnic, or watch the sunset.

Pros of Staying in Anaheim Hills:

• Secure and gated communities
• Quieter than other Anaheim neighborhoods
• Scenic overlooks of the whole city 
• Upscale stores, dining, and hiking

Cons of Staying in Anaheim Hills:

• Fewer hotels in the area
• Further away from the parks
• Dining options can be more expensive
• Not many festive or cultural activities

Anaheim Resort Area

👉 Best Area For Accommodation Options | ✨ Best Anaheim Resort Hotels: Desert Palms Hotel & Suites • The Westin Anaheim Resort • Sheraton Park Hotel

As the name implies, the Anaheim Resort Area is crawling with resorts and other hotels near Disneyland. The streets of this area are often lined with Mickey Mouse ears-wearing tourists on their way to experience Disney magic.

This area is home to the Disneyland Resort Park and hundreds of dining options on Harbor Boulevard and Katella Street. The Anaheim Resort Area was designed specifically with tourism in mind. You will always find things to do in this neighborhood, adding to your enjoyable Disneyland experience.

Dine at Parkestry Rooftop Bar to watch the Disneyland fireworks from a distance while you sip on a glass of wine and enjoy a soothing evening. You can also snag a good view of the fireworks from the rooftop of The Westin Anaheim Resort, one of my top hotel recommendations.

Pros of Staying in the Anaheim Resort Area:

• Many hotel options available
• Close to the parks
• Great hotel amenities (swimming pools, fire pits, conference rooms, etc)
• Many dining options in the area

Cons of Staying in the Anaheim Resort Area:

• There is a lot of traffic in this area
• Can get noisy
• Hotels fill up fast on the weekends, during the summer, and during the holiday season
• No special Disneyland packages are offered

The Anaheim Colony Historic District

👉 Best Area For Great Dining Options | ✨ Best Colony Hotels: Kings Inn Anaheim • Castle Inn & Suites • Wyndham Anaheim

Only a few minutes from Disneyland, the Anaheim Colony Historic District is the perfect area to stay in if you’re a foodie.

The most popular part of this community is the Anaheim Packing House, an extraordinary restaurant venue with hip cafes and eateries. There is also a park, brewery, playgrounds, and shopping opportunities in the Packing District. 

Take a break from your exhilarating Disney days to enjoy the neighborhood’s historic yet modern charm. This neighborhood celebrates the history and diversity of the city with its historic museums and multicultural centers.

The Colony is full of family-oriented parks and community activities like the Thursday farmers market and the Pearson’s Park Amphitheater. I recommend booking your stay at the Wyndham Anaheim which is clean, has the friendliest staff, and super comfy beds for a post-Disney recharge.

Pros of Staying in The Colony:

• Top eateries in the Anaheim Packing House
• Many family-friendly activities
• Fewer crowds and less traffic than in other areas
• Affordable accommodation

Cons of Staying in The Colony:

• Farther away from the theme parks
• No Disney atmosphere in the hotels
• Expensive dining options 
• Less frequent local transportation

Tips for Staying Near Disneyland

For more practical tips, bookmark my full list of Disneyland tips and things to know. Here’s a summary of the most important ones when it comes to picking where you want to stay at Disneyland:

Decide if You Want to Stay On-Property or Off-Property

Before you book, consider whether you want to stay in Disney-owned hotels or off-property hotels. On-property hotels like Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will give you a complete Disney experience and allow you early entrance into the theme parks.

Off-property hotels, however, are more affordable than Disney hotels. Some are within walking distance of the theme parks, but make sure to always check the location ahead of time and plan accordingly.

Plan Transportation to and From Disneyland Ahead of Time

If you don’t stay in a Disney hotel, you will need to plan your transportation to and from the Disneyland theme parks ahead of time. A great option is renting a car from John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana for easy transportation.

You can also use a rideshare app or public transportation to and from your hotel to get to Disneyland. A good plan is to research and save the bus schedule so you don’t miss the last bus back to your hotel.

Stay in a Hotel That Offers Breakfast

A trip to Disneyland isn’t exactly cheap. From entrance tickets to high food prices inside the park, you will want to save where you can. Stay in a hotel that offers a free breakfast to save money on your Disney trip. 

Most hotels offer a continental breakfast of toast, eggs, bacon, cereal, yogurt, coffee, orange juice, and fresh fruit.

Stay in a Hotel With a Jacuzzi

After walking all day at the parks, relax in a soothing jacuzzi to take away the aches and pains of your feet and back. Although most hotel pools close at 10 pm, ask your concierge ahead of time and you may luck out with a 24-hour hot tub.

Pick the Appropriate Season to Visit Disneyland

Disneyland hosts an array of exciting events and festivals year-round. The best time to visit Disneyland is during the holiday season from September to January if you are set on having a true Disneyland experience.

Keep in mind that although this is the most festive time at the park, it is also the most expensive. Hotel prices skyrocket during this season, as do flights and car rentals.

Book a Hotel Within Walking Distance of Disneyland Resort

If you choose to stay off-site during your Disney trip, then you should book a hotel that is within walking distance of the theme park. Unless you rent a car, walking is the most convenient and economical way to transport to and from the park.

Some hotels in the Anaheim Resort Area and parts of the Southwest Anaheim neighborhood are within walking distance of the park. If you don’t rent a car or want to take local transportation, these are the best neighborhoods to stay in.

Fly Into John Wayne Airport

Most first-time visitors make the mistake of flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when they are visiting Disneyland. John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana is much closer to the park and will save you money when you use a rideshare.

John Wayne Airport is only 20 minutes from Downtown Disney as opposed to the 45-minute drive from LAX to Disneyland. This is the best flying option for visitors coming from out of state.

Plan Your Disneyland Trip On A Week Day

Some of the cheapest times to fly are during the week. This is also the cheapest time to visit Disneyland, as tickets tend to be lower during the week than on the weekend.

Try to visit Disneyland during the week for cheap prices and fewer crowds. Disneyland Park often reaches maximum capacity on the weekends, which can hinder your magical experience. 

Calculate How Many Rooms You Will Need

You will likely need more than one hotel room if you are traveling with a large party. Accommodation prices can add up quickly if you are paying for multiple rooms, so you may want to stay in an off-site hotel.

Disneyland hotels are expensive within the park’s boundaries and if your party requires multiple rooms, then this will certainly put a dent in your wallet. I recommend staying at an off-site hotel if you are visiting the park with a large party to save on accommodation fees.

Stay at a Hotel With Free Parking

While most hotels offer free parking, some do not. Check with potential hotels beforehand to make sure you don’t have to pay additional parking fees.

The Closer to the Parks You Stay, the Louder and Busier It Will Be

Hotels in Disneyland and around the parks typically experience high numbers of visitors each day and can be loud and busy. Keep this in mind when you are planning where to stay in Disneyland.

You will be around crowds all day at Disneyland so if you want some peace, you may want to stay in a slightly farther neighborhood like Anaheim Hills. Your commute will be longer to the parks but you will get a better night’s rest. 

FAQs

What hotel can you walk into Disneyland from?

You can walk into Disneyland if you are staying at one of the three hotels in the park. These include the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.

Can you stay overnight at Disneyland?

You can stay overnight at Disneyland if you are staying in a hotel inside the park. Otherwise, Disneyland usually closes between 10 pm and midnight. Disney California Adventure typically closes at 9 pm or 10 pm.

How much does it cost to stay in a Disneyland Hotel?

Disneyland hotel prices vary depending on the specific hotel. Prices usually range from $150-$1,000 depending on the hotel, the selected room type, and the hotel amenities package.

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That’s it for my guide on where to stay near Disneyland. Leave a comment to let me know which area you’re leaning toward. Up next, check out my guide to the best California theme parks for even more fun!