Experience Magic & Comfort at the Disneyland Hotel
Are you planning a magical getaway to Disneyland? If you are looking for the most “classic” Disney vacation possible, the Disneyland Hotel might be a great fit for your family. The Disneyland Hotel was the first property added to the Disneyland Resort, and it has gone through many renovations, upgrades, and changes through the years. Coming soon, you can also opt to stay at the new Disney Vacation Club Villas. They will be available for booking through our partners at Get Away Today and we’ll make sure to update this page when that is open to the public! The Disneyland Hotel is situated just a 10 minute walk or so away from Disneyland Park which helps offer a seamless and unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
Accomodations
The Disneyland Hotel boasts a range of well-appointed rooms and suites to cater to various preferences and group sizes. From standard rooms to spacious and uniquely-themed suites (like Pirates of the Caribbean, Mickey Mouse, and Big Thunder Mountain) each accommodation exudes the charm and warmth synonymous with the Disney brand.
Dining and Amenities
Goofy’s Kitchen offers a buffet-style character breakfast, brunch and dinner option for guests. This is one of my family’s personal favorites. We highly recommend booking the earliest reservation for breakfast or dinner service, because you get more attention from characters as well as the first pass at the buffet. This option, like all character dining, is an added expense, but they do accept Magic Keys for discounts, and if you are looking for something “special” on an arrival or departure day, this can be a great way to add to that feeling of being in the “Disney bubble” even if you can’t go into the parks.
Tangaroa Terrace is a tiki-themed restaurant that sits above the pool area on the Disneyland Hotel property. You can choose to either mobile order/order in person, or you can choose to be seated by a hostess and be waited on by a server. We usually choose the quicker self-service option, but when we go without our kids, we do like to sit down at the other side of the restaurant and do more of a table service experience. Great picks at this location are the Tonkotsu Ramen, the Panko-Crusted Long Beans (or the Pu-Pu Platter option), and the Hawaiian Cheeseburger with sweet potato fries. This location also serves breakfast, but we haven’t ever tried it. It would be very convenient for guests staying at the hotel, though!
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar offers much of the same menu as Tangaroa Terrace, but is a bit more of an intimate experience with an “island bar” vibe. It can be quite hard to get into without reservations, so make sure to try to reserve your time. If you can’t, plan to visit the hostess stand as soon as you can in the early afternoon to try to secure a walk-up time.
In addition to its dining offerings, the Disneyland Hotel provides a host of amenities to ensure guests have a comfortable and memorable stay. From on-site shops to fitness facilities, visitors can enjoy a range of services without leaving the property.
The Pool Area
The hotel's pool area is a true oasis, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring the parks. With well-manicured landscapes and luxurious lounging areas, guests can relax and soak up the California sun! The pool's design incorporates a touch of Disney magic, and features water slides with a classic replica of the original “Disneyland” sign. It has a really retro and unique vibe—we love it.
Monorail Access and Early Park Entry
One of the significant advantages of staying at the Disneyland Hotel is its convenient access to the Monorail system. This efficient transportation method connects the hotel directly to Disneyland, and will drop you off right at Tomorrowland Station in Disneyland in a jiffy! This makes it incredibly convenient for guests to travel to and from the park. Note: The monorail system is not ALWAYS up and running. It can have shut downs (especially on hot days) and is subject to closing early some evenings. If you are staying at the Disneyland Hotel just be aware of this possibility and don’t rely on the monorail as your end-all-be-all for getting into the parks. It also does not service California Adventure, so your options there are either walking through Downtown Disney (which is what we would opt to do), or riding the monorail to Tomorrowland and then exiting Disneyland, walking across the esplanade, and into California Adventure. Strollers must be folded down when riding. It can accomodate wheelchairs.
On-site hotel guests receive a special treat: they are granted a half-hour head start to explore Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park before they open to the general public. This early park entry allows guests to experience popular attractions with reduced wait times, enabling them to make the most of their magical vacation.
Choosing to stay at the Disneyland Hotel during your visit to Disneyland is a decision you likely won't regret. With its comfortable accommodations, delightful dining options, enchanting pool area, and exclusive park access, the hotel promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you with cherished memories for years to come. Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or as a couple, the Disneyland Hotel is the perfect choice to immerse yourself in the full Disneyland experience, while enjoying a relaxing and enjoyable stay. That said, this property is often significantly more expensive than many of the off-site options on Harbor Boulevard. If budgets are a worry, take a look at the Good Neighbor Hotel reviews on our website and see if any of them might fit the bill for your travel party.