When you are planning your visit to the Disneyland Resort, one of the first things you need to decide to where you would like to stay. There are many great options, including three great on-site resort hotels. This is your guide comparing the Disneyland Resort hotels, designed to help you find the best fit for your next visit.
Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa
The first resort hotel at the Disneyland Resort to explore is Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa. This hotel has a rustic theme with beautiful décor and great amenities.
The Rooms
At the Grand Californian Resort & Spa, there are accommodations to fit every family, even those bigger families. The standard guest rooms sleep up to five guests and include the following options for a view:
- Standard View – This room includes views of Disneyland Drive, rooftops or the parking area
- Woods-Courtyard View – The courtyard is the view in this room type
- Partial View – This room offers partial theme park views or Downtown Disney District
- Premium View – Views of the pool or theme park are available in this room type
- Downtown Disney View – This room is facing the Downtown Disney District with views of the shopping area
There are two types of club-level rooms available at this resort. Guests may choose from standard or premium views here. Some of the extra amenities available when staying club level include assistance from the Concierge Staff and access to the Club Level Lounge throughout the day and the Veranda with fireworks viewing.
If you are traveling in a large party, there are accommodations to fit everyone at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa. Suites that fit up to 12 guests with one, two, or three bedrooms are available.
These suites offer extra space and some are even specially themed, such as the El Capitan, Mount Whitney, Arroyo, or Arcadia Suites.
Dining Options
There are several dining options available at this resort, including two opportunities for character meals.
Napa Rose
Napa Rose is an upscale restaurant offering a signature dining experience for both breakfast and dinner. For breakfast, enjoy a three-course meal with an unforgettable and unique Disney Princess experience. There are princess-themed activities, a photo opportunity, and a special keepsake for each guest.
For dinner,the menu includes California-inspired cuisine and a variety of regional wines.
Storytellers Café
At this restaurant, celebrate California legends and fables as you enjoy a buffet-style meal at breakfast, brunch, and dinner. Enjoy a visit from some of your favorite Disney friends at Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast and Brunch.
GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill
Come to this cozy spot for a quick service meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Mobile ordering is available and the ambiance of the restaurant make for an enjoyable dining experience.
Amenities
The amenities available at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa are both unique and beautiful.
There are three pools and hot tubs available at this resort. The Redwood Pool includes a waterslide. The pools are heated and life vests are also available.
If you are looking for a relaxing experience during your vacation, consider heading to the Tenaya Stone Spa. There are various spa treatments available only to resort guests.
Accessing the Parks
One of the best parts about staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort is the easy access to the parks.
When you visit Disneyland Park, it’s a quick walk through the Downtown Disney District. If you are heading to Disney California Adventure, just head to the second entrance reserved primarily for resort guests. There is no need to walk to the main entrance!
This resort hotel is the closest to the theme parks, which is especially convenient if you are visiting with children and would like to take a break or a nap.
Disneyland Hotel
The Disneyland Hotel is filled with the history and nostalgia that fills the Disneyland Resort. There are three towers – Fantasy, Frontier or Adventure, each themed for a different “land” or theme in the parks. The lobby is filled with photo collages paying homage to the history of the parks and Walt Disney.
The Rooms
Like the other on-site hotels, there are a few different room types at the Disneyland Hotel. The standard rooms at this hotel sleep up to five guests and the following views are available:
- Standard View – This room type offers views of the parking area and trees
- Deluxe View – From these rooms, guests will be able to overlook the pool
- Premium View – These rooms also offer views of the pool
- Premium Downtown Disney View – Guests will be able to see the Downtown Disney District from these rooms
For guests staying club level, there are standard or premium view rooms available. In addition, guests can access the E-Ticket Club to enjoy food options throughout the day including continental breakfast, desserts, wine and cheese, and fireworks viewing.
There are also accommodations for large families and those looking for the ultimate luxurious Disney experience. There are one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites available that sleep up to 14 guests.
Then, there are the Signature Suites. These suites offer unique themes and are themed after your favorite “lands” or attractions in the parks and include:
- Adventureland Signature Suites
- Big Thunder Signature Suites
- Fairytale Suite
- Mickey Mouse Penthouse Signature Suites
- Pirates of the Caribbean Signature Suites
Dining Options
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
This is a well-known and beloved dining option at the Disneyland Hotel, inspired by the classic attraction, the Jungle Cruise. There are appetizers and many delicious drinks available but the ambiance is the big draw! Currently, reservations are required but may be available same-day or up to 60 days in advance.
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill
This quick-service restaurant, inspired by the Enchanted Tiki Room, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dining experience and food have a Polynesian vibe reminiscent of the South Seas.
Goofy’s Kitchen
This table-service location serves breakfast and dinner as a buffet-style meal. At this time, characters are not available but stay tuned for updates!
The Coffee House
This is a quick-service location where guests can grab a coffee and a light meal on the go. Mobile ordering is also available.
Amenities
At the Disneyland Hotel, guests can enjoy 2 pools, 2 whirlpool spas, and a themed monorail waterslide. Poolside cabanas are also available. With the proximity to the theme parks and the Downtown Disney District, the amenities here are hard to beat!
Accessing the Parks
To enter the parks from the Disneyland Hotel, guests need to walk to the Downtown Disney District. From there, continue walking to reach the main entrance of each park.
If you are visiting Disneyland Park, you may utilize the monorail. You must present your theme park ticket and the monorail will drop you off in Tomorrowland.
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
The Rooms
For the standard guest rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, there are two room types to choose from. Each one has different views.
- Standard View – from this room, guests will have a view of Disneyland Drive or the parking area
- Premium View – Guests will have a theme park view from these rooms
The same views are available for guests who would like to have club-level access.
For guests looking for larger accommodations, there are suites available. There are 1-, 2-bedroom suites, which sleep up to 10 guests. In addition, there are signature suites with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom options and themed for popular areas of California including Dana Pointe, Huntington, Laguna, Malibu, and Newport.
Dining Options
At this time, there are no dining options available at this resort as the phased reopening continues. However, guests are encouraged to use the mobile order option and delivery is available from restaurants in the Downtown Disney District. This will be updated accordingly.
Amenities
This resort hotel offers a unique rooftop pool and a great view of the fireworks that is a bit of a hidden gem! It is also within walking distance to the parks and the Downtown Disney District.
Accessing the Parks
The quickest way to access the parks from this resort hotel is to walk across to Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa. On-site resort guests may show their hotel key to gain access and walk through the Downtown Disney District to the Disneyland Park entrance or access the second entrance to Disney California Adventure.
Choosing the Best Fit
Each of these resort hotels is great for different reasons. Each one offers the wonderful customer service that one expects while on a Disney vacation. The right one for your next vacation depends on what you are looking for and what amenities are most important. Your Key to the World Travel Advisor is the perfect person to help you find the best fit!
Are you considering a trip? This is a great time to plan your perfect vacation! Having a travel advisor means someone there to have your back in any occurrence. There is no additional cost to you and you have peace of mind knowing that your vacation is in good hands. Contact our friends atKey to the World Travel® for a free, no-obligation quote for your next trip.Click here.
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