The Best Off-Property Disneyland Hotels for Families
These top stays are all within walking distance of the park gates, plus some offer free breakfast!

Unlike Walt Disney World with 30+ resort options in every budget to choose from, Disneyland only has three on-site hotels: Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa, which Jillian Harris recently stayed in with her family while on holiday. Since lodging is limited, these resorts sell out often. And they’re also insanely expensive (like $400+ for a room that’s comparable to a room at Holiday Inn Express) because you’re paying for that premium of staying on property. And I’ll be the first to admit that being close to the magic is worth every penny because you get exclusive Extra Magic Hours in the parks and you can easily zip to and from your room to the parks. This is handy if you have little ones or even adults who need an afternoon nap break. However, the thing about Anaheim is that just outside those park gates is a pedestrian-friendly strip with tons of hotels. And if you can’t swing those Disney rates, you can score a room for less than $200 a night within a 10-minute walk from the park entrance and usually with free Wi-Fi and breakfast to boot. Read on for our top picks.
Part of the fun in staying at a Disneyland hotel is the Disney theming and detailed decor at every turn. And while you won’t find magic at that caliber off-property hotels, the Fairfield Inn has lightly themed rooms so you still feel like you’re getting that whimsical hotel experience.
One of the best things about staying at a Disneyland resort is enjoying the pool! While most of the off-site hotels can’t compete with Disney’s pool game, the Courtyard’s Surfside Waterpark features a splash pad and water slides in addition to a pool, whirlpool and padded loungers for adults.
Despite the clever names of other Anaheim hotels, this is widely considered to be the closest off-property hotel to the Disneyland gates. In fact, it’s actually a shorter walk than Disney’s Paradise Pier! So, if you’re the type of park goer ready for that rope drop in the morning and you’d rather save your money to spend it on merch, this is the hotel for you.
Booking a Best Western hotel in Anaheim is really confusing because there are several in the Disneyland radius and they all have similar names. Best Western Plus Park Place Inn and Mini-Suites should be your first try, but if you can’t find a room there, the Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn is right next door.
If you’re coming into town because someone in your crew is attending a business conference, Hotel Indigo is great because it’s within walking distance of both the parks and the Anaheim Convention Center.
Like Hotel Indigo, Hyatt House is good for splitting the difference between Disneyland and the convention center, and the hotel’s suites feature a kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, microwave and stovetop. This is really great when you want to take a break from park food and save money by cooking your own meals.
This hotel sits above a CVS and a Coffee Bean, making it super convenient to stock up on snacks to eat in the parks because these days, even a Mickey pretzel is more than five bucks! Speaking of Mickey-shaped food, you can score free Mickey waffles, which would set you back $10+ a person inside the parks, at the hotel's complimentary breakfast bar.
Unless you pay the big bucks to stay at Disney’s Grand Californian, there really isn’t a luxury brand within walking distance of the parks, but it’s coming! And it’s a lot less than Grand Californian. Opening in March 2020, the JW Marriott will offer luxe accommodations with a soaker tub and pillow-top beds outfitted in 400-count sheets — perfect for relaxing after a day of go-go-go in the parks.
Family Vacation Inspiration
10 Unforgettable Airbnb Rentals in Costa Rica Under $125 Per Night
A tropical vacation doesn't need to be expensive. Here are the best and most beautiful wallet-friendly stays on Costa Rica beaches.
10 Amazing Beach Home Rentals the Whole Family Will Want to Book ASAP
Cure your winter blues by getting a jump start on planning a family beach trip for 2020.