Best Disneyland Hotels For Families Anaheim 2026

Hello! Welcome to the exhaustively researched guide to the best Disneyland hotels for families. The right hotel for your Disneyland stay can make or break your vacation. 

Let me introduce myself, my name is Camille I am a mom of 3 and a SoCal resident. We have held annual passes for 10 years (except for 2020) and visit the parks monthly. We have stayed in tons of Disneyland hotels and had amazing experiences and not so great experiences. These are our favorites! 

To be clear, these Disneyland hotels are located at Disneyland Resort in California, not Walt Disney World in Florida. 

I will be scoring Disneyland hotels on the following items…

1. Price

2. Proximity to Disneyland

3. Breakfast quality and if it’s included.

4. Rooms and how many people can fit in them. Some places have a limits of four people per room, some are more flexible.

5. Amenities, like pools, water parks, gyms etc.

6. Parking. Often overlooked, it can add a lot of extra cost for your visit. Some hotels will ask you to move your car at checkout and some will allow you to leave it there so you can visit the parks on the day of checkout! 

Before we get into the hotels, be sure to check out my post on Disneyland With Kids. It’s helped hundreds of families plan their Disneyland vacation with the least amount of stress and headache. I update it regularly with the latest news and ride strategies!

To see room tours, see this IG highlight here (coming soon). There are short videos of the rooms at each hotel!

How To Book Your Disneyland Hotel

Let’s just put this out there. Disneyland is expensive, especially when taking a family. My goal with my page is to help you find the best activities for the best value.

I use Getaway Today to buy my tickets and book my Disneyland hotels. I know I am getting the best price and the best service. They are an authorized Disney ticket reseller and can save you on both the theme park tickets and even more so the hotels. They have relationships with the hotels so they are able to offer cheaper rates and bonus perks like free parking and free breakfast. 

You can book online through this link OR you can call them. I actually love calling because most of their agents are moms, so they will understand what you’re asking for you and be able to give you personalized recommendations for your situation and family. Sometimes the agent and I end up hashing out different Disneyland hotels and they can really give you an insider’s perspective and bring up thing you might not know. If you do end up calling them, be sure to tell them San Diego Mamas sent you and they will be able to give you an extra discount on any hotel / ticket package.

I am an affiliate with them so all links on this page are affiliate links. If you find my information useful, I would greatly appreciate it if you use my link to book. It helps me keep bringing you the best Disney content for free. Thank you!

Do I stay on-property at a Disneyland Hotel or off-property at a Good Neighbor Hotel?

This is the first decision to make. Personally, I never stay on-property. Though the Disneyland hotels are close, the price jump is not justification enough for me. Some of the Disney hotels are older than the off-property hotels and the upcharges are insane.

Disneyland hotels discontinued Early Entry in 2026 (hotel guests used to get into the park one hour before everyone else) and replaced it with one Lightning Lane pass per person. If you’re confused on what that is, go read my Disneyland With Kids guide, but basically it’s the paid system to jump the lines.

For me, there are so many Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels and properties within walking distance that are a better value so we choose to stay at off-property hotels! However if I DID stay on-property I would choose The Grand Californian, so that’s included here.

About My Disneyland Hotel Rankings

This list is primarily for families traveling with kids who want to save money on hotel stays. I am assuming you care about being safe, a clean space, and having fun, but also are not interested in paying top dollar for a luxury hotel.

Here is how I’ve scored the hotels. I assigned each hotel up to five points for the following categories:

Rankings

1. Price: is the hotel super expensive or affordable? I am factoring in here how many people can be in a room. For larger families, a hotel that only holds four people will be out of the running. For my rankings, 1 will be the most expensive hotel with 5 the best value hotel (least expensive).

2. Proximity to Disneyland: can you walk or do you have to drive or take a shuttle. How long is the walk approximately? Keep in mind they will be getting rid of the ART Shuttles that take people to and from the parks (but not the Disneyland Toy Story Parking shuttle! That’s staying).

3. Breakfast: Is the breakfast free and what’s the quality like? Is it included with the stay or extra? Our family eats lunch and dinner in the parks so breakfast is all we care about at Disney hotels.

4. Rooms: How many people per room? Are they strict or lax about the limit, can you bring an extra kid or two? Are there bunk beds or a pull out couch? Is there an option for a wall separating the kids from adults? How clean or new are the rooms?

5. Amenities: Is there a nice pool / water park / gym? This may be very important to some and not important at all to others. Some people just want to sleep and go to Disney and that’s it, some want to hang out and have hotel days.

6. Parking: Often overlooked! Disneyland parking lots are currently $35. Some hotels have free parking AND will let you leave your car the day you check out. If I book a $150 hotel with free parking and skip two $35 Disney parking lot fees, that hotel costs $85 in my head. Mom math.

Let’s Get Into It!

Without further ado, let’s get into it! I ranked my hotels by my scoring system, however all families value different things, so I would encourage you to read the rationale not just go by my numbers. All hotels have a direct link to book through Getaway Today to get the perks mentioned. 

Note: all rates stated are approximate, be sure to check rates before you go!

Anaheim Resort Inn and Suites (formerly Cambria Hotel)

Total Score: 26/30

The Anaheim Resort Suites (used to be called The Cambria Resort) is our current family favorite. Though not the closest to the parks, it is next to the Toy Story Parking Lot. This parking lot has a free shuttle that drops you off at the parks. In the mornings you can go through security at the parking lot instead of the park gates! This can save you up to an hour if you’re trying to make Rope Drop or the park opening. 

You can also walk to the parks from here, but it is a longer walk about 20 minutes. 

There’s a nice waterpark, a pool, a great breakfast buffet, and it’s not too much to upgrade to a family suite with bunk beds and a room separating the adults from the kids. 

It’s also in a shopping area that has The Habit Burger Grill, Jersey Mike’s, YogurtLand, Starbucks, and this fish restaurant I really like.

They have a pretty big lot, parking is between $27-$32 per night and they have been okay with us leaving our car there in the off-season.

Book this hotel

Anaheim Resort (Cambria) Rankings: 

1. Proximity to Disney: 3 (use Toy Story lot shuttle)
2. Price: 4 (moderate)
3. Amenities: 5 (water park, gym, pool, splash pad, large hot tub)
4. Breakfast: 5 (excellent hot breakfast with Mickey waffles)
5. Rooms: 5 (rooms are some of the best I’ve seen with bunk beds and doors that close)
6. Parking: 4 ($27-$32/night, flexible about leaving car day of checkout if not crowded)

Grand Legacy at The Park

Total Score: 24/30

My top choice of the Harbor Boulevard options, our family has stayed here many times. You can’t beat the location for easy access to the parks. It has one of the few 5/5 rankings for locations on this list. It’s a very short walk to the Disneyland entrance, it took us less than 7 minutes. Of the Harbor Boulevard hotel options right by the Disney entrance, this one is the nicest. We love their rooftop cafe for watching the fireworks!

They have the nicest pool of the close hotels and a splash pad too! If you book online, you can grab free parking. My only complaint with them is they don’t have the option for family suites so you are all staying in one big room. It’s fine until a kid inevitably wakes up.

This would be a great Disneyland hotel option for a child that has to nap in the middle of the park day because it’s so easy to return to!

Book this hotel

Grand Legacy Rankings:

1. Proximity to Disney: 5
2. Price: 4
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 4 (nice pool and splash pad, no gym)
4. Breakfast / Food: 1 (no breakfast included, but it does have a rooftop restaurant)
5. Rooms: 3 (rooms pretty standard and not too big, but very clean!)
6. Parking: 5 (free if you book online, SOMETIMES will let you leave car at checkout, ask at front desk) 

Element by Westin Anaheim Resort

Total Score: 24/30

Up and coming in my list of favorite Disneyland hotels, this hotel wins major points for how big their rooms are and how many people a standard room fits (six people!), a great free breakfast buffet, and a quick walk to the parks. The hotel is brand new and the parking isn’t too expensive. This would be great for large families. 

This is one of Getaway Today’s major partners and they can offer perks like 4th night free (based on availability), reduced parking fee, free breakfast buffet and reduced rates on rooms. 

This is one of the best hotels to choose for a longer stay as they have full kitchens in every room. It’s also one of Anaheim’s new hotels!

Book this hotel

Element by Westin Rankings:

1. Proximity to Disney: 4 (across one big street, but a straight shot, 10 minute walk)
2. Price: 2 (little pricey, it is new)
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 3 (small pool, okay gym)
4. Breakfast / Food: 5 (free breakfast buffet, large)
5. Rooms: 5 (all rooms sleep up to 6, one type sleeps up to 8, can book adjoining rooms to sleep up to 12, rooms nice and new, many with doors that close)
6. Parking: 5 ($20 through Getaway Today, no parking past 11 am, can sometimes stay till 4 in the off season, ask at front). 

Castle Inn and Suites

Total Score: 23/30

This one is becoming a new favorite of the Disneyland hotels. It’s super close to Disney and the theming is so fun! It’s themed after a Medieval Castle. The family suite is a great value for only $100 more per night. The family suite can sleep up to six people. There’s free parking and they don’t mind if you leave your car. If there’s overflow or the hotel is full, they will let you park at The Anaheim Garden Walk near the hotel for $25. 

They also have a loyalty program so if you stay there once you unlock cheaper rates to stay there the next time you book! This hotel is independently owned and operated. The owner and his wife are frequently on site. They are easy to work with, friendly, and will go out of their way to make their guests happy. As far as value options, this would be my top choice especially for big families.

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Castle Inn and Suites Rankings

1. Proximity to Disney: 4 (very close, 10 minute walk)
2. Price: 5 (best value, especially the family suites)
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 2 (small pool, though they did recently renovate it!, no gym)
4. Breakfast / Food: 1 (no breakfast offered, but very close to many restaurants)
5. Rooms: 5 (five max to a room, family suites sleep up to six and only $100 more)
6. Parking: 5 (free parking, possibly free the day you check out if you ask or $25 at The Anaheim Garden Walk)

Park Vue Inn Anaheim

Total Score: 20/30

This is the ultimate no nonsense close to the parks budget option of the Disneyland hotels. All you’re getting here is a room, a free parking spot (until 10 pm day of checkout!), and a prime location to cross the street and enter Disneyland. If you plan on spending no time at the hotel, just sleeping there, this is your spot. We have stayed here many times, especially when we want to do just a one night trip. They do have small rooms but they also have the best rates!

Book this hotel

Park Vue Inn Rankings

1. Proximity to Disney: 5 (right across the street, closest off-property hotel!)
2. Price: 5 (around $150/night usually)
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 1
4. Breakfast / Food: 1 (no breakfast or restaurants, though there is a Denny’s nearby)
5. Rooms: 4 (simple no fuss rooms)
6. Parking: 5 (free until 10 pm the day of checkout)

Grand Californian Hotel and Spa at Disney California Adventure

Ranking: 20/30

My favorite of the Disneyland Resort Hotels. This hotel is an on-property hotel and you get the one free Lightning Lane per guest. IF you have money to spend on a luxury hotel, this is where you should stay. It’s so close, to the theme parks it’s practically IN California Adventure. It has its own special entrance to the DCA which is amazing on crowded mornings. Disneyland Park is just across the way. You can walk RIGHT out your door into Downtown Disney!

This is one of the best options if you want to stay in close proximity to the parks and would be my top choice of a Disney-owned hotel. 

The lobby is amazing. Sometimes we take breaks there during park days. During Christmas it’s all done up with a huge tree and real gingerbread house. Their pool area is super nice with a big hot tub and water slides.

The guest rooms are pretty nice too, though not as new as I was expecting.

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Grand Californian Rankings

1. Proximity to Disney: 5 (basically in Disneyland)
2. Price: 1
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 5 (great pool with waterslides and large hot tub)
4. Breakfast / Food: 2 (no included breakfast, but nice restaurants on site, plus you’re right by Downtown Disney!)
5. Rooms: 4 (max of 5 people per room)
6. Parking: 3 (must use Disney parking)

The SunCoast Park Hotel Anaheim

Total Score: 20/30

This hotel is right next to The Element Hotel. It’s pretty nice, my only beef with it is they only allow 4 to a room and they are pretty strict on that. For some families that would be fine, but for our family of 5, this hotel would not work unless we want to book two rooms! Pool is small, but nice. No hot tub that I saw. 

The reason it makes this list is because their breakfast is made to order (included if you book through Getaway Today) and really delicious. Also the price is great for how close it is to Disney!

This is another Getaway Today partner hotel. Booking through them can get you:

-Free Parking ($40 per night savings)

-Resort Fee Waived ($17 per night savings)

-4th Night Free (Based on Availability)

-Free Breakfast ($9 value)

Book this hotel

SunCoast Rankings

1. Proximity to Disney: 4 (one block from Disney, by Element)
2. Price: 3
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 2 (pool, lawn games, not a ton)
4. Breakfast / Food: 5 (free breakfast cooked to order, breakfast burritos, French toast, fruit etc)
5. Rooms: 1 (four max to a room, strict)
6. Parking: 5 (free parking through Getaway Today, you have to ask to leave your car on checkout day)

Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance Marriott

Total Score: 19/30

This hotel is a little more expensive than the rest but you have GOT to see the water park. Their standard rooms come with bunk beds (child size not adult). They recently underwent a major renovation in 2025 so everything is brand new.

They are a pricier option with expensive daily rates and expensive parking too. Make sure you are booking the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance, NOT The Courtyard Anaheim Convention Center. They are two different hotels! This hotel has the huge water playground and is close to Disney. I took points off this hotel for $46 per day parking, valet only. Their parking lot is VERY small.

If you do book them, make sure to use Getaway Today as they can get you reduced room rates and a view of the water park!

Book this hotel

Courtyard Marriott Theme Park Entrance (not convention center) Rankings

1. Proximity to Disney: 4
2. Price: 1
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 5 (best water park, nice gym)
4. Breakfast / Food: 3 (no free breakfast, though Marriott members get $20 food credit)
5. Rooms: 4 (very nice, all include bunk beds, though the bunk beds are small! No doors that close)
6. Parking:  2 ($46 for parking valet only, have to move car after 4 or you need to pay $46 again the next day)

The Anaheim Hotel

Total Score: 18/30

This one is a hidden gem. There are cute amenities like gardens, pretty patios, and an Olympic sized pool with a view of the Guardians of the Galaxy ride. 

It’s very close to the parks, they actually offer day parking to theme park guests not staying there as well. 

It is cute and the midcentury theming is very Disney and charming. They’ve had many famous people stay there over the years, you can see their names on the wall. 

Breakfast is not included nor is parking and on site parking is $35 per day so the same as the theme parks. You can leave your car the day you check out but you would have to pay again. 

I also noticed the rooms are a little older, but the price reflects that as it’s not too expensive to stay there. They looked perfectly clean though and each room comes with a patio!

Book The Anaheim Hotel

The Anaheim Hotel Rankings:

1. Proximity to Disney: 4
2. Price: 4 (budget option)
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 4 (nice Olympic sized pool and large gym, lawn and garden, Mid-century modern, Top Golf)
4. Breakfast / Food: 2 (not included but there is a breakfast restaurant on site, room service, and a nice pizza restaurant)
5. Rooms: 3 (small, older, but clean, two kings or two queens, up to 5 in a room, only one family suite in the entire hotel)
6. Parking: 3 ($35/day, can leave your car the day you check out, $40 for self park if not staying at the hotel)

ALO Hotel by Ayres Review

Total Score: 16/30

The next two hotels are located a drive away from Disney, however they are a good budget option. They are both across the street from Angels Stadium. 

The ALO hotel is slightly newer and has better amenities than its neighbor Ayres Hotel Orange, however they are both owned by the same company.

The ALO Hotel got a slightly better ranking because of its extra amenities and adorable outdoor dining area for breakfast. 

Getaway Today offers free parking and breakfast for both of these hotels!

Book ALO Hotel

ALO Hotel Ranking:

1. Proximity to Disney: 1 (you’d have to drive or take UBER)
2. Price: 3
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 3 (pool medium sized, no water park, nice gym)
4. Breakfast / Food: 5 (included hot breakfast, the breakfast room is really cute!)
5. Rooms: 3 (4 adults per room, they’d let 2 adults with 3 kids)
6. Parking: 1 (Getaway today guests free, you can leave your car the day you check out, but it still gets a 1 because you need to drive your car to Disney or get an UBER)

Ayres Hotel Orange

Total Score: 15/30

This hotel is right next to the ALO Hotel and is slightly older but also a little less expensive. The rooms are standard and they give a discount to Disneyland Annual Passholders (about 15%!). They also offer Annual Passholders free parking. There’s a free hot breakfast served every day and they rotate the menu so it doesn’t get too boring. 

You have to UBER or find alternate parking to get to the parks. It’s too far to walk. 

Getaway Today offers free parking and breakfast for both of these hotels!

Book Ayres Hotel Orange

Ayres Hotel Orange Rankings:

1. Proximity to Disney: 1
2. Price: 3
3. Amenities (pool gym etc): 2
4. Breakfast / Food: 5 (full buffet breakfast with Getaway Today)
5. Rooms: 3 (4 adults per room, family of 5 okay)
6. Parking: 1 ($15 per night, Getaway Today parking is free, have to drive or take UBER or Lyft to the parks)

Other Hotels To Consider

The following hotels are places we have not stayed in or toured yet, but from what I hear are great options to stay. Tours, rankings, and full review coming soon!

Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel (Hojo)

Hyatt House

Residence Inn Anaheim Resort

Candy Cane Inn

Pixar Place Hotel (formerly Paradise Pier Hotel)

Disneyland Hotel