Summary
The Disneyland Hotel is the original of the three on-site Disneyland hotels. It's situated off Magic Way at the west end of Downtown Disney and is about a 5- to 10-minute walk to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks. Guests who visit Disneyland Park can take the Monorail from Downtown Disney straight into Tomorrowland. A visit to the Disneyland Hotel has all the vintage Disney feels you are looking for, along with recently refurbished rooms and a sprinkling of Disney magic around every corner.
Overview of the Disneyland Hotel
The Disneyland Hotel is a special place. The three towers are named for original lands at Disneyland Park: Fantasy (the tower with the lobby and entrance); Adventure, which is on the Downtown Disney side; and Frontier, which is across the pool area from Fantasyland Tower and toward the Downtown Disney lot. Across the pool from the Adventure Tower is where the new Disney Vacation Club tower is being constructed, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel.
With timeless artwork, Mickey and Minnie statues and character topiaries, Disneyland Hotel has a touch of Disney everywhere you look. Are you trying to decide where to stay at (or near) Disneyland? Here is everything you need to know about Disneyland Hotel rooms, amenities, dining and more.
Disneyland Hotel Rooms
Answer your wake-up call from Mickey Mouse when you stay on-site! The pixie dust is sprinkled everywhere. The hotel rooms have Sleeping Beauty Castle light-up headboards that play "When You Wish Upon a Star." Beds have room for storage underneath them. Fireworks designs in the carpeting channel the fun of the theme parks into the rooms. The rooms are state-of-the-art and are decorated with hints of Disney. (Can you spot the Mickey head in the lamp shade?)
SAVE UP TO $195/NIGHT
Discount Disneyland Hotel rates are available through Undercover Tourist!
All towers have the pool area on one side and face out from the hotel on the other side. Standard views face trees or parking areas. Premium views face the pool or Downtown Disney.
The nice thing about most standard Disneyland Hotel rooms is that they sleep up to five people (with a maximum of three adults). The couch turns into a daybed that is between the size of a twin and a full, so even a fifth person can be comfortable. Be sure to book a room with two queens and a daybed if you need space for a fifth person. If you need a larger room for six to 14 people (or a themed Signature Suite), you can book directly through Disneyland Hotel.
Rooms come with a mini-fridge, high-speed internet Wi-Fi service, a coffee maker and more. We love the double sinks and Mickey hands holding the lights in the bathroom.
Villas at Disneyland Hotel
A new Disney Vacation Club Villas location opens at the Disneyland Hotel on September 28, 2023. The Villas at Disneyland Hotel blend timeless Walt Disney Animation Studios classics with contemporary designs. It includes a restaurant, deck area, Mickey pool and pool restrooms. The The new DVC tower — the fourth tower at the Disneyland Hotel — is across the pool from the Adventure Tower and is located between South Walnut Street and the Disneyland Hotel’s Frontier Tower and swimming pool.
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel has 344 whimsically themed rooms including:
- Duo studios
- Deluxe studios
- One and two-bedroom villas
- Grand villas
Each villa includes modern amenities with Disney magic sprinkled throughout. Themes include Walt Disney Animation Studios films such as “The Jungle Book,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Fantasia” and more.
The good news is that you do not have to be a DVC member to stay here. The even better news is that you can book at a discount through Undercover Tourist! Book in advance. The Villas are limited in availability, and restrictions apply.
Amenities, Recreation and Shopping at the Disneyland Hotel
When you check in, you'll receive an Activities guide that will list all of the activities during the week of your visit. It has art classes, fitness classes and a schedule for movie nights. Another sheet should tell you all about the hotel amenities. Here are a few Disneyland Hotel amenities, recreation and shopping you'll want to know about.
Pools
One of the perks of staying on-site is being able to take the Monorail almost back to the hotel midday to cool off in the pool, which by the way has Monorail waterslides! Our tadpoles love to splash in the pools at Disneyland Hotel. There are two retro-themed pools, two Monorail waterslides, two toddler slides, a zero-entry shallow water-play pool with cascading water and two whirlpool spas. Life jackets are included. You can order food and drinks from a server, including Mickey ice cream bars and Mickey ice cream sandwiches (not on the menu, but ask your server)! You can rent a poolside cabana.
In July and August, look for daily 30-minute pool parties with Disney characters!
Fitness Center
The fitness center is temporarily located in the Mark Twain Room in the Frontier Tower. You can consult the activity guide for fitness classes (some have a fee and some take place inside the Disney California Adventure theme park before it opens).
Spa
You can use the Tenaya Stone Spa, which is located inside Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Movie Nights
Check the activities guide for movie night shows and viewing locations.
Package Delivery
As of Aug. 8, 2022, you can send your theme park purchases to the Disneyland Hotel and receive them the next day.
Souvenir Shops
The Fantasy Tower has two gift shops: Disney's Fantasia Gift Shop and Small World Gifts & Sundries. Looking for more souvenirs? Downtown Disney has a ton of shops, including a huge World of Disney store and Marceline's Confectionery, where you can get caramel apples, churro toffee and all the yummy goodies you'll want to take home.
ATM
You can find an ATM in the Fantasy Tower, as well as in Downtown Disney (near Wetzel's Pretzels).
Laundry
Traveling with kids? You might want to know where you can do laundry because spit-up happens. The budget-friendly laundry facilities are open 24 hours at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel (temporarily unavailable in Disneyland Hotel). Bring credit or debit cards for payment.
Digital Room Key and Key to Magic
You can use your phone as a digital key or choose to receive traditional key cards from the front desk. Your Key to the Magic card is your room key, resort charge card and parking permit. You can receive your card when you check in at the front desk. To charge purchases back to your room, simply present your Key to the Magic card — along with a photo ID — when buying merchandise, tickets and meals at select locations throughout the theme parks, hotels and the Downtown Disney District.
Housekeeping
Light housekeeping comes by every other day of your stay at this time to remove trash and used towels. If you need anything before that, just ask Guest Services.
Surprise Character Greetings
We recently caught up with Chip 'n' Dale near the hotel lobby and valet parking area! We have also run into Goofy, Minnie and pals outside of Goofy's Kitchen. Disneyland Hotel seems to have the most spontaneous character interactions just when you'd least expect it!
Fun Classes
Learn how to hula dance, play the ukulele or draw a Disney character. Learn how to turn your park map into an origami souvenir. Sign up for fitness classes in a theme park or in a pool! There are many magical offerings for hotel guests.
Parking
Hotel guests pay $65 per night per vehicle for valet parking and $35 a night for self-parking. Oversized vehicles are $40 per vehicle per night.
For day guests:
- Self-parking is $35 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $75.
- Valet parking is $65 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $135.
- Oversized vehicle parking is $40 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $80.
Hotel restaurant validation rates include the following:
- 3 hours of complimentary parking — your choice of valet or self-parking — with restaurant validation at Disneyland Hotel. You can only validate for one restaurant per visit, no matter how many places you eat.
The Fantasy self-parking lot of the Disneyland Hotel has ChargePoint charging ports. To use a port, you’ll need to scan a ChargePoint card.
Dining at Disneyland Hotel
Coming soon, Disneyland Resort hotel guests get preferred dining access to hotel table-service restaurants during the dates of stay. Here's where to eat and drink at the Disneyland Hotel.
Goofy’s Kitchen
As soon as you arrive to check in, you'll get your photo taken with Goofy. Then you'll be shown to your table, where characters parade past every 20 minutes. You can enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast or dinner buffet. The food is kid-friendly, and adults will find items to please them, too. You can get all the Mickey waffles and pancakes you can eat!
You might see Chip, Dale, Pluto and Minnie at Goofy's Kitchen. The characters dance by your table.
The character interactions are more limited at this time. If you want hugs and posed photos with characters besides Goofy, you can find them at the other Disneyland character dining locations.
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill
This quick-service dining location located over the pool area has mobile order available. You can also order your food at the register and a server will bring it to you. Seating is indoors or outdoors amongst the palms and tiki torches. You can find many of the same items you'd get from Trader Sam's, such as ramen, a Pu Pu Platter, wings, gyoza and more. All day long, you can find quick grab 'n' go items such as fruit and baked items, kids meals and Dole Whip. In fact, you can get Dole Whip floats, including adult versions with rum!
At breakfast, get your American Breakfast, short rib steak and eggs, Acai Chia breakfast bowl, avocado toast, thick & fluffy pancakes, Tangaroa Toast, burritos and more.
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
This bar and restaurant is so much fun that we gave it its own post. Kids (under 21) are welcome until 8 p.m. at the tables. Order special drinks that cause the weather to change in the bar and volcanoes to erupt. Watch out for sinking bar stools and hidden gems all around the bar.
The Coffee House
The Coffee House is located just outside of Goofy's Kitchen. It's mainly open in the morning (and until 6 p.m. on the weekend) for coffee, pastries, ice cream, yogurt, cereal, fruit and more.
Room Service
Room Service is available at this hotel for breakfast and in the evening. You can also use a QR code to order food from select Downtown Disney restaurants and have it delivered to the lobby.
Downtown Disney
Just outside the hotel, you’ll find a bunch of quick-service and table-service dining choices. Hop over to our Downtown Disney restaurants post to find the best choice for you.
We recommend making a reservation if you want to dine at Goofy's Kitchen, Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar (or even some Downtown Disney locations). Reservations can open up to 60 days in advance at 6 a.m. Some locations do open up reservation times later, so if you do not see what you want, keep checking back. If you don't get a reservation, you may be able to join the walk-up availability list through the Disneyland app.
What to Consider Before Staying at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
If you are deciding between staying at the Disneyland Hotel versus the other Disneyland hotels or off-site, here are a few things to consider.
Location
It's a great location next to Downtown Disney and within a short walking distance to both theme parks and the other two hotels. It's also a short walk to the parking structures. It does not have a dedicated theme park entrance like the other two hotels, but you can take the Monorail from Downtown Disney into the theme park.
Budget
This hotel is the middle-priced hotel of the three on-site Disneyland hotels. You can save money on a room when you book your Disneyland Hotel stay through Undercover Tourist (psst ... we sell discount theme park tickets too!). Use your savings to get a Dole Whip float with a splash of rum at Tangaroa Terrace or Trader Sam's and a nice meal.
View
This can vary per room. The Downtown Disney–facing rooms have a distant view of the park and of Downtown Disney. You can see fireworks from these rooms. Many rooms face inward at the pools. The more affordable rooms face parking lots.
Early Entry to Theme Parks
As of Aug. 8, 2022, Disneyland Resort hotel guests can enter either theme park 30 minutes before the parks open to access select attractions, dining and shopping!
How much time are you planning to spend at the hotel?
But if you want to come and go between the hotel and the theme park to take breaks to use the pools and cool off or relax within the Disney magic, then this is your place. If you are an open-to-close theme park warrior, you might not be spending a lot of time at the hotel. A short walking distance is nice, but if you want to save money on your lodging, you can find less expensive hotels near Disneyland for less.
What kind of vibe are you looking for?
You'll step into the hotel and see an old map of Disneyland (before Downtown Disney the other hotels and the Matterhorn Bobsleds even existed). This is a family-friendly hotel that has a vintage Disney feel and all the palm trees to remind you that you are in SoCal but with hints of a tropical getaway without the humidity. It has a multi-level pool area with Monorail water slides and a shallow water play area for toddlers. Adults will love the tropical bar at Trader Sam's. If you are a diehard old-school Disney fan who wants a vintage Disneyland with a tropical vacation, this is the hotel to take you there.
How big is your party?
Most standard rooms at Disneyland Hotel (and nearby Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel) have larger rooms and a day bed for a fifth person (or if you have party members who do not want to share a bed). That makes this a good on-site property for larger families. There are family suites that may appeal to larger parties.
How old is your party?
If you have kids from toddlers to teens, this is a good hotel choice. The pool has slides the whole family can enjoy. Even our toddler, Lily, went down the smaller Monorail water slide. She loved splashing in the shallow water play pool. Her tween brother Tad, was hoppy with the taller red Monorail slide. Adult Disney fans will love the throwback feel of the hotel and adult drinks and experiences at Trader Sam's.
Security
You will need to prepare to go through a security bag check and metal detector every time you enter Downtown Disney to head to the theme parks. The early bird gets the worm, so line up extra early to get into the parks before they open.
"Hey, Disney!" is coming soon.
Guests will also soon be able to use the "Hey, Disney!" voice assistant in hotel lobbies and guest rooms. It works alongside Alexa on Amazon Echo.
MagicBand+
MagicBands have come to Disneyland. They are available for sale to the general public as of Oct. 26, 2022 (and to Magic Key holders, DVC members and cast members as of Oct. 19). You can use the band to quickly tap in for park admission, redeeming Lightning Lanes and to get PhotoPass photos. They also light up and vibrate during nighttime entertainment, some Avengers Campus shows and even rides. Get all the details in our MagicBand Disneyland post.
Which Disneyland ticket and reservations do you want?
You have a lot to think about in terms of theme park tickets and theme park reservations. Do you want to start your day in Disneyland Park so you can ride the Monorail in? Or walk to enter either theme park and use the Monorail to return to the hotel for a midday splash in the pool or rest? Just keep in mind that you can't rely on the Monorail to get you back late at night because it usually closes early (by 7 p.m.). Check the hours in the app. This park is equidistant to either theme park.
Keep in mind that all theme park guests must have a valid theme park ticket and them park reservation to visit a park. That goes for hotel guests too. However, a major perk to staying on-site at a Disneyland Resort hotel is that hotel guests can link a hotel stay and open up a different pool of reservations. The hotel guests generally have a better selection of theme park availability. The earlier you reserve, the better the selection.
Is a park hopper ticket worth it?
We think so, especially for a multi-day ticket. Did you know it's the same price to add park hopping to a 1-day ticket as it is for a 5-day ticket? You get your money's worth with a park hopper multi-day ticket. It allows you to start in one park and hop after 1 p.m., that way you can either start or end your day (or even both) at Disney California Adventure. We suggest starting in each park at least once during your visit to take advantage of the shortest lines of the day.
Do you have disabilities?
The Disneyland Hotel offers accessibility services for Guests with disabilities. Features include accessible travel paths in the parking lot, lobby, restaurants, convention spaces and shopping locations, in addition to wheelchair-accessible and hearing-accessible rooms. TTY equipment is available upon request at check-in. There are lifts for the pools. In fact, we saw many different families with wheelchairs enjoying the pool area.
If you'd like to rent a wheelchair or stroller for your visit, you can have it delivered to the hotel. ScooterBug, a private mobility rental company, is Disneyland's official provider. ScooterBug is the only company that can drop off strollers, ECVs and wheelchair rentals—including length-of-stay rentals—for Guests staying at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort without the guest being present.
We love staying at the Disneyland Hotel and we know you will too. Check here for a hoppin' deal on a room. If you need Disneyland theme park tickets, you can also get discount Disneyland Resort theme park tickets from your favorite froggy friends. Book a rental car at the same time you book a room to unlock even deeper discounts!
Related: All of the Magical Reasons to Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel
Related: Tips to Maximize Your Time at Disneyland
Hoppy planning!
