Disneyland Babymoon: Where We Stayed
When planning a trip to Disneyland, where to stay is an important consideration. In fact, I would argue that where you stay can be a make or break aspect of a Disney vacation. Unlike Disney World, where staying in the parks is highly recommended, you can stay outside the parks at Disneyland and still have a magical (and conveniently located) experience. The three Disneyland hotels are incredibly expensive, making staying in a nearby hotel even more appealing. While I’m sure our trip could have been marginally more immersive with a stay at Disneyland Resort or the Grand Californian, the money we saved allowed us to splurge in some other areas. If you do decide to stay outside the parks, there are still several important considerations, including cost, amenities, and location. Given the long list of “Good Neighbor” hotels near Disneyland, it can be a little overwhelming to narrow it down. In general, I recommend starting by considering one of the hotels along S Harbor Blvd - even though you’re literally across the street from the parks, staying here can save you hundreds of dollars per night compared to a stay in a Disneyland hotel.
So where did we end up? Our hotel of choice was the Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort. The hotel was exactly what we were looking for with an ideal location that was less than a 10 minute walk from the main entrance to Disneyland, perfect for returning to the hotel for my non-negotiable mid-afternoon nap. There was a nearby Panera that would deliver to the hotel room, but we found it was the perfect spot to grab a quick coffee or breakfast to enjoy while we waited in line for the rope drop each morning.
The hotel itself was comfortable enough, if nothing overwhelmingly special. Unsurprisingly, there were nods to Disney throughout the hotel, which was a nice touch. Also, because it is in the Marriott family of hotels, I earned points on the stay (always planning the next trip!). We did not spend much awake time here, but the hotel offered several amenities, including an outdoor pool and hot tub, an onsite Pizza Hut, a marketplace with a selection of food and beverages including some hot items, a game room, and, of course, a gift shop full of Disney paraphernalia.
We stayed in one of the “Premium,” Disney-themed rooms. Available with either a king bed or two queen beds, each of these rooms also includes a pull out sofa, offering plenty of room for families. In addition to the fun theme, the spacious room also offered a view of the parks. At night, you could even see the fireworks, although we were usually in the parks instead of our hotel room during the shows. With otherwise standard amenities, the hotel room was exactly what we needed for our trip, especially considering how little time we spent there. The only negative we found was that the bed was firmer than either one of us prefers, so we both struggled a bit with sleep. Or should I say, Brandon struggled a bit with sleep. I wasn’t exactly getting stellar sleep at that point, regardless of where I slept. Thank you pregnancy.
I’ll share more about the cost in a future budget post. If you’re thinking about your own trip to Disneyland, the Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort is a solid choice within comfortable walking distance of the happiest place on earth. If you are looking for a few more amenities, the next door Courtyard, while more expensive, has slightly more upscale rooms - some with bunk beds - and its own mini waterpark. For a map of all of the Good Neighbor hotels, click here. More about the magic is up next!
