Top Three Hotels at Disneyland

If you take a trip to Disneyland, you may want to consider staying at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels to make your trip a 24-hour Disney adventure. The Disneyland Resort has three hotels to choose from that can really make your Disney vacation the ultimate experience in family fun. All three of the hotels have beautiful pools and spas, several restaurants (including ones where you can dine with Disney characters), and special Disney décor. The hotels are not cheap, but the experience is worth the high price tag. Even if you get a special deal through a discount travel website or agent, the cheapest rooms start at about $160-$280, depending on which hotel you choose.
Below is my personal review of each hotel. For more information on specific amenities and reservations, check out the website: http://www.disneyland.com or visit www.hotels.com to check for discounted rates.

Grand Californian

The Grand Californian is by far the ultimate way to experience the Disneyland resort. Located right inside the Downtown Disney district, it is the closest you can get to both Disneyland parks. Some rooms actually overlook the California Adventure park, while others overlook Downtown Disney.
It is the most expensive of the Disneyland Resort Hotels, but it is practically a resort in itself, featuring two pools (one with a waterslide), a beautiful lobby in the style of a Yosemite lodge, and a day spa. They offer a nightly kids club where kids can enjoy crafts and other activities while Mom and Dad enjoy a night out.
Located near the swimming pool is a special guests-only entrance into the California Adventure park, which lets you in right next to some of the best attractions, making going back and forth from park to hotel ultra-convenient. When our family stayed at this hotel, we spent several hours in California Adventure one morning, and then grabbed a "Fastpass" (which allows you to return to the ride without waiting in line at a specific time later in the day) for Grizzly River Run, right next to the exit to the hotel. We then went to the hotel to enjoy the pool for a few hours. A few hours later, we pulled shorts on over our bathing suits and headed back to the park to get soaked on the river rapids ride!

Disneyland Hotel

The Disneyland Hotel was the first hotel that the Disneyland Hotel offered, and was recently renovated for a fresh new look. It has Peter Pan themed pools, beautiful koi ponds and waterfalls, an arcade, restaurants, and a workout center. It is also located at the end of the Downtown Disney district, right near some of the neatest features such as the ESPN Sports Zone, the Rainforest Café, the monorail station, and the movie theatre. My husband and I have truly enjoyed the romantic feel of the hotel at night, as the waterfalls and ponds are lit with soft colored lights and soft music plays in the background. With kids or without, staying at the Disneyland Hotel certainly enhances the Disney vacation experience.

Disneyland Paradise Pier

Disneyland Paradise Pier is the cheapest of the resort hotels, but nonetheless provides a wonderful experience for the whole family. It is located across the street from the California Adventure Park, with a special entrance close to the hotel, just for guests of Paradise Pier. The hotel has a rooftop pool with a waterslide, a special beach theme play room for kids where Disney movies play in a sandcastle theatre, an arcade, several restaurants, and a fitness center. It is not significantly cheaper than the Disneyland Hotel, but often has rooms available when the Disneyland Hotel is already full. However, in my opinion, if the Disneyland Hotel is available, I recommend throwing down the few extra dollars to stay there.