You might already know there are three Disneyland Resort Hotels, but do you know all the perks of staying at one of them? Honestly, guys, I’ve never stayed in a park hotel. SO, I asked my friends at Get Away Today to share the benefits of staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel, so you can see why it’s worth it for your next vacation.
2022 Update: Disneyland is OPEN to ALL VISITORS. It is currently requiring masks in INDOOR locations only. The Genie is now at Disneyland, learn all about it here. Get your trips planned for the year — save the most and get the best hotel when you book early! Use Coupon code CURLS10 to save an extra $10 when booking hotel & tickets.
This is part of my Disneyland Tips series, and don’t miss my other hotel posts. I share the cheapest Disneyland hotels, the closest hotels, and I even have a list of my favorite family packages (which includes reviews of all the hotels I’ve stayed at).
Ok, take it away Get Away Today (btw in 2021 I did a tour with them for the best Disneyland hotels for families)!
Perks of Disneyland Resort Hotels
The three Disneyland Resort Hotels range from value to moderate to deluxe, so there is an option for every budget. Each is within walking distance of the Disneyland Resort, but that’s just one of the many benefits!
Benefits of staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel
Paradise Pier Hotel – This value hotel is located within walking distance of the Disneyland Resort, on the Disney California Adventure Park end. Select rooms even have views of the Park, including the iconic Pixar Pal-A-Round in Pixar Pier.
The Paradise Pier Hotel features a casual, 1920s beach theme, and is home to Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast Character Dining. If you make a reservation for this experience, you’ll just head to the lobby of your hotel and enjoy a delicious buffet and Disney Characters before you head to the Parks. Characters vary, but you might encounter Stitch along with Donald, Mickey, Minnie and more.
Each registered guest of Paradise Pier Hotel is granted Extra Magic Hour, which is theme park admission one hour before the Parks open to the general public. Each day of your stay, you’ll use your theme park ticket and hotel room key to get into either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park; simply check the Disneyland app or website to confirm.
Typically, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are Disneyland Park Extra Magic Hour days. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday are Disney California Adventure Park Extra Magic Hour days. During Extra Magic Hour, select rides are open for guests to enjoy before general admission.
Paradise Pier Hotel is known for its rooftop pool with a waterslide. There’s both a leisure pool and a children’s pool, plus a whirlpool and The Sand Bar for snacks and beverages.
From the third floor rooftop pool and lounge areas, you can catch a fireworks show or World of Color performance on select nights at neighboring Disney California Adventure Park. It’s a wonderful way to beat the crowds in the evening and is definitely a perk of staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel.
Disney is known for going out of their way with customer service, and at Paradise Pier Hotel you can enjoy in-room celebrations if you’re visiting Disneyland for a milestone such as a birthday, graduation or anniversary. Simply let a Get Away Today travel specialist know about it when you book, and arrangements can be made!
You can also request complimentary Character wakeup calls in your room, and can have Park merchandise delivered to your hotel at no additional charge. It’s a great benefit of Disneyland Resort Hotels so you don’t have to carry souvenirs around with you all day.
Pro Tip from Hilary: If that extra hour of time in the parks is important to you — you can stay at one of these cheaper hotels to enjoy that!
Perks of Staying at the Disneyland Hotel
Disneyland Hotel – For proximity to Disneyland park, the Disneyland Hotel can’t be beat! This moderate hotel is within convenient walking distance and is just north of Paradise Pier Hotel.
Depending on availability, you may find yourself with views of the Park and its fireworks on select nights. Disneyland Hotel decor is a nod to vintage Disney, and there is an old, light-up map of the Parks in the lobby. Guests love the rooms in Disneyland Hotel for many reasons, but the light up, musical headboards are especially popular. With the touch of a button you can sing along with “A Dream is a Wish” and watch your headboard magically twinkle.
If you book Goofy’s Kitchen Character Dining, you’ll find the restaurant here at the Disneyland Hotel, serving up visits from Chip, Dale and more right at your table. The buffet breakfast offers great variety and is the perfect way to start the day.
As with Paradise Pier Hotel reservations, when you stay at Disneyland Hotel you have Extra Magic Hour each day of your stay. Bring your theme park admission and hotel room key to get into either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park one hour before general admission. Use this time to enjoy select rides that are open early and get a jumpstart on your day.
Another perk of staying onsite at Disneyland Hotel is the retro pool and lounge area. There are two monorail waterslides, which are a nod to a classic form of transportation in the Resort. Take a dip in either the E-Ticket Pool or D-Ticket Pool, and soak up the sun and make sure the little kids check out the smaller slides built with them in mind.
When you book, let Get Away Today know if you’re celebrating anything special so Disney can help with in-room celebrations. That little extra touch of magic is what Disney Customer Service is known for!
Perks of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – This deluxe hotel is located inside Disney California Adventure Park. As a result, it may be obvious that one of the perks of the Grand is its location! It has its own private entrance to California Adventure, as well as an entrance to Downtown Disney. With valid theme park admission and your hotel room key, you can use either one for Extra Magic Hour admission on select days (usually Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Extra Magic Hour is also available for Disneyland Park on alternating days.
For convenient access to Character Dining, stay at the Grand Californian and book the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventure in Napa Rose Restaurant. You’ll enjoy one-on-one time with select Princesses, as well as a delicious meal designed for all ages. Book Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast or Brunch Buffet at Storyteller’s Cafe for visits with Mickey and friends during your meal, including photo opps and storytelling.
Perks of the Grand Californian Hotel include the three outdoor pools, surrounded by towering trees and comfy lounge chairs. The Redwood Pool features a waterslide, and there’s a whirlpool at the Mariposa Pool. You can enjoy poolside snacks and beverages from the adjacent Storyteller’s Cafe.
As a deluxe hotel, the Grand includes live piano music in the lobby, exquisite craftsman lodge decor and even nightly turn-down service. Be sure to look for drawings of Chip and Dale throughout the hotel, too!
Book with Get Away Today and Save
To enjoy the perks of Disneyland Resort Hotels, book soon with Get Away Today. When you add a hotel to your vacation package, you can enjoy an additional $10 in savings with code Curls10. Just let them know Pulling Curls sent you! You can book at www.getawaytoday.com, or call a travel specialist directly at 855-GET-AWAY.
Hilary here now. I had honestly never even thought of staying at a Disney hotel, but after reading think it might be worth the cash, especially if you want that extra hour. Which one would you pick?
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