California Resident’s Top 3 Offsite Disneyland Hotels

Visiting The Disneyland Resort in California is a whole different adventure than visiting Walt Disney World in Florida. The same can be said for hotel accommodations.   Let’s take a look at my 3 favorite offsite hotel recommendations.  – Marisol

I’m often asked whether to stay on property at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels, (Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, The Grand California Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel), or to stay off property. The second question I am often asked is how close in proximity are the off-property hotels to the entrance of The Disneyland Resort.

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This year will mark 38 years from my first visit to Disneyland. I was a mere 8 months old. My parent’s remember that I was so mesmerized by everything around me that I refused to eat and I never took a nap for the entire day! Growing up a mere 2 1/2 hours from Disneyland, we visited quite frequently. There were visits where we would leave home at 4:30 am in order to be at the park for rope drop.

One of my fondest memories is waking everybody in the house and demanding them to get a move-on because we needed to hit the road so we could be at the gate by opening. (Little did I know, even at that age, I was so adamant about “rope dropping” without having the proper terminology!) We’d spend the entire day at the park and at night, after the fireworks, we would get back on the road to head home.

However, there were also trips where we stayed for a variety of days and time and therefore it required us to have to stay at a hotel.

Would you believe that in all 38 years of visiting The Disneyland Resort, I have never stayed at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. Not even once. I’ve been inside them for character dining and to look around, but never have stayed in one.  Come to think of it, I never thought anything of it.  We’ve had our own favorite hotels that we frequently have visited over the years, as they are LITERALLY across the street from the parks!

I do have to say that my mind was blown when I first started researching and planning  our first visit to WDW in 2015. I had been so used to having both parks literally steps away from one another, that not only was my mind blown about how spread out the parks are, but the huge difference at staying on property than off property.

Today I’m going to share with you three of my favorite hotels when visiting Disneyland: Tropicana Inn and Suites, Camelot Inn and Suites and Desert Palms Hotel and Suites. I’ll also share my pro’s and con’s to each hotel.

Tropicana Inn and Suites

This newly renovated hotel sits directly across the street from Disneyland on 1540 South Harbor Road. It is also a Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel, which means that it offers quality and close proximity to The Disneyland Resort.

The daily parking fee is $15.00 plus 17% tax. (*Tax subject to change). One vehicle per standard room or two vehicles per suite at $15.00 each. Additional vehicles may be parked on site at $25.00 plus tax per day.

This hotel offers 194 rooms with a palm tree Mediterranean vibe within all of its rooms.  It features an in-room microwave, refrigerator, coffee/tea maker and hair dryer.  The hotel does include an outdoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, guest laundry and a gift shop and complimentary Wi-Fi. They offer seven different types of rooms and suites:  

• Single King
• Double King
• Double Queen with Sleep Chair
• Disney Executive Suite
• One Room Kitchen Suite
• Two Room Kitchen Suite
• Family Suite

Pros:

• It is a five minute walk from your hotel room to the entrance to The Disneyland Resort.
• The entire hotel was recently renovated and the rooms are very clean and spacious. This also happens to be our personal favorite hotel that we tend to always stay at during our visit to Disneyland and California Adventures. They also offer returning discounts.
• The Cove Market and Cafe is located on site as a market, deli and coffeehouse that carries food, beverages, souvenirs and more.

Cons:

• Does not offer a continental breakfast

Camelot Inn and Suites

This is the sister property to the Tropicana Inn and Suites and is located two buildings across from one another.  It is located at 1520 South Harbor Street. It is also a Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel.

The daily parking fee is $15.00 plus 17% tax. (*Tax subject to change). One vehicle per standard room or two vehicles per suite at $15.00 each. Additional vehicles may be parked on site at $25.00 plus tax per day.

The Camelot Inn & Suites is a family-friendly castle theme property which offers 199 guest rooms and suites.  The property offers an outdoor pool, child’s wading pool and spa. Guest Laundry and a Gift Shop are available as well, along with complimentary Wi-Fi.  They offer 8 different types of rooms and suites:

• King with Sleeper Chair (newly renovated)
• King with Sofa Bed (newly renovated)
• Double Queen (newly renovated)
• Double Queen with Sleeper (newly renovated)
• Two Room Family Suite (newly renovated)
• King Mini Suite*
• Double Queen Room*
• Family Suite*

*Rooms are in the process of being renovated. Projected date of completion: Summer 2020.

Pros:

• McDonald’s is next door to the property.  This was great as we are able to eat breakfast before heading into the parks and grabbing a late night snack after visiting the parks or a quick lunch during the day.  Panera Bread is located on the other side of McDonald’s.
•  One can step outside of any room and enjoy the majestic view of the Monorail, the Matterhorn and the fireworks.

Cons:

• Does not offer a continental breakfast

Desert Palms Hotel and Suites

This property is located at 631 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802.  It is also a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel.  It is approximately 2 blocks (.7 miles/ 10 minute walk)  from the entrance to The Disneyland Resort.

It offers 188 rooms that include guest rooms and family-friends suites, amenities which include a room fridge, microwave, coffee/tea maker, hairdryer and safe.  Self-parking is currently $16 per night plus tax*. Unfortunately, due to space, additional vehicles cannot be accommodated. *Parking Rate for reservations reserved for next year (2020) will be $18 per night plus tax.

The hotel also has two restaurants and a year-round temperature controlled, outdoor pool, a whirlpool, and a fitness center. All guest rooms include a free hot breakfast buffet daily. Breakfast hours are from 6:30am to 10:00am and a large variety of foods are offered including sausage, eggs, waffles, pastries, and other items that rotate daily.

The offer 10 different types of rooms and suites:

• Deluxe Room with 2 Queen Beds
• Deluxe Studio Suite
• 1 Bedroom Suite with Bunk Beds
• 1 Bedroom Suite with Full Kitchen
• 2 Bedroom and 2 Bathroom Suite
• Deluxe 2 Bedroom Suite with Bunk Beds
• Deluxe Room with 1 Queen Bed
• ADA Accessible Deluxe Room with 2 Queen Beds
• ADA Accessible Deluxe Room with 1 King Bed
• ADA Accessible Deluxe Studio Suite

Pros:

• Complimentary hot breakfast buffet.
• The hotel offers several children activities for children. Upon arrival, there is a Kids Registration desk where kids can “check in” to the room along with their parents.
• Scavenger hunts in the lobby are offered anytime during their visit and upon completion children will receive a a prize.
• Photo station at the front desk with fun filters
• Kids Media Lounge in the lobby that plays different Disney movies daily
• Once a week, usually on Wednesdays or holidays, there is a Kids Craft during breakfast.

Cons:

• Two block walk back from the parks to the hotel
• There is no shuttle provided from hotel to the parks

So, there you have it! A California resident’s top 3 non-Disney property resorts to stay at during your visit to The Disneyland Resort.

Have you ever stayed at one of my top 3 favorite non-Disney off-site properties?  Do you have a favorite suggestion? Comment down below.

by: Marisol White
Follow me @marisolsmouseketools on Instagram