The Anaheim Hotel: Affordable Comfort Steps from Disneyland
There’s something truly magical in knowing you’re mere minutes from a comfortable bed at the end of a long day in Disneyland. As much as I love visiting Disneyland (first as a Cast Member, then as an Annual Passholder, then as a theme park journalist), the Happiest Place on Earth can also feel like the Longest Day on Earth, so a quick journey back to your hotel at night is critical.
While other families are whisked off on buses, trams, or ride shares, you will find yourself back in bed at The Anaheim Hotel before someone else’s Uber driver arrives. Steps from the magic (Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT is literally across the street from the hotel’s parking lot), The Anaheim Hotel offers convenience at an affordable price point without sacrificing charm.
A True Disneyland “Neighbor” When it Comes to Good Neighbor Hotels
The Anaheim Hotel is part of a collection of properties known as “Good Neighbor Hotels.” These hotels are located within close proximity to the parks and meet Disney’s set of standards for quality and service. Essentially, these hotels received Disney’s seal of approval in the event your family chooses to stay off property.
Good Neighbor Hotels typically offer added incentives and conveniences to enhance your Disneyland vacation. The Anaheim Hotel adds their own touches, including themed photo ops to start the day on a magical note. If you are a Disneyland Resort Magic Key Holder, you can enjoy a special 15% off room rate at The Anaheim Hotel.
I happened to stay at The Anaheim Hotel during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, and they offered complimentary shuttle service to and from Anaheim Convention Center all weekend.
As anyone who has spent any length of time in California will tell you: location, location, location. Located next to Disneyland Resort, (there’s an apt “across the street” location marked on Disneyland’s website), The Anaheim Hotel is the ultimate example of “time is money” while on a Disney vacation. From the main entrance to the theme parks, it is no longer of a walk back to The Anaheim Hotel than to some of Disneyland Resort’s hotels.
READ MORE: MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THIS YEAR’S D23 ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT
Mid-Century Charm and Convenience While Saving Hundreds
Aside from the benefit of being a Good Neighbor Hotel, The Anaheim Hotel is a great stay in its own right. With a design inspired by its origins as the Charter House that first opened in 1965, The Anaheim Hotel continues to bring a distinct mid-century vibe to its lobby and throughout the resort grounds.
Speaking of resort grounds, they are wonderfully maintained with lawn games, outdoor seating, fire pits, and more.
Amenities include a pool, fitness center, and multiple on-site dining locations. The food offerings change seasonally, so there’s always something new to check out if you make The Anaheim Hotel a regular part of your Disneyland vacations.
Speaking of regularity, The Anaheim Hotel has its own rewards program called the Anabella Club. Members can enjoy perks such as complimentary nights for every six nights stayed, 10% off on-site dining, a complimentary welcome drink for each stay, room upgrades, and more.
The hotel’s on-site restaurant, The Pizza Press, is open for breakfast daily starting at 6:00 AM, making it a great place for families to fuel up before a day in the parks. It’s also open for lunch and dinner with a menu that features made-to-order pizza, salads, wings, craft beers and more.
For those late nights after a long day in the parks, The Anaheim Hotel’s lobby bar, Front Room Lounge, serves an array of classic crowd-pleasers like cheeseburgers and quesadillas. I particularly enjoyed the wide variety of cocktails served in tiki-inspired glassware that rival what you’ll find at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel.
The Anaheim Hotel knows that the majority of their clientele are here for Disneyland, and the hotel experience is catered as such. The hotel gift shop is even outfitted with a FuelRod kiosk.
The rooms are well-appointed and comfortable. While some could use minor updates, The Anaheim Hotel is currently in the process of renovating many of its rooms. New this summer, families can book Premier Queen rooms with refreshed bathrooms, enhanced air conditioning, and French doors that lead to your patio. For the value they bring, these rooms are perfectly suited for a cozy place to rest your head after clocking 25,000 steps at Disneyland.
The Anaheim Hotel features numerous room and suite types, including a Kid’s Suite that includes one King bed, a sofa bed, and bunk beds with enough space for the entire family. Depending on when you visit, multiple room types are available at The Anaheim Hotel for under $200 a night as of this writing, making it one of the most affordable options in the immediate Disneyland Resort area.
In all, I would gladly return to The Anaheim Hotel when visiting Disneyland Resort if I’m looking to be as close to the magic as possible while also prioritizing my budget. A vacation to Southern California is hardly a cheap one, and finding opportunities to save upwards of hundreds of dollars does not require you needing to sacrifice comfort or convenience.