Where to stay in Disneyland Resort California

The Disneyland Resort is also home to three hotels that are just footsteps away from the thrills of the Disneyland Resort theme parks and the multitude of dining, entertainment and shopping at the Downtown Disney District.

As a walking resort and due to the close proximity of all parks, the Disneyland Resort is noted for its convenience and ease of navigation making it an ideal holiday destination for families with small children and children of all ages!

Designed in California’s renowned Arts and Crafts style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel [Pictured right] is a true testament to Disney’s hospitality and creativity.

Recently ranked the #3 hotel for family friendly resort destinations by Travel & Leisure Family magazine, the hotel boasts 745 guest rooms and 44 suites.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel also features an array of fine dining including the nationally renowned and award-winning Napa Rose restaurant that provides specialty dining dishes, spectacular views of Disney’s California Adventure park and expert sommeliers [The Mole ate there and it was fantastic, with more somelliers than any other restaurant in the world – proving that Disney about much more than ice cream and burgers!] to assist in making the perfect selection from one of the finest collections of California wines anywhere in the world. 

Storyteller’s Café is another dining experience within the hotel where kids and adults alike can enjoy a distinct and one-of-a-kind meal with two of Disney’s favorite characters Chip n’ Dale. The Grand Californian also has three pools and a spa. 

For the past 50 years, the iconic Disneyland Hotel [Pictured left] has provided its guests with a rich tradition of fun and warm hospitality. 

The Three-Diamond Awarding-winning hotel has 990 guest rooms and 60 suites along with an array of fine dining including the award-winning Granville’s Steak House, Goofy’s Kitchen, Hook’s Pointe and the cozy Wine Cellar. 

Guests can also enjoy the Never Land Pool that is themed entirely on Walt Disney’s classic animated film “Peter Pan.

California’s breezy laidback beach lifestyle is in full effect at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, [Pictured right] where The Mole stayed, inspired by a beach boardwalk hotel and boasting spectacular views of Disney’s California Adventure, the hotel has 489 rooms and 25 suites. 

Paradise Pier has an array of fine-dining including Yamabuki, an authentic Japanese restaurant, and PCH Grill that features a Lilo & Stitch character breakfast. 

Guests can relax at the scenic outdoor terrace with its sparkling pool and bubbling spa. 

All Resort hotel guests can take advantage of Pinocchio’s Workshop, located in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, which is a fun and unique activity center for children between the ages of five and 12. 

Parents or caregivers can take advantage of this when they decide to take in a meal alone or take advantage of one of the many other entertainment offerings that the Disneyland Resort provides.

[Pictured right: John Alwyn-Jones of TravelMole meets Mickey and Minney – The Mole declined to be photographed! 

Kids, even big ones can have an evening full of arts and crafts, computer games, Disney films, dinner and snacks while under the care of licensed supervisors.

The Mole’s tip – make sure you stay in what they call an “on property ” hotel, i.e. a Disney hotel as you get extra perks, not least of all that you have direct access to the parks but you can also enter the parks early, well before the general public and get on those rides early! 

You can also attend all the character breakfasts and I really enjoyed mine with Goofy!

A Special Disney Report by The Mole