The best Disneyland hotels for families in California

Families always ask us, “Which is the best Anaheim accommodation for families?” so we have done the research and found the best family accommodation in Anaheim for your next LA holiday. 

You can commute to Disneyland Resort from LA, but staying in Anaheim is really where it’s at. After a big day out, the last thing you’ll want to do is load your tired tots into the car and drive an hour. These hotels have family-friendly accommodation, swimming pools and splash parks, locations within walking distance of Disneyland Parks and more.

Where to stay in Anaheim

Disneyland Resort Hotels

Enjoy the magic of Disneyland at one Disneyland’s three hotels. Book early as not only do guests of Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa enjoy superlative service and amenities, they’re invited to enter the parks 30 minutes early on select hotel stays with a valid theme park ticket and reservation, before it’s open to the public, to enjoy some of the hottest attractions.

The Pixar Place Hotel

The Pixar Place Hotel is a fantastical hotel filled with character artwork, early sketches, finished designs and stories from Pixar films such as Finding Nemo, Inside Out and Soul. Pixar Place Hotel features accommodation that celebrates Pixar’s Animation Studios. The cherry on top of the 479 hotel rooms are the two-bedroom themed signature suites. The Coco Suite pays tribute to Miguel and his family’s legacy through vibrant Oaxacan art, while the Incredibles Suite features Parr family memorabilia with a spy-fi twist.

But this hotel is more about what’s beyond your room. Families can lounge by the Pixel Pool, frolic in the Finding Nemo-themed splash pad and ride down Crush’s Surfin’ Slide. Then, head to the rooftop to watch fireworks and relax on the plush couches beside character-themed fire pits. The Pixar Shorts Court offers outdoor games themed to Pixar short films. Plus guests get early entry into Disneyland and a dedicated entrance to Disney California Adventure Park.

There are also plenty of “Good Neighbour” hotels for all budgets, located just steps away from all the fun.

The Westin Anaheim Resort

Conveniently located just across from Disneyland Parks, The Westin Anaheim Resort is a AAA Four-Diamond hotel with beautiful accommodations. Suites and connecting rooms are tailored for families and boast impeccable amenities and 24-hour room service.

From the moment you arrive, kids are made to feel welcome with a Westin Family Travel Journal and Local Activity Guide, brimming with activities. After exploring all that Anaheim has to offer, the resort’s pool deck provides a refreshing retreat. Families can also partake in wellness walks, a resort art quest, yoga sessions, and engage in Bella’s Board Game Bonanza by the pool. Delight your palate with seven diverse on-site dining options including an upscale steakhouse, and traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. At night, head to the rooftop bar for panoramic views of Disneyland® Resort’s fireworks display.

Read: The Westin Anaheim Resort accommodation guide

Clementine Hotel & Suites Anaheim

Clementine Hotel & Suites is located within walking distance of Disneyland. The Anaheim accommodation customisable all-suite accommodation for families of all sizes includes spacious living and innovative features such as swivel TVs, fully equipped kitchens, and comfy beds to enhance your Disney dreams. The family-friendly hotel also has a breakfast buffet, on-site market, grocery service, barbecues and laundry. Little ones will love the arcade games room, playground, and 24-hour heated outdoor pool.

Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Resort/ Convention Center

Just a three-minute drive from the Disneyland Resort, Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Resort/Convention Center is in the middle of the magic. Choose between standard guest rooms or accessible family suites that comfortably accommodate up to eight. Suits provide the perfect space to relax with separate living and sleeping areas and bunk beds for little guests. An on-site Bistro offers food and Starbucks coffee, plus there is also a 24-hour market. Two heated outdoor pools, one of which is a dedicated kids’ pool, ensure a fun-filled end to the day’s adventures.

Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area

Ideally situated in the heart of the Anaheim Resort District, with easy access to Anaheim’s most popular attractions, Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area is a destination in itself.

Boasting resort-style amenities and attractions including an outdoor swimming pool with hot tubs and a massive water park with multiple water slides and splash pads. There’s also a putting green, oversized outdoor movie wall, cosy fire pits, six on-site restaurants and evening entertainment, making this four-star resort a fave for families.

Accommodation includes spacious premium family suites that sleep up to eleven and come complete with a wet bar, kid-friendly bunk beds and a separate living space.

Sonesta Anaheim Resort Area

Located right in the heart of Orange County, Sonesta Anaheim Resort Area is a great choice for families looking for a place to stay and play in Anaheim. Thoughtfully designed family suites feature a queen and bunk beds, plus bean bags for comfort. Each has a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee maker as well as a dining space for eating in.

A proud Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel, guests can take advantage of a shuttle service to Disneyland and other popular Anaheim attractions. The hotel’s heated outdoor swimming pool and spa provides the perfect spot for tired families to unwind after a long day of thrilling Anaheim adventures.

Sonesta ES Suites Anaheim Resort Area

A Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel, Sonesta ES Suites Anaheim Resort Area is located close to many of Anaheim’s top attractions. Whether you’re planning to stay for a few days or making it an extended vacation, Sonesta ES Suites Anaheim Resort Area is designed for flexibility.

Families will enjoy the convenience of roomy one- to two-bedroom suite-style accommodations with fully equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi and a handy workspace. The hotel also offers free breakfast with fresh coffee, and an on-site laundry. After a big day of only-in-Anaheim fun, families can cool off in the hotel’s outdoor pool or kick back and relax in the comfy common area.

Nickelodeon Hotel and Resort

Watch this space as SpongeBob SquarePants is joining the Anaheim party in 2027. A brand-new Nickelodeon Hotel and Resort with a lazy river, pool slide, retail, dining and entertainment spaces, including a Nick arcade and 600-seat Nick Studio, has been given the green light and is one of the three new resorts ready to break ground in Anaheim’s ever-evolving Garden Grove area.

Discover Disneyland Resort

It’s where dreams come true and magic comes to life! Little ones’ (and their equally excited parents’) hearts pound with excitement as they come face-to-face with some of their idols. A place where you can scale the Matterhorn, snap a selfie with a princess, fly the Millennium Falcon on an intergalactic smuggling run and be taken to task by a couple of antsy Stormtroopers, all before 11am.

I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole into a timeless world of magic and out-of-this-world adventure at Disneyland Resort in California. Caught up in a whirl of thrilling new experiences and all-time favourite fun, I have to say – cheeks aching from smiling since the moment I stepped past Mickey’s smiling face and through its iconic gates – I’m not in a hurry to come back up for air.

Boasting over 80 attractions across both Parks and Disney Characters at every turn. The rides are spectacular, but what really sets them apart are the stories they tell, too.

There’s also plenty for younger kids; like the Mad Tea Party, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and a special breakfast with Minnie Mouse.

Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park

At Disneyland Resort’s two magical parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park – filling up three or four days is easily done.

This year the legendary resort is celebrating 100 years of Disney magic. Along with all the usual attractions, guests will be invited to feast on festive fare, enjoy new night-time spectaculars and parades and leap on to a new ride, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Read: Disney turns 100 and is celebrating with new attractions, experiences and limited time offerings

Other kid-friendly attractions in Anaheim

Consider extending your stay to take in some of the other incredible attractions in the Anaheim area, including a selection of other theme parks such as the kid-friendly Knott’s Berry Farm and its water park, Soak City.

Six Flags Magic Mountain located an hour north has some of the fastest, tallest, wildest and most heart-pumping rides, Six Flags Magic Mountain is said to have more adrenaline-pumping ‘coasters than any other amusement park in the world.

Catch some all-American sporting action, complete with mandatory hot dog. Hot tickets include a baseball game at Angel Stadium or seeing the Anaheim Ducks ice hockey team, allegedly founded by Disney after the successful movie, The Mighty Ducks.

Read: 24 best things to do in Anaheim with kids

If the kids feel like cooling off, Huntington Beach, better known as Surf City USA, is just 30 kilometres from Disneyland. The wide beach has an iconic public pier, great waves and rental shops and schools if the kids want to ride its world-famous surf. If you visit during the holidays, you can buy a s’mores kit and toast the chocolatey confections over one of the firepits on the beach.

Catch some all-American sporting action, complete with mandatory hot dog. Hot tickets include a baseball game at Angel Stadium or seeing the Anaheim Ducks ice hockey team, allegedly founded by Disney after the successful movie, The Mighty Ducks.

This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.

Check for performance times. Both a Theme Park reservation and valid ticket for the same Park on the same date are required for Park entry. Entertainment and offerings are subject to availability, restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit Disneyland.com.au for important information before visiting the Disneyland Resort.