Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth, but deciding on a family friendly hotel nearby can be overwhelming. Multidimensional TravelingMom recently had the opportunity to stay at a hotel that accommodates families of all ages. Keep reading for a Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance review. From a waterpark, to large accommodations, to its location, it’s a great family friendly hotel near Disneyland!
Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance Review: A Great Family Friendly Hotel Near Disneyland
Welcome to Anaheim. Not only is it the home of the Happiest Place on Earth (aka Disneyland), but it’s also the home for numerous hotels, some owned by Disney, and others labeled Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels. There are so many options available, that it can be extremely difficult to make a decision.
While we have stayed at a Disney owned hotel in the past, the expense can be a deal breaker. And unlike Walt Disney World, it’s not necessary to stay at a Disney owned hotel when visiting Disneyland for reasons mentioned here. My family and I recently stayed at the fairly new Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance, and found it to be a great family-friendly hotel near Disneyland.
1. Location
Location is everything when planning a hotel stay near Disneyland. Once my family and I arrive in Anaheim, we try to avoid driving as much as possible, especially since California traffic can be very stressful.
Depending on how fast you and your family walk, the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is approximately 5-10 minutes to and from the entrances to Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park. In fact, it’s so close to the two parks that guests can actually see Space Mountain from their balcony!
This particular visit marked our first visit to Disneyland without a stroller for our son, and it was a game changer. We were able to do it, in large part, because we didn’t have a long walk from the hotel to the parks and vice versa.
2. Amenities
Another reason why the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is a family-friendly hotel is that the rooms are extremely spacious. Even though there are just three of us in my family, we still like staying in larger hotel rooms. My son loves bringing toys and coloring books with him, so we definitely need the extra space.
Also, not only are the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance rooms spacious, but they also have bunk beds. My 5-year-old son loved this. And it may have spoiled him for future hotel stays.
The rooms also have Keurig makers, microwaves, and mini refrigerators. I wish more hotels offered microwaves, so I definitely appreciated having it available during our hotel stay. Families, especially, can save money on food.
The rooms also have free Wi-Fi, and Netflix is available for subscribers, which we also enjoyed. After we experienced Haunted Mansion Holiday in Disneyland Park, my son was able to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas via Netflix that same night.
The bathrooms are also spacious. There is a bathtub on one side, which is great for younger children, and a shower on the other side of the bathroom. And as the only female in my family, I appreciated the extra counter space.
3. Surfside Waterpark
The location and amenities are reason enough to stay at the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance. However, the hotel also has a waterpark called Surfside for those who want to relax outside of Disneyland. Use of the waterpark is included in the hotel stay and guests are provided with wristbands to wear upon arrival. Those who are adventurous will enjoy the slides, while younger children will likely appreciate the splash pad features.
We visited in December, and while the pool was heated, it was still a bit cold outside. Nevertheless, it’s a nice option to have, especially for those visiting in the hot summer months.
4. Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel
The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is also a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel. What does that mean exactly? It means that it’s up to Disney’s standards for quality and service. It’s also located within close proximity to Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park. And last but not least, theme park tickets can also be purchased on site.
5. Fireworks
As I mentioned above, certain attractions at Disneyland are visible from the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance Hotel. Best news — weather permitting, guests can also see Disneyland fireworks from the hotel. The wind was relatively strong during our visit so unfortunately the fireworks were canceled at night. But, it’s a huge benefit for families that are traveling with younger children and who aren’t able to stay in the park for fireworks.
6. Other Considerations
There is a parking fee and only valet parking is available. However, several of the hotels in close proximity to Disneyland typically charge a parking fee. We’ve previously stayed at another hotel chain and paid a comparable parking fee (but for self-parking), and we had a difficult time finding a parking stall.
Also, while complimentary breakfast is not included, there is a restaurant on site which serves food as well as Starbucks coffee. Plus, there are several food options nearby, from fast food restaurants (McDonald’s) to sit down restaurants (Mimi’s Cafe).
And last but not least, the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is one of the more expensive hotels in the area. These aren’t deal breakers for my family, though. The hotel’s amenities make it convenient for families to bring their own food, its close proximity to Disneyland can’t be beaten, and the accommodations are extremely spacious. My family greatly enjoyed our stay, especially my son.
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