Disneyland Resort is the on-site lodging themed after the park’s lands and Walt Disney, himself. This evaluation options room photographs; information about swimming pools, eating places & facilities; professionals & cons of staying right here; and the way DLH compares to the Grand Californian, Pixar Place and different choices in Anaheim.
Though Disneyland Resort will not be the flagship resort at Disneyland Resort (that distinction belongs to the Grand Californian Resort), it’s one in all just a few resorts in Anaheim, California with a AAA four-diamond ranking. It’s primarily a contemporary, luxurious resort with Disney design touches and nods to the park’s practically 70-year historical past.
As talked about, Disneyland Resort is themed to “Disneyland,” with its three resort towers representing Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Frontierland. Along with these three resort towers, there’s now a Disney Trip Membership wing, which is called the Discovery Tower. Though they’re all technically a part of the identical resort, there’s a night-and-day distinction between the DVC and resort towers. See our Picture Tour of the Villas at Disneyland Resort for extra on the DVC aspect.
Disneyland Resort is so much just like the ‘Keep in mind… Desires Come True!’ nighttime spectacular. Each are the proper self-referential tribute that excel due to how they deal with the legacy of Disneyland. They’re additionally spectacular in their very own proper, with no prior data or sentimentality needed.
That is actually no straightforward job. It’s really easy to go for reasonable performs on emotion (liberal use of Walt Disney’s likeness, for example) moderately than creating a high quality product that efficiently merges nice components of the previous with a high quality up to date product. That’s not the case right here–Disney nailed it after they re-designed the Disneyland Resort.
Because it stands, the resort is a good combine of contemporary design and retro particulars. Disneyland Resort feels without delay like a love letter to Disneyland and mid-century fashionable design, whereas additionally being an exemplar of the period. One foot prior to now, one firmly within the current.
This isn’t one thing I’d wish to see out of each Disney resort. I’m a sucker for themed design, and I like how different Disney resort-hotels handle to move visitors to totally different occasions and locations by way of the execution of the resort. Apart from its mid-century sensibilities, Disneyland Resort will not be actually themed. For probably the most half, it’s adorned. If each Disney resort have been a luxurious resort with tributes to the previous, it will get previous rapidly. Nevertheless, that is the one one, and it executes completely on the idea.
Admittedly, I’m a giant fan of the historical past of Disneyland. I’ve been fascinated by Disneyland Resort since studying Donald Ballard‘s Disneyland Resort: the Early Years and his follow-up Disneyland Resort: 1954-1959 (warning: these books are for critical geeks, not informal followers). These books gave me a fantastic appreciation for the resort even earlier than we ever stayed there.
Though a lot has modified at Disneyland Resort since its early days, it nonetheless simply seems like a particular place due to its roots relationship again to the Wrathers household and the opening years of Disneyland. Mainly, this resort has simply as wealthy of a historical past as Disneyland, making it an “important” place to expertise for the diehard Disney fan.
Nevertheless, it’s not simply the resort’s many nods to Disney historical past (I’m wondering how regularly they’ve to interchange the superior paper-goods within the room as a result of visitors take them?) that earn it excessive marks from us. The resort can be flat out good, with plenty of mid-century fashionable prospers that distinguish it from being simply one other fashionable tower-style resort in Southern California.
When it comes to rooms, all of Disneyland Resort rooms have been lately refurbished, they usually look nice. From the beautiful and thick carpet to the textured wallpaper to the bedding, the rooms at Disneyland Resort scream high quality. Whereas we love themed resorts, evidently one stumbling block to a pleasant Disney resort room is execution of a theme.
Disneyland Resort doesn’t have that impediment and actually hits on every part you’d count on from a pleasant resort room. This isn’t to say the room is generic (removed from it) as there are touches of Disney in every single place, with photographs of Walt Disney and early-era Disneyland throughout.
There’s additionally a powerful Mickey Mouse motif all through the rooms, with Mickey accents and particulars right here and there.
The rooms in Disneyland Resort are roughly the dimensions of the Grand Californian’s rooms. Not large, however not unhealthy by any means.
One factor price noting is that customary rooms would not have balconies. It is a main omission and one which makes the rooms on the Grand California really feel bigger.
One of many defining options of the rooms on the Disneyland Resort is the “goodnight kiss” (to not be confused with the Kiss Goodnight at Walt Disney World) change that lights up the fiber optics within the headboard and performs “When You Want Upon a Star,” music field type.
Whoever thought up this function is a genius, as a result of it all the time appears to be the very first thing talked about when discussing Disneyland Resort. You probably have children, they’ll love this. If you’re an grownup who’s unduly impressed with issues that gentle up and make sound, like me, it would be best to go away this on all evening.
One remaining observe on the rooms, and people are the “Signature Suites.” These embrace the Mickey Mouse Penthouse, Huge Thunder Suite, Pirates of the Caribbean Suite, Adventureland Suite, and others. Granted, each resort has suites, however these look flat out superior.
We’ve got by no means stayed in any of those, so we are able to’t suggest them, but when cash isn’t any problem, you undoubtedly must look into them. And if by likelihood now we have readers to whom ‘cash isn’t any problem’ who want one in all these suites examined earlier than their journey, we are going to gladly settle for the project must you want to sponsor the analysis! 😉
Disneyland Resort has a wide range of facilities, companies, and stuff. Just about each fundamental that you simply’d count on of a high-end resort, together with however not restricted to WiFi, a health heart, reward outlets, laundry, the power to cost purchases to your room, cellular order, and far more. The very same choices you’ll have at Grand Californian or Pixar Place Resort.
There’s additionally the massive on-site visitor perk is Early Entry, which is 30-minute entry earlier than park opening that’s solely obtainable to visitors of the three Inns of Disneyland Resort. We’ve taken benefit of Early Entry at each parks and located it to be extremely advantageous. See our Early Entry at Disneyland Picture Report and Early Entry at California Journey Picture Report: Sarah’s Slingin’ Technique for a step-by-step have a look at what we completed throughout the half-hour and thereafter for rope drop.
Early Entry is unbelievable for Fantasyland or Tomorrowland in Disneyland or Avengers Campus in Disney California Journey. It’s additionally a fantastic headstart to Vehicles Land or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. See our Information to Early Entry at Disneyland for what you must find out about this pre-park opening entry to Disneyland and DCA.
When it comes to swimming pools, Disneyland Resort has the E-Ticket pool and D-Ticket pool, in the course of the resort’s interior courtyard, each of that are good. We notably just like the look of the the monorail waterslides, in addition to the general measurement and structure of those swimming pools. There are additionally cabanas you possibly can lease.
The large 4,800-square-foot E-Ticket Pool at Disneyland Resort actually lives as much as its title. This options 2 winding waterslides, each function replicas of the unique Mark 1 Monorail trains. There’s the 25-foot-high, 180-foot-long Purple Monorail slide or the 13-foot-high, 80-foot-long Yellow Monorail slide.
There’s additionally a 2-lane mini slide for smaller youngsters with pop jets, fountains, and a waterfall add to the enjoyable. This nostalgic water play space is topped by a “Disneyland” signal paying homage to the park’s traditional years. This whole pool space is top-notch; it’s bigger and has extra enjoyable on supply than its counterpart at Grand Californian Resort. You probably have children of any age, there’s little doubt that they’ll love the swimming pools at Disneyland Resort.
On the subject of eating, Disneyland Resort and the Grand Californian have some similarities and variations. Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Resort is the flagship character meal at Disneyland Resort, and superior to Storytellers Cafe over on the Grand Californian, however each are actually good.
On the counter service entrance, Tangaroa Terrace at Disneyland Resort will be hit and miss. There are some wonderful choices and overpriced/undersized ones. Dealer Sam’s is in a league of its personal as a themed bar, nevertheless it leans extra closely on the themed aspect of that than bar. Additionally, it will get actually busy on weekends and different occasions when occasions are on the town. It’s a vacation spot bar, whereas the Grand Californian has robust choices that draw smaller crowds. (The Villas at Disneyland Resort now has Palm Breeze Bar, however that’s fully outside, making it a troublesome promote on chilly evenings–widespread in Southern California.)
The place issues actually collapse for Disneyland Resort is on the desk service entrance. Following the closure of Steakhouse 55, it doesn’t have an ordinary desk service restaurant (sans characters). The dearth of positive eating choices is a giant misstep for a resort of this caliber, particularly when contrasted towards the top-tier Napa Rose on the Grand Californian. In truth, I’m not even certain how Disneyland Resort qualifies for AAA 4 Diamond standing without having a conventional desk service restaurant. I’m guessing the inspectors haven’t visited shortly?
In our estimation, the resort that offers Disneyland Resort the closest competitors is Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa. Its foyer is completely beautiful, as are its particulars and ending. Its location–with a non-public entrance into Disney California Journey–additionally can’t be beat.
The most important distinction between the 2 is distance from the parks. Disneyland Resort is about ~10 minutes longer of a stroll, which can not seem to be a lot (and it’s fully by way of Downtown Disney), however it may be a world of distinction you probably have young children and wish a simple noon break.
Along with that, Disneyland Resort is basically a mid-century fashionable resort carried out by Disney moderately than a really transportive themed resort. It’s all a matter of choice, and whereas we love the Grand Californian for its genuine Arts & Crafts (Nationwide Parks lodge-adjacent) look, Disneyland Resort is an superior place to remain. That’s very true for critical Disney followers who love the historical past of the parks, Walt Disney’s legacy, or the center of the final century.
For a extra thorough comparability, see Disneyland Resort vs. Grand Californian.
Disneyland Resort is commonly cheaper than Grand Californian, which implies it will get the nod for us on these events. Precise charges differ primarily based upon season and reductions, however you possibly can sometimes count on to pay at the very least $100/evening extra for the Grand Californian. Pixar Place Resort appears to typically be about $75/evening cheaper than Disneyland Resort, though we’ve seen Pixar Place successfully dearer on a number of events attributable to no availability in its decrease room classes.
Whatever the low cost, Disneyland Resort continues to be dear. Whether or not it’s price the fee is fully a matter of choice and price range, however we take into account it a neater tablet to swallow than the Grand Californian. Nonetheless, it’s at the very least double the worth of off-site resorts positioned about the identical distance away (and triple or extra the worth of off-site resorts positioned farther away).
We’ve beforehand debated the deserves of staying on-site versus staying off-site at Disneyland Resort, so I gained’t rehash these right here, however primarily, you pay a big premium for being “on property.” Disneyland Resort doesn’t have practically as many on-site resort rooms as Walt Disney World, and this doubtless contributes to the charges.
Finally, Disneyland Resort is a pleasant, luxurious mid-century fashionable resort that takes a fond look again at Disney historical past and is positioned on-site. We shuttle over whether or not we favor it or the Grand Californian, with the ‘winner’ often being a matter of which has the higher charges (we’d pay a slight premium for Grand Californian).
Regardless of Disneyland Resort being farther from the parks than Grand Californian, it’s nonetheless a brief stroll. Thematically, the 2 are fairly totally different, with Grand Californian having a extra refined and distinctly California theme; whereas Disneyland Resort is a tribute to all issues Walt Disney and the early years of Disneyland.
Total, we each extremely suggest Disneyland Resort. It’s particularly nice for followers of Disneyland historical past, or these in search of a luxurious resort expertise with out the pretense of immersive theming. Those that favor themed environments will doubtless favor the Grand Californian, which undoubtedly has many components which are extra spectacular. The massive query with regard to Disneyland Resort is whether or not it’s definitely worth the excessive nightly charges, particularly with off-site resorts which are very conveniently positioned by comparability.
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Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Resort Opinions & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Opinions. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Ideas
What do you consider Disneyland Resort? Do you want the small print and decor of the Disneyland Resort, or do you’re feeling that it lacks one thing that the opposite immersive, themed resorts have? Dissatisfied that Disneyland Resort not has a traditional desk service restaurant? Are you a fan of the brand new Discovery Tower or do you suppose it detracts from DLH? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even if you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
