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Planning a trip to Disneyland and wondering where to stay? Here are 12 mostly walkable (within one mile) hotel options you can book using Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt or IHG points, including links to credit cards to open in order to earn the points.
UNDERSTANDING THE LAYOUT
The hotels around Disneyland are concentrated in three areas:
West entrance along Harbor Blvd, generally walkable to the West Entrance
South on Katella near the Toy Story Parking Lot, Katella guests must walk a little further OR take the Toy Story Parking lot shuttle to the West Entrance
North on Ball Rd. closer to the East entrance, guests can walk down and enter through Downtown Disney, but when we stayed on Ball Rd. it was too far for our young kids to walk and we usually took an Uber.
HYATT
World of Hyatt cards are issued through Chase, and since Chase will only issue you a card if you’ve opened less than five personal cards across all banks in any 24 month period, it’s often good to start your credit card journey opening Chase cards before they limit you.
Hyatt offers a couple properties close to Disneyland; you can earn Hyatt points by staying at Hyatt properties, but the fastest way to earn enough Hyatt Points for a stay at a hotel near Disneyland is a two-step process:
1. Open a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (that’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®).
For only a $95 annual fee, you’ll earn 3x points on dining and on select streaming services and online grocery purchases, 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, and 2x points on other travel, as well as a $50 Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit.
2. Transfer enough of your Chase Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt to book the hotel you want.
Here’s a couple Disneyland Hyatts you can book with Hyatt points:
1. Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center
Perks: free breakfast, suites with kitchens, closest to parks
A step up from the slightly more affordable Hyatt Place, the Hyatt House offers spacious studios and one-bedroom suites with full kitchens including fridges and microwaves. Located right on the corner of Katella and Harbor (kiddie-corner from California Adventure), you’ll find a Walgreens, Starbucks and pizza place in the same complex. Some rooms have fireworks views; families will enjoy the pool patio complete with BBQ. Pay to park, and use the nearby Toy Story Parking lot for complimentary Disneyland shuttle or walk 10-15 minutes to the park entrance
2. Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center
Perks: free breakfast, lower price
A budget, family and business-traveler-friendly option, this hotel is just down the street from Disneyland, near many restaurants and shopping. Families will enjoy the two queen/sofa bed rooms, and the complimentary hot breakfast of pancakes, eggs, tater tots etc. Walk to the nearby Toy Story Parking and take a free shuttle to the parks/parking available for $26. This blog posts has info on another Hyatt a little further away:
MARRIOTT
Like World of Hyatt, the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit cards are also issued through Chase, so they’re another one to consider opening early in your credit card journey.
Open the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card and earn 3 Free Nights each valued up to 50,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening).
Marriott owns lots of property around the perimeter of the parks, so there’s more Marriotts to choose from than anything else. You can earn Marriott points by staying at Marriott hotels, but the fastest way to earn enough points for a stay at a hotel near Disneyland is through the Chase Marriott Boundless credit card.
3. SpringHill Suites Maingate
Perks: Free Breakfast, .5 miles from parks entrance
We used 140,000 Marriott points to stay in the SpringHill Suites Maingate on our first free Disney trip (read more about how we book entire Disneyland trips using points and miles). We liked that we had a suite and free breakfast; we disliked how long the walk to the parks was (you enter through Downtown Disney), and that there’s no restaurants near this property.
4. Residence Inn by Marriott at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center
Perks: .6 miles away, free parking
I read a lot of hotel reviews before I write these posts, and this property gets extremely good customer feedback! It’s a newer hotel with Kids’ Suites featuring a themed room, full kitchens, private bedrooms, and separate workspaces with free WiFi. Start your day with a complimentary breakfast buffet. Visit the rooftop pool with oversized hot tub, where you’ll have a view of the fireworks at night. There’s Several options in the hotel to eat including a pizza place, Starbucks, hot grill and hotel restaurant. There’s even a reasonably priced car rental facility attached to hotel. Full hot breakfast served in the lobby area each morning with scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes, plus make your own waffles, toast, bagels etc. Fresh fruit, yogurt, juice, milk, coffee and tea were also offered. Enjoy the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf just 200 feet from the front door.
5. Fairfield by Marriott Anaheim Resort
Perks: closest to park entrance, free parking
If you want to be as close to Disneyland as possible, this is a fan favorite, because it’s right across the street from the West Disneyland entrance on Harbor Blvd. As far as this list goes, it’s the closest you’ll get to the park entrance, which matters a lot when you’re park tired and just want to rest in your room.
An upgraded motel experience with clean and basic rooms, while the rooms don’t have coffee makers & microwaves, there’s a floor or two in the hotel that have a microwave and toaster (handy as we for quick breakfasts and snacks) and there is a ice machine and vending machine on all floors. There’s even a gift shop and arcade! This property is not just across the street from the park entrance: it’s also conveniently located right next to a Panera and McDonalds and near an IHOP for convenient breakfasts and late night snacks. No free breakfast, parking is $50.
6. SpringHill Suites by Marriott at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center
Perks: .7 miles away, free breakfast & parking
Large families will love this hotel, especially the kids suite with bunk beds and 2 queens. Fantastic complimentary breakfast included every morning with something to please everyone, including make your own Mickey waffles, toast, bagels, croissants, breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal and all the toppings, yogurt and fruit, eggs, breakfast meat, cereal–a really great breakfast before hitting the parks. There’s a CVS nearby and coffee shop and pizza hut across the parking lot. Parking is limited in the immediate basement parking lot, but they share another lot with the Residence Inn just across the way.
For even more Marriotts near Disneyland, refer to this post:
IHG HOTELS & RESORTS
IHG includes Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites and more. You can earn IHG points by staying at IHG properties, but the fastest way to earn enough points for a stay at a hotel near Disneyland is to open an IHG card.
Open an IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card you’ll earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Enjoy a Reward Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide (plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 3 or more nights: book three nights get the fourth night free). Use a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card. You’ll have Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member. Cardholders earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel! Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants! Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases!
7. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area
Perks: .3 miles away, free breakfast
Sharing the same parking lot as the as Hilton’s Home2Suites and Garden Inn, The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area is around the corner from Disneyland and accessible to lots of restaurants. This is one of the few hotels within walking distance to Disneyland that serves a complimentary breakfast. Guests report that even though the pool is small, it gets plenty of sun.
8. Staybridge Suites Anaheim at the Park
Perks: free breakfast, 1.2 miles away
This property is a little over a mile away on Disneyland & Ball Rd so YMMV if it’s walkable to the parks. Anaheim Rapid Transit stops right next door. Enjoy one bedroom family suites with kitchenettes & cozy, comfortable beds. Breakfast includes sausage & eggs, oatmeal & make-your-own waffles.
HILTON
The Hilton Hotel chains list includes Home2Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and more. You can earn Hilton honors points by staying at Hilton properties, but the fastest way to earn enough American Express Hilton Honors for a stay at a hotel near Disneyland is to apply for a Hilton card.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership (terms apply).
9. Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort
Perks: .4 miles away, free breakfast, free parking
We used ~180,000 Hilton points for a stay in the Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort, which is around the corner from Harbor on Manchester (read our review of this hotel). The Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim Resort is in the same building.
10. Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim Resort
Perks: .4 miles away, free parking
Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim Resort is on the freeway, so pack your ear plugs and white noise machine. An upgraded version of a standard Garden in, the property boasts almost a full service bar, room service, and an expanded gym. In addition excellent service from the staff, you’ll enjoy that the Disneyland entrance is footsteps away.
Perks: .8 miles away
A great one if you’re in town for a convention, this property sits south of Katella, proximate to the Toy Story Parking lot shuttle (you might choose to Uber from this location). Guests enjoy the Starbucks in the lobby, exemplary customer service, as well as dinner and dining at the lobby bar. Tip: the parking garage elevator is often long, so park anywhere on the second level and not above that so your car is just a flight of stairs away.
12. Hampton Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center
Perks: .7 miles away, free breakfast, free parking
With lots of free amenities and large rooms including bunks & sofas, this property stands out from the rest. Hampton Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center is down Katella one block SE of parks & also near the Toy Story Parking lot. Lots of restaurants sit right across the street for your convenience.
TAKEAWAYS
Open one of these four cards today and you’ll be well on your way to a free trip to Disneyland, which is always more magical when points get you there for free!
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