I love Disneyland. It is probably my favorite vacation destination out there. I love everything about it. We live in Colorado and often drive out there. I even love that! I have stayed at all three Disney properties, and I have toured or stayed in many of the Good Neighbor Hotels. Today I would like to offer my opinion as to why I much prefer to stay “on-site” or at a Disney property.
First of all let me explain the difference between on and off site. On site means you are staying in a hotel that is owned and operated by Disney. There are 3 of these properties at Disneyland (The Grand Californian, The Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier). Now, at Disneyland there are also what are called Good Neighbor Hotels, and many of these properties are as close or even closer to the entrance of Disneyland than the 3 on site properties. In order for a property to be named a Good Neighbor Hotel they must comply with standards set (and regularly checked) by Disney. These are great options, but the perks associated with staying on site make it worth it for my family. Let’s talk about those perks!
Early Entry into the Parks
While staying in one of the 3 Disneyland Resort properties, guests can enjoy what are called Extra Magic Hours. Each day of the week, guests can enter the park one hour early at one of the two theme parks. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday they can enter Disneyland early, and Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday are reserved for Disney California Adventure. This extra hour allows you to get so much done in the parks, especially for DCA! Good Neighbor guests have the option to enter Disneyland Park early on only one morning of their stay as long as they purchase 3 day or longer park tickets with their package. On a typical morning at DCA with the Extra Magic Hour my family can ride all three attractions in Cars Land plus Guardians of Galaxy: Mission Breakout. We also can grab a couple pictures without long lines (like in front of the Cars Land sign). At Disneyland, the extra hour allowed us to get in the park, ride “it’s a small world”, and get in position to grab our Rise of the Resistance boarding group without rushing.
The Disney Touch
This is something I have grown to love when travelling to any Disney destination. There is just extra magic when you stay with Disney. The prime example of this is when you arrive to check in to your resort; often times there are characters roaming the lobby waiting to greet you. I mean, there is nothing like Goofy waiting with his arms open wide to hug your little when your first arrive! Chip sat down and played a game with my girls at the Disneyland Hotel while I checked in (and my husband snapped a million pictures!) How about some Hidden Mickeys? My family loves looking for Hidden Mickeys around the parks, and when we stay on property they are all over our room as well! When we go to Disneyland, we almost always stay at The Disneyland Hotel. It is without a doubt my favorite hotel of all time, and I don’t just mean Disney. One thing that makes this property special is that when I go to check in each time, there are two or three Cast Members that I recognize from past visits.
Easy Access to Character Meals
All three of the Disney resorts have a character meal on property. This is such a fun activity to plan for your arrival day or the morning you have to leave. It is very convenient to simply walk downstairs and there you are.
Special Entrance to the Park
This one specifically applies to The Grand Californian. This property has its own entrance into Disney California Adventure. It is extremely convenient to bypass the crowds and get through security quickly.
Limited Number of Reserved Tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash
So this reason is very specific and will not apply everyone, but could be a major perk for some. Each Halloween season Disneyland Resort hosts an amazing Halloween party called Oogie Boogie Bash. It is extremely popular and sells out almost (if not all) nights it is offered. If the night you were hoping to attend sells out, there is still hope. For those guests staying at one of the 3 Disney properties, they sell a limited number of tickets the morning of the event. The guest must go down to the front desk and wait in line to see if they can buy one of the reserved tickets. They do go fast, so get in line early!
Hopefully this blog will help you understand why my family and I choose to stay on site when we visit Disneyland. There is just a little more magic to be had!!
About the Author:
Morgan Scully, Lead Enchanted Planner & Global Travel Advisor
Morgan is passionate about all things Disney. From an early age she loved taking in the magic of Disney World, but its when she became a mom and she saw life through her daughters’ eyes that she truly understood how amazing a Disney vacation can be for a family. Morgan is well versed in all things Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. She also serves as Whitney World Travel’s Military Vacation Specialist– helping the brave men and women who serve our country and their families get the most out of their vacations. Morgan is a graduate of Texas A&M University.
