Disneyland, in California, was the first of the Disney theme parks, built in 1954. The resort was constructed on a 160-acre orange grove near the Santa Ana Freeway. Disneyland is home to two theme parks: Disneyland Park, where you'll find all your favorite Disney characters; and Disney's California Adventure Park, with rides. The resort is also home to 18 Disney hotels, with the best known described as follows.
Disneyland hotel is the theme park's main hotel, located right in the center of the park. It offers 988 rooms set within three towers called Magic, Dreams and Wonder. Guests are greeted at the entrance by well-known Disney characters, and the hotel offers a 5,000-square-foot pool with a shipwreck in the center that doubles as a children's playhouse. There is also a gym, a business center and childcare available. In addition, you are just round the corner from Disney's Downtown District, a shopping, dining and entertainment center. If you're planning a trip, however, it is worth noting that the hotel has mixed reviews on travel advisory sites, such as Trip Advisor. This is because the hotel's Dreams tower has just been renovated, while the Magic and Wonder towers have not and retain their '70s decor, leading to a very different holiday experience depending on which part of the hotel you stay in. On Trip Advisor, the Dreams tower is described as "very beautiful" and gets a review of 5 out of 5. The Magic and Wonder towers, however, get reviews of between 1 and 3 out of 5,and are described as "tired and old," or "(like stepping into a) time machine.... that magically transports you back to 1972."
Disneyland Hotel
1150 Magic Way
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-778-6600
disneyland.disney.go.com
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is a large resort designed to celebrate the American Arts and Crafts movement which started back in the 1900s. As such, the hotel is decorated with wood paneling, large fireplaces and high ceilings to give it a classic, wilderness feel. The large hotel lobby has a pianist playing on a grand piano. You can also learn more about last century arts and crafts with a daily tour that runs daily from the hotel. There is a spa offering a range of therapies and a gym offering pilates and other exercise classes. There are three pools, the Fountain and Mariposa pools for relaxation, the Redwood pool for activities that also include a water slide. The hotel has very good ratings on Trip Advisor, with almost all reviews giving it a 4 or 5 out of 5.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
1600 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-635-2300
disneyland.disney.go.com
The Paradise Pier has been designed to mimic a retro Californian beachfront hotel with a surf theme in the interior of the hotel. The hotel offers a rooftop pool and water slide, a fitness center, a games arcade and movie theater. The hotel enjoys good reviews on Trip Advisor, and visitors seem to agree that it is in keeping with the general high standard of Disney hotels.
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel
1717 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-999-0990
disneyland.disney.go.com
