Where to Eat at Disneyland?

Updated June 2024

What's the best way to save money when it comes to eating at Disneyland? Where are some good places to eat? When I go to Disneyland, we plan on eating at least 2 meals a day at our hotel so we can save money. Usually we eat all 3 meals there, which can be quite an undertaking considering Liz and I have 8 kids between us!

We try to choose a hotel that serves a continental breakfast or we pack simple breakfast foods like muffins or donuts.  As long as we eat enough, we are usually set until about noon with the exception of a few snacks that we bring with us. As of 2016, Disneyland is very good about allowing guests to bring water bottles and snacks, such as Ziploc bags of animal crackers, pretzels, etc into the park.

With breakfast all set, we also bring peanut butter, jelly/honey, mayo, cold cuts and bread for sandwiches for lunch and cup of noodles for dinner. Liz will also pre-cook a few meals before we leave and put them in coolers on the drive down. Since the hotels have mini fridges and microwaves, we are able to heat up these meals for lunch or dinner. Nothing beats a nice hot plate of spaghetti or fettuccine alfredo after a bunch of walking! But even with enough food, we'll usually eat once or twice in the park during our typical 4 day stay just to have something different. We'll also buy an occasional snack here or there.

Here are a few of the places where I've eaten, including my favorites, and a little bit about them:

The Blue Bayou

This has been a favorite of mine since I was a little kid and my mom used to take me there to eat. I haven't gone for about 5 years because of how expensive it is - about $30-$50 per plate - but the ambiance can't be replicated anywhere. It is located in New Orleans Square in Disneyland. This is the restaurant you travel through slowly on your boat when you go on the ride Pirates of the Caribbean. The portions are smaller, as you would expect to find at a fancy restaurant, and although the food is good, I have been just as impressed with the quality of food at other restaurants at Disneyland. If you want to eat here, be prepared to get there early in the day and put your name on a list for later that evening.

The Village Haus Restaurant (now the Red Rose Tavern)

The Village Haus Restaurant is located in Fantasyland, next to Pinocchio's Daring Journey and across from Casey Jr Circus Train. I vaguely recalled eating there as a child with my Mom so in August 2016 I decided to take my family there to become reacquainted with it. The theming is that of a quaint, little European village which is also tied in to the Disney Animated Classic, Pinocchio. Although both indoor and outdoor seating is available at The Village Haus Restaurant, we chose to sit indoors to escape the heat. There were only a couple of indoor tables available when we ate at 1:30pm and there weren't too many outdoor tables either. It is a popular place to eat, due in large part to it's prime location in the most frequented land in Disneyland - Fantasyland. I found the food to be reasonably priced and very good. I would recommend the Village Haus Restaurant to anyone looking for a good meal at an affordable price (affordable in Disney terms...).

Here's a look at the outside of the Village Haus Restaurant. Even the Cast Member uniforms add to the unique feel here...

As you walk through the doors, you are immediately greeted by beautiful artistry depicting a scene from Pinocchio. 

There are numerous ordering stations located inside. Pick the shortest line and then wait for your name to be called to pick up your food at the counter.

Here's a closer look at one of the ordering stations.

The menu is animated and changes after a few seconds. This is page 1 of the menu...

...and here's page 2.

This is the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and fresh fruit for $9.99. My wife ordered this and thought it was good, but a little dry.

This is the Garden Vegetable Burger and fries for $10.99. Alley, my 16 year old ordered this and really liked it. She said that the meat was substituted with beans and veggies.

Finally, here's a look at the Classic Angus 1/3 lb Cheeseburger which the rest of us ordered for $10.99. My mouth is watering as I'm typing this, remembering how delicious it was! 

Here's a look at some of the artwork and indoor seating.

Here's a look at the outdoor seating. The canopy's provide great shade and make eating outside pleasant on days where the temperature isn't too high.

The Hungry Bear

The Hungry Bear is located in Critter Country in Disneyland, near where The Country Bear Jamboree used to be and where Winnie the Pooh is now. It is known for it's big portions. Don't be surprised if you pay about $12 for a hamburger, but expect to be full when you're done with it. It has a great atmosphere as you can dine out on a patio overlooking the Rivers of America. For the most part, I have had good experiences eating at the Hungry Bear. Here are some pictures from our December 2016 visit.

The menu and pricing as of December 2016

The kid's menu, beverages, and desserts...

The Chicken Sandwich and fries ($9.99) was what my wife and 17 year old daughter got. They both said the food was delicious!

I got the Cheeseburger and fries ($10.99). It was slightly over done to my liking, but it hit the spot after a full morning of walking around!

This was the toddler meal we got for my 2 year old. It is the Cheesy Macaroni for $4.49. My daughter loved it!

The staff was friendly and helpful.

The Golden Horseshoe

The Golden Horseshoe is located in Frontierland and is one of the original attractions at Disneyland. Walt Disney himself used to have a personal box from which he would watch the performances on the stage below. I went to eat at The Golden Horseshoe for the first time that I can remember in the summer of 2014. I originally planned on just getting some ice cream for me and the kids but when I saw how good the food looked, I decided to try it as well. I ordered some kids meals for the kids and some chicken fingers for me....and ice cream too. We went up stairs to a table on the balcony and watched Billy Hill and the Hillbillies comedy show. The show was entertaining for both myself and the kids and the food hit the spot as well. The pricing is about average for a Disneyland eatery. Since my first time there, it has become a family tradition to eat here every summer.

A view from the outside

Our traditional meal of a chicken strip basket and ice cream at the Golden Horseshoe (2014)

Here we are again in 2024

Chicken Breast Nuggets $9.49 A very filling and tasty meal.

Crispy Chicken Mixed Green Salad $9.99

This is what the Sundae looks like in 2024

Hot Fudge Sundae $6.49  (2014) This is my all-time favorite treat at Disneyland and especially great on a hot day outside. The picture doesn't do it justice - my 9 year old and 10 year old sheared one and couldn't finish it.

Here's a look at the full menu in 2016.

The Galactic Grill

Located in the Tomorrowland Terrace, this is one of my 12 year old's favorites. I think the Star Wars theme has quite an influence on him, but the food is also pretty good. I always avoided this area in the past because it seemed more crowded than all the other eateries but now that Disneyland is just a mass of crowds pretty much anywhere you look, it's not much different than anywhere else at this point. 

Here's a look at the menu. (You can click on it to make it larger)

They even have a gluten free option, which my daughter likes.

This is the chopped salad, which my wife enjoyed very much!

I liked the cheeseburger.

This is the turkey sandwich kid's meal with a side of Mac and Cheese. The kids didn't like the bread on the sandwich but ate the turkey inside and the mac and cheese. 

Overall, the Galactic Grill offers a pretty good bang for your buck. It is pricey, but not for Disneyland food. The food also was good and we found some nice tables to sit at by the Tomorrowland walkway.

Taste Pilots' Grill (Now called Smokejumpers Grill)

Located in Condor Flats near California Screamin' in California Adventure, Taste Pilots' offers a good variety of American eats such as hamburgers, chicken fingers, chicken sandwiches, etc. It is one of the more affordable places to eat (for Disneyland) and has a fun atmosphere, being inside what seems like a large airplane hanger.

Taste Pilots Grill

Bengal Barbecue

Located across from Indiana Jones in Adventureland, The Bengal Barbecue has the best food in Disneyland, in my opinion. Granted, the portions are small - just skewers with meet on them, but the pricing reflects that. If you are looking for a decent size snack that will get you through the next couple of hours, the Bengal Barbecue is the place to go! Here are some pictures from December 2016.

Although rather inconspicuous, the food at the Bengal Barbecue doesn't disappoint!

Unfortunately my picture of the menu didn't turn out well but there are 5 different skewers that range in price from $3.99-$4.49 and feature anything from vegetables, to chicken, to beef.

Here's a look at the Safari Skewer ($4.19). It is bacon wrapped asparagus and tasted AMAZING! 

This is the Chieftain Chicken Skewer ($4.19) which is chicken coated with a sweet Polynesian sauce. The portion on this was a little skimpy compared to the Safari Skewer - there were just three bites of chicken on it. But it also tasted delicious! 

Also offered at the Bengal Barbecue was a Moana Bamboo souvenir sipper for $12.99. Yes, that's quite a rip-off, but thanks to people like me, they still sell them! I'll have to admit that it does look great on display in my Disney room at home. 

Tomorrowland Terrace

As the name indicates, Tomorrowland Terrace is located in Tomorrowland in Disneyland. It is an outdoor covered eating area which features many simple favorites for everyone from Hamburgers to chicken salads. It is one of the less expensive places to eat at Disneyland.

Tiki Juice Bar

On a hot afternoon, the Tiki Juice Bar is the place to be. During the afternoon rush, we like to go to the Tiki Room attraction and while we wait, splurge a little at the Tiki Juice Bar. My favorite item is the plain old pineapple spears, although the kids love the pineapple ice cream and the Juice looks delicious too! It is a bit pricey for what you get, but it sure hits the spot. As an added bonus, if you aren't able to finish your snacks before the Tiki Room attraction is ready, don't fret, you can bring them with you and eat them inside while enjoying the show! But beware of long lines! It was the longest line I stood in all day - even inside the Tiki Room attraction.

Enjoying our Dole Whips while watching the "birds sing words and the flowers croon" in the Tiki Room.

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor

Located on Main Street USA just as you enter Disneyland, and right next to the Penny Arcade, the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor offers about 10 different flavors to choose from. Prices were about $3 per scoop or $4.50 for 2 scoops with the waffle cone $.50 extra. A nice place to stop for a treat on the way back to the hotel.


Some delicious ice cream at Gibson Girl

Board Walk Pizza and Pasta - June 2024

My favorite place to eat in California Adventure is definitely Board Walk Pizza and Pasta. I had never eaten here until we visited DCA with some friends of mine and they wanted to eat here so we tried it. When I walked in and looked at the menu, I was pleasantly surprised with the prices which are very affordable by Disney standards. Most of us try one of the pasta dishes - either the Chicken Alfredo which is really good or the Spaghetti and Meatballs. My youngest daughter tried and liked the Pizza slice. The Pizza slice is a bit more expensive for what you get and I think the pasta dishes are the best value. 

Here's a look at the spaghetti and meatballs. It is really good and very filling.

Here's a look at the Chicken Alfredo and the Pizza Slice. I normally like fettuccini as the noodles in my alfredo, but these penne noodles are not bad and quite filling. 

Misc snack stands

Occasionally I'll indulge in a snack from one of the many snack stands throughout the park. I love the popcorn! I usually end up craving something salty during the day while I'm there and the popcorn hits the spot! The churros are also good...expensive, but good. One snack stand near Thunder Mountain Railroad offers huge $9 turkey legs which are very good. The three littlest kids, Liz, and I shared the turkey leg. It is messy, but good. There are also fruit stands set up in Frontierland and at a couple other places throughout the park, though the prices for fruit are extremely expensive - $2.50 for an apple, etc.

Again, food is expensive at Disneyland so I recommend bringing what food you can from home. If you do that, you'll want to find out what amenities the hotel you're staying has in it such as a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker (to heat water for cup of noodles, oatmeal, etc) and other things. So save your money on food and spend it on souvenirs! I'd rather spend my money on souvenirs which can create lasting memories rather then food which is gone right after you eat it.

For information on character dining at Ariel's Grotto and Goofy's Kitchen, see my link here:
http://ourdisneybiz.blogspot.com/2014/08/character-dining.html

Disneyland vs California Adventure: Where to go??

So many people have asked me, "Should I go to Disneyland or California Adventure?" The easy answer is both of them! Especially with the pass hopper tickets that are available for not a whole lot more than the regular price of admission to just one of the Parks. But understandably, there are occasions where going to both is not possible. So I will give some pro's and con's of each park, and offer some opinions as well.

Disneyland:

Disneyland is my personal favorite park of the two. Maybe it's because Disneyland is the park I went to as a child (CA adventure wasn't around then - it opened in 2001). Or maybe it's because I'm not a thrill seeker and I find joy in the "magical feeling" that can only be found at Disneyland.

Disneyland is definitely the park to go to if you have little kids. The rides, especially in Fantasyland are perfect for all age groups, but especially ages 6 and under. My family has gone the past two years. In 2012 we had 2 adults, an 18 year old, 15 year old, 12 year old, 9 year old, 6 year old, 5 year old, and 3 year old. Even with all of the older kids, in 2012 we spent 72% of our time on rides at Disneyland (yes, I am a stats nerd and have everyone keep track of each and every ride they go on, tallying them all up at the end of the trip). 28% of our time was spent in Fantasyland alone, which is saying something considering that there are 16 total "lands" at Disneyland and California Adventure.

For the adventurous, Disneyland boasts Space Mountain, The Matterhorn, Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones, and Splash Mountain, to name a few. For those with a flair for the historical, there are 14 rides still in operation that were apart of the opening of Disneyland in 1955. They include: In Fantasyland - Casey Jr Circus Train, King Arthur Carousel, The Tea Cups (mad tea party), Mr Toad's Wild Ride, Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White's Scary Adventure, and Storybook Land Canal Boats; In Tomorrowland - Autopia; In Adventureland - The Jungle Cruise; In Frontierland - Mark Twain River Boat and The Golden Horseshoe Stage; and in Main Street - The Disneyland Railroad, the Fire Engine and The Main Street Cinema. Many of those original rides are my kids favorite rides today!

My favorite time at Disneyland is the night time when the lights light up main street and the park seems to come to life. At night time, Disneyland is home to the Fantasmic show, fireworks, and a new show called "The Magic, the Memories, and You at It's a Small World. I love Fantasmic - even more than the new World of Color in California Adventure (I'm definitely in the Minority with that opinion though) but there are sequences in it that would be scary to my little kids so I haven't taken them to see it yet.

The feeling at Disneyland is one that can't be imitated anywhere. From walking under Sleeping Beauty's Castle to enter Fantasyland to watching the park come to life at night time, I get butterflies every time I go. Definitely don't miss going to this park!

California Adventure:

California Adventure has become a much better park as a result of a $1.1 Billion renovation project which, for the most part, was completed in June 2012. Previous to this, it was just another thrill park that could be found anywhere and, because of that, didn't bring the revenue in that was expected. But with the addition of the Little Mermaid Ride in 2011 and Cars Land in 2012, it has become much more unique and Disney themed.

Still, it is targeted more at young adults and adults with the more thrill-seeking rides such as California Screemin' and The Tower of Terror (my older kid's 2 favorites).  My little kids love Bug's Land which has rides for younger visitors. Cars Land was also amazing and the only thing that kept us from spending more time there were the 2 1/2 hours waits for the Radiator Springs Racers ride (1 1/2 hour fast pass wait, plus 1 hour wait to get the fast pass). All the kids LOVED that ride and as emotionally attached as I am to the rides at Disneyland, I will have to say that the Radiator Springs Racers ride is probably the best ride at either park - as well it should be with close to $300 million spent on it alone. The kids also loved Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, but we didn't have a chance to get to Luigi's Flying Tires.

Beer is also sold at California Adventure (it is not at Disneyland) which in my opinion takes away from the family atmosphere. Overall, California Adventure has come along way especially with the addition of Cars Land and the addition of the new Disney Theme to more of the rides there, but still doesn't have that magical Disney feeling.

Summary:

Go to both parks if time and money permit, but make sure not to miss Disneyland!!

Where to stay at Disneyland

Updated 10/05/2022

Growing up, the only hotel I ever stayed in was the Disneyland Hotel. Now having recently remarried and inherited 4 girls in addition to my 4 kids, I've had to make some adjustments. Due to budgetary limitations now, from 2011-2013 and in 2016 we stayed at the Tropicana Inn, right across the street. From 2014-2015 and again from 2018-2019, we stayed at the Del Sol Inn, also right across the street. I'll summarize some advantages and disadvantages of each.

The Disneyland Hotel

The Disneyland Hotel in 1987. It looks a lot different today!

Here's the same view in 2017.

Nothing is more magical then staying at the Disneyland Hotel in addition to spending a week at the park. The Disneyland Hotel went through some MAJOR renovations in 1999 and again in 2009.  I used to love exploring the Disneyland Hotel grounds. The Hotel grounds used to have a little trail that wound through waterfalls, around a koi pond and, quite a few years ago, there was even a remote control boat course and race car track that I used to enjoy, along with the swimming pools, of course. A couple of years ago, they took all of that out and turned the whole area into a water park type area with monorail themed water slides and an extra pool. The rooms were also renovated and add a nice extra bit of magic to your stay, even while not physically in the Disneyland Park.  Although it would seem that the theme park would only be a short stroll from the Hotel, it's at least a 10 minute walk. There is also the option of taking the monorail to make the walk shorter, but after waiting in line to get on the monorail at the station, you would probably get there faster by just walking. It should also be noted that the monorail station is still a little walk from the hotel and if you haven't timed the Monorail right, you might actually spend more time waiting for it to arrive than you would walking to the Park.  The walk to Disneyland from the Hotel requires you to pass through the Downtown Disney District which is full of cool shops and places to eat, and is a fun place to explore even if you stay elsewhere. Visit the Disneyland Hotel website here or you can read my in-depth review of the Disneyland Hotel from my stay in March 2017 here or my review of our stay at the Disneyland Hotel in July 2022 here.

The Del Sol Inn

In 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019 my family stayed at the Del Sol Inn. It is closer to the Disney Parks than the Disneyland Hotel and just about the same proximity as the Tropicana. The Del Sol is South of the main crosswalk across Harbor Blvd to get to Disneyland, whereas the Tropicana is just north of the crosswalk. The Del Sol's rooms are small, but perfect for what my family needs since we spend very little time at the hotel. They offer a good continental breakfast in a small eating area which saves our family of 8 a lot of money we would otherwise have to spend on breakfast. The parking fees are a couple of dollars less that those of the Tropicana and the staff is very friendly. This past year, we requested late checkout and they allowed us to check out at 12:00pm instead of 11:00am. The extra hour allowed us to get some souvenirs before we left. You can check out a blog post which contains a more in depth view look at the Del Sol Inn with pictures, here. Visit the Del Sol website here.

Our route from the Del Sol to Disneyland

The breakfast room at the Del Sol Inn

The Tropicana Inn

The Tropicana Inn may not be much to look at and the rooms might not be as fancy as the rooms at the Disneyland Hotel, but the price is right and the location can't be beat. It is actually a little closer to the theme park than the Disneyland Hotel is. There is a crosswalk just a few yards away from the hotel with a stop light to help you get across the busy Harbor Blvd, which is important to me especially since I have young children that have to cross the street. It has a decent pool which was kept pretty cold the one time I swam in it. It no longer offers a continental breakfast as of July 2016.  They do charge for parking your car there - if I remember right, $14 per day per car - which seems kind of funny to me since it's not like you're going to walk to a hotel...but from what I understand, most of the hotels if not all that are in close proximity to the park, charge for parking. I have been pleased both times with my stay at the Tropicana Inn.

For an in-depth detailed review of my stay at the Tropicana, check out my blog post here: Also, visit the Tropicana website here.

The Camelot Inn and Suites

My family of five stayed at the Camelot Inn and Suites in August of 2016. The Camelot Inn and Suites is located just across Harbor Blvd from Disneyland and just north of the Tropicana and Del Sol hotels. In fact, it is located immediately north of where the pedestrian walk way, which will be built over Harbor Blvd, will be.

It has great curb appeal and, with 5 stories, will usually have some vacancy. The prices are slightly higher than the Del Sol in general and the room is comparable.

Although there is no continental breakfast, there is a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker which can all aid in preparing food brought that you bring from home.

Parking is $14 per car per day here and we found it much easier to find a parking spot here than we have at other hotels that we have stayed at. There were also a limited number of covered parking spots and there was much more shade in the parking area in general than at the Tropicana and Del Sol.

You can visit my blog post titled Anaheim Camelot Inn Review for a more in-depth review of the Camelot Inn and Suites, including pictures.

To visit their official website, click here:

Anaheim Portofino Inn and Suites

In December 2018 all of the normal hotels we stay in directly across the street from Disneyland were booked by October, when we started our last minute planning so we were forced to stay a little further south along Harbor Blvd. The Portofino Inn and Suites is located on the South -West corner of Harbor and Katella and is .6 miles from Disneyland. 

Here's a look at the walk from the Portofino to Disneyland as highlighted in orange.

We ended up getting a Kid's Suite for our family of 7 which included a bunk bed, pullout queen size sofa bed, and a king bed. The room was very nice, a little bit nicer than the hotels we typically stay in, across the street.

There was no continental breakfast but each room has a mini fridge and microwave which was perfect for us since we precook our meals before leaving and reheat them everyday for lunch. 

For a more in-depth look at the Portofino Inn and Suites, you can check out my blog post here which contains pictures of our room. Also, you can visit the Portofino website here.  

Kings Inn Anaheim

In December 2019 we had a quick trip scheduled to southern California and wanted to stay close to Disneyland so we could spend the nights pin trading at Downtown Disney. The Kings Inn Anaheim was a good fit for what we needed since most of the hotels right across the street were already booked. 

The Kings Inn Anaheim is located on Katella Ave, a few hundred yards to the east of Harbor Blvd, within walking distance to Disneyland. It was about a 10 minute walk for our family with a 5 year old. 

There was plenty of parking and there was a nice breakfast in the morning featuring waffles, cereal, pastries, and fruit. I have a more in depth look, including pictures of the room, in my Kings Inn Anaheim blog post here. You can also visit the Kings Inn Anaheim Website here.

Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate

Located at 100 West Disney Way, the Motel 6 is a bit further of a walk than some of the other hotels we have stayed at in the past. In February 2021 we chose to stay here because it was significantly less expensive than the hotels we usually stay at. Also since we were only staying 2 days to visit the shops of Downtown Disney and California Adventure, we knew that our feet wouldn't mind the extra walk since we wouldn't be doing the typical 10 mile days when we visit the Parks to enjoy the attractions. 

It took my wife, daughter who is 7 years old, and myself 17 minutes to walk from our room to the security checkpoint. Had this been a normal year (covid had closed the parks at this time) it probably wouldn't have been a good choice for us with the extra mile walk each way. But for this abbreviated trip, it was just fine. 

When we stayed, there was no continental breakfast (although this could have been due to the California dining restrictions) but there was a pin board to trade pins behind the registration desk. We loved this as our family loves to trade pins. The staff was also extremely friendly. I have pictures of our room in my Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate blogpost, and you can also visit the Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate website.  

Abby's Annaheimer Inn

Located at the corner of Katella and Walnut Streets, Abby's Annaheimer Inn is located on the West side of the resort. We decided to stay here because it was one of the less expensive options within walking to Downtown Disney. 

The walk from our room to Downtown Disney took us about 15 minutes - North on Walnut, East on Magic Way, South on Disneyland Drive, back west through the Paradise Pier parking lot, and back north to get to the security check point. I'm not sure if there will be an easier route or not once California is allowed to get back to more normal operating procedures following the Coronavirus. 

The location was extremely rough and a little scary when we visited. During the recent Coronavirus panic, the motel had (understandably) been used more as an apartment complex with people living there that were slightly scary to have my wife and young daughter around. I imagine (and hope) that when tourists return, the atmosphere would change significantly but when we were there, we considered finding somewhere else to stay.

The room was adequate. The walls had received a new, fresh coat of paint and the bathroom sink was very nice. The beds were extremely hard - and I usually like hard beds - and the carpet was extremely dirty. Also when we arrived, our shower was missing a shower curtain which was remedied later that night. 

I would say that I'd like to give this motel another try after conditions in California return to normal, but if I'm being honest, I don't think I will. A link to my in depth report and pictures of the room can be found here: and while I was unable to find an official website, here's a link to a booking site for Abby's Annaheimer Inn.

Other nearby Hotels

The two closest hotels to the park (by mere feet over the Tropicana) are the Best Western Park Place Inn and the Park View Inn. They are also usually slightly more expensive than the Tropicana, although not by a significant amount. The Best Western Anaheim Inn is also about as close as the Tropicana but is usually a bit more pricey. All of these hotels are located across the street (Harbour Blvd) from the park. The only others that are within reasonable walking distance for a family of 3 kids under 6 would be the Grand Legacy At The Park (Formerly Ramada Main Gate), and the Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort. They are all a slightly longer walk then the Tropicana and usually a little more expensive as well. They are all located across the street from Disneyland. To learn more about each of these hotels, click on the links below to visit their websites:
Best Western Park Place Inn
Park Vue Inn
Best Western Anaheim Inn
Grand Legacy At The Park
Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort


Summary

I guess the way my thinking goes is that I don't spend a lot of time at the hotel when I go to Disneyland so I don't need to pay extra to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. With that said, if I had unlimited funds, I'd stay at the Disneyland Hotel in a heartbeat - partly because of the sentimental value it has with my mom taking me there as a child and partly because of the extra "magic" you feel from staying there. But the Tropicana and Del Sol hotels have been perfect places for us to stay over the past few years because of their low cost and close proximity to the park. If you have a large family as we do, you can request adjoining rooms or a room with a bunk bed when you book and, so far, we have been accommodated by each hotel every time.