Which Disneyland resorts have you stayed in and do you recommend them?

[AntiopeofThemyscira]

Thanks. Going next year and want to stay on site but really struggling to choose which one. Not really interested in the dining plan as my kids have strong ideas on restaurants they'd like to try while we are there.

Disneyland Paris? California? or Walt Disney World Florida?

I'll assume you mean Florida, imo onsite is not worth it over priced hotels and small rooms. Loads of lovely villas or hotels in easy reach.

Yes I've done both

Disneyworld florida?
Beach club we stayed at. Has the best pool.

Yes, sorry Florida 😊

We've stayed at Pop Century. I think it's a "budget" hotel. I picked that over all the other hotels onsite as it seemed the most Disneyish to me. We loved it. Our room had two double beds and was quite spacious.

Pop had a huge dining area and gift shop; bigger than at most of the other onsite hotels. It also has/had its own dedicated bus to/from the parks, which is a real time saver. A lot of the other hotels share, which means multiple stops, and is really annoying when all you want to do is get to your destination.

I definitely recommend on-site. It might cost a bit more, but for us it was worth it with the free transport and being able to be in the "Disney bubble".

We have stayed at:

Bay Lake Tower (DVC part of the Contemporary)
Wilderness Lodge
Animal Kingdom
Boardwalk
Port Orleans French Quarter

They are all different and a lot will depend on your budget. I loved the Animal Kingdom for the ability to sit on your balcony and watch the giraffes and zebras etc. The Contemporary was fab - I thought I wouldn't like it but it may now be my favourite- great for access across all parks if you don't want to rent/use a car. The Boarwalk was OK- liked the location for walking distance to two parks but the hotel itself wasn't to my taste. I haven't been to the Wilderness Lodge since the new construction so can't comment (used to be my favourite resort!) and the Port Orleans is a nice moderate hotel with boat access to Disney Springs but I hated not having a balcony and indoor airconditioned corridors.

We have stayed at:

Beach Club
Port Orleans French Quarter
Saratoga Springs
Coronado Springs
Pop
All star movies

We are returning this year and doing a split stay at Caribbean beach and animal kingdom lodge.

I think which resort depends on your budget, whether or not you want kitchen facilities and who you are travelling with. With young children location is a factor too so you can easily pop home and siesta.

I think on site is worth it when you factor in free parking, free internal transport and early booking windows for fast passes and dining. You also get extra hours when the parks are closed to other guests.

Of the ones above, French Quarter was my favourite in terms of atmosphere- but I also liked Coronado and Beach Club.

Id love to know peoples views on California

😁

Zen Anaheim California Disney is quite different to Florida, it is compact and you can walk between the parks. You are much less in a bubble and the visitors are more locals and US citizens. The castle is really small too.

Id love to know peoples views on California

In terms of Disney hotels, we love Disney's Paradise Pier. It has a beachy Disney theme. Its about 10 minutes walk from the park gates. It's worth paying a bit extra for a park view room - magnificent views of California Adventure!

OTOH, one of the worse hotel experiences we've had anywhere in the world was the (original) Disneyland Hotel - overpriced, dirty, shabby, rundown, paper thin walls. A HUGE disappointment (and a complete contrast to Disneyland Hotel at the Hong Kong site which I'd stay at any day of the week).

There's a third Disney hotel - the Grand Californian. It's never appealed to us as it's too dark; more like a wilderness lodge and not very "Disneyish". But it does adjoin the California Adventure Park, so that convenience may be worth it for you.

*It's about....