We stayed here Jan 18-20 as an add-on to a business trip I had to take to LA. It was a 3 generation trip with grandparent, mom, and happy 7 year old boy.

The last time I was at Disneyland Hotel was in 1986 and I was a child. Needless to say, the hotel and the resort in general have changed extensively. I go to Walt Disney World in Florida a lot. My family are timeshare owners, so we stay on property. I wasn't sure what to expect from this hotel, but I was very pleased. We drove in on a Wednesday morning from the airport and the whole DLR area was fairly quiet. We gave our car to the valet, took our own bags in (we just had carry-ons) and checked in. Our room was ready at 9 AM (course, it's off season). We were placed in the same building as reception in the Fantasy Tower. The bottom floor had 2 shops (one including snacks, toiletries, and pool needs). There are pressed penny machines in the larger shop. The cast member at reception shared with us that the only thing missing from the remodel were the chandeliers in the lobby. The lobby is modern, light, and classic. We neither requested nor paid for it, but we ended up in a room with a view of Disneyland. The windows are floor to ceiling, but there are effective light blocking curtains if you need them. The room is your standard hotel room--it's definitely on the large size. The headboard above the 2 queen beds was very cool. You hit a button on the nightstand and the "fireworks" above the carved castle in your headboard will light up and music plays. It's a sweet touch. The only drawback to the room is the lack of plugs on the nightstand (can't even use any behind it). However, the desk has some built in on the top, so that's helpful but that's it except for the bathroom. If you have a lot to charge or multiple people's gadgets to charge, pack a power strip. The beds were very comfortable and we never heard any noise.

The bathroom was very generous in size. There are Disney touches everywhere--the handles to the sink have Mickey ears. The sconces on the side of the bathroom mirror are Mickey hands holding the light fixture. The carpeting out in the room has mickey heads. It's subtle, but it is there. They provide H20 spa products such lotion, conditioner, shampoo, body wash, and a heavenly soap. The other nice aspect of this bathroom is the toilet is separate from the shower/ sink area. It's a very generous area. The bathtub has a built in laundry line to dry your swimsuits. The closet space is also generous.

Mousekeeping (housekeeping) came when we needed them and they were very nice and accommodating.

One day the air conditioning was only blowing out hot air. We called guest services and 2 men from maintenance promptly arrived and fixed the problem. It was quickly resolved and we were impressed with their responsiveness (and they didn't try to blow us off either thinking it was user error).

The hotel has multiple dining areas including a steakhouse, Goofy's Kitchen (we didn't eat there because we heard the character interaction was lacking--we did Minnie's breakfast in the park), and the newly opened Tangaroa Terrace which is that counter service option. It's beautifully themed to the Tiki Room. And it shares a heated deck with the new Trader Sam's Bar (of the Jungle Ride variety). We ate both dinner and breakfast there. This is also where you can get snacks, fruit, to go drinks, chips, etc. When you enter, you look at the menu and then order using a touch screen. Your order prints a receipt which you take to a cashier after you pick up any snacks or drinks you want in addition to the meal. As you are selecting your order on the touchscreen, it allows you to customize your order--such as adding cheese or in my case, holding the pineapple off my burger. The menu includes burgers, salads, flatbreads, and fish and chips for lunch/ dinner. They have egg/ bacon/ potatoes breakfasts with biscuits. There are no pancakes or Mickey waffles here--probably the only drawback if you want to see it that way (as my 7 year old did). It's a step up from fast food fare though. For dinner, we got our meal to go, which was no problem for them. They boxed and bagged it up and we enjoyed it in our room. It was very good. They opened at 7 am the next day, so we chose to eat breakfast there before hitting Magic Morning hour. The breakfast was great. For 2 adults and 1 child, we ordered 1 adult meal and 1 child's meal plus bought a single serving cereal (Kashi--they had healthy choices) and 2 drinks (child's drink is included in child's meal AND we also got another milk because milk is included in a cereal purchase). It was plenty. And it was better tasting than our breakfast the next day in Disneyland at Minnie's Breakfast at the Plaza Inn (though the characters were great--so I still recommend it!).

The grounds were beautiful. The entrance had 2 statues of the main stars and the exit to the pool area had topiaries. It was all up to Disney standards. The pool area is fenced and you need your key to get in. The pool area furthest from Fantasy Tower was the monorail pool which had 3 taller slides and 2 junior/ toddler slides with a splash area. It was a lot of fun--I tried a slide out and my son (7) played there a lot. Also on that side is one of two "spas" (jacuzzi) themed as Minnie. Right outside this side of the pool area is an outdoor fireplace with deck chairs. The slides are only open for limited hours during the day as the lifeguards must be present to operate them.. We used them during an afternoon break from the parks--just be aware of that if you keep returning later in the evening. You may miss the slides. The other two pools are called D and E-ticket pools, respectively. D-ticket pool is loosely in the shape of a dog bone and sort of joins the monorail pool area with the E-ticket side (they are not continuous). The bridge from the Fantasy Tower area crosses over D-ticket pool to Tangaroa Terrace. The E-ticket pool is closest to Fantasy Tower and has the second spa, the Mickey one in this area. This pool has iridescent stones in the concrete all around it--it look like pixie dust indeed was being splashed around. There are numerous areas to grab towels all around the pool areas. When we were there during the day, the lifeguards outnumbered the guests 3 to 1. We also saw them practicing rescue when we were eating breakfast--so they take safety seriously as most Disney places do.

I also want to add that one afternoon (we were there 3 days/ 2 nights) we returned from the parks to find Goofy in the lobby greeting us. That was nice--no lines!

Disneyland Hotel is at the end of Downtown Disney. Although historically, the hotel used to cover all of what is now Downtown Disney up until the monorail stop. It's about a 10 minute walk to the security point for both parks. Compared to WDW, I still thought this hotel was ridiculously close to the parks. I enjoyed strolling Downtown Disney. I have heard the gripes that other hotels are closer, but the only one I saw closer was Disney's Grand Californian--but comparing the pools, Disneyland Hotel's is better. DLH is also the classic, vintage choice. And I just found it cheerier over the Grand Californian. I ate in both counter service places in both hotels, and while I liked the meals at both places, I think the Tangaroa Terrace is much better done. It's beautifully themed. I also like DLH because it was not overly themed. It was subtle Disney/ Mickey.

Value-wise we thought the hotel was great. It's not a bargain nor "cheap". Unlike at Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort seems to only offer mid level and deluxe options for hotels operated by Disney. There are no value resorts. I think if you go to this resort during off season that the hotel can still be an excellent value for the level of the hotel that it is. For me, that is money well-spent. And we find it wonderful to stay on property so that the Disney magic is never broken. I think they did a great job with their remodel, and we loved the new pool areas and the eating locations they added around the central pool areas. My final observation was that every cast member in every role we encountered at this hotel from store clerk to lifeguard to cashier was exceptionally friendly and helpful. They were service-minded and well-trained which tells me the management gets it.

Enjoy!

We recently surprised our family to a Disneyland we always stay on the resort and decided to stay at the newly renovated hotel. Must say we were super excited to see they have updated the pool with waterslides and new restaurants. It was like experiencing a new hotel and the kids loved the new ammenities. Rooms always clean and service was immpecable. You pay a little more but the location and ammenities are well worth it.

This is a really beautiful hotel right next door to Downtown Disney. Very convenient if you like to be able to quickly go back to your room from the parks. Hotel is very clean and well appointed and everyone is friendly which is not surprising because that's the Disney way. Pool area is awesome with a monorail water slide. Goofy's kitchen is a all day character buffet that was a bit overpriced as was the hotel but that is also the Disney way! The coffee Shop at the Hotel is great and was never crowded when I went. Early admission to the parks (one of the perks of staying in a Disney Hotel) on some days is nice but many attractions aren't actually open then. All in all a great place to stay if you don't mind spending the money.

The new pool and remodel of the hotel made the trip worthwhile. Like most parents, it is difficult to decide wether to stay at a hotel across the street at 1/2 the price or to stay at a Disney property. In February when the price is discounted, I prefer the Disney properties. Still expensive, but the new pool at the Disneyland Hotel made it worth it. With the remodel, the rooms are much nicer now.