When we started taking our kids to Disneyland, finding the right hotel became almost as important as planning our park days. We wanted a hotel within walking distance of Disneyland that was clean, family-friendly, and had amenities our kids would actually enjoy.

After spending hours researching the best hotels near Disneyland for families, we decided to book Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance—and it exceeded our expectations. We’ve now stayed here three different times, and it has become our favorite hotel near Disneyland for family vacations. Here’s why we keep coming back.

Two girls dressed as Jasmine and Cinderella running in front of Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance near Disneyland.

1. It’s an Easy Walk to Disneyland

This is honestly our favorite feature. The hotel is less than a quarter mile from Disneyland, making it about a five-minute walk to the security entrance. With young kids, being able to walk back to the hotel for naps, forgotten items, or even the occasional toddler meltdown is priceless. We’ve done all three!

Dad walking with two young children through the lobby of Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance after returning from Disneyland.

Two girls in princess dresses walking hand in hand along Harbor Boulevard from Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance to Disneyland.

2. The Family Suites with Bunk Beds

The rooms are one of the biggest reasons we keep booking this hotel. The bunk beds were an instant hit with our kids, and they make the room much more functional for larger families. Instead of booking two hotel rooms, our family comfortably fits in one room with two queen beds and bunk beds, making this a much better value than many nearby hotels.

Two young children enjoying the bunk beds in a standard guest room at Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance near Disneyland.

Toddler sitting on the lower bunk bed in a family-friendly guest room at Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance near Disneyland.

3. The Surfside Waterpark

My husband isn’t the biggest Disney fan, but even he looks forward to staying here because of the rooftop water park. It’s his favorite part of the whole trip! After a long day walking through Disneyland, it’s the perfect place to relax. The kids love the water slides and splash area, while the adults can unwind in the hot tubs. Sometimes we’d spend the afternoon here before heading back into the parks for the evening.

Two young children playing in the Surfside Waterpark splash area at Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance near Disneyland.

Dad carrying a toddler after playing at the Surfside Waterpark at Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance near Disneyland.

4. Breakfast at The Bistro

Another thing we love is The Bistro inside the hotel. Instead of trying to find breakfast somewhere else before rope drop, we’d grab breakfast downstairs and then walk straight to Disneyland. It made our mornings so much easier. The food is really good!

Hotel hallway leading to The Bistro at Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance, with a child walking toward breakfast.

Dad feeding a toddler breakfast at The Bistro inside Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance before heading to Disneyland.

Kids enjoying Mickey-shaped pancakes at The Bistro inside Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance before a day at Disneyland.

5. The Best Value for Families

We’d love to stay at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels someday, but we just can’t justify the price. Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance gives us the convenience of being incredibly close to Disneyland while offering spacious rooms and amazing family amenities at a much more reasonable price. For our family, it’s the perfect balance.

Mom and young daughter eating breakfast at The Bistro inside Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance before walking to Disneyland.

Things to Know Before You Book

While we absolutely love this hotel, here are a few things to keep in mind before booking your stay.

Check if the Surfside Waterpark Is Open

One of our favorite parts of this hotel is the rooftop Surfside Waterpark. It’s typically open year-round—we’ve enjoyed it during both our November and January trips—but one time we visited, it was temporarily closed for renovations. If the water park is one of the main reasons you’re bookiing this hotel, it’s worth checking the schedule before your trip.

Book Early

This is a very popular hotel for Disneyland families, especially because of its location and the rooms. We’ve found that rooms can book up quickly during busy travel seasons, so I recommend reserving your stay as early as possible.

Consider the Room Upgrade

We’ve stayed in both a standard room and one of the corner King rooms with the separate bunk bed area. While both were great, we especially loved the corner room because the bunk beds were tucked away from the main sleeping area. Once the kids were asleep, my husband and I could still watch TV or relax without worrying about waking them. We also had an amazing view of the park and fireworks at night!

Here’s a quick room tour of the upgraded room we chose, featuring a king bed and a separate bunk bed area for the kids.

Separate bunk bed area inside a Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance family room near Disneyland with two young children sitting on the lower bunk.

Concierge Service Makes Traveling Easier

One feature we didn’t expect to love so much is the concierge service. Every time we visit Disneyland, we rent a stroller that gets delivered directly to the hotel. The concierge staff has always been happy to accept the stroller delivery for us and hold it until we arrive.

Even better, when it’s time to head home, we can simply leave the stroller with the concierge, and they’ll make sure it’s available for the rental company to pick up. That means we don’t have to coordinate pickup times or wait around before catching our flight home.

It’s a small detail, but it makes traveling with young kids much less stressful.

Final Thoughts

After staying at Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance three different times, it’s easy to see why we keep coming back. The unbeatable location, spacious family-friendly rooms, rooftop Surfside Waterpark, and thoughtful amenities make it our favorite hotel near Disneyland for families.

While we’d love to experience one of the Disneyland Resort hotels someday, we continue to choose Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance because it offers the perfect balance of convenience, comfort, and value. Being able to walk to Disneyland in just a few minutes while enjoying amenities our entire family loves makes every trip a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable.

If you’re planning a Disneyland vacation with kids, I highly recommend adding this hotel to your shortlist. It’s become a special part of our family’s Disneyland tradition, and we can’t wait to stay here again on our next visit.

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