With an address on Katella Avenue instead of Harbor Boulevard, you might think that the Westin isn't close to Disneyland at all. Actually, it's located just one block south of the Pixar Place Hotel at the corner of Katella and Disneyland Drive which means that it's far closer to Downtown Disney than the Harbor entrance to the parks. If you're willing to walk a short distance, you can make it from the front of the hotel to the security checkpoint in Downtown Disney in less than 15 minutes. From there, it's just a short walk through the shopping district or a ride on the Disneyland Monorail.

The walk is beautiful, too! The grounds of the Westin are so immaculate they match Disney quality so as you cross Katella Avenue it's a seamless transition from one property to the other. It's also nice to avoid some of the hustle that can plague Harbor Boulevard, especially at night. You'll see very few guests and just a few CMs on your way.

What's walkable for us may not be walkable for everyone. If this is too great a distance for you, the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) shuttle service stops right outside the hotel. Remember that this is available for a per person, per day fee.

This is luxury! As a 4-diamond hotel, you'd expect nothing less, but the rooms are immaculate and spacious. You can choose from a standard room, studio, or larger suite but each features high-end finishes and features. Theme park view rooms overlook Pixar Pier reminding you just how close to the magic you really are. The bathrooms are elegant and can include a separate tub and shower - perfect for those who like to unwind with a bath. If you're like me, you appreciate when the toiletries and in-room soaps are particularly pleasant and the scent is not overly generic. Trust me when I say that you'll love the signature Westin scent of white tea and lavender (wanted to steal some - didn't, but wanted to). I'm often very judgmental about pullout beds since they tend to make uncomfortable sofas, but such is not the case here! The beds themselves are even noticeably nicer than typical hotel mattresses which makes for an extra restful night (not just because you're exhausted from a day in the parks).

Where do I begin? It's not unusual for hotels of this caliber to offer a laundry list of amenities to guests, but the Westin has almost too many to mention. I'll do my best.

​The basics are covered well from a large 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center to a gorgeous pool area (with ample seating, I may add) perfect for those wanting to relax or families looking for a little water playtime. The bell service and concierge desks are more than accommodating and, on the whole, the staff is about as pleasant, professional, and knowledgable as any I've ever encountered.

Similar to those you may find at Disney properties, there's a whole collective of restaurants on property to choose from and I would suggest you check out at least some of them. People have raved online about Puesto (a Mexican restaurant) and there's a full-service bar and restaurant in the lobby but I would counter all that with my take on Blossom Cafe & Marketplace. This is the quick-service option on site and has exquisite pastries, entrees (breakfast, lunch, & dinner), and freshly squeezed juices but I have two words for you: horchata latte. Honestly, I think it tastes more like a churro, and we all know how much I live for those, but I'm still thinking about it and will probably make it a point to stop by Blossom regularly to get another!

For a more exclusive experience, you can try the Rise Rooftop Bar which has excellent views of the parks and fireworks. You can feel extra bougie at the Westin Club, available only to Marriott Bonvoy Elite Platinum members & above or for $125/day for up to 4 guests. They serve a small breakfast in the mornings and snacks in the afternoon, but the service is unrivaled and so convenient.

Yes, this is a luxury resort and so rooms do not come cheap. That said, you would easily pay double the price or more for a stay at the Grand Californian, the nearest comparable resort. There are certain Disney amenities available only at the Grand, but if you have a hard time justifying that price tag for your budget, then this is an easy choice. The Westin gives you a lot of "bang for your buck" and you will not feel the need to justify or rationalize anything because you'll be too busy enjoying your room and everything else the hotel has to offer. This isn't an option for every family or traveler to Anaheim, but if you're willing to spend the money then I highly recommend it.

The Residence Inn is located just behind California Adventure on Katella Avenue. It can seem tricky to find because it's sandwiched between the Springhill Suites, the Hilton and the Anaheim Convention Center, but once you find it you see it's hard to miss. It's only about a block away from the Harbor Blvd entrance to Disneyland so you can easily walk there if you choose or, if you don't mind the extra walk, you can reduce your time in line for security you could also walk the other direction over to the West Gate by the Disneyland Hotel.

The nice thing about the Residence Inn is that all rooms are "suites" so they all include home-like amenities like fully equipped kitchens. This can make it easier to save money on food because you can buy items from the Walgreen's and CVS stores located within the block and prepare them right in your hotel room.

Rooms generally have a separate master bedroom from the living area and kitchen. This is a wonderful option for parents who love their kids but would also love some time apart from them at the end of a long day!

There is a small rooftop pool available to guests and, since it's a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel, you can book your tickets and stay at the same time. Plus, for those who don't like to walk, this is on the ART shuttle route so you can get a lift to the Disneyland Resort for a small additional fee. However, the majority of added amenities for this hotel are in the rooms themselves.

Given the types of rooms offered, the Residence Inn is not poorly priced and guests can typically expect to pay between $120-$140/night for a standard room. It's somewhat pricer than some hotels that are closer to the main entrance, but you may find that it can offer things for your family that are worth the extra money and distance. We certainly plan to return here for another visit and suggest you consider it as well!

You can't get much closer to the gates of Disneyland than the Fairfield Inn. The main public and shuttle entrance to the resort is directly across the street from the hotel and then only a short walk to the entrance plaza. You can get to the parks and back in only about 5 or 10 minutes each direction so it makes it really convenient to collapse on the bed at the end of a long day since you don't have to drag yourself very far. The only hotel closer is the Grand Californian.

A few years ago we visited this hotel and were anything but impressed with what we found. It was so bad that we had planned to never return. However, then the hotel was completely refreshed and we decided to give it another shot. It's nothing fabulous, but it's been enough to make the rooms worthwhile, clean, fresh and modern. The showers are still a little cramped but the rest of the room has been opened up to allow for more space, more plugs and some new furniture. This is ideal for families since the rooms themselves are slightly larger than typical hotel rooms so you can have your children all together and not feel so cramped.

A not-too-large pool is available to guests, but there are not free food options which can be a bit of a drawback for those on a budget. Unfortunately there are not many more guest amenities offered outside the typical WiFi and in-room features.

Depending on the time of year, this hotel can run anywhere from $110 to as high as $200/night, though the average is around $120. You are definitely paying for the location and proximity to Disneyland but it could be worth it since you can save the money on parking, driving or the ART shuttle. If your family would like a little extra space in the rooms this can also be a good option for you. It's not a terrible hotel by any stretch of the imagination but make sure you're not overpaying for what you get from this hotel.

While not immediately next to the parks, the hotel is actually within walking distance. You can either go out the main doors which direct you to "Disneyland" and enter on the east side or walk by the Convention Center and go the back way through Downtown Disney. Given the length of security lines in the mornings, the two will probably take the same amount of time - you'll either be walking or waiting more depending on the route you take. If you know it's going to be a particularly busy day it may be worth your while to walk to the West Gate by Downtown Disney since that will inevitably have the shorter security line.

The rooms are larger and relatively modern. Unlike some other Good Neighbor Hotels we've stayed in recently, everything was in great working order, in excellent shape, or simply comfortable. I don't have much to add because, although it was a great stay, there's nothing remarkably grand or terrible about the room - take that as a good thing! It feels like it's the need of an update, but there's nothing shabby just slightly out-of-style and very few outlets.

This is a tough call. There are many places to eat which can be handy if you don't want to travel far from your bed. In terms of pools, it's rather small which can be a disappointment. Largely this is due to the playground that occupies the same courtyard, which is a plus if you have small kids. The other amenities are rather standard, but you can also enjoy the same benefits here as other Good Neighbor Hotels including a resort shuttle and a ticket desk in the hotel lobby.

The price point is right where you'd expect for a Hilton, but it can be worth it if you want to ensure you have a great stay with no issues close to the parks. If your main priority is saving money, then this could be a great option for the price point. It's not uncommon to find a room for less than $130/night and occasionally it's less than $100. It's definitely something worth checking out.

The hotel is on the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue next to the Anaheim Convention Center. If you can't immediately picture where that is, the back side of California Adventure is just across the street. From the entrance you're just a few minutes' walk away from the main/East Gate of the Disneyland Resort where the shuttles drop off guests from area hotels.

If you're willing to take an extra walk, it only takes about 10 minutes to get to the West Gate and Downtown Disney to help avoid the overcrowded security area at the East Gate. That is totally up to you, but we tend to enter through the West and exit the East when we stay in this area of Anaheim.

Springhill Suites are well-known for their superior quality hotel rooms and this one doesn't disappoint. It's only a few years old and every room is exactly as the name implies - a suite. There will be bed areas and living room areas which include sofa beds so you can fit even more people into a single room. Everything is super comfortable and spacious and we couldn't find anything to complain about inside our room.

For larger families, there are also room options which include bunk beds specifically for the kids!

First off - there is a pool, it's just smaller and on the roof. It's plenty for your family to run around for a while, splash around and have fun, but it's not huge.

Why then the perfect rating? Normally hotels in this price range don't include breakfast, but this one does even during COVID restrictions! And it's a really good one with plenty of options for anyone's tastes. If you feel you're splurging a bit for this hotel option the breakfast can save your family quite a bit of money by having one less meal you have to plan for.

Out of all the hotels we've stayed at that advertise guest security, this is one of the few that actually does something visible so if this is something you're concerned about they don't permit anyone in the hotel unless they have a room key or are checking in/out.

This hotel is not cheap, but it's not going to break the bank either. Typical rates range from $220-$500 per night but during the busy season those prices can rise dramatically as rooms get booked. I still believe it packs decent value, though, because you certainly get what you pay for. Between the lovely new rooms, the great amenities and its strategic location you will get your money's worth for what you spend. Plan early and you are more likely to get a lower rate. I still highly recommend it and you won't regret it!