Fairfield Inn - Anaheim

Overall Rating: 2 Stars

Luckily for those traveling on a budget, there are many options surrounding the Disneyland Resort which are "Disney Good Neighbor" hotels, including the Fairfield Inn across the street. Fairfield Inns are traditionally very nice moderately priced hotels, and luckily this one was updated within the last few years to make me reconsider visiting.

Location: 3 Stars

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.

Accommodations: 2 Stars

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.

Amenities: 2 Stars

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.

Value: 3 Stars

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.