If you’re looking for an affordable, family-friendly hotel near Disneyland, the Howard Johnson Anaheim is a great option. The Howard Johnson has several Kid Suites and a fantastic water play area, which is why the hotel has been a family favorite for years.
The hotel is within a short walk of the Disneyland Resort main entrance, which is another reason to consider staying here. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk down Harbor Blvd, cross the street, and make your way through the Disneyland esplanade to reach the main entrance turnstiles.
Being this close is a great advantage when you want to head back to the hotel for a break or want to sleep in before heading to the parks. If you take the ART shuttles, you’ll usually spend 30 min or so waiting for a bus and then traveling to the main entrance.
The Kid Suites are the most popular option for families because of the bunk beds and extra space in the room. Each room has a microwave and a small refrigerator. There is also a Keurig coffee maker, which we personally think is a great amenity. For many families, having breakfast at your hotel is an easy way to cut costs. Just keep a box of cereal and some milk in your room and you’re all set.
Across the street from the HoJo is Mimi’s Cafe, one of my family’s favorite restaurants (we wish there was one close to where we live). Be sure to try the French Onion soup and take a muffin home with you.
The standout feature of the hotel is the pirate themed water play area. It is easily something that you would expect to find at a water park and is one of the reasons why families return to the hotel. I’ve even heard some families say they had a difficult time getting their children out of the water to return to Disneyland.
Standard room rates are around $139, but fluctuate depending on room type and the time of year that you visit. The Howard Johnson has a lot of specials out there, so be sure to shop around to find a discount rate. Just be sure to book your stay well ahead of your visit. Because of this hotel’s popularity with families, it tends to book up several months in advance.
My family has stayed at the Howard Johnson in Anaheim a few times. We usually upgrade to get a room facing Disneyland so we can watch the fireworks. My kid really like how you can see the Matterhorn from the hotel.
If you don’t want to walk to Disneyland, you can take the ART shuttle. I don’t see any reason to do that though. It takes twice as long and costs extra. My family just walked over every morning and it only took a few minutes.
You’re right about the water play area being a big deal. My family was very impressed with it. I didn’t expect to find such an elaborate water play area at a hotel.