Is the Disneyland Hotel still the ultimate place to stay for Disney fans?
Welcome back to the vlog! Keith, Chrissy, Nate and Lauren are wrapping up an incredible stay at the Disneyland Hotel.
While many guests prefer the rustic luxury of the Grand Californian, the Disneyland Hotel holds a very special place in our hearts. With its deep-rooted history, fantastic pools, and heavy doses of classic Disney nostalgia, it is a phenomenal place to call home during a California vacation.
If you are trying to decide which on-property Disneyland hotel is right for your family, here is our full room tour and honest review of the property!
1. Premium Downtown Disney View Room Tour
We stayed in the Adventure Tower (themed to the classic Jungle Cruise and Adventureland) in a room featuring a Premium Downtown Disney view.
Here is what we loved about the room setup:
The Layout: Unlike some resort rooms where the bathroom sink is completely open to the sleeping area, this room features a proper door leading into the bathroom and a separate water closet for the toilet. If you are traveling with family, this makes getting ready in the morning infinitely easier!
The View: Looking out our window gave us an incredible, sweeping view of Downtown Disney, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, and even parts of Disney California Adventure and Pixar Place Hotel.
The Comfort: The beds feature two queen beds plus a daybed (great if you need extra sleeping space), and the thick carpeting helps cut down on hallway noise.
💡 IMPORTANT TIP FOR CPAP / BIPAP USERS
If you or someone in your traveling party uses a CPAP or BiPAP machine, listen up! There are no physical bedside outlets easily accessible right next to the bed. Furthermore, Disney’s policy prohibits them from providing extension cords due to fire safety regulations, and the front desk was unable to consistently supply large bottles of distilled water. If you require medical equipment like this, you may want to plan ahead or consider another hotel!
2. Is the High Key Club Lounge Worth the Upgrade?
With our club-level room, we had access to the newly redesigned High Key Club Lounge located in the Adventure Tower.
Disney completely redid this space recently, expanding it significantly and adding cool historical details—like an automated music machine with metal discs and a massive, stunning mural running the length of the room.
The Perks: All day long, you have access to complimentary soft drinks, an espresso machine, snacks like chips and salsa, Uncrustables, and pretzels. In the mornings, they serve breakfast items like biscuits and gravy, and they frequently stock Mickey Rice Krispie treats.
Our Honest Take: Is the club level worth the extra money? It is undeniably convenient for grabbing a quick breakfast or a snack before hitting the parks without paying out of pocket. However, the menu items hardly change throughout the week. If you want culinary variety, you'll still want to venture out to the parks or Downtown Disney for meals.
3. Exploring the Iconic Themed Towers & Pools
The Disneyland Hotel is famous for its mid-century modern design and land-themed towers. We took a walk around the property to check out everything it has to offer:
The Frontier Tower: Located at the back of the property, this tower features fantastic Western artwork, including a gorgeous, highly detailed model of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the lobby.
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel (New DVC Tower): We toured the stunning new Disney Vacation Club tower. The exterior features gorgeous color-palette vertical stripes representing classic Disney films like The Princess and the Frog, The Lion King, and Sleeping Beauty. It also houses a fantastic 24-hour fitness center and guest laundry facilities.
The Pool & Recreation Area: The pool area features two retro monorail-themed water slides (orange and yellow), a splash pad, and the Palm Breeze Bar. It is widely considered the best pool complex on Disney property!
Dining & Shopping: We grabbed quick bites near Tangaroa Terrace (where you can grab a Dole Whip!) and checked out the Fantasia Shop—which we believe is the largest and best-themed gift shop of any Disneyland-owned hotel.
4. Final Thoughts: Is the Disneyland Hotel Worth It?
Our final verdict? A strong, definite recommend!
Aside from the minor outlet issue for medical devices, we genuinely prefer the Disneyland Hotel over the Grand Californian in a few key areas—especially the functional bathroom layouts and the incredible mid-century Disney nostalgia. If you have kids who love pools and want to be completely immersed in Disney magic, you will love this hotel.
Have you ever stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, or do you prefer the Grand Californian? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to see our room view, the High Key Club lounge, and the gorgeous DVC tower in action? Watch our full vlog on YouTube right here:
👉 Disneyland Hotel Full Tour 2026: Premium Downtown Disney View Room & High Key Club Lounge Tour
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