Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is one of the most popular family hotels near Disneyland Resort, and after a major refurbishment completed late last year, it’s easy to see why.
I still remember watching this hotel being built across from Disneyland Resort and touring it before it officially opened. But it wasn’t until my first stay in 2020 that I understood why so many families have made it part of their Disneyland tradition. Between the oversized family rooms, bunk beds, on-site water park, and one of the easiest walks to Disneyland, this hotel completely changes what families expect from a Good Neighbor hotel.
If you’re familiar with the Courtyard brand, this is several steps above any you’ve likely ever stayed at. It feels more like a mini resort built specifically for Disneyland families. If you’re traveling with kids, planning a multigenerational trip, or simply want more space than the average Anaheim hotel room, this is one of the top and closest hotel options near Disneyland in 2026.
In this review, I’ll walk you through the newly refreshed rooms, water park updates, walking distance to the parks, dining options, parking situation, and who I think this hotel is truly best for after multiple visits over the years.
This article was first published in 2020 but is updated regularly and is one hotel I stay at often!
Quick Details
- Hotel Type: Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel
- Walk to Disneyland: About 7–10 minutes
- Best For: Families of 5–6 looking for an elevated hotel stay
- Sleeps Up To: 6 guests with 2 queens, bunk bed twins in every room
- Pool Type: Surfside Waterpark includes splash zones, water slides, large hot tub, small lap pool
- Free Breakfast: No, but available for purchase and McDonald’s next door
- Parking Cost: Valet only, daily rates match Disneyland’s daily parking fee (about $40)
- Water Slides: Yes, 40 inch height requirement for standalone waterslides
- Nearby Food: McDonald’s, Panera, Mimi’s and onsite Bistro
- Magical Perks: Disneyland views from the water park, including Monorail and fireworks
Who Should Stay at Courtyard Theme Park Entrance?
Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is a luxury priced property because of its proximity to Disneyland’s entrance and the upgraded features you won’t find at other Courtyards. This location is truly one of a kind, meant for families and large groups.
- Best Disneyland hotel for families of 6
- Best Disneyland hotel with bunk beds
- Best water park hotel near Disneyland
- Great for mid-day breaks from the parks
- Ideal for families with kids (even my teens love the slides)
Courtyard Theme Park Entrance Vs. Disneyland Hotel
This is a tough comparison! Especially when Courtyard has similar pricing to The Disneyland Hotel.
Here’s the questions I ask myself when I am deciding between the two:
- What’s the price difference between the two for my travel dates? This is the first thing I want to check with Get Away Today where all prices include taxes for your total stay. I also need to factor in which of my kids are coming who are over 18 because more than 2 adults on Disney property costs more.
- How many people are coming? If it’s my immediate family of 5, we usually pick The Disneyland Hotel, especially if the prices are super similar. If we have a need for multiple rooms and a larger group, Courtyard almost always wins.
- How much space do we need in our room? If we need more space, The Courtyard wins. There’s plenty of bed space, two showers for getting ready and a breakfast nook to relax somewhere other than your bed.
- How much time do we have for the pool and water park area? If I didn’t have at least one full day for The Disneyland Hotel pool, I wouldn’t book there. It’s really a spot you want to lounge all day. If I want pool time but a couple hours a day or so will do, The Courtyard wins for me.
- What type of trip is this? If this is a first time vacation or once in a lifetime, I might choose The Disneyland Hotel.
Location & Walk to Disneyland
Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is located at 1420 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim, CA 92802. This map shows a quick look at where it’s situated among Harbor Blvd. hotels.
Is this hotel walkable?
Yes! Courtyard is about a 7 minute walk to Disneyland. It’s so close, you can view fireworks from the hotel, see the Monorail go by and see many Disneyland attractions right from your room or water park lounge chair.
Here’s the best ways to get to Disneyland from Courtyard:
- Walk. It shouldn’t take you any longer than 10 minutes, if that. You can walk south on Harbor and cross at the dedicated pedestrian crosswalk to the entrance.
- Drive & Park. Being on your own schedule is key. When you drive your own car, it’s super simple to park at Disneyland. But walking truly is going to be faster! And probably less walking in reality, when you factor in walking from your parking spot to the trams.
- Uber it! If your kids don’t need car seats (ride shares are increasingly providing car seats but it’s not super reliable yet), get an Uber. Ubers aplenty in Anaheim but honestly, you won’t need one unless you want n Uber to take you somewhere else in Anaheim, the walk is that close!
I love how easy it is to get to and from Disneyland here. We’ve stayed at Courtyard while using strollers at Disneyland, and even electric scooters. I also love the dedicated space each room has that will fit even a double stroller or wheelchair.
Rooms & Suites
This is one of the few off-property hotels where kids get excited about the hotel itself. A quick scroll through online reviews shows many parents surprised when their kids prefer to stay at the hotel instead of going to Disneyland. And parents enjoy it just as much, lounging in the sun or shade while kids are entertained. Just don’t tell Mickey Mouse!
Since Courtyard was built, many area hotels took note and started building rooms with large families in mind. Courtyard was the first to make every room come standard with bunk beds. Now we have more selections like The VIV and The Element which are my other bunk bed favorites.
Every room has a mini-refrigerator (no freezer option), microwave, Keurig coffee machine with select complimentary K-CUP coffee and (upon request) teas.
It’s super close to Disneyland and gives you much-needed time to chill by the pool after a long morning in the parks. They also have a quick service lounge/restaurant on site.
Now let’s dive into the details on each room type. Note all room photos are from the two queen & bunk bed rooms which you can book using my promo code DLPlan10.
- Courtyard 2 Queen Waterpark View room has 2 queen beds a bunk bed, bathroom with a tub/shower combo and another shower, desk, fridge and microwave.
- Courtyard 2 Queen Standard View room has 2 queen beds, bunk beds, bathroom with a tub/shower combo and another shower, desk, fridge and microwave.
I personally stay most times in a queen bed, but one time I stayed an extra night in a friend’s room and tried out the bunk bed. The bunk beds are more narrow than a regular size twin, but it was totally comfortable.
The bunk beds do have a weight limit, so just be careful there if you plan to have older teens or adults also use the bunk beds.
Water Park & Pools
There might be just one reason you want to stay at Courtyard and I won’t judge you for that at all. Even if you’re the one who wants to go down the water slides—and yes, I’ve done them myself they are so much fun!
You’ll spot the water park almost before you spot Disneyland, and if you have kids trust me they’ll be excited about this! Surfside Water Park is on the second story of Courtyard with access only for registered guests.
Surfside is a gem for so many ages, but note the waterslide height requirement of 40 inches or taller. If you kids aren’t tall enough, they can certainly use all the other space in this area, but they might be disappointed.
The space has 20,000 square feet to enjoy. From the 30-foot slides (Courtyard Coaster and Anaheim Accelerator), to water fountains, splash zones, a massive dump bucket, spray canons and more.
There’s even smaller water slides for younger ones, a small swimming pool and an extra large hot tub that looks more like a pool itself.
- Kowabunga and Hang-10 slides have a 36 inch height requirement for younger kids
- All ages can stop under the 400-gallon Drench Bucket (or run from it!)
- Splash pads and fountains throughout for plenty of free play
Another important factor to note is the pool and is heated and open daily year-round from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm with plenty of seating and lounge chairs nearby.
Food & Perks
I usually save my appetite for Disneyland, I especially love eating breakfast there at my favorite spots. But if you need something to eat or want to grab a Starbucks coffee while staying at Courtyard, your options are just a few steps from your room.
Inside the lobby you’ll find The Bistro with plenty of grab and go snacks, Starbucks drinks and small bites. We dined here for lunch and the food was really, really good.
I went halvsies with my friend where I ordered a bacon quesadilla and she ordered a burger, just to name a few of their offerings. We split them so we could try both and it was perfect! We even had dessert and dining outside on the patio was a perfect escape from Disneyland.
I also likes the close proximity to McDonald’s, Mimi’s Cafe, Panera and of course Disneyland for even more food options. And remember, the in room fridge is perfect for leftovers!
If you need some essentials, the Gift Shop has you covered with souvenirs, clothing, and things you may have left at home. Stop by for last minute things like ponchos for water rides, hats, postcards and even luggage in case you already bought too much!
FAQs Courtyard Anaheim
Does Courtyard Anaheim have free breakfast?
It does not offer free breakfast. I recommend ordering something from the Bistro on property or dining in the parks for a special character meal.
How far is Courtyard from Disneyland?
8-10 minutes walking just across the street.
Is the water park included?
Yes, for Courtyard guests only. You cannot pay for water park access only.
Are the bunk beds adult-sized?
They are slightly longer and more narrow that a typical twin bed and do have weight restrictions of about 180 pounds per bed.
Is Courtyard better than Howard Johnson?
Yes, I think so. But I also thing they’re serving totally different categories. Howard Johnson is often more affordable than Courtyard. Howard Johnson sleeps 4 to a room vs Courtyard’s 6 and the water park / play areas are vastly different.
Can you see Disneyland fireworks from Courtyard Theme Park Entrace?
Yes, you can view fireworks from the pool and select rooms from Courtyard. You can also step outside the lobby for a view from the street level.
Is Courtyard Worth It?
If your kids care just as much about the hotel as Disneyland itself, Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance delivers something few Anaheim hotels can: a true vacation-style experience within walking distance of the parks.
For larger families especially, the bunk bed rooms, Surfside Waterpark, and Disneyland views make this one of the most unique off-property stays near Disneyland Resort.
Book your stay at Courtyard and use my promo code DLPlan10 to shave an extra $10 off the price. Plus, you can add discount tickets while you’re at it.
