One time when we stayed near Disneyland, we stayed at the Castle Inn & Suites, on Harbor. The place had decent rooms. Would stay there again. There is a shuttle that stops near there. But it is not an exclusive shuttle to that hotel, but makes a number of stops. Wasn't bad at all on the morning trip to Disneyland. But I would never use that shuttle again & haven't, even if I stayed that close to the park, I would still drive the car into the parking lot & pay the fee. (By the way, the 3 day passes we have purchased from AAA included parking.)

The very big problem was the return trip at the end of the night. At that time they still ran only 1 shuttle bus, & still kept to their schedule of 1 about every 20 minutes. They should have ran multiple buses at less intervals. With everybody trying to get back to all the different hotels, it was a madhouse. & when the bus left without you, if you didn't stand in line for the 20 minutes for the next bus, other people would get in line & wait & then you would miss the next bus also. It actually seemed to be alittle bit dangerous with all these tired & cranky people pushing & shoving, trying to get into the bus ahead of you. Then when you finally get on the bus, it makes all the stops to the hotels that are farthest away first, & we were on the last stop. So leaving the park at about 11:30pm, by the time we got on a bus & got back to our room, which was only about a 1/2 mile away, it was 1:30am. This was on a Wednesday night in June, so not even one of the busiest days.

I've experienced the shuttle when I stayed at the Hyatt, which is a much nicer hotel than the ones across the street, but I prefer to stay across from Disneyland even though the hotels are simpler. There is nothing like being able to go home whenever you want and not being a slave to the shuttle's schedule. Precious time is wasted waiting for it and you have to plan the shows, fireworks, parades, etc. around it. Plus, on some occasions, the shuttle is crowded and you and your kids may have to stand on the aisle.

If you stay in a hotel that's right across the entrance, you simply cross the street when the light turns green and you're home. I would pick that over something that's a five- or ten-minute walk down the block, when you have cranky preschoolers and strollers.

Ken,
I used to live near Disneyland - the area has changed over the last 10 years that I don't even recognize it anymore.

My personal experience was about 4 years when we stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel (at the time it was the "Pacific Hotel"). We LOVED it.

We were traveling with our 4 year old daughter. It was so nice to be so close. In addition, they let you into the park 1 hour earlier than the general public.

The best part of the entire stay (in the 4 year old mind) was the character breakfast. While you eat, you get to watch a little show, then the characters come and sign the "must have" autograph book. Then they pose for a picture with your child. At the Paradise, it is in the PCH grill. This saves a lot of time getting those autographs away from the park.

Then of course, you must eat a breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel. Just a walk across the parking lot. Here, you will see Chip & Dale, Goofy, Minnie, etc. Minnie came to our table and fed our daughter scrambled eggs!

The difference between the Disneyland and the Paradise? In my opinion, Paradise was one step above in its accomodations for ADULTS. It gave a breather away from all of the kiddie stuff. However, the Disneyland Hotel offers the beauty of the POOL and grounds. When we were there 4 years ago, they did allow you to use the Disneyland Pool, even though you stayed at the Paradise.

My suggestion though, if you can get the package deal, do it. It saves you on the costs of the Breakfasts. They usually include it.

Oh, and one more thing I can't forget. When you are shopping at Disneyland and find all the stuff you can't live without, you simply just tell them your room number and they will personally deliver it to your room. You don't have to cart it all over the place! And of course, you can say, "Charge it to my room".

Okay, that was how it was 4 years ago. I hope that all of what I told you is still true. I can only say that it is truly worth the experience to stay at they hotels associated with Disneyland if this is your first time or the only time you will be there this decade.

Have a wonderful time!!
Sealygal

Sealygal, since you are a local, let me ask you a question please. Does the pool size or even the existence of one matter in February. Or, is it too cold out even if the pool is heated. ALso, do you or anyone else know if February is a school break for the locals, as it is in New York.
Thanks a lot
Ken

Although LOCAL is with a past tense, I answer YES. It is VERY possible to swim in February. We went in January and it was very warm outside and many people were swimming. It is Southern California. Most of the time it will still be at least in the 70's or higher.

I am unsure about the schools. However, many California schools have gone to "year round" which means there are always "tracks" out of school.

Let me know if you have any other questions.
Sealygal

Weather in February in southern CA can be wildly variable. It could be pleasantly warm, it could be pleasantly cool, it might surprise you with a damp chill, it could broil you with a visit from the Santa Anas.

Winter is maybe the only time where weatherpeople have to read the TelePrompter for the forecasts-- in summer it's always "low clouds and fog early, burning off to sunshine, bla bla bla." Expect the unexpected. I remember January 17, 1994 not only for the Northridge earthquake, but also for the unusually hot weather we were having (mid-80s in Torrance, where I was living at the time). You can never really be sure.

I would consult the hotels after your short list is firmed up to see if the pools will be open/heated/whatever.