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Anaheim differs from Orlando in one decisive way: dozens of hotels sit within walking distance of the gates. Staying off-property is not the compromise it is in Florida. On a three or four day trip it is frequently the rational choice.

A list Disney maintains itself

Disney recognises roughly fifty neighbouring properties under its Good Neighbor designation. This is not a travel-site ranking: it is an official list, and Disney sorts it into four categories, Superior, Deluxe, Suites and Moderate. The designation covers certain standards of quality and service. It does not make these Disney hotels.

Distance, as Disney states it

Every property is filed by its real distance from the parks: across the street from the entrance, between roughly eight hundred metres and a kilometre and a half, or beyond. That is the single most useful piece of the list, because with young children the gap between across the street and a kilometre and a half is paid at the end of the day, on the walk back.

What the categories mean

Moderate covers the simpler properties and the well-kept motels of the district. Deluxe and Superior gather the large international brands, including several Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton and Westin properties. Suites marks the formats with a separate bedroom or a kitchenette, which change a family's budget over a week.

What you gain and what you give up

You gain on price, usually on space, and sometimes on parking. You give up the Grand Californian's private entrance and part of the on-property atmosphere. On a short trip with young children, the Disney hotel holds its own. On a longer stay, with a large family or a tight budget, the neighbourhood wins almost every time.

Booked together or separately

A package combining accommodation and tickets exists for these hotels too, and it is often good value. We compare both against your dates before recommending anything. Your Magic Maker handles that.

Read next

On the other side of the comparison, the three Disney hotels and their private park entrance. the Downtown Disney District is walkable from nearly all of these hotels, with free entry. Before booking, read tickets and park reservations, and for the journey, getting there from Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

A neighbouring property officially recognised by Disney, usually walkable or shuttle-served. Disney maintains the list and sorts it into four categories. The designation covers certain standards; it does not make it a Disney hotel.
Roughly fifty, sorted into Superior, Deluxe, Suites and Moderate, each with its distance from the parks stated by Disney: across the street, between about eight hundred metres and a kilometre and a half, or beyond.
Generally yes, and the gap widens in peak season. Count travel time as a real cost on a short trip, and check parking, which is often billed separately.
Several properties are literally across the street from the entrance. That is the figure to read first: the gap between across the street and a kilometre and a half is paid at the end of the day, when everyone is tired.
Yes, that is what the Suites category marks: a separate bedroom or a kitchenette. For a large family or a week-long stay, it is usually what changes the budget most.
Yes. A package combining a neighbouring hotel with tickets exists and is often good value. We compare it against the Disney hotel equivalent for your dates as a matter of course.
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