I just stayed at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel for the first time and it exceeded all my expectations

I started our stay at the Disneyland Hotel Villas with a lot of anticipation but also a little curiosity as to what it would actually be like. The photos on the website were nice but, to be honest, they didn’t knock my socks off. But within minutes of arriving, I could tell that this was going to be a notable part of the trip. Unusually, the hotel felt much nicer in person, which in my experience doesn’t happen often.

My family and I had driven to Anaheim from Los Angeles the night before (strategically, so we could maximize an early day at the park) and it ended up being one of the best decisions of the entire trip.

Why we stayed here

My family and I were invited to Disneyland for a media preview of Bluey’s Best Day Ever, a brand new experience officially opening to the public on March 22. After years of being a staple in children’s homes and a long-time favorite in ours, Bluey has finally made his way to Disneyland in a really fun way.

The experience brings families directly into Bluey’s world in a way that goes beyond a typical character encounter. Located inside the Fantasyland Theater, Bluey’s Best Day Ever is a live interactive show where Bluey and Bingo appear on stage alongside performers, guiding children through games, music and fun moments inspired by the show, like dancing together and playing some of the show’s iconic games. My children sang, danced and laughed throughout the show. It was a great success and when I asked them later what their favorite part of our weekend was, the answer was a resounding “Bluey!” » resounding!

For us, this trip marked our first return to Disneyland since January 2020. At the time, my youngest was just a baby, so this time was his first real visit. To make the most of it, we decided to stay on the property and that’s how we ended up at the Villas.

First impressions

The villas are the newest addition to the Disneyland Hotel resort, having opened in 2023 as part of the Disney Vacation Club.

As a design enthusiast, I really appreciate the details and to be honest, I really didn’t expect to be impressed. But I was wow. From the moment we entered the lobby I was surprised. The magnificent piece of art that welcomes guests is a large-scale mural depicting various Disney characters in stunning colors. It’s so beautiful that we all had to take a few minutes up close to see it in detail and appreciate its beauty.

And things only got better from there. As I entered the hallway leading to our room, I knew this stay was going to be different than I expected. The design is subtle but enhanced with beautiful wallpaper, soft recessed lighting, and a calm, almost boutique-hotel atmosphere that you don’t always associate with family-friendly resorts. There’s no over-the-top Disney branding, just unique and beautiful nods to beloved characters.

The Fantasy Suite

We stayed in the Fantasia Suite and it completely exceeded our expectations. What immediately stands out:

Space: It’s not just a hotel room. It’s a true apartment style layout, so there was

Several sleeping options: This suite is ideal for families, with flexible layouts that don’t make you feel like you’re all crammed into one space. Our suite accommodated 9 people on a combination of king and queen beds as well as a queen Murphy bed and another double murphy bed in the living room.

Hardwood floors: This may seem like a small detail but to me it is important. Hardwood floors always look cleaner, more modern and are visibly better for allergy sufferers.

Functional layout: I appreciated the thoughtful layout, from the fluidity of the room to the separation between the sleeping and living areas.

As a whole, the villas are designed to feel like home for longer stays, with options ranging from studios to multi-bedroom villas that include a kitchen, living room, and even a washer and dryer in larger units.

For families, especially those staying more than a night or two, a kitchen and laundry facilities are a total game changer.

Equipment

One of the biggest perks of staying at the Villas is that you have access to all the amenities of the larger Disneyland hotel.

This includes:

• Multiple themed pools, including monorail water slides

• A paddling pool for the youngest

• Fitness center and recreational areas

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to experience any of that, but the entire property blends classic Disney nostalgia with a more modern, edgy aesthetic.

Club level access

One of the highlights of our stay was access to the High Key Club, a concierge level lounge located in a separate building. Club access is not automatically included with a villa stay, but it is if you book a club level room at the Disneyland Hotel or stay in certain suites that include club privileges.

Inside the living room, you can enjoy:

• Snacks throughout the day

• Evening wine, cheese and hors d’oeuvres

This is another huge benefit, especially for families, because it simplifies meals and gives you a place to recharge your batteries between park visits. Just having a place to stop for a cold drink on a hot day is a welcome option.

Location

The villas are located within the Disneyland Hotel complex, just steps from the Downtown Disney District and entrances to Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure. The resort is close enough that you can walk to the parks or even ride the nearby monorail.

It didn’t take long to walk from the hotel to the park entrance. No long shuttle rides, no parking stress. It was an easy and manageable start to a busy day.

Why I would absolutely come back here

What surprised me most about the villas wasn’t just the beauty of the room; that was how much it enhanced the whole Disneyland experience. Staying on property meant we could get to the park early without rushing and overall the trip was less chaotic.

So if you’re planning a trip to Disneyland, the villas at the Disneyland Hotel are absolutely worth considering. They combine the convenience of staying on-site, the space and comfort of a residential-style suite, and just the right amount of Disney magic to make you feel special without being overwhelming.

I went in expecting it to be fun, but I left really impressed and convinced that this is one of the best ways to experience Disneyland.