How to Find the BEST Off Property Hotel at Disneyland and a GIVEAWAY

We live in Southern California about an hour south of Disneyland, so we visit a lot. Yes we day trip it up there once in a while but when we had kids we realized that a Disney visit was way more enjoyable and much less exhausting if we booked two hotel nights. We've stayed in both on-property and off-property hotels and there are pros and cons to each. Here are our best tips for finding the BEST off-property hotel and we are actually offering a giveaway to Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA which pretty much covers everything we want!

My sweet boy at 3 years old at Disneyland with Minnie!!!

Here's our list of features that you should look for when you are booking a hotel near Disneyland in California:

1. A short walk to the park

You want to ideally be within walking distance to both Disneyland and California Adventure parks. This way you are not dependent upon a shuttle, taxi, or rent-a-car which means you don't deal with parking, traffic, or wasted time.

2. A great savings

Cost can be a BIG issue and quite frankly, although you get a special experience in an branded hotel, you don't spend much time awake there. You can save HUNDREDS of dollars with a hotel like Country Inn & Suites By Carlson which can cost less than HALF the price of Disney's "Budget" hotel. That's a lot of money to save while you are sleeping!

Complimentary hot breakfast area in Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA

3. FREE breakfast

Not all hotels have a hot breakfast. This is a great time saver AND a cost savings so I would recommend scoring one that offers it and even better when it's free!

King room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA

4.  Chic, modern, and NEW.

We've tried out many hotels in Anaheim and some of them are older and seem like they have not been updated or upgraded since the 80s. There's many things I love about the 80s. Bedspreads on cherry wood colonial furniture are not one of them! Look for a hotel where the decor is chic and modern and the bathroom and fixtures are shiny and new.

5. Food and Drink on-site

You will not find food or be able to order a cocktail in all hotels. After an exhausting day at the park, it is sometimes nice to wind down with a grown-up beverage in a place where you and the kids can have some light fare or be able to enjoy something to on your down day at the pool.

A suite room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA

6. Suites are the sweetest!

If you are traveling with children, I highly recommend a suite. Not only is there more space to move about, but if you aren't stuck going to bed when they go to bed and can enjoy a separate space to relax and watch tv with the lights still on instead of suffering in darkness and silence in the blue glow of your smartphone. Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA has some very reasonably priced suites located within walking distance to the parks!

7. A clear view of the Disneyland fireworks

Fireworks and night shows are great at the parks but if you are there for multiple nights or with small children that peter out early, a good off-property hotel will have a clear viewing angle for the fireworks which go off every night.

Pool area at Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA

8. Heated pool

Southern California is more of a temperate than a tropical one which means that it is only really hot out for a small part of the year but if you are coming from a cold climate or you just KNOW your kids are going to demand a pool day on your vacay, make sure you aren't left out in the cold.

9. Other unique perks and amenities

You can find all kinds of other perks and amenities in a good off-property hotel. Country Inn & Suites By Carlson has complimentary cookies and coffee all day and books in their Read It & Return Lending LibrarySM.

10. Rewards for members

We LOVE collecting points and rewards with everything from airline miles to credit card cashback and when you find that perfect hotel chain that you just love or like us, a place we keep going back to, make sure you are signed up for their rewards program so you can earn free stays or other offers. *Get on their mailing list too for deals and specials!

It's GIVEAWAY time!!!

There's a NEW hotel property in Anaheim right near Disneyland and we are adding it to the top our list of great places to stay for a TON of reasons! We are locals but even as locals who live just about an hour away, we like to book one or two nights when we go to Disneyland, even if we go several times a year. If you are coming in from out of town, I recommend 5 nights. As you may know, we try to go budget friendly without sacrificing quality which is why 174-room newly constructed Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA is an excellent choice and we are also giving a one night stay at a away!

Check out this list of some of the amenities:

Modern interiors with stylish furnishings

Spacious rooms with spa inspired bathrooms

Complimentary hot breakfast

Bar serving spirits, wine, beer and lite menu fare

Free Wi-Fi

24-hour fitness center

Large outdoor patio with pool and whirlpool

Great view of Disneyland’s fireworks

Fresh cookies and coffee all day

24 hour snack shop

laundry

Read and Return book library

and more!

GIVEAWAY PRIZE

(1) voucher for a 1 night stay at Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA

HOW TO ENTER:
Leave a thoughtful comment on what you like about the  Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA below. (1/person/day/email address)

GIVEAWAY RULES

You must be 18+ years old

Giveaway is for US residents only

1 entry per person per day per email address

Ends 1/31/2016 11:59 PM PST

*Giveaway is sponsored by Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Anaheim, CA and they are responsible for providing the prize. We reserve the right to sub a prize of equal value if necessary.