Once you have decided when to go to the Disneyland Resort, the next step is deciding how long to stay, and which hotel to stay in while there. First, decide on how long you would like to be there. Your length of stay may determine which hotel you stay in, because the longer you stay, the more expensive your hotel costs will be. If you are traveling with children, especially toddlers, it is best to plan on a longer stay if you wish to see and do everything. Children, especially young ones, are unable to do a Disney Resort vacation commando style, and will require frequent breaks for rest and food. That being said; the two parks at the Disneyland Resort can be seen and everything tried once if you plan on 2 nights and 3 days(full), if you have no children present and you use Fastpass wisely. With children, if you plan on doing several character meals, seeing all the parades, and attending most of the shows; a minimum of 3 nights and 4 days is recommended, but preferably 4 nights and 5 days. With that length of time, you have plenty of time to relax while touring the parks, enjoy a different character breakfast each day, and see all the parades and shows.
Cost is usually one of the biggest factors in deciding which hotel to stay at while at the Disney Resort in California. Second to that is location. If you are staying for just a few days, the closer you are to the parks, the more you will be able to see and do while there. In this case, I would recommend one of the three Disney properties, or one of the hotels on Harbor, right across the street from the parks. If you are staying longer, then you can also consider the hotels that are farther away, and depend on a hotel shuttle to take you back and forth to Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure. In the last 4 years, we have stayed at 3 different hotels. The Grand Californian two times; both times before our son was born, the Disneyland Hotel once when Alex was 14 months old, and once at Howard Johnson's Anaheim, when Alex was 21 months old. Our next trip will once again be at the Grand Californian. We love this hotel, its proximity to the parks and Downtown Disney, and the ambiance while there.
While the Disneyland Hotel and Howard Johnson's are the same distance from the parks, in opposite directions, there are reasons why each hotel is a great place to stay. For example, the Disneyland Hotel requires a walk through Downtown Disney (great if you love to shop), or a ride on the Monorail to get to your room. Here, you never leave the magic of Disney behind. The grounds are beautiful, with 2 pools, a waterfall, and even a playground for the children. Plenty of restaurants and shops can be found at the Disneyland Hotel. The downside of this hotel is the cost. The walk to Howard Johnson's does not take you through Downtown Disney, but you can use the ART shuttle instead of walking. While this shuttle is not free, the cost is minimal, and saves wear and tear on your feet. The grounds at Howard Johnson's are very well appointed, and very serene. The rooms are large, the staff is wonderful, and the room cost is half that of the Disneyland Hotel. We loved this hotel, and if we are lucky enough to go to the Disney Resort twice next year, our second time will be spent solely at Howard Johnson's. There are also many other options on Harbor that are considerably less than the Disney Resort Hotels.
Another point about staying at the Disney Resort Hotels is important. If you do a lot of shopping while at the parks, you can have your purchases sent to the hotel. This way, you don't have to carry them through Downtown Disney. This was one downfall of staying at Howard Johnson's. As a shopper, it was much harder to do my shopping, then go back through security, and finally make the 10-minute walk to Howard Johnson's. While this was not as convenient, it will not keep us from staying there again.
The other hotels around Harbor are also nice choices. Each offers a quick walk to the Disneyland Resort at a less expensive cost than any of the three Disney owned hotels. These hotels are not luxurious but are great if you spend most of your time at the two parks or at Downtown Disney. On this stretch of road you will find 2 and 3 star hotels that are comfortable for sleeping and very easy to get to on foot.
Now if you are someone who enjoys the Magic Mornings and decide to stay at one of the three Disney Hotels: The Grand Californian, the Disneyland Hotel, or Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel you will be able to enjoy the Magic Mornings at Disneyland each day of your stay that they are offered. A park hopper gives you one Magic Morning. Yet if you are there for 2 or more Magic Mornings, you can show your room key to enjoy each of them.