We will have a car but would like a hotel for our one night stay near the park BUT in a safe area can this be done? The date we will be going is Friday,July 15 th
Try posting this in the Disneyland (California) forum. You'll get more replies there. Also, check the Motel 6, both Super 8 hotels (on Katella and on Disneyland Dr.), Priceline, Expedia, Travelocity, TravelZoo, etc. Look at hotels in Garden Grove and in Buena Park -- the further out you go from DLR, the lower the hotel prices are. Since you will have a car, staying further out won't be a problem.
Yeowtch... that's primetime, peak summer weekend. So you will be paying a premium on all hotels.
Honestly for this type of a budget run I'd hotwire/priceline it... If you'd prefer to have 100% control, then get on all the sites mentioned above and request to get on their mailing list/setup account. They will often send you coupons for 10% off. Wait for the right deal and grab it.