Which hotel for best pool in walking distance?

[KatieCharlotte]

We're going to DL for a week in June or July. I have a moderate budget (preferably the $200/night range, although I could be convinced to go higher if it's worth it). I want convenience to the park and a nice, relaxing outdoor space for downtime. I don't need free breakfast. I do need free WIFI! I'd like a nearby hotel we can enjoy during long midday breaks from overstimulation. Hojo is at the top of my list, but my kids deserve an excellent vacation this year, and I want to make sure I'm not missing an even better option.

My oldest is a teen, but he is the opposite of a thrill seeker. His favorite place in the world is a Universal Studios Orlando resort hotel with a very large pool that has noodles to float on, water cannons, beach balls to play catch, ping pong tables, and nightly teen movies. I need a place where he feels comfortable even if the rest of us head back to the parks for some thrill rides. I like that the Hojo has a quiet pool area and a water play area with a hot tub, but I'd like to know if there's anything closer to what I described at the US resort. Waterslides are nice but don't need to be large. At the least, does the Hojo have a more isolated resort feel that will help us feel more relaxed during downtime? Also, it's been my dream to see the parks from my window, something that is out of my price range at WDW.

 

[darph nader]

The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is across the street on Harbor. They have what looks like a small pool area with slides. Might run a bit more than $200 a night though.

 

[Darkbeer1]

The best is the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, so not walking distance, but the "best" option and then take a shuttle.


https://www.greatwolf.com/southern-california

Another option is to head to Knott's Berry Farm in nearby Buena Park and visit its water Park, Soak City, which is adding new attractions next year.

https://www.soakcityoc.com/

The LA Metro Route460 can get you there using public transit.

OK, so you want a water play area within walking distance, well, you are not going to get anything as you originally mentioned.

The HoJo Anaheim Water Play area is well known. Close and gets good reviews and has a reasonable price structure.

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/

 

[figment_jii]

If you're willing to splurge, then I also vote for the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance located on Harbor Boulevard. It's slightly closer than the HoJo, but definitely more-pricey. It doesn't really have much of a swimming pool (for lap swimming), but it does have a pretty fun water play area. I don't recall really seeing a quiet pool-type area, so in that way, this might not a great option for your teen. There are two water slides and a play structure. I stayed there a couple of years ago with two kids (3 and 5) and both really enjoyed the water play area.

 

[DLgal]

The pool area at the Courtyard is way better than HoJo's. But it is usually around $300/night.

But I agree that Great Wolf Lodge is amazing and I think your teen would love it! And even though it isn't walking distance, it is a self-contained resort with a ton of things to do onsite. It has two large pools with basketball hoops and balls for playing, water jets, waterfall mushrooms, a HUGE climbing structure with slides and a dump bucket...tons of slides (some thrilling, some not). It has a flowrider surf simulator. There is a large lifeguard presence and I think your teen would have a blast there. The water park stays open until about 10pm in the summer. Plus the rooms are really big and the food onsite is great! There is a good arcade, bowling alley, mini golf as well.

 

[DLgal]

. At the least, does the Hojo have a more isolated resort feel that will help us feel more relaxed during downtime? Also, it's been my dream to see the parks from my window, something that is out of my price range at WDW.

No. Not even close. It is sandwiched between a very busy freeway and a very busy main road, and it is surrounded by other hotels in close proximity.

What you are seeking can only be had at either the Grand Californian or the Disneyland Hotel (isolated sprawling resort that is relaxing).

As I said above, Great Wolf Lodge also meets your criteria, but it is further away. None of the Good Neighbor hotels along Harbor have the "resort" feel to them. They are essentially motels.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

We are big fans of the Great Wolf Lodge, but we've spent many long weekends at the locations in our part of the country, so it wouldn't seem as exciting to my kids.
The Courtyard is about $300/night. I've seen deals for the Hojo at $170-$200. I'm not sure if it's worth the difference? Has anyone stayed at both to compare?

 

[DLgal]

We are big fans of the Great Wolf Lodge, but we've spent many long weekends at the locations in our part of the country, so it wouldn't seem as exciting to my kids.
The Courtyard is about $300/night. I've seen deals for the Hojo at $170-$200. I'm not sure if it's worth the difference? Has anyone stayed at both to compare?

The rooms at the Courtyard are much larger and have bunk beds for the kids in a sort of "suite" setting where they are located in a little alcove area. I would never pay $200 for HoJo...it is not that great of a place. I find it is WAY overrated on here. The extra cost of the Courtyard is WELL worth it.

 

[bumbershoot]

His favorite place in the world is a Universal Studios Orlando resort hotel with a very large pool that has noodles to float on, water cannons, beach balls to play catch, ping pong tables, and nightly teen movies

There's nothing like that around Disneyland. Sigh.

Movies, though...Anabella has a medium-ish sized pool with lush foliage around and they tend to have movies playing on summer nights.

No noodles, cannons, beach balls, or ping pong.

But it might not be teen movies; then again last time we were at royal pacific they were playing Ice Age 3, so that's hardly a teen movie lol.

 

[5forMickey]

If you could find a discount it sounds like the DLH would be perfect for what you are looking for but it is about double (with a good discount) what you are looking to spend. The pool is what you have describe, it is "resorty" and they have movies on the lawn at night.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

Off property, you won't find anything approaching a resort within walking distance. There are some nice pool areas at a few of the motels though.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

There's nothing like that around Disneyland. Sigh.

Movies, though...Anabella has a medium-ish sized pool with lush foliage around and they tend to have movies playing on summer nights.

No noodles, cannons, beach balls, or ping pong.

But it might not be teen movies; then again last time we were at royal pacific they were playing Ice Age 3, so that's hardly a teen movie lol.

They don't have to be teen movies. The movies they played when we were at Royal Pacific were more PG-13, which was fine for my oldest but not so much my youngest.

Grand Cal and DLH look perfect... but $600/night for peak season, when we'll be able to travel. Maybe we could swing a few days with a discount, but are discounts offered in summer?

 

[Disney_Alli]

The only walking distance hotel with a resort feel off property is the Sheraton Park their pool is a gorgeous oasis but they don't offer any slides or movies by the pool that I'm aware of. They do have disneyland view rooms where you can see the fireworks off the balcony though.

 

[Leopardstars]

If you have the budget for it, I would recommend the Courtyard by Marriott as others have suggested. It is pricey but might be an option for you.HoJo is still a good choice if that's what your budget allows. Unfortunately, most other off-site hotels within a easy walking distance have only basic pools.