Anabella Hotel Review | My Foray into Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels

Welcome to this month’s Blogorail Blue Loop. Today we are reviewing the official Disneyland hotels and some of Disneyland’s Good Neighbor hotels.

I was scared.  Really.  I have never stayed in a Disney Parks off-property resort.  Never ever in 44 years.  But runDisney is an expensive habit, and paying the kids’ college tuition really does take precedence over an enchanted room in my Disneyland race weekend default digs, the Disneyland Hotel.  I was quoted a rate at a Good Neighbor Hotel that was less than half of what I normally pay.  It.  Was.  Time…

After using all of my map skills to discern which hotel would be most convenient to the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend corrals (aka starting line queing), and remembering local folks literally stumbling out of their motel rooms into said corrals last year, I placed an X on the Anabella Hotel.  Located on the corner of W. Katella Avenue and Disneyland Drive, this 7-acre, self-described “California Mission Style Boutique Hotel” is situated down the block from the Anaheim Convention Center and across the street from this little beauty…

Disney’s California Adventure

*Please be aware that you cannot simply cross the street to gain access into either park; you need to walk about 1/3 mile to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, walk through to Downtown Disney District, and backtrack another 1/3 mile to park security.  If you or someone in your party cannot manage the 2/3 mile trek to and from the parks each day, the ART bus service will drop you at Downrown Disney District for a fee.

**Likewise, although the Star Wars Half Marathon passes directly in front of this hotel, due to new security concerns and proceedures all runners must now proceed to the Disneyland Hotel parking lot to be screened prior to gaining access to the corrals.  So much for the research and planning!!

Disneyland amenities include posted park hours, and the ability to purchase park tickets at the hotel.  A congenial bell hop assisted me and wheeled my giant race weekend luggage through the labyrinthe of buildings to our room.  (This might be an issue if it every rained in Southern California!)

One of nine Anabella buildings

Our Deluxe Room included a lovely terrace with sitting area, which served to expand our living space.

A luxe “pillow-top” Queen-sized bed, pull-out sofa, and adjoining nook with a Double bed.

This large room could very comfortably accomodate a family of 4 or 5.

And as my runDisney roomie pointed out, we did not have to “hold hands” while going to bed each night; we really felt as though we had 2 seperate rooms!  The Concierge Queen and Concierge King Double must be huge.  Accessible Premier Rooms are also available.

Large, that is, until one needs the bathroom facilities.  Here the space is cramped and adequate at best.  There is a significant counter for “stuff.” (Which 2 women easily filled to overflow.  OK, I did it all be myself.)  But, for a runDisney weekend, or any Disney Parks stay, time spent in the room really is minimal.  The only other shortcoming that I must report are the thin walls and substantial outside noise.  Perhaps that explains the complimentary ear plugs!  I kid you not!!

Amenities:


–   Complimentary Wi-Fi
–   100% non-smoking property  (California, I miss you!)
–   Fitness Center  (This I cannot report on, as my fitness was spent on the 19.3 race miles.)
–   Business kiosk  (with the ability to print boarding passes)
–   Gift Shop
–   In-room safe
–   Guest laundry
–   Mini-fridge
–   Self-parking  (for a surcharge)

The Anabella Hotel provides 2 pools for their guests; the Resort Pool and Jacuzzi and a seperate Quiet Pool.  Both are clean and nicely appointed.  because of the hotel’s convention facilities, and its proximity to the Ananheim Convention Center, special care and attention seems to be given to adults.

In my estimation, the hotel’s dining offering is well-represented by the Tangerine Grill & Patio.

Again, race weekend schedules do not lend themselves to long, lingering meals, but I did get a cup of Joe to go from the walk-up counter (but boy, that Organic Oatmeal sounded delicious) and a cup of hot chocolate on their patio.  The staff could not have been sweeter, and the outdoor bar and lounges with firepits beckoned to us nightly.  (Darn those 3 am race wake-up calls!)

Overview:


–   Did I yearn for Disney resort accomodations?  You bet.  Would I stay at the Anabella Hotel again?  You betcha.
–   Ideal for large families who do not mind a bit of a walk back to their hotel after a long day in the parks.
–   Unfortunately, the change in runDisney’s corral policy makes this hotel inconvenient for this race.  Dependent upon what they decide for Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend, the queing in the parking lot of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel would make the Anabella far more convenient.  We shall see if the runDisney policies continue to evolve.
–   The price is right!!

The staff at the Anabella Hotel made my first foray into Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels a painless one; the bar has been set high for my next adventure…

For more Disneyland hotel reviews,
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Blue | Disneyland & Good Neighbor Hotel Reviews Loop:

• 1st Stop – DISTherapy | The Anabella Hotel
• 2nd Stop – Disney Mamas | Disneyland Hotel
• 3rd Stop – Saving Up for Disney | Paradise Pier Hotel
• 4th Stop – Family Travel Escapades | Grand Californian Hotel
• 5th Stop – Disney Nouns | Howard Johnson