Planning a trip to Disneyland Resort and want to find out where to stay? The Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is located across the street from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and it features an amazing water park. Scroll to get a room tour and full review.
This post about the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog. I received a discounted room rate as an attendee of the AWEsome Mastermind event. All opinions are my own.
See that hotel with the water park you can spot from Harbor Boulevard? The one where kids are always climbing on the slides while you’re walking to Disneyland?
I finally stayed there.
I’ve wanted to check out the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance for years.
Every single time we walk past it, my kids smoosh their faces against the fence trying to get a better view of Surfside Waterpark. This trip, I actually got to see it for myself.
I stayed in room 637 on the 6th floor (that’s the top floor). I was there for a blogging event, so my kids weren’t with me, but I kept thinking about how much they would love this place.
Here’s what you actually need to know.
The Room Situation
My room had 2 queen beds and twin bunk beds. That means 6 people can sleep here comfortably.
Most Disneyland hotels max out at 4 or maybe 5 people squeezed in, so this is huge if you’ve got a bigger family or you’re traveling with grandparents.
The room was over 500 square feet. For context, that’s enormous compared to most hotels in this area.
Everything looked fresh. They just finished renovations and you can tell. New furniture, bright colors, modern vibe. It felt clean and current without being cold or sterile.
The bunk beds looked fun. My kids would fight over who gets the top bunk, but in a good way. They weren’t tucked in some weird corner either. They had their own little space that felt intentional.
Two Bathrooms (Kind Of)
Okay, this is my favorite part.
There are TWO showers. One is a big glass shower in the main bathroom area. The other is a shower/tub combo in a separate little room with the toilet.
Why does this matter? Picture this: you’re trying to get everyone ready in the morning. One kid needs to shower. Another needs to brush teeth. Someone needs to use the toilet. You need to do your makeup.
Normally, this turns into a disaster.
Here? Not a problem. Someone showers in the glass shower while someone else uses the sink. Meanwhile, another person can use the shower/tub combo in the other section without waiting.
There are also two sinks. Two! This saves so much time when you’re trying to get everyone out the door.
After years of doing the hotel bathroom shuffle with my family, this layout felt amazing.
Let’s Talk About Surfside Waterpark
The water park is free if you’re staying at the hotel. But you need to reserve a time slot because they limit how many people can be there at once.
They have 3 time slots: 9-11am, noon-6pm, and 7-10pm. When you check in, you can book the noon and evening slots.
On checkout day, you can book the 9am slot. Up to 6 people per room can reserve all 3 time slots if you want.
The water park has:
- Six slides (the two big ones require kids to be 40 inches tall)
- A 400-gallon drench bucket that dumps water on you
- A kids’ pool with beach-style entry
- A hot tub
- Lounge chairs
The whole thing is about 20,000 square feet.
I didn’t use the water park on this trip because I was there for work. But I walked through it and honestly? My kids would go bananas here.
Is it Great Wolf Lodge? No. It’s smaller. But here’s the thing: you’re not staying here JUST for the water park. You’re staying here because it’s near Disneyland AND has a water park as a bonus.
That’s different.
My kids would love spending an afternoon here on a hot day. Or using it as a break between park days. Or honestly, if they were just done with crowds and needed to decompress, this would be perfect.
You can bring your own food and drinks down to the water park area, which saves money.
(Quick note: the water park closes for maintenance January 19-29, 2026, so don’t book those dates if the water park is important to you.)
Coffee Situation
The lobby has a Bistro that serves Starbucks coffee. This matters more than you think.
I went down every morning before heading to the parks and grabbed coffee. It was good, it was fast, and I didn’t have to deal with the Starbucks line at Downtown Disney.
When you’re trying to get to rope drop, those 15 minutes matter.
The Bistro also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I tried their flatbread pizza one night and it was big enough to share. My kids would eat it.
There’s also a little market next to the Bistro with grab-and-go snacks, cold drinks, and prepackaged breakfast stuff if you want something quick.
What’s Actually In The Room
Every room has a microwave. Not all Disneyland hotels have microwaves, so this is worth mentioning.
You can reheat leftovers from dinner. Make oatmeal packets for breakfast. Heat up chicken nuggets for picky eaters. It’s one of those things that doesn’t seem like a big deal until you need it.
The room also has:
- Mini-fridge
- Coffee maker
- Free Wi-Fi (Marriott Bonvoy members get it automatically)
- Flat-screen TVs with Netflix
- Two sinks in the bathroom
- Central air conditioning
- Bunk beds
- Iron and ironing board
The gift shop in the lobby is decent sized. Sunscreen, hats, souvenirs, stuff you forgot to pack. Standard hotel gift shop but bigger than average.
The Walk To Disneyland
The hotel is on Harbor Boulevard. It’s about an 8-10 minute walk to the main entrance of Disneyland.
Here’s the annoying part: the hotel’s walkway goes in the OPPOSITE direction from the parks. So you have to walk past the hotel entrance, then loop back around.
Most families with strollers or tired kids just cut through the Mimi’s Cafe parking lot. There’s no official crosswalk or safe path for this. You just have to be careful.
It’s not a dealbreaker. But the Fairfield Inn next door has a more direct route to the park entrance.
Fireworks From Your Room
If you get a room on an upper floor facing the parks, you can watch the Disneyland fireworks from your balcony.
You won’t hear the music. But you also won’t be stuck in crowds trying to leave after the show.
I saw families sitting in the hallway watching. Some parents left their curtains open so they could watch while their kids slept in the room.
My room faced the water park, not the parks, so I didn’t get the fireworks view. But from what I saw, it looked pretty great.
What It Costs
Rooms run anywhere from $270 to $550+ per night depending on when you go.
Summer and weekends cost more. Spring is usually cheaper than summer and fall. If you can go midweek, you’ll save money.
You also need to budget for parking. It’s valet only (no self-parking option) and costs $40 per night plus tax. If you have an electric car, charging is an extra $10 per use.
So if you’re paying $400 for the room, add $40 for parking. Your actual total is $440 plus taxes.
I always book through Get Away Today because they have the best rates for Disneyland hotels. Check current availability there.
When I’m comparing Disneyland hotels, I factor in what you get. A hotel room for $300 with no amenities is different than a hotel room for $350 with a water park your kids will use every day.
For us, the water park makes it worth paying a bit more than a basic hotel without a pool.
What I Wish Was Different
The hotel looks modern and clean, but there’s almost zero Disney theming. I get it – they’re not a Disney property. But when pretty much everyone staying here is going to Disneyland, a few subtle touches would be nice.
The Fairfield Inn next door has some Disney artwork and it doesn’t feel cheesy. It just adds to the magic. I wish the Courtyard had done something similar.
Also, housekeeping isn’t automatic every day. They typically start daily service on the 3rd night unless you request it earlier. If you need extra towels or want your trash taken out, you have to call and ask.
Some recent reviews mentioned that the hotel removed HDMI ports from the TVs.
So if you were planning to plug in a Roku or Apple TV, you can’t. You’re stuck with whatever is on the TV. For families who stream specific shows for kids, this might be annoying.
The walkway situation I mentioned earlier is genuinely inconvenient if you have a stroller or tired kids.
Things To Know Before You Book
Check-in is at 4pm. Check-out is 11am. You can use the water park starting at noon on your arrival day and until noon on your departure day.
The water park requires reservations. Book your time slots as soon as you check in because they can fill up.
There’s a Mimi’s Cafe in the parking lot. McDonald’s and Panera are within walking distance too.
No pets allowed except service animals.
The hotel is a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel. That means they pay Disney to be part of the program and can sell park tickets. You can buy tickets when you book your room through Get Away Today.
Who This Hotel Makes Sense For
This hotel works if you have 4-6 people and need the space. It also works if your kids love water parks and you’re visiting in summer when they’ll actually use it.
If you’re planning multiple park days and want a place to decompress in the afternoon, the water park gives you an option besides just sitting in your room.
It probably doesn’t make sense if you’re a couple or solo traveler. You’re paying for space you don’t need.
It also might not be the best choice if you’re on a really tight budget. Between the room rate and parking, it adds up. There are cheaper hotels nearby.
Would I Stay Here With My Kids?
Yes. 100%.
My kids would love the bunk beds. The water park would keep them busy. The two-shower bathroom would make mornings easier. And having a microwave would save us money on meals.
The staff was friendly when I was there. The hotel was clean. The coffee was good.
Is it perfect? No. But it has enough of what matters to us that I’d book it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the Courtyard Marriott Anaheim from Disneyland?
The walk from the hotel to the main Disneyland entrance is about 8-10 minutes. It’s across Harbor Boulevard from the parks.
Does the Courtyard Marriott Anaheim have a water park?
Yes. Surfside Waterpark is free for hotel guests. It has six slides, a drench bucket, a kids’ pool, and a hot tub. You need to reserve a time slot.
How many people can sleep in a room at the Courtyard Marriott Anaheim?
The rooms sleep up to 6 people. There are 2 queen beds and twin bunk beds.
Is parking free at the Courtyard Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance?
No. Valet parking costs $40 per night plus tax. There’s no self-parking option. Electric car charging is an extra $10.
Can you see Disneyland fireworks from the Courtyard Marriott?
If you get a room on an upper floor facing the parks, yes. You won’t hear the music but you’ll see the fireworks show.
Does the Courtyard Marriott Anaheim have free breakfast?
No. The Bistro serves breakfast but it’s not included. They have Starbucks coffee and grab-and-go options.
Do I need to reserve the water park at the Courtyard Marriott?
Yes. The water park has 3 time slots per day and you need to reserve your spot. Book as soon as you check in.
What’s a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel?
A Good Neighbor Hotel is a non-Disney hotel that pays to be part of Disney’s partner program. They can sell park tickets and sometimes offer special perks.
Can friends who aren’t staying at the hotel use the water park?
No. Only registered hotel guests can use Surfside Waterpark. It’s a legal requirement.
Are there two bathrooms in the Courtyard Marriott Anaheim rooms?
Kind of. There are two separate shower areas. One has a glass shower in the main bathroom. The other has a shower/tub combo with the toilet in a separate section. There are also two sinks.
What hotels are close to the Courtyard Marriott Anaheim?
The Fairfield Inn is next door. The Howard Johnson (which also has a water park) is nearby. Downtown Disney is about a 10-minute walk.
Room Tour Video
I made a quick video walking through the room so you can see the layout, the bathroom situation, and the bunk beds.
My Honest Take As A Family Travel Expert
After dozens of Disneyland trips as a family travel blogger, I’ve learned what actually matters in a hotel.
Location is important. But so is having space to spread out. So is having amenities that keep kids happy when they need a break from crowds.
The Courtyard Marriott Anaheim isn’t the closest hotel to the parks. But it’s close enough. And the trade-off (water park, bigger rooms, two showers) is worth the extra couple minutes of walking for most families.
If I’m being completely honest, the main reason I’d book this hotel is the water park. My kids would use it every single day. That’s value.
If your kids don’t care about water parks, or if you’re visiting in winter when they won’t use it, you might be better off at a different hotel.
But for summer trips? For families with kids who love swimming? This hotel makes sense.
Ready To Plan Your Disneyland Trip?
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Book the Courtyard Anaheim through Get Away Today for the best rates.
If you want to compare it to other nearby hotels, read my Fairfield Inn review. They’re literally next door to each other, so you can see which one fits your family better.
Bottom line: this hotel works for families who want space, a water park, and don’t mind a slightly longer walk to save money compared to Disney’s official hotels.