The post is updated with new information on a regular basis.

When you decide to go to Disneyland, you have to make a decision about where to stay. There are a few places on Disney property where you can hang your hat, but there are many other places that are not that far away. It can be difficult to decide on the best hotel for a Disneyland vacation for you and your family.

You're not alone if you're trying to find a place to stay near Disneyland. One of the most significant costs of a Disney vacation is lodging, so it's important to find a balance between price, perks and location. If you want to use your credit card points to help pay for a Disneyland trip, you need to consider the value of your stay.

Does it make sense to stay at a Disney-owned hotel when visiting Disneyland? Is it a good idea to stay at an off-property hotel if it's tied to a particular brand?

We have learned a few lessons after dozens of Disneyland stays with my family, both on- and off-site. The key differences between on- and off- property hotels are listed here.

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There are tips for less waiting at Disneyland.

Staying on- vs. off-property at Disneyland

How do you decide if a Disneyland hotel is right for you?

It is important for families to understand the differences between Disneyland and Disney World. Staying on or off property at Disneyland is very different from staying at Disney World.

I usually stay off-site during my Disneyland vacations because I prefer to stay on-site at Disney World. There are perks to staying at a Disneyland resort hotel, but they aren't always worth as much as the price increases.

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What's the reason? Many of the off-property hotels are just as close to the parks as the on-property ones because Disneyland's footprint is smaller. You don't have to sacrifice location or sign yourself up for extra transit when staying in a non-Disney-operated hotel.

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There are fewer perks for Disneyland guests than there are for Disney World guests. Disneyland hotels are able to get into the park 30 minutes early each morning.

Since that 30-minute head start often falls between 7:30 and 8 a.m., you need to be up with the sun to make the most of it. If you're an early bird, maybe this is a reason to stay.

Disneyland hotels come at a cost. There are three different tiers of accommodations at Disney World. Disneyland has no differences. If you're traveling on a tight budget, you may not be able to afford a stay at a Disney hotel.

You can use points or miles from a credit card to cover your stay if you rent Disney vacation club points. The Capital One Venture rewards credit card can be used to redeem miles. You can redeem points for Disney hotels at a rate of 1.25 cents per point with the Bilt Mastercard.

The Points Guy did not collect the information for the Mastercard. The card issuer did not review or provide the card details on this page.

David's Vacation Club is a partner of TPG.

Best on-property Disneyland hotels

Not every family will feel the same, even though I prefer to stay off-site most of the time. Staying within the Disney bubble is a lot of fun.

Disneyland has three on-property hotels: Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel and the former Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Special décor, themed pools and expert Disney service can be found at these three hotels. They are close to the parks. It is possible to justify paying a little more to stay at a Disney property during a special trip.

Disneyland Hotel

The Disneyland Hotel has been around since the opening of the park.

The pool area of the three on-property hotels is arguably the best. You can get Dole Whips at Trader Sam's without leaving the hotel grounds.

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Standard rooms, club-level rooms and suites, as well as some with over-the-top Disneyland themes, such as a Pirates of the Caribbean suite and a Mickey Mouse penthouse, can be found at the hotel. Disney Vacation Club accommodations will be housed in a new tower that is expected to open in 2023.

The starting room rate at the Disneyland Hotel is between $500 and $600 a night. The price of a club-level room or suite with a premium view of Downtown Disney will go up very fast.

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Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

This is the closest Disneyland hotel to the park. Standard rooms cost at least $700 per night, making it the most expensive.

The exclusive access into Disney's California Adventure Park is one of Disney's biggest draws. You can usually get inside in a matter of minutes because the property has a private entrance.

Disney's California Adventure Park. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

There are a number of high-end perks you can take advantage of, including a spa, room service and private cabanas to rent by two of the hotel's pools. If you want a dose of luxury and to be close to the parks, it is the best choice.

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Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel (soon to be Pixar Place Hotel)

Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel will eventually get a new design, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't check it out. It's the cheapest of Disneyland's hotels, with prices starting at $400 a night.

DISNEY

While many of the hotel's amenities are currently unavailable, once the renovation is complete, guests will have access to a rooftop pool deck for viewing fireworks and a "Finding Nemo" themed splash pad for kids. There is a new walkway and entrance to Disney's California Adventure Park.

There is a tour of Disney's apartment at Disneyland, but is it worth the cost?

Best off-property Disneyland hotels

There are many off- property hotels close to Disneyland.

I prefer to stay in the hotels on Harbor Boulevard. The layout of the crosswalks and freeways make these hotels the most accessible.

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Some of the lodging options are accessible to the parks via a hotel shuttle or a short ride on the Anaheim Resort transportation.

Fairfield Anaheim Resort

My family has stayed at the Anaheim Resort many times.

You can easily walk to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park if you are on Harbor Boulevard. Colorful themed decor can be found in many of the rooms here.

Fairfield Anaheim Disneyland. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Unlike most Fairfield Inns, this location does not offer free breakfast, but there's a McDonald's next door that has become my go-to spot for a cheap and quick bite before my family goes to the parks. There is an outdoor pool that you can cool off in.

Pass this McDonald’s on your walk to Disneyland. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

The average room rate at this Marriott outpost is between $200 and $450 per night. You can use Marriott Bonvoy points to pay for a standard room.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express Card can be used to book rooms at this hotel. Every year on the account anniversary, these cards give a complimentary night worth up to 35,000 points. You can add up to 15000 points per night to the certificate on nights that cost more than 35,000 points.

You can book a stay at the resort.

Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance

The Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is a great place to stay for families.

The hotel is a 10 minute walk away from Disneyland. The pool area is comparable to the best hotel pool in the world, the Monorail Pool at the Disneyland Hotel.

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You might expect a Courtyard room to be similar, but it's not.

Standard options here include two queen-size beds and a bunk bed with two twin beds. Each room has an extra large bathroom with a shower and tub/shower combination. The unique layout of the property makes it a good place for larger families to stay.

The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.

Cash rates at this Anaheim Courtyard are higher than at other Courtyard locations due to its above average rooms and amenities. Standard rooms cost between $230 and $700 per night.

You can get around the high points rate by using a 50,000 point certificate on an off-peak night. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card will give you one annually.

There is a Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park entrance hotel.

Westin Anaheim Resort

The Westin Anaheim Resort is a great place to visit a theme park. The hotel is located near the Pixar area of Disney California Adventure Park. You can see the Incredicoaster from the hotel's roof.

The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.

While the Westin Anaheim may have been designed with the convention crowd in mind, its club lounge, on-site restaurant and proximity to Disneyland can work for families who are looking for a place to put their Marriott points and perks to good use. Standard rooms come with two queen-size beds and shower/tub combinations so you can stay comfortable while on vacation.

You can expect to pay between $260 and $600 a night for a standard room here. Between 52,000 and 74,000 Marriott points can be used for an entry level room.

You can book a stay at the Westin.

JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort

The JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort is a new establishment. It doesn't offer typical Disneyland hotel conveniences like waterslides and character-themed rooms, but it's an option for those who want to use points and enjoy a touch of luxury after a full day in the parks.

There are one king or two queen beds in the guest rooms and one king or two queen bed in the pool. There is a rooftop bar with city views and an Italian steakhouse.

The hotel has a relaxed yet upscale vibe, but before you make a decision about the best Disneyland area hotel for you, know that its location is not the best for a park trip.

ARGHANDEWAL is at the points churchyard.

The room rates at this Marriott are easy to digest. In order to reserve a room, you'll typically pay between $200 and $400 or use 50,000 to 70,000 Marriott points per night -- that's often less than the Courtyard and, again, that's largely because of the difference in location.

There is a hotel at the Anaheim Resort.

Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim

One of the newer additions to the list of points-friendly hotels near Disneyland is the Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim.

Standard rooms with two showers and a tub and suites that can sleep up to 11 people are some of the different types of accommodations. There is an on-site water park with 30,000 square feet of waterslides, play areas and more, as well as a movie wall for poolside screenings and a complimentary hot breakfast every day.

CAMBRIA HOTELS

The room rates at this Choice Hotels -affiliated property can be as high as $400 a night. You may be able to score a one-bedroom suite for the same price as a standard room with Choice, if you decide to use points.

The less expensive average rate is due to the fact that this location is not as ideal as other places.

You can book a room at the hotel.

Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center

This property is close enough to avoid using transportation on theme park days to be located by the convention center.

The Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center is a smart choice for families because of its standard Hyatt House layout, which includes microwaves and either two queen beds or a king bed, as well as suites with full kitchens and family suites with bunk.

All Hyatt House guests receive free daily breakfast, so you don't have to worry about paying more for something to eat before you go to the park or swimming pool.

Photo courtesy Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort.

HYATT

If you want to stay here, you'll need to pay at least $200 for a standard room. The World of Hyatt points can be used to cover your stay.

The Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center has slightly lower cash prices and points rates, which may make it a good place to stay. The Hyatt House is a better overall value because its location is not as good. You can use Hyatt Category 1-4 award certificates from the World of Hyatt credit card to pay for your stay.

The Hyatt House is located at the Anaheim Resort.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area

The hotel is close to Disneyland and makes it a good choice for a Disney vacation.

There are many amenities at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area. The hotel has a basic pool with a small splash pad for younger children. Each guest room has a mini fridge, a microwave, a bathtub, and a sofa bed.

The prices for this hotel can vary wildly depending on demand, but it can be a good value if you factor in the rate. Cash prices for standard rooms usually fall between $200 and $400 per night, while award nights will set you back 40,000 to 80,000 I hgone rewards points per night

The fourth award night is included for guests with the ihg rewards premier credit card if you choose to stay here.

The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Anaheim Resort Area is located in the Anaheim Resort Area.

Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground

The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground is a property that many hotel loyalty program users overlook.

If you book a stay at the hotel, you'll get a midcentury modern vibe that feels fresh and contemporary, since the hotel has just completed a major renovation. If you want to fully lean into the property's retro-cool aesthetic, the House of the Retro Future suite is a good place to start. One of the best choices for families with younger kids is the on-site water playground.

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The rooms at the HoJo Anaheim are usually priced around $200 a night, which makes them comparable to other off-property picks. You could use the points to pay for a night.

The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel is located in Anaheim.

Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn

The Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn is a great place to stay if you want to go to Disneyland, as it is close to Harbor Boulevard and the Disneyland complex.

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While on-site amenities are fairly standard compared to other area properties, guests can enjoy a complimentary full breakfast each day of their stay. Disneyland's fireworks can be seen from select rooms.

The cost of a standard room at this property is between $200 and $300 a night.

You can book a stay at the Best Western.

Summer Hull reports additional reports.