You’re at the Villas at Disneyland Resort What Should You Do

The Disney Vacation Club rarely adds entirely new properties, with only two entirely new locations at Walt Disney World over the past decade. DVC prefers to expand at existing properties, just as we witnessed with a pair of monorail resorts. 

At Disneyland Resort, park officials did something slightly different, a kind of marriage of those two ideas. Disney built an entirely new hotel but then named it as part of a 70-year-old property. So, let’s say that you’re at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel. What should you do?

Let’s Discuss the Obvious

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel (TVaDH) blur the lines a bit in the DVC catalog. Disney built a standalone hotel that it has linked to the Disneyland Hotel, which debuted in 1955. In this manner, TVaDH mirrors the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. 

The difference is that you won at the Polynesian in that example. Since the Disneyland Hotel itself isn’t in the DVC program, The Villas works differently. Disney treats the facility as a standalone property, which it is. However, since the Disneyland Hotel and Disneyland Park are right there, Imagineers didn’t load up TVaDH with lots of amenities. 

We’ll discuss the pool and splashpad in the next section, but the general store and this area are the only true exclusives. So, the recommendations for this resort work a bit differently than everything else in the DVC library. 

You’re staying at a breathtaking, decidedly modern hotel only minutes from the front gate at Disneyland. Thus, Imagineers built this place in anticipation of your not spending much time at the hotel.

You Should Hang by the Pool 

Disney planned for The Villas to appeal to families. So, it’s a colorful resort that feels like a work of art. You’ll know this the moment you enter the lobby, which features a breathtaking mural. A production designer on Encanto created this masterpiece, and it sets the tone for what you should expect at the resort. 

The vivid theming continues into the pool area, which features a splashpad and swimming area. The Palette Pool looks like a master painter brushed this off their canvas and into existence at The Villas. It’s an entirely different vibe from the Monorail Pools at Disneyland Hotel, a case study in introducing a modern aesthetic to contrast with a popular classic.

Disney has enticed families to spend more time here by adding a water play area. These amenities have become a standard addition to new properties and expansions. Still, the one at The Villas stands apart for its warm, nostalgic theme.

The Steamboat Willie Splash Area debuted 72 hours before The Walt Disney Company celebrated its 100th anniversary. It was also about 95 years after the iconic cartoon, Steamboat Willie, debuted. So, this area is steeped in Disney history yet also forward-thinking with its immersive design elements. You can lose several hours just hanging out by the pool.

While you’re there, grab a drink and a quick bite at the Palm Breeze Bar. Disney wants you to remember that you’re on vacation. So, you should relax and soak up the ambiance.

Ride the Monorail 

Disney’s official guidelines for The Villas indicate that you won’t find a direct path from the hotel to the parks. Since everything in the area is accessible, I consider that pedantic legalese. 

Still, Disney’s cautionary phrasing directs you to a specific location. The company encourages you to go to Downtown Disney. Specifically, you’re heading to the monorail station, which will take you to Tomorrowland. This trip only takes about five minutes.

Now, you may wonder how long a walk it is from the hotel. Well, it’s right outside the doors at Disneyland Hotel, which shares a campus with The Villas. As proof, here’s a quick video:

Yes, you exit the lobby, and you’re nearly there. So, the monorail will be your best friend during your stay. You head to Disneyland Hotel’s lobby, and then you’re at the monorail. Five minutes later, you’re ready to ride Space Mountain. 

Shop and Dine 

I’m usually extremely specific with these recommendations. However, I feel like I’d miss the point of staying at The Villas by highlighting its amenities. You’re staying here because you want to be in the middle of the action at Disneyland Resort. 

So, your itinerary should involve everything in the area, including the adjoining hotel. You must schedule activities like drinks at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar into your schedule. I’d encourage you to visit Pixar Place Hotel as well, especially if you can time it for a Joe Gardner piano recital. 

Downtown Disney is currently reinventing its dining options. So, you can do anything from grab a bite at Blue Ribbon Corn Dog to sample the delicacies at Céntrico and Paseo. Porto’s Bakery should debut later in 2026 as well. 

While you’re in the area, you can do plenty of other activities, such as bowling, but let’s be real. You’ll spend most of your time at Disneyland Park and, to a lesser extent, Disney California Adventure. The latter park is currently undergoing construction at several spots, including Avengers Campus. So, please be aware of that. 

By the way, I’ve never done this before, but I’ll mention one thing you cannot do at Disneyland Resort. The Anaheim Transportation Network permanently closes on March 31st. So, you cannot use the bus system to explore the rest of Anaheim from now on. Please be aware when planning your vacation.

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