1380 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim, California, United States | (888) 962-8097
Eight-minute walk to Disneyland and restaurants
Comfortable rooms, some with bunk beds and views of Disneyland
Microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers in all rooms
Cute, pirate-themed water park, and a splash area for toddlers
Large heated outdoor pool with lots of shade and loungers
On-site convenience store offers food, drinks, and other essentials
Discounts for Disneyland Annual Passport holders
Disneyland Resort ticket desk on-site
Free Wi-Fi and free outdoor parking (one car per room)
Coin-operated laundry facilities, and a game room
Business center offers free access to computers and printing services
No on-site bar, restaurant, or fitness center
Some rooms overlook the freeway (but soundproofing is good)
Not all rooms have balconies
Pets not allowed (pro for some)
Non-renovated rooms are a tad bland
Fee for rollaway beds
The mid-range Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground is a great pick for families, with its own mini water park, large game room, and convenient location under a 10-minute walk from Disneyland. Clean rooms have soundproofed walls that keep freeway noise at bay, and are outfitted with an array of convenient amenities, such as mini-fridges, coffeemakers, microwaves, and free Wi-Fi. Some units have balconies and/or Disneyland Resort views, though non-renovated rooms are a tad plain and dated. A convenience store is well-stocked and prices are reasonable, but the hotel lacks a full restaurant. The on-site Disneyland Resort ticket desk, discounts for Annual Passport holders, and large heated outdoor pool are all great perks that add value. It’s worth comparing rates with the Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort Convention Center.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
What Are the Design and Scene Like at Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground?
This chain hotel has pleasant grounds and lots of family-friendly amenities.
The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground is geared towards children and families with its pirate-ship themed mini water park and large game room. The hotel is comprised of six buildings and covers 17 acres -- a stroll through the nicely landscaped grounds has a relaxing atmosphere. Interiors are rather generic, with older seating with patterned upholstery in earthy hues or chain-like vinyl couches in bright colors, plus beige tiled floors and wall-to-wall carpeting in many common spaces. The front desk and beyond has a water theme, with colors of blue and white and plenty of wave motifs. Building 1 was fully renovated in 2018, and rooms and hallways there have a fresher, more contemporary feel.
Because there is no bar or restaurant on-site, the adult appeal of this hotel is centered around the garden pool, where there is plenty of shade and lounge chairs. Landscaped grounds are rich with flowers and foliage, and there is a pleasant miniature park with palm trees and a few benches by the main entrance. Discounts for Disneyland Annual Passport holders and a Disneyland Resort ticket desk on-site make this a stellar value and convenient property for Disney-goers.
Where Is Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground Located?
Across the road from Disneyland Resort and within walking distance of restaurants and shops.
One of the Howard Johnson Anaheim’s top selling points is its location less than a 10-minute walk from the front gates of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It is located on pedestrian-friendly Harbor Boulevard, within a half block of shopping and a variety of large chain restaurants, easily reached on foot. The 5 Freeway ramp is right behind the hotel, allowing for easy access to other towns, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Las Vegas. Orange County Airport is a 20-minute drive away, while Los Angeles International is about 35 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
What Are Rooms Like at Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground?
Comfortable, soundproofed rooms have good amenities; some have Disneyland views and/or balconies.
The Howard Johnson Anaheim has a total of 296 rooms spread over several buildings. All units are spacious, clean, and comfortable, but there is a big difference in terms of decor style between renovated and non-renovated rooms. The former, all of which are in Building 1, are cheerful, with blue pattered wallpaper, blond-wood furniture with clean lines, Disney-themed artwork, and gray carpets with red and blue accents. Though the design is generic and rather chain-like, it feels fresh and contemporary. Non-renovated units, however, are a tad plain and dated, with deep green carpets, bland furniture, and thick curtains with prints that look straight out of the 80s. Bright lime-green accent walls add some style, but the overall feel is older.
Rooms come in several categories, including Standard, Deluxe – including some units with bunk beds for children – and Premium, all of which have been renovated. In addition, there are some suites, complete with sofa beds and balconies. All rooms and suites come with a good range of convenient amenities, including free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, microwaves, safes, and ironing facilities. Flat-screen TVs feature Hulu, Netflix, and Pandora access, as well as a range of kid-friendly channels, including Disney Channel and Nick Jr. Rollaway beds are available for a fee. Quality soundproofing keeps noise from the nearby freeway at bay.
Bathrooms are clean but vary in style. Those in non-renovated rooms are a tad older, with basic shower/tub combos, pink tiles on floors and walls, and plastic curtains. Bathrooms in renovated rooms are more contemporary and appealing. They feature subway tiles and bright blue accent walls, along with double sinks, big backlit mirrors, and wooden vanities.
What Features Are Available at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground?
A mini water park, peaceful pool, game room, convenience store, laundry facilities, and free parking are available, but there’s no full restaurant.
The pirate-themed mini water park, known as Castaway Cove, is one of the hotel’s top features. It has a few slides, water cannons, water curtains, a drench bucket, a whirlpool, and a pirate ship. Speedy’s Sprayground is geared toward toddlers and has a splash pool with several water features. Additionally, there is a more peaceful Garden Pool ringed with cushioned loungers and a few umbrellas. The game room offers a dozen or so arcade machines.
Although there is no full restaurant on-site, guests can find a good selection of food, drinks, and snacks at Main Street Market, located off the lobby in Building 1. There is also a business center with computers and a printer, plus coin-operated laundry facilities. Guests can park up to one car per room at no extra charge.
