Let's Just Go to Candy Cane Inn: Our Favorite Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel
Not every Disneyland trip needs to come with a resort-sized price tag — and Candy Cane Inn is proof of that. In this episode, Kayla and Chris break down one of the most beloved Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels: a family-owned property that has been welcoming Disney guests since 1957, recently renovated, and sitting just steps from the park entrance. If you've ever wondered whether a Good Neighbor Hotel is worth it at Disneyland, this one makes a pretty compelling case.
In this episode:
0:00 Intro and the Good Neighbor Hotel difference at Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World
2:00 What makes a hotel a Good Neighbor Hotel — Disney vetting, vacation packages, and caveats
4:00 Candy Cane Inn history — opened Christmas Day 1957, how it got its name
5:30 Recent renovations, room updates, and motel-style layout
7:00 Location breakdown — walk time, shuttle, and proximity to Cars Land
9:00 Price point, room tiers, included continental breakfast, and family-owned status
11:00 Honest pros and cons — pool situation, max occupancy, breakfast wish list
13:30 Who Candy Cane Inn is best suited for and what's coming next in the series
What we talked about:
Candy Cane Inn has been a staple of the Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel lineup since it opened on Christmas Day in 1957 — making it one of the oldest hotels in the area. Unlike most of the surrounding properties, it's still family owned and operated, which gives it a character that chain hotels just can't replicate. The property went through a full renovation during the 2020 park closure and reopened in 2023 with updated rooms, hardwood floors, and modern furnishings that feel nothing like a hotel from the fifties.
Location is one of Candy Cane Inn's biggest selling points. It sits on the Disneyland side of Harbor Boulevard, backed right up to Cars Land, which means the walk to the parks is short (around 10 minutes), involves only two crosswalks, and never requires crossing a busy street like Harbor or Katella. For families who don't want to deal with that walk after a long day, the hotel also runs a free branded shuttle. Rooms max out at four guests, breakfast is included, and the price point lands below comparable options like the Courtyard Marriott — though it does sit on the higher end of the motel-style Good Neighbor options.
Planning a trip to Disneyland and not sure where to stay?
I can help you find the right hotel for your group — whether that's a Good Neighbor property like Candy Cane Inn or one of the Disneyland Resort hotels — and put together a vacation package that fits your budget.
