You’re staring at a map of Anaheim. It’s a mess of colorful pins, price points, and "walking distance" claims that feel a little too optimistic. If you’ve looked into the Sheraton Park Hotel at Anaheim Resort, you’ve probably seen the glossy photos of the pool and the standard marketing speak about convenience. But honestly, staying here isn't just about being close to Mickey; it’s about navigating the weird, specific ecosystem of the Anaheim Resort District without losing your mind or your savings.
Most people think every hotel near Disneyland is basically the same. They aren't.
The Sheraton Park sits on a 13-acre slice of land that used to feel a bit dated, but a massive $33 million renovation a couple of years back changed the math on whether this place is actually worth your money. It’s located right at the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue. That’s a heavy-traffic intersection. If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded forest retreat, you’re in the wrong zip code. But if you want to know if this specific Sheraton actually delivers on the "resort" part of its name while you're dodging strollers and overpriced churros, we need to talk about the reality of the footprint here.
The Walk, The Shuttle, and the Harbor Boulevard Grind
Let's address the elephant in the room: the walk. Everyone asks if you can walk from the Sheraton Park Hotel at Anaheim Resort to the front gates of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
The short answer? Yes.
The honest answer? Your feet will feel it by day three.
It’s about a 12 to 15-minute walk to the security entrance on Harbor. That sounds easy on paper. It’s less easy when you’ve been standing in line for Rise of the Resistance for two hours and your toddler has decided their legs no longer function. The hotel is situated just past the Anaheim Convention Center, making it a "tweener" property. It serves the business crowd and the vacationing families simultaneously. This creates a weirdly diverse lobby vibe where you’ll see a guy in a tailored suit holding a briefcase standing next to a person wearing neon Minnie ears and carrying a popcorn bucket.
If you don't want to walk, you have the Anaheim Regional Transportation (ART) system. It’s a bus. It works. The bus stop is right outside. But here is the thing people miss: during peak park opening and closing times, those buses get packed. Sometimes it's faster to just hoof it past the Toy Story Parking Area and use the crosswalks.
What the $33 Million Actually Bought You
When Marriott (who owns the Sheraton brand) poured millions into this property, they didn't just splash some paint on the walls. They went after the "Mid-Century Modern" aesthetic, which is a fancy way of saying they tried to make it look like 1960s California but with better plumbing.
The rooms are actually large. That’s a rarity in this part of town. Most hotels tucked right against the park fence are cramped because land is at a premium. Because the Sheraton has those 13 acres, the rooms have breathing room.
💡 You might also like: Why the Nutty Putty Cave Seal is Permanent: What Most People Get Wrong About the John Jones Site
- The Balconies: Almost every room has one. This is a massive win. Even if you’re just looking at the parking lot or the pool, having a spot to sit outside with a coffee before the chaos begins is a luxury most nearby "Good Neighbor" hotels don't offer.
- The Bedding: It’s the standard Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience. It’s reliable. It’s not a cloud from heaven, but it’s a far cry from the scratchy polyester quilts you’ll find at the budget motels lining Harbor Boulevard.
- The Soundproofing: This is hit or miss. If your room faces Katella, you’re going to hear the city. Anaheim never really sleeps. If you want quiet, ask for a pool-view room or something on a higher floor facing away from the main intersection.
One detail that often gets overlooked is the bathroom configuration. They went with the sliding barn-door style in many rooms during the renovation. It looks chic. However, if you are sharing a room with three other people, those doors provide approximately zero acoustic privacy. It's a design choice that favors "Instagrammable" over "practical for a family of four with a stomach bug."
Eating at the Sheraton vs. The Outside World
Don't eat every meal at the hotel. Just don't.
The Sheraton Park Hotel at Anaheim Resort has a few solid options, like Savor, which does a decent breakfast buffet. But the prices are "resort prices." You’re going to pay $30 for a breakfast that you could arguably get for $15 at a local diner.
The real secret weapon of this location isn't the on-site dining; it's the proximity to the Anaheim GardenWalk. It’s an outdoor shopping and dining mall just a few minutes' walk away. You’ve got Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, and Bubba Gump. Is it world-class culinary art? No. Is it better and more varied than eating hotel club sandwiches for four days straight? Absolutely.
Also, there’s a CVS right down the street. Go there. Stock up on water bottles and moleskin for your blisters. The hotel gift shop will charge you $5 for a bottle of water that costs $1.50 at CVS. This is the "Anaheim Tax," and you can avoid it with just a little bit of walking.
The Pool Scene: A Genuine Oasis?
Most Anaheim hotel pools are an afterthought. They are usually a rectangular slab of blue water surrounded by concrete, squeezed between a parking structure and a fence.
The Sheraton is different.
The pool area here is actually lush. There are palm trees. There’s a poolside bar called Splash that actually serves decent cocktails. Because the hotel isn't a high-rise tower blocking out the sun, the pool area gets great light throughout the day. It’s one of the few places in the Resort District where you can actually feel like you’re on a "vacation" rather than just a "Disney mission."
📖 Related: Atlantic Puffin Fratercula Arctica: Why These Clown-Faced Birds Are Way Tougher Than They Look
If you have a "rest day" planned in your itinerary—and you should—the pool here is actually worth spending time at. Most people skip the pool to maximize park time, but if you’re paying the daily resort fee (which is roughly $30-$35 depending on the season), you might as well use the amenities you're being charged for.
Dealing with the Infamous "Resort Fee"
Let’s be real: nobody likes resort fees. They feel like a hidden tax. At the Sheraton Park Hotel at Anaheim Resort, this fee covers things like Wi-Fi, the fitness center, and some "complimentary" bottled water.
You can't really opt out of it.
When you’re booking, make sure you factor this into your nightly rate. If the room is $250, it’s actually $285 plus tax. If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy elite member, sometimes you can get certain perks waived or upgraded, but for the average traveler, it’s just a sunk cost.
Parking is another hit. It’s not cheap. They offer self-parking and valet. If you can avoid bringing a car to Anaheim, do it. Use ride-shares or the Pacific Surfliner train to the ARTIC station. Parking your car at the hotel for a week can easily add another $200-$300 to your total bill. That's money that could be spent on a lightsaber or a very fancy dinner at Blue Bayou.
The Convention Center Connection
Because the hotel is literally next door to the Anaheim Convention Center, the vibe changes drastically depending on what’s happening there.
If there’s a massive medical convention or a tech summit, the lobby will be swarming with badges. If it’s NAMM (the music trade show), you’ll see people carrying guitar cases everywhere. If it’s D23, God help you, because the hotel will be packed with the most intense Disney fans on the planet.
Check the convention center calendar before you book. If a massive 50,000-person event is happening, the elevators will be slower, the lobby will be louder, and the staff will be more stressed. If the center is empty, you’ll feel like you own the place.
👉 See also: Madison WI to Denver: How to Actually Pull Off the Trip Without Losing Your Mind
Is the Club Level Worth It?
The Sheraton has a Club Lounge. If you have the points or the status to get in, it's a great sanctuary. They serve a continental breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres.
Is it worth paying an extra $100 a night for? Probably not.
The food is fine, but it’s not a replacement for a full dinner. However, if you have kids who drink a lot of soda or juice and you want a quiet place to grab a quick snack without waiting in a line, it has its merits. Most people find that they are in the parks so much that they never actually make it back to the hotel in time to enjoy the evening "happy hour" anyway.
Practical Insights for Your Stay
If you decide to pull the trigger on a stay here, there are a few things you should do to make it smoother.
First, request a room on a high floor. The fireworks at Disneyland are visible from some of the park-facing rooms. You won't see the projections on the castle, obviously, but you'll get a great view of the pyro without the crushing crowds. It’s a pretty magical way to end the night while sitting on your balcony in pajamas.
Second, use the mobile check-in on the Marriott app. The front desk can get backed up during the 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM rush when everyone is returning from the parks for a nap. Having a digital key on your phone saves you from standing in a 20-minute line just to get a plastic card.
Third, don't rely on the hotel for shuttle service to the airport. Look into the various shuttle companies or just use a standard ride-share. It’s usually more direct and often cheaper if you have more than two people.
The Reality Check
The Sheraton Park Hotel at Anaheim Resort isn't the newest hotel in town. It isn't the cheapest. It isn't the absolute closest.
But it occupies a very specific sweet spot. It offers a more "grown-up" and spacious feel than the cramped motels on the park's edge, while being significantly more affordable than the Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian. It’s for the traveler who wants a real bed, a nice pool, and a balcony, but doesn't mind a 15-minute walk to see a giant mouse.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
To get the most out of a stay at the Sheraton Park, follow these steps:
- Check the Convention Calendar: Go to the Anaheim Convention Center website and see if a major event overlaps with your dates. If so, prepare for crowds or look for a different weekend.
- Request the Right Room: Contact the hotel 48 hours in advance to request a high-floor, pool-view room if you want quiet, or a park-view room if you want to see fireworks.
- Download the ART App: Even if you plan on walking, have the Anaheim Regional Transportation app ready so you can buy a single-ride pass if your feet give out.
- Join Marriott Bonvoy: Even if you aren't a frequent traveler, joining for free can sometimes get you a better "member rate" and slightly better Wi-Fi.
- Audit Your Parking Needs: Calculate the cost of a rental car + hotel parking vs. ride-shares. You might find that skipping the rental car saves you $50+ per day.
- Map the GardenWalk: Scope out the restaurants at the Anaheim GardenWalk before you arrive so you have a dinner plan that doesn't involve a $28 hotel burger.