Tropicana Inn & Suites Review
Tropicana Inn & Suites is a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel across the street from Disney California Adventure and Disneyland’s Esplanade. This review features photos of the hotel, how it compares to other accommodations across the street from the parks, and thoughts about our experience of staying here. This hotel is best categorized as a budget hotel/motel, like many of the hotels on Harbor Boulevard near the front gates.
Actually, calling it a budget hotel is a little dismissive. It’s nicer than a budget hotel and has solid rooms and a reasonable slate of amenities. It also compares favorably with other similarly-situated hotels on Harbor Boulevard that are about the same distance from Disneyland. It’s certainly not the Waldorf Astoria, but for what it is, it’s a solid option, as you’ll see.
Truthfully, Tropicana Inn does have a fair amount of history that makes it a great place to stay. It was actually where Darwin and Clarence “Doc” Tropicana launched the world’s first juice stand back in 1834–at the time they served only prune juice!–that eventually grew into the world famous Tropicana Orange Juice Co. Actually, that isn’t ‘truthful’ at all; I have no clue what the history behind this hotel is, but I’m going to go ahead and assume it has something to do with orange juice.
In terms of location, only 4 or so hotels beat Tropicana Inn & Suites’ distance from the parks. It is less than a 10 minute walk from the hotel to the turnstiles at Disneyland, which makes it closer to Disneyland than the Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, and Paradise Pier Hotel (although the Grand Californian is closer to Disney California Adventure), so perhaps this is a bit of a technicality).
Tropicana Inn & Suites is one of the 39 Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels, which is frankly a bit of a meaningless distinction as some truly crumby hotels are “Good Neighbors” and all having that status gets you is the ability to book a vacation package with an inflated room rate. Whoop-dee-frickin-doo. (In case you cannot tell, we think Good Neighbor status is meaningless.)
You can get an idea of how Tropicana Inn & Suites stacks up to the competition in our Disneyland Hotels Reviews & Rankings post. Get an idea of our overall comparison of the benefits of staying off-site versus on-site in our Where to Stay at Disneyland post.
So what are the pros and cons of staying at Tropicana Inn & Suites? Let’s take a look…
First up is the amenities. Technically, I suppose location isn’t an amenity, but whatever. If you look at the photo above, you’ll see that the Matterhorn is across the street from and behind Tropicana Inn. The hotel itself is almost directly across from the Esplanade.
Without a doubt, this is Tropicana Inn’s greatest selling point. As with all of the hotels “across the street” from Disneyland, you are paying a premium for the incredibly convenient location. If location does not matter to you, look elsewhere. With that said…location absolutely should matter to you, as the convenience cannot be overstated.
Tropicana Inn & Suites is close enough that you can take a midday nap without worrying about losing any time for the commute. One thing I really like about the hotels in this strip is that they are effectively lockers. I can be looking at Sleeping Beauty Castle, head back to the hotel in the early evening to grab my jacket and tripod, and be back on Main Street again all in the span of under 30 minutes.
In terms of things that would actually be considered amenities, there’s on-site guest laundry…
The Cove on Harbor Market & Cafe is a convenience store across from the lobby.
While somewhat overpriced, this store has a large selection, including in terms of beer & alcohol. If you’re planning on doing some day-drinking at Disney California Adventure, stopping here for some pre-gaming fluids might be a nice, money-saving option.
Some couches in the lobby for those times when you just want to “chillax”, as the kids these days say, and watch the traffic pass by on scenic Harbor Boulevard…
There’s also a decent pool. I’d say it’s slightly nicer than the average for pools at the Harbor Boulevard hotels, but that really isn’t saying much.
It also seems larger than the norm for pools at hotels near Disneyland. It’s still very much a basic, utilitarian pool.
Now let’s take a look at the guest rooms. While it looks like a pretty ordinary room, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The bed had plenty of pillows that were above-average and while the bedding was very basic in terms of look, it was more comfortable than the average for other Harbor Boulevard hotels. On the whole, the rooms had a clean, crisp look to them that, while not exactly pushing the envelope in terms of contemporary design, also didn’t look dated.
The rooms have a desk, mini-fridge, microwave, safe, and flat screen television. Definitely nice options if you want to prepare light meals in your room.
Also worth noting is that there’s an (overpriced) convenience store near the hotel. There’s also a McDonald’s about 1 minute away from Tropicana Inn and a Panera Bread immediately adjacent to that. This is a potential selling point if you want to grab a quick, expensive meal after a long day in the parks.
Bathroom is pretty standard stuff, too. Worth noting is that the coffee maker game here is weak, but the toiletry game is strong.
The bath soaps are “I Love…” Mango & Papaya. I had never heard of this brand before, but it was solid stuff and superior to garden variety toiletries.
Pretty average bathroom. This is par for the course in terms of Anaheim hotels.
Water pressure in the shower was fine, toilet worked fine, towels weren’t scratchy…it all checked out.
The style was pretty bland–probably by design–making it tough to tell how long it has been since the last refurbishment. It either hasn’t been too long, or Tropicana Inn does a good job of maintenance. Either way, Tropicana Inn deserves some kudos, as many of the hotels adjacent to it do not look this nice.
It’s also worth noting that as of Summer 2017, the rooms have once again been refreshed. We’ve heard from a couple of readers who have stayed here since this refurbishment was completed, and they found the rooms to be even nicer than what we reported. (We’ll do a return stay at Tropicana Inn & Suites and update this review once we have a chance!)
Booked directly, Tropicana Inn & Suites costs around $120-180/night before tax depending upon season–prices could be less in the off-season, and even more during peak season. Tropicana Inn & Suites also charges for parking. Both of these things are becoming the norm for hotels along Harbor Boulevard.
If you’re feeling a bit of sticker shock, just keep in mind that the prices are inflated for all hotels near the parks now. Many of the hotels in this area have doubled in price over the course of the last 5 years. (We call this the “Cars Land Bump” and it has not stopped since that land opened.)
Overall, I think Tropicana Inn & Suites compares favorably to the other hotels to which it is adjacent on Harbor Boulevard. Aside from the location, the rooms are fairly nice and spacious as compared to other hotels across the street from Disneyland. You’re unlikely to have a negative experience with a disappointing or dirty room, but you’re also unlikely to have a standout experience with a room or amenities that blow you away. It is, quite simply, a solid hotel at fair price relative to other hotels that are this close to the parks. That’s pretty much a best-case scenario for these hotels that are so close to the front gates, and I’d put Tropicana Inn & Suites near the top of your ‘list’ if being a short walk from Disneyland and Disney California Adventure is your top consideration–it’s really tough to beat this location!
Get discounted pricing on a Disneyland vacation package that includes your stay at Tropicana Inn & Suites and Disneyland park tickets via Get Away Today. We always recommend them to save money on Disneyland tickets, and this is a great way to get an even better deal by purchasing a bundle that includes hotel and tickets. Click here to price out your dates!
If you’re preparing for a Disneyland trip, check out our other planning posts, including how to save money on Disneyland tickets, our Disney packing tips, whether you should stay off-site or on-site in a Disney hotel, where to dine, and a number of other things, check out our comprehensive Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide!
Your Thoughts…
Have you stayed at the Tropicana Inn & Suites? Did you enjoy your stay? What do you think are the pros & cons of Tropicana Inn? Considering this hotel? Do you prefer staying off-site or on-site at Disneyland? Any questions? Hearing your feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts or questions below in the comments!
My family of 2 adults and 2 kids recently stayed at this hotel the week of February 4. The rooms have been updated quite a bit. Even the bathrooms are much better now. The staff at the front desk were always pleasant, as was the valet who took care of our car when there were no more spots available. Not enough can be said about having the convenience of staying at a hotel just across the street. We were at Disneyland in less than 10 minutes. I would definitely stay there again for an upcoming trip we have planned.
Thanks for your feedback!
You need to check this one out again. They are refurbishing the rooms as we speak. We stayed in one of the new ones in early June and there was at least another 20 out of service they were working on while we were there. It seemed as if they were doing sections at a time while keeping the hotel open. We were very pleased with the accommodations and especially the location in regards to the entrance. 5-minute walk max.
Just updated the review with this info. Between the refurbishment and its now-lower prices than comparable options nearby, Tropicana Inn’s stock is on the rise. Thanks!
Great review, thanks! We booked the Tropicana a few weeks ago for our stay August 19th-25th. Just called and asked if I was still eligible to use a promo code.. they said yes, but apparently the code doesn’t exist! Do you know if it expired? Or maybe it was just bad communication on my part.
We stayed at the Tropicana last summer and enjoyed it. We were a group of 4 adults and 4 kids and had connecting rooms. We were on the 3rd floor and had a GREAT view of the fireworks. One night, the kids were exhausted so we came back to the room early. They watched the fireworks from bed as they were falling asleep.
I went to Disneyland for the first time in November and stayed at the Tropicana. It was a very enjoyable experience. The staff was friendly and helpful and that convenience store — well, the man that I believe owns it was there almost every time we went through and was so pleasant and friendly. He gave recommendations on places to eat nearby that stayed open late. The big thing is the location to the park — you just can’t beat it!!! Even if you have to run back to the room for a jacket, you are back to the park in no time. For me, I don’t get bogged down on the aesthetics too much, especially on a Disney trip because I am not in the room much. I would definitely stay here again though.
Yes, have stayed here and found it was one of the nicer “across-the-street” motels in the area. I think it might have been remodeled since our visit because it looks quite nice. We had issue with the carpets being filthy but that’s to be expected anytime access is off the street and people have been pounding the pavement at the parks all day. We liked that they had true blackout curtains so we could sleep in!
It was tough to tell whether it had been recently remodeled or was just well-maintained. Given all the recent remodeling of hotels in the area, I wouldn’t be surprised if it had received a recent refresh.
Thanks for the review! I have stayed at the Tropicana twice now and will be on my 3rd stay there this week for the 24hr. party. It’s a great place to stay for all the reasons Tom has mentioned. In addition, usually when I book it is the least expensive of the Harbor motels, especially when using the Orbitz or Cheaptickets promo codes. They also have some suites that can accommodated larger families.
Have you ever reviewed the Best Western Park Place and if not, do you plan to anytime soon?
I have not, but would like to at some point. Not sure when, though.
When I stayed at the Carousel that convenience store was a daily stop on the way to the park for snacks and a drink. It never seemed to be crowded despite it’s location.
My daughter and I stayed at the Tropicana back in September. We had a pleasant stay and your review sums it up nicely: It’s a clean, adequate, reasonably-priced hotel that’s about as close to Disneyland as you can get.
Only a couple additional things I noticed:
The pool drops off to the “deep end” very quickly and there’s no rope separating things. Just a caution to parents of younger swimmers.
Also, they have a place to store luggage, unlike some hotels along Harbor (I’m looking at you and your “lockers”, Desert Inn!). We left our bags when we checked-out and returned to retrieve them after a late park close. No issues or hassles whatsoever in that regard.
When we first started staying at these off-site hotels, the bell services luggage storage situation bugged me a bit. Traveling with a laptop capable of photo editing and camera gear means makes me a bit worried to leave my luggage with anyone, so I PREFERRED the locker situation. I’m slowly becoming more trusting (with the nicer hotels, at least), but I don’t consider the lockers to be a disadvantage.
I guess it’s a YMMV, personal preference type of thing?
I had at first only noticed one Hidden Tommy (and possible Sarah) but then I found the other 2!!
I had considered this place last year but opted not to based on several bad reviews about bugs. I also read that they allow Disneyland guests not staying at their hotel to park there which limits parking for guests (not to mention having people in and out at late hours). Not sure if that’s the case but it did sway my booking options. I might consider it in the future.
There must have been a bed bug ‘epidemic’ 1-2 years ago in Anaheim, because I’ve seen these types of comments about virtually every hotel in the area (including the Disney ones). I have no idea if it’s true about ANY of them or just people freaking out, but I’ve never had any issues with any hotels.
I counted 3 hidden Toms and one hidden and very patient looking Sarah in your photos. When we go, I am not allowed into the hotel room until all indoor room photography has been completed.
It seems that pillows standing on their sides in a diagonal is a relatively new thing. I saw it in a recent non-Disney driving trip along the east coast at several hotels.
What’s the point of booking a hotel besides taking photos of the room?! 😉
Thanks for the review Tom. Have you ever stayed at the Marriott Fairfield Inn on Harbor, slightly north if the tropicana. Thinking about staying there for our next trip using points and was curious as to your thoughts/experience there. I am a big Marriott fan and don’t usually have any issues with their hotels but never hurts to hear.from those who have actually stayed.
We stayed at the Fairfield Inn last October. It’s just a little bit farther down the street from the Tropicana, but still very close to the park entrance. For a bit extra you Can get a higher floor with a view of the park, decorated with a Disney theme. While I don’t think we would pay extra again, young kids might enjoy it. Definitely a thumbs up for this hotel.
Just weighing in – have stayed at the Fairfield Inn numerous times on an annual girls trip with my daughter,
daughter’s best friend and girlfriend. It is awesome.
Great proximity, nice pool, clean rooms. Pizza Hut onsite, and they have “Millie’s” in the parking lot (which is a So Cal equivalent of a Denny’s) We LOVE Millie’s and began leaving the park to have a very nice and much cheaper dinner there…plus a glass of wine. Also right next to McDonalds for the teens. Only downside and it was completely minimal – not only does the hotel face Harbor, it also backs up to I-5 so if you are on the backside of the building, you might get some freeway noise. Was not an issue for us, even when were in the back but might be for light sleepers. Love and recommend Fairfield Inn! (PS, have stayed in the Tropicana, Carousel and Ramada as well and our go to was the Fairfield).
I stayed at the Fairfield the last 4 nights (June 22-25 2015) and found it to be a perfectly pleasant but standard family hotel.
Millie’s is gone. Apparently torn down just last week. there was an empty work enclosure in front of the hotel where it used to be. One person told me a Panera was being built on the location.
The on-site food was decent for breakfast, but I found having breakfast in the park much more desirable in Anaheim than it is at WDW.
We paid a little extra for a “themed” room high up. It was fun to be able to see the parks from the balcony outside the room, but the pirate theme of the room was pretty much slapped on with framed pictures and a lamp shaped like an anchor. Not anything too interesting.
The top reason for staying here is the proximity to the parks of course. If you’re a WDW regular it might make sense to you if I say you’re getting value theming at a moderate price in a deluxe location. On each of our three days in the parks we walked back to the room and took a short nap before returning for evening hours and events. The very short walk made this a no-brainer for us even though we rarely adhere to the midday break approach at WDW. The fact that Downtown Disney was also within walking distance was a big plus for me the night I arrived.
I have stayed in the Fairfield Inn, and found it to be quite nice. I think it can be a bit on the pricey side for what it is, but if you’re using Marriott rewards or are loyal to them for the rewards, it’s a good option.