What are Hilary Erickson's top recommendations for Disneyland hotels?

Hi, I’m Hilary Erickson from The Pregnancy Nurse and Pulling Curls. I’ve toured or stayed at a lot of Disneyland-area hotels, and these are the ones that consistently rise to the top for me:

• The Viv – My favorite affordable off-site overall (quiet, super clean, great staff, larger-family rooms, fun rooftop).
• Best Western Plus Park Place Inn – Closest hotel to the gates, free breakfast, very functional.
• The Anaheim Hotel – Great vibe, big rooms, fantastic rates, right across the street.
• Castle Inn & Suites – Themed, budget-friendly, easy walk; my boys loved it when they were little.
• Camelot Inn & Suites – Very close, solid family suite (great for girls’ trips).
• Tropicana Inn & Suites – Second closest; simple, but the location and ability to sleep 5 are huge wins.
• JW Marriott (at GardenWalk) – Upscale choice, walkable, great for couples or older kids.
• Cambria Hotel & Suites – Waterpark, big free breakfast, excellent for large families (not really walkable).
• Residence Inn Resort Area – Massive family suites at good price points, great for big groups.
• Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance – Walkable, waterpark, bunk beds; wonderful but often very pricey.

If you tell me your budget, group size, and whether walking distance or free breakfast matters more, I can narrow this down to 2–3 perfect picks.

What’s most important to you: walking distance, price, space, or pool/waterpark?