We Went to Anaheim and Skipped Disneyland (Only a few Regrets)

By Kelly | Budget Travel Mom

I know what you’re thinking. You go to Anaheim for one reason.

But hear me out.

We planned a trip to Anaheim, stayed at a beautiful Hyatt property on points, and spent our time at an Angels game instead of the parks. It was one of the most relaxed, affordable, and genuinely fun family trips we’ve taken — and I’d do it again in a heartbeat, but I probably would add Disneyland in!

Here’s the full story.

Why Anaheim Beyond Disneyland Makes Sense

Disneyland is magical. I’m not here to say otherwise. But it’s also expensive, exhausting, and requires serious planning to pull off well.

Sometimes your family just wants a great hotel, warm weather, good food, and something fun to do — without the $200-per-person ticket prices and 90-minute ride waits.

Anaheim and the surrounding Orange County area delivers all of that. The weather is perfect, the food scene is incredible, and Angel Stadium is one of the most fun ballparks in baseball. Add a beautiful Hyatt on points and you have a trip that costs a fraction of a Disney vacation with none of the stress.

The Hotel: Hyatt Regency Orange County

The Hyatt Regency Orange County sits in Garden Grove, just minutes from the Disneyland Resort area. It’s a full resort-style hotel with everything you need to make the hotel part of the vacation.

What we loved:

• The pool is fantastic — a large outdoor pool with plenty of room for families, surrounded by palm trees and that Southern California sunshine
• The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with plenty of space for a family of four
• The location puts you close to everything — restaurants, Downtown Disney (free to walk around), and easy freeway access to Angel Stadium
• The vibe is relaxed and upscale without being over the top

Even without going to the parks, we had a full day just enjoying the hotel. That’s the mark of a good resort.

How to book it on points: The Hyatt Regency Orange County is a World of Hyatt property. It’s one of the more attainable redemptions in the Hyatt program — check hyatt.com for current point pricing and availability.

The best way to earn Hyatt points quickly is through the World of Hyatt Credit Card welcome bonus, or by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve directly to your Hyatt account at a 1:1 ratio.

For a hotel in this location — close to Disneyland, in Orange County — cash rates run $250–$400+ per night. A points redemption here is a genuinely strong value.

💳 See my top picks for earning Hyatt points here.

The Main Event: Angels Baseball at Angel Stadium

Angel Stadium in Anaheim is one of the best ballpark experiences in Major League Baseball. It’s clean, well-run, family-friendly, and has that classic outdoor stadium feel that makes baseball feel like baseball.

What makes it great for families:

The seats are affordable. Even decent seats down the line won’t break the bank compared to other MLB markets. You can sit in the outfield with the family for a very reasonable price — check the Angels website or StubHub for current pricing.

The food is actually good. Angel Stadium has made serious upgrades to its food options. Beyond standard hot dogs and nachos there are local vendors and some genuinely good eats around the concourse. Budget for food — it’s worth it.

The atmosphere is fun and relaxed. Anaheim fans are passionate but not intense. It’s a great environment for kids who are newer to baseball.

The Rally Monkey. If you know, you know. If you don’t — you’ll find out at the game.

Parking tip: The stadium lot is convenient but pricey. Check for nearby offsite parking ahead of time to save some money.

How We Spent the Rest of the Trip

With no park tickets eating up our budget we had the freedom to actually enjoy the area. Here’s how we filled the time:

Downtown Disney It’s free to walk around and there are great restaurants and shops. We grabbed dinner here one night without spending a dime on admission. The Earl of Sandwich alone is worth the stop.

The Hotel Pool A full morning at the Hyatt pool with nowhere to be is genuinely one of the best vacation experiences. Highly recommend building in at least one slow pool morning.

Old Town Orange About 15 minutes from the hotel, Old Town Orange is a charming historic district with antique shops, great restaurants, and a beautiful town plaza. Great for a relaxed afternoon.

Catching a second game Angel Stadium is so easy and affordable that we went twice. That never happens at a Disney park.

What This Trip Actually Cost

Here’s a realistic breakdown for a family of four for 4 nights:

Now compare that to a 4-night Disneyland trip: hotel + park tickets for a family of four easily runs $4,000–$6,000+. The savings are not small.

Is This Trip Right for Your Family?

This works best if:

• You have a baseball fan (or want to create one) in your family
• You want Southern California without the Disneyland price tag
• Your kids are at an age where a resort hotel, pool days, and a ballgame sounds like a real vacation
• You have World of Hyatt points and want a solid redemption in a great location

It’s also a perfect trip to do before a Disneyland trip. Stay at the Hyatt on points for a few nights, hit the Angels game, enjoy the area — then add park days at the end if the budget allows.

Click here for discounted Disneyland Tickets

Bottom Line

Anaheim is more than Disneyland. The Hyatt Regency Orange County is a beautiful hotel on points, Angel Stadium is genuinely one of the most fun ballparks in baseball, and the surrounding area gives you plenty to do without ever buying a park ticket.

Sometimes the best family trips are the ones where nobody’s racing to the next FastPass.

Have questions about planning this trip? Find me on TikTok or Instagram — I love helping families think outside the usual travel box.

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