Early access is very worth it. One weird benefit is that the fast pass reservation becomes available once your ticket is scanned. So, you can get that SUPER early fast-pass for, say, Soarin' and then get another fast pass after you ride it, while there's still a high likelihood of good ones being available. And that's before you consider the 3-4 rides you can get on with virtually no wait.
That said, I love the Courtyard. I haven't yet stayed at Toy Story, although I have stayed at the
Disneyland hotel. I'd do the Courtyard and get the early access and maybe take a taxi or didi if you're worried about getting there early enough to maximize the early access (but I seem to remember that I did when I stayed there! I get the benefit with my AP.)
The real benefit of the Courtyard, for me, is that they have an Airport shuttle. Getting a taxi or a didi to and from the airport is a real pain--and an added expense. None of the disneyland hotels offer an Airport pickup. Their shuttles to the airport (and disney) leave every hour or so. If you plan just a little, it's pretty convenient and the trip is pretty short. Returning literally takes minutes, since it's just over the overpass. (Another, much cheaper hotel I stayed at was every couple hours and a longer drive.)
There's a few other things I like. While families did stay there, it was less chaotic in the public areas than the Disneyland Hote, which, admittedly, is because there's less going on and things to look at. There were also other adults staying there and using the transportation, which was weirdly comforting. When I stayed, I was also able to check in right away, whereas Disney was very firm on the 3pm. That might vary, but I suspect it's not ever an option at a Disney hotel. I haven't tried their breakfast, but I suspect it's quite nice. They also held my luggage just like a Disney hotel at checkout, when I came back to get the airport shuttle.
This next visit, I'll stay at the Novotel, which they share a shuttle with. It's a bit cheaper, and I'm interested in comparing, but right now, I'd recommend the Courtyard over Disneyland Hotel, if airport transportation is a consideration. It's almost as nice and way cheaper. I'd imagine it'd be nicer than Toy Story, and still cheaper.