Are the hotels around Disneyland safe?

[alohamom]

I am a total newbie to Disneyland although I have been to WDW in Orlando many times. My main concern is the safety in and around Anaheim. I had a friend tell me you cannot really go out after dark etc and scared me silly. We would love to try Disneyland but now I am not so sure. Can any one offer some input? We would just be doing Disney. Thanks in advance...

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I feel pretty safe when I am there.

 

[tmt martins]

On sight is patroled and very visable .we went in June and felt no less safe then anywhere else we travel.
With this being said always know where your going and be aware of whats around you .

 

[ZeusNike]

I have walked by myself back to an offsite hotel (Candy Cane Inn) and around DTD and have not felt unsafe. The area is pretty well lit and there are people everywhere.

 

[figment52]

We were there the end of May and stayed at Howard Johnsons. We walked over there after park closing at night and did not feel at all uncomfortable. As another posted said, just take the same precautions you would anywhere else andbe aware of your surroundings.

 

[i12go2wdw]

I went alone with my turning 3 yo DD and (I am Mum) we walked home at night along Harbour st. and with the lights and the busy traffic I was not frightened by any people I came across. That being said I was afraid of the mice that ran across the sidewalk form one garden to the other, YUCK!!
Be aware of what is going on and enjoy the experience!
Christine

 

[abby]

My dd and I went last year and are about to go again, as a single mom I was wondering the same, we stayed at the DLH had felt very safe everywhere we went.

 

[c&m]

We go to DL almost every year, and we've always felt safe. We always stay off-site at the Hyatt, Anaheim Marriott, or Anaheim Hilton. We took the shuttle back when we stay the Hyatt (too far to walk), but with the Marriott and the Hilton, we always walked back to our hotel and never felt threatened. There's always a lot of tourists on the streets with you walking back and forth to the parks or to the hotels.

Use the same city streets sense that you would normally use, and you'll be fine. Also, I have heard that Anaheim is very well patrolled.

 

[Albertan mom]

We felt safe at the Park Inn. As people have said, just be aware.
Harbor is always really busy, lots of people around.

 

[Spook50]

The DTD area is safe as anything. Well lit, and there are almost always people around. When I was last there in '03 I walked through there at all hours of the day (and night) and every time I was there I always saw one or two security guards at one area or another patrolling.

For staying offsite, the first time I went to DL with my family was in 90 and we stayed at the Jolly Roger, walking to and from the park (sucked for a 10 year old kid). This was in July, when the park was closing at 2 AM, so we'd usually end up getting back to the hotel at around 3 AM after leaving the park and making the walk back. Just stick to major streets and avoid cutting through alleys or going through less populated areas. None of us ever felt like there was any danger in the immediate area around DL.

 

[almostGoofy]

I am a total newbie to Disneyland although I have been to WDW in Orlando many times. My main concern is the safety in and around Anaheim. I had a friend tell me you cannot really go out after dark etc and scared me silly. We would love to try Disneyland but now I am not so sure. Can any one offer some input? We would just be doing Disney. Thanks in advance...

Your friend may have been refering to the area many years ago; at the very least prior to the opening of DCA. The city of Anahiem and, I'm sure Disney as well, spent millions of dollars to upgrade the surrounding area to make it more resort like. The streets are very well lit with much improved landscaping and general beautification of the surrounding area and improved pedestrian walkways. (Those staying within walking distance on Harbor Blvd. use to complain how they had to walk through a sometimes busy parking lot to get to the gates of DL.) They also started the ART shuttle system to better serve the tourist. A few years ago, the city of Anahiem hosted a travel agents convention and according to the quotes in article in the OC Register, many were surprised at the changes. What some thought as once a bit seedy, was surprisingly beautiful now. The agents quoted in the article said that previously, they might have hesitated recommending this as a vacation destination but would definitely promote it as place to go now.

The city of Anahiem does still have areas where the poor and marginalized live. There is an area where there are families living in motel rooms because they don't have the money for the necessary deposit and monthly rent on an apartment. These areas are not in the immediate Disney Resort area. To be honest, I don't even know where they're located; they are that well hidden.

So as everyone has previously posted, the Disney Resort area is safe, especially this year with record crowds coming in for the 50th anniversary and milling about, but you should still be aware of your surroundings as you should in any city of this size you are visiting. Disneyland may be a wonderful, safe fantasy but Anahiem is still part of the real world with the regular real world problems.

 

[simba_one]

Was there for 19 nights back in the summer of 2004 and felt very safe. Was a little worried at first 'coz our rep told us that the area was nothing like Orlando (they mentioned I-Drive) and told us to be more aware when walking. Compared to Orlando I guess it is more unsafe but the place is always swarming with people and very well lit so it's fine. As many others have said though - take precautions like you would anywhere else and be aware of your surroundings!!

 

[tinkcollector]

I agree with most of the above posts. I have made multiple trips to the DLR with my Son. We have stayed off-site on Harbor as well. I have never felt un-safe. I would take the advise of always being aware of your surroundings. I have a little motto that I believe. I think if you look for trouble you will find it. And th reverse is also true. Have Fun!!

 

[stampinshauna]

Whenever I've gone (even during value season) there are always a lot of people around walking to and from hotels. If you were staying several blocks from Disneyland that would be one thing, but if you're staying at one of the hotels right around the park you should be fine.

 

[LadyDeathstrike]

I have NEVER felt unsafe, even after dark there are many people strolling about!

 

[ron808]

YES, they are safe.

 

[Amy&Dan]

There are always so many people around I don't see how anybody could be vicitimized other than maybe a pickpocket at a crowded intersection. DTD has a police prescence, you see them on bikes and in this little electic car thing. Harbor is very well lit and well travelled and I have never felt a twinge of nervousness on that street day or night. Just watch the traffic when you cross the street(s)!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I am a total newbie to Disneyland although I have been to WDW in Orlando many times. My main concern is the safety in and around Anaheim. I had a friend tell me you cannot really go out after dark etc and scared me silly. We would love to try Disneyland but now I am not so sure. Can any one offer some input? We would just be doing Disney. Thanks in advance...

Yes, it's safe. Safety was a major concern of mine, too, since I was a solo woman there last summer for the first time. Beforehand, I was most concerned about the walk to my hotel-I also stayed at Howard Johnson's, as some others here have, and it's not the closest to the parks. But there are so many families around, you never worry.