ART or Taxi or Parking?

[askamy]

We're staying at the DoubleTree Suites... I've read some reviews that say the ART is crowded and inconvenient, but a taxi will cost just $8 or so each trip.

Of course, we'll have a rental car, so we could drive and park, too.

What would y'all recommend? Two days: 4/25 and 4/26 (pretty busy).

 

[mariezp]

Sorry I can't help with a good answer. It's a great question though and one I am curious about myself. We have always stayed within walking distance but this year is going to be a bit different so we will also be looking at other ways to get to and from the park. Can't wait to see some answers!

I hope you don't mind me adding to the transportation topic. I seem to recall reading somewhere that the taxis did not much like to take on fares that were not going very far. Anyone had any experience? I'd hate to think we could just grab a cab and then find none of the cabbies cooperative.

Also, one other question.... we will be staying at Dolphin's Cove which is very close to one of the parking lots. Not sure we want to rent a car but if we walked up to the lot with an AP parking pass does anyone know if they would go ahead and give us a ride to the park rather than having to take the ART?

 

[Huff]

Someone else can chime in here but I would think it should be a short enough walk from the Doubletree Suites to the Toy Story lot. From there you'd take the free Disney bus to the front gates.

 

[skiingfast]

Someone else can chime in here but I would think it should be a short enough walk from the Doubletree Suites to the Toy Story lot. From there you'd take the free Disney bus to the front gates.

This is what I would do. I'd guess it would take about 5-7 minutes from the lobby to the TS shuttles. Much like walking from the Hojo to the park.

 

[mariezp]

Since people have to pay to park in the lots that ride the shuttle would they let you really ride the shuttle for free?

 

[Gisele]

If walking to the Disney bus stop would be the fastest option (Like it was for me) then I would do that. My hotel is very close to the Woody parking lot et al on South Harbor Blvd.

For the PP... Although I had my parking pass, I did not use it. No one ever asked me, nor anyone else that I saw for such, in order to board the bus. These buses only depart from their respective parking lots and arrive at the Disneyland bus/shuttle area.

ART is convenient too. And your pass it good all day long. And it has a variety of stops. So if you wanted to shop at Target in Garden Grove for example, you can either board ART or OCTA. Which by the way the local bus is $4 for an all day pass. Or $1.50 each way. I was surprised (But not too much) that they have no such creature as a transfer or pass. I think that is odd, really. It is not like that in San Francisco.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

Since people have to pay to park in the lots that ride the shuttle would they let you really ride the shuttle for free?

We did this a few times last June. No one ever said anything to us. Just have to know when the lot is open. We used it mostly at night when we were all tired.


Sarah

 

[brenda1966]

I vote against driving and parking at disney, not only is it costly, it is a hassle and time consuming.

 

[eduk8r26]

You can walk from the Doubletree to the Toy Story lot and get on the buses. No sense in paying for parking twice since you have to pay at the Doubletree too.

 

[mariezp]

Can you catch the Disney buses at night to take you back to the Toy Story lot without showing any sort of pass? This sure would simplify things!

 

[skiingfast]

Can you catch the Disney buses at night to take you back to the Toy Story lot without showing any sort of pass? This sure would simplify things!

Yes you can just get on.

In fact, on the Toy Story Shuttle and M&F parking trams you can ride them in loops if you want. They are both very informal.

 

[bumbershoot]

The walking/tram thing aside, from your original choices I'd take the taxi. You can arrange for them just when you need them, and there's a whole line-up of taxis (in the special taxi area) for your trip back to the hotel.

 

[ConnieB]

Since people have to pay to park in the lots that ride the shuttle would they let you really ride the shuttle for free?

Yes, you can walk onto the Toy Story parking lot and get on the bus for free. They charge you to PARK in the lot, not to board the bus.

We stay at the Extended Stay America at Clementine & Katella which is literally across the street from Toy Story. Although we have APs so free parking, we go ahead and walk to the lot quite often. Just not worth starting the car for that short of a drive just to let the car sit in that lot instead of the hotel lot.

 

[Gisele]

Exactly, I thought I had answered the question as well, but apparently not well enough.