ART v. driving

[mcm574]

Hi, all - I've been lurking for a bit, but this is my first post! Thanks to everyone for all the great info I've gleaned so far!

We are planning our first family trip down to Disneyland in January 2013 (I'm sure I'll have more questions between now and then). We will be staying at the Residence Inn Garden Grove, about a mile from the park entrance. As my son is not quite 4, we don't expect him to do that walk, which leads to the question - should we take the Anaheim Resort Transportation buses or drive the park? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[codimouse]

ART buses drop you right up front at the park gates. Then walk thru the security gates then either left or right to the park of your choice.
We used ART when we stayed at the Motel 6.

Sandi; sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[MrsMears]

Is parking included with your passes?

 

[mcm574]

Nope, parking's not included - but given that there are 4 of us, the ART will be $12/day, so not much cheaper than parking. We're not really worried about cost so much as convenience!

 

[sechelt]

Park your car in Mickey & Friends, take the elevator or escalator down, and hop on the tram. The tram from the parking garage drops you off just as close as ART but at the other end of the esplanade, near World of Disney.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Why not stay within walking distance?

 

[mcm574]

We landed on the Residence Inn because it seems to be the only place that offers reasonably priced 2-bedroom suites, which is what we require. If anyone knows a suite hotel within walking distance that would be better, please let me know!

 

[pixiewings71]

I would drive, park at M&F's or Toy Story and take the tram or shuttle (whichever applies), to me driving myself is easier then taking ART.

 

[cp11]

This is funny as it is preference. We prefer ART over driving and we had free parking. My hubby thinks it is a vacation when he can park a car and not drive it for a week or two.

We drove and parked one time, then said forget it. Too much work.

I should note that we are a family (and friends) that like to come and go from the park. We had a young one that needed a nap during day and then the older kids and adults would hang out by the pool while the younger one napped.

 

[mcm574]

sechelt, is Mickey & Friends a specific Disneyland lot? Where is the entrance? (Sorry, I'm clearly new at this!)

 

[Caseheidi]

I would ask if you are bringing your own stroller for the 4 year old? If so, it is much easier to drive yourself in my opinion. It is also nice to be able to have your car close if you need to head back for a nap, or want to store changes of clothes if your little one has an accident. All those things you might need, but probably won't! Then it is just a quick trip out to the car instead of either carting it around all day or waiting for ART to return to the room.

 

[mcm574]

He doesn't really use a stroller anymore, so that's not a concern. But the option to leave the park and come back is something that we do wonder about. Honestly, we thought that might be a total pain with the car - but it sounds like that's not the case, so that's good to know, thanks!

 

[Tenuviel]

We had a bad experience with ART, but I can only speak for our experience. It was very inconsistent in the times it both came to the hotel (We were at Embassy Suites) and the times it came to the park. I have heard it is more reliable during busier seasons of the year, but we were there during the slow season (early Feb). One night we got so sick of waiting we actually walked back after a long day at the parks. We finally ended up just driving. If you are not there during a busier time of the year I would seriously consider parking.

 

[blutes]

I prefer the ART to driving a car..check out their website for pass prices. child passes are much less. much easier to hop on a bus that get to parking gaarage and thru traffic back to hotel

 

[cp11]

Another note about ART, we used their system where they can text you the next arrival for your bus. We had it down to a science of how many minutes it was afte the actual text time. We have used ART the past three trips and two of those trips were seven days and longer.

 

[Caseheidi]

If you aren't using a stroller for your 4 yo, remember that at the end of a long day, you will Likely be carrying him. If your ART stop is far from your room door, that gets to be a lot if weight and sore arms for Mom & Dad. Just something else to consider.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We landed on the Residence Inn because it seems to be the only place that offers reasonably priced 2-bedroom suites, which is what we require. If anyone knows a suite hotel within walking distance that would be better, please let me know!

RI Maingate

Jack

 

[MillauFr]

When our family goes to the Garden Grove Target on Harbor, we just take the #43 bus. Comes by every 15 minutes. www.octa.net

 

[travelcoupons]

The ART's probably gonna be quicker too as it takes you right by the gate as opposed to a remote lot & shuttle bus if you were to drive.

Also, take advantage of one of the two Marriott Gift Card promotions going on right now to pay for your room at the Residence Inn. You can either save 10% off your room or get a few thousand Southwest airlines points free.

Southwest points
10% off

 

[lalasmama]

We landed on the Residence Inn because it seems to be the only place that offers reasonably priced 2-bedroom suites, which is what we require. If anyone knows a suite hotel within walking distance that would be better, please let me know!

Define what's "reasonable" for you We're paying $156 for 2 queens and a sofa sleeper between two rooms (ie, a bedroom, and a living room, really) at Park Vue Inn (across the street). It's had some good/fine reviews lately, and one really bad one. We're taking our chances. It's across from the pedestrian entrance to DL.

A "Parlor Suite" (similar set-up to above) at the Castle Inn is just a little less ($140 when I checked). It's maybe a 10-15 minute walk. We stayed a little further than this last time, and walked to and from, but it was about the farthest I would consider walking

He doesn't really use a stroller anymore, so that's not a concern. But the option to leave the park and come back is something that we do wonder about. Honestly, we thought that might be a total pain with the car - but it sounds like that's not the case, so that's good to know, thanks!

With *any* child under 5 or 6, I'd give SERIOUS thought to bringing a stroller. The average park-goer walks something like 8-10+ miles a day while at Disneyland. Even my 8 year old was looking longingly at the strollers by the end of our first day, LOL! Renting a stroller will set you back $15 a day, or you can buy a cheap Disney-themed umbrella stroller at the Wal-mart a mile or two away for about $15 as well. (And they have "big boy" themes, like Buzz and Cars!)....