Best area to walk from: South Harbor or West Katella?

[mjdis17]

Planning a trip in September for 2 nights with no car so we will be walking to the parks. Unfortunately, staying right across from the pedestrian entrance is not in the budget so I’ve accepted a 15-20 minute walk. Last time I stayed at the Red Lion but drove, so I’m unfamiliar with walking routes.

My question is: Is the walk from West Katella (like Best Western Stovall’s area) OR the walk from South Harbor (Toy Story Parking area) better?

To me, South Harbor looks more direct - walk down the street until you reach pedestrian entrance. However, rates are better in the W Katella area but the walk appears to go through Downtown Disney and I wasn’t sure if that’s more of a hassle? I also read Disneyland Dr is not as great of a walk at night as opposed to South Harbor. Opinions?

 

[tarheelalum]

Just walk over to Toy Story parking lot and take the bus. You don't have pay to park there to use the bus.

 

[HydroGuy]

By better do you mean nicer or shorter? I would use a map to figure out distances if that is really what you want to know.

http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=33.809212&lon=-117.918813&z=19&m=w

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I've stayed at hotels on both streets.
It really depends on how far down either street you are as to how long the walk will be.
But if you can stay right near the TS parking lot you could always walk in and take the bus.
If you stay S Harbor and walk you could also hit up CVS on the way.

 

[mjdis17]

Just walk over to Toy Story parking lot and take the bus. You don't have pay to park there to use the bus.

I was definitely keeping this in mind! Definitely a perk after a long day, but I have no problem walking and would almost prefer it so it’s not a dealbreaker for me.

By better do you mean nicer or shorter? I would use a map to figure out distances if that is really what you want to know.

http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=33.809212&lon=-117.918813&z=19&m=w

Both of the areas/specific hotels I’m looking at have a 15-20 min walk, so I guess I mean nicer!

 

[JMommyof3]

We consistently stay on harbor (either Marriott or Portofino) and there are a ton of people walking to/from the parks so with the crowd, I feel like it's nicer. Again, I don't know the Katella/Ball area (is it still Ball at that point?) but from the Harbor/Katella side, it's fine.

 

[tarheelalum]

On second thought I would stay at that Best Western you mentioned on Katella and walk north up Disneyland drive and go through security at the Disneyland hotel into Downtown Disney. You'll save a lot of time going through security on the resort side over the Harbor Blvd side.

But either way you mentioned will be fine. Have a great trip.

 

[Winnowill]

I've stayed at the Red Lion (south Harbor) and at the Quality Inn (West Katella), and the Red Lion wins for me, hands-down, despite the QA having a more scenic walk. Even walking to the Red Lion (rather than riding the TS bus) was better - riding the TS bus was terrific. The QA walk seemed to be really, really long.

 

[LizzyS]

I've walked up and down Harbor from the Red Lion many times and don't find it bad at all, 15-20 minutes, tops.

 

[avalon451]

Planning a trip in September for 2 nights with no car so we will be walking to the parks. Unfortunately, staying right across from the pedestrian entrance is not in the budget so I’ve accepted a 15-20 minute walk.

What are your dates? And what hotels are you considering-- Red Lion again, BW Stovall's? Any others?

When we stayed waaaayyy down Harbor at the Hyatt Orange County last May with DD's band trip, half the group walked back and forth. It's a 1.7 mile trip. There were so many other families walking, even at 11 at night, they felt very safe. (Funnily enough, though, after one day walking, the next day just about everybody shelled out $6 to take the hotel shuttle, especially after taking that walk AFTER a long day in the parks ) That was a nice hotel. But the shuttle was a pain, especially returning at night. I much prefer to stay walking distance, as close as possible, even if the hotel isn't fabulous. Clean is all I need.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The walk from BW Stovall's isn't bad. Straight up Disneyland Dr. to the PPH, then go through the PPH parking lot to the path that leads to the DLH bag check -- easy! Lines for security there are usually very short. You can mobile order for Starbucks West II (using the Starbucks app) and have your breakfast ready for pick up as soon as you go through bag check. Starbucks West II is right next to the Lego Store. On the walk back, you can cut through the GCH to get to Disneyland Dr. And, if Uber/Lyft is an option, you can be dropped off at the DTD parking lot drop off and go through bag check at DTD. Mobile ordering for Starbucks West II is the same as above.
Any of the hotels by TS on Harbor are fine, too. The walk isn't bad and the option to use the TS shuttle is there, too.

 

[emmagator]

West. The walk through Downtown Disney should be seen as a perk. It's a great approach.