best entrance into Disneyland?

[Lbk514]

Hi!,
I'm planning a trip to Disneyland in May and I'm staying closest to the Downtown Disney entrance. I think I can walk to this entrance from my hotel. I've heard on one of the podcast episodes that this entrance usually has a smaller line than the main (and other?) entrances. I've NEVER been there before - might be obvious

My question is: is the Downtown Disney entrance the best place to enter the parks in terms of line length? Also, if you have an extra magic hour pass for that day, will that entrance be open earlier to allow me in that way? Thanks for ANY advice you can give me! <3
-LB

 

[tarheelalum]

There is only one entrance to Disneyland but there are several security gates. The downtown Disney security gate your referring to is probably the best one in terms of lines to get onto the property. But you'll still have to wait with everyone else to get into Disneyland at there entrance. But yes, if you can, take the downtown security gate.

 

[wench]

By Downtown Disney entrance, do you mean the monorail?

 

[Bearrister]

If you mean the security checkpoints, the one closest to the Disneyland Hotel tends to be the shortest. The checkpoint by the former Rainforest Cafe is usually a lot busier, despite the 2 checkpoints being very close to each other.

 

[avalon451]

Which hotel are you staying at? As tarheelalum said, I think you're thinking of the security tents. There are two checkpoints at the Downtown Disney one, in front of the Disneyland Hotel, and by the former Rainforest Cafe. Then on the other side of the central Esplanade, there are the security tents for the people coming in from the offsite hotels on Harbor, and the shuttles from Toy Story Lot and the ART buses. The DTD side is usually less busy. However, all the checkpoints open at the same time, so you get through security, then go to the central esplanade and stand in line either at Disneyland (north side) or at California Adventure (south) gates. All the security lines open well before MM/EMH for either park, at least an hour (I think I read 5 a.m. somewhere recently? For a 7 a.m. MM at DL). For a better visual, go to Google Maps and look at the satellite view. It's very helpful to visualize!