Best way to Convention Center from DL

[Badge]

I am going to be going to DL while attending Blizzcon this Oct. Traveling from Oct 19-26. On the 20th, we can pick up our badges for the convention from 4-10 PM. What is the fastest way to the convention center from anywhere on DL grounds?

Looking at the map, it seems like a good option would be to leave CA into the GC hotel. This would put me closer to the convention center than leaving through the front gate and walking through Downtown Disney. Is there a better, quicker option? I have only been to DL once and that was about 5 years ago, so I am a little lost still when it comes to getting around.

Also, what time do you think would be a safe time to leave the parks to make sure I can get there in time? The park hours are not up yet, but I am thinking if the park closes at 8pm or later, that leaving at 8 would give me more than enough time to walk there. Does this sound about right, or should I give myself some more time?

 

[skiingfast]

The shortest route is exit the gates and go East to Harbor. Right to go south on the sidewalk along Harbor staying on the park side, right on Katella. The Anaheim Convention Center is about 250 yards down on the opposite side of the street. About 15-20 minutes.

From the parks the entry to the convention center will be behind the Cadillac range in Carsland.

 

[Huff]

You can always use ART to the convention center but that costs a few $'s. Another option is to take the free Disney bus from DLR to the Toy Story lot which is across Harbor at Harbor and Convention Way. Should be a short walk from there.

 

[Badge]

That was another question I was going to ask about the free disney bus/tram for parking. I am staying really close to the Pumbaa lot. Is it possible to just walk to the parking lot and catch the free bus/tram to the parks or do I have to park a car there in order to use it? Also, how late/early do they run? Is it like an hour before and an hour after park opening/closing that they start or is it set times? And last question, does the bus/tram only service one lot or do they go to different lots before going to the parks? Like could I get on at the Pumbaa lot and then get off at the Toy Story lot without having to transfer at the parks?

Will most likely just walk, but since a few of the nights I won't be leaving the parks/convetion center until 10 or 11pm, I don't know if I would feel safe walking all that way to S. Cementine(sp?) street by myself to get back to the hotel. Still hoping Disney offers a good deal (around 100-125 a night would be GREAT!) so I can just stay onsite

 

[skiingfast]

Good Luck finding that rate for onsite. Seriously I think around $180 is the lowest I've seen in the past year.

Pumbaa is rarely ever used now that the Toy Story lot is operating. But you could take the bus back to the toy story lot, walk out of the lot going north this is the non public exit(just for buses and CMs) but it empties onto Katella at the intersection with Clementine. However this will only save about 2 minutes of walking, the same with using a Toy Story bus to the lot to get to the ACC. It helps but isn't perfect.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

I was at a convention in April, and I honestly had no problem walking around the convention center area and down Harbor by myself after the park closed to get back to the hotel.

I'm a single woman in my late 30s, if that makes a difference.

I did live in Washington, DC for several years, which gave me a bit higher tolerance for walking around by myself than many, but I found the area around Disneyland and the Convention Center to be very well lit, and even that late there were enough people around for me to feel safe.

(And I do think it's faster to go down Harbor and cross at Harbor and Katella than to go through the CGH lobby. Plus, you can stop at 7-11 and get a Slurpee on your way.)