Can we talk about the area around Dis??

[taaren]

Just a note: staying at 5* hotels isn't a guarantee that you won't see street walkers. I've seen some at hotels that charge $500 n+ight here on Maui. Never seen any at the area around Disney or in the Disney hotels, which is largely because of the atmosphere of family-centric park-goers and perhaps a lack vacationers who would have use of their services.
If your mom's concern is a nice place to stay, then yeah, Disney is the way to go if you want to stay close or one of the father-away 4*s with reliable names like Sheraton and Marriott if you're willing to drive. If your main concern is budget and walkability then one of the Harbor motels will be just fine. Since proximity has become a concern for us and we can only afford one 'nice' trip per year, the other trip(s) we stay on Harbor and its okay, definitely safe, some cleaner than others, but we don't spend much time in the room on those trips ...

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

It sounds to me like your relative hasn't been to Disneyland in the last 30 years. I don't mean that to be derogative, just that a few decades ago the area around Disneyland was shady and there were issues with prostitutes and drug dealers and some of the closest area hotels were real fleabags. So that and the fact that she said that the parking LOT can take 30 minutes to walk through--which was also true that long ago because the lot was huge and at certain times the trams could be hit or miss, leads me to believe that she hasn't been to Disneyland in a few decades. If you want to test her, ask her when she thinks the best time to catch the Fantasy Waters show is .

The hotels and restaurants around Disneyland in conjunction with the Anaheim PD are very concerned about safety and crime, so if you see anything that makes you uncomfortable and call 911, the police will definitely come, and quickly too.

The Monorail entrance is not any faster unless you happen to be lucky on your timing in that you're in line right as a train is pulling up and you get on the first train you're in line for. I've never found it to be a faster way to just get in the park, although if the first place you want to go is Tomorrowland then it does save you some walking.

I think there are some good reasons to stay in the Disneyland hotel, but if the only reasons are Monorail access or "safety" issues, then you can do the same for cheaper elsewhere, usually.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I think you just really need to think about what is important to you on a vacation. For us half the experience of Disneyland is staying on property, but that doesn't mean we can always afford it. When we can afford it, I really notice a difference.

 

[JH87]

I have never seen hookers Like someone else said, I've seen a homeless man...well, not even. I saw his cart sitting on the edge of the sidewalk. (assuming it was his )
I have walked from DL to a hotel on Ball Rd at midnight alone, and I was ok. And I've walked alone to a hotel on Katella around midnight and was ok then too.
Staying on Harbor is very easy, I would recommend staying between Ball & Katella for decent walking distance.

I always wear flip flops to DLR...from 7am-midnight I am standing up and walking around in them and never had an issue

 

[Spacepest]

So My Mom and I are planning this trip. She told me a week ago she wants to stay at the Disneyland Hotel so we can ride the monorail into the park and not walk. Plus she claims it to be more "magical" anyway, today we were talking about it. (over the phone) She said my Aunt who lives in California told her not to stay at the hotels across the street from Disney because of the Hookers standing out on the street?? Has anyone seen this? Her other reason is that the parking lot is soo soo big that it would take us 30 minutes to walk? Can anyone comment on this? I want to save money and I plan to wear my flip flops LOL

When was your aunt who lives in California last in Disney/Anaheim? I grew up in California, and from what I've observed the area around Disney hasn't been like that since the 1970s/80s. In the 90's Disney bought alot some of the surrounding properties and/or coerced alot of the smaller hotels, businesses, and the city into cleaning that area up. So yeah, in the 70s and 80s you would have seen alot of bums, drugs, hookers within walking distance of Disney. I haven't seen those sorts of things in the area since the late 90s.

My husband and I stay off property and walk to Disney all the time when we visit. It never takes us 30 minutes to cross a parking lot, and for people that do park there, Disney has trams to shuttle them to the park enterance.

 

[animalx]

I don't want to date myself but i DO remember when Harbor was busy with Drug Dealers and Hookers after dark. Saying that it was about 25-30 years ago. I remember the Newspaper boxes and all the ESCORT magazines in them for free. So there was a time. But for the last 20 years i do not recall any of that anymore, the streets are clean and all you see walking are tourist and employees going home.

 

[jenpace]

I think you just really need to think about what is important to you on a vacation. For us half the experience of Disneyland is staying on property, but that doesn't mean we can always afford it. When we can afford it, I really notice a difference.

I could not have put it any better than LisainCalifornia