Disneyland newbie with off sight hotel questions

[pannm]

When looking at the map of the area, I see that there are many 'very close hotels'...Is there a direction I want to stay away from? (like: don't stay on ______side of the park, because there are no entrances to get in from that side and you'll need to walk all the way around to get in...like that type of 'advise') I am curious. I have found the Holiday Inn hotel and suites with free parking and I am wondering if it is easily accessable to the park entrances/monorail or if I can walk through a hotel to get into the area.

Is it really open around all sides? Are just the parks are enclosed? I looked at the 'closest and best' hotels from a different list and all of them (hojos, ramada, residence) are way expensive when we're there, or there aren't rooms available.


I know that there are probably other threads that may ask this same question. If you think of or know a place to lead me to read those, I would be greatly appreciative.

 

[specialks]

If you look at the map here :

Anaheim area map

The main area people discuss walking distance is along Harbor (right side of parks). I have heard of people walking via cutting thru the M&F parking garage, but I believe it's a long trek. I've walked from the garage when the tram lines were long and it's probably about a 8-10 min walk (edited time from 5-7 after asking my DH).

Another map with walking distance locations highlighted is: Accommodations near Disney

 

[specialks]

Oh, and you can only enter from Harbor and through DTD side. Not the north or south.

 

[pannm]

Wow, I like that map! Everything is very clear on it and you can actually tell which side of the street things are on. Thank you!

 

[DisneytheKid]

I have heard of people walking via cutting thru the M&F parking garage, but I believe it's a long trek. I've walked from the garage when the tram lines were long and it's probably about a 5-7 min walk.

An example of this is we are staying a little further away at the Best Western Raffles Inn and will use the tram located at the Disney parking lot as it is located very near the hotel.

 

[specialks]

Wow, I like that map! Everything is very clear on it and you can actually tell which side of the street things are on. Thank you!

You're welcome!

An example of this is we are staying a little further away at the Best Western Raffles Inn and will use the tram located at the Disney parking lot as it is located very near the hotel.

Your talking about the Toy Story Lot which is further down on Harbor. It is another way people are staying further away and getting free transport to the parks. I was discussing the M&F garage because she mentioned the HI H&S.

 

[LittleToni]

Harbour Ave is the street. Closest off-site motel is the Best Western Park Place Inn. It is located right at the crosswalk to cross over Harbour Ave and walk the few minutes to the DL entrance gates. Use that as your start point for distance. Harbour Ave is a long street. I stayed at the Ramada Maingate at the corner of Harbour and Katella and, to me, it felt like a long walk after walking all day in the parks. Try the Carousel Inn and Suites too, 5 minute walk to DL gates, or the Park Vue located on the other side of the Park Place Inn.

Have a great time!

LT

 

[Pete W.]

You also need to judge the distance in terms of the ages and physical capabilities of your party. We have two teens and are currently staying at the Residence Inn Maingate on Clementine and for us it's an easy 10-12 minutes to the gate. People with younger children, or anyone who has difficutly walking, would have a completely different experience.

 

[CamoMama]

On my solo trip in May I stayed on the cheap at Motel 6 (rooms are really great, huge and clean) and walked every day to and from the parks. The longest it took me to walk was 15 minutes, after a VERY long and exhausting day in the parks, from bag check to my door. Most of the time it was about 10 minutes.

 

[GrandBob]

Best map to use is this:
http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com

For walking distance, you'll want to stay in the green area. You can enter the esplanade, and from there the parks, from two places: the red box labelled "Pedestrian entrance" off Harbor, and from Disneyland Drive through either the Grand Californian Hotel or through Downtown Disney, just above it.

Holiday Inn is a bit of a hike. You'd probably want to use ART if you stay there.

HTH,
Bob