Entering the parks from Downtown Disney

[DLRExpert]

Arrived and parked at Gardenwalk at 815am. Line on the Harbor Side was outside the gates and near the light to cross from Gardenwalk.
I was going to get an Uber from GW to DTD parking, but the wait to get a ride was 15 minutes.

Decided to walk it from Gardenwalk to DTD to just see what the experience was like. I took Katella.
I arrived at DTD screening area at 8:30am, nobody was around. I asked the temp screener what time do they start letting people into DTD. She said around 810-815am.
She said maybe 50 or so people in line at opening, but they go through screening and security fast. Maybe 5 minutes to screen everyone.
Took me 10 minutes to walk from Security at DTD to the Esplanade. Was inside of California Adventure by 840am.

So if Uber is an option or you are staying at a hotel on the westside, you may want to go to the DTD entrance area and save a lot of time.

ME

 

[afan]

Arrived and parked at Gardenwalk at 815am. Line on the Harbor Side was outside the gates and near the light to cross from Gardenwalk.
I was going to get an Uber from GW to DTD parking, but the wait to get a ride was 15 minutes.

Decided to walk it from Gardenwalk to DTD to just see what the experience was like. I took Katella.
I arrived at DTD screening area at 8:30am, nobody was around. I asked the temp screener what time do they start letting people into DTD. She said around 810-815am.
She said maybe 50 or so people in line at opening, but they go through it screening and security fast. Maybe 5 minutes to screen everyone.
Took me 10 minutes to walk from Security at DTD to the Esplanade. Was inside of California Adventure by 840am.

So if Uber is an option or you are staying at a hotel on the westside, you may want to go to the DTD entrance area and save a lot of time.

ME

Staying at the Hyatt House in July, so this would be doable for me. Would I go down Katella and then turn down Disneyland Dr? We went down Harbor last time, which is the only way I know to get in/out.

 

[Linkura]

Staying at the Hyatt House in July, so this would be doable for me. Would I go down Katella and then turn down Disneyland Dr? We went down Harbor last time, which is the only way I know to get in/out.

I am also staying at Hyatt House in July and would love to know as well.

 

[Malcon10t]

Go west on Katella to DIsneyland Drive. Turn north, and go up Disneyland Dr. Cross if needed to the Paradise Pier side of the road, and go the old route to the DTD entry.

 

[afan]

Go west on Katella to DIsneyland Drive. Turn north, and go up Disneyland Dr. Cross if needed to the Paradise Pier side of the road, and go the old route to the DTD entry.

I don't know the old route. And as it's the old route, I'm guessing there aren't signs.

 

[DLRExpert]

Staying at the Hyatt House in July, so this would be doable for me. Would I go down Katella and then turn down Disneyland Dr? We went down Harbor last time, which is the only way I know to get in/out.

For the Hyatt House guests, I think it would depend on what time you leave for the park.
Walking from Hyatt House to Disneyland Entrance on Harbor you are looking at .6 of a mile.
Walking to the DTD area it is a 1 mile and probably an extra .3 mile from DTD entrance to Esplanade.

Now if you take an Uber I would get dropped off at Grand California Hotel entrance, take crosswalk across Disneyland Drive to the DTD entrance.

I also have a ticket for the first weekend of July, I am going to Uber from my home in OC, to the DTD entrance, get there around 7-715am and then walk to the Disneyland Entrance. Park starts opening at 8am, so wait times should be quite good from 8am-9am, especially with not having to be inside the park to get a ROTR BG.

ME

 

[DLRExpert]

I don't know the old route. And as it's the old route, I'm guessing there aren't signs.

This is where to go...basically walk navigating to Earl of Sandwich.

 

[afan]

For the Hyatt House guests, I think it would depend on what time you leave for the park.
Walking from Hyatt House to Disneyland Entrance on Harbor you are looking at .6 of a mile.
Walking to the DTD area it is a 1 mile and probably an extra .3 mile from DTD entrance to Esplanade.

Now if you take an Uber I would get dropped off at Grand California Hotel entrance, take crosswalk across Disneyland Drive to the DTD entrance.

I also have a ticket for the first weekend of July, I am going to Uber from my home in OC, to the DTD entrance, get there around 7-715am and then walk to the Disneyland Entrance. Park starts opening at 8am, so wait times should be quite good from 8am-9am, especially with not having to be inside the park to get a ROTR BG.

ME

I don't mind the extra walk, but once I turn down disneyland drive, where do I go, are there signs? It becomes much more of an extra walk when I get lost.

I'd also rather spend my time walking than standing as standing is what can make my back start to get cranky. I'm also used to days at WDW, so anything at DLR is going to be less walking.

This is where to go...basically walk navigating to Earl of Sandwich.
View attachment 580598

Thank you! Looking at the map, it didn't dawn on me that I needed to go around to the side where earl of sandwich is to get in.

 

[SeaDis]

Allow a few extra seconds to walk through... the largest Hidden Mickey in the Resort.

 

[Linkura]

Thanks for all of the replies. I think doubling the walk is gonna be a bit too much for me but that's a great idea for people who are closer to the DTD entrance.

 

[pharmama]

We’re staying at the new Westin which is at the corner of Katella and Disneyland drive. After hearing all the Harbor and M&F/tram route horror stories we felt like we were cheating this morning using the DTD entrance as described above. Walked basically straight thru temp screening, only 5 people ahead of us for bag check and we were in DTD.

We left our room at 7:55 and were through by 8:10. Stopped at DTD west Starbucks (and then had to sit and eat/drink what we bought) and were in DCA by 8:40. Walk was a little slower tonight on tired legs but still only about 20min from when we left WoD.

 

[DLRExpert]

Quick reminder when Paradise Pier Hotel (June 15th) and Disneyland Hotel (July 2nd) open, expect longer waits for security at the DTD entrance. Temperature Check may no longer be required.

 

[DLRExpert]

Great example of what Harbor side was like yesterday (6/7) at 8am.

 

[SFMommy]

Arrived and parked at Gardenwalk at 815am. Line on the Harbor Side was outside the gates and near the light to cross from Gardenwalk.
I was going to get an Uber from GW to DTD parking, but the wait to get a ride was 15 minutes.

Decided to walk it from Gardenwalk to DTD to just see what the experience was like. I took Katella.
I arrived at DTD screening area at 8:30am, nobody was around. I asked the temp screener what time do they start letting people into DTD. She said around 810-815am.
She said maybe 50 or so people in line at opening, but they go through screening and security fast. Maybe 5 minutes to screen everyone.
Took me 10 minutes to walk from Security at DTD to the Esplanade. Was inside of California Adventure by 840am.

So if Uber is an option or you are staying at a hotel on the westside, you may want to go to the DTD entrance area and save a lot of time.

ME

We are staying at the Residence Inn on Harbor/Katella. How did you make that walk in 15 minutes? Were you running?!

If you were to take an Uber, where would you ask to drop-off? I was thinking maybe PPH because we are familiar with that walk to DTD. But is there someplace closer?

Thanks!

 

[DLRExpert]

We are staying at the Residence Inn on Harbor/Katella. How did you make that walk in 15 minutes? Were you running?!

If you were to take an Uber, where would you ask to drop-off? I was thinking maybe PPH because we are familiar with that walk to DTD. But is there someplace closer?

Thanks!

I was just walking like I normally do, probably a bit faster that most but not speed walking pace, also didn't have to stop for the crosswalks.
If I was coming from Katella and turning right on Disneyland Drive I would ask to be dropped of at the GCH gate to make it easier for the driver, then use the crosswalk to the DTD entrance side.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Great example of what Harbor side was like yesterday (6/7) at 8am.

Normally, I'd consider it semantics, but I think every minute counts these days, so it's worth noting he said it was 8:30am.

 

[DLRExpert]

Normally, I'd consider it semantics, but I think every minute counts these days, so it's worth noting he said it was 8:30am.

It was worse at 8am. 830am they were already letting them in. Took him an hour to get through and into the parks.