Good Neighbor Hotels and walking distance

[Minniedap]

I am a Disney World veteran taking my family to Disneyland for the first time and I'm feeling lost. When you stay at a Good Neighbor hotel, is there only one pedestrien entrance? I'm looking at a map and it looks like there is one walkway between Disneyland and California Adventure with an entrance to each park. Is this correct?

 

[matheke]

Yes, that is correct. On the Harbor Drive side there is also shuttle bus drop off. If you continue to walk through the Entrance Plaza you will be in Dowtown Disney.

We are WDW vets also but try to go to Disneyland every 5 years. Have a great time. I am sure it will not take long for you to get the "Lay of the Land".

 

[tzeitel]

Someone here posted this map - it is awesome! It shows where each hotel is situated. I am also a WDW veteran and find it so weird that outside hotels are so close to the parks

http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp

 

[skiingfast]

I am a Disney World veteran taking my family to Disneyland for the first time and I'm feeling lost. When you stay at a Good Neighbor hotel, is there only one pedestrien entrance? I'm looking at a map and it looks like there is one walkway between Disneyland and California Adventure with an entrance to each park. Is this correct?

Maybe you have seen this. If not it's great thread for planning information.

Hydroguy's guide to DLR for WDW vets.

 

[tkitty]

We had stayed at one of the hotels on Ball and West Pl. a few years back and if you walk to the end of West Pl., there is an employee(?) entrance and a pedestrian gate that we used each day, walked thru the parking garage to the tram loading area and got on the tram. Not sure if this is still available. The walk was maybe 10 min. and then the tram ride to the gates. Definately prefer Hojo.

 

[rune_74]

The hojo was maybe 7 min total...

 

[CMHusband]

We had stayed at one of the hotels on Ball and West Pl. a few years back and if you walk to the end of West Pl., there is an employee(?) entrance and a pedestrian gate that we used each day, walked thru the parking garage to the tram loading area and got on the tram. Not sure if this is still available. The walk was maybe 10 min. and then the tram ride to the gates. Definately prefer Hojo.

I think I heard this route was closed now. so much has changed with all the construction. Anything on the Ball Road Side is a L O N G walk. Make sure there is a shuttle.

 

[Lights_Out]

Keep in mind, a lot of the hotels on Harbor Blvd. only let you park in their parking lot for a limited time (ie. until 3pm on checkout day). This kinda messed up my itinerary the first time it happened because I planned on checking out, walking to the park, and staying at Disneyland until like 10pm (walking back to the hotel parking lot at the end of the day). We ended up having to walk back to the hotel and park at Mickey and Friends shelling out another 15 bucks.

 

[ironpig70]

I stay at the Ramada Inn Maingate also about a 7 minute walk. So basically the Hojo and Ramada are bookends on a lot of hotels. I know the Ramada lets you park before check in and I believe till 3 on check out. I would definetly call if this may be an issue.

 

[rune_74]

Keep in mind, a lot of the hotels on Harbor Blvd. only let you park in their parking lot for a limited time (ie. until 3pm on checkout day). This kinda messed up my itinerary the first time it happened because I planned on checking out, walking to the park, and staying at Disneyland until like 10pm (walking back to the hotel parking lot at the end of the day). We ended up having to walk back to the hotel and park at Mickey and Friends shelling out another 15 bucks.

When we stayed at the hojo last they said just to leave the hotel parking ticket in the window after we checked out.

 

[Minniedap]

Thank you for all your replies. While at WDW we always stay at one of the Disney hotels but while visiting Disneyland I think we are going to try the HOJO. There will be nine of us and it will leave alot of extra money for enjoying the resturants inside of the DLR.

 

[skiingfast]

Thank you for all your replies. While at WDW we always stay at one of the Disney hotels but while visiting Disneyland I think we are going to try the HOJO. There will be nine of us and it will leave alot of extra money for enjoying the resturants inside of the DLR.

Take Hojo recomendations with a grain of salt. A lot of people talk it up because of the Entertainment rate. If you arent getting that rate there are lots of better options closer to the gates. Every minutes saved walking back at night can be worth a lot.

 

[nutshell]

Take Hojo recomendations with a grain of salt. A lot of people talk it up because of the Entertainment rate. If you arent getting that rate there are lots of better options closer to the gates. Every minutes saved walking back at night can be worth a lot.

What are the "better options closer to the gates"?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Desert Inn and Suites is closer and actually has a suite that sleeps 10 (4 queens and a pull out couch). The only problem is parking since they only allow one care per room. They have smaller rooms too if you all can't "live together". Also Park Vue next door is as close as it gets besides the GCH.

 

[Malcon10t]

What are the "better options closer to the gates"?

Fairfield inn, but the distance isn't much different. Carousel Inn is good also. Many like the Park Vue. Closer, but not necessarily better (beds aren't as nice, while clean, rooms arent as nice) would be Desert Inn, Tropicana, and Camelot. Prices usually aren't THAT much different. I would pick Hojo's over all except Fairfield and Carousel. Then it comes down to price. (Note that others have parking check out times, except Hojo's and Fairfield.)

 

[Welivefordisney]

We always stay at the Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites. Easy, close walk to the entrance 2 room suites for all of us and grandparents... breakfast isn't large, but it is enough. Plus, we could see the fireworks from our back window.

 

[MagicPixieDust]

I would also recommend the Desert Inn & Suites - we stayed there last September and were a bit concerned before the trip as the reviews are somewhat mixed, but for the price ($69/night for a 2 queen 'parlour suite') we thought it was great. Rooms are nothing fancy but are nicely kept with quite modern bedding etc and a really decent size. Staff were very helpful and it's sooo close to the parks, literally right across the street from the pedestrian entrance on Harbor. Breakfast is basic - cereal, toast & pastries plus coffee, milk & juice - but it was enough for us as we just wanted something quick to grab before heading to the parks.