Hampton Inn(Katella) to Toy Story Parking- walk in?

[Minnie84]

We have often stayed at the Homewood suites and walked into the Toy Story lot to use the shuttles. It seems like the new loading/security area is pretty far from where it used to be in the lot and closer to the Katella entrance. I have a few questions for anyone who has been recently. 1. Can you enter the Toy Story lot (walking, not driving) through the Katella entrance? 2. Does the Katella entrance even exist still? 3. What time has the Toy Story lot been opening lately. Will it get shuttles to the park for rope drop? Thanks for any input!

 

[NanC1977]

Bumping. Can you still walk into Toy Story Parking and take the free shuttle in?

 

[BrianL]

Bumping. Can you still walk into Toy Story Parking and take the free shuttle in?

As far as I know, yes, this is not a problem. I am not sure about specific pedestrian entrances though.

 

[twitch]

You can certainly enter on foot at Harbor to get to the bus stop (That works well for the Homewood Suites).

We were on the bus and watched people enter on foot at the Katella entrance on Thursday, December 2nd. The bus driver actually opened the door to tell them where to go to get to the security screening/bus stop.

However, I have also (in times past) seen a sandwich board sign that says "No pedestrian access."

 

[cruisehopeful]

You can still walk in, but it isn't really designed for that. I saw tons of people doing it that way. Keep in mind that the bus hub is now quite a far walk from the entrance. Depending on where you are coming from, it might be easier to just walk to the park.

EDIT: Just realized you are asking specifically about the Katella entrance. I did see some people go that way and the bus hub is much closer to that. Because of fencing, I'm not sure how the walk would work. You may need to some walk around near the bathroom to get to the loading area.

 

[twitch]

I'll just add this thought... and it depends entirely on how much you enjoy walking.

If we park early, then we probably get on the bus -- there's virtually no security line and the buses are either walk-on or you just wait for the next one.

But once the lines start to build, we find it is often as easy to walk to the park from the parking lot and do security there. But it's just the two of us and no kids, and we're quick walkers... so it doesn't work for everyone. All that to say, at least consider walking directly from your hotel, it's not a bad walk.

 

[Katiegrose]

Just did this Monday Night-Thursday Night and it worked out SO well for us. We only didn't do security at Toy Story on Tuesday (late evening start due to rain) and there was no wait on either end for the buses. I preferred it to the walk to the park with it just being my brother and I and he is in a wheelchair. We entered and existed off Katella each day (the buses do so worse case if the pedestrian gate is closed you can enter through the bus gates, but it was always open).

 

[NanC1977]

Just did this Monday Night-Thursday Night and it worked out SO well for us. We only didn't do security at Toy Story on Tuesday (late evening start due to rain) and there was no wait on either end for the buses. I preferred it to the walk to the park with it just being my brother and I and he is in a wheelchair. We entered and existed off Katella each day (the buses do so worse case if the pedestrian gate is closed you can enter through the bus gates, but it was always open).

That is fantastic! Thank you so much for reporting.