Help a WDW girl out

[Deb]

As someone who has never been to DL, I'm having a tough time understanding how offsite hotels are walkable to the entrance of DL and DCA. Anyone have a good overhead view photo or map that might make this easy to understand?

 

[katyringo]

As someone who has never been to DL, I'm having a tough time understanding how offsite hotels are walkable to the entrance of DL and DCA. Anyone have a good overhead view photo or map that might make this easy to understand?

Here is my sloppy google earth drawing. This is Harbor street. The circled areas are all harbor good neighbor hotels. The red lines are the sidewalks and the cross walk and then BOOM Disneyland property straight to the esplanade.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

You can't go wrong with google maps satellite view! It really makes it clear how close the Harbor motels/hotels are from the entrance.

https://www.google.com/maps/search/maps+disneyland/@33.8105521,-117.9221463,1735m/data=!3m1!1e3

You can also put in the hotel/motel you want to check and disneyland as the destination, pick walking instead of driving and it'll give you approximate distance and time too!

 

[Aladora]

You can just google maps Disneyland and zoom in to see all the motels on Harbor Blvd. There is a traffic light right at IHOP and the entrance to the parks is basically right there.

Disneyland on GoogleMaps

 

[mouschievous]

There are lots of "Real Time Walk to Disneyland" videos on Youtube, where you can actually watch them do the walk and see how long it takes. That might help you get a feel for it as well.

 

[Deb]

and it's perfectly normal/safe to walk along and across Harbor Blvd? Even late in the evening, after the parks close?

 

[Cal-Pie]

and it's perfectly normal/safe to walk along and across Harbor Blvd? Even late in the evening, after the parks close?

There are a few homeless people around, but there is safety in numbers with tons of people exiting the park at night. I've never been uncomfortable.

 

[SteveH]

and it's perfectly normal/safe to walk along and across Harbor Blvd? Even late in the evening, after the parks close?

@Deb - yes but do be aware of your surroundings at any time of the day. We stayed down at the Sheraton near the convention center, so walked back and forth for 5 days - no issues, but were a number of bums and junkies hanging around the corners of Harbor & Katella and some trying sell some junk. For the most part they don't approach you, but if walking stay near others and you shouldn't have an issue. We closed down Disneyland several times and the walk back was fine. Even coming back along Disneyland Drive we felt safe late at night.

 

[CodeGoddess]

Here is my sloppy google earth drawing. This is Harbor street. The circled areas are all harbor good neighbor hotels. The red lines are the sidewalks and the cross walk and then BOOM Disneyland property straight to the esplanade.View attachment 668311

WDW girl too. This map where the entrance to the parks are drawn helped me a lot. I didn't realize there was basically one area where it fed into both parks after security. I also asked it another thread about the Harbor crosswalks and they're supposed to be plentiful.

 

[Jason2015]

Disneyland Resort is much more compact then WDW. Taken from Google maps you can see all the different hotels with in a mile or so of the entrance off of Harbor (in pink). You'll notice several of these hotels are closer to the Esplanade then Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier (in Orange). Walking is very do able even from the hotels near the Convention Center. There is also the option to use the ART busses (for a small cost) or use Uber/Lyft if your feet get too tired at the end of the day.

 

[Jason2015]

WDW girl too. This map where the entrance to the parks are drawn helped me a lot. I didn't realize there was basically one area where it fed into both parks after security. I also asked it another thread about the Harbor crosswalks and they're supposed to be plentiful.

The entrances for DCA and DL are directly across from each other on the Esplanade. Downtown Disney is also right there. Every major intersection as a crosswalk to cross Harbor. It is very walker friendly.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

and it's perfectly normal/safe to walk along and across Harbor Blvd? Even late in the evening, after the parks close?

When the parks close there are literally hundreds of people exiting, many of them to the hotels around Disneyland. Lots of people walking the same way you would be. Disneyland is basically located in a neighborhood with businesses and hotels right across the street.
Culture shock from WDW for sure.

 

[CodeGoddess]

Culture shock from WDW for sure.

Shock but in a good way I'm very excited not to use Disney's busing anymore.

 

[BrianL]

It's a very walkable area, clean and safe. There will be lots of peopel around typically. There are also the ART busses you can use if you are a bit further out, though I like to stay within walking distance. I am usually near the convention center, and it's a pretty easy walk really.

 

[Chickinvic]

and it's perfectly normal/safe to walk along and across Harbor Blvd? Even late in the evening, after the parks close?

Absolutely. There will be loads of other people walking too. I have never felt the slightest bit uncomfortable or worried for my safety there.

 

[DLgal]

Harbor Blvd isn't a highway or anything. It's a thoroughfare in a small city (Anaheim), lined with sidewalks and marked crosswalks at all intersections. It's perfectly safe to walk along it, but as mentioned, it IS a public street, so there will be all kinds of people around.

 

[Deb]

Harbor Blvd isn't a highway or anything. It's a thoroughfare in a small city (Anaheim), lined with sidewalks and marked crosswalks at all intersections. It's perfectly safe to walk along it, but as mentioned, it IS a public street, so there will be all kinds of people around.

I guess that's what I find so confusing. I have trouble picturing a movie theater along such a road, let alone a major theme park.

 

[DLgal]

I guess that's what I find so confusing. I have trouble picturing a movie theater along such a road, let alone a major theme park.

Gotcha. It can be kinda weird for people used to the wide open spaces and separation at WDW.

Using Google Maps is a really great way to visualize it all. Southern California is so densely developed that EVERYTHING is located right off a major road or freeway. Disneyland is so close to I-5 that you can see attractions pretty closely as you drive by at 80mph. Drivers get a great fireworks show if they happen to drive by around 9:30 on a weekend. It's kind of wild.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Shock but in a good way I'm very excited not to use Disney's busing anymore.

Absolutely. Park hopping by WALKING, no monorail, bus or boat, blew my mind a bit. No waiting for a bus at the end of the night (though we frequently stay at Swolphin at WDW and walk back from EPCOT or HS). Thoroughly welcome.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I guess that's what I find so confusing. I have trouble picturing a movie theater along such a road, let alone a major theme park.