Hidden Time Losses When Using a Car At DLR

[bumbershoot]

My husband had thought about parking in Disney's garage even though we're staying at HOJOs. (God bless him...he was thinking about me because I have a very painful foot problem ) But I told him that it wasn't worth neither the time, nor the money...that I would walk to the park, but I would probably take ART back to the hotel. (By the way...did you hear me groan aloud Hydroguy?) I about died when I looked at your maps and found that HOJO was nearly a 1/2 mile away from the gate.

We've stayed at HOJOs before (and I really liked the hotel) but I seem to be the only one who remembers the long walk back to the hotel..but that's probably because I was in so much pain.

I really get a kick out of their website...they say they're only 1 block from the main gate...1/2 a mile???....Now that's some kind of block!

I wanted to stay at the CCI because of their shuttle, but for a variety of reasons...mostly the cost...we couldn't afford it this trip. Anyway...at least this time, I know what to expect.

It is officially one long block, FWIW, well, after you cross Manchester.

Also, I took pictures with time-stamps on our walks. From HoJo's parking lot (in the middle on our way from building 2) to the hotels right near the parking lots, it was about 5 minutes worth of walking. And we were going SLOW on that trip, b/c I had blistered up both feet, even going in between my toes. Awful blisters (before even entering a park, I'm talented!). The main time for walking is from the parks to the crosswalk. Once you're at the crosswalk it's barely a time difference. Now when you're in pain that seems like forever, but you've already walked quite a bit to GET to the crosswalk, and what is after that is close by up to HoJos (can't imagine going up the hill of the overpass to get over to the Menage).

IMO.

 

[HoneyBee06]

I think it also depends on the day and time that you get to the parking structure as well. We live in the area, so we always drive, and it rarely takes us longer than 20-30 minutes from Ball Road to the main gate. We've been on busy days where it has taken longer, but usually the wait is not too bad. Also, I like having the car there to keep a change of clothes, blankets, a tripod, a cooler with sandwiches, etc. It's much easier to hop on the parking tram mid-day and take a quick ride to the car than it is to walk to an off-site hotel to pick up stuff. And the walk from the main gate to Mickey and Friends is not that far. In all honesty it is probably the same distance as a lot of the nearby off-site hotels.

i agree.

When I was an AP holder...we went to the park at least once a week, sometimes more. And obviously we drove every time. Pretty much any time (besides right at park opening) it didn't take long to park and get inside. If by some chance there were tons of people waiting for the tram, we'd just walk from the parking structure to the gates. Didn't take long at all.

We live in a different state now but we go back and visit. We're going in January and we are renting a car. But we won't use it to drive to DL for two reasons - walking from our hotel takes roughly the same amount of time and now that we aren't AP holders, we'd have to pay for parking and we don't want to.

 

[HoneyBee06]

As part of the DCA expansion, the largest parking structure in the world (literally true) was built near DLR. It is called Mickey & Friends. It is 3/4 of a mile away from the DLR entrance.

I have parked there on a day trip - so I had no other choice - and when trying to move as fast as possible it took me 30 minutes from the time I got to the line of cars at the M&F structure until I was standing at the gates of DL. Since it was early morning before the park opened, the line of cars (about 20) was pretty short and I was able to get thru the toll booth in about 5 minutes. This line of cars at the toll booth can get much, much longer (45 minute waits) at certain times of the day.

If I was staying at a hotel that was too far to walk, there is no way I would drive. As I said in the OP, it is the most time consuming mode of transportation to DLR. But some people still prefer to drive, so that is their choice. I am not speaking to those people here. I am speaking to the people who have no real idea of how time consuming the car option is and what other options they should consider.

Is this a proven fact? Where did you find this info?

 

[Cali_Sparrow]

Personally I think if you plan to get to the park after opening, then it is better to stay in a walking-distance hotel. But for early birds like me, getting to the parking structure at like 7:15 am and using the shuttle to the hub doesn't waste any time. I still get in line and wait for them to open the gates.
I do prefer to just walk to the park, but sometimes it's just not possible.

If you in the Los Anegeles area, there's really no point spending hundreds of dollars a night to stay near the entrance when you can just drive and pay $11 for a spot in the parking areas (or nothing if you have a pass with parking). Much of the visitors at DLR are locals and that's why the parking lot is so popular.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

From my experience in looking at hotels, just about every hotel anywhere "near" Disneyland is going to tell you they're a block away and/or within walking distance from Disneyland, but that doesn't mean it's a short walk by any stretch of the imagination.

Your best bet is to do some research and find out just how close to the Harbor walking entrance the hotel is, and then adjust your plans accordingly. For me, I can save at least $50 a night by staying on W Ball instead of right on hotel row on Harbor. I now have to drive to the park, but if I were to walk there, it would take me just as long as it does to drive, so I don't really save time.

In the end you have to determine if you really want to pay extra for the sheer proximity to the parks. And for some people, it's definitely worth it.

 

[disneysweethearts]

I guess it is a totally different experience for locals (it's about a 25 minute drive for us). We exit right off the 5 highway at whatever street that is (Ball?) and drive right into the structure. The most cars in front of us has been 5 and it takes no longer than 5 minutes to get through the parking ticket station. There is either a tram waiting for us or one arrives in less than 5 minutes. The most we wait in security is under 5 minutes (which would be so much better if they adopted my boyfriend's long dreamed of idea of having a seperate line for people without bags, like us).

15 minutes for us tops to get off the highway and at the entrance to the park.

Now waiting in line to get in? That is the real time sink.

Granted, we hardly ever go to the park in July or August and 99% of the time, we go on a weekday. We can't deal with the weekend crowds.

But seriously...why don't they have a security line for people without any bags?

 

[sacteach]

We went last week (16th and 17th) and were able to drive from Newport Beach, park, take the parking lot shuttle, go through security, and go through the turnstiles in about 40 minutes each day. The drive itself was 25 minutes, so to park, shuttle, security, and enter took about 15 minutes.

We had 2-day hoppers from AAA that included parking - the ticket said Mickey & Friends, but we ended up in the Timon parking lot without realizing it. We just got off I-5 on Disney Way and followed the cars They never said anything either day. On the first day (Th) we got to the parking lot around 10:45 and I know we were picking up a fast pass for Indy at 11:05. On the second day (Fri), we got to the parking lot around 9:40, had a slightly longer wait at security, and were in DCA at 10:00 when it opened.

 

[bumbershoot]

"
But seriously...why don't they have a security line for people without any bags?"


It would have to be manned so that the multitudes of people who don't consider whatever they are carrying to be a bag could be stopped. "I don't have a bag, this is a purse/diaper bag/camera bag/fanny pack/travel wallet/etcetcetc" would be a big sentence being said there.

There would be people who just missed the sign saying "no bag line" and would need to be redirected...and so on and so forth.

It would just be yet another line-up.

Or maybe I"m just pessimistic about human nature.

 

[Mugglemama]

i can see the benefit to staying on site, although we never have. we have 4 children and have been to DLR 100+ times (had AP's for a couple of years), and staying onsite would definitely make dealing with strollers, diaper bags, etc. easier than it is when using the trams.

however, the on-site properties are insanely expensive. especially for us because we would actually need to book 2 rooms (as far as i've been able to tell when checking their rates online, they can't accommodate a family of 6). and although we are not completely strapped for cash, neither my husband or i feels like the on-site hotels are anything close to a good value. particularly when we've read so many negative reviews, especially about the DLH.

so for the last 12 years, we've just dealt with driving to the parks and riding the trams....even with strollers and multiple kids. at times it's kind of a pain, but not too bad. and my kids actually LOVE riding the tram, lol. i have no idea why, but they really do.

we typically stay at a hotel close enough to walk, but we drive anyway. i really don't want to be walking around at midnight through anaheim with a stroller and trying to keep a hold of the rest of my kids as we walk along busy streets, etc.

DW in orlando seems like a much better value, as you can get rooms on site for under $100 a night. with 4 kids to buy tickets, food, and souvenirs for, i don't want to fork out excessive amounts of money for a mediocre room. i'm not completely frugal, but i do hate to waste money, and when it comes to this i guess i just feel like i'm not willing to hand over $200 to $300 per night (multiplied by 2), especially since we stay in the parks a lot of the time, and are usually only at the hotel for sleeping.

so until/unless the on-site properties become a better value (which i seriously doubt) and have suites that can accommodate a family of 6, i doubt we'll ever utilize them. which is a bummer, because like i said, i would appreciate the convenience.

 

[jenpok]

This is a really great question and one I've actually been wondering about. We are going in December for a big family Christmas. My mother really wanted to rent a house where all of us and kids can stay together. So, now we have to deal with the transportation issue which I've been stressing about a little. We are definitely a get to the park early family so maybe it won't be as bad as I feared. Any tips??

 

[Lights_Out]

Okay, so, what if you get their (in your car) really early?

 

[Stacerita]

"
But seriously...why don't they have a security line for people without any bags?"


It would have to be manned so that the multitudes of people who don't consider whatever they are carrying to be a bag could be stopped. "I don't have a bag, this is a purse/diaper bag/camera bag/fanny pack/travel wallet/etcetcetc" would be a big sentence being said there.

There would be people who just missed the sign saying "no bag line" and would need to be redirected...and so on and so forth.

It would just be yet another line-up.

Or maybe I"m just pessimistic about human nature.

I was thinking the same thing. Except I think they wouldn't be redirected. They would make a scene and then security would just check their bag and let them go through. It would probably get to the point that people would use it as a "tip". "Hey, dont wait in the long regular line, just go to the short no bag line. You can get your bag checked there fast." That's what I think would happen.

Maybe I had the pessimistic punch too.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Okay, so, what if you get their (in your car) really early?

The parking opens 30 minutes before the park does so you still wait and wait and wait and wait till they let you in and then you stop to pick up parking ticket, get directed through to your stall and then you park, gather your things, go to the tram area, board the tram, wade through the baggage check line, and then, finally, you are at the gate. If you stay within walking distance and walk in, the bag check starts 30 minutes before the gates open. you get there early, they check your bags at the 30 minute check and you walk right to the gate. No tram, no parking, no extra wait time. If you MUST stay at a hotel that is further away than walking distance, use hydroguy's advice and take a taxi. The anaheim cab companies know where to drop you off at and you will save SO MUCH TIME.

 

[HydroGuy]

The parking structure opening time seems to change from time to time. When I wrote this thread a couple years ago it was 30 minutes early whether it was an MM day or non-MM day. The last time I used the parking structure was Thanksgiving week last year on a non-MM day and they opened the structure 60 minutes early. It is my understanding that today they still open the structure 60 minutes early on non-MM days and 30 minutes on MM days.

If you have 60 minutes then that makes everything easier and the time crunch is not as big an issue. It is the 30 minutes days that are a bigger problem IMO.

For people who visit DLR regularly then the possibility of being 15 or 30 minutes late is just not a big deal. Whatever they miss today they can just do next month.

The thrust of this thread is for those who visit less regularly and do not want to risk their morning experience based on the vagaries of the parking situation.

Personally, at DLR and in life in general I prefer to not have to depend on other people or systems if I do not have to. If I can walk to DLR in 5-10 minutes then I know how long it will take. If I have to depend on parking, a shuttle, a bus, or whatever, I may know what usually happens but on any particular day I do not know what will happen. It is one of my biggest dislikes about WDW.

 

[PHXscuba]

As to the "no bag" security line, they had it at WDW when we were there last month, so there is hope they could implement the program at DLR! We never used them because I carried a small bag, but I saw several groups of men in cargo shorts (which BTW can carry more than many of my purses!) going through the line.

We have always stayed with family locally and driven to the park, arriving early and parking on the ground floor of Mickey & Friends. I am looking forward to staying onsite next fall when we do a big group trip!

PHXscuba

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

I couldn't agree with you more, HydroGuy!

My hubby and I take our four young children to Disney two or three times a year. Up until about 2 years ago we routinely stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. I loved it there and would never consider staying anywhere else (except maybe possibly the GC). In my mind I always considered it to be the most convenient hotel in terms of entering the parks, and Dowtown Disney and with four children, convenience was my number one concern.

Well, my hubby was racking up Hilton Honors points left and right due to his traveling for work and with the free nights he had accumulated it made no sense to not use them. I was quite upset at first because the idea of being about 5 miles away from the park really didn't make me happy.

Well, I couldn't have been more wrong! The ART system that we use is awesome! The bus comes right to our front door every 20 minutes and takes us directly to the FRONT gate of the park. So convenient! We actually walk so much less as compared to when we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel.

On our last day about a year ago we decided to drive our car to the parking structure...what a mistake. It was a nightmare in terms to all the waiting we did. Waiting in line to enter and pay, waiting in line to park, waiting in line for the shuttle which was so busy. We waited for a shuttle for a good 30 minutes. We vowed never again. Obviously these wait times are going to vary depending on time of day, year, etc. But you honestly just sometimes never know until it's too late.

I realize that sometimes you have no choice but to drive, but if you have another option, I would strongly suggest you use it. Like I said, I have young children and there were times that I would have to take one or two kids back to the hotel to rest during the day. It was still so much easier in terms of waiting and actual walking to take the shuttle back to the hotel.

When you go to Disney you want to make it as special as you can whether it's your first or your fortieth. For me and I'm sure for most of you trying to avoid lines and spending more time in the parks is part of that. Once I'm in the parks, the lines don't bother me as much because I'm AT DISNEYLAND!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Wow, our driving experience has been so the opposite! We have driven to DLR the past several trips and never had much of wait.

This past July we arrived at Mickey and Friends Parking around 7am, maybe a tad after. There was no trafffic. We were directed to park outside in Pinocchio. From our car was a short walk to the tram. We got right on an almost empty tram. At the tram drop off, we walked to the security line everyone has to go through.

We loved driving so much better than the awful shuttles we used to take. People were always pushing to get on and sneak on from the sides. When we took the tram to go to the parking lot to leave, no crowds either. Once we had to wait for the next tram.

I'm not opposed to walking to the park either, but it seems like the places we prefer to stay are too far away.

Maybe we have just always been lucky with the parking situation, I'm sure it depends on the time you arrive too. It probably would have been more crowded at 10am. But my point is, it doesn't always take a long time to drive.

 

[skoocher]

I have to agree with PinkBudgie, we too have driven the last 3 or 4 times to DL and have never had to wait. We always were parked, shuttled, and waiting in line to get in the gate before the parks open, so it could not have taken too long if the parking only opens 30 min early.

I am not saying people should or should not drive...if your hotel is close to the parks, then by all means it makes sense to walk. But, since we generally stay further away, we drive normally.

Out next trip will be for 3 days in February. We are going to try the ART. Wish me luck!

Wow, our driving experience has been so the opposite! We have driven to DLR the past several trips and never had much of wait.

This past July we arrived at Mickey and Friends Parking around 7am, maybe a tad after. There was no trafffic. We were directed to park outside in Pinocchio. From our car was a short walk to the tram. We got right on an almost empty tram. At the tram drop off, we walked to the security line everyone has to go through.

We loved driving so much better than the awful shuttles we used to take. People were always pushing to get on and sneak on from the sides. When we took the tram to go to the parking lot to leave, no crowds either. Once we had to wait for the next tram.

I'm not opposed to walking to the park either, but it seems like the places we prefer to stay are too far away.

Maybe we have just always been lucky with the parking situation, I'm sure it depends on the time you arrive too. It probably would have been more crowded at 10am. But my point is, it doesn't always take a long time to drive.

 

[avalon451]

I'd still rather stay across the street, regardless of the cost (still appreciably less than even PP, closer and more convenient) and walk. 5 minutes to the gate, under your own foot power. Go back midday for a nap, or even run back if you forgot your sweatshirt or something. I'm not that picky about staying at a nicer hotel (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, etc. although HoJo was very clean, comfortable and beautifully landscaped), as long as it's comfy, since we don't spend that much time in the room.

We stayed at HoJo this time, which technically is as far as DLH, but on our way out one night I snapped a picture of the huge hordes of people in the shuttle drop-off area, waiting for ART, hotel shuttles, trams, etc. It was a crowded madhouse of tired, cranky people, shoving to get on the overcrowded shuttles. We just strolled on by and were back to our room in 7 minutes, and I said to DD13, "... and THAT is why we will always stay within walking distance!"

 

[mousefit]

This thread made me realize something. I have been dreamed twice. Both while going into the Mickey and Friends parking structure. I got the ticket for the free Year of a Million Dreams pins. One was with Mickey on it and the other time it had Donald on it. Other than that I usually park in the structure since I go for the day. But I have stayed in nearby hotels and walked. Can't say there was much difference except when I stayed at GCH.