Hilton Anaheim - Walking vs. ART vs. Toy Story bus?

[dreamseeker9]

I'm getting very excited as I approach the 60-day mark for my trip! I'm starting to plan my days. I will only have 1 day for MM at DL at 7:00 AM (I'm planning to buy a 5-day pass). Also, since I have a conference and meetings on some days, I'll only be at DLR some evenings and will want to stay until park close, probably midnight. I see on the ART website that their buses start running at 7:00 AM and stop at midnight.

I'm staying at the Hilton Anaheim. Google Maps tells me it's about an 18-minute walk from the hotel to the main gates, or to Downtown Disney. In the early morning or late evening, will I be fine walking by myself to/from the parks and my hotel? Also, would it be faster to take the Toy Story parking lot bus if ART isn't running?

Thanks for the help! This is only my second visit to DLR, the first was just a day trip, so I'm very much looking forward to having multiple days to explore the parks and DD!

 

[ImDMous]

We stay at the Hilton frequently and have never used the ART. We usually walk but if we're feeling lazy or our feet are tired or it's too hot or a variety of other excuses, we'll take the Toy Story shuttle. Walking takes you right past the new CVS on the corner of Harbor and Katella if you need to pick anything up.

 

[Imdboss]

I've always felt safe walking to/from DL, even late at night. I went with DD when she was 5 and we walked back at midnight and I was never uneasy about it.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I once had to walk down Harbor to find a store at about 1:30 in the morning (DLR had closed at 10:00). I was amazed at how bright and active the street was. I did see a homeless guy at the bus stop but the area was crawling with people and activity. I didn't feel unsafe at all.

 

[dreamseeker9]

We stay at the Hilton frequently and have never used the ART. We usually walk but if we're feeling lazy or our feet are tired or it's too hot or a variety of other excuses, we'll take the Toy Story shuttle. Walking takes you right past the new CVS on the corner of Harbor and Katella if you need to pick anything up.

Thanks! I live in NYC and walk a lot, so my preference will definitely be to walk. I'll plan to take the Toy Story shuttle as a backup. And great tip about the CvS on the corner, thanks!

I've always felt safe walking to/from DL, even late at night. I went with DD when she was 5 and we walked back at midnight and I was never uneasy about it.

Good to know, thanks!

I once had to walk down Harbor to find a store at about 1:30 in the morning (DLR had closed at 10:00). I was amazed at how bright and active the street was. I did see a homeless guy at the bus stop but the area was crawling with people and activity. I didn't feel unsafe at all.

That's good to hear about the street being bright and active that late, thanks. Sadly, I'm used to seeing homeless people here in NYC and with frequent work trips to Philly.

 

[Canuck16]

We just finished our stay at Sheraton Park which is right next to the Hilton and we walked to and from the parks everyday for RD and didn't leave until late. The walk was easy and we didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

As the OP has mentioned the new CVS on the corner of Harbour and Katella is awesome should you need anything!!

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyJewel]

Agree with everyone else -- we've stayed there twice and always walked. There are usually plenty of people going back and forth, even late at night, and a ton of people who are walking right when the park closes. Have fun!

 

[bcla]

I've been there at night, and it's usually not too bad. The only issue might be some people inebriated, but I've never heard of any violence. The two convenience stores at Katella and Harbor get a lot of people on beer runs, and it gets interesting.

 

[Aspoonfullofsugar]

I've walked it late at night with no issue and felt very comfortable. The Toy Story bus is a wonderful back up if your feet are too tired.

 

[shannon006]

We will be staying at the Hilton in September. So I am trying to do as much research as I can. DH will be at a convention and I will be going to the parks I haven't heard of the Toy Story bus. How do I get further information?

 

[Disneydreamsdancer]

We often stay at the Hilton and love the walk, its not far and we feel safe If we are tired after a long park day we'll sometimes take the toy story shuttle back to the hotel and walk across from the lot

 

[bcla]

From NYC? Nothing is going to phase you in Anaheim. My only issue is the occasional drunk on a beer run at the 7-11.

 

[Drusilla99]

When I've been super impatient, I've taken a cab to the front gates. With tip it was less than my daughters & I one way on the ART, and then at the end of the day we just walked back.

 

[jessica52877]

Happy to see this thread, we stay there next month and I was concerned about the late night walks. Overall I've always felt safe (usually coming from HoJo's) but usually there is a homeless person at the bus stop.

 

[bcla]

I just say I like the Hilton. It's pretty obvious that their business focuses on conventions, but they are also conscious that they're in Anaheim and a destination for Disneyland visitors. They have a Disney Desk with a real CM, as well as some Disneyland themed displays. Also - their rates can be really good at times when there's no major convention. These often coincide with peak Disneyland visitation.

I guess one drawback is that it's a huge hotel. It can be a real walk if you end up in one of the far corners. Another issue is that their parking spaces are super narrow. If you're worried about door dings, then maybe look for parking on the upper floors. Most try to park at the lower floors even though you're probably going to need to take the elevator anyways.

 

[Pucka1378]

We stayed across from the Hilton at the Marriott a couple of weeks ago. We were fine walking. The day we stayed in the park all day and came back late. We opted to take a cab back. It was about $7 with out tip. That new CVS is pretty awesome!

 

[SomeGuyInOz]

We will be staying at the Hilton in September. So I am trying to do as much research as I can. DH will be at a convention and I will be going to the parks I haven't heard of the Toy Story bus. How do I get further information?

The big Disneyland "Toy Story" parking lot is very close to the Hilton Anaheim. There are constantly running free shuttle buses between the parking lot and Disneyland. Obviously, the buses are intended for guests who park in this lot, but the cast members working there never seem to mind if you just walk in and take the bus. I do it a lot - particularly on hot (or wet) days, since the buses are air conditioned. It probably won't save you any time to take this bus, but it can sometimes mean you arrive cool and refreshed instead of sweaty. Have a look on Google Maps to get an idea.

 

[dreamseeker9]

From NYC? Nothing is going to phase you in Anaheim. My only issue is the occasional drunk on a beer run at the 7-11.

Ha, so true. I think I can handle that.

I just say I like the Hilton. It's pretty obvious that their business focuses on conventions, but they are also conscious that they're in Anaheim and a destination for Disneyland visitors. They have a Disney Desk with a real CM, as well as some Disneyland themed displays. Also - their rates can be really good at times when there's no major convention. These often coincide with peak Disneyland visitation.

I guess one drawback is that it's a huge hotel. It can be a real walk if you end up in one of the far corners. Another issue is that their parking spaces are super narrow. If you're worried about door dings, then maybe look for parking on the upper floors. Most try to park at the lower floors even though you're probably going to need to take the elevator anyways.

Thanks, that's good to hear about the Hilton. I considered staying my first two nights at one of the Disneyland hotels, but I decided to save money and used Hilton points for a Disney view room. My company will cover the cost of my Hilton room during the convention. I'm hoping I can stay in the same room for all 6 nights! And good to know about it being a huge hotel, I'll definitely allow plenty of time to get to the convention center or to Disneyland. I'd read reviews that the elevators can be very slow at times, it sounds like they don't have enough for the volume of people who use them sometimes. And thanks for the parking tip, but I won't have a car - I'm taking a shuttle from LAX.