Hotels across the street and safety questions

[ImDMous]

We stay in the Convention Center/Toy Story Parking area all the time and walk back and forth to the parks or get off the Toy Story shuttles. No problems. You'll get some people hanging outside the CVS or the ABC Mart like a PP said, but they've never bothered us. We've walked back at midnight, walked from DLand to the Convention Center pre-dawn, no big deal.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Alright I have read this whole post.
I have seen an in-cress in homeless as I have gone the past couple of years. 2012 to 2014.
I would Like to take a moment and share something that may help.

As some of you know my cousin went missing. I was worried as he walked to work and home just like my DH. As we went through the whole thing we began to talk about things.
MY DH is aware of his surroundings. He is always watching whats around him.
However our cousin was not. He was a depressed man and never watching where he went. So we started to think something happened to him because he wasn't watching his surroundings. (long story short hes found but its a whole another story) (My DH also texts me to let me know he made it at midnight or 2am now for my own sanity. LOL )

Now what I am trying to point out is area can always be unsafe. No matter it be a busy street at midnight, or a multi billion $ area. If you are aware of what is going on around you. You will be more safe. You will see the homeless man before you reach him. You can direct the kids to be between you.

Can there be issues Yes. Has there been issues? yes. No place you stay will be safe 100% of the time. Sure pulling 400+ a night out of the pocket for DLH might help but you can still find unsafe areas in DTD or even in DL it self.

Just be aware of what is around you. Have fun and don't worry about all the what ifs and start stressing so bad. If you do you will not have the best trip you can.
Stay on the harbor if you can. I have stayed at Hojos, Camelot, quality inn, and desert inn. All have been the same as far as safety. I am staying at BWPPI this time because we want to try it. The safety will be the same.

 

[Bud Ice]

The upscale touristy part of Town (Palm Trees, shuttles, fancy bus stops) is known as the Resort District. Publicly accessible areas such as these simply are an extension of the freedoms we enjoy. And yes, Disneyland attracts everyone. Therefore Homelessness, Escorts, and Drug Use are evident. Adult Clubs are also found in every direction just beyond the district.

Disney and Anaheim do a reasonable job of policing the area, but one cannot expect perfection. Just be mindful.

 

[MommyJKM]

She has a legitimate concern and has a right to ask. It's not "weird" at all to be concerned about safety in a foreign place. That story about the homeless man getting stabbed across from Disneyland definitely raises some concerns with most people who don't live in an area that has much of that type of activity, even though the stabbing occurred in a "multi-billion dollar area" (not to freak anyone out! This was a rare event that involved two homeless people).

Everyone has the "right" to ask, but it's a really odd concern since you aren't staying at the YMCA and at a paying hotel. If you want to be in a bubble -pay for it.

If you're paying $150/night for a hotel instead then maybe you are one paycheck away from being in the same position.

 

[justgrace]

Everyone has the "right" to ask, but it's a really odd concern since you aren't staying at the YMCA and at a paying hotel. If you want to be in a bubble -pay for it.

If you're paying $150/night for a hotel instead then maybe you are one paycheck away from being in the same position.

*Just to be clear, it's not me who asked the original question.*

Wait - what? I guess I'm confused at your statement? Are you saying that anyone who is paying $150 or less per night for a hotel at Disneyland is on the brink of homelessness? I don't want to put words in your mouth, but it's a little hard to decipher what you mean and I would hope that I'm just interpreting your post wrong.

 

[mgd]

Everyone has the "right" to ask, but it's a really odd concern since you aren't staying at the YMCA and at a paying hotel. If you want to be in a bubble -pay for it.

If you're paying $150/night for a hotel instead then maybe you are one paycheck away from being in the same position.

That last comment sounds rather condescending and snobbish. Most hotels in the area are in the $150 range. GCH proximity is nice, but just because someone doesn't find enough value in paying $550/night for an aging, cramped room in the grand californian doesn't mean they are near poverty or have to put their safety at risk. Some just value other things more than being able to brag about staying at the GCH every chance they get on boards like this.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Just to play devils advocate she did say Maybe, however Ill admit it did sound a little off putting. Might want to rethink the way you wrote it next time.

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

I'd also like to offer a contrasting opinion about the presence of the bus stop. I live in LA and use the 460 bus to visit Disneyland, which means that I am often waiting at that stop at night to go home. I'm a woman, 30 years old, short, and usually alone, but I always feel safe at the gate and bus stop BECAUSE the stop always has so many people. The stop has a mix of tourists, local teenagers, cast members, adult parkgoers, and yes, some homeless people using the benches and bus shelter. Like a lot of people have pointed out, I always feel safer in an area that is populated and bustling -- and, despite the pretty awful stereotypes some people have about bus riders, the people waiting at the stop are just regular people, and most of them are the very same people you ordered dinner from or rode attractions with just half an hour before.

 

[DizMe]

I think too much is being made of this question. The OP, who is not from the area, is simply asking about DISers experience to determine if they feel the area/hotels are safe. It's not a political question. Not everyone is from a metropolitan area or has experience with what it's like.

 

[SMD]

Why would you think homeless people would come up to your room? What a weird assumption. If you're so freaked out about the homeless population in a multi-billion dollar area, then stay on-site and keep ignoring the real issue.

I agree to an extent. If people have an issue walking on city streets, seeing fast food places, possibly seeing homeless people or panhandling, lack of a visible security guard or exterior corridors, then don't leave Disney property. The motels near Ball, Katella and Harbor are frequently sold out, so they appear to be sufficient for many guests and not hurting for their business. The complaints on these boards about how unsafe these places are make it seem like the thousands of people staying there on any given night have no concern for safety. Why should we be asked to convince someone to let go of their judgement when they clearly have an issue with some inherent part of the reality of staying at a tourist area hotel that we can't change for them.

Now, I tend to think that someone intent to commit a property crime is not going to stay away from the Disney hotels, and you could face just as much danger from another hotel guest as a random homeless person, but if it's a point of concern, then don't stay on Harbor. The worry problem will be solved.

 

[MommyJKM]

That last comment sounds rather condescending and snobbish. Most hotels in the area are in the $150 range. GCH proximity is nice, but just because someone doesn't find enough value in paying $550/night for an aging, cramped room in the grand californian doesn't mean they are near poverty or have to put their safety at risk. Some just value other things more than being able to brag about staying at the GCH every chance they get on boards like this.

I meant the statement as a comment that sometimes people find themselves in a situation where they wouldn't have anticipated. It was directed at homelessness, and that it shouldn't be something looked at as far away when a lot of people - even those visiting Disneyland - are a paycheck away from being in a bad situation. I meant the comment to re-iterate that the homeless on Harbor should be looked at as people too.

I didn't name call, nor was I attempting to be mean...but I guess you have different values and if insulting a stranger made your day, I'm happy to have been the object of your intention.

 

[MommyJKM]

Just to play devils advocate she did say Maybe, however Ill admit it did sound a little off putting. Might want to rethink the way you wrote it next time.

'

You're right, I didn't explain in detail. My intention was that the homeless population should still be looked at as people, even if we are on a vacation.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

MommyJKM im sure you didn't mean it the way some took it. Thank you for explaining it.

 

[CLR4321]

If hotels with exterior corridors were unsafe, we'd be hearing about it all the time. There are a great many hotels designed this way, especially in southern CA. Follow basic safety rules when staying bin any hotel, or when you are out in any public place for that matter. Lock your car, put anything that resembles a purse into the trunk or on the floor, park as close to your door as possible, park in well lit areas when possible. When you go to your room, immediately shut and latch your door. Avoid entering your room if there is anyone nearby who makes you feel suspicious (like a single person loitering around, not a family carrying a passed out kid LOL). If the person doesn't go away, go to the front desk and ask for someone to walk with you to your room. Any hotel will accommodate that request, because a crime on their property takes a hot on their business big time. Not only that, but the "Good Neighbor" hotels are approved by Disney. If something like that happened due to negligence, they would risk losing that endorsement. Avoid leaving your room at night, and if you do, stay in lit areas. When you leave ALWAYS pull the door closed and attempt to reopen it to make sure that the door is properly closed. Don't open the door for anyone unless you know who it is. When in doubt, if someone claims to be a hotel employee, call the front desk and ask if they've sent someone to your room. I have more tips but am walking out the door LOL

 

[lalasmama]

If hotels with exterior corridors were unsafe, we'd be hearing about it all the time. There are a great many hotels designed this way, especially in southern CA. Follow basic safety rules when staying bin any hotel, or when you are out in any public place for that matter. Lock your car, put anything that resembles a purse into the trunk or on the floor, park as close to your door as possible, park in well lit areas when possible. When you go to your room, immediately shut and latch your door. Avoid entering your room if there is anyone nearby who makes you feel suspicious (like a single person loitering around, not a family carrying a passed out kid LOL). If the person doesn't go away, go to the front desk and ask for someone to walk with you to your room. Any hotel will accommodate that request, because a crime on their property takes a hot on their business big time. Not only that, but the "Good Neighbor" hotels are approved by Disney. If something like that happened due to negligence, they would risk losing that endorsement. Avoid leaving your room at night, and if you do, stay in lit areas. When you leave ALWAYS pull the door closed and attempt to reopen it to make sure that the door is properly closed. Don't open the door for anyone unless you know who it is. When in doubt, if someone claims to be a hotel employee, call the front desk and ask if they've sent someone to your room. I have more tips but am walking out the door LOL

Good points and reminders overall, but just to clarify, Disneyland's approval qualifications of Good Neighbor properties are as follows: (1) Allow Disney to sell rooms on the Disney site, (2) Pay Disney big money for a designation without any rules/standards behind it. GN properties aren't nicer, closer, or endorsed by Disney for their quality or safety. Pretty misleading, huh?! But, this pointless designation brings a lot of people to the hotels that pay for the right to use the GN property title. Great marketing strategy for Disney and the GN properties!

 

[Sherry E]

I'd also like to offer a contrasting opinion about the presence of the bus stop. I live in LA and use the 460 bus to visit Disneyland, which means that I am often waiting at that stop at night to go home. I'm a woman, 30 years old, short, and usually alone, but I always feel safe at the gate and bus stop BECAUSE the stop always has so many people. The stop has a mix of tourists, local teenagers, cast members, adult parkgoers, and yes, some homeless people using the benches and bus shelter. Like a lot of people have pointed out, I always feel safer in an area that is populated and bustling -- and, despite the pretty awful stereotypes some people have about bus riders, the people waiting at the stop are just regular people, and most of them are the very same people you ordered dinner from or rode attractions with just half an hour before.

I don't want to sidetrack the conversation but just had to ask when I saw your comment -- is the 460 bus the one that has a stop in Downtown L.A.? I had jury duty a few weeks ago, and while I was in Downtown I noticed a bus stop that said "Disneyland." I am guessing it was the 460?

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

I don't want to sidetrack the conversation but just had to ask when I saw your comment -- is the 460 bus the one that has a stop in Downtown L.A.? I had jury duty a few weeks ago, and while I was in Downtown I noticed a bus stop that said "Disneyland." I am guessing it was the 460?

That's the one! The 460 route starts in the historic core of downtown, and the entire route from 5th and Los Angeles St. to the Disneyland Gate takes about an hour and forty-five minutes. I LOVE it. Especially if you live right along the route like I do, it's such a joy to hop on the bus, read for 90 minutes, and then be dropped off right at the parks, without the hassle of driving, parking, waiting for a tram, etc. Plus, roundtrip bus far costs just $5 -- that's $15 more per trip for me to spend on ice cream and gumbo...

 

[starshine514]

I feel safer the shorter my walk is! I feel super safe walking back and forth to the Desert Inn, at any time. It's so heavily populated, all the time. Even though it has interior corridors, I only feel safe during the daylight hours walking to/from the Ramada Plaza (on Katella) because the nighttime walk is dark and less populated the further you get from the pedestrian entrance. I feel fine walking it with my 6-foot + BIL along with, just not so much when it's just me and my three daughters alone.

Once I get to my room, I bolt the door, regardless of where I'm staying. We've never had issues with anyone trying to get in at any motel/hotel, nor have we noticed anyone loitering that doesn't appear to be a guest there. Basically, I'm saying that the walk is scarier than exterior corridors. If you're worried about safety, I would recommend staying as close as your budget allows.

 

[jani3]

The ramada maingate has a valet that stands at the entrance of their parking lot so they notice who's coming and going. I don't know if they stay over night; the latest I've walked by is 10pm and they were still there (there were 2 of them).

 

[TheDisneyDoll]

On my last trip during Tinkerbell half weekend I stayed at the Anaheim Plaza.
I would recommend not staying at the hotel. First thing was that it advertises itself as a good neighbor which it isn't according to the disneyland site, now that isn't a big deal, but does add to the sketch factor a little.
The main problem i had with the hotel was that upon checking into the hotel (by the manager) we were told that we'd been upgraded to a bigger room with two double beds and asked if that was acceptable. I thought that was exciting until he asked which credit card i'd like to be charged. I was confused, upgrade usually means free? (maybe not). I asked him what the fee was for and he said the room is an edition $25 per night, and it was not worth it to me or my friend to pay an additional $125 for that so i told him we'd stay with the standard room originally booked and the manager alerted us that room was not available so he kindly removed the fee and gave us the larger room anyway.
The other issue i ran into was that we ran out of toilet paper so I had to call and ask for some and I asked for a couple rolls and they brought 1. I had managed to get really sick on the trip and I exhausted all the tissues by the second night

The hotel wasn't bad otherwise it was clean. We used it just for the bed. I don't think i would stay there again though especially if i was by myself