New Springhill Suites and walking to the parks

[AndreAggie]

We have Marriott points and are considering the new Springhill Suites on Ball. Looking on google maps, it appears you can go out the back of the property to the Mickey & Friends parking structure and catch the tram to the Maingate. Can anyone verify this?? The other hotel we're considering is the HoJo, but we're going in January, so the waterpark isn't really coming into consideration. I like the idea of the Springhill Suites for the free breakfast, large rooms and fold-out couch.

 

[elaine amj]

To help with planning transportation to the parks, we are located close to two transportation options for Disney other than the ART shuttle. The first is the Tram at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure which will drop you off near the front entrance of the parks. The Second is the Monorail at Downtown Disney that will take you to Tomorrowland inside Disneyland (You must have your tickets for Disney to ride the monorail). Both these walks from our hotel are about 10-15mins. The Art Shuttle is a great option but as you mentioned they do not run on a good set schedule. So occasionally it does take them longer than their posted 20 minutes and buses do fill up at certain time of the day usually around when Disneyland closes for the day.


A reply from the GM to one of their Tripadvisor reviews

 

[Tommy_B]

You can not easily walk to the Mickey & Friends tram. There is no backdoor or side entrance. There is no sidewalk on the M&F Parking Lot side of the street, there is only one on the Disneyland side and then there is almost no way to cross Disneyland Drive. You would have to go all the way up to Magic Way, cross, and walk back south to the tram through parking lot. I think it is far more hassle than it is worth.

I'd either look at the Fairfield Inn or Residence Inn Maingate.