Newbie ?

[heidijanesmith]

Hi all-

I am a huge WDW fan and have been several times, but we have not been to DL since I was a kid.

One of the things that we LOVE about WDW is not having to rent a car, all of the great transportation options at WDW take care of our needs.

Does DL offer a service like ME or do most people rent a car? Has anyone ever used a towncar service with a grocery stop?

I read that the monorail station changed at the Disneyland Hotel, but I can't quite get a grip on the monorail lines at DL. Can someone explain the monorail system at DL?

Can you walk to the parks from the three Disney owned hotels? I see that the GC hotel is in one of DL parks, but can you walk to the MK park?

Any tips and advice is welcome

 

[DahliaRW]

No, there is no disney transportation. If you're staying onsite, it's easy to take a shuttle from the airport and then walk. All three of the onsite hotels are within walking distance of the park. The monorail is a little ways form DLH in DTD, a 2 minute walk maybe. It's about 10 to the gates from there. You can have groceries delivered from Vons, so you don't have to have a grocery stop. Definitely doable without a car.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Hi all-

I am a huge WDW fan and have been several times, but we have not been to DL since I was a kid.

One of the things that we LOVE about WDW is not having to rent a car, all of the great transportation options at WDW take care of our needs.

Does DL offer a service like ME or do most people rent a car? Has anyone ever used a towncar service with a grocery stop?

I read that the monorail station changed at the Disneyland Hotel, but I can't quite get a grip on the monorail lines at DL. Can someone explain the monorail system at DL?

Can you walk to the parks from the three Disney owned hotels? I see that the GC hotel is in one of DL parks, but can you walk to the MK park?

Any tips and advice is welcome

If you are wanting to venture away from the resort area, you will need to either walk, take city transit, take a taxi or rent a car. If you plan on pretty much staying at the resort.....a car will not be needed.

The 3 resort hotels are all within walking distance with the GCH being the closest, followed by the DLH & then the PPH. The monorail really only loops the parks with 2 stops.....one in DTD, not too far from the DLH & the other stop is in Tomorrowland. People tend to do this for a ride vs transportation as done in WDW.

There are also a string of motels around the parks all within walking distance. A lot of the motels have small gift shop/stores attached if you only need to pick up a few supplies. Some of the grocery stores offer delivery services if you are needing more. There are restaurants all around the resort area, again all within walking distance.

The nice thing about DL is the closeness of everything.

There are options for getting from the airports: DL offers the Express Bus (I believe someone said it was $25/round trip per adult?) , there is the Super Shuttle Vans for $10/per person one way & also taxi & limos.

Hope that helps a little bit!!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi all-

I am a huge WDW fan and have been several times, but we have not been to DL since I was a kid.

One of the things that we LOVE about WDW is not having to rent a car, all of the great transportation options at WDW take care of our needs.

Does DL offer a service like ME or do most people rent a car? Has anyone ever used a towncar service with a grocery stop?

I read that the monorail station changed at the Disneyland Hotel, but I can't quite get a grip on the monorail lines at DL. Can someone explain the monorail system at DL?

Can you walk to the parks from the three Disney owned hotels? I see that the GC hotel is in one of DL parks, but can you walk to the MK park?

Any tips and advice is welcome

Here is the best info on transportation options:

"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

Yes, you can walk from all three Disney hotels and at least a dozen good neighbor hotels. I think walking is the best option. See "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[GrandBob]

Definitely, stay within walking distance of DLR. All 3 on-site hotels are walking distance. But unlike WDW, there are also numerous walking distance motels & hotels nearby. See
http://www.accommodationsneardisney.com/Disneyland/default.asp
Everything is green is easy walking distance. Depending on how much you like to walk, some of the closer ones in the yellow areas could be OK too.

If you're coming just for DLR and stay in a walking distance hotel, you don't need a car. In that case, you have lots of transportation options to get to your hotel from the airport:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

However, there's so much to offer in Southern California, you may want to plan a longer vacation so you can see the rest of LA, San Diego, etc. In that case, you could either consider renting a car before/after the Disney portion of your trip, or renting one for the duration. When figuring the cost of each option, be aware of whether your hotel charges a parking fee. That's becoming more common, even with the off-site hotels.

Enjoy your visit to Walt's park!

-Bob

 

[GrandBob]

Answers to some of your other questions:

The monorail at DLR is nothing like at WDW. At WDW, it's transportation. At DLR, it's more of a ride. Keep in mind that it was one of the first monorails ever built, and it was built as a ride to showcase the technology, much more than to actually get anywhere. It has just two stops: Tomorrowland and Downtown Disney. It can be marginally useful to get from one to the other, either for a dinner stop, or to go back to one of the on-site hotels at the end of the day. It's less useful first thing in the morning, if you're trying to beat the morning rush, because it doesn't start operating until the park opens, and then may have long lines. If you're trying for rope drop, you'll do better on foot.

Yes, all 3 hotels are in walking distance to both parks, as are many off-site hotels. One thing to keep in mind is that park hopping is nothing like at WDW. The entrances to the two parks are within 100 yards of each other. It literally takes about 3 minutes to park hop. It's quicker (by far) to get from the Main St RR station at DL to the DCA entrance, than it would be to walk through DL to Toontown.

Finally, to get all these tips and lots, lots more, you really should read Hydroguy's most excellent DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

HTH,
Bob

 

[heidijanesmith]

Answers to some of your other questions:

The monorail at DLR is nothing like at WDW. At WDW, it's transportation. At DLR, it's more of a ride. Keep in mind that it was one of the first monorails ever built, and it was built as a ride to showcase the technology, much more than to actually get anywhere. It has just two stops: Tomorrowland and Downtown Disney. It can be marginally useful to get from one to the other, either for a dinner stop, or to go back to one of the on-site hotels at the end of the day. It's less useful first thing in the morning, if you're trying to beat the morning rush, because it doesn't start operating until the park opens, and then may have long lines. If you're trying for rope drop, you'll do better on foot.

Yes, all 3 hotels are in walking distance to both parks, as are many off-site hotels. One thing to keep in mind is that park hopping is nothing like at WDW. The entrances to the two parks are within 100 yards of each other. It literally takes about 3 minutes to park hop. It's quicker (by far) to get from the Main St RR station at DL to the DCA entrance, than it would be to walk through DL to Toontown.

Finally, to get all these tips and lots, lots more, you really should read Hydroguy's most excellent DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

HTH,
Bob

WOW, thank you very much for all the great info. I think the thread "DLR guide for WDW Vets" was amazing and answered so many of my questions!!

 

[HydroGuy]

WOW, thank you very much for all the great info. I think the thread "DLR guide for WDW Vets" was amazing and answered so many of my questions!!

I happen to be partial to that thread too.

Even more than answering your questions it offer answers to questions did not yet know you should be asking.